By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT (Hour 2 of 3)
DECEMBER 8, 2008
LIVE FROM PHILADELPHIA, PA.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

[Q9]

6 -- BATISTA & TRIPLE H vs. CODY RHODES & MANU & RANDY ORTON

When Triple H and Batista knocked Cody and Manu out of the ring, Orton snuck up behind them. They caught onto it, though, and turned. He slinked out of the ring immediately. They cut to an early break at 2:00.

[Commercial Break]

Orton did the Orton Stomp all over Hunter's body. Orton tagged in Cody. He worked over Hunter until Hunter countered a bulldog. Cody craled over to hot-tag Manu while Hunter hot-tagged Batista. Batista dominated Manu out of the gate and hit a spinebuster. He shook the top rope and set up a BatistaBomb. As Cody leaped off the top rope, Batista threw Manu at Cody. He clotheslined Cody in the corner, then clotheslined Manu in the opposite corner. Orton snuck in and surprised Batista with an RKO attempt. Hunter broke it up and then clotheslined Manu over the top rope. Batista then set up Orton for a batista Bomb. Cody broke that up. Orton suddenly surprised Batista with an RKO for the win. Ross said, "I think we just saw the evolution of Legacy, here on Monday Night Raw."

WINNERS: Orton & Cody & Manu in 10:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Solid basic match.

-Cole plugged Cena vs. Edge.

[Q10]

[Commercial Break]

-A commercial aired for Mr. Kennedy's new movie coming out on DVD on Jan. 6, 2009. It's a boost to any WWE talent who are put in a movie trailer in a starring role, so this doesn't harm Mr. Kennedy even though it's a "straight-to-DVD" movie.

-Lilian introduced Ron Simmons and Mickie James. Mickie said, "There's just one word to introduce this next category." He wouldn't say it. Nominees for Damn Moment of the Year: Khali's Kiss Cam, Punk Surprises Chavo with a Guitar Over the Head, Jim Ross as a Sailor on Halloween, Santino's Split Goes Splat. This should have been a WWE.com exclusive. The Khali Kiss Cam won. Simmons still hadn't said anything yet. Khali walked out wearing a suit. Lawler said he cleans up nice. Khali gave a speech. Sanjin Singh translated. He said people shouldn't be obsessed with material possessions and awards are frivilous. He said it's more important to focus on material resources so our children will have a brighter tomorrow. Mickie moved toward him and accepted a kiss. Jillian Hall walked out singing poorly. As she sang, Funaki, Howard Finkle, and a clean-shaved Sgt. Slaughter walked out in costume. Simmons then exclaimed: "Damn!"

-Cole again plugged Cena vs. Edge. Lawler plugged the Superstar of the Year nominees list.

[Commercial Break]

[Q11]

-Lawler and Cole were shown on camera. They plugged the Slammy Awards and WWE.com. R-Truth's rap then kicked in. He sang his way through the crowd. Not sure who was worse - him or Jillian. He was more in tune, but she was more on beat.

7 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. R-TRUTH

R-Truth danced and gyrated and hip-thrusted in response to Ziggler's handshake offer. Truth and Ziggler blew a spot. No idea what they were trying to do, but Truth flipped between the second and top rope to the floor awkwardly. Ross said, "I've met Dolph Ziggler eight times today." Good line. At 3:00 Killings knocked Ziggler to the mat, then slingshotted himself into Diggler on the floor. As Killings was about to re-enter the ring, Ziggler kicked him to the floor and then rolled into the ring to beat the count. Afterward, Ziggler said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the winner, Dolph Ziggler."

WINNER: Ziggler via countout in 4:00.

STAR RATING: * -- We don't see many countouts. That was well-timed. Ziggler has some potential to be a fun character, but his upside seems limited. We'll see.

-A commercial aired for the Dec. 20 "Tribute to the Troops" on NBC.

[Commercial Break]

-WWE Fact: WWE has produced 11 DVDs that have hit no. 1 on the sports chart this year, more than the NFL, UFC, NBA, NHL, and the Olympics combined. If WWE had its way, though, they wouldn't be listed on the "sports" chart since they're "entertainment."

[Q12]

-Stephanie McMahon stood at the podium to announce the Superstar of the Year Award. Winner: Chris Jericho. Who decides these awards, anyway? Jericho said, "First of all..." He stopped as the crowd booed him and walked to the ring instead, with his statue in hand. The crowd continued to boo. He said was ecstatic that the fans couldn't cast votes. He said they're mindless sheep, steered into whatever direction they're pointed in, biased, easily influenced, and do not have the capabilities to decide something like this fairly. "And you know it's true," he said. He said he knew he was going to be Superstar of the Year. He said at Armageddon, he will regain what is his. He said in his feud with Michaels, he lost an identity. He said after throwing Michaels's head through the Jeritron, he dropped a facade he created to please the fans. He called it an albatross hanging over his head for a decade, and losing it was one of the best feelings he's ever had. He said he was becoming what Cena is today, a "pandering, patronizing sycophants who wants please all of you, and it makes me sick." He said they're all lying, cheating hypocrites. He said he's closing out his banner year of 2008 by defeating Cena this Sunday at Armageddon and once again wearing the World Championship around his waist.

Cena's music interrupted. Ross said that music says it all. Jericho disrespectfully threw his statue to the mat. Cena charged into the ring. Jericho bailed out into the crowd. Edge's music then played. He walked out wearing the WWE Title belt.

8 -- EDGE vs. JOHN CENA

Some fans booed Cena's initial flurry of offense. He clotheslined Edge over the top rope. They cut to a very early break.

[Commercial Break]

Back in the ring Edge had Cena in an inverted chinlock. They showed a clip of Edge snapping Cena's neck backwards over the top rope. Edge set up a Spear, but Cena came back with flying shoulder tackles and a side slam. He looked to the crowd, got a mixed reaction, and then signaled for "You Can't See Me." The crowd said it out loud as he waved his hand. He set up an FU. Edge escaped. Cena went for it again. Edge esecaped. And again. Cena escaped. Edge rolled him up. Cena powered out and applied an STFU mid-ring. Cena released the hold to go after Jericho, who showed up at ringside. They brawled into the crowd.

WINNER: Edge via countout (presumably) at 8:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Not a lot to it until the non-finish.

-Triple H attacjed Edge in the ring. Jeff Hardy then jumped Triple H and Edge. Tazz said, "This is awesome, man!" Triple H came back and knocked Hardy to the floor, then clotheslined Edge over the top rope to the floor. Hardy hit Edge with a running dropkick at ringside as Triple H watched from inside the ring. The announcers closed with a hard-sell of Armageddon.

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