Monday Night Raw Recap for March 8: Confrontations Abound on the Road to ‘Mania

This semi-historic Monday night brings us Raw from Portland, Oregon .  The road to WrestleMania continues in full throttle tonight and a highlight is John Cena facing Vince McMahon.  This match is an alleged “tune-up” match for Vince as he prepares to face Brett Hart at WrestleMania.

Michael “Vintage” Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler greet us from the announce position.  Illusionist Criss Angel is our guest host tonight.  The familiar deep gong rings, the arena goes dark, and the Undertaker emerges from the cloud of fog.

In 20 days, Undertaker puts his streak on the line against Shawn Michaels’ career.  Cole reminds us that Michaels came so close to ending the streak last year.  The streak has consumed Michaels, and he cost the Undertaker the World Heavyweight Title at Elimination Chamber.  Because of that, Undertaker has agreed to a match he first refused.

Cole and King talk about the end of last week’s Tag Team Championship match, when Undertaker appeared on the Tron to distract Shawn Michaels, costing DX the win.  Cole again reminds us that if Michaels loses at WrestleMania, his career is over.

Taker says that last week is symbolic of what Shawn Michaels life has become since becoming “number 17” in the undefeated streak.  An HBK chant starts.  Taker goes on and says Shawn’s life has a dark cloud hanging over it and he can’t get rid of it.  His obsession will cause him to pay the price of his storied career.

Taker addresses Shawn and says after WrestleMania there will be no tomorrow, no celebration or sense of triumph.  For Michaels, there will be no victory, only the same dark cloud that will hover above his head for the rest of his life.  It brings Taker no joy to say it, but the fact is that in three weeks Shawn Michaels career will rest…in…

HBK’s music hits before Taker can finish.  Cole says HBK has not lost his flair for the dramatic as Shawn makes his way to the ring.  Shawn says “not tonight…you don’t get to finish your line.”  HBK admits Taker is right and says that for a year the cloud has followed him everywhere.  Last week he went to bed angry, but woke up in the morning but the cloud was gone.

Shawn had an epiphany.  The reason Shawn cost him the World Title in Elimination Chamber was because he had to, he had no choice.  Taker interfered but did not have to, and that’s when it occurred to Shawn.  For the first time in the cold black heart of the Taker, exists fear.

Taker says “If I were you, I would choose my next words very carefully.”  HBK comes back with “FEAR!” because Taker knows how close Shawn came to ending it last year.  Shawn asserts that Taker used the career threat to intimidate, but did Taker really think Shawn would put it all on the line if he thought he would lose?  No one lives a perfect life and nothing lasts forever, and at WrestleMania Shawn is going to prove it.

Taker wonders if that’s right.  He can’t tell if he’s looking at a man who exudes confidence or a man who is pitifully desperate.  HBK says he’s not desperate, and he’d have taken anything to have won last year.  But this year, with so much on the line, he is proposing no count outs and no disqualifications.  The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.  Shawn asserts he will kick Taker’s teeth down his throat and win.

Taker agrees to the stipulations and says Shawn has chosen his own demise.  He could look in Shawn’s eyes and sees the fire and passion, the will to win.  He can look into Shawn’s soul and can see that he honestly thinks he can defeat Taker at WrestleMania.  That’s what makes him the showstopper, the main event, and Mr. WrestleMania.  Taker says “not this year!”  In his opinion, Shawn may  be the greatest to ever step in the ring.  On March 28, Taker will open the gates of hell and unleash a fury   that no man has seen to ensure Shawn’s career is over.

HBK tells Taker to keep telling himself that.  After WrestleMania the dark cloud will return, but it will hang over Taker.  The cloud will follow him everywhere, and the image inside will haunt him forever.  The image will be of Shawn ending the undefeated WrestleMania streak.  Shawn’s music hits and he walks away.

Good interaction between these two veterans.  While not “lights out” it certainly added to the match storyline.  I look forward to what else these guys do going into WrestleMania.

King and Cole talk about the look on Taker’s face.  Cole asks if this is confidence or desperation, and if Shawn is trying to convince himself or the world.

We get a shot outside of the Portland skyline as they talk about how explosively the show has started.  Legacy will be facing Randy Orton later in a handicap match, and Vince McMahon will be facing John Cena in a “warm up match”.  King laughs as they go to break.

As we come back, Eve Torres is coming out with Gail Kim and Kelly Kelly for a six-Diva tag match.  They’re facing Alicia Fox, Maryse, and Katie Lea Burchill who are already in the ring.  Nice respect for the Diva’s Champion by not giving her an entrance.

Alicia and Gail start off, and Alicia attempts a go behind that wasn’t working. Gail reverses it into a hip toss.  Alicia and Gail exchange shots in the corner.  Alicia whips Gail to the corner, but gets greeted with an elbow.  Gail knocks Katie Lea off the apron and turns into Alicia who gets a two count.

Alicia tags in Maryse who throws a backbreaker on Gail for two.  Maryse goes over and knocks Kelly off the apron as King drools over her.  Gail tags in Eve Torres, who is an expert at Rubiks’ Cube and drop kicks that net her a two count.  Hair takedown by Eve into a moonsault for two, but Katie Lea and Alicia break the count up.  Chaos breaks loose as all the women are in.  Eve is on the top rope and Maryse tries to pull Eve off, but Eve turns it into an armbar submission for the win.

Typical Diva fare again.  Eve is showing some skill with that submission hold.

Cole can’t believe it as the winning ladies celebrate.  King tells us we’re to hear from Triple H in the aftermath of last week’s attack by Sheamus.  Cole reminds us that Criss Angel is the guest host, and they go backstage with him and Hornswaggle.

Criss is stoked to be at Raw and he’s greeted by the Bella Twins.  They want to be Criss’ assistants for one night.  Criss says he doesn’t use twins, but pulls a string out of one of the twins’ dresses.  He does an illusion where he pulls the string from his mouth through his eye.  The twins are freaked out.  In walks Jillian, and Criss tries to stop her from singing.  When she does, he does a trick to stop her from even speaking.

Show-Miz is making their way to the ring.  Cole tells us that we’re getting a WrestleMania preview as they will face John Morrison and R-Truth.  This match is up next.

We get a recap of the triple-threat tag team match on Friday’s Smackdown that established R-Truth and John Morrison as the number one contenders for the Unified Tag Team Championship.

Show-Miz makes their way out to the ring.  Miz has a mic in hand.  He starts talking about R-Truth and Morrison earning the right to face Show-Miz.  Really?  Not since the British Bulldog and Lex Luger has a team with such little talent and credibility to face Show-Miz.  Shame on the locker room for not having the talent and shame on the WWE Universe for supporting the Truth-Morrison team.  Show-Miz is a walking miracle and the last truly great tag team in WWE.

John Morrison’s music hits and he makes his way out with the typical slow-motion entrance.  R-Truth comes out right behind him with his “What’s Up” rap routine.  Thankfully that got cut short tonight.

R-Truth and Miz start off.   Morrison runs across with a sliding drop kick on Show, then the two turn their attention to Miz, knocking him out of the ring and nailing a double baseball slide kick.  Morrison and Truth run Big Show into the post then put a double DDT on him, then nail the Miz hard.  The referee may have thrown the entire match out.

Morrison gets on the mic and says “you don’t think we have any credibility, you don’t think we’re real? Well we are!”  Truth says it’s nothing but the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  That’s what’s up!

Cole and King say there was no intention to have a match by Truth and Morrison.  They move on to pushing other matches, including the implosion of Legacy as Orton faces DiBiase and Rhodes, and John Cena facing Vince McMahon.  We’ll hear from Cena after the break.

The only point of this was to set up the Show-Miz vs. Truth and Morrison feud for ‘Mania.  No real reason could otherwise be deduced as the teams have not crossed paths to date.  It will be interesting to see what happens next, if anything.

Coming out of the break we get the “I Made It” promo.  Cole proposes that Batista is in John Cena’s head and asks if Cena can beat him.  We get a video package recapping the feud.

John Cena is in the back with Josh Matthews.  Matthews says that last week someone left Cena speechless.  Cena says “I can’t beat him, I know it…he has my number.  The only thing I can do is go out there and beat him.”  Matthews asks if Cena thinks Batista will get involved tonight, and Cena says he’s counting on it.

Evan Bourne is thanking Criss Angel for facing off with William Regal for a spot in Money in the Bank.  Regal and his NXT rookie Skip Sheffield come in.  Sheffield wants to see a mind trick from Angel.  Angel tells him to write a number on a pad and put it on his chest.  Regal writes 56 on a pad, and Angel goes through the trick and gets the number right.  Sheffield says Regal owes him a Travis Tritt CD.

Cole tells us we are seconds away from Randy Orton vs. Legacy.  King and Cole recap the events at Elimination Chamber as the members of Legacy used a pipe on Orton.

Legacy makes their way to the ring, but Orton jumps them from behind.  Cole calls this “typical Orton” and Orton gets in the ring as DiBiase and Rhodes regroup on the ramp.  They send it to commercial.

Back from commercial, order has been restored.  Rhodes and Orton tie up and back into the corner but Rhodes does not break cleanly.  Orton turns him around and delivers some right hands, then sends him off the ropes and nails a high elbow.  Rhodes tags in DiBiase and the two stalk each other.  They go for a tie-up but DiBiase kicks Orton. Irish whip off the ropes and DiBiase gets clotheslined.  Rhodes and DiBiase have a conference before tagging in Rhodes.

King and Cole are talking about two rules for success but King gets momentary Alzheimer’s and can only come up with one.  Irish whip to the corner, and Orton gets nailed on the follow up, and staggers to the DiBiase corner where he gets beat on some more while the referee is distracted.  Rhodes continues to assault Orton and covers him for two.  Irish whip off the ropes, and Orton puts the brakes on and gives Rhodes a high body drop out of the ring.  DiBiase tries to ambush Orton but he turns around quickly.  They send it to commercial.

Back and Orton is cleaning house.  Irish whip on Rhodes who tried to avoid the follow up move but Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline.  Rhodes with a kick and throws Orton out of the ring.  Orton gets back up to the apron but DiBiase pulls him off.Rhodes goes out after Orton and slams his head off the apron.  DiBiase plays off while Rhodes runs Orton’s head off the ring.  A strong “Randy” chant starts as Rhodes throws a couple knees then tags DiBiase in.

DiBiase with some hard right hands and then a rear headlock.  He’s trash talking all the while.  Cole says Rhodes and DiBiase must be loving this.  Orton’s to his feet and throwing elbows to break the headlock.  Irish whip but Orton turns right into a clothesline that gets a near fall.  Back into the Rhodes corner, and Rhodes is tagged in.  Rhodes covers for two.

Rhodes is stomping away and puts some elbows into Orton’s face.  King and Cole recap the opening of the show.   Rhodes has Orton draped on the ropes and kicks him in the guts.  Rhodes is taunting and stomping Orton.  Another tag brings DiBiase back in, and he’s hammering away on Orton in the corner.  Classic tag action between Rhodes and DiBiase with frequent tags.

Irish whip to the opposite corner and Orton fires up with clotheslines and a scoop slam.  He is beating DiBiase down in the corner but gets kicked as he approaches the corner.  DiBiase gets a little overconfident and gets nailed by Orton.  Orton is pounding the mat but Rhodes gets him from behind with the distraction.  DiBiase nails Dream Street on Orton for the win.

The numbers game was just too much according to Cole, and King can’t believe it.  DiBiase and Rhodes taunt Orton after the match, and Rhodes puts the Cross Rhodes on Orton.  DiBiase and Rhodes continue to mock and taunt Orton and celebrate with the classic Orton pose over a fallen Randy Orton.

I’m not sure where this is going, but it could still be good. Will it be a two on one affair at WrestleMania, or be one on one?  Whatever the case, it can be guaranteed that both members of Legacy will be involved in any match involving Orton.

King and Cole recap the end of the match.  The distraction by Rhodes was enough to allow DiBiase to hit Dream Street for the win.  Cole says the pair has made their choice to sever ties with Orton.

Josh Matthews approaches Batista and asks his thoughts about Cena expecting him to get involved in the match tonight.  Batista insists the match tonight has nothing to do with Batista and he gives his word that he will not get involved tonight.  Batista says he’s in Cena’s head and Cena could use a confidence boost.  Cole sells the main event.

Triple H is walking toward the ring.  He’s up next to discuss the events of last week involving Sheamus.  Next week, Stone Cold Steve Austin returns to the WWE to guest host Raw.

Coming back from commercial Cole tells us about WWE.com’s tribute to the Divas.  Cole reminds us that it’s the longest running episodic program and here comes Triple H.  A big ovation for Triple H as the 13-time World Champion comes to the ring.  King tells us that SlimJim is sponsoring WrestleMania and sells a text contest called the Slim Jim Showdown.

Cole says this week has been restless for Triple H and they give us a video recap of the events at the end of the show involving Sheamus.

So here’s the thing, Triple H respects what Sheamus did last week.  If that was him, he’d want to come out and make a statement too.  Triple H didn’t get far into his promo when Sheamus’ music hits.  Sheamus is walking right to the ring and the two stand face to face.

Sheamus takes the mic and says he didn’t make a statement yet, and wants to make a statement at WrestleMania.  Sheamus asks if Triple H has the guts.  Triple H says Sheamus had the greatest first year in the business, but he hasn’t been to the big dance, WrestleMania.  Until he makes a name at WrestleMania, the rest means nothing. 

Triple H knows where Sheamu is, because he’s been there.  He was going to make a name for himself and jumped on the biggest dog in the yard.  He got crushed and went into a pit of obscurity that he had to dig his way out of until he became the guy.

Over the years, a lot of guys tried and some failed.  The ones that succeeded, their careers took off.  He gives Cena and Batista as examples.  The long list is the ones that failed, and they’re all footnotes of the WWE’s history.  He asks if Sheamus has the guts, and if he’s willing to lay it all on the line.  Sheamus gets one shot at being immortal at WrestleMania.

Before Sheamus takes that gamble, he better be sure.  Sheamus and Triple H stare each other down, and Shemaus starts to back away.  Sheamus attacks, and the two exchange blows.  Triple H sends Sheamus out of the ring with a clothesline. Sheamus tries to get the bicycle kick but Triple H ducks it, then takes him over the rail.

Triple H follows Sheamus out and keeps up the assault.  The two keep brawling back into the ring, where Triple H nails a spine buster and Sheamus rolls out of harm’s way.  Sheamus backs up the ramp and Triple H goads him on from the ring.  Cole and King talk about how dynamic and great that match would be.

Good interaction here I thought.  This could be a really good match, or really bad.  I wonder aloud if Triple H would do the job to Sheamus.

Santino Marella is with Criss Angel talking about himself.  He talks about magic and Ralph Maccio and Houdini.  Santino tries a trick that fails.  Criss says he has four cups that are empty and a sushi knife.    He tells Santino to hide the sushi knife under one of the cups.  Criss puts his hands over the cups, then one by one smashes each until the one with the knife is uncovered.  Santino’s heart is racing as they go to break.

Christian is at ringside with Heath Slater to watch the Money in the Bank qualifier.  Evan Bourne is coming out first as they talk about the Money in the Bank match.  Christian has been in three of them and they are spectacular.  This match suits Evan Bourne’s style well.

Regal makes his way out to the ring accompanied by Skip Sheffield.  Cole talks about the relationship with the rookies and pros on NXT.  Cole reminds us about the concept of Money in the Bank.

Regal starts off with heavy shots in the corner on Bourne but Bourne battles back a bit with knees and kicks.  Irish whip by Regal with a big elbow.  He gets two on Bourne.   Regal puts a big slam on Bourne and sets up for a punt kick but Bourne gets a kick to the head.  Out of nowhere Evan Bourne gets Air Bourne and pins Regal for the win.

I’m still trying to figure out why they’re having squash qualifier matches.

Christian says he’s going to win the Money in the Bank match and become a World Champion.  Cole recaps the roster for the match.  Bourne celebrates on the ring ropes as Cole, King and Christian recap the end of the match.

King pushes the match between Vince McMahon and John Cena yet to come tonight on the show as they go to break.  The WrestleMania promo going to break is the match between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

The WrestleMania recall is from WrestleMania 20, when Goldberg squared off with Brock Lesnar with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the referee.  That match ended with both competitors being stunned.  Cole reminds us that Austin is going to be next week’s guest host.

They take us outside for shots of the Portland skyline.  King and Cole run down the WrestleMania card set to date.

They pause with Brett Hart vs. Vince McMahon, and run a video package of the “final farewell” events of last week.  They’re using this as a setup for Cena vs. McMahon later and for the WrestleMania match as well.

McMahon is making his way toward the ring, and King thinks Vince is in trouble.  Batista has given his word that he won’t get involved.  That match is next.

Coming back, we get a promo for the Shawn Michaels DVD “My Journey” that will be coming out for sale tomorrow.

King and Cole are shown at the table and they talk about Stone Cold hosting next week.  Stone Cold has set up a bunch of WrestleMania recall matches for next week’s program.  John Cena will face Big Show, Shawn Michaels will face Chris Jericho, and Triple H will face Randy Orton.  There will be a contract signing for Brett Hart vs. Vince McMahon, presided over by Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Criss Angel will be the ring announcer for this final match tonight.  Criss makes his way out and Cole tells us about his accomplishments.  Criss is the magician of the decade and century.  King has not seen anyone like him. 

Criss gets on the mic and asks how Portland is doing tonight.  He says he’s honored to be on Raw live tonight and asks if the crowd is ready.  He’s presenting the main event.

John Cena comes out first.  Cole reminds us that Cena was left speechless last week and that bad things have happened with Batista in the ring with him.  Vince comes out next, doing his typical eight pound grapefruit strut.  Cole and King keep talking about the possibility of Batista interfering.

Vince gets on the mic to address Brett Hart and mocks him for walking around on one leg.  Vince then taunts Cena and says he’s going to lose and that it’s a gauntlet match tonight. 

First up is Vladimir Kozlov.  Cena jumps him fast but Kozlov gets a power slam then a headbut to the chest and a big spine buster.  Kozlov tags in Vince who goes for a cover but gets only two.  Here comes Drew McIntyre running to the ring and he starts raining in the right hands.   Drew hits his finisher move, but Vince gets the tag and covers only for two again.

Vince motions for the next person, and it’s Jack Swagger.  They go to break.

Back from commercial, and John Cena has mounted a comeback.  He nails the five knuckle shuffle on Swagger but Swagger gets Cena into the corner upside down.  Swagger slams Cena and gets a Vader Bomb in the corner.  Vince wants a tag but Swagger gets the bomb one more time.  Vince is tagged in, and tries to go for the pin but Cena kicks out at two.

Vince tries to pin him again, and again Cena kicks out at two.  Out comes Mark Henry now.  Henry isn’t happy but he can’t cross the boss.   Henry is conflicted but still delivers the World’s Strongest Slam.  Vince is eager for the tag, which Henry gives reluctantly.  Cena kicks out at two again.  Vince is mad, and goes out for something.  Vince says it’s now no disqualification and brings the ring bell along with him.

Mark Henry is trying to reason with Vince and keep him from using the bell.  Vince slams the bell into Mark Henry’s chest but Batista shows up.  He spears Henry, and Kofi Kingston comes out to take on Bastista.

Batista tries to pick Cena up but Cena starts firing away on Batista, then Cena turns his attention to McMahon.  Cena picks McMahon up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista spears Cena.  Batista then gives Cena the Batista Bomb.  Vince then picks up the easy pin and taunts as the referee counts three.

Batista of course never kept his word that he would not get involved in the match.  Cole talks about how bad things continue to happen when Cena and Batista are in the same ring.  Batista is standing over Cena taunting the crowd as the lights dim and there’s a spotlight on him.  He holds his arms high and yells as the show goes off the air.

Did we expect anything different from Vince and Batista?  Typical heelish tactics, making the numbers in their favor and putting a beating on the hero in Cena.  I see this breaking down to Cena defeating Batista at ‘Mania but there will be a couple more weeks of Batista beatings to set that up.  Very typical storylining here in my opinion.

All in all, not a bad show.  Minimal guest host interaction was nice.  We saw very little of Hornswaggle also – always a plus.  Storylines were advanced some more and there were no big surprises.  Also of note, WWE did not go out of their way to do something huge in light of TNA airing iMPACT tonight as well.  They didn’t have to.  With WrestleMania a mere 20 days out, they sort of had a built-in emphasis to keep themselves well ahead of TNA tonight.  Taker vs. HBK is going to be more of a draw than Hogan vs. Flair any day of the week.

Related posts:

1. Monday Night Raw Recap for March 1: The Road to Mania Continues
2. Monday Night Raw Recap for March 22: Last Exit on the Road to WrestleMania
3. Monday Night Raw Recap for March 15: The Rattlesnake Rewinds it for Us
4. Monday Night Raw Recap for March 29: HBK Says Farewell and Other WrestleMania Fallout
5. Monday Night Raw Recap: Who is Ready to Rumble?