By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
JUNE 23, 2008
LIVE ON USA NETWORK

WHAT HAPPENED: HOUR ONE

-Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. Ross explained that after every match tonight, the winner gets to draft a wrestler to his brand. Good concept and nice added dimension to the draft. It makes it an actual "draft" now, too. Michael Cole and Mick Foley then talked briefly, followed by Mike Adamle and Tazz.

1 -- TRIPLE H vs. MARK HENRY

Ross and Foley did commentary on this match. Foley complimented Henry for learning to use his Olympic level strength in a functional way inside the ring. He has? Henry hit a lousy-looking "Vader Bomb" ("Zumhoff Bomb") where there was a ton of light between he and Hunter. Ross said it was effective, but Foley said he didn't think he got all of it. It was good for a two count. Henry dominated early with methodical overpowering offense. Hunter came back at 3:00. Foley admitted he was biased in favor of Henry because he represents Smackdown. Henry came back a minute later with a powerbomb for a near fall. He missed with a splash attempt seconds later. Triple H then went for a quick Pedigree and he nailed it for the win.

WINNER: Triple H in 6:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4*

-Raw won a draft pick. What if Raw wrestlers win every match? There won't be much of anything left to the rosters of Smackdown and ECW. Okay, it's not actually the wrestler picking the wrestler, but instead that random screen selection like an old game show. It came up Rey Mysterio, the first wrestler drafted. Rey walked down the ramp and slapped some hands of fans. Ross said he doesn't know how they could have started the draft any more significantly. Rey shook Hunter's hand.

-Lawler plugged McMahon's Million Dollar Mania was next.

[Commercial Break]

-Vince McMahon talked about Rey being drafted to Raw, then explained the rules of the contest. He said there will be five people tonight who win $100K each and one person will win "500 thousand smackers" (that's what Vince said; who calls dollars "smackers"?). He introduced Kelly Kelly to help him with the giveaway. They should have done this in week one to keep people who are bored by this contest with something to look at or be mesmerized by. He had Kelly dial the number as the game show suspense music played. Crystal answered the phone. She could barely speak, then there was screaming in excitement in the background. She said the password was "Night of Champions." He laughed and said that wasn't the password and said she's a loser. Lawler interjected that it was right. Kelly told Vince it was right. He stood corrected and awarded her the money. He didn't know his own password? Kelly began dancing.

-Backstage, Triple H told Rey he is one wrestler he always wanted to work with, so welcome to Raw. Rey said, "To me, this is like a new avenue, man." John Cena walked in and shook his hand, too. Rey left. Cena told Triple H he has a real interesting way to say thank you. He talked about how he evened the score last week as Lance Cade and Chris Jericho jumped him, but then Triple H jumped him. Triple H said he doesn't need or want his help ever. Triple H said they've tip-toed around things, but this is now personal. He said he will never be as good as him. He said his win was a fluke. Cena said maybe so, but he did win. He said, "Let me paraphrase someone you do respect: To be the man, you've got to beat the man." Triple H held up his World Title belt and said, "Until you take this from me, you're nothing." Good segment. It's about all they can do to promote the match at this point, but they're making the best of it, basing it around their one previous match and their egos battling to be top dog.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- SANTINO MARELLA & CARLITO vs. FINLAY & HORNSWOGGLE

Cole and Lawler did color commentary. Lawler said he can't imagine himself cheering for Santino and Carlito, but he'll have to here because he wants more draft picks for Raw. Finlay gave Santino a mini-stunner a minute in. He tagged in Santino who nailed Finlay with a clothesline. Finlay came back at ringside with an attack on Santino, then he tossed Hornswoggle onto Carlito. Lawler said Hornswoggle is "small enough to be an ornament on his car." With the ref distracted by Carlito, Finlay brought the shillelagh into the ring. Santino grabbed it. The turned around and took it from Santino. As the ref got rid of it, Finlay slammed Santino to the mat and tagged in Hornswoggle for the Tadpole Splash for the win.

WINNERS: Hornswoggle & Finlay in 3:00.

-Smackdown then drafted Jeff Hardy, who randomly was selected on the big screen. Rey for Hardy is a good trade for both brands. Hardy gives a lot of people a reason to watch Smackdown, and Rey can draw Hispanics, kids, and all of his fans to Raw who are looking for someone who will seem fresh on Raw in terms of match-ups, but also with some history and clout and a personality worth watching. Hardy walked out and acknowledged the move on the stage. The wrestlers in past years did not know they were being drafted until the announcement on live TV. Instead, a few wrestlers are gathered at the entrance tunnel for the announcement and only one gets called.

[Commercial Break]

-Randy Orton walked out and joined McMahon on the stage for the next giveaway. He had his left arm in a sling. Orton said that just like everyone else back there, he was forced to be there because he's eligible for the draft. He said he had a message for Cena and Triple H. He said he doesn't care who is champion after this Sunday, but they better hope to hell that he gets drafted tonight because when he's back "sooner than anyone can expect, I will be WWE Champion again." He then told Vince that he's not in the mood to giveaway a hundred thousand dollars. He prefaced with an apology, then walked away. Vince said he's in the mood to give away more than 100K. He also wants to give away a great main event featuring Edge vs. John Cena. A match, run into the ground a couple years ago, was becoming fresh again due to the distance between them, and now that clock gets set to zero again on a whim for zero reason with zero build-up other than a mention in hour one. He called someone who didn't even know her name at first. She knew the password. He asked for a pick for the PPV winner. She said Triple H.

-Ross hyped Edge vs. Cena. Lawler hyped a 15-man tri-branded battle royal. The winning brand (five from each brand enter) will get two draft picks.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- CODY RHODES & HARDCORE HOLLY vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & BAM NEELY

Ted DiBiase (Jr.) joined Adamle and Lawler on commentary. DiBiase said everybody wants to know who his partner is going to be, but everyone will have to wait until Night of Champions on Sunday. Holly gave Chavo a spin and an Alabama Slam for a surprisingly sudden pin of the former ECW Champion. Wow. That made Chavo look like a chump. DiBiase said they looked good, but they'll need to bring more on Sunday.

WINNERS: Cody & Holly in 2:00.

-C.M. Punk was drafted to Raw. Punk walked onto the stage with the Money in the Bank briefcase. It's not a sure bet whether this is good or bad for Punk, who could be lost in the shuffle or buried by political forces, or he could be given a chance to break out and be a featured performer on the A-brand.

-They showed Chris Jericho heading toward the entrance tunnel.

[Commercial Break]

-As Jericho walked to the ring, Ross said Shawn Michaels's medical condition has been kept "somewhat under wraps." Jericho complained about fans believing Michaels is a decent human being and he said they should be ashamed of that. He said fans demean, ostracize, and throw trash at him. "How dare you treat me like that?" he said. He then assured them it won't be long before Michaels turns on them. He said he's been lying to his best friends for years. He threw to a video package of Michaels hugging Marty Jannetty, then turning on him. Then a clip aired from 1994 of Michaels superkicking Diesel when Scott Hall ducked. Hardly an outright turn the way it appeared, not more of a miscue. Then Michaels turning on Hulk Hogan in 2005. Then Michaels turning on Cena. Then the recent clip of Michaels feigning a knee injury to beat Batista. Jericho appears to be making a great point. Jericho said he's all about lies, deception, and ego. "Is that what you're all about as well? Hmm?" he asked. Jericho is totally in a good place as a character right now. He then thanked Lance Cade, who appeared on the big screen. Jericho said Cade went through the Shawn Michaels Academy. Cade said he was the star student, but he always knew Michaels would turn his back on him once he made it big. "Unlike Shawn, Chris, you're a man; you tell it like it is; you're someone I can trust," he said. He added that he won't give Michaels a chance to turn on him. He said fans may not appreciate Jericho, but he does. Not a particularly charismatic promo, but he got through his lines without stumbling. Jericho bragged about showing Michaels that what comes around goes around. They went to a clip of Jericho attacking Michaels and throwing him into the JeriTron 2000. Back live, Michaels's music played and he jumped Jericho.

[END FIRST HOUR]

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