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Monday Night RAW June 23, 2008
by Sassy Monday Night Raw is broadcast on the USA network from San Antonio, TX.

Ringside announcers
Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Mick Foley & Michael Cole
Tazz & Mike Adamle

Ring announcer: Lillian Garcia

Backstage interviews: Todd Grisham

WWE’s All Brands Draft is tonight, making this a three-hour show. I don’t have any predictions for the draft although I understand some of the veteran wrestlers don’t want to be switched to another brand at the present time. My concern is not about which brands have which wrestlers. My concern is whether or not there will be quality wrestling matches for WWE fans.

Non-title Match
The Game Triple H from CT weighing 255 lbs.
WWE Champion from Raw
Vs.
The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry from TX
From Smackdown

JR informs the audience that whoever wins the match gets the draft pick for their brand. This, for obvious reasons, won’t be a wrestling match. Henry goes for a cover and gets a two count when HHH doesn’t figure out that coming off the ropes and colliding with Henry isn’t going to work. Body slam by Henry before coming off the ropes and dropping an elbow before going for another pin attempt. Henry gets a two count. Henry goes off the second rope and delivers a splash and then goes for the cover but HHH gets a foot on the bottom rope. Henry moves HHH over into the ring and goes for another cover getting another two count. HHH comes up with fists and delivers a face buster. HHH comes off the ropes with a high knee and manages to drop Henry. HHH goes for the pedigree but Henry picks him up and slams him to the mat. Henry gets a two count. Henry goes for a splash but HHH gets out of the way and Henry meets the mat. HHH nails the pedigree, goes for the cover and gets the three count. Time: 6 minutes.
Winner: The Game Triple H with a pedigree and Raw gets the first draft pick.

Rey Mysterio is drafted to Raw. Is Mysterio back from his last injury? Mysterio comes out from the back and heads to the ring. Mysterio enters the ring and shakes HHH’s hand. And we go to commercial break.

Vincent Kennedy McMahon is giving away money again tonight. I did enter register at www.wwe.com and I do have my telephone sitting right next to me. The first time McMahon gives away money, my phone doesn’t ring. HHH & Mysterio are backstage when John Cena appears. Cena shakes hands with Mysterio and then leaves. They have a disagreement about what happened last week and we go to commercial break.

Finlay & Hornswoggle
Representing Smackdown
Vs.
Santino Marella weighing 226 lbs.
&
Carlito from the Caribbean weighing 240 lbs
. Representing Raw

Finlay nails Marella and tags in Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle delivers a stunner and goes for the cover but Marella kicks out. Hornswoggle tags in Marella. Marella nails Finlay who rolls out on the floor. Marella comes after him; Finlay catches him at the ring apron. Carlito comes around the ring and Hornswoggle takes a dive off of the ring apron to take Carlito down. Finlay picks up his weapon of choice; the ref catches Marella with the weapon and takes it away. Finlay body slams Marella to the mat; Hornswoggle comes off the top rope with a tadpole splash, goes for the cover and gets the win. Time: 2 minutes.
Winners: Finlay & Hornswoggle

Jeff Hardy is drafted to Smackdown. Hardy enters the arena and the camera shows that Randy Orton is backstage with his arm in a sling watching the action. We go to commercial break.

Orton appears before McMahon does his money give away. Orton wants everyone to know that he will be back soon and that he will again be champion. My phone didn’t ring again. Tonight Edge will face John Cena in the main event according to McMahon and we go to commercial break.

Non-title Tag Team Match
Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly
At a combined weight of 462 lbs
WWE World Tag Team Champions, representing Raw
Vs.
Bam Neely & Chavo Guerrero
At a combined weight of 481 lbs., representing Smackdown

Ted Dibiase, Jr. is at the announcer’s table. I’m not sure whether he is there to add color commentary or to promote his Dad’s new book. Rhodes and Neely begin the match but Rhodes allows Guerrero to distract him and Neely gets the upper hand. Neely tags in Guerrero. Rhodes delivers a nice dropkick and makes the tag to Holly. Holly delivers a back body drop and then a kick to the abdomen. Guerrero comes off the ropes and delivers a cross body block but he rolls through. Rhodes enters the ring and sends Neely to the floor but Guerreo sends Rhodes to the floor. Holly delivers the Alabama slam and gets the three count. Time: 2 minutes.
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly

CM Punk has been drafted to Raw! Awesome! Punk enters the arena with his Money in the Bank briefcase. Y2J Chris Jericho is headed toward the arena and he’s not dressed for action. We go to commercial break.

Y2J Jericho, WWE Intercontinental Champion, enters the arena. Jericho is still on an anti Shawn Michaels kick. Jericho has Lance Cade on the monitor. Cade sided with Jericho last week. Jericho reminds the audience that Cade was trained by Michaels. We then see a repeat of what Jericho did to Michaels two weeks ago. Michaels appears and heads to the ring. Jericho looks surprised that Michaels has showed up. Michaels charges into the ring and takes down Jericho and the two go through the ropes and the fight continues on the floor. Jericho sends Michaels face first into the announcer’s table. Referees and medical personnel appear to take care of Michaels who is on the floor, holding his right eye. Jericho leaves the arena laughing and we go to commercial break.

Non-title Tag Team Match
John Morrison
&
The Miz
At a combined weight of 451 lbs.
WWE Tag Team Champions, representing ECW

Vickie Guerrero in her wheelchair appears at the top of the ramp with Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder. Hawkins & Ryder were supposed to face Morrison & Miz.

Vs.
Matt Hardy
WWE United States Champion
& Jeff Hardy, both representing Smackdown

Matt & Miz begin the match. Miz backs Matt into the corner and does what he does best which is anything but wrestle. Matt fights back and takes Miz down. Matt goes for the cover but only gets a one count. Matt tags in Jeff. Jeff takes down Miz and then stops to send Morrison down to the floor from the ring apron. Jeff goes for a cover but he can’t get the three count. Jeff applies a side headlock; Miz tries to roll Jeff over to get his shoulders on the mat. As Jeff comes goes into the ropes, Morrison nails Jeff in the back with a knee. Miz tags in Morrison and Jeff is down on the mat. Morrison goes for a cover and gets the two count. The live audience is pro Hardy and the Hardy chants begin. Morrison delivers a knee to Jeff’s jaw and then goes outside to deliver a kick then gets back in the ring to distract the ref and allow Miz to work on Jeff. Morrison tags in Miz and then deliver a double team move. Miz goes for the cover but only gets a one count. Miz delivers a clothesline in the corner and goes for the cover. Miz gets a two count before Jeff kicks out. Miz tags in Morrison and they use another double-team effort. Morrison goes for the cover and gets a two count. Morrison tags in Miz. Back to the double team until the ref makes Morrison get out of the ring. Miz goes for a cover and gets a two count. Jeff fights back and comes off the turnbuckle to deliver a kick that drops Miz. Both men are down on the mat. Jeff tags in Matt as Miz tags in Morrison. Hardy delivers a bull dog to Morrison as he takes Miz down with a clothesline. Matt goes for the cover and gets a two count before Miz breaks up the count. Matt goes to the top turnbuckle but Morrison is back to his feet and he climbs up after Matt. Jeff and Miz area on the floor as Matt sends Morrison to the canvas and delivers a leg drop. Matt goes for the cover but Miz interferes, Morrison goes for a roll up, holding Matt’s tights, to get the three count. Time: 8 minutes.
Winners: John Morrison and The Miz with a roll up.

Matt Hardy is drafted to ECW. So much for Matt and Jeff getting back together as a tag team but they do fine as individual wrestlers. Matt may bring some much needed action to ECW. And we go to commercial break.

McMahon gives away some more money and my phone doesn’t ring. The Nature Boy Ric Flair appears to assist in the give away. Mickie James & Melina are heading to the ring and we go to commercial break.

Announcer’s Only Draft Pick Match, ring announcers and interviewers
Melina from Los Angeles, CA
&
Mickie James from Richmond, VA
WWE Women’s Champion
Representing Raw
Vs.
Victoria
&
Natalya
Representing Smackdown

I’m going to try to be non-biased here and I do like Mickie James but Natalya and Victoria are very talented ring workers. Natalya delivers a power slam and goes for the cover but Melina kicks out. Natalya tags in Victoria. Melina delivers a kick and takes Victoria down to go for the cover. Victoria kicks out. Melina again goes for a cover but Victoria kicks out. Victoria sends Melina off the top rope straight to the floor. Melina grabs her right ankle. Victoria comes out after Melina but Mickie is out on the floor protecting her. Victoria and Natalya go around the ring and go after Mickie & Melina. The ref rings the bell and I’m not sure who won. Time: 4 minutes.
Winners: The referee calls the match a double disqualification. Both Raw and Smackdown will get a draft pick.

Jim Ross has been drafted to Smackdown. Michael Cole has been drafted to Raw. Lawler looks a little confused. Foley looks like he’s okay with the decision. Cole says that he has worked every Smackdown show except two for the last ten years and we go to commercial break.

Non-title Match
The Rated R Superstar Edge
WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Representing Smackdown
Vs.
John Cena from MA, weighing 240 lbs.
Representing Raw

I’m not a big Cena fan but kick his butt, anyway, Edge! I used to semi like Edge. I think it’s the bad storyline he’s stuck in that makes me not care whether I see him or not. This live audience is pro Cena. Edge goes for a power slam and goes for the cover getting a two count. Edge drops Cena with a clothesline as Cena comes off the ropes and Cena is down on the mat. Edge drops an elbow to Cena’s sternum and then delivers a right fist to the forehead. Cena comes off the ropes and delivers a face plant, then goes for the cover. Cena gets a two count. Edge delivers a dropkick and goes for the cover but he can’t get the three count. Both men are back to their feet exchanging blows in the center of the ring. The two collide in the center of the ring and both are down on the mat. The ref starts the count and gets to six before they are back to their feet. Cena slams Edge to the mat. Cena delivers the five knuckle shuffle and goes for the FU but Edge counters. Cena goes for it again and Edge counters again. Edge delivers a DDT and goes for the cover getting a two count. Edge sets up for the spear and waits for Cena to get back to his feet. Cena delivers a drop toe hold and goes for a submission maneuver. Edge makes it to the bottom rope and the ref makes Cena break the hold. Edge hangs Cena up on the top rope and then climbs up to the top. Cena goes up to the second rope and has Edge on his shoulders but Edge manages to send Cena off the top and down to the floor. The ref starts the count and Edge goes out on the ring apron. Edge makes a dive at Cena; Cena catches Edge and carries him back to the ring. Cena delivers a fist and Edge is heading up the entrance ramp, getting the count out. Time: 8 minutes.
Winner: John Cena

Batista comes down the ramp and catches Edge, taking him back to the ring. Edge bails out of the ring and heads up the ram out of the arena. Batista has been drafted to Raw. Edge waves goodbye to Batista as he leaves the arena and we go to commercial break.

Edge & Guerrero are backstage and McMahon appears. McMahon tells Edge that in spite of the draft; the matches at Night of Champions are still intact.

M.V.P. from Miami, FL weighing 248 lbs.
Representing Smackdown
Vs.
Tommy Dreamer from Yonkers, NY weighing 265 lbs.
With Colin Delaney
Representing ECW

MVP goes for an early cover but the ref doesn’t even get to the one count before Dreamer kicks out. MVP again goes for a cover getting a one count. Dreamer delivers a bulldog. MVP delivers a big boot and goes for the cover getting the three count and the win. Time: 3 minutes.
Winner: M.V.P. with a the high kick to the head

Samoan Bulldozer Umaga has been drafted to Smackdown. Umaga enters the ring and delivers a Samoan drop to Dreamer and then corners Delaney, delivering a squash in the corner. Umaga squashes Dreamer and then picks up Delaney to slam him to the mat. We go to commercial break.

John Bradshaw Layfield
Representing Raw
Vs.
Kofi Kingston from Jamaica weighing 216 lbs.
Representing ECW

Kingston should be up against a wrestler and not a JBL. I know how this is going to end without even watching the match. Kingston does manage to take JBL down to the mat but JBL comes back with a boot to the face and now Kingston is down on the mat. JBL delivers a throwaway slam and goes for the cover getting a two count. The match is going longer than I expected. Kingston drops JBL with a standing dropkick and goes for the cover but JBL kicks out at the count of two. Kingston comes off the top turnbuckle but JLB gets out of the way and Kingston hits the mat. JBL delivers the clothesline from hell and goes for the cover getting the three count. Time: 4 minutes.
Winner: JBL with a clothesline from hell.

The Big Red Machine Kane, WWE’s ECW Champion, has been drafted to Raw! Kane has to take the ECW to raw as Matt Hardy will take the US title to ECW and we go to commercial break.

McMahon again gives away some cash. My phone doesn’t ring. The ringside announcers to over the matches coming up at the Night of Champions pay per view.

15 Man Over The Top Rope Battle Royal
Representing RAW – Red Shirts
John Cena
Vs.
The Big Red Machine Kane
Vs.
The Animal Batista
Vs.
CM Punk, Mr. MITB
Vs.
The Game Triple H, WWE Champion
Vs.
Representing ECW – Black Shirts
Chavo Guerrero
Vs.
The Gold Standard Shelton Benjamin
Vs.
John Morrison
Vs.
The Miz
WWE Tag Team Champions
Vs.
Matt Hardy, WWE United States Champion
Representing Smackdown – Blue Shirts
The Big Show
Vs.
The Rated R Superstar Edge, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Vs.
Jeff Hardy
Vs.
The Great Khali
Vs.
M.V.P.

(Editor's note: YAY! Let's drag out the match title some more!!!)
Commercial break before the match begins

The bell has already rung and the battle royal is in progress. I think this is the first time I have seen a color-coded match on ECW.

Khali is eliminated by everyone in the ring.

Shelton Benjamin is eliminated by CM Punk.

John Morrison & Miz eliminated by Batista and we go to commercial break, in the middle of the match.

CM Punk was eliminated by Big Show during the commercial break.

Chavo Guerrero is eliminated by Jeff Hardy. Matt Hardy is the only ECW member left in the ring.

MVP is eliminated by Matt Hardy and the Hardy Brothers suddenly realize they are on opposite teams.

Matt Hardy is eliminated by Jeff Hardy. ECW has no more roster members in the ring.

Batista and Edge collide in the center of the ring and Batista’s head is bleeding.

Jeff Hardy is eliminated by HHH.

Batista again tries to spear Edge and this time he connects.

Big Show eliminates Batista.

Kane is eliminated by Big Show.

Show and Edge for Smackdown and Cena and HHH are in the ring for Raw.

Show is eliminated by HHH and Cena.

HHH is eliminated by Cena.

Cena is eliminated by Edge

Total match time: 15 minutes

Winner: The Rated R Super Star Edge

Mr. Kennedy has been drafted to Smackdown.

Triple H has been drafted to Smackdown.

McMahon appears to give away a half million dollars. And my phone still doesn’t ring. As soon as McMahon gives away the money, a light falls and then electricity starts popping and McMahon is no longer seen on the screen. The large money sign falls where McMahon is standing off the stage and wrestlers and referees rush to try to get the sign off of where McMahon is laying. Medics appear to rescue McMahon who is still with the sign still leaning above him. The medics say he is breathing but is not conscious. McMahon opens his eyes as the medics apply a neck brace and remove him from the area.

See what happens when my phone doesn’t ring, Vince?

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