Post by Dangerously on Jun 22, 2014 18:25:49 GMT -5
MONDAY NIGHT RAW | JANUARY 16TH, 2006.
RAW opens with a graphic announcing that tonight's main event would see Intercontinental champion Ric Flair go one-on-one with WWE champion Edge, with both men putting their titles on the line.
Vince McMahon makes his way down to the ring, all smiles and confidence after what happened to Shawn Michaels on last week's RAW. He takes the microphone to a chorus of boos, though a smile is still plastered on his face.
Vince McMahon: Now, some of you people may get the wrong impression from this smile that's quite frankly been on my face all week. Some of you will think it's because I think Shawn Michaels got what's coming to him...and you'd be damn right. Shawn Michaels got what he deserves...and that's a chance to prove how great he is. Shawn claims to be the best in the business, he claims to be the greatest of all time, well that's what I gave him last week, and apparently he's unable to live up to the challenge.
(Walking out onto the stage) Shawn Michaels: Wait just a minute there, Vince.
Vince McMahon: That's Mr McMahon, dammit!
Shawn Michaels: Like I said, Vince, you can't come out here and lie to these people. You honestly expect them to believe that you're giving me the chance to prove how great I am? I've already proven my skills, Vince, what you're doing is punishing me. Punishing me for having the intestinal fortitude to step up and tell you you're wrong. Then again, you've never liked that, have you, Vince?
Vince McMahon: Dammit, Shawn, shut up! The only thing I hate more than losing is being called a liar. I'm doing this all for you, Shawn. The showstopper, HBK, the Icon. You wanna prove how great you are, earn a spot in the hall of fame, well, you're going to get to do that at the Royal Rumble as well. Shawn, you're gonna have to be great to win the Royal Rumble match, since you're coming in number one! Oh, and one more thing, Shawn. If you lose the Royal Rumble match, then the next night on RAW...YOU'RE FIRED. Enjoy your match tonight.
Shawn Michaels vs Kane
With those ominous words from Vince hanging in his head, Shawn was at an intense psychological advantage in this match against the much bigger and stronger Kane. HBK showed up to fight, though, and took the fight to the Big Red Monster before putting him away with a Sweet Chin Music.
Maria: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, WWE Champion...Edge. Now, Edge, tonight you put your title on the line against Ric Flair's Intercontinental Championship. What's your strategy going into this HUGE match?
Edge: Strategy? I don't need a strategy. All I need is what I've got, and what I can do, and that's exactly what I did to Ric Flair last week on RAW when he dared to disrespect me. It's the Rated-R era now, Maria, and you, and everyone else, will show the champion some respect. Or else you'll all end up like Flair did last week, and like he will tonight. Beaten.
Viscera and Val Venis vs Carlito and Chris Masters
Jerry Lawler: I have it on very good authority that Carlito and Masters have made up and plan to work together as a cohesive unit from here on out!
Joey Styles: I hope for their sake that's true, King! They're gonna need it to have a chance in this one.
For once, King's information was correct, and Masters and Carlito were able to function together as a proper team. Masters locked the Master Lock on Viscera and the big man was unable to break it, as all who came before him were as well. This picked up a submission victory for Masters and Carlito.
Candice Michelle vs Mickie James
In her continued quest to impress Trish Stratus, who was seated at ringside, Mickie James went over Candice Michelle. Before hitting her opponent with a Mick Kick, Mickie pointed at Trish and shouted "for you," then picked up the victory over Candice.
Speaker
Candice Michelle may be out cold-
Jerry Lawler: Maybe I should go give mouth-to-mouth!
Joey Styles: As I was saying, Trish, are you intimidated by the Mick Kick?
Trish Stratus: Y'know, Joey, I would be. But I taught Mickie everything she knows. I just didn't teach her everything that I know.
Shelton Benjamin vs Kurt Angle
The ever-cocky Shelton Benjamin had a lot to prove heading into this match, and he was able to do so just by holding his own against Kurt Angle. He was able to go hold-for-hold against the Olympic Gold Medalist for a while, but when Angle was looking to put Benjamin away, Shawn Michaels' music hit, and distracted Angle for long enough that he turned into a T-Bone Suplex and Shelton put him away!
Coach: I'm standing by with the Intercontinental Champion, The Nature Boy, Ric Flair. Ric, we heard from Edge earlier tonight, and he seems confident he can beat you. With your head still likely injured from last week's attack, what do you think your chances are of walking out with both championships tonight?
Ric Flair: Coach, you wanna know what my odds are of walking out with both championships? Why don't you go find Edge and ask his chances of walking out PERIOD. Edge, you cocky little punk, you've awakened a fire inside of me that I haven't felt in ages. And tonight, I unleash that fire on you! Tonight, I become WWE champion! Tonight, I HURT you. WOO.
Ric Flair (c) vs Edge (c)
True to his words in the earlier interview, Ric Flair brought a mean streak to this match, not even letting Edge get his title off before attacking the WWE champion. The two men had an intense struggle in this one until Edge was able to use Lita's distractions to take advantage. Before he could put Ric Flair away, though...
John Cena runs into the ring! He attacks Edge immediately, causing a disqualification win for the WWE Champion. Edge bails from the ring and tries to retreat up the ramp, but Cena grabs a hold of him and throws him into the ring steps. Cena beats Edge around the ringside area as Edge continually tries to get away. When they get to the announce table, Cena bounces Edge's head off of it before clearing the table. Cena picks up Edge and gives him an F-U through the announce table!