WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Manchester, N.H.

[Q1] The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed us to the final Raw of 2008. They plugged the fatal fourway tonight to determine John Cena's challenger at the Royal Rumble...

Rey Mysterio was already in the ring. He showed the footage of Shawn Michaels costing him his match against JBL last week. He said he respected Michaels but had a problem with him. He called him and out and Michaels obliged.

Mysterio called Michaels a great person. He was not asking for Michaels' spot in the fourway; he was asking for a one on one match for the spot. Michaels replied, "I accept." They shook hands and Mysterio thanked Michaels.

JBL appeared on the stage. He informed Mysterio that Michaels' answer was no. He said he appreciated Mysterio's offer, but every decision regarding Michaels went through him. He asked Michaels to leave the ring.

Rey tried to reason with Michaels as Michaels retreated up the ramp. Mike Knox attacked Mysterio from behind and absolutely manhandled him. As Knox attempted to pick up Mysterio's limp body, John Cena made the save and closelined Knox to the floor. Cena and Knox eyeballed each other as Knox left through the crowd... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Whoa now; let's not rush a Knox vs. Cena program. Now, if they like Knox in six months, they can play off of this incident for their feud. The original segment was very solid and progresses the storyline well. By the way, it is great to be back; I felt like I haven't written anything in forever.

Randy Orton, Sim Snuka, Cody Rhodes, and Manu stood backstage. Orton said Legacy could be bigger than the Horsemen, DX, and Evolution. He said each member had a singles match tonight. If they win, they pass phase one; if they lose, they are out...

[Q2] 1. Cody Rhodes defeated CM Punk by countout in 4:06. William Regal and Layla came out to scout Punk. Cole announced Regal vs. Punk for the Intercontinental Championship next week on Raw. Rhodes went for aggressive covers knowing he needed the victory. He locked in a full nelson at the two and a half minute mark.

Punk hit a high crossbody but Rhodes rolled through for a two count. With Rhodes on the floor, Punk hit a suicide dive and his head hit the announce table. With the referee counting, Rhodes slipped back into the ring as Punk was distracted by Regal, allowing Rhodes to win the match. Afterward, Punk attacked Rhodes, but Regal hit the running knee to the head...

Twill's Two Cents: I wonder if Gorilla Monsoon would have been upset at Punk for attacking Rhodes after the bell. Anyway, I liked the focus placed on the IC title feud while progressing Rhodes' involvement in Legacy.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon told John Cena he would be on commentary during the main event tonight. Cena mocked the gig and then did a very good and humorous imitation of Harry Caray. He challenged Stephanie to book a match tonight with Knox, Mysterio, and himself involved. Steph contemplated the idea... [C]

Backstage, Goldust cut a Christmas poem about what he got for everyone. He even included Cody Rhodes and said he gave his bike to "dad." He finished by calling out Santino Marella...

[Q3] Footage aired of Randy Orton's punt kick on Batista. The announcers said he had surgery on his jaw and went ahead and had surgery on his hamstring (the actual injury) as well. Relatively graphic footage aired of the surgery. Batista said Randy Orton was his first priority upon his return...

Kelly Kelly, Melina, and Mickie James made their ring entrances for the battle royal... [C]

2. Melina won a battle royal that included Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Katie Lea, Candice Michelle, and Jillian Hall to earn a title shot at the Royal Rumble vs. Beth Phoenix in 2:49. King said he hoped Batista was watching. One has to wonder who he hasn't had sex with in this match. Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix joined the announce booth.

Candice was eliminated right away. Jillian then eliminated Kelly. While Melina tried to eliminated Katie and Jillian, Mickie pushed them over. Mickie and Melina were the final two and acted like old pals. Melina backdropped Mickie to the apron. As Mickie tried to get back into the ring, Melina kicked her to the floor...

After the match, Melina looked apologetic toward Mickie when Beth attacked her. Rosa Mendez, the Beth superfan, jumped the aisle and was "removed from the building." Santino and Beth wondered what was going on...

Twill's Two Cents: Predictable finish and this should be a nice match at the Rumble.

[Q4] Todd Grisham interviewed Chris Jericho backstage. Jericho said he was named "Jerk of the Year" by WWE Magazine. He said everything he has said all year was correct. He said he would win the fatal fourway tonight and if we wanted to see the Jerk of the Year, we should look in a mirror... [C]

3. Sim Snuka defeated "Super Haas" Charlie Snuka in 4:07. Charlie wore Snuka's gear and a wig. They should give Sim some new gear. After Charlie's top rope splash was met with Sim's knees, Sim hit a jumping back heel kick for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Does anyone think Manu may not win his match? By the way, this match went about three minutes too long.

John Cena and Rey Mysterio made their way through the backstage area and King announced a big ten man tag team match... [C]

[Q5] 4. John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, and Cryme Tyme defeated Kane, John Morrison, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, and Mike Knox in 11:23. The pace really picked up when Kofi and Morrison tagged in early. All ten men jumped into the ring and the referee tried to regain control... [C]

Back from commercial, Mysterio was caught in a powerbomb position by Miz. Kane punched Mysterio and Miz powerbombed him in one motion. Knox tagged in and looked impressive working over Mysterio. Ziggler tagged in and continued the beatdown of Mysterio.

[Q6] Morrison tried a back suplex from the top on Mysterio, but Mysterio hit a reverse hurricarana. Morrison almost did not turn completely. That was sick and could have been dangerous. Cena tagged in and went after Knox. Kane almost chokeslammed Cena but Kofi made the save.

Cena and Kofi hit the five knuckle shuffle and boom boom boom simultaneously on Ziggler and Knox. Cena then hit the FU on Knox and tagged in Rey. Rey hit the top rope splash for the win...

Twill's Two Cents:Well, that is not exactly how to build up a monster heel, but I imagine Knox will go over Mysterio sooner rather than later.

Backstage, Todd Grisham asked Shawn Michaels about winning the Royal Rumble and his relationship with JBL. Michaels said he was Mr. Wrestlemania and his only concern was stealing the show...

The main event was plugged... [C]

Backstage, Kelly Kelly said to somebody that she protected him from Kane and that she thought their one night together was special. The mystery man was revealed to be Randy Orton. Orton said he used Kelly, she was pathetic, and she was only a distraction as he tried to regain the World Heavyweight Championship...

Twill's Two Cents: Well, that pretty much made Kelly out to be a naïve slut.

5. Matt Hardy defeated Manu in a non-title match in 7:47.Hardy scored several nearfalls until Manu incorrectly applied the Million Dollar Dream. Manu then scored more than one nearfall. Hardy came back and hit a Side Effect for a two count.

[Q7] The ebb and flow of the match went back and forth although it was relatively slowly paced. Manu showed some surprisingly athleticism by hitting a dropkick. Hardy countered a move by hitting the Twist of Fate for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Decent match that was a step too slow in my opinion. By the way, Hardy is a busy man on TV this week with Henry tomorrow and the big tag match on Friday.

After the match, Hardy celebrated and Manu reacted in dejected fashion. There was no immediate followup to Manu losing the match...

King plugged the main event... [C]

Lillian Garcia stood in the middle of the ring and explained the ramifications of the upcoming match. Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and JBL made their ring entrances...

[Q8] 6. JBL defeated Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and Randy Orton in an elimination match to determine John Cena's opponent at the Royal Rumble in 24:50. Two men will be in the ring at one time and the other two will come in when they are tagged. If someone is eliminated, they are out of the match and the match continues until there is a winner. Michaels wrestled Jericho to the floor and the show went to commercial... [C]

Jericho and Orton were the two in the match coming back from commercial. Jericho attempted to lock in the Walls, but Orton powered out. Orton got the best of Jericho and tagged in Michaels. Jericho tried a superplex, but Michaels headbutt him to the mat and hit the big elbow.

He went for Sweet Chin Music but JBL tagged himself in and went for the Closeline from Hell. Jericho countered and hit the Codebreaker. Michaels broke up the pinfall attempt. Jericho had JBL in the Walls, but Michaels had blind tagged himself in already. He hit Sweet Chin Music on Jericho as he had the Walls locked in and pinned him... [C]

JBL tried to finish off Orton coming back from commercial. One has to wonder why JBL even wants to be in the ring at all. He could have Michaels wrestle for him and then lay down. The crowd chanted "RKO" as they finally figured out who to cheer for when two heels were in the ring.

[Overrun] JBL enjoyed a drawn out offensive advantage until Orton made his comeback, much to the delight of the live crowd. Orton set up JBL for a punt but JBL was able to tag Michaels. Orton dominated Michaels. He tried the RKO but Michaels pushed him off and Orton fell to the mat.

Michaels came back and hit all of his signature spots, including the top rope elbow. He then hit Sweet Chin Music on Orton for the surprisingly clean elimination of Orton. JBL entered the ring and the two looked at each other. JBL pointed at the ground. Michaels contemplated for awhile and went to a knee. He stood up.

They had a discussion and Michaels actually laid down this time. However, he quickly jumped back up as the overrun approaches more than ten minutes. Michaels stood up and allowed JBL to hit a closeline for the win. JBL went to the stage and looked back at Michaels, who sat with his head down...

Twill's Two Cents: That was predictable and pretty tells us that the World Heavyweight Championship match at the Rumble will be a throwaway match.

What did you think of the show? Let me know by sending me an email. I can be reached at dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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