WWE RAW (3.24) Results

Event: WWE RAW
Date: March 24, 2008 
 

WWE RAW Opener:

The show started with some very, very high-pitched screams for John Cena's music. Cena ran into the ring and the camera got a nice shot of the Mania banner hanging atop the building. Cena said after all the RKOs, Pedigrees, FUs, stare downs, epic battles, double-crossovers, and other assorted wrestletainment, Sunday, we dance. Cena emphatically said this Sunday is WrestleMania. He said after raging war with seventeen other men last week, he feels pretty good about walking into Orlando as the #1 Contender and leaving as the WWE champion. More boos than cheers here as he link that sink in.

Cena started to talk again, but Big Show's music interrupted. Show strolled out to the ring dressed for some competition. Show said it doesn't matter who wins Cena's match at Mania because all that matters is him ending Mayweather's boxing career. Fans booed that surprisingly. Show said him KO'ing Mayweather will replace Hogan bodyslamming Andre as the single-most replayed moment in Mania history. More boos for that.

JBL then interrupted and strolled to the ring. He was sporting a suit, so he's not in the mood for any in-ring action tonight. Ross called this a very eclectic trio of individuals to start the show. JBL said Show can eat Mayweather for all he cares because he will be making the history at Mania. He said he put that mutant Hornswoggle in the hospital while he was crying for daddy. JBL said he'll do something neither one of them can do because he will be delivering the greatest beating of all-time to Finlay because there are no rules. And no one will stop him.

Cena casually said he wasn't listening to anything JBL said because he was just thinking about beating JBL at WrestleMania 21. JBL shot him a cold stare, then Randy Orton's music interrupted. Orton strolled out to the ring with the WWE Title belt over his shoulder. Orton said some people think Show is KO'ing Mayweather. Some people think JBL is going to beat up Finlay. Some people think either Cena or Triple H is going to walk out as champion. But no one thinks that he is going to retain. "Which is the way I like it because I feed off of that," he said. Orton said that will mean he gets all the press for retaining the belt.

And now for Umaga interrupting. Do we get a promo from Regal's best bud? He paced around the ring and stared at Orton before ripping the mic away from him. Umaga stared at the mic and shouted, "Batista." He then cut a promo in his foreign tongue about Batista. Cena said he just so happens to be fluent in Samoan and said that's so true that Randy Orton listens to boy bands and watches shows about my two dads. Back to the writers writing gay jokes for Cena. Oh, I thought we advanced beyond that.

With that attempt of comedy out of the way, Triple H interrupted to settle everyone down. The coolest man in the room strolled around the ring before saying yes, this is the brand new Triple H t-shirt. "And you're right, it's awesome," he said. Hunter then did his big build-up to his main point that there's one reason to get out of bed and lay their bodies on the line: that WWE championship sitting on Orton's shoulder. Hunter said they would all change their spots in a heartbeat for a shot at that gold. He said there's a reason why they're holding Mania at the Citrus Bowl because if there were a roof for Hunter vs. Cena vs. Orton, they'd damn well blow it off. Hunter then got in Cena's face and said the king of kings goes back on his throne. There isn't a damn thing either one of them can do about it.

JBL interrupted and started yammering at Hunter. Cross talk. Cross talk. Regal interrupted to-restore some semblance of order. He booked a WrestleMania showcase for tonight with an eight-man No DQ match. Orton, Umaga, JBL, and Big Show against Cena, Hunter... and Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair. Oh my. And now everyone stare at each other menacingly.

Chris Jericho & CM Punk vs. Carlito & MVP

Chris Jericho came to the ring and Ross talked about Jericho having a confrontation with MVP on Smackdown this past Friday. C.M. Punk then came out as Jericho's partner. For the heel team, MVP took his sweet time coming to the ring ahead of Carlito.

Jericho, who is carrying himself like he's gained a little mass, started on the offensive against Carlito. Carlito tried to escape by tagging out to MVP, but Jericho intimidated MVP with his puffed-out chest.

[Commercial Break - they plugged the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night at 11:00 p.m. EST with a plug that The Rock will be on hand.]

Jericho continued to dominate out of the break, then he went for the Walls of Jericho on Carlito, but MVP ran into the ring and Jericho dropped him on the mat with the Walls. MVP broke it up, though, and smashed Jericho into the guardrail on the floor. Back in the ring, the heels took turns working on Jericho. Punk took the hot tag at 8:00 and measured MVP for a flying forearm, but MVP in time. The action broke down, then there was an off-spot where MVP ducked and Punk took an enziguiri kick from Jericho on accident. MVP then shoved Jericho away and pinned Punk for the win.

Winners: Carlito & MVP

Mr. Kennedy Promo:

Mr. Kennedy sat in front of a multi-colored backdrop to talk about WrestleMania history. He said Flair retires, Taker's undefeated streak ends, and most importantly, he walks into MITB and wins.

- Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler hyped the WrestleMania card, then they aired the Ric Flair tribute video that had been playing at live events. All the classic moments right there. Back live in the building, they showed Flair's family standing ringside clapping for Flair. They showed Ric Flair sitting backstage in his locker room looking very contemplative. Ross said Flair is about to blow a gasket when he confronts Shawn Michaels up next.

- They showed a "Rought Cut" style video on Big Show training for his match against Mayweather. His trainer said Show is prepared as a boxer and a wrestler. They showed Show watching some tape of Mayweather's fights. He complimented Mayweather on being very fast with his moves, but he's too small with his reach to attack him. Show, talking from inside his vehicle, said he thinks Mayweather is going to break down and cry. They showed the clip of Jericho getting KO'ed by Show's fist at the end of Raw last week.

Hardcore Holly vs. The Great Khali

Hardcore Holly, who is one-half of the tag champs in case you care about the tag straps, was in the ring by himself for a match. Great Khali then came out to face him.

Khali smacked Holly with an elbow strike, sending Holly careening to the mat. The fans booed, then Khali slapped on the Vice grip to the trapezius muscles. Holly managed to break free of the Vice (why?), but Khali finished him off with a two-hand chokebomb for the win.

Winner: The Great Khali

In the Arena:

Back from commercial and The Nature Boy Ric Flair makes his way to the ring to a huge pop from the Flair Country crowd.

Flair says he is glad to know that somewhere in the world, people respect Ric Flair. Flair says all week people have been congratulating him on beating Vince last week, but Flair says he doesn't know if he beat Vince because of Shawn Michaels. Flair says he is losing respect for Shawn Michaels and they are having a failure to communicate. Flair calls out the Showstopper.

HBK comes out and says he is sorry to hear Flair has lost respect for him and sorry to hear Flair thinks HBK has lost faith in him. HBK says he was just giving Flair backup last week. HBK starts putting Flair over until Naith tells him to shut up and takes his coat off. Flair says he doesn't need anybody, anymore to tell him who he is. He's feeling pretty good about himself and wants to show Michaels something. Flair pulls out the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from his bag and says he won it in 1981 and says this is what HBK grew up admiring. Flair brings up wrestling Harley Race, Sting, Bruiser Brody, The Briscos, Ricky Steamboat and others. Flair says this is 2008 and he picked Michaels to wrestle him at WrestleMania because he wants to prove on the grandest stage of them all that he can still be The Nature Boy, Ric Flair.

Flair says he wants HBK to bring out the best in him at WrestleMania to make it the rest of his life. He says he needs one more good night and asks Michaels if that is too much. HBK assures Flair of one thing - he's going to give him everything he needs, he's going to give him Shawn Michaels, the Icon, the Main Event and the Showstopper. Michaels tells him on Sunday, he is stepping into the ring with Mr. WrestleMania. Flair says he would expect nothing less from Michaels and tells him thank you. Flair hypes the crowd and HBK starts to walk away but stops. HBK says before I go, just so there's no doubt in Flair's mind, he wants to remind him of a little story. HBK tells about Ol' Yeller, and how they loved that old dog but when it was time, they took him out back and finished him. HBK says on Sunday he is going to take Flair outback and put him out of his misery. Flair takes off his coat again and starts kicking around and slaps Michaels. Flair gets on the mic and slaps HBK again. Flair gets hyped up and tells HBK to do it now. HBK drops the mic and walks off with Flair looking on. HBK has lost his smile and stops before entering the back, turns around and looks at Flair as we cut to a Floyd Mayweather promo.

- They showed clips of Big Show on Conan O'Brien last Friday. Show said the match came about real funny - they showed clips of Mayweather smashing Show in the face at No Way Out. Show said he can do whatever he wants to at WrestleMania because he's a lot bigger than Mayweather.

Maria vs. Melina

Maria makes her way to the ring first for tonight's Diva match. Melina comes out next with the WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix by her side.

Melina starts off by kicking Maria in the chest and charging her in the corner. Maria kicks her back and climbs the top. Beth Phoenix pushes Maria off the top and to the mat as Melina takes control. Ashley Massaro comes out and tries to explain to the referee what Phoenix did. Out comes Santino Marella.

As Marella gets involved, Jerry Lawler gets in the ring and hits him with a right hand. The Divas and Lawler attack Santino and the other Divas. Regal comes out and makes it a 6 person intergender tag match as we go to commercial.

Maria, Ashley Massaro & Jerry Lawler vs. Melina, Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella

They returned with Santino coming off the top rope, but Lawler blocked with a fist to the gut. Lawler then landed a dropkick as Ross got in a product placement for a Subway sandwich. Melina took a tag, but Lawler didn't have to tag out. Lawler measured Melina for a punch, but he opted to tag out to Ashley, who smacked Melina in the face. I don't get the outfit. Maria then took a tag and hit the Bronco Buster on Melina. Beth Phoenix took a tag and smashed Maria with a spinebuster in center ring. Santino took a tag and stalked Maria, but Maria smashed her with a slap to the face. Ashley landed a far-less-convincing slap. The divas took turns smacking Santino in the corner, then Santino fell to the outside and accepted right hand blows from Lawler. Suddenly, Beth and Melina chop blocked Maria from behind. Santino then rolled into the ring and found himself on top of Maria for the pin and the win.

Winners: Melina, Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella

Backstage:

John Cena was horsing around with Val Venis and Cody Rhodes, then Triple H walked over to him. Cena got serious, then Hunter said two years ago, Cena beat him at WrestleMania. Hunter said that's been eating at him for two years because he knows he was the better man. He said injuries happen, but the fact is that when he came back at the Royal Rumble, it was his shot and Cena was standing in his way. He even won the Elimination Chamber, but Cena is standing in his way again. Hunter threatened to mow him down if he gets in his way at Mania. Cena told him to try watching from the sidelines for six months while another guy carries around a belt that he never lost. Cena said the WWE Championship comes home on Sunday. Hunter mumbled something, smiled, and walked away.

- They showed clips of John Legend tuning up the piano ahead of his WrestleMania debut to sing "America the Beautiful". He said he's done his fair share of touring, but he knows Mania will be an experience like no other.

- Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler hyped the Hall of Fame, then Ross said the final inductee will be revealed tomorrow night on ECW. They hyped the big matches at WrestleMania. And now BunnyMania is Beth and Melina vs. Maria and...Ashley. No love for Mickie.

- They aired a video on the spectacle of WrestleMania, then transitioned into clips of Triple H and John Cena's respective journeys back to the Mania main event after suffering injuries. Oh yeah, and there's Randy Orton. Big hype for the Raw triple threat match for the WWE Title.

- Randy Orton came out first for the eight-man No DQ WrestleMania showcase match. They cut to break, but not before promoting a 24-man tag team match on ECW tomorrow night.

8-Man WrestleMania Showcase Match
Orton, Umaga, JBL & Big Show vs. Triple H, John Cena, Ric Flair & HBK

Back from commercial and The Big Show is the last man to come out for his team. Shawn Michaels is the first Superstar out for his team followed by Ric Flair, who comes out with a determined look on his face. Flair and Michaels exchange a few words then stare each other down as John Cena's music hits and out he comes.

Out last is Triple H, who does his usual entrance. It's going to be Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton starting the match out. Orton and HBK lock up and RKO ties him up in an arm lock. HBK reverses it and they go back and forth until Orton backs him into the corner.

HBK fights back with chops but ends up back down on the mat in another arm lock. Out of nowhere, Finlay's music hits and he appears with weapon in hand. JBL begins walking towards him and they start brawling in the entrance way. The rest of the WWE Superstars are watching on as they keep brawling and we go back to commercial.

Back from commercial and Orton is in control of HBK as Umaga gets tagged in. The Samoan Bulldozer comes in and continues to punish HBK with power moves and right hands. Umaga hits the running back splash on HBK in the turnbuckle and goes for the Samoan Spike until Batista's music hits. Umaga meets him at ringside and they too start brawling. Batista spears Umaga and they fight towards the back as well.

Back in the ring now and The Big Show is continuing the attack on Shawn Michaels. Show goes over and knocks John Cena and Triple H from the ring apron as Flair is in the ring hitting Show with punches and chops. Show catches Flair and drops him on his back as Randy Orton hypes up Show. Big Show keeps hitting Flair with big slaps and a big boot with Orton telling him to stay on it. Flair tries to fight back with chops but just gets backdropped onto his back again. Orton keeps running his mouth to Show as Cena and Triple H come in and start double teaming Big Show. They go for a double suplex on Show but he suplexes both of them at once.

Orton keeps yelling at Big Show to finish them until he pulls him in the ring. Big Show drops Randy Orton with a big chokeslam, and leaves the ring as Cena, Triple H and Randy Orton are down in the ring. Triple H grabs Orton for a Pedigree but gets hit by Cena. Cena goes for the STFU on Orton but Triple H hits him. Cena and Triple H go fighting towards the back as Flair tries to lock the Figure Four on Orton in the ring. Flair turns around and Shawn Michaels lays him out with a right hand. Michaels goes to lock Orton in the Sharpshooter and Flair hits him with a low blow. Flair finally locks the Figure Four leglock on Randy Orton and makes him tap out for the win.

Winners: Triple H, John Cena, Ric Flair & HBK

Lilian Garcia announces Ric Flair the winner as the Nature Boy celebrates in the ring and RAW goes off the air.