• Wrestling News & Wrestling Rumors – WWE & TNA

Thanks to Todd Martin for these results for last night’s January 5, 2008, episode of WWE Raw from the New Orleans Arena:

The Big News: Shawn Michaels is doing his best to resist the negative influence of JBL.

Show Analysis:

The show began with a phenomenal video package on Shawn Michaels vs. JBL. These packages are always great to the point it pretty much goes without saying, but this week’s package was particularly effective in putting over last week’s angle.

Chris Jericho and Randy Orton were in the ring to protest what happened last week. They complained that Michaels, in allowing JBL to kick him, compromised the integrity of the match. What, Jericho asked, is the world coming to when we can’t rely on the integrity of pro wrestling results? Okay, that was actually more my question. In any event, they filed a protest requesting JBL’s title shot be taken away, Michaels be refused any future title shots and a match between Orton and Jericho to determine the Royal Rumble title contender.

JBL’s limousine pulled up, and Michaels and JBL arrived together. JBL said that Orton and Jericho could protest all they want but that he has the title shot. He said that they would do the same if they had the same resources. The self-righteous Jericho responded that he doesn’t deal with dishonest and disreputable people. He added that Michaels’ actions have proven him right about Michaels. Michaels said that if he has any solace, it’s that he prevented Jericho and Orton from receiving a title shot. Orton called Michaels a weak, pathetic sellout.

Stephanie came out and said that she wouldn’t do anything, since Michaels didn’t lie down. He just purposefully allowed himself to get by the clothesline and then was pinned. Stephanie needs to be arguing on MMA message boards about whether Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Franklin or Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa were works. Hell, with logic like that she probably already is. Stephanie said that Jericho and Orton will be in the Rumble. Jericho said Michaels shouldn’t be in it as punishment. JBL said he would take Michaels out and make sure he is just at the Rumble to assist JBL. Stephanie said that we would see about Michaels’ integrity in Raw’s main event: Michaels and John Cena vs. Orton and Jericho.

Goldust and Melina beat Beth and Santino. Goldust is looking in better shape and was moving better so good for him. He hit an arm drag, clothesline and butt to the head. He tagged Melina, who hit a top rope face buster and used the jackknife cradle to pin Beth. After the match Rosa jumped the barricade to attack Melina. Melina followed her back into the crowd for a fight.

CM Punk was interviewed backstage. He put over the Intercontinental Title and champions like Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect. He said that he would like to add his name to that list. Punk added that he hasn’t forgotten William Regal beating him in the King of the Ring finals last year or the cheap shot last week. He ended up shaking hands with Todd Grisham. Grisham looked so extraordinarily pleased to be paid this attention, like a dog that has been locked indoors all day with nothing to do.

CM Punk vs. William Regal for the Intercontinental Title was basically just an angle. Punk went for the GTS, but Regal grabbed the referee and was disqualified. Stephanie announced a rematch for next week where the DQ rule will be waived. I don’t remember that gimmick being used all that much in WWE, but it was a WCW staple including when Regal was WCW World Television Champion.

Backstage, JBL told Michaels to attack Cena and promised him a huge bonus if he took out Cena before the Royal Rumble. Elsewhere, Orton said that Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka would have another match and if they won they would be in the group. Manu came in and wanted another shot. Orton buried him. He said that he gave Manu the opportunity to be associated with him, and he’s done nothing. Orton said Manu and Afa are nothing compared to the Ortons, and half the fans don’t even know his name. He said Manu would never be a part of his group. Okay, it’s time to just dump this angle. The idea should be to get over the young guys, and instead they’re all being buried miles underground.

Miz and John Morrison beat Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston. The heels worked over Kofi’s leg. Kofi got the tag to Rey, who came in with a huracanrana and dropkick on Morrison. Kofi took out Miz with a crossbody but hurt his leg. Rey used the 619 on Morrison but was slowed down by Miz and his springboard attempt into the ring was met by a Morrison kick for the pin. It is nice to see them putting Miz and Morrison over so strong. It helps get over tag team wrestling in general. Mike Knox jumped Rey after the match.

John Cena came to Shawn Michaels backstage. Cena wanted to know what to expect, and whether he should be preparing for three on one. Michaels said that he isn’t a puppet, but then asked Cena what history suggests to expect from him.

Kelly Kelly beat Jillian Hall. Jillian worked over Kelly, who came back with a crossbody off the top and clotheslines. Kelly went for a victory roll but Jillian dropped down for two. Kelly hit a leg drop for a pin. The announcers are pushing hard how much Kelly has improved, but I’m not buying it. Jillian jumped Kelly afterwards, but Kane made the save. Kane noted Orton rejected her like she rejected Kane, and that doesn’t feel very good. He’s right, you know. Kane the moralist. Kane said next week he will go back to what he likes to do by annihilating Orton. Okay, that’s not quite as morally righteous.

Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka beat Cryme Tyme. They worked over JTG, who eventually tagged Shad. Shad came in with a back drop and elbow drop on Cody, but crashed into the ring post charging Cody. JTG tagged in and used a sunset flip, but Cody kicked out and hit the roll of the dice for the pin. Backstage, Orton congratulated Cody. He then said that Sim was out. Sim pointed out they won the tag match and only one guy could score the pin. Orton said that was exactly it, and Sim proved he was the weak link by not getting the pin.

Backstage, Stephanie told Santino that Rosa is banned. Santino was upset, and said it’s not her fault she’s attracted to his irresistible self. Jericho then came to Stephanie, and wanted to know why JBL was leaving her office earlier in the day. Jericho said that he protested to both Stephanie and Vince. Stephanie said Vince is out of the picture, but Jericho said he got a call from Vince’s office and in two weeks Vince will return to Raw. Stephanie was shocked.

John Cena and Shawn Michaels beat Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. The heels worked over Michaels, who tagged Cena. Cena hit the Cena slam and five knuckle shuffle on Orton. He went for the FU but Orton went to the eyes. A disoriented Cena nearly gave Michaels the FU. The heels then got the heat on Cena. Jericho sent him into the announcing table and hit a DDT. Cena used a top rope rocker dropper and made the tag.

Michaels hesitated but then came in with a flying forearm, inverted atomic drop and slam on Jericho. He went for the elbow off the top but Jericho got his knees up. Michaels came back with sweet chin music for both Orton and Jericho. Cena was ready for an attack but Michaels instead just covered Jericho to win the match. JBL backstage said that next week it will be Michaels vs. Cena with JBL in Michaels’ corner.

Final Thoughts:

Shawn Michaels and JBL are doing such a tremendous job as performers that they are turning their issue into a hot angle in spite of the gaping logic holes. It really is a testament to both of them, and the angle seems perfectly paced for a WrestleMania payoff.

On the flip side, they really should be doing more right now to start building Orton for a WrestleMania shot against Cena. Right now he’s constantly being bested and it’s taking down his star a little bit. Moreover, the Legacy group should help to boost his character but they are burying all the other guys in the group so hard that it just makes Orton look bad to be associated with these geeks. Of course JBL is the next challenger for the belt but in wrestling you should always be setting up what is coming next so it is more meaningful when it arrives.

Todd Martin
ToddMartin4L@aol.com