Raw Recap 12.29.08

Raw Recap from Manchester, NH:

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcome fans to ringside for the last Raw of 2008 featuring the Race to the Rumble. Tonight's main event is a Fatal Fourway between JBL, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton, with the winner going on to Royal Rumble as #1 Contender for John Cena's title.

Rey Mysterio was in the ring as Raw opened and discussed how he was on his way to the Fatal Fourway, but someone cost him his match against JBL. Highlights were shown of Shawn Michaels' interference last week. HBK yanked JBL out of the ring then slapped him in the face, which gave JBL the win by DQ. Mysterio called out Michaels to come talk about what he did. Rey said he wants Michaels to be honorable and face him 1 on 1 tonight. Michaels accepted right then, but all of a sudden JBL came out to the ramp.

JBL informed Mysterio that Michaels works for him now, so his answer is No. JBL said his only match tonight will be the Fatal Fourway which he's in. JBL then instructed Michaels to leave the ring. Michaels looked at Mysterio then began to exit. Rey began to ask Shawn if he was really going to just listen to Bradshaw and let money buy him. All of a sudden, Mike Knox was in the ring to attack Mysterio. JBL ordered Michaels backstage as the assault continued by Knox on Rey. Suddenly, John Cena came rushing to the ring and clotheslined Mike Knox over the top rope to the outside. Knox got up and stared back at Cena then exited out through the crowd.

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Backstage, Randy Orton told Rhodes, Manu and Snuka that their Legacy will be bigger than the Horsemen, DX or Evolution. Orton told them they all have singles matches tonight and if anyone loses, they're out of the group. Orton told Cody he's up first.

Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk

Prior to the match starting, the Intercontinental Champion, William Regal arrived to the ring with Layla. Next week, Regal will defend his title against Punk on Raw.

In the matchup, the action spilled outside the ring at one point, with both men fighting in front of Regal at the commentators' table. Punk gained the upperhand as the ref continued counting on. Punk ran at Rhodes near the apron and hit him with a knee to the jaw. Rhodes rolled into the ring as the count hit 9, but Punk was distracted by William Regal who had stood up. Rhodes was declared winner by countout of Punk. An angry CM Punk got back in the ring to attack Rhodes, delivering a Bulldog and signaling for GTS. Regal snuck into the ring behind Punk and ran at him, delivering a high knee to Punk's forehead. Punk was layed out on the mat with Regal looking down at him as Layla hoisted the IC title up around the ring.

Winner: Cody Rhodes wins due to countout of CM Punk.

Backstage in an office, John Cena spoke to Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie told Cena he could be the guest commentator for the Fatal Fourway tonight. Cena did an impersonation of Will Ferrel's Harry Carey voice and told Steph her idea was lame. Cena told Steph they needed to do something big for the final Raw of 2008. Cena suggested that Stephanie set up a big match including Mysterio, Knox and himself at the very least. Cena said that's what the fans want, but it's her show. Cena left the office with Stephanie contemplating the ideas.

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Goldust delivered his own promo version of "Night Before Christmas" backstage suggesting gifts for superstars such as "pyjamas for Umaga, a Stunner for Steve, a Boggle for Hornswoggle, and Summers for Eve". Goldust's version continued "and then there's Edge, he's a real sicky..his Christmas gift, a nude picture of Vickie-" "Cody wanted a bike, boy was he mad, when I took his present and I gave it to his dad". I bought Monopoly for Hunter since he is the game, and I had a gift for this guy but I forgot his name (Dolph Ziggler). I threw a party for Jeff Hardy, honestly, really, he's got more personality in one finger than all of Bam Neely. And for Santino Marella, a healthy new scrotus, soon to be shattered by the man known as Goldust".

Footage was shown from 2 weeks ago as John Cena and Batista faced Orton, Rhodes & Manu in a handicap tag match. The match came down to a brawl with Cena getting beat up outside by Manu and Rhodes. Orton was able to deliver the RKO on Batista, then delivered a vicious punt kick to his head while he was down. According to Cole and Lawler, Batista had to have a bone graft done to fix two teeth that were knocked loose. Batista also elected to undergo surgery for a nagging hamstring injury which Cole said occurred during Summerslam in his match with John Cena. Footage was then shown from Alabama at the St. Vincent's hopsital where Batista had the surgery done. Batista said the attack from Orton made him decide to get the hamstring re-attached. Batista said upon his return to action, Orton is his first priority. (Batista's Hamstring Injury & Surgery News)

Melina vs. Kelly Kelly vs. Mickie James vs. Jillian Hall vs. Candice Michelle vs. Katie Lea
6 Diva Battle Royal

The winner of tonight's battle royal involving six sexy WWE Divas from Raw will go on to face Beth Phoenix for the Women's Championship at the Royal Rumble.

Prior to the match, Santino Marella introduced WWE Diva Beth Phoenix Slammy winner & the Women's Champ. Beth came into the ring and gave Santino a kiss, then the couple exited to commentate on the match. Kelly Kelly, Jillian, Katie Lea and Candice were all eliminated leaving Mickie James and WWE Diva Melina to face off. Melina was able to knock Mickie over the top rope, but Mickie held on to the top rope. Mickie tried to ram into Melina and then jump at her over the ropes, but Melina was able to ram her back and cause Mickie to fall outside the ring. Melina was proclaimed winner, and as she looked out at her friend Mickie with tears in her eyes, Beth Phoenix entered the ring to stare down Melina. The two divas got into an all-out brawl, which spilled outside the ring and onto the commentators' table. Melina was pounding away on Beth repeatedly. All of a sudden, Beth's "super-fan" named Rosa came out of the audience and shoved Melina off Beth. Security ran over and grabbed the fan and took her away through the audience.

Winner: Melina wins the 6 diva Battle Royal to become #1 Contender for the Womens Championship at the Royal Rumble.

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Chris Jericho about the upcoming Fatal Fourway. Jericho said he was not only 2008 Superstar of the Year, but also was named "Jerk of the Year" by WWE Magazine. Jericho criticized the fans again, saying it's their fault he's considered a jerk. Jericho told the fans to look into a mirror to see the real jerk of the year, after he vowed to win tonight's Fatal Fourway.

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Superfly Haas Charlie Snuka vs. Sim Snuka

Sim took exception to Charlie's impersonation of his father and attacked him right as the bell sounded. Sim dominated from the start, slamming Haas down face first and then using vicious moves to continue punishing him. Snuka began to choke Haas against the middle rope before the ref warned him to break it. Snuka came off the ropes to deliver a high knee to Haas' face, but it wasn't enough for the pinfall.

Haas managed to break out of a submission hold by Snuka and did several leapfrogs over Snuka as he came off the ropes. Haas slammed Snuka to the mat then went to the turnbuckle for Superfly's trademark Splash. As Haas flew off and down towards Snuka, he stuck both knees up. Snuka followed up with a huge kick to Haas' head then took the pin. Sim Snuka remains a part of Orton's Legacy group.

Winner: Sim Snuka wins via pinfall over Charlie Haas.

John Cena and Rey Mysterio shown walking backstage on their way out for a huge 10 man tag match.

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Cryme Tyme, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio & John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler, Mike Knox, Kane, John Morrison & The Miz

Early on Cryme Tyme took it to Ziggler with a nice doubleteam. Ziggler escaped Shad from the corner, and tagged in Morrison. Form there, Kofi Kingston came in to use his quick paced attack against John Morrison. All of a sudden all 10 men got into the ring for a staredown as Raw went to a commercial break.

As the match resumed, The Miz had Kofi Kingston down in the ring in a chinlock. Kingston stood up with Miz and broke free, but Miz yanked Kofi back down to the mat. Kofi finally broke away from Miz and in came Mysterio. Rey gained serious momentum against Miz, until Miz held Rey up on his shoulders and Kane clocked Rey in the face. Mysterio fell to the mat, Kane tagged in and worked on Kane briefly, before tagging in Knox. Knox started to pummel Rey, and then tagged in Dolph Ziggler to continue the onslaught.

Mysterio was finally able to escape when Knox tagged in again and tried to rush him in the corner. Rey ducked the move and managed to tag in Cena. Cena rushed into the ring and knocked Kane off the apron, then took it to Knox with a series of flying shoulders. As all the wrestlers entered the ring at once again, Cryme Tyme took out Miz and Morrison. Kane tried to chokeslam Cena, but Kofi jumped off the corner and prevented it. Cena slammed both Knox and Ziggler down on the mat, then he and Kofi hit the double leg drop/Five Knuckle Shuffle at once on the two men. Cena delivered the FU on Mike Knox, then tagged in Rey Mysterio. Mysterio climbed to the corner and flew off the turnbuckle to splash down on Knox.

Winners: John Cena, Cryme Tyme, Kofi Kingston & Rey Mysterio win via pinfall over Mike Knox, Kane, Dolph Ziggler , The Miz & John Morrison.

The camera cut back to Shawn Michaels in the locker room. Michaels was finishing watching the match as Todd Grisham entered. Grisham asked Michaels about the idea of winning the Fatal Fourway, but also the fact he works for JBL. Michaels said he's Mr. Wrestlemania and that means one thing "Stealing the show".

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Backstage, WWE Diva Kelly Kelly was seen talking to someone off camera. Kelly said she can't believe she protected them from Kane and they couldn't even return the favor. Kelly said she thought she meant something to him. All of a sudden, the camera cut to Randy Orton. Orton told her that it was just one night and he used her. Orton said the last thing he needs with his chance at the World Heavyweight title is her as a distraction. Orton left the scene with Kelly notably upset.

Matt Hardy vs. Manu

In a "do or die" match, Manu faced the ECW champ, Matt Hardy, for a chance to continue in Orton's new stable. Manu worked to wear down Matt using a sleeper hold at one point. Manu dropped down to the mat keeping the hold locked on Hardy. Manu slammed Matt down, then tried a backflip off the ropes. Matt avoided it and Manu hit the mat. Matt took control from here and attempted Twist of Fate but Manu countered to escape it. Manu regained the match, but was unable to capture the pinfall on Hardy. Manu was able to rush at Matt in the corner and ram him, then eventually got Matt up on his shoulders for a finisher. Matt was close to the ropes and grabbed the top rope to escape, then quickly hit Twist of Fate. Matt Hardy with the three count to defeat Manu.

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Manu.

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JBL vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho
Race to the Rumble
Fatal Fourway

The rules of this match were simple; two men competed in the ring at once with tags allowed. As men were eliminated, it would eventually produce one winner. The winner of this fourway would go on to face John Cena for the World Heavyweight title at the Royal Rumble.

At one point, Shawn Michaels had the upperhand on Chris Jericho. Michaels started to wind up for Sweet Chin Music as Jericho was getting up, but JBL slapped Michaels' back and got into the match. JBL ran off the ropes and tried for his Clothesline from Hell. Jericho ducked it then came back to jump at JBL and hit the Codebreaker. Jericho pinned JBL, but Michaels quickly broke it up to save his employer. Michaels went back to the apron and Jericho was up to run and jump at JBL. JBL caught Jericho in his arms but stumbled back to the ropes where Michaels slapped JBL's back for a tag. Jericho set up Walls of Jericho on JBL, but Michaels was in and delivered the Superkick. Michaels pinned Jericho to eliminate him first.

JBL, Shawn Michaels and Orton were left remaining as Raw went to commercial. When Raw came back, JBL had a headlock on Orton in the ring, wearing him down. Orton broke free eventually, but as he came off the ropes, JBL booted him down. JBL continued to punish Orton around the ring, but finally Orton kicked back when JBL charged at him in the corner. Orton gained control and when he had JBL down on the mat, started to stomp on all his bodyparts. Orton then started to measure JBL for the Punt Kick. JBL avoided it and quickly tagged Michaels in. Michaels was soon knocked down by Orton as well, and then stomped on. Orton prepared for the RKO, but Michaels shoved him off to counter.

Michaels gained momentum on Orton dropping him to the mat repeatedly, hitting flying elbows and an elbow drop off the corner. Michaels prepared for Sweet Chin Music as Orton got up. With JBL anxiously watching, Michaels delivered on Sweet Chin Music and was able to pin Orton. JBL got in the ring fast to confront Michaels. Michaels was about to Superkick him, but held back with fans booing. JBL looked at Michaels and motioned for him to just lay down for the pin. JBL continued to point for HBK to just lay down. Michaels mouthed to JBL to not make him do it. Michaels couldn't bring himself to do it despite laying down once, and the fans began to chant H-B-K.

Finally, JBL changed his plan and gave Michaels new instructions. Michaels told him to "go ahead do it" and braced himself. After a few moments, JBL delivered a huge clothesline to knock Michaels to the mat and pinned him to win it. Raw ended with JBL walking up the ramp and turning back to see a dejected Shawn Michaels in the ring.

Winner: JBL wins via pinfall over Shawn Michaels to become #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight title.

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