Erik Anderson's Raw Recap for 10/08/2007

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MONDAY NIGHT RAW RECAP FOR OCTOBER 8TH, 2007
By: Erik Anderson


THE BIG NEWS:

Shawn Michaels returns to much surprise.



WHAT HAPPENED?

Vince McMahon came out to start the show like he does every week and praised Randy Orton for his title win at No Mercy. He gloated for Orton and really put him over good here. After some more babbling, Triple H made his way down to the ring as expected. He demands Orton tonight in a re match for the title. McMahon suspiciously obliges and lets him know that he will get Orton along with Umaga in a handicap match for later on. I would call this dull for an opening segment but it could have been a lot worse.

Beth Phoenix/Melina/Jillian Hall vs Candice Michelle/Mickie James/Maria

This match starts with a head scissors take down by Candice Michelle on Beth Phoenix. James gets tagged in and hits a low dropkick. Phoenix comes back with a high knee drop. Jillian Hall gets tagged in and does a stretch maneuver on Mickie. Melina is tagged in and goes for the cover and gets a two count. Candice comes back in and cleans house. She hits a suplex for the cover but it's broken up by Phoenix. Candice then hits a somersault roll up for the pin fall. Quick match but a job well done.

Hornswoogle is missing. Oh Joy.

Santino Mirella vs Val Venus

Before the match gets under way, Santino talks to Lillian with the microphone. After a few meaningless comments, he says that he has prior obligations that he needs to fill tonight and wont be able to wrestle. This is fine by me because Mirella is not a good wrestler. Snitsky comes out to face off against Venus. This was not what I had in mind. Snitsky targets the bum knee with some kicks and leg tosses. Snitsky hits a body slam but Venus comes back and gets some punches in. Snitsky hits the big boot, double under hook into a close line, and finally the pump handle slam for the victory. Quick mention, Snitsky is noticeably smaller in overall mass which can only be explained by the wellness policy.

Cena makes a very genuine video about how he will come back for his title via satellite.

Randy Orton/Umaga vs Triple H

Orton and Umaga both attack Triple H at the bell and take him down. After a few minutes, Triple H was able to get a DDT on Umaga. They all go to the outside where Triple H receives head butts and punches. Back in the ring there is more gang up tactics followed by a big flying head butt. Orton hits a dropkick as well. Triple H was able to get Umaga out of the way and try for the Pedigree on Orton but Umaga comes in with a chair shot for the DQ. Orton and Umaga beat Triple H senseless after the bell. Orton leaves and Umaga continues with various moves until Triple H is out cold. They showed Triple H get up and walk off on his own to plug the beatdown's significance and Triple H's will to survive. I could have done without this. I don't understand why one would waste 10 minutes of precious air time to show how tough Triple H is. It was just as bad as watching Vince McMahon beat champions 1, 2, 3 in the ring.

London/Kendrick vs The Highlanders

The match starts with punches. Rory and Robbie find their way to the outside only to get a double over the rope dive from London and Kendrick. The highlanders recover and pound London in with hammer punches and rest holds. London hits an arm drag and gets the tag to Kendrick which cleans house with sidekicks. London then hits a back flip off of the side apron. Somehow Rory gets a roll up with the foot on the ropes for the pin. This was a short match that didn't really do to much for me.

Coach can't find Hornswoogle. Yippee!

Lillian performs a concert. The members are a perfect mix as usual for studio bands. You have the punk rock guitar player with a Mohawk, the black bass player with dreadlocks, and a jock looking second guitar player. This is the way every single studio band looks. Santino comes out after the song and tells them to hit the road. He then sings a song about The Condemned which was funny I thought.

Mr. Kennedy vs Jeff Hardy

This was a wise booking choice for the main event. Kennedy comes out to a mixed reaction which is good. Hardy comes out to a decent pop but nothing like he is used to. Match starts out sloppy with Kennedy missing punches and running into others. Hardy hits a crotch leg drop and follows with a spear where they both fell through the ropes and to the outside apron. Hardy climbs to the top rope and flys to the floor missing Kennedy. Commercial. Kennedy has Hardy in a half Boston Crab. Hardy gets out and the crowd starts a TNA like chant for both competitors. Hardy climbs to the top again only to get drop kicked back down by Kennedy. He applies the Half Boston Crab again. He breaks it and chops Hardy's leg from behind. He goes for the cover for a two count. Hardy comes back with a Jawbreaker and close lines. Kennedy attempts a backslide for a two count. Side Russian Leg Sweep by Hardy for a two count. At this point both men go for their finishers and they both get countered by each other. Hardy hits a huge brain buster which if you remember, used to be Edge's finishing move along with Gangrel. Crowd goes nuts at this point as Hardy climbed to the top for the Swan Ton bomb. He misses it and Kennedy goes for the pin. Hardy reverses the pin for the tight victory. Good match with great crowd response. This should tell the WWE something. Mr. Kennedy has about three or four months to really make or break his career. He can really go either way at this point. The fans want him on top but his wrestling needs a lot of touching up. Kennedy has the charisma and Mic ability to be a real player in the WWE. Again, this can go either way.

Orton appreciation is set. McMahon called Orton to the ring to have him sit on a pedestal and speak to all of the superstars which were on the stage. He said that he is the only wrestler that deserves the title and that everyone else is Jealous of him. McMahon demanded Triple H to be out there but he wouldn't come. Orton was told to go back and hunt him down. As Orton walked up the ramp. Shawn Michaels music hit and the Heartbreak Kid came out. He walked Orton back the ring and attacked him. He later hit the super kick and knocked Orton Cold. Michaels celebrated to end the show.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This was a good show. I didn't have high expectations for it because it was coming off of a PPV but it truly delivered. Besides the normal meaningless side angles and skits, this show really meant something and hyped Cyber Sunday. The last angle was definitely saved by Michaels as it really didn't have anywhere else to go. Kennedy needs to have more matches like the one he had with Hardy tonight. It's going to be interesting to see how the WWE handles itself with the slum of injuries that they have to deal with.


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