Monday Night RAW 1-8-07St. Louis, Missouri at the Scottrade Center
JR: Welcome to Monday Night RAW ladies and gentlemen. I’m here alongside my partner Jerry “The King” Lawler, and my friend we’re in for a huge night.
King: We sure are JR as the WWE title will be on the line when the champ John Cena takes on that young punk Randy Orton.
JR: And that’s not all as later the number 1 contender for the Intercontinental title will be determined in a 4 man battle royal featuring Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, and two former ECW stars, Test and that giant the Big Show.
King: But first tonight, we have a huge announcement from Mr. McMahon about RAW’s new General Manager! Who could it be?
*No Chance plays and Mr. McMahon struts his way down to the ring to a mixed reaction from the crowd.*
Mr. McMahon: Well, I’m sure you’re all anxiously waiting to hear who the new General Manager is. But first I have a few more announcements to make. First about the ECW wrestlers.
*Crowd Pops*
Mr. McMahon: Now we all know that ECW is dead once again but many of the wrestlers have been resigned and will be appearing on Smackdown! and right here tonight on RAW.
*Crowd Pops*
Mr. McMahon: Secondly qualifying matches for the Royal Rumble will begin tonight. The first match will feature one of those ECW wrestlers.
*Crowd Pops*
Mr. McMahon: But finally on to my big announcement: the new General Manager. Well after doing a lot of thinking I’ve decided to give the job to someone with plenty of experience. So without further ado let me introduce your new General Manager of Raw...
He waits for a moment increasing the drama...
Mr. McMahon: Me!
*Heat*
Mr. McMahon: It seems obvious that there is no one better to manage RAW then me, Vincent Kennedy McMahon...
*Burn In My Light plays and Randy Orton comes down the ramp in street clothes to good heat from the crowd. He gets in the ring with a mic.*
Randy Orton: I’m sorry to interrupt you Mr. McMahon but I wanted to tell you how happy I am to have you as general manager of RAW.
*Heat for Orton’s sucking up*
Mr. McMahon: Well thank you Randy, I appreciate it. You know this young man is exactly the kind of superstar I want on RAW. Now Randy is anything I can do for you?
Randy Orton: As matter I fact I have an idea. You see John Cena has held the WWE title for a long time...
*Pop*
Randy Orton: But the truth is that RAW needs a new champion, some new blood...
Mr. McMahon: You bring up a good point, Randy. I think that a new champion would do wonders for RAW. So how about this: For the first time ever John Cena will defend his title against you, Randy Orton! And that match will tonight’s main event.
*Randy shakes Vinces hand and smiles as he leaves the ring and heads back up the ramp.*
*Commercial Break*
JR: Well that certainly was a bombshell that Mr. McMahon just dropped. He will be the GM.
King: Yeah that was big, but I can’t wait for our main event Cena vs. Orton for the WWE title.
Match 1 Eugene vs. Johnny Nitro
Recap: Nitro wins a quick match after attacking Eugene before the bell rang. Nitro finished things with standing shooting star press.
We go backstage to Todd Grisham.
Todd Grisham: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time the Intercontinental champion, Jeff Hardy.
*Pop*
Todd Grisham: Now tonight you will find out who the number one contender to your title is? Who do you think it’ll be, and how will you defeat them?
Jeff Hardy: You know Todd it doesn’t really matter. Don’t get me wrong these guys are good athletes, but there is no way their gonna take my title.
We see Test walk into the screen.
Test: You sure about that Jeff? In case you forgot I am now on RAW. And that means your title will be mine, because I’m the greatest athlete to ever appear in the WWE.
Test walks off while Hardy stares after him.
We go further backstage and see Johnny Nitro and Melina walking together.
Melina: I can’t believe your not part of the battle royal for Intercontinental title. I mean why would they put an amazing athlete like you in match with someone like Eugene?
Nitro: Your right baby. I’m not in the match but an old, fat piece of crap like the Big Show is in it? Come on...
Nitro immediately stops talking as the huge shadow of the Big Show falls over him. Nitro turns around and stares at the Big Show for a moment before quickly walking away in fear. The Big Show then turns away but Nitro comes back up behind him with a steel chair and hits multiple shots to Show’s back and head. Nitro then laughs and walks off with a cocky look on his face.
*Commercial Break*
JR: We’re back here on Monday Night RAW and moments ago Johnny Nitro took down the giant, the Big Show!
King: Nitro is just a little punk. First he talks smack about the Big Show and then he uses a chair, in gutless attack from behind!
Lilian Garcia: The Following contest is a Royal Rumble qualifier scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing 265 pounds, Kevin Thorn!
*Kevin Thorn, alongside Ariel, make their way down to the ring to boos from the crowd and they start making out in the ring, when flames shoot up from the stage and Slow Chemical begins to play and Kane comes on down to ring to great pop from the crowd*
Lilian Garcia: And his opponent from Parts Unknown, weighing in at 326 pounds, Kane!
Match 2-Royal Rumble Qualifier-Kane vs. Kevin Thorn
Kane and Thorn get right into each other’s faces and Thorn shows Kane his teeth. Kane simply laughs goes to set off his pyro but Thorn strikes him from behind. Thorn then puts the boots to Kane and tries for a quick cover but only gets a 1 count.
Thorn gets Kane off the mat and lays into him with some big rights hands. Thorn tries for a whip but its reversed by Kane and Thorn bounces off the ropes into a back body drop from Kane. Kane goes for cover 1...Thorn kicks out.
Kane pulls Thorn up and throws him into the corner. Thorn bounces off and Kane tries for a sidewalk slam but Thorn pushes him away and again attacks him from behind. Thorn goes to pick up Kane, however the Monster powers out and picks Thorn up into position for a powerbomb! As he’s being held in the air, Thorn hits Kane with some punches forcing Kane to drop him.
Thorn goes after Kane but is met by a big uppercut and is then tossed into the corner. Kane plays to crowd a little and then goes for a big clothesline into the corner but Thorn moves and the Monster crashes and burns. Thorn then lifts Kane up for his Crucifix powerbomb but Kane slides out. Kane then tries a suplex but Thorn elbows out and applies an abdominal stretch. Thorn is wearing him down but Kane begins to get a second wind. Kane suddenly reverses into a stretch off his own, to a pop from the crowd. Kane then throws Thorn into the corner and beats him down to the mat with uppercuts and body shots. Kane then goes to the center of the ring and signals for the chokeslam. He grabs Thorn by the throat but he manages to slide out of the hold and rolls out of the ring. Kane follows him outside the ring and the two brawl up the ramp. The ref has no choice but to count both men out.
Result: Double Count out
JR: Wow those two monsters just got themselves counted out!
King: Well you gotta remember those two aren’t very smart.
We then cut backstage and see Jonathon Coachmen backstage with Randy Orton.
Jonathon Coachmen: I am the Coach, Jonathon Coachmen and my guest at this time is the Legend Killer, Randy Orton. Now later tonight, Randy you have a shot at the WWE title. What are your thoughts on this match?
Randy Orton: My thoughts on the match? Well its really pretty simple Coach. In fact I can sum up the outcome in 3 letters: R.K.O. Because that’s what I’ll hit Cena with and that’s who will win the match.
Jonathon Coachmen: Speaking of your opponent, what are your thoughts on him, the Doctor of Thugonomics, John Cena?
Randy Orton: John Cena? John Cena? Let’s be real Coach; he’s just a punk who got lucky. I am real star, a third generation superstar, and tonight the WWE will placed in its rightful hands.
We go to see Vince in his office.
Mr McMahon: Ah it is good to be back...
We hear sounds off someone running and Vince begins walking towards his door. Suddenly the door is kicked clear in. Vince falls to ground in fear and the enormous Big Show walks in.
Mr McMahon: Wha...?
Show cuts off Vince and gets right into his face.
Big Show: Did you see that pathetic sneak attack by Johnny Nitro, Vince?
Mr McMahon: Well, yes...
Big Show: Then if you know what’s good for you, you’ll put me in a match with him.
Mr McMahon: Well, I’d love to help you, but your already in a match tonight.
Big Show starts to look even more pissed and Vince backs off.
Mr McMahon: But I suppose I could give you a match with him next week.
Big Show: Good call Vince.
The Big Show walks out of the office. Vince sighs to himself and sits back down as Kevin Thorn and Ariel come running in.
Mr McMahon: Ah Mr. Thorn what can I do for you?
Thorn: I should be in the Rumble Vince...I had the match won until that idiot Kane got us both counted out.
Mr McMahon: Well don’t worry about it, you have a spot in the Rumble match.
Kane then enters the office and stares at Vince with an angry look on his face.
Mr McMahon: What are you so mad about? You’ll be getting a spot in the Rumble...However you did attack Mr. Thorn while he was outside of the ring and caused a count out. You shouldn’t have done that and you will be punished. Next week it’ll Kane vs. both Edge and Randy Orton in a No Disqualification handicap match!
*Commercial Break*
JR: Well next week it looks like we’re gonna see Johnny Nitro take on the Big Show and Kane against Rated-RKO.
King: And don’t that forget that later tonight the Big Show will be part of the 4 man battle royal to be the number 1 contender to the Intercontinental title.
We cut to in-ring where Stevie Richards has a microphone and is preparing to address the crowd.
Stevie Richards: Take a look everyone at RAW’s newest and most extreme acquisition.
*Crowd Boos*
Stevie Richards: The reason I’m the most extreme athlete is simple: I wrestled in ECW.
*Crowd pops at the mention of ECW*
Stevie Richards: And quite frankly I’m much more skilled then any of those other ECW alumni.
* As Stevie opens his mouth to say more Breathe plays. Al Snow walks down to ring with a mic in one hand and his infamous sidekick Head in the other to a very good crowd reaction.*
Al Snow: More skilled then anyone from ECW? This guy is a real asshole Head.
Stevie Richards: Shut up! What do you want? Do you actually think that you, a washed up bum who talks to a head, is better then me?
Al Snow: Washed up? Did you hear that Head? We should teach this idiot a lesson. Stevie, I challenge you to hardcore match to see which of us is the most extreme. What do you say?
Stevie Richards: Hmm...No! I don’t think so. Everyone in this building, including you knows that I’m better then you already. Why don’t you go talk to your dumb head backstage?
Snow turns to leave the ring but Stevie tries to jump him from behind but Snow is ready for him and lays him out with some punches before clotheslining Stevie out the ring. Stevie then retreats up the ramp as Snow dares him to come back down to the ring.
*Commercial Break*
JR: Well some of those ECW wrestlers have showed up, King.
King: Those ECW nuts are here on RAW! What the hell was Vince thinking? Those guys aren’t any good at all.
Lilian Garcia: The following contest is a 4 man battle royal to determine the number 1 contender for the Intercontinental title. Introducing first Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas!
*World’s Greatest begins to play as Benjamin and Haas make their way down to the ring to boos from the crowd.*
*This Is a Test plays and Test makes his way down to the ring with a lot of heat from crowd*
Lilian Garcia: From Toronto, Ontario weighing 285 pounds, Test!
*Crank It Up plays and the enormous Big Show walks slowly down the ring to a mixed reaction. Show is holding his head and still seems to feeling the effects of that attack by Johnny Nitro earlier.*
Lilian Garcia: And finally weighing 507 pounds the Big Show!
Match 3- 4 Man Battle Royal to determine number 1 contender for Jeff Hardy’s Intercontiental title.
Haas and Benjamin immeadiatley go after the Big Show and hit him punches and kicks. Test then pulls Shelton away hits him with some big right hands and throws him into the corner. Haas keeps going at Show with punches and chops and then bounces off the ropes and manages to take the Giant down with a nicely placed dropkick. Haas then waits for Show to get back up and tries to force him over the ropes but can’t. Haas is then pulled away by Test.
Test tries for a big right hand but Haas ducks it and Shelton comes to help him. Haas then hits a german suplex on Test as Shelton hits him with a superkick! Haas then gets up and turns around right into the arms of the Big Show, who nails him with a huge sidewalk slam. Shelton then goes after Show but gets hit with a headbutt. Haas gets back to his feet but is knocked right back down by another headbutt from Show.
Benjamin gets back and then sent back down after a big right from the Big Show. Haas then charges Show and hits him with a mix of punches and chops. Haas then whips Show to the ropes and tries to clothesline him out of the ring, but Show is to powerful to be taken out that easily. Haas bounces himself off the ropes on the opposite side to try again but he is stopped by Test. Test then tries to set Haas up for the TKO but its broken up by Benjamin who hits him with a vertical suplex.
Haas and Benjamin then go after Show who tries to clothesline both men. However both duck and the Big Show turns around into a dropkick from Haas and a superkick from Benjamin. Show falls back into the corner and Haas comes over and stomps away at him. Meanwhile Benjamin tries to force Test over the ropes but he can’t and Haas comes over to help but they still can’t force Test over the top rope. Benjamin then backs away and prepares to charge at Test but he is stopped by the Big Show who knocks him down with a right hand. Show then catches Haas with another sidewalk slam. Show then picks up Haas and throws him out of the ring.
*Charlie Haas eliminated at 5:22 by the Big Show*
Test grabs Shelton and sets him in the corner. Test tries for a big clothesline but Shelton moves out of the way at the last moment. Shelton then charges Test and hits him a big Stinger splash.
Benjamin then goes at Show with rights and lefts but they have little effect on the big man. Show fires back with a huge headbutt. Show gorilla presses Benjamin and tosses him to the outside.
*Shelton Benjamin eliminated at 6:21 by the Big Show*
Test and the Big Show go face to face. After the stare down the two big men trade big right hands with Show getting the advantage. Test fights back with a thumb to the eyes.
Test hits Show with some big rights and lefts in the middle of the ring. Test goes for another right but its blocked by Show who punches away at him. Show then whips Test into the ropes and catches when he bounces back. The Big Show picks him up and sends him down to the mat with a huge powerslam.
Show then goes to try and force Test over the top rope. The camera then zooms out and we see a woman running through the crowd and then jumping over the barricade. The camera focuses on her and we see its Stacy Keibler! She then yells at the Big Show who then heads toward her. We then see the Intercontinental champion Jeff Hardy running to the ring. Hardy chases Stacy back into the crowd.
Test then sneaks behind Show and nails him with a full-nelson slam. Both men slowly get to their feet and Test strikes first and throws Show’s head off the top turnbuckle. Test then goes to whip Show into the opposite corner but its reversed. Test bounces off the turnbuckles and into a big boot from the Giant. Show then sets Test up on the ropes and goes to the opposite side of the ring. The Big Show then charges at Test looking to eliminate him, but Test ducks at the last second and pulls down the ropes, sending Show to the outside!
Test wins the Battle Royal and becomes the number 1 contender for the Intercontinental title by eliminating the Big Show at 8:30.
Test celebrates in the ring and Stacy comes back from the crowd to **** him. Hardy goes to help Show up but Test ambushes him from behind. Test throws Hardy’s head into the steel steps and begins to walk away with an evil smile on his face. Hardy however chases him down and hits him with a dropkick into the steel ring post. Hardy then plays to crowd and begins to climb up to the top turnbuckle. Stacy begs with him but Jeff jumps off anyway, nailing Test with a Swanton Bomb to the outside! The crowd begins a Hardy chant as we see Stacy tending to Test.
We go to video showing both Shawn Michaels and HHH’s past performances in the Royal Rumble. Images are shown of HBK eliminating the British Bulldog to win in 1995. We see HBK winning again 1996 after hitting Diesel with Sweet Chin Music. Finally we see HHH eliminating Kurt Angle to win the Rumble in 2002.
*Commercial Break*
Masterpiece plays and Chris Masters slowly makes his way down to the ring to boos from the crowd. He gets in the ring and gets a mic.
Chris Masters: I am the Masterpiece, Chris Masters and last night I proved once again that the Masterlock is unbreakable.
*Heat*
Chris Masters: But since I’m such a great guy, I’m willing to give anyone in the back a chance at breaking the Masterlock. Of course it doesn’t really matter who it is because I am the greatest physical specimen in the WWE!
*Cool plays and Carlito makes his way down to the ring.*
Carlito: The greatest athlete in the WWE? You’ve been taking to many roids, Chris.
*Pop*
Carlito: Anyway, Chris I came down here because last night you got lucky. Tonight I will break the Masterlock and then spit in your face!
Masters then gets a chair and tells Carlito to turn around. Instead of setting up the chair Masters nails Carlito in the head with it. Carlito is down and Masters heads up the ramp laughing to himself.
We go backstage and see Edge and Orton.
Edge: You ready for your match man?
Orton: Yeah. Cena has no chance and I’ll be a double champion. We’ll another step closer to fully controlling RAW.
Orton then leaves the locker room with his tag team title belt on his shoulder.
*Commercial Break*
Lilian Garcia: The following contest is for the WWE championship and is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, the challenger from St. Louis Missouri, weighing 245 pounds, Randy Orton!
*Burn In My Light plays and Randy Orton enters to boos from the crowd. He stops at the top of the ramp and does the destiny pose to even more heat.*
Lilian Garcia: And his opponent from West Newbury, Massachusetts weighing 240 pounds the WWE champion, John Cena!
*The Time Is Now plays and the champ comes down to the ring to a huge pop.*
Match 4 for the WWE title-John Cena(c) vs. Randy Orton
The two men circle the ring while staring each other down. They then lock up in the middle of the ring. Orton then breaks the hold and slaps Cena in the face to boos from the crowd. Cena stands back for a moment and then hits Orton with a hard rights to the face. Cena then goes to pick him up but Orton slides out and takes him down with a clothesline. Orton covers 1. Cena quickly fires a shoulder up.
Orton hauls John to his feet and tries to punch him but Cena blocks it fires back with rights and lefts of his own. The champ bounces off the ropes into a forearm shot from RKO. Cena gets back to his feet and pushes Orton away and then ducks a clothesline. He comes off the ropes but is met by a nice dropkick from Orton. Randy then drops a knee right on Cena’s head and goes for a cover 1..2 Cena kicks out fairly quickly.
Cena slowly stumbles to his feet and hits Orton. He continues to punch him until Randy gives him a thumb to eyes. RKO then whips Cena into and follows it up with a big clothesline. Orton covers 1...2.. Cena kicks out at two and half.
Orton gets up and begins to argue with the ref who tells him that it was only two. Orton throws Cena into the corner and gives him some kicks to the midsection. The ref then tells Orton to back off and Orton argues with him some more. Randy then goes back at Cena, who hits him with a big right hand. Cena then manages to hit a hip toss on Orton and goes for his first cover. 1... Orton, who is still fairly fresh, kicks out quickly.
Cena brings Randy back to his feet and throws him off the ropes. Cena tries to pick him up but RKO slips out and nails him with a neckbreaker. Orton covers again 1...2..Cena kicks out again.
Orton then applies a sleeper hold. Randy holds on as the crowd gets behind Cena. He slowly works his way to his feet and begins to hit some elbows to Orton’s midsection. Cena eventually gets all the way out and hits RKO with an elbow to the face. He stumbles away and Cena charges at him however Orton takes him down with a DDT. RKO covers 1...2.. Cena kicks out.
Orton stalks Cena, looking for the RKO but Cena pushes him away into the corner where Cena hits him with some big punches and kicks to the gut. Cena tries to whip Randy to the opposite corner but its reversed and John crashes into the turnbuckles. Orton charges at him but instead gets a boot to face from the champ. Orton falls down in the middle of the ring and Cena signals for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle to a pop from the crowd. As Cena goes to hit, Orton rolls out of the ring, at the last second. RKO gets to his feet quickly and hits Cena with an overdrive. Orton covers 1...2...Cena kicks out at the last second.
Orton starts getting really pissed and backs the ref into the corner, arguing with him some more. Randy goes back at Cena with at right hand, but its blocked by Cena who then hits him with a series of punches to the face. John then bounces off the ropes but is caught by Orton who slams back down to mat. Orton does the destiny pose to heat from the crowd and climbs up to the top rope. He then leaps off hitting Cena with a flying crossbody. He covers 1...2...Cena kicks out and Orton slaps the mat in frustration and tells the ref that it was 3. Orton gets frustrated and stomps on Cena who is trying to get back to his feet. He then pushes Orton away into the ropes and catches him on the rebound with a fisherman’s suplex. Cena cover 1...2..Orton kicks out.
Cena then scoop slams Orton and follows it up with the Throwback neck snap and goes for a cover1...2...Orton kicks out. Orton crawls to the corner and begs Cena not to hit him. Cena moves in anyway and gets his head thrown into the top turnbuckle. Orton stomps away at Cena and again covers1...2..Cena kicks out to keep the match going. Orton brings Cena back up and gives a hard kick to the stomach. RKO taunts the crowd a little but takes to long and Cena kicks him in the gut and loads him up for an FU! But its not to be as Orton slides out the back and knocks the champ down with a forearm shot from behind. Randy goes for a whip but Cena reverses and Orton comes off the ropes into a snap suplex. Cena covers1...2.. Orton kicks out.
John gets up and bounces off the ropes for a clothesline, but instead runs into an elbow from Orton. The two men stumble away from each other and then go to the center of the ring where the two trade blows to a pop from the crowd. RKO gets the better of it and slips behind Cena and drills him with a gutwrench elevated neckbreaker. Orton whips Cena to the corner and then locks in a chinlock. Cena looks to be in trouble as the crowd chants his name. Eventually Cena manages to get to his feet and surprises Orton with a side suplex. He covers 1...2
Orton kicks out. Both men slowly get to their feet. John charges at Orton, who jumps out of the way and hits another gutwrench elevated neckbreaker. RKO covers 1...2 Cena gets a shoulder up. Randy can’t believe and once again gets in the ref’s face. Orton then bounces himself off the ropes looking for a big clothesline. Cena ducks at the last moment and takes Orton down with a drop toe hold. He then gets on Orton and applies the STFU. Orton struggles for a moment, but has no choice except to tap out.
John Cena retains the WWE title at 11:29.
After the match Cena gets his title and celebrates in the ring. As he looks to leave the ring though he is cut in half by a thunderous spear from Edge! RAW goes off the air as Edge stands over Cena’s fallen body.
WWE: Road to the Rumble
WWE: Road to the Rumble
