RAW Results
7th January 2008
Von Braun Civic Center
Huntsville, Alabama
***VIDEO RECAP***
FROM SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT
• Mr. McMahon being told by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley that she is pregnant again with Aurora playing in the room. Triple H walking in to find them, then allowing Vince to look after Aurora while Steph and Trips go and talk
• Stephanie and Triple H walking back all smiles and then finding that Vince and Aurora are gone
• Shane McMahon, Stephanie and Triple H all searching for Aurora with no luck
• Triple H angry as he walks down to the ring for his WWE Championship match
• Randy Orton coming out and telling Triple H they should just leave the match, and Triple H walking up the ramp to beat the hell out of Orton before the match starts
• Triple H getting into control in the match and going for the pedigree when Vince walks out with Aurora, distracting him until JBL entered the ring from behind and attacked Triple H with the clothesline from hell, getting Orton disqualified
• Vince & JBL raising each others arms in the air over Triple H’s body as Stephanie consoles Aurora
***OPENING CREDITS***
“Wanna Be Loved”
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
“No Chance in Hell” blasts out as a rather smug looking Vince McMahon power struts his way down to the ring
***MAJOR HEAT***
Vince McMahon: Well I hope you all had a very happy new year, although I can guarantee that not one of you amongst the thousands in this arena tonight could even begin to imagine just how perfect a new year I had knowing that when I set foot in here tonight, Triple H would not be carrying the WWE Championship
***MAJOR HEAT***
Vince McMahon: See that alone would have made me the happiest person on this planet, however there is of course another reason. . . And that reason is I spent my first Christmas with the newest member of the McMahon family, my illegitimate son. . . John Bradshaw Layfield
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: And it was all thanks to Triple H himself that he is not standing here tonight as the WWE Champion. At the cold end of the day, Triple H can look in the mirror and know that the only person to blame is him. Not only did he marry my only daughter and take her away from me, he deliberately made me look like a fool in front of the world by making out that Hornswoggle, that little irish bastard was in fact my son, hiding the truth about who was my actual son. Had he not done all those things to me, his very own boss, he would not have suffered at the hands of my son and I. Not my disloyal, unappreciative son I’ve known for over thirty years. Well Shane, Steph, Hunter, I hope you had a miserable Christmas and new year, because my new son and I spent some long overdue time together, getting to know each other and grow a bond that I never could with Shane. And while we were talking, John told me he had a burning desire deep inside him to get back inside this very ring I stand in right now. . . So as of tonight, John Bradshaw Layfield will become a full time Raw superstar
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: And now it gives me immense pleasure to introduce to you, the greatest wrestler of all time and the man I am proud to call my son. . . John Bradshaw Layfield
“Longhorn” hits & JBL’s limo makes its way into the arena next to the ramp. His driver gets out and opens the door for a very smartly dressed JBL to walk into the arena
***HEAT***
JBL climbs into the ring and hugs his father before going to collect a microphone from Lilian Garcia
JBL: Well I imagine you never thought you would see the day that the two most powerful men in the world would stand together in this ring united as the biggest, most powerful family in the world
***HEAT***
JBL: Now dad, you know how much I condone bad language and the art of disrespect, but what I have to say needs to be said, and you know that I am talking to you Triple H. You kept this secret from me, and more importantly my father for months. You made out that that little green midget was the offspring of a true legendary business man. . . You made out that a little green retard who paraded around here mocking the very legacy of the McMahon name just to tarnish the family name that you were not accepted into, a family that you were rightly shunned from
***HEAT***
JBL: You are nothing more than a degenerate, but that’s what you are proud to be isn’t it Hunter? You love nothing more than playing practical jokes and screwing with peoples lives. . . Well from this very day, that stops. Because I will not have my father and I being the butt of your games Triple H, I guarantee it. And if you wanna try me, you know where to find me
Vince McMahon: Son, before you get too carried away, I think it’s best that I let you in on a little secret. See when you told me you wanted to get back in the ring, I went out and found you a perfect opponent for your return match, a return match that will take place right here tonight. . .
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: Now I know it’s not fitting to make your return in such a place as Huntsville, Alabama, but there is nothing I could do about that
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: So John, tonight you are going to face a true American hero, a man who has wrestled all over the world. And he has even won the Royal Rumble. . . In fact he was the first ever winner of the Royal Rumble. . . Tonight John, you will go one on one with Hacksaw Jim Duggan
***POP***
“Here Comes the Money” hits & Shane McMahon walks out to the top of the ramp with a microphone in hand
***BIG POP***
Shane McMahon: Now dad, I don’t want to break up the family reunion, but I thought I’d come out here and share a few little things with you. . . First I’ve spent the whole day making sure that Triple H didn’t come down here tonight and beat the holy hell out of you. . .
***HEAT***
Shane McMahon: And since I hear your temporary freeze of power was removed by the board of directors, there’s obviously nothing I can do to stop you bringing that bastard of yours right there over here to Raw. . . I get that dad and I’m fine with that, no problem. He can have his match tonight, that doesn’t bother me one bit. But what did bother me dad was what happened a Saturday Night’s Main Event. You vanished with your own granddaughter just to cost Triple H the WWE Championship and show the world how much of an asshole you truly are, as well as unveiling your new child to the world
***HEAT***
JBL: Watch what you say bro because I will put you in your place son
***HEAT***
Shane McMahon: Bro. . . I’m not your brother and I never will be. But I’ll tell you who I do class as a brother. . . Triple H
***BIG POP***
Shane McMahon: He’s the one who cares about our real family dad. . . He’s the one who was there for mum and Steph over Christmas while you played get to know the bastard in the ridiculous hat
***POP***
Shane McMahon: You know dad, Hunter put what you did to him behind him just to make mum and Steph feel better. . . but tonight it’s a different story. . . See I’m still the general manager of Raw and there’s not a thing you can do to change that. So I had to decide what I thought would be the best thing for Raw tonight as the first show of 2008 to really start the year with a bang. And dad, I didn’t have to think long, I just had to realise that I had to make up for your mistake at Saturday Night’s Main Event. . . I even went to the rest of the board of directors to make sure you could not interfere with this decision, and they have locked this in place, so there’s nothing you can do about it
Vince McMahon: Just what are you getting at?
Shane McMahon: Well dad, it’s simple. Tonight we are going to see a match that should have ended differently two weeks ago, a match that will see the WWE Championship on the line
***BIG POP***
Shane McMahon: That look dad says it all. . . you guessed it. . . Right here tonight, it’s going to be Randy Orton versus Triple H for the WWE Championship
***HUGE POP***
“Here Comes the Money” hits as Vince & JBL stomp around in the ring and aim abuse towards Shane, who just holds his hands up in the air with a wide grin on his face
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***VIDEO PROMO***
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***MATCH #1***
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Bobby Lashley & Rey Mysterio
vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
ENDING: Lance Cade stands back up after knocking Lashley down with a back elbow smash to the face. It hasn’t affected Lashley a great deal as he picks himself back up quite quickly, but Cade then charges at him, looking for a lariat, but Lashley ducks underneath it. He runs through into the ropes, comes back and collides with Cade as they collapse in a heap thanks to a double clothesline. Both men remain on the mat for several seconds before they start to turn themselves over and crawl towards their respective corners at the same pace. They both make the tag as Rey races in and charges at Murdoch, who ducks under an outstretched arm and then spins Rey round. He whips him into the ropes, but as Rey runs back, he slides through the legs and then dropkicks Murdoch in the back of the knee.
Murdoch drops to his knees but tries to get back up as Rey runs into the ropes and then executes a perfect SPRINGBOARD CROSS BODY. . . . . 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Murdoch pushes Rey off as both men pick themselves up and Rey backs up to the ropes with Murdoch following him. Rey then reacts quickly and drop toe holds him onto the second rope with the crowd cheering like crazy. Cade flips out on the apron and tries to get in the ring, but Rey runs at him and dropkicks him in the chest and sending him off the apron as he then lands against the barricade. Rey continues to back up as he then dials up and runs towards Murdoch, grabs the top rope and swings his feet through for the 619. . . . . BUT MURDOCH DUCKS IT. . . . .
Rey’s feet fly through the ropes and back again as Murdoch then stands back up and grabs Rey by the head and drags him over the top rope, whips him into the ropes and nails him with a hard falling clothesline. Murdoch races back up to his feet and sets Rey up for the SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB. . . Rey though is able to counter it and is able to get a SUNSET FLIP ROLL UP. . . . . 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Murdoch just kicks out with his boot driving into Rey’s face. Rey then starts to crawl towards Lashley, but Murdoch grabs him by the foot, only for Rey to turn over and kick Murdoch in the face, spinning him round and making the tag to Lashley. The monster then climbs through the ropes and charges at Murdoch as he spins round, nailing him with the SPEAR. . . . . The crowd erupts as Lashley then hooks the legs for the cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: “Hell Will Be Callin Your Name” hits as Rey and Lashley hug to celebrate their victory. They both then walk to opposite corners and climb to the middle rope, posing for the crowd
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Carlito & his brother Eduardo are stood in the hallway by some storage boxes
***HEAT***
Carlito: You know bro, I’m going to have you all trained and ready to go for the Royal Rumble. . . But tonight Eddie, it’s me who has the qualifying match against dat sick, disgusting Val Venis. . . He thinks he can disrespect me and my brother, he is wrong. And I promise you bro, I will make him pay for what he’s said about you too
Eduardo: Don’t worry bout me Carly, I’ll take care of Val in the rumble. . . well I guess I won’t after you’re done beating him tonight
Carlito: Dat’s right Eddie. Tonight I beat Val Venis and book my place in the Royal Rumble. . . Then I go onto Wrestlemania and become the new WWE Champion. . . Now dat’s cool
Eduardo: No, dat’s hot bro
Carlito: No, no it’s cool
Eduardo: Not that. . . that
Eduardo nods his head, looking beyond Carlito as he then turns round and the camera pans to show Kelly Kelly stood next to a locker room door
***POP***
Kelly is talking to someone still inside
Eduardo: You got your match tonight bro, I’m gonna go get me some action
Carlito laughs
Carlito: Dowg!
Eduardo smiles at him before walking off up the hall and up to Kelly as she turns away from the door and turns round into Eduardo, looking a little wary of him
Eduardo: Hey babe
Kelly Kelly: Hey
Eduardo: I got a deal for you sweet cheeks. How about we get out of here and go get a little somethin somethin to eat huh? What ya think about dat?
Kelly Kelly: Thanks but I’ve already eaten
Eduardo: Hey dat’s cool. How bout we skip the food and just get down to the good stuff huh baby?
Kelly slaps him in the face. He chuckles for a second before then grabbing Kelly by the shoulders and pushing her against the wall. She looks scared as hell
Mystery Voice: HEY, GET OFF HER
Cody Rhodes walks into the shot and pushes Eduardo away
***POP***
Cody Rhodes: What the hell do you think you’re doin?
Eduardo: Hey, chill out golden boy
Carlito charges into the shot
Carlito: What’s goin on bro? . . . Oh look what we have here. . . Cody Rhodes. . . How about you go tell your little buddy he’s gettin his ass kicked tonight and leave my brother and this skank to their business?
Cody Rhodes: How about you two get the hell out of here?
Carlito: Okay Cody, we will. But you tell Val he ain’t goin to the rumble
Cody Rhodes: You can do it yourself
Carlito: Oh I will, in the ring tonight. . . Come on Eddie, let’s get out of here and leave the tramp and the virgin to it
Eduardo laughs as he and Carlito then turn round and walk back up the hall
Cody Rhodes: I’m sorry about them Kelly
Kelly Kelly: Don’t be sorry. Thanks for helping me though, it was real sweet of you. You're a sweetheart
Kelly then leans forward and kisses him on the cheek before turning round and walking off. Cody looks shocked and like a schoolboy being kissed for the first time as he watches her walk up the hall
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
Todd Grisham is standing by
Todd Grisham: Ladies and gentleman, please welcome my guest at this time. . . The Game, Triple H
***HUGE POP***
Triple H walks into the shot, looking very intense
Todd Grisham: Triple H, we all saw what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event. . .
Triple H: . . . Todd, of course everyone saw it. That was what Vince wanted. He made it so that everyone could see him get one back over on me for marrying his daughter. And you think a normal human being wouldn’t do what he did, taking his granddaughter away from her parents just so that he could get into my head and cost me the WWE Championship
***HEAT***
Triple H: But that’s Vince McMahon for you Todd. . . He’s sick, he’s twisted and he’ll do whatever it takes to satisfy his own huge ego, just like he did two weeks ago. . . He obviously found out that JBL was his son. . . like father, like son huh, but that’s not what’s important here. What is important is that tonight I get the chance to get one back over on Vince and give him one of the sights he just can’t bare to see. And that is me at the end of Raw tonight as the new WWE Champion
***BIG POP***
Triple H: And Vince let me warn you right now. . . There’s no distractions tonight. Steph and Aurora are at home, well away from you and your bastard son. So if you think you’re going to get in my head tonight, then you’re wrong. . . I want you, John Bastard Layfield and you too Randy to look real close, because I guarantee that there is nothing that any one of you can do to stop me walking out of Huntsville with the WWE Championship
***HUGE POP***
Triple H: Tonight, everyone here will see The Game like you’ve never seen him before. . . I will make everyone who stands in my way suffer like never before, BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE STANDING IN MY WAY OF BECOMING THE WWE CHAMPION. . . NO ONE
Triple H stares into the camera for a couple of seconds before it fades out
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***MATCH #2***
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Kofi Kingston
vs. Hardcore Holly
ENDING: Kofi comes back off the ropes and surprises Holly with a flying forearm smash to the face, getting a big cheer from the crowd. He then storms back up into his feet and runs into the corner, then climbs to the top rope as Holly starts to stand back up. Kofi then jumps off the top rope, only for Holly to kick him in the gut before impact and then pulls Kofi under his arm, then plants him with a SNAP SUPLEX. . . . . Holly turns over quickly and goes for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . NO! . . . . . Kick out from Kofi, leaving Holly fuming as he then stands back up and looks to finish the match off by dragging Kingston back up to his feet. He lifts him by the legs, but Kofi is then able to slide down Holly’s back and into a VICTORY ROLL. . . . . 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Holly kicks out this time.
Both men get back up to their feet and Kofi grabs Holly by the wrist, then tries to whip him into the ropes, but it’s reversed by Holly. As Kofi comes back off the ropes, he ducks under Holly’s clothesline attempt, spins him round and stomps him in the gut. He then whips Holly into the corner and charges at him, but jumps up to the second rope where Holly pushes him straight down to the mat as Kofi rolls backwards. Holly takes a short breather before racing out of the corner at Kofi as he stands back up, but as Holly gets closer, Kofi jumps up and nails him with a devastating 540 KICK. . . . . Kofi is so quick to scurry over and hook the legs 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: Kofi’s music hits as he stands back up to get his arm raised by the referee. He gets a decent pop as he then poses for the crowd in the corner
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
Jeff Hardy is shown walking frantically down the hall when he stops at the General Manager’s office
***POP***
He walks in and looks shocked as Vince McMahon stands up from a leather sofa
***HEAT***
Jeff Hardy: Hey Vince, where’s Shane O at?
Vince McMahon: What’s the problem kid? You not expecting to see me?. . . Let me tell you something Jeff, I run this company not my disloyal son. . . You know at this moment, he’s with Triple H, helping him get ready for his title match with Randy Orton. . . Tell me Jeff, what kind of loyalty is that to the man who gave him everything?
***HEAT***
Jeff Hardy: Look, if it’s all the same with you Vince, I’ll come back later when Shane’s here
Vince McMahon: Wait just a second. . . You think it’s Shane who signs your pay check Jeff. . . well it’s not. . . IT’S ME. . . If you’ve got a problem, you come to me, not Shane. Do you understand that?
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: Now tell me, what is it you wanted from my so called son?
Jeff Hardy: You can give me what I want Vince?
Vince McMahon: I can give you anything in the whole world if I see fit. . . humour me Jeff
Jeff Hardy: Alright. . . The one thing I want right now, more than anything is CM Punk, and I want him as soon as is humanly possible
***POP***
Vince McMahon: Well you came to the right man Jeff, because I can give you exactly what you want. . . You want CM Punk? Well you’re gonna get him, and you’re gonna get him at the Royal Rumble with that Intercontinental Championship of yours on the line
***POP***
Vince gets in Jeff’s face
Vince McMahon: And Jeff, if you ever underestimate me again, I will make your life a living hell. Do you understand me?
Jeff Hardy: Yeah I got ya Vince, thanks for the match
Vince McMahon: I just hope CM Punk beats the hell out of you like Randy Orton is Triple H tonight. . .
Jeff is about to leave when Vince pulls his arm back
Vince McMahon: Wait just a second Jeff, I’ve got an even better idea for ya. . . Since you’re here tonight and we’re giving people the chance to qualify for the royal Rumble, I think it’s only fair that a champion such as yourself should have the chance to be in the biggest match of the history of this business. . . So this is what we’re going to do. . . Right here tonight in Huntsville, Alabama, it’s going to be Jeff Hardy teaming up with CM Punk
Jeff’s face turns to stone
***HEAT***
Vince McMahon: I can see you’re a little confused kid, but don’t worry. You’re opponents tonight don’t exactly get along either. . . And those opponents of yours tonight. . . Mr. Kennedy, and Y2J Chris Jericho. . . Now get the hell out of here
***POP***
Jeff doesn’t seem too fazed and just leaves with Vince looking seriously intense
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Randy Orton is sat down on the bench in his locker room in his casual clothes, staring down at the floor
***HEAT***
The door is then heard to be slammed shut as Orton then looks up and JBL walks into the shot with Orton then standing up
***MAJOR HEAT***
Randy Orton: So just what the hell brings you here John?
JBL: I know I technically don’t have any place in being here, but I want you to do me and my father a favour tonight. . . See, we want you to walk out of here the WWE Champion more than you could possibly imagine. We all hate Triple H for the disgrace of a human being that he is, and it would be an injustice of unrecognised proportions if he was to get his hands on that title tonight. . .
***HEAT***
JBL: . . .Me and my father also recognise that you are a worthy champion and are capable of winning on your own tonight, but we’re worried about Shane and what he could do which is why on behalf of my father and I, I would like to offer you our services to stand by your side tonight
***HEAT***
Randy Orton: John, I appreciate everything you’ve said, every last word of it. . . But like you say, I am a worthy champion, and that’s why I have to politely turn your offer down. . . It’s not that I’m not grateful, it’s that I have the chance to prove to every single person in this world who doubts me wrong tonight. . . I can beat Triple H, that’s the reason I am the WWE champion right now, and why I will be when tonight is all said and done. It’s about time everyone recognised that I am the greatest wrestler on the face of this planet, and that 2008 is going to be the year that Randy Orton becomes the greatest of all time, starting tonight in that ring against Triple H
***HEAT***
JBL: Randy, as a former champion I can appreciate your comments too, and I wish you nothing but luck tonight. Just be very, very wary of Shane
Randy Orton: Don’t worry, if he gets in my way, Shane will be just the next victim of the legend killer
JBL smiles as Orton remains focused with JBL then turning round and walking out of the room
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***VIDEO PROMO***
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***MATCH #3***
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Val Venis w/Cody Rhodes
vs. Carlito w/Eduardo
ENDING: Val pulls Carlito up to his feet and whips him into the ropes, but as Carlito comes back he back flips over Val, runs back into the ropes and then clotheslines him in the back. Val drops to his knees and as he stands back up and turns round, the patient Carlito then nails him with a STANDING DROPKICK. . . . . Carlito doesn’t go for the cover and instead pulls Val up to his feet with Val facing the other way as Carlito then places Val’s head under his arm, seemingly for a REVERSE DDT. . . . . Val though is able to escape Carlito’s clutches and shocks him with an irish whip. And as Carlito comes back off the ropes, Val tosses him overhead with a back body drop causing a pop to break out. Carlito then picks himself back up with Val ready and waiting as he then plants Carlito with a SPINNING SIDE SUPLEX. . . . . The cheers keep on coming as Val then walks over to the corner and climbs up to the top rope.
He looks to be going for the MONEY SHOT. . . . . Eduardo then stands up on the apron close to Val to distract him, and at works as he looks across, taking his eyes off Carlito, who is back on his feet and then runs to the corner, jumps to the second rope and hip tosses him back down to the mat. Eduardo steps down and Carlito still looks a little dazed as Val slowly starts to roll onto his side and back up to his feet with Carlito running past Val and spring boarding into the ropes, then hitting him with a BACK ELBOW SMASH. . . . . It could be over as Carlito then scurries across and covers Val 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . NOT YET! . . . . . Val gets his shoulder up and then rolls to the side and towards the ropes. Carlito’s eyes focus on him as he stands back up and sees Val trying to pick himself up with the aid of the ropes. As Carlito approaches Val from behind, he looks to hit the BACK STABBER. . . . .
Val though holds onto the top rope as Carlito drops back to the mat with the crowd cheering. Eduardo looks shocked on the outside as he then gets back up on the apron, only for Cody Rhodes to walk over this time and pull him down. As Eduardo lands on the mat, he turns round and sees Cody looking disapprovingly at him, but then whips Cody into the steel steps. Val hears the bang and looks across, then walks over to the ropes and looks down at Eduardo, shouting at him. But as Carlito stands back and walks over, this time Val is unable to counter as Carlito nails him with the BACK STABBER. . . . . Carlito and Eduardo crack a smile, but Carlito turns over and covers his fallen opponent 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: “Cool” hits & Carlito stands back up to get his arm raised before pulling it back swiftly. Eduardo climbs in the ring and raises his arm as they then leave the ring grinning at leaving Val & Carlito laying
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Jeff Hardy is back in his locker room looking really stressed as Sunny tries to calm him down, stroking his arm
***POP***
CM Punk then walks right in and up to Jeff, who turns round to face him, looking very angry
***MAJOR HEAT***
Jeff Hardy: What the hell do you think you’re doin in here? I’ll give you 3 seconds to get the hell out
CM Punk: Yeah we both know that ain’t gonna happen Jeff, cos it’ll end the same way it always does, you in a hospital bed. . . I came here to talk about tonight. . . I didn’t ask for this to happen, you got us into this match tonight, and our match at the Royal Rumble doesn’t matter right now. . . We both wanna be in the rumble right?. . . Right?
Jeff Hardy: Right
CM Punk: Then tonight we need to work together to get what we want. You need to forget about everything that’s happened and get your head in the game tonight, or you’re just going to make things a whole lot worse for yourself at the rumble, cos not only will you lose that title, you ain’t gonna be in the rumble match. And if you ain’t in the rumble match, neither am I, so you better deliver tonight Jeff or you’ll see what I’m really capable of, because you’ve seen nothin yet. . . trust me
***HEAT***
CM Punk: Think about what I said. . .
Punk backs off and looks at Sunny
CM Punk: Even you can talk some sense into him
Punk then walks out of the room as Jeff looks like exploding
Sunny: Don’t even listen to him. You’ll beat him at the rumble. . . You’re a better person than him, you’ll know not to let him get to you tonight. . . And later on after you’ve qualified for the rumble, I’ll give you a little new years treat to remember
Jeff doesn’t show signs of a smile as he just stares through Sunny towards the door Punk just walked out of
***VIDEO PROMO***
We see a shadowy figure walking down a dark side street
Mystery Voice: My calling has finally come. . . The time has come for the truth to emerge from the dark. . . No more curiosity and no more rumours. . .
The figure emerges from the dark and we see the person revealed as Ron Killings
Ron Killings: Next week, you will hear the truth
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***VIDEO PROMO***
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***MATCH #4***
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield w/Mr. McMahon
ENDING: JBL picks Duggan up to his feet and smashes him with a succession of hard right hands, backing him up into the corner. He then takes a second before he throws another right, but this time Duggan blocks it and then hits JBL with a right of his own, causing the crowd to go nuts. The onslaught doesn’t last long as JBL rakes Duggan in the eyes and then stomps him hard into the gut. With Duggan holding his chest and his head now ducked, JBL drives his boot right into the side of Duggan’s head, sending him down to the mat. A lot of boos ring out as Vince turns and looks disapprovingly at the crowd. Back on the inside, JBL walks out of the corner and picks Duggan up to his feet, scoops him up to hold him sideways by his legs and by his neck. He then leans back and tosses him behind with a FALLAWAY SLAM. . . . .
JBL then turns over and hooks the leg for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . KICK OUT FROM DUGGAN. . . . . Vince and JBL look a little surprised at that one. JBL then stands back up and drags Duggan up to his feet, then places him between his legs for a POWERBOMB. . . . . Just as he’s about to lift him, he decides against it, letting him drop to his knees. Vince looks confused on the outside as Duggan starts to stand back up. JBL though is ready and waiting as he then runs back into the ropes, charges back at Duggan and sends him crashing down to the mat with the CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL. . . . . Vince sells it on the outside with a look that says that one hurt a little. JBL back on the inside turns over and hooks the leg 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: “Longhorn” hits as JBL stands back up, getting his arm raised by the referee with Vince looking on happily on the outside. When both let go, he turns his attention back to Duggan, lifting him up to his feet, but Duggan fights back with right hands as the music stops too. But straight away, Orlando Jordan (returning to the WWE) charges down the ramp, slides into the ring and clubs him across the back, knocking him down to his knees. JBL then positions Duggan between his legs and nails him with a powerbomb. “Longhorn” hits again as JBL & Jordan shake hands in the middle of the ring, with both having goofy smiles on their faces as Vince then climbs up the ring steps and shakes Jordan’s hand too before hugging JBL
***VIDEO PROMO***
We see video clips of every Royal Rumble winner, split seconds of each one and it ends in a graphic of Madison Square Garden
NARRATOR: For over twenty years, one of sports entertainment’s most landmark events has captivated the hearts of millions across the world, but in 2008, this most prestigious of events will return to the heart of the United States of America. . . New York City. . . The Royal Rumble, Sunday 28th January, live only on pay-per-view
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***MATCH #5***
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCH
Chris Jericho & Mr. Kennedy
vs. Jeff Hardy w/Sunny & CM Punk
ENDING: CM Punk grabs Kennedy by the arm and whips him into the opposite corner, which is Kennedy’s as Jericho slaps his partner across the shoulder on impact for a blind tag. As Punk starts to run across, Jericho races through the ropes in time to nail Punk with a spinning wheel kick, getting a big pop from the crowd. Kennedy then pushes Jericho from behind, which forces Jericho to turn back round and push Kennedy across the chest. Kennedy talks smack at Jericho who then half turns away before turning back and knocking Kennedy over the top rope with a super kick. Another pop rings out for that one as Jericho then turns his attention back to Punk and grabs him by the legs. Punk though is able to push him off and get back up himself.
And as he stands back up, Jericho turns back round into a kick to the gut from Punk who then follows up with a vicious kick to the head, sending Jericho down to the mat in a heap. Punk drops to the mat and tries for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Jericho just gets his shoulder up as Punk then picks himself back up and walks over to his corner and tags in Jeff with a satisfied look on his face at what he’s done to Jericho. Jeff still doesn’t look happy as then steps through the ropes and sees Jericho getting back to his feet and then charges at him. Jericho turns round and Jeff ducks past him, jumps up to the second rope and then leaps off, connecting with a WHISPER IN THE WIND. . . . .
A big cheer comes from the crowd as both men pick themselves back up with Jeff pouncing straight away, stomping Jericho in the gut and planting him with a SIT DOWN JAWBREAKER. . . . . Jeff reaches across and hooks both legs 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . SHOULDER UP, JUST! . . . . . That looked over, and as Jeff is about to get back up, the camera shows Kennedy on the outside just about coming round from the super kick earlier from his own partner. With Jeff back on his feet on the inside and Jericho showing signs of life, Hardy stands next his opponent, stalking him for the TWIST OF FATE. . . . . The moment Jericho gets up, Jeff moves forward and pulls Jericho’s head under his arm, but as Jeff turns, Jericho escapes and slips behind.
Jeff then turns round in shock as Jericho then nails him with an ENZIGURI. . . . . Again the crowd cheer, they’re loving this! . . . . . Sensing this one could be over as he slowly makes his way back up to his feet, Jericho runs over to Punk and knocks him off the apron with a knee to the chest. He then runs to the opposite ropes, springboards and hits Jeff with the LIONSAULT. . . . . IT’S OVER. . . . . Just as Jericho lands, Kennedy slides back in the ring and pulls Jericho up to his feet and plants him with THE MIC CHECK. . . . . HE JUST NAILED HIS OWN PARTNER! . . . . . Kennedy drops to the mat and starts talking smack in Jericho’s ear, looking very pissed as Jeff starts to crawl to his corner. He sees Punk isn’t there as he is sitting back up on the outside.
Jeff then stands back up with the help of the ropes and walks over to Kennedy, and picks him up by his feet, stomps him in the gut and plants him with the TWIST OF FATE. . . . . The momentum takes Kennedy under the bottom rope with Jericho still out of it as Jeff then makes his way back to his corner and climbs to the top rope as Punk climbs back on the apron. He touches Jeff’s leg and the tag is acknowledged by the referee as Jeff then leaps off with at Jericho, connecting with the SWANTON BOMB. . . . . The roof just came off, but Punk then races into the ring and picks Jeff up straight away, lifts him onto his shoulders and sends him crashing down to earth with the GO TO SLEEP. . . . . Punk has a sick smile on his face as he looks over at Jeff’s body while going to cover Jericho 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: “This Fire Burns” blasts out as CM Punk immediately leaves the ring, laughing as he walks pasts Jeff to a ton of heat. Sunny looks on in shock from the outside as she then slides inside the ring to check on Jeff. Kennedy starts to sit up on the outside and looks confused at what just happened as we see Punk smiling in a sadistic manner on the ramp, looking down at Sunny in the ring
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Todd Grisham is standing by
Todd Grisham: Please welcome my guest at this time, the WWE Womens Champion. . . Beth Phoenix
Beth walks into the shot, getting boos from the arena
Todd Grisham: Beth, two weeks ago at Saturday Night’s Main Event, you picked up arguably the biggest victory of your career against Trish Stratus in the make or break or match. Your thoughts
Beth Phoenix: Todd, think about it for a second. Do you really think Trish just wanted to come back for one night only? . . . I don’t think so. . . She wanted to come back here to try and take her place at the top of the diva division, but I didn’t let that happen. . . You know why Todd? . . . It doesn’t matter which diva tries to beat me, it just won’t happen, because The Glamazon cannot be removed from the pedestal I stand on now. . . I beat the greatest ever diva of all time, well second as I proved. That means Todd, there is no one I can’t beat
Todd Grisham: Well Beth as true as that statement may prove to be, there is one diva who will want to put that to the test. . . Six weeks ago, whether or not by accident, you gave Victoria a concussion, putting her in hospital with a severe concussion. . . We’ve not seen or heard from her since. . . Does that not put you on even a slight edge, knowing that she could come back at any moment and challenge you for the Womens title?
Beth Phoenix: Please, I am the most dominant diva ever to have wrestled in the WWE, and I would finish Victoria like I finished Trish at Saturday Night’s Main Event. . . When Victoria comes back, I will prove to everyone that I am more than just The Glamazon, but the destroyer of all divas
***HEAT***
Phoenix then walks out of the shot and the camera zooms out, only to show Elijah Burke and Layla walking in front of the camera
***HEAT***
Burke stops as he sees Grisham
Elijah Burke: Give me that a minute Todd, I’ve got something I need to say to Snow White’s missing eighth dwarf. . . Rey Mysterio
Burke takes the microphone and looks into the camera
Elijah Burke: I’ve got a New Years Message for you Rey Rey. . . If you think you’re gonna be walkin around here on top of the world now you’ve qualified for the Royal Rumble. . . think again, cos I will bring you crashing down to earth with one hell of a bang. . . because I can. . .
***HEAT***
Elijah Burke: You might have ended 2007 on a high at my expense, and started off 2008 on fire tonight, but I’m gonna do everything I possibly can to put that fire out once and for all
***HEAT***
Burke pushes the microphone back into Grisham’s chest as he grabs Layla’s arm and they walk off down the hall together
***VIDEO PROMO***
We then see a split screen of both Triple H and Randy Orton making their way through the back, both looking seriosuly focused
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***THE MAIN EVENT***
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Triple H
vs. Randy Orton (c)
ENDING: Orton bends down and pulls Triple H up to his feet, but The Game explodes with right hands, putting Orton on the back foot. However, The Legend Killer responds with a knee driven into Triple H’s chest and then goes for an irish whip. As The Game comes back off the ropes, Orton makes the mistake of ducking his head as Trips then takes a swipe at the champion’s head. And as Orton’s head snaps back up, The Game takes a couple of steps back, then runs back at Orton, hitting him with a RUNNING NECKBREAKER. . . . . He decides not to go for a cover and tries to strike while the iron is hot as he reaches down to pull Orton back up to his feet and whips him into the ropes. As Orton comes back, he is on the wrong end of a high knee lift from the challenger.
The crowd are going nuts as The Game appears to be in control. Orton though isn’t giving up as he rises to his feet rather quickly. Trips grabs him by the arm and whips him into the ropes again, but this time, as he comes back, Orton ducks underneath a clothesline and plants The Game with the OVERDRIVE. . . . . Orton looks a little fatigued as it takes him several seconds to recover before he reaches out and places his arm across Triple H’s chest for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Chioda signals two as The Game gets his shoulder up, leaving Orton frustrated as he lifts his head. The champ is slow to stand back up as he then bends down to pick a groggy Triple H back up to his feet. He then whips his rival into the corner with Trips hitting the pads hard.
Orton then charges in with a hard clothesline across the upper chest. He takes a step back and looks at Chioda right behind before turning back to The Game, who slaps Orton and then shoves him hard and back into Chioda. . . . . CHIODA IS DOWN. . . . . Triple H looks a little shocked as he stands in the corner, giving Orton the opportunity to low blow him with a kick to the groin. The crowd boo loudly as Orton then grabs Triple H’s legs and puts them on the bottom rope. He then moves back to the head and drags a stiff looking Triple H up and into position for a SPIKE DDT. . . . . He then brings Trips’ head crashing down to the mat. . . . . JESUS CHRIST, HE GOT ALL OF IT AND MORE. . . . . Orton turns Triple H over and goes for a cover, completely forgetting until he turns his head and sees Chioda laid out on the mat.
He stands back up and walks over to Chioda’s fallen body and tries to shake him round, but it’s no good, Chioda isn’t moving. Orton shakes his head in anger and frustration before all of a sudden, his eyes change and so does his face as for some reason, he smirks. He looks down to check Chioda is still out of out it, which he is and then sees Triple H moving around. Orton then reaches down into his tights and pulls out some brass knuckles, getting a ton of heat from the crowd. Trips starts to pull himself up slowly as Orton places the knucks on his fingers and gets ready. As Trips stands up and turns round, Orton’s face lights up and he absolutely drills the knucks into the face of the unsuspecting Triple H.
The crowd boo like crazy as Orton then takes the knucks off, puts them back in his trunks and shakes Chioda into life as he then slowly comes round. Orton then drags him towards Triple H as he then drops to the mat and hooks the leg of The Game. Boos ring out as Chioda shakes his head, still looking pretty out of it as he pulls himself closer to Trips and counts ever so slowly 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOOOOOOO! . . . . . THE GAME GOT THE SHOULDER UP. . . . . UNBELIEVABLE. . . . . Orton’s in shock, he cannot believe it. He sits back up and stares into the crowd in absolute shock. Orton doesn’t know what to do as Chioda and Triple H start to come round and squirm on the mat. Orton watches The Game try to sit up, but struggles. It’s then that Orton gets a real sadistic look on his face as he stands back up and walks over to the corner, seeming to be getting ready for the PUNT. . . . .
The Game starts to sit up, but it takes him close to ten seconds as Orton prepares to explode as he then charges out of the corner. Trips though sees him coming and pulls himself to the side as Orton runs into the ropes. And as Orton comes back off the ropes, Trips stands back up and plants him with a DOUBLE A SPINEBUSTER. . . . . The crowd are on their feet and making a huge racket as Orton lands hard on the mat, but Triple H is still hurt and he too remains grounded. It takes around twenty seconds before both men are able to pick themselves back up, and it’s Triple H who strikes first, stomping Orton in the gut and pulls him into position for the PEDIGREE. . . . . A huge cheer breaks out, but Orton is somehow able to pull himself away from Triple H’s legs and uses every last bit of energy he has to leap up and hit The Game with the RKO. . . . . IT’S GOT TO BE OVER. . . . . It takes Orton several seconds again before he can take advantage as he then reaches over and turns The Game over and goes for the cover 1 . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . .
KICK OUT. . . . . THE GAME’S DONE IT AGAIN. . . . . ORTON CAN’T BELIEVE IT. . . . . The Legend Killer looks absolutely gob smacked as he then turns onto his chest and urges Triple H up. Slowly but surely, The Game starts to come round and make his way to his knees with Orton lying in wait with the most determined face you will ever see. As Trips then stands upright and balances himself, Orton leaps up and goes for the RKO. . . . . BUT NO. . . . . Triple H pushes Orton in the back and into the ropes. And as Orton comes back, Triple H reacts so quickly as he stomps him in the gut and plants him straight away with the PEDIGREE. . . . . WE’VE GOT A NEW WWE CHAMPION. . . . .
The Game turns Orton’s body over and hooks the leg 1 . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . CHIODA JUST GOT PULLED OUT OF THE RING. . . . . WHAT THE HELL? . . . . . The camera pans to see Vince McMahon at ringside with Chioda on the floor as Triple H stares at Vince for a good five seconds, then stands up and walks over to the ropes when Orlando Jordan and JBL appear in the ring behind him. Vince gestures at him to turn round, which he does as JBL then takes his head off with the CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL. . . . . THIS IS SICKENING. . . . . Jordan then joins JBL in stomping the hell out of Triple H as the timekeeper starts to ring the bell.
AFTERMATH: JBL then lifts Trips back up to his feet slowly with Vince climbing up the steps and taking his jacket off as he gets into the ring. He then turns round and starts to remove his belt and lower his pants. He then starts to bend down as JBL then is about to move across, but The Game sweeps his foot back up and into JBL’s groin. Jordan pounces right on Triple H from behind as Shane McMahon then runs down the aisle, and as he gets to ringside, he looks under the ring and pulls out a chair. Orton sits back up on the mat and then pulls himself under the bottom rope before walking to the back, not wanting to get involved. Shane slides it into the ring and then slides in himself to help Triple H.
He takes Jordan down with a clothesline and then another to take him over the top as Triple H sets Vince up for the Pedigree. The crowd go nuts as Trips is about to nail his father-in-law, but from behind, Shane has picked up the chair and smashes it across the back of The Game. The crowd boo so loudly it’s deafening. Shane looks down at Triple H completely emotionless before dropping the chair to the mat. Vince then sits back up and smiles across to Shane, who turns his head to see his dad looking at him. He walks over and helps his dad up with JBL then standing back up. The McMahon boys then raise their arms together as “No Chance in Hell” blasts out to end the first Raw of 2008
***END OF SHOW***
QUICK RESULTS
Bobby Lashley & Rey Mysterio df. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
Kofi Kingston df. Hardcore Holly
Carlito df. Val Venis
JBL df. Jim Duggan
Jeff Hardy & CM Punk df. Chris Jericho & Mr. Kennedy
Triple H df. Randy Orton
HEAT RESULTS
Santino Marella & Elijah Burke df. Ted DiBiase Jr & Mike DiBiase
Mickie James df. Melina
Paul London & Brian Kendrick df. Tommy Dreamer & Stevie Richards
CONFIRMED FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE
Intercontinental Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs CM Punk
Royal Rumble Match
Participants (Qualified So Far)
Paul Burchill, Harry Smith, Finlay, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston, Carlito, CM Punk & Jeff Hardy