By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

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

WHAT HAPPENED: HOUR TWO

-WWSD? Shawn Michaels, with his right eye taped on the edges, charged into the ring and attacked Jericho. He tackled Jericho through the ropes to the floor. Jericho then threw Michaels into the corner of the announce table. Michaels winced in pain and grabbed at his eye as if it had popped out. Jericho looked on with a bit of fear. Medics checked on him as he flailed in panic and pain. They replayed the impact on the table. The camera zoomed in, then they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

-Tazz joined Michael Cole on commentary. Tazz said ECW can't be happy losing Punk. Cole lamented the loss of Rey, but loved the gain of Hardy.

-Before the match, Vickie Guerrero was wheeled out by Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins. She said originally Ryder and Hawkins were going to be the opponents of Miz & Morrson, but "recent events" changed that. She returned to the back and then Matt Hardy's music played. He was joined on stage by Jeff Hardy.

4 -- JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. THE HARDY BOYZ

Cole said, "It's reunion time on Raw!" He said Smackdown's chances just picked up big time. A fan in front row center is wearing an ROH t-shirt. That WWE hasn't forced him to put on a WWE t-shirt over it indicates something. Tazz called Matt Hardy "the proverbial veteran." Odd choice of words. The Hardys got in the early offense including some double-team sequences. Miz & Morrison got control at 2:00 and isolated Jeff for a few minutes. At 5:00 he hot-tagged Matt. Matt bulldogged Morrison while also clotheslining Miz in a cool spot. Miz saved Morrison from a pin. Jeff fought Miz at ringside as Matt hit Morrison with a top rope legdrop. Miz distracted the ref, then Morrison rolled up Matt with a yank on his pants for the win.

WINNERS: Miz & Morrison in 8:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Good basic formula tag match with higher than average athleticism for WWE. The finish was surprising, but the right move, since Miz & Morrison are tag champs, even though they're not perceived by management as being at the same level as the Hardys.

-Draft Result: ECW gained Matt Hardy. At first Matt seemed stunned, but then he smiled and hugged Jeff, as if to say their reunion didn't last long. That's a good move, too, as it will actually give Matt a chance to take Punk's spot as the top ECW babyface and be a centerpiece of a brand without anyone blocking his chance to test himself as a main eventer for a single brand. It wasn't going to happen on Raw or Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

-Ross plugged Edge vs. Cena and the 15-man battle royal.

-Back to Vince McMahon on the stage. He reminisced about giving away $2 and $16. He laughed about the fan whose answering machine picked up. McMahon then introduced a man whom he said he was a bit hasty in kicking out last week. Out came Ric Flair to his music. Flair dialed a number. Donna answered and knew the password. She cried out in celebration. Flair then went "Whoo!"

-They showed Melina and Mickie James talking and heading toward the entrance tunnel. I wonder if anyone would even notice if they wore clown make-up.

[Commercial Break]

-The ring announcer said the following match was an Announcers' Only Draft with the commentators, ring announcers, and interviewers eligible. Ross seemed nonplussed. Cole looked nervous, then smiled.

5 -- MICKIE JAMES & MELINA vs. NATALYA & VICTORIA

Foley said maybe he and J.R. could become a legendary combo. "It could be me and Adamle! Yes, Michael!" Tazz said he can't fathom Raw without J.R. or the King. At 2:00 Melina sold an ankle injury after being shoved off the ring apron onto the floor. Mickie went to check on her. Melina apologized to Mickie. The heels jumped the faces at ringside. The ref called for the bell. Adamle interjected, "It's a DQ." Ross quizzed Adamle on what that meant. Adamle actually knew. The ref ruled it a DDQ. As a result, both Raw and Smackdown will get a draft pick.

WINNERS: DDQ in 3:00.

-Ross was drafted to Smackdown and Cole was drafted to Raw. Cole and Ross switched positions. Imagine the coincidence once Ross was picked of Cole moving to Raw. Ross looked completely thrown off by this. Cole said he's ecstatic to be part of Raw, but he's called all but two Smackdowns. Ross almost seemed to be getting emotional, then he went on to plug Edge vs. Cena again.

[Commercial Break]

-They replayed Melina landing on her ankle awkwardly at ringside. Cole and Lawler talked about it. Then they went to Ross who asked Mick what he thinks. Foley said he was an institution on Raw. Ross said, "I guess it's time to escape the institution." I don't know how Ross and Cole (or Lawler and Foley) feel about the switch, or if it will even remain in place, but if it is kept as is, I think it may be a blessing in disguise for Ross, who will actually get to call longer matches and could develop a real strong chemistry with Foley. Cole and Lawler are fine together, and it could bring something new out of Lawler.

-McMahon was joined by Great Khali. He asked him to review "Get Smart" with Duane Johnson as a co-star. Khali talked in his native language. Then McMahon held up the new Rock DVD. McMahon then called someone else. Someone answered. McMahon asked, "Who is this?" The guy said, "Wrong number" and hung up. McMahon dialed a new number. Justin answered and knew the password. He won 100K. Khali reacted to the phone like it was some sort of magical box.

-Edge's ring introduction took place.

6 -- EDGE vs. JOHN CENA

This is coming earlier than expected, at the end of the second hour. Foley said he finds himself rooting for Edge so SD can get the next draft pick. Ross said he's a team player. Ross recapped the moves so far in the draft. Foley said if truth be told, he'd have rather jumped to Raw to join Ross there. Wow, that's quite an admission. He never got to finish the thought as there were near falls in the ring as he finished his sentence. At 4:00 Cena went on an offensive flurry and signalled for the FU sequence.

[END SECOND HOUR]

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