ANAHEIM, Calif. – Stars in the WWE Universe were out in force Monday Night as Raw came to life inside the confines of the Honda Center. With just two weeks until Cyber Sunday, celebrities, including Nancy O'Dell and Johnny Knoxville, showed up to catch all the WWE action on a night that would prove as overwhelming as any Hollywood blockbuster.
CM Punk def. Chris Jericho
After tackling the challenge of Shawn Michaels in a Lumberjack Match, it was Batista’s turn to make his Cyber Sunday opponent sweat a little. Per GM Adamle’s orders, The Animal chose the World Heavyweight Champion’s opponent for the night, and he chose the former World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. Jericho pouted at the announcement, but then Lilian dropped the bad news. Batista also chose a special guest referee for the match: The Animal himself. During the bout, Batista had fun with his Cyber Sunday rival, taunting him with slow counts and pointing at his ref shirt as a defense. In the end, a frustrated Jericho went down in defeat when The Animal dropped a Batista Bomb on him and Punk quickly covered. The loss undoubtedly serves to fuel the current World Heavyweight Champion as he trains his sights on defending his title against The Animal at Cyber Sunday.
Kelly Kelly & Cryme Tyme def. Jillian & Miz & Morrison
The battle of the WWE.com Video Originals continued Monday night when Kelly Kelly & the “Word Up” boyz took on Jillian and the “Dirt Sheet” duo. Before the match, The Miz & John Morrison “entertained” the crowd with a rap dissing their opponents before eventually being stopped by Jillian, who tried to join in. But it was Shad who got the last diss inside the ring when he pinned Morrison after a little help from JTG.
Jackass stars learn about WWE the hard way
Showcasing the Honk-A-Meter in the run up to Cyber Sunday, Santino Marella, with his girlfriend Beth Phoenix by his side, told the crowd that in one year he will only be one week away from beating the Honky Tonk Man’s record for longest Intercontinental Championship reign at 64 weeks. Marella then invited WWE enthusiast and Jackass ringleader Johnny Knoxville into the ring. A reluctant Knoxville climbed into the ring and proceeded to insult Phoenix, who promptly slammed Knoxville to the mat. An opportunistic Hornswoggle, no doubt offended by earlier comments Knoxville made about “midgets,” climbed from under the ring and Tadpole Splashed him. Events got ever stranger when Knoxville’s Jackass cohort Chris Pontius came to his friend’s aid. As he did, Big Dick Johnson entered the ring, and he and Pontius battled in a near-naked dance-off. During the dance-off, Boogeyman made an appearance, causing Johnson to flee as Pontius looked on. Boogeyman wasted no time laying Pontius out and giving him the “worm treatment.” Before the surreal scene was finished, however, The Great Khali made an appearance and punished Knoxville, slamming him with the Khali Vise Grip.
Batista vs. HBK in a Lumberjack Match (No Contest)
At Chris Jericho’s choosing, Batista was forced to take on Shawn Michaels in a Lumberjack Match. Before the bout got underway, lumberjacks surrounded the ring, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Manu, Snitsky, JBL, Deuce, William Regal, Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely and Mark Henry among them. As the match progressed, lumberjacks began to interfere with both The Animal and HBK, but the combatants weren’t having it. Instead of fighting each other, they trained their ire on the meddling lumberjacks until it was only Batista and Michaels who stood tall in the ring. The two even showed mutual respect with a handshake. Needless to say, Jericho was furious.
JBL def. Haas Hogan
In his latest Superstar incarnation, Charlie Haas strutted down the entrance ramp as Hulk Hogan to battle JBL. Despite the ravaged economy, the millionaire investor was focused enough to punish Haas before laying him out with his trademark Clothesline from Hell.
Kane & Mark Henry def. Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy
In the weeks leading up to their clash at Cyber Sunday, Rey Mysterio and Kane met in the ring again tonight, joined by tag partners ECW Champion Matt Hardy and Mark Henry respectively. Kane caught Mysterio and pinned him for the win. The Big Red Monster then continued to kick the Master of the 619 in the ribs, until Mysterio popped up and threw Kane some offense of his own. The tag team match, however, will not be on the menu for Cyber Sunday when Kane faces off against Mysterio. In fact, the WWE Universe has three different match types from which to choose, including Falls Count Anywhere, No Holds Barred and a 2-out-of-3 Falls. Don’t forget to vote!
Chris Jericho puts HBK in match against Batista
World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho appeared livid as he kicked off Monday Night Raw. He complained about the WWE Universe being able to vote Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as the special referee in his match against Batista at Cyber Sunday. As he pleaded directly to Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Michaels came out to confront him. Heated words and punches were exchanged before Jericho scurried outside of the ring and informed his rival, per GM Adamle, that he will choose Batista’s opponent that night, and that opponent will be Shawn Michaels
