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WWE Raw Live Report
December 3 in North Charleston, S.C.

The show opened with a full-blown recap of last week's Raw with Jericho helping Flair beat Orton to keep his career alive.

Live in the arena, Jericho's music hit and Jericho walked out to start the show. Jericho looked tanner and bigger. He said he had get his title match against Randy Orton by upsetting him beyond belief. Jericho talked about a tingling in his pants, which was his phone vibrating with a WWE Mobile message informing him that Orton granted the title shot to Jericho after Raw last night. Orton's music then hit and he walked out dressed to wrestle. He said it's not about fun and games with him. He said Jericho hasn't beaten anyone in two years, while he's beaten Cena, Michaels, and Hunter. Jericho cut him off and said he used to brag about beating The Rock and Steve Austin on one night, but that doesn't mean anything on December 3. Jericho said he's been gone for two years, but he's been watching Orton. He said Orton is a devious, cunning, vicious sob, but so he is. Jericho, in a low tone, said he's going to beat Orton for the title and there's nothing funny about that. Orton slowly moved the mic to his mouth and said he doesn't like Jericho one bit. He said if he wanted to, he would wipe that smirk off Jericho's face without even breaking a sweat. Jericho told him to bring it, then he dropped his mic and unbuttoned his Chippendale's vest.

William Regal's music interrupted and he told them to cool off. He didn't want them fighting tonight, so he let the wrestlers pick each other's opponents tonight. Orton booked Jericho against Umaga. Jericho then thought it over and said he's booking Orton in a match against someone who has super kicked Orton's head off over and over. He booked Shawn Michaels to a loud reaction. Orton did his face of frustration, then they circled each other in the ring. Nice opening segment, especially having the wrestlers book matches in a logical and creative way that doesn't circumvent the authority figure.

Maria and Mickie James walked backstage together on the way to the ring. Some strange outfits.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler broke down the big match line-up tonight. They definitely need an all-star line-up tonight against a compelling MNF game on ESPN.

The divas did ring intros for a tag match. There's a difference between sexy and smutty. WWE used to walk on the wrong side of that line, but now it's TNA walking that line with WWE walking more on the sexy side. TNA has the better Women's Title feud going, though.

1 -- MARIA & MICKIE JAMES vs. MELINA & Women's champion BETH PHOENIX

Beth wanted a piece of the #1 Contender, Mickie, and she took a tag to get in Beth's face. Beth shoved her down, then Mickie came back with hard kicks. A nice exchange led to Beth shoving Mickie off the top rope to the mat. Beth then nailed a powerslam and she stared down at Mickie. Beth then nailed the elevated fisherman suplex for the easy pin on Mickie.

WINNER: Beth in 2:00. Well, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense unless Mickie makes a very strong comeback next week before the PPV. (n/a)

Backstage, Todd Grisham welcomed Shawn Michaels to the interview set. Michaels was sporting a baseball cap instead of a cowboy hat. He cut off Grisham, rather politely, and said it's like old times with Randy Orton. He said the belt isn't on the line, but Sweet Chin Music is legal. Suddenly, Mr. Kennedy showed up on the video screen over Grisham's shoulders. Kennedy said Michaels needs to be thinking about their match at the PPV. He said that coming up next is a blast from the past that might just break Michaels's heart.

[Commercial Break]

Mr. Kennedy came to the ring dressed to wrestle and ready to run the gauntlet. He took a mic and said Michaels needs to watch this. Kennedy said he's invited three of Michaels's closest rivals to show up and have a discussion. He wanted to know more about Michaels, the competitor, and Michaels, the man.

[Q3]

Kennedy first brought out Marty Jannetty. Never mind, it's a fake Jannetty. Kennedy told him to go stand in the corner. He then called out Razor Ramon. Some goof came out with a ton of fake chest hair. He did the pose and the classic Razor fireworks went off on the apron. Fake Razor did the "Hey Yo" saying. Kennedy paused and said, "Thanks for coming, by the way." Oh wow. Small pop from the crowd. Apparently no one in North Charleston watched the PPV last night. Kennedy then invited Big Daddy Cool to come out. Fake Diesel showed up and walked out. Time for another Ross heel turn? Fake Diesel eventually entered the ring and Kennedy told them to cut his music. Kennedy said this panel is great, but it's incomplete without the man himself. He then asked for Shawn Michaels, but a fake Michaels showed up with a firework in hand. Fake Michaels posed on the stage and did a dance better than Shane McMahon's silly dance to the ring. Now all we need is Triple H and his big nose, then Sean Waltman with his poses.

Kennedy went down the line for opinions on Michaels. Fake Diesel said egotistical. Fake Razor said chump. Jannetty called him a traitor. Fake Michaels was shocked. Kennedy then brought him in close and said he can think of one word on his own that best described him. He called him a loser. Kennedy told him to choose another profession. Michaels's music hit again, and the real Michaels came out this time. Michaels gave everyone a round of Sweet Chin Music, then Kennedy ducked out of the ring. He then sized up his fake alter-ego, and the fake dropped to the mat and rolled out. Michaels stared down at Kennedy from inside the ring as Kennedy backed up the entrance ramp. Blah segment. No heat.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, Vince McMahon was on the phone while Coach stood by. McMahon said headlining next week on Raw will be Hulk Hogan. Coach said Trish Stratus is on the show next week. McMahon said Mick Foley. Coach said Eric Bischoff. He then came back with Steve Austin. McMahon suddenly looked down to see Hornswoggle standing at his feet. Coach pulled up a chair, then left. McMahon talked to Hornswoggle about next week's first-ever McMahon family portrait. He didn't mention Linda by name. McMahon brought Coach back in and talked to Hornswoggle about his handicap match tonight. It's Horny vs. Coach & Carlito in a No DQ match. McMahon told Hornswoggle to be resourceful. He and Coach left, then Hornswoggle grabbed McMahon's phone and started dialing numbers with a grin on his face. Well, we can see where this is going.

[Q4]

Ringside, Ross and Lawler talked about some curious decisions being made on Raw lately. They talked about Hardy and Hunter working well together, then being put against each other at the PPV. Backstage, Triple H grabbed an official Hunter t-shirt and held it up. Regal then walked in and Hunter asked what the deal is with the match. Regal said both him and Hardy were sole survivors at Survivor Series, they're both championship material, and the winner gets a WWE Title match at Royal Rumble. Hunter liked that one. Regal said McMahon told him about Hunter's tendency to dominate and beat up people he despises, but Hunter might actually respect Hardy. Hunter said that's true, but he would Pedigree his own mother, grandmother, or father-in-law to get the WWE Title. Regal looked down at the floor with a satisfied look, then did a double-take after realizing what Hunter just said about his father-in-law. Nice use of Regal there as more than a bumbling authority figure.

[Commercial Break]

Umaga, then Chris Jericho made their ring entrances for the top-of-the-second hour main event.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5]

2 -- UMAGA vs. CHRIS JERICHO

They joined the action in progress with Jericho working on Umaga's shoulders on the mat. Umaga then dumped Jericho hard to the floor and Jericho remained motionless on the floor. Back in the ring, Umaga returned the favor with a shoulder squeeze on the mat. C'mon, let's pick up the tempo. Umaga got the crowd involved when he measured Jericho for the running rear end splash, but Jericho moved and nailed a springboard dive onto Umaga. Jericho then nailed a Lionsault, but he took too long to make a cover and Umaga kicked out. Jericho avoided a corner splash, then he hit the Code breaker. The fans popped for something outside of the ring, then Randy Orton snuck into the ring and jumped Jericho. The ref called for the bell, then Orton waited for Jericho to get up and he dropped Jericho with the RKO. Orton stalked Jericho, then left the ring.

WINNER: Jericho via DQ in 6:00. Decent action at times, but overall, a less-than-exciting match for Jericho in Week 3. I hate to say it, but the audience isn't into Jericho at a main-event level right now. (3/4*)

[Commercial Break]

They showed a graphic for who's going to be on Raw next week. They had a graphic of Eddie Guerrero on there. Um, I don't know what that's all about, but I'm afraid to ask. I guess they're booking a six-man tag with the ghost of Eddie Guerrero, the spotlight known as God, and Shawn Michaels against fake deceased '80s wrestlers. Well, actually, that would be a 3-on-50 match. Kind of unfair.

Carlito and Coach walked out for the match against Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle then walked out and told Lillian Garcia to announce something. Lillian said that Hornswoggle has hired protection tonight. The APA music hit, then JBL and Simmons walked out dressed for a bar fight. No blonde hair for JBL tonight.

3 -- HORNSWOGGLE vs. COACH & CARLITO -- No DQ match

JBL came in and straight beat up Coach. Simmons manhandled Coach, then Hornswoggle stepped on Coach's crotch and went to his corner. JBL then waited for Coach to get up and he dropped him with the Clothesline from Hell. APA dragged Coach to the corner, then Hornswoggle landed the tadpole splash for the win.

WINNER: Hornswoggle in 2:00. Well, it's quite obvious McMahon is just setting up Coach and Carlito for embarrassing moments and letting Hornswoggle find an easy path out of the stacked deck. Just the same ole thing. (n/a)

[Q6]

Hornswoggle left, then JBL took a mic and said if you have the money, you can hire the APA. JBL plugged his TV show while Simmons looked for some mic time. JBL ran down Ross and Lawler, then plugged his Smackdown broadcast time. It's 7:00 o'clock Texas and OU time, he said. Simmons finally took the mic from JBL and shouted "Damn" in his face.

Grisham stood backstage with Snitsky for a promo. He plugged Hardy's IC Title defense against Snitsky up next, then Snitsky said Hardy has something he wants. Snitsky said he's going to inflict more pain on Hardy than he's felt his entire life. It pleases Snitsky to inflict pain.

Thursday night on ECW, Punk gets to decide who he gets beat up by. OK, I'm starting to get nervous. No Flair or Santino so far tonight. Something ain't right.

[Commercial Break]

Jeff Hardy walked out for his title defense.

4 -- IC champion JEFF HARDY vs. SNITSKY -- Intercontinental Title match

Lawler with possibly his best line ever, on Snitsky: "I don't know how to describe how he looks, so I'll just throw up." Snitsky dominated, then Hardy came back with the Whisper in the Wind at 3:00. He went for the Twist of Fate, but Snitsky shoved away. Snitsky then caught his leg in the corner and crashed to the mat. Hardy then hit a top rope Swanton Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 4:00 to retain the IC Title. Well, that was short. Crowd wasn't into the action until the finish. There's just nothing to get excited about with Snitsky's character, even with Hardy in the ring. (1/2*)

After the match, Snitsky jumped Hardy and kicked him to the mat. Snitsky then grabbed a steel chair from ringside and approached Hardy, but Triple H walked out with a sledgehammer in hand. Snitsky bailed from the ring, then Hunter kicked the chair away. In a previous era, Hunter smashed Hardy, but Hunter clutched the sledgehammer as Hardy slowly reached his feet. The crowd could anticipate something and the announcers acknowledged the tension, but Hunter extended his hand and helped Hardy to his feet. Hunter then pulled Hardy in close and talked to him while Hardy listened. Ross said Hunter told Hardy the next time they meet, it won't be under friendly circumstances. Hunter left the ring while Hardy stood his ground in the ring.

[Q7]

[Commercial Break]

The Smackdown Rebound aired, focusing on Batista vs. Edge for the World Title with Undertaker interrupting. Teddy Long then showed up and booked Batista vs. Taker vs. Edge at Armageddon for the World Title. Ross and Lawler broke down the PPV card in 13 days.

Back in McMahon's office, Jillian Hall sang some Christmas carols to McMahon, who told her to cut it. William Regal walked in and told McMahon that Stephanie is on the way to the show. McMahon told Regal to let him know the moment she shows up.

They cut to Shawn Michaels putting on a cowboy hat in his locker room before leaving for the main event against Orton. No Flair mention at all, and no live appearance from Santino so far. I'm saddened.

[Commercial Break]

They aired the big Raw graphic with Eddie and Yoko to promote next week's show again. Apparently, it's McMahon announcing the greatest Raw superstar of all-time. That makes more sense.

[Q8]

Shawn Michaels walked out for the main event. Randy Orton then slowly walked out.

5 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. SHAWN MICHAELS -- non-title match

The bell sounded and Michaels went for Sweet Chin Music right out of the gate, but Orton ducked out of the ring. Back in the ring, Orton knocked down Michaels with right hand blows. Michaels came back with a chinlock, then he slapped on an anklelock, but Orton kicked out. Orton went back for the RKO, but Michaels blocked and slapped on the anklelock a second time. Orton eventually grabbed the rope, then slipped to the floor and grabbed his ankle to sell the effects.

[Commercial Break]

On the floor, Michaels went for the Sweet Chin Music on Orton, but Orton moved and the timekeeper ate boot square in the mouth. Michaels showed concern on his face, then he checked on him. Michaels tried to re-enter the ring, but Orton caught him with the spike DDT off the apron. Orton looked around the ringside area and thought about the timekeeper possibly being him. He then went into stomp mode on Michaels. Orton slapped on a chinlock, then Michaels fought to his feet and landed the flying forearm smash before kipping up. Michaels went for a backslide pin, but Orton kicked out in time. Michaels slammed Orton and went up top for an elbow drop that he connected with. Michaels tuned up the band for the superkick, but Kennedy showed up ringside. Michaels then jumped him on the ground and they started fighting ringside before landing in the stands. The referee called for the bell with Michaels apparently counted out.

WINNER: Orton via count out in 12:00. Standard TV main event action. Crowd just wasn't into anything tonight, but they got up for the finishing sequence. (**)

[Q9 -- over-run]

After the bell sounded, Orton announced himself as the winner and WWE champion. Suddenly, Chris Jericho stormed the ring and tackled Orton. He landed right hand blows, blocked the RKO, then went for the Liontamer, but Orton slipped out of the ring.

Back in McMahon's office, Stephanie showed up and stared into her dad's eyes. McMahon wanted to know if this was about getting out of the family picture next week. Stephanie said she's concerned about next week because McMahon invited a ton of people who don't like him. People like Austin, Hogan, (under her breath) mom. Stephanie asked McMahon who has been beaten up the most in the history of Raw. McMahon went into thought, then asked if it was Al Snow. Stephanie said no, it's you. She said McMahon shouldn't show up next week because he might get beat up. McMahon screamed in her face that he loves confrontation and there's no way he's missing his show next week. Stephanie absorbed the screaming, then shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Fade to black.

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