The Road to Wrestlemania XXIV... Week 1 up!

KEEP WITH THIS ALRIGHT MONgo.

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January 21, 2008 - Hampton, VA[/center]
The usual RAW opening video package plays to open up this edition of Monday Night RAW as the Royal Rumble approaches. As the video package finishes, the camera comes into the arena, which is in darkness, before being lit up by a spectacular new High Definition stage. Jim Ross and Jerry 'The King' Lawler welcome the fans to the show, saying tonight Triple H will have his final chance to qualify for the Royal Rumble, as he'll have to try and beat off a huge challenge, former World Heavyweight Champion The Great Khali, to qualify for the match! Shawn Michaels then enters the arena, the Heartbreak Kid ready for the first High Definition match in WWE History.

Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. Kennedy via pinfall.[/color]
Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music to win this fantastic back and forth match.

Michaels celebrates the win, which gives him momentum heading into the Royal Rumble, but Kennedy grabs some momentum of his own by nailing HBK with a huge Mic Check in a post match attack! He then announces himself as the man who'll be the winner of the 2008 Royal Rumble, with his trademark 'Mr. Kennedy! ... Kennedy!', as the first commercial break of the night comes in.

Commercial Break

RAW returns with a car pulling up outside the arena, out of which Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy steps. He is greeted by a pop from the fans, and WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon. McMahon says he didn't appreciate Hardy's little 'stunt' last week, and he's going to punish him tonight by making him put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against an opponent of Randy Orton's choosing. He then sarcastically tells him to 'have a good night' before walking away, leaving Hardy.

World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly defeated Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch via pinfall.
Holly and Rhodes continued their run of good fortune, winning the match with a new double team missile dropkick that was hit on Murdoch.

Commercial Break

Womens Champion Beth Phoenix defeated Mickie James via Pinfall.
James fell to the dominant Phoenix here, with the 'Glamazon' nailing the Cradle Suplex for the win.

Mickie bashed her hands into the mat and shouted out in frustration as the camera's went backstage, where John Bradshaw Layfield was inside the office of William Regal. He says that seeing as Chris Jericho hasn't been seen on RAW in two weeks, he figures their match at the Royal Rumble should be cancelled. Regal says that unfortunately for JBL, that is not the case, as not only is Chris Jericho here tonight, but he has also agreed to change the Royal Rumble match to a No-Disqualifications match! JBL is outraged by the decision, pleading with Regal as a commercial break comes in.

Commercial Break

After the break, Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring, ready to defend his Championship. As Hardy stands in the ring, Randy Orton makes his way out, keeping the crowd on tenterhooks before announcing Jeff's opponent tonight: Snitsky!

Jeff Hardy defeated Snitsky via Pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
Hardy overcame the odds against him here against the giant Snitsky to retain the title following a Swanton Bomb.

Hardy celebrated having managed to retain his Intercontinental Championship here tonight somehow, despite suffering with neck injuries, but the celebration was ended very swiftly thanks to an RKO from Randy Orton! Orton then lined up Hardy for the Punt, but Hardy managed to grab Orton's foot, and take him down. Orton quickly shuffled out of the ring, Hardy having gotten the better of the WWE Champion here with the Royal Rumble less than a week away!

Commercial Break

Returning to RAW, we hear the JBL's theme song, as the 'wrestling god' makes his way out to the ring. He is quick to his point, saying that his return to wrestling, a return so many prayed to the wrestling god for, has not been greeted as he would've liked. He says that he doesn't want to fight Chris Jericho in a No-Disqualification match, he just wants to wrestle in the Royal Rumble, win, and become the WWE Champion once more, and that's why he's back, not this. The desperate JBL's day is made worse when Chris Jericho's theme cuts him off, Jericho making his way out without saying a word. Dressed in casual clothes, he walks around the ring, asks Lillian Garcia to stand up, and takes her chair, bangs it on the stairs and climbs in the ring. He swings wildly at JBL, who gets out of the dodge, and backs up the ramp, receiving a chair to the head, thrown by Jericho, as he does. Jericho then grabs a microphone, and says JBL went too far when he brought his family into this, and at the Royal Rumble, he's going to give him a beating so bad he'll wish he'd never come back! JBL leaves the arena, trying to escape as quickly as possible, as he two stares down Jericho and a commercial break comes in.

Commercial Break

William Regal, RAW's General Manager, appeared on the stage as RAW returned from the break, saying that he is now going to introduce the man who will win the 2008 Royal Rumble: Umaga! Umaga then made his way out to the ring, as three local competitor stood in the ring, ready for the biggest test of their careers.

Umaga def. Three Local Competitors in a Handicap Match.
Umaga hit one of the local competitors, Brent Tirva, with a huge Samoan Spike for the victory.

Umaga then tossed each man over the top rope, showing his intentions to be dominant in his Rumble Match debut, as a commercial break came in, and the commentators hyped Ric Flair appearing after the break!

Commercial Break

When the commercials ended, Ric Flair made his way out, the 'Nature Boy' happy to be appearing on Monday Night RAW. Flair grabs a microphone, and says he's glad to be here on Monday Night RAW in Hampton. He says that the WWE Champion and the Intercontinental Champion barely ever butt heads, but at the Royal Rumble there'll be one helluva clash, and it'll just as good as the first time it happened with Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, and says that he will make sure his career goes on long enough for him to challenge for the WWE Championship once more. Flair wants to continue, but is cut off by SmackDown!'s United States Champion, MVP. MVP says that the only champion he should be concerned with is the United States Champion, because that's who's going to be ending Ric Flair's career this Sunday! Flair says that he'd love to see MVP try, and says that this Sunday won't be his farewell to the WWE in their most famed home, Madison Square Garden! MVP says that he'll continue make his legacy this Sunday, and will do so by making himself known forever as the man who retired Ric Flair! This ends the conversation as MVP drops his microphone and heads backstage, as the commentators hype Triple H getting a chance to qualify for the Royal Rumble next against the Great Khali in the main event!

Commercial Break

Triple H defeated The Great Khali via pinfall to qualify for the Royal Rumble.
Triple H hit one of the biggest Pedigree's of his career to defeat the Great Khali and qualify for the Royal Rumble!

Triple H celebrates the win, pointing at the Royal Rumble logo on the minitron and saying he is going to win the match for the second time this Sunday, as the first ever High Definition edition of Monday Night RAW came to a close.

World Wrestling Entertainment ® 2008

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Michaels over Kennedy in the opener is good. I liked Kennedy attacking Michaels afterwards as it kept his heel character strong. Really dislike the team of Rhodes/Holly so would quite like to see them drop the straps eventually. Beth over Mickie is fine, the post-match stuff with Mickie actually made me think that we'll be seen psycho Mickie return? Snitsky being picked as Jeff's opponent makes sense as does Jeff going over. Umaga beating 3 locals is fine, keeps him looking strong. MVP/Flair promo was good. HHH/Khali is a decent main event, not surprised that HHH qualified but I am quite surprised that it was at the expense of Khali.

ECW ON SCI-FI
January 22, 2008 - Charlottesville, VA.

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SmackDown!'s visiting greaser felt some Trouble in Paradise courtesy of Kingston in this match up.

Kingston celebrated another big win here in the Land of Extreme, but the celebration was cut short by the emergence of ECW's Mastadon, Big Daddy V. Kingston fought valiantly against him, but just couldn't overcome him, as V nailed a Samoan Drop and an elbow, before throwing Kingston out of the ring. Deuce 'n Domino then came up to him patting him on the back, but they recieved the same, their beatdown recieving a surprising patter of cheers from the crowd. Striker and V threw up the signature V hand as the first commercial break came in.

Commercial Break

As ECW returns, Matt Striker is stood backstage with Big Daddy V. He says that whatever the number is that his Man Monster draws, he is a dead certain for the winner of the prestigious match. He warns RAW and SmackDown! that they are yet to feel the full force of Big Daddy V, but this Sunday they'll get a good taste of him! The camera then returns to the ring, where Tazz is stood with Colin Delaney, a young rookie from Rochester trying to earn his place on the ECW roster. Tazz asks Colin if he's ready for another chance at a contract, to which he replies he is, before announcing that his match will be a Handicap match against the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions, John Morrison and The Miz!

WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and The Miz defeated Colin Delaney in a Handicap Match.
Another painful loss here for Delaney, who suffered another painful loss here, falling to Morrison's Moonlight Drive.

Morrison and Miz throw him over the top rope together, showing that they are capable of eliminating in the Royal Rumble match. They look ready to carry on the beatdown on Delaney, but finally an ally for Delaney, in the form of Tommy Dreamer! The man with the permanent Hardcore Hangover runs down to the ring, waving a steel chair, Miz and Morrison rushing off through the crowd! He helps Delaney up, and warns the two not to try it again, as a commercial break comes in.

Commercial Break

Backstage, Josh Matthews is stood with Tommy Dreamer, who is helping an injured Colin Delaney to stand. Dreamer says that Morrison and Miz are both jerks, and if they cross paths in the Royal Rumble, they had better watch out! He then says he helped out Colin because he sees a bit of his friend, Mikey Whipwreck, in him, and figures if Mikey could be World Champion, then so can he! He finishes by saying he's going to teach Colin how to get tough, starting right now! The two then go off backstage, as the action returns to the ring, which is filled right up.

Shelton Benjamin wins a tri-brand 10 Man Battle Royal.
Also in the match: Elijah Burke, Funaki, Kenny Dykstra, Jimmy Wang Yang, Mike Knox, Nunzio, Super Cranzy and The Highlanders.

As Shelton celebrates, the commentators hyped that after the break, CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero clash with the ECW Championship on the line!

Commercial Break

CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero battled to a no-contest with the ECW Championship on the line.
The fierce rivalry these two are embroiled in boiled over when the ring couldn't contain the action, and they battled to a count out finish.

Punk and Chavo continue to battle after the bell, neither man relenting, leading to officials to have come down and break them up. Armando Estrada, ECW's General Manager, then came out, and said that due to the way that this match panned out, CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero will battle at the Royal Rumble, in a no countout or disqualification rematch, and the ECW Championship will again be on the line! Chavo and Punk both smile, as the first HD ECW ends.[/ul][/font]

FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!
January 25, 2008 - Charlottesville, VA

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SmackDown! returns with Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman on screen. The two say that another match has been announced for tonight's show, with The Undertaker taking on Big Daddy V later tonight!

Kane defeated Elijah Burke via pinfall.[/color]
Kane made it two losses this week for Burke, finishing this match with his signature Chokeslam.

As Burke writhed in agony on the floor, Kane grabbed a microphone. He reminded the fans how he holds the record for the most eliminations in one Royal Rumble with eleven in one match! Kane then says his aim in this Rumble is to break that record and toss out twelve WWE Superstars! He then sets off his trademark pyro, and heads to the back as another commercial break comes in.

Commercial Break

SmackDown! returns with Teddy Long talking to Vickie Guerrero in the General Manager's office. Teddy says it's unfair how she is treating Rey this close to a major title match, to which Vickie replies that Rey shouldn't have interfered in her life, and told her how to live! The EdgeHeads then wheeled her away as the action returned to the ring.

United States Champion MVP defeated Balls Mahoney via submission.
An extremely unlucky visit to the blue brand for Mahoney, who suffered a painful loss when he had to submit to a Figure 4 from MVP.

MVP then grabbed a microphone, and said that Ric Flair had beter be saying his goodbye's to the locker room, as this Sunday will be his final match, and final moment in the WWE! He continues, saying he just used the Figure Four Leg Lock, which is Ric Flair's move, and he says he did it because he the WWE's own MVP, and he is better than Ric Flair, and all of you, and this Sunday, he retires Ric Flair! The commentators then put over that after the break, The Undertaker takes on Big Daddy V!

Commercial Break

The Undertaker defeated Big Daddy V (with Matt Striker) via Submission.
A tough battle for the Phenom here as he took on ECW's Mastadon, Big Daddy V. 'Taker turned to a new submission to take the win here, making V submit to a Gogoplata variation.

Taker did his trademark kneeling celebration, as the camera went backstage. We see Chavo Guerrero speaking to Edge, saying he needs help with something from a future brother. Edge smiles and the two walk off, with SmackDown! heading to another break.

Commercial Break

The Great Khali defeated Finlay (with Hornswoggle) via disqualification.
Finlay fought valiantly but again couldn't keep the giant Khali down, and so turned to an illegal measure, his shilelagh, resulting in the disqualification.

Finlay quickly grabs a microphone, and begins to speak. He says that this Sunday at the Rumble, anyone who picks a fight with his friend Hornswoggle is picking a fight with Finlay, and warns the locker room they don't want to do that! At this point, The Great Khali is stirring, getting to his feet, but Finlay delivers a few swift blows to his head with the Shilelagh, knocking the giant down again, as commercials come in.

Commercial Break

Batista defeated Deuce (with Domino and Cherry) via pinfall.
Batista made it two out of two losses for the greasers by putting away Deuce with the Batista Bomb.

Batista celebrated by pointing to the Wrestlemania sign and rubbing his waist, motioning that he wanted the World Heavyweight Championship back and he was going to win the Rumble to get it! The camera then went backstage where Michelle McCool was walking with Jamie Noble and Chuck Palumbo. She says she knows that the two of them haven't been getting along well, but she wants them to have each other's back in the tag team match tonight. Palumbo and Noble both assure Michelle she has nothing to worry about, the three of them heading out to the ring for a tag team match next!

Commercial Break

Chuck Palumbo and Jamie Noble defeated The Highlanders via pinfall.
Palumbo hit the Full Throttle on Rory for the victory in this tag team battle.

Noble and Palumbo celebrated the win as Michelle McCool climbed in the ring to celebrate with them. The three were getting along fine, until Chuck Palumbo threw Jamie Noble over the top rope! Michelle shouted at Palumbo, asking him why he threw Jamie out of the ring, to which Palumbo shouted at Noble (and thus, Michelle as well) that it was every man for himself in the Royal Rumble! Noble nodded his head, saying he'd see him there, as the commentators hyped Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry after the break!

Commercial Break

Rey Mysterio defeated Mark Henry via Disqualification.
As it looked like Rey was building towards taking the win, Edge, who was on commentary, jumped in the ring and nailed him with a huge Spear, causing a disqualification.

Rey held his ribs in pain after the Spear, as Mark Henry smiled at the pain he was in, before adding to it with a World's Strongest Slam and Big Splash. Edge then raised Mark's hand, thanking him for what he had done, before Henry left the ring and Edge raised his World Heavyweight Championship over a fallen Mysterio to close the first High Definition of SmackDown!
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World Wrestling Entertainment ® 2008

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