JUNE 18 RAW RECAP: PICKING UP THE PIECES
Updated 2007 RAW Standings
With the black, ominous cloud that's been looming over World Wrestling Entertainment all week after the tragic limo explosion, it has been decided that, just as Mr. McMahon would have wanted it, the show will go on. For the first RAW episode in 14-years, the show did go on without it's beloved Chairman.
Our fans were in for a surprise when Stephanie made her first public appearance of any McMahon since his tragic demise, and promised that vengeance will come once her family finds out who caused this horrific tragedy.
Federal investigator Daniel Beck was also at Richmond Coliseum in search of clues about the tragic limousine explosion that presumably killed Mr. McMahon. Beck questioned Superstars, referees, the tech crew and anyone that he believed could be a suspect. No one was safe, not even Mr. McMahon's limo driver himself.
With Mr. McMahon gone, Jonathan Coachman was given control over RAW on an interim basis. The first thing he did was force Vengeance opponents to team up, as WWE Champion John Cena & Bobby Lashley were matched against Randy Orton & King Booker. While these Superstars are no strangers to one another, there was a lot of frustration among these four men when fingers were pointing at each other playing the game of "whodunit?" They all battled their way viciously, giving our fans a taste of what could happen this Sunday at Vengeance: Night of Champions. While Lashley seemed to be gaining an advantage in the match, the Legend Killer came out of nowhere, nailing Lashley with a brutal RKO, to give his team the victory. If Orton or any of the challengers can do the same on Sunday, there will be a new WWE Champion come next Monday night.
After Mick Foley made sincere condolences to the McMahon family, Coachman ordered Foley to fight none other than the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, in Foley's first one-on-one match on RAW in seven years. "It's a man that Mr. McMahon detested against a man that Mr. McMahon admired," Coachman said. Unfortunately, even steel chairs couldn't stop the unleashed Umaga, as the Samoan Bulldozer plowed Foley's head through the steel steps, leaving him in the hands of Dr. Rios. Update on Foley's condition…
Newly drafted to the RAW roster last week, Mr. Kennedy made his presence loud and clear when he grabbed the microphone and stated that he's dedicating his career to a man who was like a father to him. "From here on out, I pledge my career to continuing the legacy of Mr. Vincent KENNEDY McMahon…McMahon." Kennedy also said that he's the greatest thing to ever grace WWE, a claim that our RAW fans will soon be able to validate for themselves.
It was announced earlier in the day on WWE.com that The Hardys will challenge Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Team Championship at Vengeance: Night of Champions. On RAW, the champions sat at ringside while the high-flying Jeff Hardy took on Daivari, who was drafted to RAW in the Supplemental Draft. After Jeff pinned Daivari with the Swanton Bomb, Cade & Murdoch grabbed a microphone, telling Jeff that it was poor sportsmanship by The Hardys that caused them to attack two weeks ago. Jeff flipped out at the accusation, and ended up flipping himself over the top rope to take the champions out.
In other RAW action, Carlito came to the ring to speak his mind about his former mentor Ric Flair and ex-girlfriend Torrie Wilson being drafted to SmackDown last week. "They both got drafted off my show, RAW, and it's a good thing too. Ric Flair couldn't take any more Carlito," he said. Carlito's words didn't seem too cool, however, for RAW Supplemental draftee Sandman, who entered the Richmond Coliseum through the crowd, raised some hell with Carlito, and sent him scurrying out of the ring.
Speaking of Supplemental draftees, RAW's first selection, the team of Paul London & Brian Kendrick, showed off their high-flying repertoire on RAW for the first time. The popular former WWE Tag Team Champions were successful in their RAW debut, defeating The World's Greatest Tag Team after Kendrick nailed Shelton Benjamin with Sliced Bread No. 2.
Another Supplemental draftee, Jillian Hall was also successful in her RAW debut as she teamed with Women's Champion Melina to defeat Candice Michelle and hometown hero Mickie James. The victory ended Candice's recent winning streak over Melina, as the Candy-licious Diva had defeated the Women's Champion in several non-title matches in recent weeks. For the first time in weeks, Melina got the better of Candice, and appears to back on top of her game. The question remains, however, if the Women's Champion can do it again with the gold on the line at Vengeance: Night of Champions. Can Melina retain the gold on Sunday, or will this victory
