TheOneBigWill's 'take' on Monday Night Raw: March 31th, 2008:
Opening Segment: John Cena's music jump starts the show, to more mixed reaction with mainly boos. No Cena? Triple H's music the kicks up, as the fans erupt, yet just like before, No H.H.H.? Finally, Randy Orton's music erupts over the speakers and the W.W.E. Champion walks out.
Orton opens with the classic
"You were expecting someone else?" He continues with a great promo, in saying that no one expected him to walk out the winner & Champion. He demands respect for doing what hes done, and continues to address that people might not like to hear the list, but its growing. Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy, Triple H., John Cena, & the Wrestlemania Main Event winner. He then finishes out with telling people to forget about Hulkamania, forget about the Attitude era, because this is the Era of Orton!
John "Bradshaw" Layfield interrupts the proceedings, as he makes his way to the ring and agrees with Orton about how Triple H., & Cena neither one deserve another shot at the Championship.. but he, J.B.L., does. He goes on to talk about how Orton got lucky during Mania and walked out Champion due to nothing more than that luck. He says Orton's entire reign as Champion has been based off luck. Then mentions himself as the longest reigning Smackdown Heavyweight Champion, and how he was dominate during that period. He went on to mention beating the
toughest guy in the W.W.E. at their own game.
J.B.L. finishes up with saying the fans may dislike Randy Orton as W.W.E. Champion, but they'll downright hate J.B.L. He sticks his name in as the unofficial Number One Contender for the W.W.E. Championship then takes his leave. As Orton demands to know who J.B.L. thinks he is, he isn't getting a reaction. However what he does get, is the shocking return of Matt Hardy to Monday Night Raw, completely destroying the W.W.E. Champion. Officials rush out and we go to commerical.
The Matches:
1. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch v. Cryme Tyme: First match of the night and we get the big return surprise after Wrestlemania!
Cryme Tyme's back!! The match wasn't anything great, but its nice to see Raw has added an old Tag Team back into the mix. Who knows how long it'll last, and by the looks of the finish with Cade & Murdoch, it seems like we'll be losing another good Tag Team soon enough.
2. Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes v. Paul London & Brian Kendrick: London & Kendrick are reunited, as they face off against the Tag Team Champions. Quick note that J.R. pointed out. He claimed that Londrick reminded him of the Midnight Rockers. (I know its not
THE Rockers, but I'm thinking that was a hint at where this storyline is going)
London didn't do too much, until he made the hot tag to Kendrick who cleaned house and picked up the victory over Cody "Wet Dream" Rhodes. Kendrick seems electric with his victory, and in my opinion I can see this turning into Kendrick turning on London, thinking he can do better without him. Sadly, I don't see Kendrick being the next Shawn Michaels.
3. Chris Jericho v. C.M. Punk: Match of the Night! It was definately a back and forth match, not the very best but definately the best of the night. Jericho seemed to bust his mouth on something, not sure if he lost teeth or not. A lot of nice counters, but in the end its Jericho picking up the victory with the Code-Breaker on Punk.
The only unknown I have with this, is if they're pushing C.M. Punk as the next possible Heavyweight Champion at some point within the next year, do you think its wise to let him come out on Raw first thing and job directly to the Intercontinental (midcard) Champion? Overall, I'm still not sold on Punk being the Money In The Bank guy.. and I think he'll end up losing it, or being challenged and lose it at possibly Backlash.
If they are, however, giving the nod to Punk.. then I suggest they start putting him over Main Event talent, such as Chris Jericho.
4. Matt Hardy v. Randy Orton: The grudge of the night, and its not in the Main Event spot for matches? Matt Hardy did everything Jeff did against Orton in this match. He controlled the entire thing, from beginning to end. Matt hit every one of his signature moves, and even connected with a Twist of Fate on the floor.
Unfortunately, the outcome was exactly the same as it was for Jeff. All In, No Win. After connecting which his finisher, Matt picks Orton up and slides him back in the ring. Upon sliding in himself, Orton catches him with an R.K.O. and picks up the victory.
5. No Disqualification: Santino Marella v. Maria: Unofficially Main Event match of the night. I'm so happy the night after Wrestlemania could have this as something to remember.
Apparently there was a stipulation that Jerry Lawler couldn't interfere.
Not that it mattered, after Santino pie-faced Maria to the ground, the entire diva lockerroom emptied and Santino found out the hard way why you don't piss off a female. The match ends with a falling headbutt to the crotch. Maria picks up the victory, and the divas celebrate.
The Segments:
Matt Hardy/William Regal: After the opening attack. Regal demands to know why Matt Hardy is attacking his Brand's Heavyweight Champion. Matt explains in anger that he hasn't forgotten about Orton's kick, and putting him out even longer. He (Hardy) demanded a match.. Regal said he'd have to think about it. (only for it to be confirmed two segments later)
Shawn Michaels: Shawn comes to the ring, looking a bit depressed for what happened the night before. He addresses the crowd in saying that he was asked to do a job. He was asked to give his best, his 'A' game, to be the Show-Stopper at Wrestlemania. He said he has too much respect for Ric Flair to give him anything less. He expresses that he isn't sure how to feel about that, but its what he did.
He goes on to say that one of the greatest careers in Professional Wrestling is now over and its because of him. He says that its just another burden he has to live with. He goes on to sarcastically say "Lucky Me." Then he just stops, doesn't continue anymore, hands the mic. off and walks out.
H.B.K./Regal/Batista: Regal confronts Shawn Michaels in the back, after his promo and says that H.B.K. did what he had to do, and its something that should've happened a long time ago. Regal then walks off, as we see Batista burning a hole through Shawn Michaels. H.B.K. glances over his shoulder, as he then walks off.
The Big Show/The Great Khali: Big Show enters the ring, and gives congrats to Mayweather... Mayweather, along with his manager, his 6 body guards, a steel chair and his brass knucks. Big Show mocks Mayweather one last time in saying
"Mayweather, greatest fighter on the planet." Show then moves on to the Hall of Fame show & Ric Flair addressing him as the best big man in the business.
Big Show says hes going back to what he was, and that noone can match him one on one. This brings out
The Great Khali! Khali enters the ring, as both men go eye to eye. Khali rambles in jibberish, as Show demands Khali step out of his face. Khali backs up a bit, before making it look like the two biggest guys in the sport are about to collide, only for Khali to take the backdoor out of the ring. Khali walks up the ramp, before turning around one last time getting the crowd pumped to see the head on car crash, before deciding otherwise and leaving.
Personally, I know this match will draw big, but its a disaster waiting to happen. Khali has less than no talent, and the guy barely knows anything more than basic chops, punches and kicks. Its likely that Big Show will go over and this will be Khali's exit, if hes taking one, from the company for a while. It'll likely happen at Backlash, but the question is.. outside of seeing the tallest two guys go head to head in a horrible match, is it Pay Per View quality? I suppose for Backlash.
Santino/Maria: Santino with an incredible 88 reps that most people would consider 5. Thats pure talent right there. Maria approaches Santino in expressing that she doesn't wish to fight him. That his girl's won at Wrestlemania, and she doesn't know what else Santino wants from her.
He replies first with asking how her date with Snoopy the Dogg went, and if they had a nice dinner, with some nice Kibbles n' Bits.
lmao: classic) He then says hes been held back by the divas. He said he should've been in the Royal Battle, but was stuck with the divas instead. He then expressed that he felt the divas should be at home making pasta and babies. He says he needs to release some frustration and unless Maria knows another way.... .. which is followed by a very nice slap from Maria, and the agreement that the match is on. (Apparently Maria doesn't like pasta?)
Dusty Rhodes: There isn't a big secret that Rhodes and Flair aren't the best of friends, and thats likely why Rhodes wasn't one of the names who came to the ring personally. Rhodes cut a small promo expressing that the terms, the words "legend" & "icon" are tossed around loosely in this day, but when it comes to Ric Flair, they're national treasures.
J.B.L./Randy Orton: After Orton's match, J.B.L. enters his lockerroom, picks up the Championship, glares then tosses it back to Orton and leaves. I'm only randomly assuming Backlash will give us a Fatal Four Way with J.B.L. entered as the 2nd heel with the Wrestlemania Triple Threat contenders being the other 3.
Ending Segment/Main Event: Ric Flair's Farwell Speech: Ric Flair enters the arena and the ring one last time to address the world with his Farwell Speech from Professional Wrestling.
Flair says that he isn't sad and the fans shouldn't be sad either, because he feels he had a full, great, career. He said he lost to the best man last night and that he thanks everyone for all the memories. Enter..
Triple H.
Ric went through his entire (small) speech without crying, until the Game's music played in which I'm unsure if Ric actually need it was going to happen. Ric busted out the tears almost instantly with Motorhead, as the Game expresses that he loves Ric Flair for everything hes done in the business and he wanted to give him his thanks. H.H.H. bows to Flair, then says that things aren't done. There were a few guys in the back, who wanted to thank Ric for his entire career as well. Thus enters roughly everyone from Ric Flair's past...
The original Four Horsemen, Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat, Harley Race, Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine, & Dean Malenko. From here, things get a bit off-note, as Triple H. then introduces... Chris Jericho, John Cena, Ric Flair's Family, & Shawn Michaels.
Finally, Triple H. opens up and says anyone else not brought out who wants to come out and give thanks can do so now. The entire W.W.E. roster fills up the rampway, minus the McMahon Family & The Undertaker. Raw goes off the air as everyone is celebrating Ric Flair's tremendous career in Pro Wrestling.
Overall Thoughts: While we knew the night was going to mainly surround Ric Flair's exit (for now) from Professional Wrestling, I was a bit disappointed to not see anything big or shocking happen in the line of storylines.
Big Show & the Great Khali isn't exactly shocking to me. J.B.L. wanting a Championship match after picking up one of his first big wins since returning to wrestling wasn't something I'm too concerned with either. I was hoping for a possible Shawn Michaels or Batista heel turn that didn't come, and clearly something is stirring between the two of them, likely to head-up Backlash.
The Ric Flair tribute show that played throughout the night, followed by the ending segment of the life of Flair brought tears to my eyes the MOMENT the Four Horsemen entered the arena. I have always been a Horsemen fan, and I lost it at that moment. I was completely upset that Chris Jericho & John Cena decided to play a role in being two of the solo names brought out, when neither guy did shit for Ric Flair in his career.
Jericho had a feud with Flair, but clearly Cena was only there for the spotlight, as the f*cker did jack all for anything regarding Flair. You want Jericho & Cena to be apart of it? Play Cena's music, with him leading the lockerroom out. But don't play him into the damn ring, when the bastard doesn't deserve it. Big Show deserved to be in that ring more than him.
In the end, I question how long before Ric Flair returns for another match? Could we see him against someone else in a Hall of Fame match at next year's Wrestlemania? I wouldn't expect Flair to think he'll ever top last night's performance, but I know Flair likely isn't done with wrestling completely. If he is, I'll be shocked more than probably anyone.
Seriously, this is bullshit.
and how it'll be the greatest Wrestlemania moment, for the greatest beating in Mania history, because his match has no rules. Cena & J.B.L. exchange some history, which gives us our 4th entry of the night.. Randy Orton! (finally, someone from the same storyline as someone else in the ring)
shockingly Michelle ended up winning in the end. So before she can enjoy her new bike, Victoria cuts the promo short and attacks Michelle.