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By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

WWE Raw Live Report
March 31, 2008
Orlando, Fla.

The show started with a clip from the ending of Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair. "I love you. I'm sorry." They didn't show Michaels pinning Flair, but they showed him leaving the ring solemnly before highlighting Flair's emotional good-bye.

Live in the arena: The show started with the usual Raw pyro intro. Well, I guess political pressure didn't win here.

Announcers: Ross and Lawler opened the show by talking about Ric Flair's Farewell Address live tonight. The crowd woooed.

In-ring: John Cena's music hit to start the action, but there was no sign of Cena. Ross and Lawler talked about WrestleMania not going according to plan for Cena. Still no sign of him. Triple H's music then hit, but no sign of Hunter either. Fans are growing restless. Randy Orton's music then hit and Orton walked out on stage with the WWE Title belt hung over his shoulder. Nice heel move for Orton to hit the entrance music button for the other two before hitting the button for his entrance music.

Orton walked to the ring and the arena stayed dark as he surveyed the booing crowd. "Expecting someone else?" Orton asked. "You suck!" was the chant from the crowd. Orton said the talk all week wasn't whether he would win, but who would beat him. Name drop for Cena drew boos. Name drop for Hunter drew cheers. Orton said no one gives him credit, and like it or not, people have to show him respect now. He then rattled off the laundry list of opponents he's beaten as champion. Orton said Hunter and Cena want a rematch, but they don't deserve one. He said forget about Hulkamania. Forget about the Attitude Era. "We are in the Age of Orton," he said.

JBL's music interrupted the Age of Orton and JBL strolled to the ring with a purpose. JBL said Cena and Hunter don't deserve a championship match. "I, on the other hand, do," he said. JBL said Orton's title match was pathetic. He said Orton was lucky. JBL screamed at him to look at him, then he said his WWE Title reign was predicated on dominance. He said he wins his matches decisively. Just look at the beating he gave Finlay and Hornswoggle at WrestleMania. He said Orton can't beat him. "You never will be able to beat me," he said. JBL declared his candidacy as the #1 Contender. "They say I passed the torch," he said. "I want my damn torch back!"

JBL dropped the mic and stormed off while his music played. Orton called after him and said he's tired of people doubting him. Suddenly, Matt Hardy snuck into the ring through the crowd and tackled Orton. Hardy knocked him to the outside, then refs held Hardy back as Orton bailed up the entrance ramp minus his t-shirt.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

Backstage: Matt Hardy was walking around, then William Regal screamed at him for interrupting his show. Hardy said he wants a piece of Orton after Orton punted him and took three months of his career away. They shouted at each other until Hardy demanded Orton in the ring. Regal said he'll think about it.

In-ring: Cade and Murdoch were in the ring for a tag match. Cryme Tyme's music hit and they made their big return. Big pop for CT. So, the deal about going to TNA was a good old fashioned red herring.

1 -- CADE & MURDOCH vs. CRYME TYME (SHAD GASPAR & J.T.G.)

Crowd chanted, "Welcome back!" before the action got started. Cade shouted in Gaspar's face, then Gaspar came back with a hard clothesline. Gaspar then flipped JTG onto Cade for a splash and a nearfall. Cade came back with a leaping clothesline, then Cade and Murdoch took turns working on JTG. Suddenly, JTG avoided a corner splash from Murdoch and executed a beautiful roll-up out of the corner for a pin on Murdoch for the win. Cade was shocked and frustrated. Murdoch tried to explain himself while CT celebrated, which only agitated Cade more.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme in 4:00. Nice return for Cryme Tyme. Fans still remembered, so that's good. (*1/4)

Video package: They hyped Flair's Farewell speech later in the show. They went to a video on Flair vs. Race from Nov. 24, 1983 with Gordon Solie calling Flair's NWA Title match victory at Starrcade in Greensboro, N.C. Interesting to note that in the semi-main event, Steamboat & Youngblood beat fellow Hall of Fame inductees the Briscoes for the NWA Tag Titles.

Backstage: They showed Shawn Michaels walking with a purpose. He was in a casual suit with the cowboy hat. Ross said he's going to pour his heart out.

[Commercial Break]

Ringside: Ross and Lawler hyped WWE's website with behind-the-scenes footage and features.

In-ring: Shawn Michaels's music hit and he walked out on stage without his usual pep and showmanship. Shirt un-tucked beneath a light brown jacket, Michaels looked very serious. His music stopped and Michaels took the mic. He paused before starting. Michaels said he's feeling a lot of emotions, but none of them are particularly good. He said he was asked to be the showstopper and Mr. WrestleM --- he paused to choke back tears. Michaels said he doesn't know how he's supposed to feel about being Mr. WrestleMania.

[Q3]

Michaels continued by saying that Flair asked for his A-game and that's what he gave Flair. Michaels said he had a chance to end Flair's career last night...and he did. He said he's the man responsible for Flair's career being over. Michaels said it's a burden that he gets to carry the rest of his life. "Lucky me," he said. There were some catcalls in the crowd as he paused, then Michaels walked over to the wrong corner to drop the mic. He then walked over to the timekeeper's corner of the ring and dropped the mic. Michaels walked out of the ring and left.

Announcers: Ross was produced to not know what to make of that, then they announced Jericho vs. Punk tonight and confirmed Orton vs. Hardy.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: They showed Shawn Michaels pacing around, then William Regal stepped in and told him he did what he had to do. Regal said it's something that should have been done a long time ago. He shrugged his shoulders and walked off. On the other side of the camera shot was Batista (and his biker jacket) lurking in the background. He stared a hole in Michaels, who looked at him then walked off. This is getting interesting. BTW, is the brand split officially dead?

In-ring: London and Kendrick are apparently back on good terms, as they were in the ring together to face Holly & Rhodes, who came out next. Ross acknowledged the surprise of seeing Kendrick and London being back together. The story is that they worked out their issues. We'll see how long that lasts.

2 -- World tag team champs HARDCORE HOLLY & CODY RHODES vs. BRIAN KENDRICK & PAUL LONDON -- non-title match

Sweet goodness, Holly chopped London right over the top rope to the floor. Nice sell from London, who then took a nasty clothesline in the ring. The action picked up with a hot tag to Kendrick, who rolled up Cody from behind with a bridge pin for the win. Crowd popped huge, probably because they were thinking it was a title match. Holly gave Cody a post-match pep talk, then London talked up Kendrick.

WINNERS: Kendrick & London in 3:00. Short, but something clicked here for both teams. Kendrick and London had an extra spring in their step (probably because they knew they weren't getting their brains beat in by a monster heel tonight). This worked pretty well. (*)

Video package: They showed clips from the Flair vs. Steamboat match at Wrestle War from May 7, 1989. Oh, 1989. They included a Flair promo in between highlight clips. They showed Flair getting the inside cradle on Steamboat to win his sixth NWA Title. The final shot was of Jim Ross in the ring with Flair as he celebrated the victory. Back live, Ross said he was ringside for that and it's hard to believe tonight is the farewell address.

[Q4]

[Commercial Break]

Ringside: They showed Rev Theory ringside pretending to fight. They sang the WrestleMania entrance theme. ... Announcers: Ross and Lawler hyped the majestic nature of WrestleMania. Ross introduced the post-Mania wrap-up video with highlights from the show. After the video aired, Ross and Lawler hyped Orton vs. Hardy later tonight. Up next is Punk vs. Jericho.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Intercontinental champ Chris Jericho came out for the main event of the first hour. Ross said it's a re-match of the MITB winner and the man who was closest to Punk when he won it. They showed a clip from the end of MITB. Punk came out holding up the briefcase high in the air before entering the ring.

3 -- IC champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. MITB possessor C.M. PUNK

The match started with each man landing kicks to the thigh. The fans were more behind Punk to start with. Ross said what they did in the ring last night during MITB was extraordinary. I'm all about selling, so that brings up the point of neither man selling the effects from last night. Lawler reasoned that it's smart business from William Regal putting two men against each other who don't like each other after what happened last night. Ross then commented on both men having to be very sore about what they went through last night. Lawler asked if Shelton Benjamin is even able to walk today.

[Q5 -- second hour]

Three minutes into the match, the fans had a dueling chant of "Let's go Jericho" vs. "C-M-Punk". Crowd is hot for the match. Jericho went for a springboard dropkick, but Punk ducked and Jericho ate the canvas. He came up checking whether all of his teeth were in place, then the match moved to the floor. Punk landed a kick to the head and sent Jericho back into the ring. Punk then landed a springboard forearm blow, but Jericho fired back with a boot to the mush. They went into a beautiful series of counters and reversals here, then Jericho suprised Punk with the codebreak for the pin and the win, which the crowd popped for.

WINNER: Jericho in 7:00. This was a great pro wrestling match. Very physical with some really nice counters and hard-hitting moves. Just great action with a hot crowd to keep up the intensity in the building. (***)

Video package: They went to the Royal Rumble from Jan. 19, 1992 when Flair won the WWE Title. They showed Flair and Michaels battling during the Rumble, then Flair dumping Sid out of the ring to win the Rumble and the WWE Title. There's Bobby Heenan and Mr. Perfect standing behind Flair as he did his post-Rumble promo about this being the greatest moment of his career.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: They hyped Santino vs. Marella in a match tonight. Ross said he doesn't understand this.

In-ring: Big Show walked out on stage dressed to wrestle. He received a standing ovation. (Probably because he turned a potential disaster into a good deal.) The camera focused on an enhanced bruise on Show's left cheek. Show was all-smiles as he surveyed the crowd. They showed a fan holding up a giant set of brass knucks. Show congratulated Floyd Mayweather (boos), his manager, his five posse members, and the steel chair. He sarcastically said he must be the greatest fighter in the world.

Show then said he's out here to talk about Ric Flair. He said Flair paid him the ultimate compliment when he called him the greatest big man ever, even after being in the ring with Andre the Giant. Show got choked up and said that means everything to him. He said he's going to make a promise to do what he does best from now on. He said he will be the best... Great Khali's music interrupted and he strolled out to the ring to big groans. Khali walked right up to Show and they had a huge stare down in center ring. Khali has a few inches. "You can't wrestle" was the chant from the crowd. Show told him to get out of his face. Seriously.

Khali backed away a few feet, then shook his head. Show dropped the mic and went into a fighter's stance. Khali approached him, but stood tall. They did the Andre camera shot for this. "Show's gonna kill you," was the chant. Greatness. Show then held up his fist in Khali's face. Khali backed away, then stepped over the top rope to leave the ring. continued to stand firm in the ring while Khali slowly backed away. Khali took a few steps forward, which drew cheers of anticipation, but then he turned back around and left the ring to boos. Nice angle. Show is in line to be one of WWE's top draws this year because he's just in complete command of everything.

Backstage: They showed Matt Hardy warming up backstage to face Randy Orton. It's next.

[Q6]

Backstage: Santino Marella was doing some warm-up exercises, pulling a Will Ferrell in Anchorman before Maria slowly walked over. He asked if Maria got her shots after kissing Snoopy the Dogg. So great. Maria cut him off and asked why he insists on having the Anything Goes match tonight. Maria said the only way they can cancel the match is if Santino agrees. She said Santino pinned her last week and Santino's team won last night. Santino cut her off and said that's exactly the problem. His skills should been at Mania in MITB, not hanging around with the lowest form of sports entertainment: WWE divas. D'oh! Crowd gasped for that line.

Santino said the divas should be walking around looking great making the a pasta and making the babies. Santino asked if there's some other way she can convince him to cancel the match. Maria slapped him for the sexual innuendo, then Santino snapped back he'll see her in the ring. Oh, Santino. My day is complete.

4 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. MATT HARDY -- non-title match

Hardy quickly took Orton to the outside and smashed him into the guardrail. Hardy was content on simply smashing Orton around the ringside area. Hardy rolled Orton back into the ring, then gave him a neckbreaker across the top rope. Hardy followed with an elbow smash in the ring, then Hardy slammed Orton into the turnbuckle. Hardy clotheslined Orton for a nearfall. Orton tried to recover on the floor, but Hardy was hot on his trail. Back in the ring, Hardy executed a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall. This is all Hardy three minutes in. Hardy lost control, though, when Orton yanked him off the top rope and Hardy crashed into the mat. Hot start.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

They returned with a clip from during the break of Orton taking control. Orton yanked Hardy down to the mat by the hair, then he started his stomp on all body parts. Hardy came back with a moonsault and fell on top of Orton for a two count. Hardy followed with a running bulldog,t hen set up for the Twist of Fate, but Orton blocked and nailed a European uppercut. Orton tried again, but Hardy countered with a backslide for a close call. He measured Orton for a top rope move, but Orton rolled to the outside.

Hardy then came off the apron with a dive onto Orton on the floor. Hardy dropped him with the Twist of Fate on the floor, then Hardy panicked when the ref started his ten count. Hardy dragged Orton's body into the ring, then he tried to regroup after moving the dead weight into the ring. Oh my, Orton suddenly caught Hardy with the RKO out of nowhere for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Randy Orton in 11:00. Effective showcase of Orton's ability to bring the RKO out of nowhere. If this is going to be a legit Age of Orton, I like the focus strictly on Orton tonight to give him the floor without interruption from Cena and Hunter. Hardy had enough offense to keep a few shreds of credibility, but it was all about Orton here. Hardy can now move on to the feud against MVP on Smackdown that we've been waiting for. Fine TV match. (**1/2)

Sit-down promo: They showed Dusty Rhodes talking earlier today about what Ric Flair means to him. He said he stumbled through some nights standing across the ring from Flair, then still chilled up inside 60 minutes later. Rhodes said words like "legends and icons" are thrown around lightly, but from this day forward, Ric Flair is a national treasure. ... Lawler hyped Flair's farewell address tonight.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Randy Orton was catching his breath in the locker room area when JBL walked over and stood over him. JBL picked up the WWE Title belt resting on Orton's leg then casually threw it back down. JBL walked off, then Orton stared in his direction. Interesting.

In-ring: Maria came to the ring and Lillian Garcia announced it as anything goes. Santino came out and soaked in the boos while playing it off as applause. Regal sent a note to the desk that Lawler has been ordered not to interfere in the match.

5 -- MARIA vs. SANTINO MARELLA

The bell sounded and Santino smacked Maria in the face. Suddenly, the divas stormed the ring and jumped Santino. They grabbed him and threw him into the air. Maria then stood over Santino's extended legs and gave him a diving headbutt to the crotch before pinning him for the win. Afterward, Maria kicked Santino in the back side and left with the worst part of sports entertainment.

WINNER: Maria in 1:00. Just the "happy ending" to not another teen movie with the heel boyfriend getting his comeuppance in the end. Only problem is that Santino is the greatest heel boyfriend of all-time. (n/a)

Flair plug: Ross and Lawler said Flair's farewell is up next.

ECW promo: They acknowledged Kane as the new ECW champion. His new reign begins tomorrow night.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: They recapped the end of Flair vs. Michaels last night with the "I'm Sorry, I love you" from Michaels before landing the superkick. They showed Flair's WrestleMania send-off after the match.

In-ring: Ric Flair's music hit at 9:50 p.m. CST. He walked out on stage dressed to the nines with tears welling up. Flair flashed a ring to the camera on the way to the ring. Flair then saluted the crowd in the ring. His music stopped and the applause grew louder. Flair said he wrestled his very last match last night. "I will never, ever wrestle in this ring again," he said. Flair said he's not sad about it. He said everyone should celebrate him having the greatest career in the history of...pro wrestling. (Gasp!) Flair said he lost to a great, great wrestler and a better man last night. (Some boos.)

Flair said he's been teared up all day long at the thought of not being out here again. He said he's at a good place now. "Thank you, Flair" was the chant. Flair thanked everyone for making him who he is today. He did a "Whoo" and his music hit. Brief promo. He began to drop the mic to end the segment, but Triple H's music interrupted.

Hunter walked out on stage in street clothes with a big smile on his face. He wiped his hair back while choking back tears on the way to the ring. Hunter said Flair is crazy if the fans in Orlando are the only ones who want to say thank you. Flair started to lose it as Hunter entered the ring. They embraced in the ring and Flair whispered something to Hunter. He said he had to come out here and tell him something. "I love you, man" he said. "And thank you. Thank you." Hunter got down and bowed for Flair, but Flair pulled him up and hugged him. He said that takes care of him, but there are some other people who wanted to say thank you.

Hunter said he started talking to a group of guys earlier today and ever since then, his hand has been cramping up in a four finger salute. He then brought out Tully Blanchard, J.J. Dillon, Arn Anderson, and Barry Windham to the classic Horsemen theme. They all embraced Flair in the ring, with Arn saving his hug for last. Batista's music hit, then Batista walked out on stage and bowed for Flair. He entered the ring and scooped up Flair for a big hug. Out next was Ricky Steamboat, who jogged to the ring and embraced Flair. Harley Race came out next with an escort from Michelle McCool and Mickie James. Flair had a big smile when Greg "the Hammer" Valentine walked out to the ring.

[Q9 -- over-run]

The other Horseman, Dean Malenko, came out next. Chris Jericho came out next and hugged Flair. And next, John Cena. Flair lost it here as Cena winked at him from the top of the stage. Cena greeted him in the ring and talked in his ear for a few seconds. Flair's family then came out and Flair lost it. David lingered in the background while Reid led the family to the ring. Shawn Michaels then walked out after Flair embraced his family. Michaels solemnly entered the ring and gave Flair a big hug in the ring. They whispered to each other before hugging again. Hunter then pointed out the matching watches for Flair and Michaels. Hunter said they could keep this going on all night, then asked for anyone else to come out here.

Edge led Big Show, Orton, and the rest of the roster out to the ringside area to pay their respects to Flair. The entire backstage area emptied out onto the floor in street clothes and in person. Flair went around the ring hugging and thanking his special guests, then Show hugged Flair on the apron. The whole time this is happening, I'm thinking in the back of my head that Vince McMahon is going to interrupt out of character and pay Flair his respects. The camera panned the audience for a few minutes before fading to a Hollywood-ending fade out to a shot of the entire arena standing in honor of Flair. They closed at 10 minutes past the top of the hour with one last close-up of Flair in the ring embracing Cena and Race.

Wow. Just a beautiful, classy pro wrestling moment. That's one for the ages right there.

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