TheOneBigWill's 'take' on Monday Night Raw May 5th, 2008:
Opening Segment: Raw starts off with Mr. McMahon making a special surprise appearance to let everyone know that hes there to address the current situation regarding William Regal's actions from the week prior. He says that several fans have sent in their dislike for the actions to W.W.E. Headquarter's, via e-mail, and telephone. McMahon says that Regal has done something noone else ever has, and thats blacked out a nation-wide audience from viewing a Championship match. He feels that those type of actions were reprehensible.
However, McMahon also feels that Regal is a visionary, that Regal is cutting edge, innovative & daring. McMahon says that Regal reminded Mr. McMahon of himself and as a result, he is giving a full endorsment to William Regal not only as General Manager, but also as King of the W.W.E. He orders the fans of the World Wrestling Entertainment to give William Regal the same show of respect, that they give him.
Following this, William Regal comes out to address the crowd. He says that they don't have to like him, but they will respect him. He goes on to show his power to the disrespectful Canadian crowd by cutting the lights once again. Upon turning them back on, he explains that while he won't cancel the show.. he is fine with it being broadcast in pitch-black darkness, and he will not tolerate disrespect.
Naturally this is the que for the one person who's shown Mr. Regal the most disrespect since his new found power. Mr. Kennedy comes out, and says that if Regal wants respect all he has to do, is the one thing Kennedy asked of him. A one-on-one match, against Kennedy, tonight. Regal refuses, saying that Kennedy doesn't understand the situation, that Kennedy doesn't understand his place and that Regal is his superior. Kennedy demands that Regal prove it, which is quickly answered with Kennedy in the Main Event, against the entire E.C.W. Roster.
This is quickly cut off by the interruption of Triple H.. who wants to congratulate Regal on his new found position. However he wants Regal to understand that with his new found position in power, if he wants to keep it, he has to make sure he doesn't make mistakes. Mistakes, for example, like turning out the lights last week during Triple H.'s match. Mistakes, for example, like continuing to show-off his authority, by coming out and out-right cancelling the whole match in general. Finally, H.H.H. explains that if Regal wishes to stay in power.. the one mistake he does not want to make, is going to war with Triple H.
Regal quickly shows that hes not threatened by the W.W.E. Champion, as he says he has no thought of going to war with a man so busy. A man who has a Steel Cage Championship match in less than 2 weeks, and a man who's just found himself teaming with Kennedy.. against the E.C.W. Roster tonight.
The Matches:
1. Women's Championship Match: Lumberjill Match: Mickie James (c.) v. Beth Phoenix: Unofficially this would likely be Beth's return Championship match, and as par to W.W.E. lately if any divas are gonna be seen.. then they're ALL gonna be seen. Beth controls most of the match, utilizing her fellow divas to do her dirty work for her. The match doesn't stay inside the ring long, as several heel divas attempt cheap shots, including Jillian who grabs at Mickie.
As a result, Mickie takes to the outside, and it breaks down completely. The ending saw Melina attempting to use her boot to knock-out Mickie James, unfortunately (for Melina) she missed the target and drilled Beth in the face. This allowed Mickie to roll-up Beth, yet again, and pick up the victory, retaining her Championship. As the heel divas remain in the ring, Beth looks at the boot, then gives Melina a stare that she definately doesn't want to get.
2. Handicap Match: Paul Burchill & Katie Lea v. John Cutler: Before the match begins, my thoughts and theories about Mike Adamle come true. (more on that in the promos/segments column) Culter is a Toronto native, so naturally this is a filler match for Katie to show off more skills against the jobbers, while Burchill continues to drown in meaningless matches.
Quick work by the Brother/Sister duo, as most of the crowd seemed more entertained by harassing the William Regal appointed announcer, Mike Adamle.
3. John Morrison & The Miz v. Chris Jericho & Shawn Michaels: MATCH OF THE NIGHT! This has got to be the greatest Monday Night Raw of my life. Not only do I get the pleasure of seeing Regal's power, position, and heel status continue to go up. I also get to see John Morrison showing the world why he will indeed become the next future World Champion. (mark it!)
While Shawn Michaels (unfortunately) did not see action in this match until the ending, the main portion of this contest was John Morrison showcasing his abilities against Chris Jericho. The Miz did quite the job as well, as all three men showed a great ability to work together.
The ending saw Morrison taking a cheap shot at H.B.K., only for H.B.K. to return the favor with some Sweet Chin Music to Morrison's face, allowing Jericho to pick up the victory. Immediately after H.B.K. hit the Superkick, he went down, and directly after the 3 count, he gimped to the back, leaving Jericho unsure on Shawn's injury. Fake.. Not Fake?
4. Randy Orton v. C.M. Punk: We go from Match of the Night, to Why continue to Push shit? The fans didn't really seem into this match, yet Punk tried his hardest to continue trying to prove that he belongs. Orton did all he could to carry Punk as well, but 20,000 chinlocks and headlocks aren't all that impressive.
Right as Punk begins getting the upper hand, William Regal saves the day once again, as he comes out and says this is enough and the match is officially over! THANK YOU! (And the nerve of some people to claim Regal isn't impressive. Apparently those are the same people who think Punk is the future.
) I'm sure Punk's fans, (both of them) were very disappointed that they couldn't continue to watch paint dry.
5. J.B.L. v. D.H. Smith: J.B.L. picks up a nasty, what could only be described as stiff, victory, against the Canadian Hart Family member. That isn't the story to me, however. You see I didn't add J.B.L. to the promo list, however his promo was the one thing that was note-worthy about this entire match/segment.
I've heard a lot of promos in my day. I've seen a lot of heel heat/face pop, but without a doubt J.B.L. takes the cake in my opinion with his promo on the Hart's. Even "I" was outraged and pissed by the comments he made. None more so then his reference to the "Hart Family, being dead." Which is a huge no-no to me, considering who he was facing, and the tragedy regarding Owen.
J.B.L. definately sold being a very over heel with this promo, and might be lucky to make it out of Canada with full protection by several body-guards. Again, I understand it was just a promo, but holy crap was it ever a deep-felt, real to life promo.
The Promos/Segments:
Jericho/Regal: Regal asks Jericho if hes sure H.B.K. is faking the injury. Jericho claims that faking injuries is exactly what Shawn Michaels has always been about. Regal confirms that he hopes Jericho is right, because later tonight they're a team against the Tag Team Champions. And if H.B.K. isn't hurt, then Jericho will have nothing to worry about.
Trevor Murdoch/Trish Stratus/Ron Simmons: Trevor Brooks is backstage serenading the make-up lady (Janice, I believe for those who care) when we get a surprise appearance from Trish Stratus, who is speakless. This of course can lead to only one thing.. the second surprise appearance, and return, of Ron Simmons! DAMN!
Randy Orton: (before Punk match) Orton explains that Triple H. would love to lead everyone into believing that he had the match won, but come Judgment Day the 'Age of Orton' will resume. Meanwhile, he says tonight C.M. Punk is going to get a taste of the cold hard reality that will face him, if he decides to cash in the MITB case on Orton, after he regains his Championship at Judgment Day.
(after Punk match) Orton is furious! He states that he respected Regal tonight, and he respected last week's decision to cut the lights, but two weeks in a row is uncalled for, and Orton is going to Regal's office to DEMAND an explanation!
Mike Adamle: Ladies and Gentlemen, the man who went from zero to everyone's new found heel announcer! Adamle confirms the suspicion of having the W.W.E. play off him being so horrible in real life, to actually now allow him to willingly screw-up, because he gets such a great heel reaction from the audience.
During the Handicap match, while Good ol' J.R. sat on his butt and twiddled his thumbs, Adamle was busting out classic phrases such as.. "We don't know anything about Cutler, other than his name rhymes with Butler." and lets not forget the beautiful gem that was "This is NOT a handicap match, because most the time Katie Lea is on the outside of the ring, and now, shes on the inside!?!?"
I swear, this is working beautifully as I'm already sold on this guy being so horrible hes great. I'm gonna love E.C.W. now. Tuning in just to hear the butcher job he'll pull.
Carlito's Cabana: Roddy Piper: Sadly last week wasn't just a one time appearance, as Piper feels that since Ric Flair is retired, the position of "old has-been" is open. Carlito expresses his dislike for what Piper did last week, in slapping Santino. Piper goes on to explain that hes beat Mr. T., Hulk Hogan AND Cancer! He then says he isn't afraid of the Super Mario brother. Carlito says hes lucky he wasn't there, otherwise he would've slapped Piper. Piper snaps back with Carlito's lucky he didn't bring any seagulls with him, to beat him up and make a nest in that thing Carlito calls hair.
This brings out Santino, who explains that it took Piper 8 years to become Intercontinental Champion, when Santino did it on his first night with the company. Piper snaps back with throwing Santino's recent arrest in his face, and that prompts things to get a bit ugly.
And when you think about ugly, of course you have to think about Wet Dreams, Cody Rhodes! Who explains that while Hardcore Holly might not be there with them, Cryme Tyme are. Carlito & Santino take a backdoor exit, while Cryme Tyme and Piper, along with C-Money all bust a move in the ring. (Piper may of broke a hip too, although it wouldn't be the first time)
Regal/E.C.W. Roster: Pep-talk before the big Main Event. Regal says that he will not tolerate disrespect, and E.C.W. has a chance to prove tonight that they aren't just the 3rd brand, but instead that they have the chance to get a legit pinfall victory over the W.W.E. Champion. They have a chance to remind everyone who they are. Regal says anything less than a victory, will be considered to him to be failure and disrespectful.
Main Event: Triple H. & Mr. Kennedy v. The E.C.W. Roster: Not very much time is left after the entrances. Sadly it took Triple H. and Mr. Kennedy longer to get to the ring then the entire E.C.W. Roster, and Kane who felt special with his only entrance.
Triple H. and Kennedy worked well together, although the crowd wasn't nearly as hyped for Kennedy this week as they were last week. (hmm, one week removed and his spark is already going out?) The E.C.W. wrestlers begin having issues between themselves. (Does this surprise anyone when a heel and face are paired together?) However in the end, it wasn't the new found Golden boy picking up the victory.. but instead, picking up the loss.
As Chavo Guerrero..... ..... GUERRERO! Picks up the pinfall victory over Mr. Kennedy Kennedy, with his frog splash. Directly after this, all hell breaks loose and this prompts the lights to once again go out. (Okay, I admit, Regal's light switch gimmick has already gotten old) As the lights come back on, Randy Orton delivers an R.K.O. to the W.W.E. Champion, and the show ends on a heel note.
Overall Thoughts: Best Raw in a long time. First and foremost, William Regal got massively over with "You suck" chants, and he seems to be falling in-line rather nicely as the next heel Main Event guy. Meanwhile, Kennedy's one night wonder that was last week.. came to an end tonight, as the fans didn't know whether to cheer him, boo him, or wait for Triple H. to give their cheers to.
For the Kennedy fans. (all thousand of you, who recently came out of the woodwork last week) I'll allow this to be chalked up as the random unknown that always seems to happen in Canada. (they really don't know who to cheer, boo, or react to in general.. right?
) Next week will give us a better glimpse at whether or not Kennedy's sudden impactful fame will continue, or if the night that wasn't in Canada wasn't a fluke, just like last week might have been.
I know people will bitch and complain, but screw them. John Morrison STOLE THE SHOW! "Hes never gonna be a Main Eventer." "He sucks, midcarder for life." "He doesn't have any charisma." "He doesn't have any talent." Do me a favor.. go watch your hero get pinned by Chavo Guerrero again, and when you're ready.. the band wagon for the real future, is waiting in JOHN MORRISON!...... MORRISON!
Not sure what to think of Trevor Murdoch, other than its apparent they'll push him as a singing act. W.W.E.'s answer to Jeff Jarrett? Trevor Murdoch = Ain't He Great?
Mike Adamle is my new favorite announcer. Seriously, its amazing how the guy doesn't have to change at all and gets instantly put over by replacing J.R., only to suddenly become the biggest heel announcer since Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan. (not nearly as good, mind you)
The Orton/Triple H. storyline is way beyond old, but the Regal/Triple H. seed was planted tonight. So much for that not happening, huh. Shit or not, its coming sooner than you want.
Overall, like I said. Best Raw in quite some time. I loved every aspect of it. Only downside, I wish they'd start giving Paul Burchill a push for the Intercontinental Championship. At least with Regal in charge, hes now appearing on each Monday Night Raw. (looks like that Regal faction might happen afterall)
) I think were all bored and beyond caring about this feud. Yang/Moore have had several chances. Its clear they are not going to win the tag straps, so its time for all involved to move on.
Suddenly, hes the defender of the jobber now? He was squashing jobbers ¼ his size left and right only 2 months ago. Hello kettle, the pot is calling. 
