By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT (hour two)
DECEMBER 10, 2007
LIVE FROM BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

-Ring intros took place for Evolution - Ric Flair first, then Triple H, then Batista (with a shaved head), and then Randy Orton. When Orton's music played, Lawler said, "Here comes the wildcard in the equation. Is this really going to happen?" Orton stepped onto the stage and said he's at the pinnacle of his career and the three already in the ring want him out there so they can ride his coattails. "Besides, the last time I was champion and I was associated with you, I can clearly recall what happened." He threw to a clip from Aug. 16, 2004 of Hunter and Batista turning on Orton. Triple H said it was pretty cool. He said they didn't beat him up because he was champion; they beat him up because he was a gigantic pain in the ass. Orton said he'd keep that in mind when he beat Jericho to retain the World Title at Armageddon on Sunday. Orton said if he wants to be remembered for being in a group, he wants it to be RKO. Out walked Edge with a big smile on his face. Edge said Sunday after Armageddon, Batista won't have his title anymore. Batista told him to stop running his mouth way up there and say it to his face. As Edge began to reply, Flair interrupted and asked Orton and Edge to get a partner and face them later. Orton said he figured they'd say that, so they lined up Umaga as their partner. The three heels headed to the ring as Ross plugged the main event.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- RIC FLAIR & BATISTA & TRIPLE H vs. EDGE & RANDY ORTON & UMAGA

The match was joined in progress after the break. Flair tagged in against Edge. Umaga tagged in and applied a nerve hold. Flair hot-tagged Batista at 4:00 who fought Orton a rare brief battle of the two reigning World Champions. Hunter and Batista gave stereo spinebusters to Orton and Edge. Umaga shoved the ref down, prompting a DQ at 5:00. Flair chopped Umaga. Batista blocked Umaga from firing back with the Samoan Spike. Hunter then faced off with Umaga in the ring. Flair gave Umaga a blow blow, Batista clumsy-looking spear, and Hunter a Pedigree. Hunter, Flair, and Batista posed in the ring together to the old Evolution music.

WINNERS: Flair & Hunter & Batista in 5:00 via DQ.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Not much to it, but it wouldn't have been wise to give too much of those money match-ups away, especially Orton vs. Batista at this point, but also Edge vs. Hunter.

-More Raw Flashback clips aired including the Austin beer truck moment, Kane driving away with Lita in the ambulance, Hulk Hogan with Hall and Nash ramming into an ambulance, other ars being smashed in various ways including Rock's limo with a monster truck and Bischof being driven out in a tras can, Kurt Angle driving a milk ruck to the ring and spraying everyone with milk, Edge dressed at Ric Flair attacking a passenger with a figure-four leglock, and more Austin-McMahon.

-Hornswoggle molested Mickey James and Molly Holly. William Regal stopped him and told him Mr. McMahon has been given a rematch against Great Khali. He said unfortunately his good friend Finlay didn't make it to the arena because someone cancelled his flight, so he'd be on his own. He said that match was next.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- HORNSWOGGLE vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Hornswoggle ran under Khali's legs. Khali grabbed Hornswoggle's jacket. Hulk Hogan's music then played. He walked out onto the stage wearing black and white boas and a black muscle shirt. He stood chest to chest with Khali. Hulk blocked a Khali chop, but Khali then kicked him in the gut and bashed him with several forearms to the back. Hulk made a superma comeback and knocked Khali down with a running punch off the ropes. Khali bailed out. Hogan called him back into the ring. Khali's handler talked Khali out of it. Hogan signalled that he wanted to bodyslam Khali. Hogan cupped his ears. The crowd chanted "Hogan, Hogan." His music played and he celebrated with Hornswoggle. The music faded and Hogan held the house mic to address the crowd. He milked the cheers and chants for a minute. Hogan said it sounds to him that Hulkamania is still alive. He thanked the Hulkamaniacs for keeping the dream alive and congratulated WWE for 15 years of Raw. He called WWE "the greatest company of all time." He said there's nothing like being in the center of the ring with all of those WWE maniacs. He aid watching new WWE Superstars to their thing is great. He said he was grateful they invited him to hang out with the fans in the back. He said, "Never say never, ohh yeah." He said he's heading back to L.A. tonight to continue filming American Gladiators. He said it debuts Jan. 6 and 7, then asked for another round of applause. Lawler plugged that Gladiators will be on NBC. Hogan didn't plug the network. Hogan and Hornswoggle posed. Nice speech by Hogan, putting over the other wrestlers and of course his fans. Not sure what the Randy Savage immitiation was all about, though.

-More Raw Flashbacks including DX imitating Vince McMahon, invading Nitro, bragging about Hunter's size, making fart noises during a McMahon speech, spraying the crowd, painting the WWE headquarters, and some clips that included Chyna and Rick Rude.

[Commercial Break]

-A Raw Flashback included Mick Foley entertaining Vince in a hospital bed, then being attacked by Austin dressed as a doctor.

5 -- BATTLE ROYAL

Howard Finkle handled the ring intros. Al Snow, Bart Gunn, Doink, Repoman, Steve Blackman (gee, wonder if Marc Mero is next!), Pete Gas from the Mean Street Posse, Bob Backlund (fresh off of his overexposure on TNA Impact earlier this year). They cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Ring intros continued with Gangrel. Ross said The Goon, Skinner, I.R.S., and Flash Funk had come out during the break. Then came Scotty 2 Hotty (I thought/hoped that house show intermission break is over music had played for the last time), Jim Neidhart, Sgt. Slaughter. They cut backstage to security pounding on a locker room door. Out came Gillberg. He was sprayed by fire extinguishers and sparklers as he walked out. They piped in the "Gillberg" chants just like WCW did for Goldberg. That was a nice little dig back then, even though the overall Gillberg character just gave p.r. for WCW's top act at the time. It came down to Skinner, Hotty, Sarge, and I.R.S. Scotty hit I.R.S. with The Worm, then Skinner eliminated Scotty. Sarge put the Cobra Clutch on Skinner. Sarge eliminated Skinner, but I.R.S. then eliminated Sarge.

WINNER: I.R.S. in 4:00.

STAR RATING: n/a

-Ted DiBiase's music played afterward. DiBiase offered I.R.S. some money. I.R.S. opened his briefcase and DiBiase put the money in it. DiBiase was then introduced as the actual winner. Does it work that way? DiBiase then held the mic in center-ring and said that after over 15 years, everybody's got a price for the Million Dollar Man. He should have humiliated a fan for old time's sake.

-Raw Highlights aired of various people slapping others over the years on Raw.

-They showed a clip of Eric Bischoff heading toward the entrance tunnel. Bischoff is looking a bit Leslie Nielsen these days.

-A commercial aired for the Tribute to the Troops show on Christmas Eve.

END SECOND HOUR

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