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WWE Raw Live Report
December 17 in Buffalo, N.Y.

The show opened with a recap of two weeks ago when Stephanie McMahon warned Vince McMahon about getting beat up on the 15-year show. They went to last week when Vince announced himself the greatest Raw superstar before getting beat up by Foley, Taker, and Austin.

Jim Ross introduced the show by talking about last week's 15-year anniversary show. Ross and Lawler talked about the big matches on the card tonight. Apparently the PPV last night didn't happen yet.

They started with divas in Santa's helpers outfits. Jillian Hall led out Layla, Melina, and Victoria for a big eight-diva match. Jillian wanted to give us a song first to promote her album on iTunes. Mickie James's music interrupted, then Mickie led out Kelly Kelly, Maria, and Michelle McCool.

1 -- KELLY KELLY & MARIA & MICHELLE McCOOL & MICKIE JAMES vs. JILLIAN HALL & MELINA & VICTORIA & LAYLA

Lots of screaming early on as the divas battled in their Christmas-themed outfits. Ross said last week's show was seen by over 6.0 million people. Michelle tagged in and Lawler talked about her date with Jamie Noble on this week's Smackdown. Michelle worked out of the heel corner and tagged out to Mickie, who came off the top with a splash on Victoria while maintaining the funky hat on her head. Mickie then dropped Victoria with a swinging DDT for the win.

WINNERS: Babyface divas in 4:00. (1/2*)

Afterward, a full brawl broke out. Lawler said he would be right back to help out. Ross kept him in line, then the babyfaces sent all the heels into each other to cleaned them from the ring. The babyface divas posed in the ring as Vince McMahon slowly limped toward the ring with no music. The fans booed as McMahon took his time getting into the ring. The divas bailed, then Vince took the mic with a scowl on his face. He said he was supposed to be celebrating one of his greatest creations last week, but there was no celebration. He was beat up, knocked out cold, and humiliated. Big pop from the audience. He said that while he was unconscious with beer covering him, everyone entered the ring to celebrate. Vince didn't understand how anyone could celebrate while he was KO'ed. He didn't get how everyone could enjoy his anguish. He said he's not an animal or a monster. No, that would be Batista and Big Daddy V.

Vince paused, then quietly said his feelings are hurt and his heart is broken. He said he's a human being. Good heat for this. Vince looked up to survey the audience. Suddenly, Jeff Hardy's music hit and the place exploded. Vince looked toward the stage with disdain while Hardy strolled out with a confident gait. Hardy entered the ring and slowly approached Vince, who waited a moment before muttering something. Hardy took the mic away from him, then said he can explain it like this: Vince is going to Iraq next week where the people partied when Sadaam Hussein was overthrown. Hardy said they don't want to hate on him, but Vince doesn't give them a choice. He said Vince doesn't give a damn about them, which is why they don't give a damn about him. Vince turned his back and bit his lip in thought. He choked back on tears before slowly lowering himself to the corner turnbuckles. He winced in pain as Hardy looked at him with new concern. They faded to commercial with Vince still wincing. Weird, but quite interesting to see where this is going.

[Q2]

[Commercial Break]

They returned with Vince McMahon still sitting in the corner. William Regal and a referee tried to talk to Vince, who didn't want to move or do anything. He continued to choke back on tears, then Triple H's music hit and the place exploded again. Hunter came out in jeans and a leather jacket dressed for a night on the town. He slowly entered the ring and looked down at Vince. He told Regal that he could handle this. Hunter got in close to Vince and called out his name. No response. He did Cena's "Can't see me" hand signal, but still nothing. Hunter made a proclamation at 8:21 p.m. CST: "Vince McMahon has officially flipped." He said he knows what Vince wants. Hunter sat down and put an arm around Vince to console him. He said, "I'm sorry." Hunter said he's sorry he came out on the show last week and made out with his daughter, made jokes about him having sex with old, hairy men, and poured beer on him with his illegitimate son. Nice. My bad, he said.

Hunter told Vince to get out of the ring before they cancel the show. That got a laugh. Regal came back in the ring and said he has a better idea. He told Hunter to leave the instantly and give McMahon a moment of compassion. Hunter got right up and got in Regal's face. He threatened to have security throw Hunter out of the building, which Hunter smiled at the prospect of. Regal went back to Vince and asked if he likes that idea. Vince gave no reaction. He then tilted over to his side and pulled himself up to his feet. Vince grabbed the mic and muttered something. He channeled Delirious here and told Regal to get Coach. Hunter leaned in close and laughed. Vince didn't want security. Like Mr. Burns on the Simpsons, he told Regal to team with Coach against Hunter. Vince said he hopes something bad happens tonight. He said he hopes something bad happens to each and every one of the fans in the audience. He slowly pointed his finger around the building while Regal and Hunter stared each other down. Vince peered back down at the floor while Hunter looked at him like he was nuts. Ah, c'mon, how does something so intriguing lead to Coach in a wrestling ring?

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Hunter pulled off his jacket and waited in the ring while Coach and Regal unfurled their coats. Ross and Lawler said this might be the weirdest half-hour of Raw to start the show ever.

2 -- TRIPLE H vs. WILLIAM REGAL & THE COACH

This looked like some office workers getting drunk after work and fighting with a rough customer with funny facial hair in a bar. The match quickly moved to the floor where Regal slammed Hunter head-first into the ring steps. Regal continued to land left hand blows on Hunter before running into a big boot in the corner. Hunter then knocked the starch out of Coach's dress shirt before going after Regal. Coach stumbled around the ring while Regal went to the floor and grabbed some brass knucks. Hunter dropped Regal with a spinebuster, though, and posed to the crowd. Regal managed to slip the knucks to Coach behind Hunter's back, then Coach slowly looked up to find Hunter standing over him. Coach slowly took the knucks off and handed them to Hunter. He tried to explain himself, but Hunter bonked him on the head in Three Stooges style. Hunter then dropped Coach with a weak Pedigree in center ring for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Hunter in 5:00. Well, the least damaging handicap victory in Hunter's career. Thank goodness it wasn't the tag division opposite Hunter. Regal put up a good fight here. The action was fine when it was between Hunter and Regal. The strangest opening two matches ever. I have no idea what the purpose of this is right now, but I'm at least intrigued to find out. (3/4)

Afterward, Hunter and Regal stared each other down. Ringside, Ross and Lawler talked about Chris Jericho seemingly having the WWE Title won last night until JBL interfered. They showed a video package and still photos from the title match. Jericho had Orton in the Walls of Jericho, but JBL ran in and kicked Jericho in the head to stop the match.

They showed a graphic with Jericho inviting JBL to Raw tonight for a confrontation.

[Commercial Break]

They recapped the tag title switch to Holly and Cody Rhodes on last week's show.

3 -- World tag champs CODY RHODES & HARDCORE HOLLY vs. CADE & MURDOCH -- Tag Title match

The former tag champs got their re-match and quickly went to work on Cody before Holly tagged in and ripped the flesh off Cody's chest with chops. Holly teased the Alabama Slam on Murdoch, but Cade broke it up and they landed a double-team kick to the face on Holly. Cade and Cody then battled, with Cody landing a running bulldog on Cade. Murdoch broke up the pin, leading to a brawl in the ring. Holly then took Murdoch to the floor and battled. In the ring, Cody landed a DDT on Cade for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Cody & Holly in 3:00 to retain the tag titles. Basic tag match. Crowd was more into the action this week with the wrestlers not having to follow all kinds of nostalgia segments last week. Still, the tag division feels like it doesn't matter. We still can't get an explanation for what's going on between Holly and Cody as tag partners. (3/4*)

[Q4]

Ross and Lawler plugged HBK & Hardy vs. Randy Orton & Mr. Kennedy later tonight. They plugged Ric Flair's retirement angle and talked about Flair vs. Umaga.

[Commercial Break]

Ric Flair came out to dressed to wrestle. Ross put him over big, then Flair took the mic and said, "I repeat, I repeat, I will never retire." He said that even though Vince McMahon has put an ultimatum on him, he doesn't want to see me get hurt on his watch. Flair shouted, "Are you kidding me?" He said he doesn't get hurt. Flair said he's been in the business for 35 years and he loves the business. He put over the fans, then said he loves being the Nature Boy. Flair said he's sacrificed a lifetime to be who he is; walking away is not an option in his life. He said his entire family has sacrificed, as he's been the most selfish man alive trying to be Ric Flair. He said behind these curtains are men who he's traveled with for 30 years: Dusty, Arn, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat. But, he's also traveled with today's stars like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, and Batista. He said he cherishes their friendship and the memories they've created. Flair said it's up to him to give the fans what they've believed in. He said he has to be Ric Flair.

"I've got to be the Nature Boy!" he said. Flair said there are guys half his age in the locker room who believe in him. He said he respects each and every one of them because they are the future. Flair said he's not ready for the journey to take him to the second-half of his life. He said he has the human bulldozer, Umaga, tonight. Flair said that he knows if he loses, then it's all over. He promised that when he walks down the ramp, he's going to give the fans the best he's got. Flair said he wants everyone he faces to bring their A game because eh wants to beat the best every night. He said he has to be The Man. "I will not get beat in that ring without the fight of my life!" he said. "If I lose tonight, thank you," he said. Wow. Now that's a promo with a story to set up a pro wrestling match. Put that on a show to sell a PPV and you have people lining up to drop $40.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5 -- Second Hour]

Ric Flair entered the ring to star the top of the second hour. He posed in the ring while Ross talked about last week being the most-watched show on TV last week among teenagers. Umaga then came to the ring while Flair looked determined.

4 -- RIC FLAIR vs. UMAGA

Flair did a quick strut when Umaga sent him off to the ropes. He then landed chops that Umaga purposefully didn't sell. Umaga then shoved Flair hard into the corner and landed a right hand blow. He shot Flair off to the ropes and landed a big foot to the face for a nearfall. Flair made a brief comeback at 3:00, but Umaga cut him off with a clothesline. Flair made another comeback with hard chops, but he ran into a Samoan Drop in center ring. Umaga went to work on Flair for some time, but there was a little anticipation in the air for when Flair would make his big comeback. Umaga went up top for a diving headbutt, but Flair moved out of the way. Umaga then knocked Flair to the outside and rammed him into the ringpost at 7:00. Suddenly, Umaga tried to splash Flair against the guardrail, but Flair moved and Umaga crashed through the guardrail. Flair then struggled to his feet and slid into the ring at a nine count. The ref then counted to ten with Umaga still out on the floor.

WINNER: Ric Flair in 8:00 via count out. Looks like the story of the retirement program is going to be Flair winning by the skin of his teeth so the wrestlers he beats don't look too bad for taking a loss to a near-60-year-old man. I'm fine with this finish. It's Flair simply being smart to win a match. (*3/4)

After the match, Flair took the mic and said one last thing. "Whoo!" He dropped the mic and left the ring. Lawler said Flair will never retire. Ross said somewhere, sometime, Flair will lose.

They showed Chris Jericho walking backstage with a bright shiner over his eye. He had a more-determined look on his face than we've seen since his return. Good to see.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6]

Ross hyped the Armageddon PPV last night. He thanked the viewers for joining them last night. Comcast Sucks. Chris Jericho's music hit and Jericho came out on stage in jeans and a t-shirt. He strolled to the ring and looked around the crowd before entering the ring. One of Jericho's stronger crowd receptions since returning. Jericho took the mic as the fans chanted, "Y-2-J". He said that last night, he beat Randy Orton, so he should be feeling pretty good about himself. But, he beat Orton by DQ which doesn't mean squat. Jericho asked for footage from last night when JBL KO'ed him with a big boot to end the title match.

Jericho said that he stands here tonight without a title belt, but with a whole lot of questions. He said he asked JBL to show up to answer some questions, but JBL didn't show up. Jericho said he's going to Smackdown this week, in that case. JBL then appeared on the videotron via satellite. Jericho laughed at that. JBL said he has too many responsibilities to deal with Jericho's silliness. He said there's no way he would come to...Buffalo. JBL said Jericho is very low on his list of priorities. Simple explanation is that Jericho put his hands on him last night. Jericho said guys ringside get beat up all the time, but they don't storm into the ring and attack someone during a match. JBL said he's not in the same category with lowly timekeepers and camera people ringside. He said Jericho needs to stop disrespecting him. Jericho said he's coming to Smackdown this week to beat an answer out of the crying baby, JBL.

JBL then said he talked to Vince McMahon last night and they decided Jericho will never get another title shot, and he won't be in the Royal Rumble match if he comes to Smackdown. Jericho looked dejected, then said that must be it. He said it must be all over. Jericho then challenged JBL's manhood. Jericho called him soft. He said he's lost his edge and become a fat cat. Jericho said JBL must have sold his balls on Wall Street. Great line. Jericho said JBL used to be in the category with Eddie, Batista, and Taker. Now he's categorized with O'Reilly, Hannity, Cavuto, Styles, and Cole. JBL pursed his lips in frustration. Jericho said JBL is no longer a wrestling god because he's irrelevant. He's a wrestling afterthought.

JBL said it's not enough for him to sit at the announce table and try to put over matches with guys who can't even lace his own boots, but now Jericho is questioning his toughness. JBL told Jericho to write it down: JBL is coming to Raw. He told Jericho to find a way to save Raw because he ran roughshod on Smackdown as the highest-rated champion in TV history. Or something like that. JBL closed that Jericho will soon find out that he is a wrestling god. JBL's music hit as Jericho and JBL went into a distant glare at each other.

JC: A strong segment. Jericho needed a few moments to get warmed up against JBL, but he really hit his stride in the closing remarks about JBL losing his edge and selling his manhood on Wall Street. JBL can hold his own with anyone on the mic, so this should be a great series of confrontations once Jericho knocks the rust off and gets back to cutting killer promos. JBL gets two hours of practice every week on Smackdown, so he's at a distinct advantage right now.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

Santino's music hit and I smiled. He came to the ring with Maria. They're doing a wrestling match with Santino. Carlito came out next and checked out Maria, which Santino didn't seem to notice. Kendrick and London came out as the opposition.

5 -- SANTINO MARELLA (w/Maria) & CARLITO vs. KENDRICK & LONDON

Santino and Carlito couldn't figure out who should start, so Santino firmly told Carlito to step off and let him start. Santino then walked into a hard slap to the face from Kendrick. London hopped in and they dropped Santino with a double hip toss. Lawler couldn't figure out how Santino is Maria's boyfriend. Carlito then took a tag and slammed London into the corner. Ross said Carlito was amazing last week against Jeff Hardy. Suddenly, London popped up to his feet and dropped Carlito with a huracanrana. Kendrick took a tag and came off the top with a cross body block on Carlito for a nearfall. London chased Santino around ringside, then Santino shoved Maria in the way. Kendrick was distracted in the ring, allowing Carlito to hit a back stabber on Kendrick for the win.

WINNERS: Santino & Carlito in 3:00. Pretty good action in a limited amount of time. Like I wrote about in the Torch Newsletter last week, I think it's time to split up Kendrick and London to let them pursue singles runs. WWE just isn't not doing anything with them as a tag team, so give them individual identifies and see if one or both can break out on Raw, SD, or ECW.

After the match, Santino took a mic. Yes! He said they are the new sensation. Santino said it's the first time for an Italian and a Colombian together. Carlito said he's Puerto Riccan. "Yes!" Santino said, not paying attention to Carlito. Santino said they're great teaming together - it's him and the guy who swaps spit with men who want to be cool. Oh wow. Ross and Lawler tried to correct Santino, but he just kept going. Santino then did a mock trumpet blowing, as if he were leading a parade in the ring. Carlito just looked at him as if he were nuts. Santino smiled it up. Maria did a curtsey. Ah, what a great Raw.

[Commercial Break]

Tomorrow night on ECW, it's C.M. Punk vs. MVP. Finally, a decent match with Punk.

Backstage, Randy Orton was interviewed by Todd Grisham. Orton quickly cut down Jericho, then said Jeff Hardy must be feeling pretty good after beating Triple H last night. Orton said that's no matter since he beat Hunter and many others like John Cena. Orton said Hardy might think winning the WWE Title is a dream come true, but beside being a legend killer, he's also a dream killer. Orton said Hardy will regret being against him when they meet in the tag match later in the show.

They went backstage where some guy on a headset talked to Ric Flair in the locker room area. Triple H walked in and headset guy bailed. Hunter told Flair to just keep bringing the Naitch every week. Suddenly, Vince McMahon strolled in with his jacket in his hand. He slapped Flair on the shoulder and got in real close to Flair. Vince told Flair that two weeks from tonight, Flair's career is on the line. Flair vs. Triple H. Hunter scowled. Flair didn't sell, but he wasn't happy. Vince's delivery was pitch perfect right here. "Happy New Year," Vince grumbled toward Hunter before looking back to Flair. Vince's eyebrows lifted with joy as he looked at the concern on their faces. So great when two distinct storylines come together for a confrontation. Flair's retirement vs. Hunter trying to regain his edge after losing to Jeff Hardy. That's a pro wrestling match.

[Commercial Break]

[Q8]

Jeff Hardy's music hit and he walked out for the main event tag match. Ross put in the plug for the New Year's Eve Raw that will feature Hunter vs. Flair with Flair's career possibly being over before the start of 2008. Shawn Michaels came out second and sported a cowboy hat. Mr. Kennedy came out for the heels and he sold a left hand injury from the match last night. Ross said that Michaels put over Kennedy when he talked to him after the match. A nice, subtle touch from Ross to help get Kennedy's heat back after taking the loss. Randy Orton came out last and slowly circled the ring before holding the WWE Title belt up in the ring.

6 -- IC champion JEFF HARDY & SHAWN MICHAELS vs. WWE champion RANDY ORTON & MR. KENNEDY

Hardy and Orton started things off for a title match preview at the Rumble. Orton had enough and tagged out to Kennedy. Hardy instantly went to work on Kennedy's injured hand and he landed a drop kick to the gut. Hardy hit a cross body block for a nearfall, then Orton tried to get himself some, but Hardy cleared him to the floor. Michaels cleared Kennedy to the floor. They landed dual planchas on the floor leading to the break.

[Commercial Break]

They returned with, shockingly, the heels in control. Hardy took a tag from Michaels, though, and missed with the Whisper in the Wind on Kennedy. Orton then took a tag and worked over Hardy with right hand blows. Hardy made a comeback with forearm blows, then Michaels took a hot tag and ran over Kennedy. Michaels yanked Orton into the ring and had control before Kennedy took his head off with a big clothesline at 7:00. Kennedy sat against the ropes and admired his work on Michaels. Nice build from Michaels leading to Kennedy taking the air out of the building. Kennedy and Orton went back to work on Michaels, who started selling a left knee injury.

[Q9 -- over-run]

Michaels fired back on Kennedy with a hard chop, then Kennedy fired back with stomps in the corner. He then charged Michaels for a running boot to the face that got more air than flesh, but Michaels sold it like a pro. Kennedy maintained his boot on Michaels's face for several moments for added effect. He made a cover in center ring, but Hardy broke up the count. Michaels then came up with a superkick attempt out of nowhere, but Kennedy avoided the move. Michaels fought him off, then made a hot tag to Hardy. Orton tagged in and Hardy dropped Orton in the corner turnbuckles. He fired up on Orton with clotheslines before nailing a lift-up pancake suplex. The action broke down in center ring and Michaels cleared Kennedy to the floor. Hardy measured Orton in center ring and went for the Twist of Fate, but Orton blocked and went for the RKO. Hardy blocked the RKO, though, and hit the Twist of Fate. Crowd was red-hot for the exchange. Hardy then went up top and nailed the Swanton Bomb on Orton. He made the cover for the win as the crowd exploded big for the finish.

Ross said you can't get any hotter than Jeff Hardy right now. Michaels returned to the ring and shook Hardy's hand before Hardy posed in the corner. The announcers recapped the finish to the match, then Michaels shook Hardy's hand again. Michaels pointed at Hardy to acknowledge his work in the match. Ross gave a final plug for the Tribute to the Troops show next week.

WINNERS: Michaels & Hardy in 13:00. Heck of a main event. Crowd was hot. Action was totally non-stop. Kennedy showed good fire. Everything clicked for the match, setting up Hardy's improbable run to the WWE Title. It's a nice two-week cliffhanger with non-regular programming next week. (***)

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