WWE Raw
Lafayette, Louisiana
March 17, 2008
results thanks to wwe.com
Irish Whipped
By: Greg Adkins
March 17, 2008
LAFAYETTE, La. – A proud
Irishman, Mr. McMahon thought he would have the luck of his ancestors firmly
behind him on St. Patrick’s Day when he challenged Ric Flair to a Career
Threatening Street Fight. Unfortunately for the Chairman, it looked as if his
ancestors may have been too busy celebrating to lend a hand.
Mr. McMahon, who had issued a win-or-retire ultimatum to Flair back in November,
came up short against his longtime rival Monday night. With his latest victory,
the 16-time World Champion has now leapt seven hurdles tossed in his path,
including Randy Orton, Umaga, Triple H, William Regal, MVP and Mr. Kennedy, and
kept his career alive. His path to a WrestleMania showdown with his friend, the
incomparable Shawn Michaels, seems clear.
It wasn’t easy, though. During the battle, Mr. McMahon used a battery of weapons
to bloody the “Nature Boy”: a garbage can, kendo stick and a metal folding
chair. Just when it appeared the Chairman would emerge victorious, HBK
distracted the ref before the three-count. And in the end, Flair prevailed after
nailing the Chairman in the blarney stones and crashing down on him and putting
him through a table.
Show Business
Big Show stopped by Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel for a chat when things
quickly turned ugly. Show challenged the Intercontinental Champion to a title
match after equating him with his WrestleMania foe, Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
During their match, The World’s Largest Athlete made a statement by overpowering
the former Undisputed WWE Champion. An enraged Jericho then got disqualified
when he smacked Show across the face with his title gold. However, the giant
sent Mayweather a message loud and clear by knocking out Y2J with one punch.
Carlito Punk’d
In a sneak peek of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania, two of
the seven qualifiers, CM Punk and Carlito, offered a glimpse of the fireworks
that are sure to ensue. After several near-pinfalls, the Straightedge Superstar
finally took out Carlito to capture a slice of momentum heading into Orlando,
Fla.
Supreme Being
Umaga showed why GM William Regal chose him to represent Raw during
WrestleMania’s Battle of Brand Supremacy against SmackDown’s representative,
Batista. The Samoan Bulldozer showed his dominance by plowing through Paul
London & Brian Kendrick after Kendrick seemingly abandoned his partner.
Alternate Ending
Once again, JBL showed why he’s not exactly the most respected man on the
roster. In an attempt to send a message to his WrestleMania Belfast Brawl foe
Finlay, the “wrestling god” chose as an alternate the “next toughest Irishman”
on the roster, ECW’s poor Colin Delaney, whom JBL proceeded to abuse.
Hopping Mad
Less than two weeks before their WrestleMania match, BunnyMania partners Maria &
Candice Michelle faced off against Jillian Hall & Victoria. As Candice sealed
the win for her team, a jealous Santino Marella fumed at ringside. So enraged
about Maria’s Playboy cover was the Italian that he took a cheap shot at Jerry
“The King” Lawler before scampering away. Video | Photos
Army of Two
Thanks to Triple Threat Takeover rules, Triple H pitted his WrestleMania
opponents, John Cena & Randy Orton, against the entire Raw roster. During the
match, the two adversaries were forced to work together to eliminate Paul
Burchill, Snitsky and Trevor Murdoch among others, before the rest of the roster
charged over the ropes, disqualifying themselves and handing Cena & Orton the
match. It didn’t end there, though. Triple H had his say, too, when he entered
the ring and Pedigreed his WrestleMania competition, standing over their spent
bodies with a look of satisfaction.
Matches
CM Punk def. Carlito
Umaga def. Paul London & Brian Kendrick
JBL def. Colin Delaney
Ric Flair def. Mr. McMahon
Candice Michelle & Maria def. Jillian Hall & Victoria
Big Show def. Chris Jericho (disqualification)
John Cena & Randy Orton def. Raw roster (disqualification)