08/04/08: Stevie J's WWE Raw Run-In Recap

Killa Kev is off tonight, so I'll be doing a Raw run-in! Hit F5 or refresh for the LIVE updates! Tonight is the start of the Adamle Administration. Ugh.

Adamle is wearing a pair of "PEEPERS" as Vince McMahon would say and standing at the top of the entrance ramp. "I don't want to take up much of your time, but there are a few things I'd like to say before the show begins. There once was a man who wasn't taken very seriously. He performed in a circus like atmosphere. He wasn't very good at his job. I speak of Ronald Reagan. He went from a B-rated movie actor to one of the greatest Presidents this country has seen. My point is first impressions can be deceiving. Regan acted with a monkey. I accidentally called Jeff Hardy, Jeff Harvey. You see everybody in this world makes mistakes, but the important thing is we all grow from those mistakes. I wasn't the greatest announcer in ECW history and a lot of you won't let that go. There's even a petition on WWE.com asking for my resignation." Wild applause from the crowd for that. "You know what! That's your right as an American, but it's not an America I want to be part of. I want to be part of the land of opportunity, where a man like me who only stands 5 foot 9 can play for seven years in the NFL and be a star. I believe in an America, where anything can happen, and that's why I made the match of Jerry Lawler v. Michael Cole. I'm sorry it didn't work out but I'm not sorry for injecting a little excitement into a championship match. Speaking of championship matches, how many people would like to see one tonight!" Loud pop. "How many would like to see two tonight!" Big pop. "Well guess what, we've got THREE tonight! Ted DiBiase and his partner Cody Rhodes, will defend their title, against John Cena... and the Animal, Dave Batista, for the World Tag Team Championships."

JBL interrupts. He congratulates Adamle. "First impressions are deceiving. People thought I was a beer drinking, bar fighting, fun loving Texan. Now they realize I'm a self-made millionaire, New York City's favorite son, and just these week the cover of Fortune magazine, my lovely wife's adorning the cover. As another former professional football player, we're cut from the samecloth. You are a born winner. Everything you do turns to gold just like me JBL. You announced Cena v. Batista at SummerSlam, and what a blockbuster! I want you to announcer another SummerSlam blockbuster, and that would be JBL versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship."

Jericho interrupts! JBL tries to blow him off and say he has no business out here. "You're wrong JBL, this does concern me. After the Bash I ended the career of Shawn Michaels, so it does concern me, I deserve the title shot - it's only fair." Bradshaw: "Let's talk about the Bash. I defeated John Cena in one of the most brutal fights in history. Jericho defeated a guy with one good eye! Mike we're ballplayers here, he's not even in my league." Jericho: "You sat front row at the Bash. You saw me destroy Michaels. I'm not in JBL's league. I'm in a much higher league! I'm in a league of my own." JBL and Michaels start shouting at each other. Adamle: "It would be very easy for me to make Punk vs. Jericho vs. JBL, but that would be the easy way out and I don't believe in the ease. So tonight, how about a 2-on-1 handicap match, but this isn't your ordinary handicap match. If you or you defeat Punk tonight you get a world title shot at SlumberSlam.... oh and one more thing. If Punk wins, NEITHER of you get a shot at SummerSlam. Gentlemen, good luck!" I'm pretty sure he said SLUMBERSLAM the first time, but I'd have to rewing to check. Lawler tells us Shawn Michaels is back tonight, and Cole reminds us that Cena & Batista will take on Rhodes & DiBiase later, and we go to commercial.

Promo for WWEShop.com when we come back. Lilian Garcia is in the ring. "This contest is scheduled for one fall, and it's for the Intercontinental Championship!" Damn shame it can't be for Lilian, she'd make a much better trophy. S.O.S.! I HEAR DEM CALLIN'!

* Kofi Kingston {C} v. Paul Burchill (Intercontinental Championship Match)

Lawler and Cole put over that Raw has the biggest audience in their demographic, or some other quibbling of the facts, since apparently they can't claim last week's show was the biggest on all of cable. Katie Lea is at ringside and we're told that she has a championship match against Mickie James a little bit later. Burchill works an arm as we get underway. Kingston tries to roll through to reverse it finally jumps out on the second try to take Burchill down and get a one count. Burchill gets a warning for using Kofi's hair, then Kofi leaps over him, hits a flying elbow, spears him in the corner and nails him with an uppercut for two. Lea gets on the apron to distract Kingston, he aims a kick at her, and Burchill plows Kingston down, eventually resulting in a cover for two. Kingston tries to sweep a leg and roll up Pirate Paul for a near fall to no avail. Burchill grounds him and cranks up on the neck. Kofi gets back up and armdrags Burchill over, then tries to fire off some kicks. Burchill attempts to block and Kingston hits a dropkick to the job and a springboard crossbody for 2.5. BO! BO! BO! Legdrop to the chest. JAMAICAN BUZZSAW. 1-2-3 it's all over! WINNER AND STILL IC CHAMPION: KOFI KINGSTON.

Katie Lea comes over to get into Kingston's face. Burchill tries to rush Kingston but he sidesteps him and Burchill goes flying out of the ring. Kingston stares at Lea, Burchill grabs a leg from the floor and tries to pull Kingston outside. Something in Kingston's eye made him feel this was a mistake and he backs off and starts to run up the ramp, with Kingston giving chase, and mere seconds later Mickie James is coming out for her match with Katie Lea. We'll get that match after this break!

* Mickie James {C} v. Katie Lea (Women's Championship)

This match is already underway when we come back from the break, our second of three title matches tonight. Mickie James hits a dropkick to the face and Katie Lea rolls out to take a breather, so Mickie comes out to the apron and leaps off right onto Lea to splat her onto the black mats. Mickie throws her back in and the ref warns her to get Katie out of the corner. Mickie finally gives up some distance but when she goes for the splash in the corner Lea moves and Mickie eats turnbuckle. Lea pulls on the hair and gets a warning from the ref for using a neckbreaker snap off the ropes with a handful. Near fall. Lea snaps her over with the hair then tries to put her into the bow & arrow for a submission. Mickie jumps free and right into a cover for the two count. It's a SLOBBERKNOCKER between James and Lea, until James takes her over with a headscissor and knocks her down with elbows. Neckbreaker connects! 2.5 before Katie kicks out. Mickie gets up selling her back. Jawbreaker by Lea. Snap suplex by Lea for two. Mickie gets up slow as Lea zooms in for the kill, but Mickie counters into a DDT and covers for three! WINNER AND STILL WOMEN'S CHAMPION: MICKIE JAMES!

Here comes the Glamazon for the kill! Sadly Santino is nowhere in sight. James gets the better of her for a minute, Mickie starts to make a comeback, then Beth holds her up and slams her down right on her face. Beth's music starts to play and Santino comes out to the top of the ramp to applaud her. The Glamazon has a smirk on her face as she walks up the ramp, she looks over in Santino's direction, Santino gloats to the crowd about her victory and she looks on. Glamazon turns to gloat to the crowd about her victory, and Santino looks on, at her butt! Santino gives her a little pat on the butt, and she turns and looks at him... not sure whether she's mad or wants the devour him like a hungry wolf. Probably both! Cena is discussing strategy with Cryme Tyme backstage as we go to commercial.

WWE 24/7 Classics On Demand presents... Mr. McMahon interviewing Sgt. Slaughter. "There will be law and order in the WWF whether the fans like it or not!" Stone Cold intertupts. "I'll break every law you make and there's not a damn thing you can do to stop me!" Austin gives him a stunner and McMahon escapes by the skin of his teeth as the voiceover man tells us you can relive this and many other classic moments on 24/7, so order now. Backstage Adamle is on the phone with Stephanie McMahon, and he says congratulations on the baby. Santino and the Glamazo are backstage. "Congratulations yourself Adamale! The Glamazon and I were speaking, and we think we should both have title matches at SummerSlam. I'm a former IC champion, she's a former Women's champion." Adamle says there's only room for one more match, so Santino says he wants the match that will make the Glamazon happy... him winning the belt. Beth says no, you should make a women's match. Santino says he can see it... Santino Marella... women's cham-pion. Has a ring to it! Adamle says hey wait, I've got an idea, and IT'S AN ADAMLE ORIGINAL - BOTH BETH AND SANTINO AGAINST MICKIE AND KOFI AT SUMMERSLAM, WINNER TAKE ALL FOR BOTH TITLES! Santino effuses praises for Adamale, and says it's nice to have a fellow Italian in charge. Adamle smiles and says "Gratzi!" Santino beams and says "Prego!" He looks at Beth and says see, I told you about him!

Video package for John Cena. Grisham to interview Batista. "Can't say I'm crazy about teaming up with the guy I'm going to face in a couple of weeks, but personally I'd rather be competing for the World Heavyweight Championship. If beating Cena at SummerSlam gets me one step closer to that, I'm happy to do it. Tonight my advice for Cena is the same as last week - stay out of my way." Commercial!

Raw is back and we're promised a live interview with Shawn Michaels later, but apparently first up we've got Layla doing a dance routine in the ring. We get a WWE.com Exclusive from "earlier today" where Jamie Noble is macking on Layla backstage. "Seriously, Jamie, this thing between us isn't working. Every time you open your mouth, you go out there and get your butt kicked." Noble: "Jamie Noble takes care of his business." Layla: "I don't hang out with losers." She leaves. "Well then don't be calling me later when somebody else is eating your pecan waffle!"

William Regal interrupts the dance routine. "Pardon me dear but I have something to say. I just thought I should come out here and remind everyone exactly who I am. MY NAME IS WILLIAM REGAL AND I AM YOUR KING. I won that title in the 2008 King of the Ring Tournament. And as your King, it is my duty to..." and Jamie Noble's music interrupts. He storms down to the ring and tries to spear Regal, but this takedown attempt is futile and not only that but Regal rips the shirt off Noble's back and procedes to start beating the crap out of him. Three or four officials get in the ring to break them up as Layla bails. They finally get them separated and Noble jumps on Regal again! They finally get them apart as we see Punk walking backstage with the title around his waist, and we go to commercial break as we're promised a LIVE edition of The Dirt Sheet tomorrow on Sci-Fi with Henry and Hardy as the guests.

This week's WWE Rewing is courtesy of Pineapple Express, and it's from two days ago at Saturday Night's Main Event. JBL gives JTG a clothesline from hell and gets the pin in an eight-man tag. Speaking of the tall Texas toerag, his music plays and the limo drives out to the ramp, as Lilian announces a handicap match scheduled for one fall.

* John Bradshaw Layfield & Chris Jericho v. CM Punk (2-on-1 Handicap #1 Contender's Match)

Adamle: "Guys I forgot to mention this match is slotted for ten minutes. If nobody wins in the alloted time we're going to have a triple threat at SummerSlam. Good luck!" The bell rings and Punk watches both Jericho and Bradshaw argue with each other, then gets sick of it and attacks Jericho. Bradshaw gets him off, Jericho holds Punk up, JBL slugs him. The heels work together to beat up CM Punk as the first minute of the match counts down. Double whip to the ropes, JBL hooks the ropes, Jericho charges him and gets dumped out to the floor. Punk ducks a clothesline and goes for a crossbody but Bradshaw catches him for an overhead release suplex and a two count. Jericho is down on the outside as we get to the two minute mark with JBL hammering away on Punk in the corner. Another cover for two before JBL goes to the apron to knock Y2J off, then to whip him into the steps and eliminate him from the match altogether. Jericho reverses him into the steps, hoist by his own petard if you will, and gets in the ring to work over Punk until we hit the 3-minute mark. Huge "CM PUNK" chant by the crowd as he gets out of a chinlock and back to his feet, but Jericho cuts him off with a high knee to the lungs and drops a strike on him leaping off the second rope. Scoop slam as we reach the four minute mark with Y2J going up the ropes. Punk cuts him off and climbs up the corner. He tucks the head for a suplex but Jericho rakes the eyes to knock him off, then hits a flying elbow and covers for two. Ab stretch as we hit the halfway point but Punk finally reverses out of it.

JBL gets back in and hits a clothesline for two but Jericho breaks it up, which causes the two men to start brawling with each other as we hit the six minute mark. Bradshaw knocks Jericho down, comes outside to grab Punk who was taking a breather, throws him into the announce table then back into the ring, but Jericho hits a lionsault when he does on Punk for a near fall. Bradshaw pulls Y2J off to prevent the pinfall. Seven minutes gone by as Punk blocks Jericho and throws him into the corner ropes. Running step up knee and bulldog on JBL. Running step up knee on Jericho. JBL gets hit with the Go 2 Sleep but Jericho breaks up the three count. Punk hits Jericho with a snap suplex but only gets a two count. Jericho misses with a dropkick, Punk catapults Jericho into JBL and then covers him for 2.9. Punk picks up Jericho for the Go 2 Sleep but Jericho rakes the eyes and then turns over Punk for the Walls of Jericho. One minute left! Punk tries to crawl to the ropes with 30 left but Jericho drags him back to the center. Bradshaw knocks Jericho off to keep him from tapping. 10 seconds left! Jericho snaps Bradshaw's neck off the ropes, he falls backwards onto Punk, and realizing where he is he makes the cover for three with one second left. WINNER AND #1 CONTENDER AT SUMMERSLAM: JBL. Bradshaw celebrates his fluke win as Shawn Michaels gets mic'd up for an interview backstage coming up NEXT!

We're back from commercial at the University of Tennessee, but before we go to the live interview we've first got some recap video footage of the feud between Jericho and Michaels and the eye injury that HBK suffered (allegedly) as a result. Shawn: "I've been better, that's for sure. There's been severe damage done to my eye. My doctors and I are monitoring that fairly regularly. Before Jericho starts patting himself on the back, what I'm really going through now is the result of a culmination of injuries throughout my career. For months I've been wrestling with broken ribs, I've had countless knee surgies, and I came back from what everyone thought was a career ending back injury. The deal is this - I have a reevaluation with my doctors concerning my eye on August 15th, the Friday before SummerSlam. I plan on coming to SummerSlam and announcing what my future holds. For the first time in my life I'm going to listen to what my doctors say, I'm going to heed their advice. If they say I can compete on a limited basis, that's what I'll do. If they say there's some risk to my eye or my sight, I'm prepared to walk away." (Booooooooooo.) "I have thoroughly enjoyed performing for the WWE Universe throughout my career, but if I love one thing more that's my family. Jericho mentioned I should look back on a wonderful career and spend my time loving my wife and children. I'm thinking maybe that's what I should do." Lawler thanks HBK for his time and says you should do what's best for Shawn Michaels. We go to commercial.

These "WWE Facts" are getting silly. This week's latest fact is that 1,000,000 more people watched wrestling than any baseball game last week. Lovely. Matt Striker's in the ring. "For those who don't remember me, I'm Matt Striker and I am your teacher. I've got to thank Mike Adamle for finally allowing me to compete on Raw, and it's fitting I do it at such an esteemed university. Settle down, I use the word loosely. It's time to display my wrestling skill, my fantastic technical acumen..." and thankfully Kane's pyro interrupts.

* Matt Striker v. Kane

Kane still has the bag with who knows what in it and sets it down in the corner after all four of his corner post pyros go off. Striker ducks a clothesline and tries to baseball slide under Kane, but Kane catches him halfway and pulls him back up for an uppercut. A big boot follows. Kane whips him hard into the corner, splashes into him with a forearm, then hits the sidewalk slam. To the top rope! Kane leaps off with a punch. Striker tries to stagger to his feet and Kane signals for the chokeslam. Striker turns around and walks right into it, and gets taken up and put back down in the goozle with ease. No Big Daddy V to make the save I guess! WINNER: THE BIG RED MACHINE KANE.

Kane grabs his burlap bag with who knows what in it, rolls under the ropes and comes over to the announce desk, then heads over to grab a mic and come back in the ring. Kane: "I've uhh, been in a bad place lately. I'm better now! He's not alive. He's dead." Kane holds up the bag and smiles, that sadistic smile only he can. Kane's music plays and Cole says "Well if he says he's in a better place, fine by me!" We go to a commercial break with another promo for the World Tag Team Title match in the main event.

We come back from break for a Smackdown Rebound, where Mick Foley was the guest on The Cutting Edge. Edge wants Foley's help in the Hell in a Cell match, and Foley says the only person who can help Edge IS Edge. Foley tells Edge to stop being a sniveling Edge, an apologetic Edge, and to be the ruthless Edge that Foley once called the greatest superstar in WWE. Edge says "I understand" and procedes to beat the holy crap out of Foley before jumping off a ladder with a chair and splashing onto Foley through a table. AWESOME angle to end Smackdown. Lawler says the cell door will slam shut on Edge and 'Taker in just two weeks. They also promote Triple H vs. Great Khali for the WWE Championship, the future of HBK at SummerSlam, a World Heavyweight match between CM Punk and JBL, and John Cena vs. Dave Batista for the first time ever!

We go to a video package putting over the size and strength of Batista. Backstage Cena says that after watching that video he can see exactly why the fans love Batista, and that Cena v. Batista is the ultimate showdown for SummerSlam. "When Batista and I win the title on the same night, I think... someday. When I wrestle Shawn Michaels and get told that Batista v. Undertaker stole the show at 'Mania with a scowl on my face I think... someday. Then Batista gets drafted to Raw! Mike Adamle has to get cute. Instead of letting us prepare to face each other at SummerSlam, Adamle knows we're either going to win and become champs or lose and tear each other to pieces. I sure hope we win but when I go out there tonight - I'll be ready for anything." Commercial.

We come back to learn "Ready to Roll" by Jet Black Stare is the official theme song for SummerSlam. Kelly Kelly comes into Mike Adamle's office to congratulate him on all his success. "Kane... how scary is he!" Adamle says like everybody wants to know what's inside that bag, and if we don't find out next week Adamle's going to take it from him and find out himself. He tells Kelly let's sit down and watch the main event together, and Lilian announces our main event!

* Simply Priceless {C} (DiBiase & Rhodes) v. The Odd Couple (Batista & Cena) (World Tag Team Titles)

The champions are introduced first, and then THE CHAMP is introduced. John Cena is clearly stunned by how popular he was in the University of Tennessee's house, and I must admit I was too - that's quite a pop he got and notmuch in the way of boos if anything whatsoever! Rhodes and DiBiase bail as he hits the ring and the women go nuts as he rips off his shirt. Even Lilian seems to be eyeing him like a filet mignon. Batista comes out last and hits the ramp for his machine gun pyro spot. Michael Cole says there's no one more intense on the roster... hmm, I'd venture to say Regal, Cena, and Shawn Michaels are all just as intense if not moreso but that's just one man's opinion. Batista and Cena look at each other cautiously as the ref shows off the belts on the line in this match.

Batista steps through the ropes and opts to let Cena start the match. Cena works over Ted DiBiase and hits both an armdrag and a bulldog before making the cover for two. Cena walks over and tags in his partner as if to say okay, let's see what you can do now. DiBiase tags out to Rhodes. Batista grabs a handful of Rhodes face and just shoves him away with ease. Rhodes tries a kick to the gut and a side headlock, looks for a sunset flip, but Batista just pulls him up and throws him into the corner for some shoulders before a spinebreaker and a two count. Batista leapfrogs over his opponent and knocks him down with two hands to the face. DiBiase runs interference which doesn't pay off at first, but eventually results in Batista misfiring and spearing the ringpost, which leaves Cena steaming mad at dirt and our announcers throwing to a commercial break.

Rhodes is working over the injured arm of Batista in the ring as Cena is desparately reaching out for a tag. Batista finally manages to throw Rhodes off and reach out for the tag and Cena comes in like a house on fire with shoulder tackles and big slams, taking out both Rhodes and DiBiase with ease. "YOU, CAN'T, SEE, ME." Five knuckle shuffle, Rhodes picked up for the FU, but DiBiase makes a bling tag and Rhodes hits an illegal blow that sends Cena rolling out. DiBiase whips Cena shoulder first into the stel steps on the outside, then throws Cena back in to make the cover. Two count before Cena can grab the ropes. Rhodes tagged back in as the heels hit a double suplex and Rhodes covers for two. The heels keep cutting off the ring and DiBiase even mocks the five knuckle shuffle when he gets a tag. Batista patiently waits on the ropes for his chance to get back in, perhaps appreciating that the champs are beating up his challenger at SummerSlam. Russian leg sweep by Rhodes and a leaping punch to the jaw. Batista finally thinks about interfering when Rhodes said something bad to him but the ref cuts him off. Batista says "C'mon Cena" just loudly enough to be heard on camera. Double elbow by the heels for two. My picture goes out for just a sec and when it comes back Rhodes has a sleeper hold locked in, with the fans rallying Cena to get back to his feet. Batista actually backs away when Cena almost gets close enough for a tag, which is what I was expecting all along. When Cena finally escapes the double team efforts of the champs and gets over to tag him unfettered, Cena slaps Batista in the face! The ref considers it a legal tag and orders Cena to get out as he and Batista jawjawk. Batista hits a spinebuster on DiBiase, looking directly at Cena, then spears the holy hell out of him for good measure. Batista gives a double thumbs down and hits a shoulder tackle on Rhodes to prevent him from interfering, and Batista hits the Demon Bomb for three. YOUR WINNERS AND NEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: JOHN CENA & DAVE BATISTA.

Batista hands Cena his belt, he looks down for a second then holds it up. Batista waits 'til Cena puts it down, then holds his up. Cena walks over to the crowd, and holds his up to get a big pop! Dave walks over ot hold his up, and gets a mixture of cheers and boos. Cena holds his up again and the crowd ERUPTS. Batista climbs the ropes to hold his up and gets a 50-50. Cena has clearly won THIS battle, and does it one more time for good measure. Cena and Batista stare at each other and jaw jack in the center of the ring as Cena's music plays, we get a video replay of their big win, and that's how we go off the air tonight!