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26th of December 2005
WWE's Monday Night Raw kicks off with Matt Striker already out in the ring. Highlights of his recent heel turn are shown before his opponent is announced as Jimmy Jacobs. The fans aren't terribly excited as the flabuoyant competitor stomps out to the ring in his furry boots for the match.
MATCH ONE - Jimmy Jacobs vs. Matt Striker
It's an entertaining match, really, with Jacobs showing a lot of technical and flying prowess in the bout. In the end, much to the fans' surprise, Jacobs looks to be fading after his earlier dominance - locked in a sleeper hold by Striker. As he fights it, he begins to stomp his furry boots, and in a bizarre parody of a 'Hulk up' - he fights out of the maneuver, hits a big boot, and then nails Striker with a move the commentary team describe as The Contra Code (a sitout springboard somersault three-quarter facelock diving reverse DDT). The referee counts it as Jacobs gets the win on debut, 1-2-3.
After the clash he stamps up the ramp screaming 'HUSS' at the top of his lungs, much to the crowd's bemusement and amusement.
Backstage he's stopped by Maria, who asks him what 'Huss' is. He proceeds to yell 'Huss' for a solid minute before settling down. He goes on to talk about how he is the Barbaric Berzerker, and how his Berzerker Boots possess magical powers. It's almost Wrestlecrap in some ways, but bizarrely amusing at the same time. He lets Maria pet his boots before stomping off yelling 'Huss'.
COMMERCIAL
Returning from the commercial we're treated to heavy heat as Rob Conway is out in the ring for his so called Legends Challenge. He talks about how he embarassed Jerry Lawler last week (something which Coach delights in discussing) and that he's going to do the same to his opponent tonight. His opponent is none other than Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine.
MATCH TWO - Greg Valentine vs. Rob Conway
This is a far from brilliant match, with Valentine's age showing. Still, it's enjoyable enough from a story-telling standpoint, with Conway getting a cheap win via the Ego Trip after blatantly low-blowing the former legend. The referee continues to ring the bell as Conway beats down the legendary wrestler.
We cut backstage to where Ric Flair is on the mike. He's got a match up against Shelton Benjamin next for his Intercontinental Title. He spends most of the interview, however, talking about how he can't wait for New Year's Revolution so he can put Hunter out of his misery.
MATCH THREE - Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin (c) for the IC Title
This one is top shelf from start to finish, the two talented workers putting on a match of the night candidate full of inventive counters and action. Things are looking in Benjamin's favour early when the plucky, athletic young star is able to use his speed advantage - but later in the piece Flair fights back with sleeper holds and such. The match ends cleanly, remarkably, when Benjamin catches Flair on the top rope, tosses him to the mat, and then lays him out with the T-Bone Suplex for the retain.
After the match, Triple H appears on the ramp and mockingly applauds Flair's efforts. The Nature Boy gives chase but, as he rushes through the backstage area, he's blind-sided by TNT's Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. The young tag team beat down Flair with chairs.
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break to see Flair being put into an ambulance following the beating he received. Out in the ring Triple H is with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, and the Game is laughing at how easy it is to find people willing to join him against Flair. He says that Cade and Murdoch both see that Flair's time has come, and they definitely see what an advantage it is to have Triple H on their side. Cade then gets on the mike to hype up his team's chances of winning the World Tag Titles later tonight.
We then cut backstage to where CM Punk is with Maria. She does her 'dumb' thing which eventually makes him lose patience. He snatches the microphone and says that people like Maria should be sent to special facilities - not put on international television to be ridiculed. He pities her, but not much as he pities the likes of Val Venis and Viscera. "Don't even get me started on the so called five hundred pound love machine. He's not only morbidly obese, he's also a womaniser. He's disgusting". He then goes on to talk about how he's going to beat Tajiri tonight.
MATCH FOUR - CM Punk vs. Tajiri
Predictably this is a good match, featuring two very good workers. Punk picks up the win clean after introducing the WWE to the Pepsi Plunge (a top rope Pedigree).
After the clash, as Punk celebrates, Viscera and Val Venis hit the ring. Whilst Punk is more than enough for Viscera in terms of speed - Venis is able to lay him out with a spinebuster before going up top for the Money Shot. This brings out Bischoff, who books Venis and Punk in a match next week to settle their differences.
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break to find Chris Masters in the ring. Last week he lost in an upset against Goldust, and he doesn't look happy. He's got a match up against Rosey tonight, and he intends to get back in the winner's circle.
MATCH FIVE- Rosey vs. Chris Masters
The burial of Rosey continues, with the former superhero barely getting off any offence in this one. Masters eventually wins it, predictably, with the Masterlock.
We again cut backstage to where Big Show and Kane are talking in their locker room. They basically talk about all of the pain they are planning to inflict on TNT.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH SIX - Kane & Big Show (c) vs. TNT for the Tag Titles
This match starts off with things all in the favour of the champions - with Murdoch made to look like a plaything by the larger pair. Cade fairs little better, although he does earn some heat when he knees Show in the groin and then knocks him to the match with a spinning neckbreaker. It's all for nought, however, when Kane is tagged in and continues Show's good work.
It all comes unglued for the champions, though, when Triple H makes his presence felt. He clubs Show across the back with a sledgehammer and the distracted Kane is caught in a reverse neckbreaker by Murdoch. TNT proceed to stamp on Kane before putting him out with their finisher. 1-2-3! They steal a win whilst Show lies bruised on the ground. TNT are the new tag champions!
COMMERCIAL
The crowd pops upon the return from the break, with John Cena shown backstage doing chin-ups. Kurt Angle enters the locker room and the two stare each other down. Angle says he'd better not get comfortable, as he intends to win his match against Edge to ensure he's in the running. Cena reminds Angle that if HBK wins tonight - Angle can kiss his title dream goodbye. Angle takes offence, but the two are held apart by the intervention of Goldust and Chavo Guerrero.
We then cut to a promo from Shawn Michaels, who basically talks about his dream to recapture the title one last time. He says he'll put Edge out of business tonight - and all of the money in the bank in the world won't save him.
MATCH SEVEN - Shawn Michaels vs. Edge
This is definitely the clash of the evening, a perfect blend of in ring chemistry, selling, and psychology. It's a damn fine clash, and it looks good for an HBK victory following Edge's failed Spear sending him shoulder first into the ring post. HBK's tuning up the band when Lita grabs his ankle. He spins around, yells at her, and then turns back into a Spear! 1-2-3! Edge steals a win! If he wins against Angle next week, he'll be the #1 contender!
Cena hits the ring and begins to brawl with Edge following the match, which of course draws out Angle as well. Edge is the victim of an F-U, but Cena is absolutely nailed with Sweet Chin Music right afterwards. HBK is then picked up and Angle Slammed to the mat - and Angle stands tall! The #1 contenders scene is no clearer, but next week we'll know for sure!
Scoring
Jimmy Jacobs: Win (+5) = 5
Rob Conway: Win (+5) = 5
Shelton Benjamin: Win (+5) and Title Defence (+3) = 8
CM Punk: Win (+5) = 5
Chris Masters: Win (+5) = 5
Lance Cade: Win (+5) and Title Gain (+10) = 15
Trevor Murdoch: Win (+5) and Title Gain (+10) = 15
Triple H: Interference (+1) = 1
Edge: Win (+5) = 5
Lita: Interference (+1) = 1
CURRENT LEADERBOARD
Big Pete - 25
PARANoIR - 25
thuganomics - 25
raider_69 - 22
Knight82 - 21
GreenGuy - 15
lockyno1 - 13
Manuwera Marlins - 8
Gene Krupa - 7
MILLWALL - 5
