WWE 2007-08: War to WrestleMania XXIV [SD 3/28!]

WWE Monday Night RAW - Monday 31st December 2007 - Greensboro, NC

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RAW opens up this week with a video package from two weeks ago, where the Chairman of the WWE, Mr McMahon came out to the ring and announced that on New Year's Eve, he will be the one to kill the illustrious career of the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair in a no holds barred match. Other instances of RAW showed Randy Orton and Chris Jericho's back and forth rematch, just for John Bradshaw Layfield to intercept Y2J's chances of winning the WWE Championship. However in the end, it would be Jeff Hardy taking out Orton, including knocking him fifteen feet from the stage, then going twenty five feet up on the stage platform and nailing a massive Swanton Bomb. The opening video package to RAW starts as we cut to the Greensboro Coliseum where pyrotechnics go off, and Jim Ross and Jerry "King" Lawler introduce us to the final edition of RAW in 2007.

1) Shawn Michaels def. Mr Kennedy @ 8:37
In a rematch from Armageddon three weeks ago on pay-per-view, it was Mr Kennedy's final opportunity to try and win one over on the 'Heartbrea Kid', Shawn Michaels as Shawn started off with some high offense to get the crowd pumped, all the more irritating Kennedy. The battle resumed as HBK was locked in a dragon sleeper, unorthodox to WWE these days. Kennedy worked the neck before HBK fired back preparing the Sweet Chin Music, but Kennedy ducked it and tried the Mic Check: HBK rolled through and nailed Kennedy in the skull with Sweet Chin Music for the win!

Shawn Michaels celebrated his win as the crowd cheered, the 'Heartbreak Kid', Mr Kennedy rolling out of the ring in anger as HBK mocked him in the ring. What a way to end an amazing year for Shawn Michaels in 2007, whilst tragic for Kennedy.

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

In the backstage area we see Mr McMahon in William Regal's office, talking about how he wants the RAW General Manager to enforce strict security ensuring no interference in tonight's match with Ric Flair, whatsoever. Regal tells McMahon that this could cost a lot, and he's not sure if they can fund it. McMahon looked at him fiercely, reminding Regal that the Chairman was a billionaire. With that, there was a bang on the door, and in came Umaga. The crowd booed as Regal told Umaga that tonight he will have the honor of having one of the first Royal Rumble qualifying matches tonight with a randomised opponent. Umaga nodded his head, as McMahon smirked, asking the 'Samoan Bulldozer' if he fancied doing McMahon a favor...

In the backstage area we see Triple H watching RAW as Todd Grisham asks the 'Cerebral Assassin' for his thoughts of tonight's no holds barred match with the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair, his idol and best friend; and the Chairman of the company and father-in-law, Vince McMahon. Hunter told Grisham that he's got bigger concerns with Jeff Hardy. He tells Grisham that if Hardy gets trouble with Randy Orton and his cheap-ass tactics, he will be there for the 'Rainbow-haired Warrior', but if Hardy wins the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble...he will be hunting Jeff like an animal.

2) Paul London and Brian Kendrick def. Rory McAllister and Robbie McAllister in a Royal Rumble Qualifying match @ 2:01
This was a rematch from RAW two weeks ago, as Paul London and Brian Kendrick; the former World Tag Team Champions competed with the Highlanders and Robbie and Rory of the Highlanders seemed very motivated to get this win, after being out of loop in the past few months. Rory worked on the sleeper hold on Kendrick, trying to ground him, but it didn't last long as London got the hot tag and he came in with plenty of high flying moves. Moments later, the 450 splash by London on Robbie finished it.

Paul London and Brian Kendrick celebrated their win as the crowd cheered, the first two participants in the Royal Rumble match revealed tonight as the combination seemed quite satisfied. Rory looked unsatisfied with the loss as Robbie recovered.

A replay of the WWE superstars' visit to Iraq this past month was shown, showing highlights from Tribute to the Troops as well as many moments with the RAW superstars and the US soldiers all playing to the sound of Daughtry's 'Feels Like Tonight'.

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

We return to RAW as Santino Marella stood in the ring, the crowd booing as he had Maria on his arm as per usual, the fiery Italian beginning to talk about how recently his girlfriend, Maria has been mistreated by many superstars and Marella is refusing to stand for it anymore! Marella reveals that Stone Cold Steve Austin, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, all of the big dogs on RAW have mistreated them and he is a potential futue WWE Champion, they all just need to wait and see! The theme of Carlito then hit as the crowd booed but looked confused, as Carlito wandered out, Marella wondering why the Caribbean joker was coming out here. Carlito told Marella that he agreed with him, if anything. Marella looked happy as Carlito told Marella that the two are on a brand where they are unappreciated by many, and he doesn't want to stand for it earlier. Santino asks Carlito if he wants to be best friend forever, as Carlito comedically told Marella to cool it first. Carlito offered his hand but Marella hugged him in joy! Maria facepalmed, looking out of place.

John Bradshaw Layfield was shown arriving at the Coliseum, as the newly signed RAW superstar didn't look too happy.

An advertisement aired, promoting the next WWE pay-per-view, the Royal Rumble; live on Sunday 27th January 2008 from New York City.

In the backstage area, we saw Todd Grisham standing by as the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair strutted across the screen, Flair looking as enthusiastic as though tonight was a World Championship match with Harley Race; Flair all riled up for the encounter with the Chairman, Vince McMahon. He reminded us of how they were partners once upon a time, but how those times turned to dust because of McMahon's ignorance! He tells Vince that he thinks he's going to receive the weak side of Naitch that they've seen for a long long time. But not today, not tomorrow, and not a week or month or year from tomorrow! Flair firmly says he is definitely sure he does NOT want to retire anytime soon. He woos before walsing off to prepare for tonight some more.

The ECW World Champion, CM Punk was shown walking down a corridor in the backstage area, and the tri-brand battle of the World Champions between Punk, Edge and Randy Orton is next!

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

3) CM Punk def. Randy Orton and Edge in a Champion of Champions triple threat match @ 12:19
This match was specially set up two weeks ago on RAW by the Chairman of the company, Mr McMahon as he announced that the winner of this match would not be pressured to defend their brand's World Championship at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, and this was just an unpredictable turn of events. CM Punk seemed to click with the much more massive and popular Edge and Randy Orton as the former Rated RKO surprisingly went after each other. This was a real triple threat match, as Edge was the sneaky and methodical one tonight. Orton and Edge both did go for the ECW World Champion (whom tomorrow night will face Big Daddy V in Extreme Rules for the belt), as Orton also tried the RKO on the 'Rated R Superstar' just for Edge to slip out and Spear Orton out of the ring. At this time, CM Punk would deliver a sudden GTS to the World Heavyweight Champion, and Jeff Hardy ran down to ringside, trading blows with the WWE Champion and Punk stole the win!

CM Punk celebrated his win as the ECW World Champion had shocked everybody tonight by overcoming the odds and defeating both the World Heavyweight and WWE Champions. Edge rolled out of the ring in absolute shock whilst Randy Orton was left looking upset on the rampway; Jeff Hardy on the top of the ramp smiling!

In the backstage area we see Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly talking about how they need to try and find some new opposition. Coincidentally at that moment, the World Tag Team Champions were faced by Carlito and Santino Marella as the crowd were amused, Santino standing dramatically and issuing a challenge to the champs! Cody laughed, Holly accepting with a slightly angered look on his face.

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

We return to RAW as Jeff Hardy was suddenly shown being slammed into the wall, as the camera panned out and the WWE Champion, Randy Orton was shown frowning, angrily stomping away at the WWE Intercontinental Champion as the WWE Champion shoved him into a vending machine. At that time, the 'Cerebral Assassin' himself, Triple H wandered out with a sledgehammer in hand, warning the WWE Champion to stand down. Orton smirked as Hunter turned to attend to the 'Rainbow-haired Warrior' when Orton suddenly kicked Triple H in the spine! Orton scooted along the hallway with an evil smirk.

4) Umaga def. Matty Sydal in a Royal Rumble Qualifying match @ 3:25
The 'Samoan Bulldozer' was surprised with the issuing of this newcomer to the company, named Matty Sydal, a talented small wrestler with the look of a new Paul London. Sydal showed a punkish appearance as he went into this looking concerned, and with that he should have been: Umaga really tore into the much smaller Sydal, thrashing him with heavy-handed lefts and rights, storming at him with powered moves, but Matty showed heart, a few kicks and springing from the ropes with a tornado DDT; getting the 'Samoan Bulldozer' by surprise. Umaga soon flattened him with the Samoan Spike, but Sydal was covered, and Sydal kicked out! The youngster was then put away with a big splash for three.

The crowd booed Umaga as he predictably had qualified for the Royal Rumble match. But the fact is that William Regal had handed out this match to the 'Samoan Bulldozer' with Umaga thinking it would be a walk in the park, and that it was, but this youngster, Matty Sydal had proved a lot to the world, the fact he had kicked out of the unavoidable Samoan Spike and put up a fight.

William Regal was shown watching RAW in the backstage area, and the RAW General Manager seemed impressed with the tenacity shown by Matty Sydal moments ago with Umaga. Regal showed motivation to sign him as Regal was interrupted by Vince McMahon again, now in ring attire as Vince told us he was ready for battle and to put the knife in the heart of the 'Nature Boy'. Regal smirked, asking the Chairman that if Ric did win tonight, how about if next week, Jeff Hardy face him...McMahon declined, calmly saying that tonight is the night. McMahon tells Regal to make Jeff defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship instead. Regal laughed, as McMahon told Regal another idea; how to make RAW much more interesting. McMahon illustrated a brand called 'RAW Roulette' to the crowd's approval. Regal told Vince that that was a good idea, and so next week, Jeff will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Mr Kennedy, Vince grinning, Regal then announcing that Chris Jericho will face Umaga next week. Vince is happy, then rubbing his hands together and leaving.

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

5) Beth Phoenix and Charlie Haas def. Mickie James and DH Smith @ 4:43
The 'Glamazon' teamed with this mysterious masked superstar in a singlet by the name of 'Haas', but DH Smith quickly unmasked this 'Mexican' goofball to reveal it was indeed Charlie Haas beneath the mask. Mixed tag team action, as Beth Phoenix and Mickie James went at it, obviously some unfinished business between these two over the WWE Womens Championship. Smith manhandled Haas at every attempt, Phoenix and Mickie brawling out of the ring before Haas suddenly came out of nowhere with a brass knuckles shot from his singlet, into the skull of Smith, and that was it.

Charlie Haas celebrated his win as he put his mask back on to the crowd's disapproval. DH Smith remained out of it, and Beth Phoenix made a getaway up the rampway with her WWE Womens Championship.

We see Chris Jericho in the backstage area as he was talking to Pat Patterson about this recurring situation with John Bradshaw Layfield, and at that moment, Y2J was nailed in the spine with a steel chair, from JBL! Layfield smirked as he told Patterson to shut up. Patterson then attending to Y2J whilst Layfield dropped the chair and walked away.

We see Mr McMahon with Umaga in the backstage area, requesting he let no member of the RAW, the SmackDown! or the ECW roster enter the arena and get past him. Umaga nods his head, as McMahon headed for the ring, the 'Samoan Bulldozer' enforcing security, McMahon faces Flair in no holds barred next!

| COMMERCIAL BREAK |

6) Ric Flair def. Vince McMahon in a no holds barred match @ 12:30
The 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair was battling for his career tonight on RAW as the Chairman of the company was as cheap as ever wearing a black sweater, in which he pulled a baseball bat from, beating Flair repeatedly with it and covering countless times for near falls. Flair was cut open by it, but he kept going, sending McMahon from the apron into the announce table and then slamming the bat into the knee of McMahon; Flair obviously preparing a Figure-Four Leglock. However as Flair bodyslammed Vince, John Bradshaw Layfield came through the crowd, a Clothesline From Hell connecting! JBL frowned as the crowd booed, not sure why he was out here. Suddenly Chris Jericho ran to the ring and dropkicked Layfield out of the ring. Umaga followed, angry at Y2J as Flair nailed him with the bat, McMahon with a sneakup rollup just for Flair to kick out and a big chairshot to McMahon gave Naitch the win!

Ric Flair celebrated his win in this violent no holds barred battle to retain his career. Mr McMahon was laid out, blood trickling from his head whilst Chris Jericho and John Bradshaw Layfield had disappeared, brawling through the crowd. Umaga looked angry, attending to the Chairman before grabbing Flair by the neck! The theme of Triple H hit as 'The Game' ran for the ring, sledgehammer in hand and he cleared house! Flair and Triple H celebrated together as RAW in 2007 drew to a close.[/center]

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