RAW
August 13, 2007
Madison Square Garden
New York City
ANGLE: RAW Intro & Pyro (83%)
"To Be Loved" kicks in and the RAW intro plays and leads into the pyro. JR and King welcome us into RAW live from the legendary Madison Square Garden!
A graphic then shows Carlito's Cabana, which is happening tonight with special guest, WWE Champion John Cena.
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MATCH 1: Santino Marella vs. William Regal
Manhattan Street Fight (81%, 3.5*)
The opening match of the night is a "Manhattan Street Fight" between Santino Marella and William Regal, who are taking their rivalry to the next level.
Santino is first to make his entrance and when Regal makes his, Santino meets him halfway up the ramp and the two begin swinging at each other. Santino knocks Regal backward toward the top of the stage.
Regal then pokes Santino in the eye and hits a scoop slam on the steel. Regal picks Santino up and throws him face-first into the stage set. Regal then tries a suplex but Santino blocks it and hits one of his own, as both men are down.
Regal now starts crawling through the curtain and Santino is in pursuit as the two end up backstage. Santino stomps Regal's back a couple of times and then picks him up and bounces him head-first off a metal crate.
Regal falls back and drapes over a table. Santino then attempts to smack his head off the table but Regal blocks and elbows Santino in the midsection. Regal walks over and finds a trash can and whacks Santino in the head with it.
Regal now walks Santino over and whips him into a Coca-Cola machine. Regal charges at Santino, but Marella moves and Regal is flattened running into the vending machine. Santino then throws Regal through doors and they are outside of the building!
There is a set of stairs and Santino throws Regal face-first into the railing. After stumbling away the two end up in front of MSG and Santino clotheslines Regal over a small railing!
Santino then walks Regal over near the street and Regal punches Santino, getting him to release. Regal then attempts to hit Santino with a piledriver on the concrete, but Santino reverses it and hits a takedown on Regal.
With a taxi stop booth right behind him, Santino catapults Regal and Regal goes right through the glass booth!!! Santino makes the cover and gets the win.
WINNER - Santino Marella by Pinfall [11:59]
Santino's music plays as he struggles to get to his feet. Santino gets his hand raised and the camera shot zooms out and shows the MSG marquee as RAW goes to break.
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ANGLE: Cade & Murdoch Ask Coach for Another Shot (73%)
Back from a commercial break, RAW General Manager Jonathan Coachman is in his office when the former World Tag Team Champions, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch come in.
Cade and Murdoch bring up that the World's Greatest Tag Team is facing London & Kendrick tonight in a #1 Contenders match and Cade & Murdoch ask Coach for another chance.
Coach says that they lost their rematch last week but then Cade mentions that they are in Madison Square Garden and that everything needs to be bigger. Murdoch chimes in and says to Coach that a triple threat tag team match would make for a bigger, better match.
Coach says they got a valid point and says he will consider it, which leaves Cade & Murdoch satisfied for now.
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ANGLE: King Booker Speaks to the MSG Crowd (80%)
King Booker and Queen Sharmell make their way down to the ring. Booker has a scheduled match but first, he wants to speak to the MSG crowd.
Booker says that he was made aware that his challenge was accepted for SummerSlam. He then runs down Triple H saying he couldn't even accept it in front of "Your Highness."
The lights then go down and another hype video for Triple H plays on the titantron. When the video finishes, Booker is frustrated and says that they can play as many videos as they want but at SummerSlam, Booker will prove he is the true "King of Kings."
Booker then says for tonight, he's got to fight the "detestable" Sandman. As Booker hurls another insult, Sandman's music hits and he walks down through the crowd and does his classic entrance.
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MATCH 2: King Booker w/Queen Sharmell vs The Sandman (72%, 2*)
After Sandman's entrance, which King Booker and Queen Sharmell clearly were disgusted by, the second match of the night began.
For the most part, Booker controlled the contest but Sandman had a brief run towards the middle stages of the match where he hit a flapjack on a charging Booker and then a DDT.
Sandman was setting up Booker for another move but Sharmell got on the apron. Referee Jack Doan got her to get down quickly but the brief distraction allowed Booker to kick Sandman in the gut and then hit the Scissors Kick to win the match.
WINNER - King Booker by Pinfall [8:13]
Booker & Sharmell celebrate the win with Booker putting his pinky finger to the sky as RAW goes to a break.
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ANGLE: Melina Asks Coach to be Added to Title Match (81%)
Upon return, Melina is now shown in the office of RAW General Manager, Jonathan Coachman and Melina asks Coach to be added to the Women's Championship match at SummerSlam.
Coach looks frustrated after going through this earlier but Melina mentions that rumor has it that Cade & Murdoch were being added to the #1 Contender's match tonight.
Melina says that she was not pinned in the match last week and therefore technically didn't lose. Melina says she should rightfully get a shot.
Coach has had enough and gives in telling Melina that she will get a shot to win her way into the SummerSlam match next week. Melina expected to be added right in but accepts at least getting the chance.
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MATCH 3: Bobby Lashley vs. Snitsky (62%, 1.5*)
With the action back in the ring, Snitsky is shown in the ring as Mr. Kennedy's music is playing.
Kennedy is joining JR and King on commentary for the next match as his SummerSlam opponent, Bobby Lashley, is taking on Snitsky.
Lashley and Snitsky had a competitive hard-hitting match with Lashley controlling the majority of the action. Snitsky did get in a big boot and sidewalk slam, but after trying to apply a standing arm lock, Lashley fought out.
Lashley hit a couple of running shoulder blocks before hitting an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex. Lashley pointed at Kennedy and then nailed Snitsky with a Spear to get the win.
WINNER - Bobby Lashley by Pinfall [6:21]
After the match, Kennedy got up from the announcer's table and it looked like he was going to sneak into the ring and attack Lashley, but Lashley spotted him out of his peripheral vision. Lashley challenged Kennedy, even holding the ropes open but Kennedy just jawed as he walked up the ramp.
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ANGLE: Umaga/Estrada Promo on Jeff Hardy (85%)
A pre-taped promo plays next with the Intercontinental Champion, Umaga, and his manager, Armando Alejandro Estrada.
Estrada talks about Umaga being an unstoppable force in the WWE and that at SummerSlam, Jeff Hardy is going to be flattened by "The Samoan Bulldozer."
The camera then focuses on Umaga, who yells a message in Samoan. The segment ends with a close-up of the intimidating face of Umaga.
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MATCH 4: Candice Michelle vs. Jillian Hall (61%, 1*)
The Women's Champion, Candice Michelle took on Jillian Hall in the next contest. Candice currently is scheduled to face just Mickie James at SummerSlam, but Coach said Melina would have a shot next week to enter into the match.
The match started with some chain wrestling before Jillian assumed control, hitting Candice with a front kick to the midsection. Jillian flipped Candice over with a snapmare and dropkicked her in the back of the head.
Jillian whipped Candice into the corner and started striking away at her, eventually knocking Candice into a seated position. Jillian started choking Candice out using her knee until Referee Chad Patton backed her up.
Jillian would place Candice on the top rope, but Candice fought back and kicked Jillian in the face a couple of times. Jillian was persistent and went back at Candice but Candice wrapped her legs around Jillian's head and then eased back over the ropes and pulled off a Hangman's Choke.
Chad Patton counted and Candice broke at the count of four before cartwheeling off the apron and landing on the floor, getting a cheer from the crowd. Candice then climbed to the top rope and hit a diving crossbody on Jillian for a two-count.
Candice attempted her "Candy Wrapper" next but after spinning Jillian around, Jillian disengaged and hit a forearm square to the back of Candice. Jillian then hit a back suplex and locked her in a rear chinlock.
Candice would work her way out of the hold and shoot Jillian off the ropes. Off the rebound, Candice would hit a spinning heel kick. Candice would pick Jillian up and hit the "Candy Wrapper" finisher to score the victory.
WINNER - Candice Michelle by Pinfall [7:33]
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ANGLE: SummerSlam Card Rundown (83%)
JR and King go over the RAW matches announced so far for SummerSlam including John Cena vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Triple H making his return vs. King Booker, and Bobby Lashley taking on Mr. Kennedy.
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MATCH 5: Jeff Hardy vs. Daivari (69%, 2*)
The music of Daivari hits the MSG arena and the crowd rains down jeers. Daivari enters the ring and demands the mic before yelling at the crowd in Persian. After about 20 seconds, "Loaded" plays and the crowd pops as Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring.
Hardy would dominate the majority of the match other than Daivari getting a few strikes in and locking in a Camel Clutch on Hardy for about 30 seconds.
Hardy turned the match around by hitting "Whisper In The Wind" after Daivari whipped him into the corner. After that, Hardy hit a "Twist of Fate," and then a "Swanton Bomb" to pickup the win.
WINNER - Jeff Hardy by Pinfall [4:47]
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***MAIN EVENT*** MATCH 6: World's Greatest Tag Team [Benjamin & Haas] vs. London & Kendrick vs. Cade & Murdoch
Triple Threat Tag Team World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match (73%, 3*)
Back from the break and it is time for the RAW Main Event, the Triple Threat Tag Team Match to determine who will face Cryme Tyme for a future World Tag Team Title Match.
Shelton Benjamin and Brian Kendrick start the action and the rules are either guy can tag whoever they want out of the four men on the apron. Both men go back and forth with some chain wrestling before Benjamin, the two-time All-American, took control.
Benjamin hit a waistlock takedown before applying a front headlock to a grounded Kendrick. Kendrick would work his way up but Benjamin dropped him with a scoop slam and then tagged in Charlie Haas. Benjamin held Kendrick's arm up allowing Haas to stomp him in the midsection before exiting the ring.
Haas went right to a sleeper hold and held it until Kendrick got up and then dropped to the mat and hit a jawbreaker to release the hold. Kendrick went off the ropes and hit a leg lariat on Haas, but Trevor Murdoch tagged Kendrick when he went off the ropes.
Murdoch was now the legal man and after Referee Mike Chioda got Kendrick out of the ring, Murdoch worked over Haas and hit him with a backbreaker. Being near his corner, Murdoch tagged in Lance Cade and Cade set Haas in the corner.
Cade hit a couple of corner clotheslines before hitting a side slam. Cade got a quick near-fall, catching the others off guard, and Benjamin was only able to get halfway through the ropes before his partner thankfully kicked out.
Cade picked up Haas and attempted to hit a powerbomb, but Haas got out of position and dropped Cade with a picture-perfect dropkick. Haas tagged in Benjamin again, and the dropkick sent Cade over near London & Kendrick's corner allowing London to reach in and tag Cade on the back.
London charges in and ducks Benjamin's clothesline attempt and nails Benjamin with a flying crossbody. Cade comes in and breaks up the count, and now we have chaos as members from all three teams are entering the fray.
Kendrick came running in and hit a front dropkick on Cade to knock him out of the ring after the pin break-up. Haas came in but Kendrick used his momentum to throw him over the top rope.
Murdoch then grabbed Kendrick and tried suplexing him from the apron to the outside, but Kendrick reversed momentum and fell back in the ring. Kendrick hit a jumping kick to the head of Murdoch, knocking him off the apron.
With Cade, Murdoch, and Haas all in the same area on the outside, Kendrick asked for a tag and then London then went off the ropes and hit a somersault plancha to all three men on the outside. The crowd popped as London was hyped up.
But the celebration didn't last long as Benjamin blindsided Kendrick, who was watching his partner dive through the air. Kendrick was set up in the corner and Benjamin went to the opposite side, but when he charged to hit a Stinger Splash on Kendrick, London got in the ring and hit Benjamin with a dropkick to the face.
London urgently went out to the apron to grab the tag rope and tag himself back in off of Kendrick. Outside of the ring, the trio of Cade, Murdoch, and Haas were starting to stir.
With Benjamin in the middle of the ring, London hit a Running Shooting Star Press at the same time Kendrick recovered and went to the top to hit a diving moonsault to take out the outside trio again, who had just gotten back up.
London's move would get the three count and the victory in a highly entertaining match.
WINNERS - London & Kendrick by Pinfall [13:28]
London & Kendrick hug and then get their hand raised by Mike Chioda as the crowd cheers the duo on for their amazing effort. The show would then go to its final commercial break.
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ANGLE: Carlito's Cabana (80%)
The final segment on RAW started as Carlito's music hit and "Carlito's Cabana" was next with special guest, WWE Champion John Cena.
Carlito starts by hyping up the MSG crowd for the SummerSlam Main Event, as Cena will face Randy Orton. Carlito says he knows how good both men are and that it should be a killer match.
Without further ado, Carlito calls out John Cena and the champ comes out to a raucous ovation. Carlito starts off by asking Cena if he thinks he can beat this aggressive new version of Orton.
Cena says Carlito should know the answer to that and he reminds him that he beat him a couple of weeks ago on RAW, which gets Carlito a little annoyed.
Cena was about to talk some more but "Burn In My Light" hits and Randy Orton comes out. Carlito introduces Orton and then Orton enters the ring and he and Cena stand face-to-face.
Carlito plays peacemaker and gets both men to back off. Cena throws out a remark that he's surprised Orton didn't attack him from behind since that's all he knows how to do.
Orton laughs at Cena and tells him that he is so sick of hearing him run his mouth every week. He's sick of Cena claiming he's the best in the business when everyone truly knows Orton's the best.
Orton then says he hasn't forgotten what Cena called him a few weeks ago. Cena called him "demented" and said he was going to beat respect into him. Orton says he has a proposition.
Orton says since he is "demented" that maybe they should raise the stakes for their title match. Orton proposes a NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH!!!
After a slight hesitation as the crowd starts cheering, Cena yells "YOU'RE ON!" in Orton's face and the two are face-to-face again. Carlito tries to get in between the two again, but Cena gives him a little shove aside.
This slight distraction gives Orton the opening to get a cheap shot in and he's knocked Cena down. Carlito jumps in and helps Orton stomp away and the two are double-teaming Cena.
Orton is now stalking Cena and waiting for him to get up to hit an RKO, but Carlito jumps in front of Orton and wants to hit Cena with a Backstabber. Cena holds the ropes when Carlito attempts it and Carlito crashes to the mat.
Cena turns around and Orton goes for an RKO but Cena throws Orton off and Orton falls to the mat and rolls to the outside. Cena picks up Carlito and turns to look at Orton, who was getting back up on the apron. Orton watches as Cena says “This one's for you” and F-U's Carlito onto the hammock he has for his set. The hammock buckles from the force and Carlito goes through it like a table.
The closing shot of RAW has Orton retreating from the apron as “My Time Is Now” is blaring. Cena raises his WWE title to the MSG crowd and then towards Orton, who is seething while walking up the ramp.
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FINAL RAW Rating (79%, 2.82 million viewers)
(OOC: A little weaker show but I wanted to get every top guy on the card since it was at MSG! Hopefully the opener and main event match/segment made up for it!!!)
