Brian Kendrick (F)
Carlito (H)
Charlie Haas (H)
Chris Jericho (F)
Cody Rhodes (F)
Hardcore Holly (F)
Jeff Hardy (F) – Suspended
John Bradshaw Layfield (H)
John Cena (F)
JTG (F)
Mr Kennedy (H)
Paul London (F)
Randy Orton (H)
Robbie McAllister (H)
Rory McAllister (H)
Santino Marella (H)
Shad Gaspard (F)
Shawn Michaels (F)
Snitsky (H)
Super Crazy (F)
Trevor Murdoch (H)
Triple H (F)
Umaga (H)
Val Venis (F)
Raw Divas
Ashley Massaro (F)
Beth Phoenix (H)
Candice Michelle (F)
Jillian Hall (H)
Maria Kanellis (F)
Melina (H)
Mickie James (F)
Raw Champions
WWE Championship
Randy Orton (2)
Defeated Triple H in a Last Man Standing match at No Mercy (October 7th 2007)
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho (8)
Defeated Jeff Hardy on Raw (March 10th 2008)
World Tag Team Championships
Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly (1)
Defeated Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch on Raw (December 10th 2007)
WWE Women’s Championship
Beth Phoenix (1)
Defeated Candice Michelle at No Mercy (October 7th 2007)
Raw On Air Personalities
General Manager – William Regal
Play by Play Commentator – Jim Ross
Colour Commentator – Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler
Ring Announcer – Lilian Garcia
Backstage Interviewers – Todd Grisham and Maria Kanellis
Batista (F)
Big Show (H)
Chavo Guerrero (H)
Chuck Palumbo (H)
Curt Hawkins (H)
Dave Taylor (H)
Deuce (H)
Domino (H)
Edge (H)
Festus (F)
Finlay (F)
Funaki (F)
Gregory Helms (H) – Injured
Jamie Noble (F)
Jesse (F)
Jimmy Wang Yang (F)
Kane (F)
Mark Henry (H)
Matt Hardy (F)
Montel Vontavious Porter (H)
Rey Mysterio (F) – Injured
Shannon Moore (F)
The Great Khali (H)
Undertaker (F)
Zack Ryder (H)
Smackdown Divas
Cherry (H)
Eve Torres (F)
Michelle McCool (F)
Victoria (H)
Smackdown Champions
World Heavyweight Championship
The Undertaker (2)
Defeated Edge at Wrestlemania XXIV (March 30th 2008)
WWE United States Championship
Montel Vontavious Porter (1)
Defeated Chris Benoit at Judgment Day (May 20th 2007)
WWE Tag Team Championship
The Miz & John Morrison (1)
Defeated MVP & Matt Hardy on Smackdown (November 16th 2007)
Smackdown On Air Personalities
General Manager – Vickie Guerrero
Play by Play Commentator – Michael Cole
Colour Commentator – Mick Foley
Ring Announcer – Justin Roberts
Backstage Interviewers – Jonathan Coachman & Eve Torres
Smackdown Tag Teams/Stables
Edge Heads
Finlay & Hornswoggle
Jesse & Festus
John Morrison & The Miz
Shannon Moore & Jimmy Wang Yang
Free Agents as of 30/3/08
Superstars
Armando Estrada (H)
CM Punk (F)- Money In The Bank contract Holder
Elijah Burke (H)
John Morrison (H)
Kofi Kingston (F)
Matt Striker (H)
Shelton Benjamin (H)
The Miz (H)
Divas
Kelly Kelly (F)
Layla El (H)
On Air Personalities
Armando Estrada
Play by Play Commentator – Joey Styles
Colour Commentator – ???
Ring Announcer – Tony Chimel
Backstage Interviewers – Lena Yada & Josh Matthews
Tag Teams/Stables
Big Daddy V/Mark Henry w/Matt Striker
Dreamer & Delaney
John Morrison & The Miz
Wrestlemania 24- Quick Results courtesy of Wrestlezone
As the fallout of Wrestlemania 24 begins tonight live on Raw, the WWE have lot of changes on their hands. The announcement that ECW was disbanded late last night came as no surprise to many, but it leaves many in a difficult position. The most notable Free Agent on the list is CM Punk, and both Raw and Smackdown will surely be fighting tooth and nail to secure his signature. Other notable freebies include the Tag Team of John Morrison and The Miz, each of whom challenged for the ECW Championship against Punk late last year. However others will not even get that far. Some have been future endevoured, and that list includes John Curtis, The Boogeyman, Colin Delaney, Stevie Richards, Balls Maloney, and Tommy dreamer, whose contract expired last night with the company. WWE has wished them the best in their future endevours. Nunzio and Big Daddy V's contracts also expired. Mike Knox has been sent to WWE development, with the hope of a repackaging taking place. With the sure to be influx of superstars onto the red and blue brnads over the coming weeks, Smackdown and Raw have inevitably cut some of the roster. Duece n' Domino have been future endevoured on the Smackdown side of things, also with Jesse, and festus has been sent to Development for repackaging also. On the Raw side, Val Venis and Super Crazy have been released by the company. There are also rumors of talent arriving from developmental, namely Sheamus O'Slaughessy, Stu Sanders, Nick Nemeth and Ted DiBiase Jr. all being on the verge of making it to the Main Roster. Either way, it should be an epic week of WWE Television, with a special 45 min extension to Monday Night Raw to celebrate ECW's history
Last night, Ric Flair bowed out in characteristically dramatic fashion, in a 5 Star match against The Heartbreak Kid. Tonight, we will have an address from 'Naitch' and a tribute to the man!
Legend Killer Retains
Randy Orton, a man with perhaps one of the most fearsome WWE Title reigns in histroy, again defended his pride and joy against two of the biggest names in WWE, after he pinned John Cena to retain his Title. We expect to hear from Randy tonight, and possibly John and HHH. Will they ask for one more chance, or will a new contender step up.
Free Agenst Galore
With multiple Free Agents now available after the demis of ECW, who will pick up the first superstar, and who will strike the first blow, in what will be a battle for signatures. Perhaps the most important question is, which brand will CM Punk join? Raw or Smackdown?
ECW Tribute
Speaking of ECW, there will be a 45 minute tribute tonight before Raw, celebrating the long and successful run the company had in the 90's, and for the last few years. Will we see any recognizable faces LIVE! from the Hammerstein Ball Room!
We get a recap of last nights epic Wrestlemania show, and the video package focuses on the Raw side of things. It focuses on the Ric Flair retirement match, and Shawn uttering those famous words Im Sorry to Ric before ending a 36 year career with a Sweet Chin Music. We see the standing ovation for Ric and the video package ends with a picture of Ric crying after last nights match.
The Raw pyro hits, and we are welcomed by the news that Flair will give an address at the end of the night to thank the fans. JR welcomes us all to Monday Night Raw, and hypes up Ric Flairs retirement speech at the end of the night. But now onto the action!
*BURN IN MY LIGHT*
Randy Ortons music hits, and there is intense heat for the WWE Champion as he arrives out with his Title on his shoulder, dressed in a cream shirt and jeans. He gets in the ring, after doing his signature pose on the turnbuckle. He grabs a mic, and waits for the buzz to die down
Orton
Well, well, well. Look what we have here. After all the talk, all the non-believers who doubted that I could defeat the two biggest faces of this company in the same night, with no outside interference, can now Shut the hell up!
The crowd boo like crazy towards Orton
Orton
Because last night, whether you want to belive it or not, whether you can accept it or not, you cant deny cold hard results. And what will go down as the result of the Triple Threat Match between Randy Orton, John Cena and Triple H is that Randy Orton retained his pride and glory, by pinning John Cena, after punting the Game right in the temple. At Wrestlemania, I proved to the world that no-one can defeat me. I...AM....INVINC....
*TIME TO PLAY THE GAME*
The crowd go wild for Triple H. Randy twists his neck round in that sadistic way, and looks furious as The Game interrupts his victory speech. Triple H has a microphone in his hand, and is staring at Randy Orton.
HHH
Fine speech Orton. Yeah, last night Ill admit it, you caught me off guard and you retained your Championship. But you did so in a cowardly fashion, and you proved to the world that you are nothing more than a Paper Champion!
The crowd explode with cheers at this last sentence
Orton
Paper Champion?! How dare you Triple H, how dare you come out here, ruin
what this night is all about! This night shouldnt be about your grievances, about Ric Flair, this night should be about me!
The crowd boo Orton intensely, as The Game stares him down from the ramp, before advancing down and into the ring, to loud cheers
HHH
You can talk about disrespect all you want Randy, but the fact is to me, youll be a paper champion until the day you step foot in the ring with me. So heres a deal Ill make with you. Backlash, April 27th, me against you for the WWE Championship!
The crowd roar in anticipation, as Triple H lowers the microphone and gestures for Orton to respond. A sly smirk spreads across the face of The Legend Killer..
Orton
Heres the thing Cerebral Assassin, I would but....well, Ill just let our General Manager, William Regal inform you.
Orton points to the back, and Regal arrives out (with no music) to boos from the capacity crowd.
Regal
May I beg your indulgence for one moment please! According to Mr. Ortons doctor, Mr. Orton is suffering from a build up of injuries over the past few months, and his doctor recommended that Randy take the month off from competing. As I am a reasonable gentleman, I accepted his request. As of now, Randy Orton is out of action for 30 Days whilst he recovers from his pains. Unfortunately, this means there will be no WWE Championship match at Backlash. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, and enjoy the show!
The crowd boo intensely, and Triple H is enraged, turning to roar at Regal, telling him that this is bulls***! As Regal shrugs and is about to leave, an all too familiar tune hits the PA system.
*NO CHANCE!*
Vince McMahon arrives out to a massive pop from the capacity crowd, and he waves to the fans, before pulling Regal back onto the stage.
Vince
Before I begin here, lemme just address you Mr. Regal. Over the past months, you have yet agin proved yourself to be inadequate for the position you are in, and tonight is a shining example f why Im about to do this. William Regal..YOURRRRREEEEE....FIRRRRRRREDDDDDDD!!!!
The crowd pops massively as Regal looks on in shock. Orton is in the ring, utterly shocked.
Vince
As for you, Orton, I dont buy the bullcrap that youre hurt, if Stone Cold can wrestle a Main Event style match with a broken neck, it certainly wont hurt you to wrestle a few matches with a bit of fatigue, dont you agree?
The crowd pops for this, and Orton shakes his head vigorously.
Vince
So, as my first official announcement as leader of this brand once again is that at Backlash, Randy Orton will defend the Title against Triple H....for the WWE Championship! Good luck gentlemen!
The crowd go wild for this announcement, and Triple H smirks in the ring. He goes to leave, and Randy goes to clock him with the Title belt, HHH ducks and hits a huge Spinebuster! He lifts Orton up, and hits a Pedigree to The Legend Killer! The Game stands tall as we go to commercial break
Commercial Break
We are backstage, with Randy Orton looking for Vince. He knocks on his door and enters without a reply....
Vince stares at him angrily
Vince
What the hell do you want!?
Orton
How the hell is this fair Vince? I defended my title in a brutal Triple Threat
match 24 hours ago, and yet you dont have the common decency to give me a 30 day rest!
Vince
Gimme a break Orton. The only thing wrong with you is the fact youre a coward, and I dont want my Champion to be a coward. Youve crossed the line now Randy, youve pissed off the boss. Therefore tonight LIVE! On Raw, you will take on the man you punted out of action all those months ago....Matt Hardy!
Orton stares at Vince, and looks as if he is going to protest
Vince
GET THE HELL OUT!
Orton slumps his shoulders and walks out, dejected.
We arrive back into the arena, and welcomed back by JR and Jerry Lawler, who comment on the nights actions so far, and the fact that in just 27 days time, Randy Orton and Triple H will face off one on one for the WWE Championship at Backlash under the ruling of NEW Raw General Manager, Vince McMahon! Lawler questions whether Cena has anything to say to this. JR says that Cena should do his talking in the ring, and that could be what happens next, as John Cena goes one on one with Mr. Kennedy!
*TURN UP THE TROUBLE*
Mr. Kennedy arrives out to pretty decent heat, and he arrives in the ring, and the arena goes dark, except for the spotlight on him. He pulls the classic microphone down, and clears his throat
Kennedy
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to remind you, that the man who is singlehandedly dominating Monday Nights weighs in at 246 pounds.... He hails from GREENBAY, WISCONSINNNNAH!
The crowd boos loudly as he pauses dramatically.
Kennedy
MISSSSSSSTAAAAAAA KEEENNNN.....
*MY TIME IS NOW*
The crowd go nuts for Cena as he arrives out, interrupting a now furious Kennedy during his shtick. He salutes the crowd and runs down to the ring, throwing his shirt into the crowd when he gets there. The two men go to their respective corners, and the referee calls for the bell.
The match kicks off and these two men are equally matched in the opening part of this match. At this point and time, Kennedy has just got the upper hand after blocking a Cena shoulder tackle with a dropkick to the skull of Cena. John is dazed, and Kennedy seeks to take advantage by gaining a surprise victory, but Cena powers out at 1. Both men are up on their feet at the same time, and begin trading blows. Cena is clearly the more powerful of the two, so Kennedy doesnt take any chances and slides out of the ring to loud boos from the crowd. He smirks and taunts them, not realising Cena climbing the turnbuckle. He turns round, into a HUGE top rope Shoulder tackle from Cena. Both men are groggily lying on the outside, and the referee begins his count. 1!...2!...3!...4!...5!...6!...Cena gets to his feet, and drags Kennedy up...7!...He pushes Kennedy into the ring, and stumbles backwards, feeling the shoulder he tackled Kenndy with...8!...9!...Cena just makes it back into the ring before the ten count! But this time, Kennedy is up on his two feet first, as Cena struggles with his now injured shoulder, and Kennedy goes to work on it, stomping away at Cena in the centre of the ring. He pulls The Cenation Leader up, and kicks him in the gut, hitting a snap DDT. He goes for the cover...1!...2!...Cena kicks out at two and a half, much to the surprise of Kennedy. Kennedy picks Cena up, and climbs the turnbuckle, with Cena on his shoulders. He is going for the Green Bay Plunge, but Cena wriggles out and pushes Kennedy to the mat below. Cena stands upright, and hits a Diving Leg Drop to the back of Kennedys head and races to the cover...1!...2!...kick out by Kennedy! Cena is shocked and picks Kennedy up, and throws a right hand at him, but Cena ducks, rebounds off the ropes and hits two shoulder blocks in a row. He sets up the five knuckle shuffle and does the You Cant See Me taunt before rebounding off the ropes into a massive clothesline from CARLITO! The ref calls for the bell, as Carlito drags Cena up to his feet, and Kennedy rolls out
of the ring.
Carlito hits Cena with a Backstabber, before leaving to mega heat, and the commentators question his motives for his vicious attack on Cena. Cena is still out as we go to Todd Grisham, standing by with a mic in his hand.
Todd Grisham
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time... Matt Hardy!
The crowd cheer and chant Hardys name as he appears on our screen
Grisham
Thanks for joining me Matt. Firstly, arent you supposed to be a Smackdown Superstar?
Hardy
Yeah, actually that is true. But I came here tonight, like a lot of other guys, to pay homage to the great Ric Flair. It just so happens Vince put faith in me to kick Randy Ortons ass, which I will gladly do tonight!
The crowd cheer loudly for this
Grisham
Arent you worried that you arent at 100%. Although it was a few months back, you cant deny that that was a vicious punt to the head you took from Orton, and could have easily ended your career.
Hardy
Well, I just wanna say that I know Im 100%, but if you dont believe me...thats fine, Ill do my talking in the ring tonight, and trust me, Randy Ortons is gonna regret the day he messed with The Sensai Of Mattitude!
Hardy storms off to get prepared, as we go back into the ring, where we see JBL making his way down to the ring, with a microphone in hand, and the crowd is loudly booing him. The commentators comment on his huge win last night over Finlay in a Belfast Brawl, and wonder whether this will elevate him back into the hunt for gold?
JBL
Last night, I physically destroyed perhaps one of the toughest men going in the WWE today at his own ball game. I went into Wrestlemania, with you people as usual doubting me, thinking I could lose. But what you idiots dont seem to realize is that I feed off your hate. It is what helped me become one of the longest reigning WWE Champions of all time, what helped me win, the WWE, Intercontinental and US Championships! I am a Wrestling God!
The fans boo and jeer JBL loudly.
JBL
Thats why it disgusts me that this company is being headed by a mentally unstable champion, a deadman as WHC, a wannabe pimp as US Champion, a catchphrase robot as Intercontinental Champion, and worst of all...We have a slimy little grease ball named CM Punk as our Money In The Bank contract holder. That means he is almost guaranteed a World Title! Do the WWE really want that greasy little man to be the face of their company? NO! It should be a corporate genius like me, it should be a Wrestling God like me, it should be J...B...L!
The crowd boo loudly at JBL, who raises his arms aloft, before...
*THIS FIRE BURNS*
The crowd cheer loudly for the new MITB briefcase holder, who arrives out, pumped up and slapping the briefcase he has in his hands. JBL looks disgusted in the ring, and the commentators talk about last nights MITB Ladder match, before we get a graphic of Punk atop the ladder, briefcase in hand. JR comments on Punks wherewithal and his heart to keep going in that match and climb the ladder to get essentially one hand on a World Title of his choice. Punk is in the ring by this point, and is staring down Bradshaw.
CM Punk
Before I talk to you JBL, I would like to announce that CM Punk has officially agreed terms with Monday Night Raw!!! Now back to you, JBL.....Just who in the hell do you think you are!?
The crowd explode with cheers for Punk, and JBL is outraged
CM Punk
Listen pal, Ive worked my ass off for the bulk of 8 years to get in the position Im in right now, and I sure as hell am not gonna stand by and listen as you run me down as if Ive done nothing to deserve the spot Im in right now!
The crowd begin to chant Punks name as he pauses
CM Punk
See? These fans believe in me...so really I dont give a crap if you do or dont Layfield! Look, Im not saying you didnt have a great career. Hell, you used to be great! The key words here being USED TO be great. JBL, youre past it! You have nothing left in the tank, and you just want to moan about the fact that this New Era of Superstars coming through doesnt involve you. JBL, you need to move on. Its over! This year, is the year of Punk!
The crowd cheer loudly as JBL stares at Punk, furious.
JBL
Dont even think about talking down to me boy! I am a Wrestling God, I am better than you at everything you do! People like to think youre great...well theyre wrong...youre average, mediocre. Guys like me...Im great! Nobody can touch me.
Punk laughs before retorting
CM Punk
Really? Are you frigging kidding me?! You were and still are perhaps the most cowardly man Ive ever known? But hey, I dont wanna talk...I wanna fight! More specifically I wanna fight you, JBL! So hows this... at Backlash CM Punk faces JBL one on one, and well see who the better man is! And Ill even give you a little incentive...if you pick an opponent for me for later tonight, and I lose...you can fight me for THIS!
Points to the Money In The Bank Briefcase, and JBL nods.
JBL
Youre on...Punk!
CM Punk
Wait, wait, wait...But if I win, I pick the stipulation!
JBL doesnt lose the smirk off his face
JBL
Trust me, you wont win!
The two men stare each other down as we go to our second commercial of the night.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We arrive back from commercial, and JR and Lawler talk about the confrontation that took place before the Commercial between CM Punk and JBL. JR states that strong words came from both men, and that wont be the last of it! King says although he likes Punk, he sees where JBL is coming from when he says that Punk shouldnt represent WWE. JR is outraged and asks why the hell not? Jerry simply says that Punk doesnt fit the mould of a Champion. JR just tuts and moves on.
*BREAK THE WALLS DOWN!*
Lillian Garcia
Ladies and gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall, and it is a Tag Team Match! Introducing first, from Winnipeg, Canada...Y2J...CHRIS JERICHO!
As Jericho makes his way to the ring, JR and King discuss how Jericho was inches from winning the Money In The Bank last night, but was just pipped by CM Punk at the last moments of the match. Jericho is now in the ring and has taken the mic off of Lillian...
Jericho
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to...RAW...IS...JERICHOOO!!! And I just wanted to take the time to introduce my partner tonight. He is the second new acquisition to the Monday Night Raw roster from ECW...KOFI KINGSTON!
*SOS*
The crowd are on their feet for the brand new Raw superstar, and JR is loving it. Kofi does his trademark boom pose, along with the crowd, as the fireworks explode behind him. He climbs into the ring, and shakes Jerichos hand, before turning to face his opponents.
*SCOTTISH BAGPIPES*
Robbie and Rory McAllister arrive out to a pretty much muted response, and make their way down to the ring.
Lillian
And their opponents, at a combined weight of 488 pounds, The Highlanders!
The Higlanders are in the ring now, and the match begins with Jericho and Rory in the ring
Match 2: Tag Match- The Highlanders vs. Kofi Kingston and Chris Jericho
Jericho and Rory spend about 3 minutes in the ring going back and forth, and Jericho has the upper hand, and hit an Irish Whip into the corner, but didnt notice a blind tag made by Robbie to Rory. He goes for a Lionsault, and executes it perfectly on Rory, but the ref wont count it, and Jericho turns into a massive clothesline from Robbie, who then proceeds to take out Kofi with a Big Boot. The Higlanders then take control of the match, frequently tagging in, and not allowing Jericho any chance to let the crowd see the new Raw talent in action. After a couple of minutes of this, Robbie gets complacent, and taunts the crowd. He goes for a head butt, but Jericho ducks and begins to hammer away at Robbie, and then executes a missile dropkick to the head of Highlander Robbie. Both men crawl to their corners, and Jericho makes the hot tag to Kofi, who has recovered by now and is pumped up. He hits dropkicks to both McAllisters, before dropping the legal man (Rory) with a hurracanrana into a pin for a near fall. It is clear Kofi brings fast paced action to the ring, and he shows this with another big move, a diving crossbody from the top rope. He sets up the Boom Drop, and connects perfectly. Kingston is pumped, and looks to finish Rory off with Trouble in Parardise. Robbie attempts to interfere, but Y2J takes him out with a Codbreaker! Kofi then connects with the Trouble In Paradise...1!...2!...3! Kofi and Jericho pick up the win!
Winners: Kofi Kingston and Chris Jericho via Pinfall at 7:32
Kofi and Jericho get up and celebrate, before Kofi looks at Jericho and says something like, I want my shot at that whilst pointing to the Intercontinental Championship on Jerichos shoulder. Jericho nods and the two shake hands, before climbing opposing turnbuckles and celebrating with the fans, who are cheering loudly for the veteran and the debutant.
We go backstage, where we see Vince McMahon in his office, talking to Maria, Melina and Layla, who has apparently signed with Raw.
Vince
Look, ladies...you cant all have the #1 Contendership to Beth Phoenix Womens Title, so how about this....next week on Monday Night Raw, all three of you get the opportunity to become the #1 Contender to the WWE Womens Title, when Melina takes on Maria...and Layla in a Triple Threat Match!
All three women nod as the camera fades to black, and we see a tribute to Ric Flair in the shape of highlights of his Classic Steel Cage match against Harley Race from November 24, 1983, where Flair defeated Race to win the NWA Heavyweight Championship. We go to commercial with the parting shot of Flair holding the Title high.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
*THIS FIRE BURNS*
We return back to Raw, where CM Punks music hits and he arrives out. We get a recap of what happened earlier in the night, where Punk said if he loses to JBLs choice tonight, they fight for the MITB briefcase at Backlash.
Punk gets in the ring and motions for JBL to bring it on. JBL appears on the tron.
JBL
Hey, ya greasy little punk, up here! Yes, its me, and I have indeed found your opponent. He is....UMAGA!
*SAMOAN DRUMS*
Umagas music hits and The Samoan Bulldozer makes his way to the ring, and Punk stands defiant in the ring.
After a good back and forth match for 5 or so minutes, where Punk took the upper hand early on with his quicker frame, before Umaga finally caught him and took control of the match, Umaga is stomping away on Punk in the corner of the ring, and takes until the four count at the turnbuckle. Umaga sets Punk up in the corner, and sprints across the ring, looking for a Samoan Wrecking Ball. Punk escapes it at the last minute, and Umaga crashes ribs first into the turnbuckle. He stumbles out, clutching his ribs, before Punk seeks to take advantage with kicks to the ribs of Umaga, and takes Umaga to his knees. Punk bounces off the ropes, and hits the now kneeling Samoan Bulldozer with a knee to the skull. The Straight Edge Saviour goes for a quick cover, but Umaga powers out at two. Punk bounces off the ropes, and goes for a running clothesline, but Umaga lifts him up and hits a huge Samoan Drop! He grabs Punk to his feet, and sets up the Samoan Spike, but Punk pulls the ref in front of him and Umaga hits the ref. Umaga stares down at the unconscious man, before Punk hits him with an Enziguiri. He goes to drag the ref over but sees he is out, and gives up. He climbs to the top, and hits a diving crossbody from there to knock Umaga down. Another ref comes sprinting down to the ring, as Punk lifts up Umaga for the GTS, then JBL arrives out. Punk drops Umaga and gets out of the ring, and begs JBL to hit him. JBL is about to, when he decides against it, and Punk gets back in the ring, running right into a Samoan Spike! 1!...2!...3! Umaga wins, in part thanks to JBL!
Umaga leaves the ring afterwards, and JBL makes his way down to the ring, where he takes off his jacket, before bouncing off the ropes, and hitting Punk with a Clothesline from Hell! Punk is out, and JBL stands tall.
We go to the commentators desk, where JR bemoans JBLs despicable actions, and says that he cost Punk the match here tonight, and that it aint fair on PunK! King argues that, if anything, Punk cost Punk this match! First off, he pulled the ref in front of him to take the Samoan Spike, when he could have just ducked or taken it like a man! Also, he shouldve focused on the match, instead of trying to win it by DQ! JR moves on and says that this night is about Ric Flair, an all time legend in the ring, and his final farewell. We see the graphic with Flairs Farewell written on it, and King states that Ric will address the WWE at the end of the night.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We arrive back to highlights of the NWA World Title match from May 7, 1989, where Ric faced Steamboat for the NWA Title, in a classic match, when Flair won his historical 6th World Championship.
We come back into the ring, where Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch are in the ring, awaiting their opponents. We are told that this is a #1 Contenders match for the Tag Team Championships. Paul London and Brian Kendrick arrive out to a good cheer from the crowd. JR hypes up the fact that these are two former World Tag Champions, and that this should be an exciting mach up! As the match is about to begin, the World Tag Team Champions arrive out to perhaps check out the competition.
Match 4: #1 Contenders Match for the World Tag Team Championships- London and Kendrick vs. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch
This tag match is an exciting one, with Paul London and Cade in the ring, battling it out. London reverses a move from cade with an Elbow Smash, and he follows it up with Hurracanrana DDT! He goes for the cover, but Cade kicks out at two. London cant believe it, and he Tags in Kendrick, who seeks to take advantage with a Tornado DDT of his own. Cade reverses it and hits a big Bodyslam onto the mat. He tags in Murdoch, who continues to dominate Kendrick with big clubbing blows coming down on his back. Murdock raises him up, and looks for the Ace of Spades, but Kendrick reverses it into a Hurracanrana come pin, and gets the win for his team!
After the match, Cody and Hardcore Holly climb into the ring, and the two teams stare each other down, before Cade and Murdoch come from behind and attack them, standing tall over the Champs and the #1 Contenders.
JR and Lawler talk about how next week will be huge, with a Diva's #1 Contender's match, and now a World Tag Match. JR says thats all next week, but last night, Wrestlemania was an incredible show, and one that will never be forgotten.
We arrive back to Monday Night Raw, and we get a quick plug for Smackdown, and JR questions the fall out of Undertaker winning the World Heavyweight Championship back off Edge. King hints that this feud is far from over, and Vickie will have something to say on this!
*BURN IN MY LIGHT*
Orton comes out to the ring, to loud boos from the capacity crowd. He raises his Title at the turnbuckle to even louder boos from the crowd. He hops to the crowd, as JR and King discuss his biggest win of his career so far last night.
*LIVE FOR THE MOMENT*
Matt Hardy arrives out to a big pop from the crowd, and Hardy comes out, rips off his shirt and sprints into the ring, and lays into Orton to begin this match.
Match 5: Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy (Non-Title)
The match is underway, and we are a few minutes into it when Hardy reverses an Irish Whip by Orton, and hits a big back body drop onto the mat. Hardy follows it up with a two footed kick to the kneeling Ortons face, and Orton rolls out of the ring. Hardy wastes no time, and you can see his hatred for Orton, as he follows him out of the ring and begins to lay into The Legend Killer. He rips off the top of the announce table, and pulls out all the electric wiring. Y this time, Orton has found his feet, and Irish Whips Hardy into the steel post. Hardy falls to the ground, holding his shoulder which rammed off the cold hard steel, as Orton gets back in the ring at a count of 5...6...7...8...9...Hardy rolls back into the ring, and Orton seeks to take advantage of a wounded animal, by targeting the injured shoulder of the valiant Hardy. He continues to work away at the shoulder, even directing the infamous Orton dropkick to the injured left shoulder of Matt, for a two count. JR notes how Matt used his right shoulder to kick out, and suggests that he could be struggling with the left. King praises Ortons tactical side of his style. Orton continues to dominate, and swings with a right hand. Hand reverses and goes for a Twist of Fate, but Orton pushes him off into the ropes, and goes for an RKO. Hardy lifts him up and slams him on the ground. Hardy climbs to the top rope, and hits a big Diving Leg Drop, but Orton somehow kicks out at two! No-one can believe it! Hardy motions for Orton to get up, and he dives at him, hitting a flying Clothesline, but Orton ducks and Hardy rolls to the outside, where Orton grabs him by the neck, and hits a Rope Hung DDT! He goes for the cover...1!...2!...KICK OUT from Matt. Orton pounds the ground in frustration, and goes for the same move again. Hardy, however, wriggles out, and hits Orton with a right hand. He jumps from the outside, over the tope rope and lands on Orton with a Crossbody...1!...2!...KICK OUT from Orton! Matt cant believe it, but picks Orton up, and hits a big Running Bulldog! Orton is out, and Matt leaps to the top rope. He sets himself up for the Moonsault, and leaps off the top rope,...straight into an RKO! 1!...2!!!...3!!! This match is over.
OOC: I just used the WWE tribute video, as I honestly would not have booked this any differently, I thought it was fantastic, and that it would be an injustice to book it My Own Way
After a truly mega 5 days in WWE, with an unforgettable Wrestlemania 24, and a equally unforgetable, fitting tribute to the great Ric 'The Nature Boy' Flair, we move onto what is sure to be a scintillating episode of Friday Night Smackdown!
The Undertaker yet again sits atop the rest in the land of Smackdown, after he continued his streak at Wrestlemania to 16-0 and defeated the Rated R-Superstar, Edge for his World Heavyweight Championship. How will Edge respond? Will his wife and General Manager Vickie Guerrero continue to give Edge an unfair advantage going into Backlash against The Phenom, or will someone else be given the oppurtunity to attempt to defeat The Phenom?!
Also at Wrestlemania, Matt Hardy returned, and took out MVP in the MITB Ladder match. It is rumoured that Hardy would chase MVP's US Title until Orton vicously punted him last year. Will Hardy continue his hunt to end a huge run with the Title from MVP, or will the Primetime Playa step up his game once more?
In other news, Smackdown was dealt a couple of huge blows early this week, with two of ECW's brightest stars, CM Punk and Kofi Kingston, agreed terms with Raw. Smackdwon struck back with a vengenance by signing the fianl ECW Champion, Kane. Vickie Guerrero also announced via this very site that Smackdown would not only be signing more free agents from ECW, they will be bringing up two men/women from developmental soon to debut on Smackdown!
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