Raw Recap 12.01.08

Raw Recap from Washington, DC:

Raw opened with highlights of last week's Triple Threat match between Jericho, Batista and Orton. Batista seemed to have the winning pin on Orton after a spear, but Jericho dropkicked him off Orton, then stole the pin. At the end of the show, Jericho went to the ring to "welcome back" Cena. Cena appeared on the Titantron from out in the arena, then led fans in through the crowd. In the ring, Cena addressed Jericho's recent tirades where he called fans liars and hypocrites. Cena told Jericho the WWE wouldn't exist without fans. Eventually Cena struck down Jericho and went wild, locking in the STFU, then beating him around the ring.

Jericho appeared on camera from out in the arena near the concessions stand. Jericho was flanked by security who escorted him into the arena. Jericho continued to insult the fans as he walked down the stairs towards the ring. Jericho yelled at one fan that if he ever touched him again, he'd have him thrown out of the arena. Jericho called the fans worthless to him, saying he has no need to convert them. Jericho says one Cena fan who's worth saving is his own son. Jericho reminded fans three years ago that Cena beat Jericho in a match requiring Y2J to be fired from WWE. Jericho said in those 3 years he was gone from Raw, his son began watching Raw and became a Cena fan. Jericho said he banned his son from watching Survivor Series as well as last week's Raw. Jericho said he'll lift the ban for Armageddon, so his own son can see his father defeat his hero, Cena for the title. Jericho's segment ended and the Raw intro started.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans to the nation's capital. Lawler reminded everyone that Kane takes on Cena in the main event. Cole discussed the next matches in the Intercontinental title tournament will be Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz, and Finlay vs. John Morrison. Kofi Kingston and CM Punk have already advanced to the second round.

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz
Intercontinental Championship Tournament

As Mysterio made his way down the ramp, all of a sudden he saw Mike Knox standing in his path. Mysterio walked forward and began to punch away at Knox. Knox shoved Mysterio down, causing Rey to fall on his arm. Knox continued beating on Mysterio on the ramp, until WWE refs got him away. Mysterio held onto his hurt arm as Raw went to a commercial.

Raw returned and Michael Cole revisited highlights of Knox's attack on Mysterio. Todd Grisham asked Stephanie McMahon backstage about Rey's condition. Steph said it appears Rey tore ligaments in his arm. As Stephanie left the trainer's room, Layla walked up to her. Layla said since Rey is out of the tournament, he should be ineligible for the tournament. Stephanie agreed and walked away.

Winner: The match never started due to Rey Mysterio's inability to compete.

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CM Punk & Kofi Kingston vs. Manu & Cody Rhodes

Cole introduced brief footage of CM Punk as the Grand Marshall at a Thanskgiving Day parade in Chicago, Illinois. Randy Orton was shown in a locker room watching the match.

Kofi Kingston gained a ton of momentum, quickening the pace of the match. Kingston ducked a Rhodes clothesline then flew from off the corner to chop him down. Kofi hit his double leg drop and went for a cover, but Manu rushed in to pull him off. CM Punk ran in and shoved Manu away. Rhodes rushed over at Kofi who was near the ropes and tried to pull him away for a pin. Kingston held onto the ropes causing Rhodes to fall back. As Rhodes got up, Kofi delivered his high Buzzsaw kick to knock Rhodes down for the pinfall.

Winners: CM Punk and Kofi Kingston win via pinfall over Manu & Cody Rhodes.

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Raw returned with another DX WWE Shop promotion for the Holidays. Triple H displayed the Elimination Chamber toy with a removable roof which is made of 40 pieces. Shawn Michaels went on a tangent about how the kids will wake up their father to put together the Elimination Chamber even though he's only had 2 hours of sleep on Christmas Eve. Michaels said and when you're done, all the kids want to do is play with the box. HHH commented on how nice the box is.

Manu and Rhodes were walking backstage and came up to Randy Orton who was sitting in the hall. Rhodes yelled at Orton for not doing anything last week. Orton told Rhodes he sees potential in them, so tonight they should take the first step in realizing that potential. Orton said if they're interested to find him in his locker room.

Backstage, Chris Jericho went to talk to Kane in a back room. Jericho told Kane that others are talking about Cena as an unstoppable monster, not Kane. Jericho said everyone says he'll be tapping out in the ring in pain. Kane told Jericho not to play mind games with him, because he'll take care of Cena and give the fans a show. Kane says the people love him and he loves them back, then warned Jericho to never approach him again.

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When Raw returned, Michael Cole noted that Stephanie McMahon was recognized on CableFAX Daily's Top 20 Rising Stars to watch in Cable. Cole and Lawler discussed how last week Stephanie and Shane had an argument leading to Stephanie taking over the Raw program.

Melina vs. Jillian Hall

Jillian Hall was screeching a song out in the ring until Melina made her entrance to interrupt. Melina has been out since June with an ankle injury but made her return to Raw last week. Before the match could start, Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix came out from backstage and headed to ringside to join Cole and Lawler for commentary. Glamazon said they were there to scout her potential competition.

In the ring, Jillian used a submission hold on Melina, then beat on her down on the mat. Jillian attempted to do a cartwheel into Melina in the corner, but Melina countered with a leglock, then tried for a pinfall. Jillian got back up and began to punch away at Jillian near the ropes. Melina held onto her ankle briefly, but then came back to use a judo type move to Jillian's midsection followed by her finisher "The Last Call".

After the match ended, Santino grabbed a mic saying he was unimpressed. Santino said Melina can't defeat the Glamazon. Melina said she plans to and will take the Women's title. Santino then tried to prove anyone can down Melina's entrance. Santino unzipped his jeans and tried to get onto the side apron for a split, but then fell off the apron and started holding his groin in pain. As Beth tended to Santino, Melina displayed how the split is done in the ring.

Winner: Melina wins by pinfall over Jillian Hall.

JBL was shown backstage walking on his way out to the arena.

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Back in the locker room, Santino was shown seated with two ice bags around his crotch. He yelled out in pain for Beth Phoenix. Suddenly, two hands in black gloves began to give him a shoulder massage. Santino thought it was Beth, but then it was revealed to be Goldust. Santino screamed out and took off running.

Shawn Michaels vs. JBL
Street Fight

JBL took a mic in the ring saying since he never heard from HBK about his previous offer, he challenged him to a Street Fight for tonight. JBL called out HBK and waited for a moment, until Michaels' music hit and HBK emerged from backstage. After HBK got into the ring, JBL again offered him a lucrative deal for he and his family, where Michaels can come work for him. JBL brought up his wealth again versus Shawn's lack of it and also how Shawn's health is always problematic.

Michaels refused to answer the offer. JBL taunted him to take a free shot at him. Michaels prepared to as the crowd got behind him. JBL said if he takes the shot, then his offer is off the table, forever. HBK held back and turned to leave the ring with JBL all smiles. JBL told Michaels on the mic he was looking forward to doing business with him, as HBK walked backstage.

Winner: Match never officially started.

Batista was shown walking backstage on his way out to the ring.

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Jen Bloodsworth, WWE Customer was shown with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Jen delivered a promo for WWEShop.com with Hacksaw's help, similar to the ones done for GEICO insurance involving a celebrity and a "regular customer".

Batista vs. Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler took a mic in the ring and introduced himself to the crowd as Dolph Ziggler then handed the mic back to Lillian. Ziggler offered a handshake to Batista. Ziggler slapped Batista after he didn't shake, then began to slide in and out of the ring. As Batista looked out through the ropes, Ziggler jumped onto the apron and delivered a kick to knock Batista out of the ring. Batista regained control outside the ring and took Ziggler in. Batista attempted a running slam, but Ziggler slipped off and hit a modified DDT type move. Ziggler couldn't score the pinfall.

Batista gained control again and went for the Spear, but Ziggler leapfrogged it. Batista tried to pick up Ziggler for a Powerbomb from the corner ropes, but Ziggler escaped and knocked the Animal down. Ziggler jumped at Batista from the corner, but Batista caught him and delivered a Spinebuster. Batista delivered the Batista Bomb to finish off Ziggler in his debut.

Batista's celebration was short-lived, as Randy Orton came out to the ramp. Orton congratulated Batista on the win, but said one day it'll be them fighting one on one. Batista responded back saying that Stephanie McMahon has set up Orton vs. Batista at Armageddon. Orton said he's waited four years for the opportunity and can't wait for the match.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over Dolph Ziggler.

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Backstage Jericho came up to Orton who was walking down a hallway. Jericho told Orton that Cena will be vulnerable tonight. Jericho said they can make his championship short lived. Orton told Jericho he's always against Cena, but Jericho needs to fight his own battles. Orton said he's going to defeat Batista, then go after whoever is champ, Cena or Jericho. Jericho reminded Orton how he pinned Cena at Wrestlemania for the victory but nobody seems to remember it now.

Finlay vs. John Morrison
Intercontinental Championship Tournament

In the final matchup of round 1, two ECW superstars faced off. Layla was shown backstage on a cell phone saying she spoke to Stephanie and thinks it's going to be a big success.

During the match, Finlay clotheslined Morrison out over the ropes. Hornswoggle walked towards Morrison, and Morrison quickly shoved him away to the crowd barrier. Morrison went after Finlay as he came out to check on Hornswoggle. Morrison dropkicked Finlay through the ropes then threw him into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Morrison took control and hit a spinning kick from off the ropes to win the match.

Winner: John Morrison wins via pinfall over Finlay to advance in the Intercontinental Championship tournament.

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Promotional ad was shown from Behind Enemy Lines Colombia starring Ken Kennedy which hits DVD on January 6, 2009.

Stephanie McMahon came out to the ramp to discuss how she promises to make Monday Night Raw bigger and better. Steph presented nominees for the Superstar of the Year Category for the Slammy Awards. The nominees are Edge, Batista, Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Triple H and John Cena. Steph then announced that all of the nominees will be in one on one matches against each other on the same show. John Cena will face Edge, Jeff Hardy will face Chris Jericho, and Batista will face Triple H. The show starts next week at 8PM EST on USA for a special 3 hour show.

Cole and Lawler discussed Rey having ligament damage in his shoulder and arm. Lawler said Rey is insisting he will still wrestle Miz in the match.

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz
Intercontinental Championship Tournament

After a moment of waiting, Mysterio's music hit and Rey came walking down the ramp favoring his right arm which was bandaged up. As the bell rang, Miz immediately went after the hurt arm. Mysterio got a quick 619 on Miz then went for a splash off the corner, but Miz moved out of the way. Miz continued to kick Rey's arm, then beat on him, whipping him to the corner hard. Miz attempted a pin after the beatdown, with Rey kicking out of it.

At one point, Miz and Mysterio traded pinfalls. Mysterio delivered a solid kick to Miz's head, but again couldn't get the pinfall. Miz tried to put the match away after delivering a knee to Mysterio's head. As Miz went for The Reality Check, Mysterio shoved his way out of it, then rolled up Miz for a surprise pin.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over The Miz to advance in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament.

Backstage, Kane was shown walking on his way out for the main event against Cena.

An ECW promo ad showed that MVP will take on Matt Hardy tomorrow night on ECW, to redeem himself.

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John Cena vs. Kane

This match was a non-title bout set up by Stephanie McMahon last week. Early on the Big Red Machine took it to Cena beating him down in the corner. Cena got up and began to punch back. Kane clotheslined Cena down as he came off the ropes. The crowd became split with some chanting for Cena and others chanting "Cena sucks".

Kane continued to dominate, slamming Cena down and trying for a pin. Kane applied a headlock to Cena, but Cena got to his feet and fought out of it. Kane whipped Cena to the corner then hit a Side slam. Kane went to the top turnbuckle and jumped at Cena, but Cena ducked him then applied the STFU to Kane on the mat.

Chris Jericho came rushing down the ramp to interfere. Cena exited the ring and clotheslined the charging Jericho down, then tossed him into the crowd barrier. Cena rushed back into the ring to avoid a countout. Kane delivered a huge boot knocking Cena to the mat, then waited for Cena to stand. Kane tried for a chokeslam, but Cena kicked his way out. Kane responded by regaining control and again went for the Chokeslam. Cena countered again and this time hoisted Kane up for the winning FU!

Winner: John Cena wins via pinfall over Kane.

Following Cena's victory he went out of the ring to attack Jericho again, beating him up all the way up the ramp near the crowd. Out of nowhere, Manu & Cody Rhodes rushed out and attacked Cena. Cena fought them off as Jericho tried to attack as well. Suddenly, Randy Orton came running out and knocked Cena down. Orton beat on Cena unmercifully on the top of the ramp, then delivered a DDT to him from off the ramp onto the concrete below. With Cena down, Jericho took off his suit coat, rolled up his sleeves and applied the Lion Tamer submission. Raw went off the air as Cena screamed out in pain with Jericho continuing the hold and Orton, Manu & Rhodes watching.

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