November 17, 2008 – Atlanta, Georgia
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
OPEN FORUM
Stephanie McMahon & The entire RAW Roster: Stephanie McMahon came out to the stage to address the RAW roster, who had gathered inside the ring before the show started. Stephanie said her office has been getting lots of questions from employees so she decided to hold an open forum to get everything out in the open. Randy Orton stepped forward and asked why the title match at Survivor Series went to John Cena and not him. Stephanie said that decision was made by her brother without her input. Stephanie explained that John Cena was a contender when he was injured in a match with Batista. Orton turned around and told his fellow wrestlers that whoever wins on Sunday, he’s next! Cody Rhodes stepped forward and asked why Randy Orton was not suspended for kicking him in the head – and why he has been placed on Orton’s team at Survivor Series. Stephanie said they were all grown men, and pointed out that Orton also kicked C.M. Punk in the head a few months ago. Stephanie booked Orton vs. Punk in a Lumberjack match tonight! Santino Marella stepped forward and did a goofy rap song about losing his Intercontinental title last week and asked for a rematch. Santino turned and told William Regal “you might not be in a restaurant, but you just got served!” Stephanie declined Santino’s request for a rematch. JBL stepped forward and asked where Mr. McMahon was, stating that he needed to talk to him about his issues with Shawn Michaels. Stephanie said that her father was out of the picture, and started to address JBL’s Survivor Series match. Shawn Michaels stepped forward and asked what if somebody (refering to himself) couldn’t wait until Sunday to get revenge and then attacked JBL and the ring quickly cleared leaving Michaels standing alone.
DIVAS MATCH
Kelly Kelly defeated SmackDown!’s Victoria: Victoria brutalized Kelly, but the blonde cutie scored yet another upset victory over a more experienced opponent! Victoria went crazy after the match and killed Kelly with the Widow’s Peak! Mickie James, Candice Michelle, and Jillian Hall made the save! Victoria retreated, but Beth Phoenix snuck up behind her and pushed her back into the ring! Beth planted Victoria with her finisher! Very strange group of Diva’s to team up on Team RAW at Survivor Series.
SINGLES MATCH
Batista defeated Manu w/Cody Rhodes: They showed clips of the Wild Samoans tag team before the match. Just after the bell rang, Randy Orton came out to the stage to watch the match. After Batista won the match, he said he has listened to Orton run his mouth about Evolution for three years. Batista said on Sunday he finally gets to shut Orton’s mouth.
ON STAGE: Stephanie McMahon introduced legendary WWE Hall of Famer, Chief Jay Strongbow! Really great to see him… I often wondered if he was in good health. Nice!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes: Randy Orton confronted Cody Rhodes for backing down from a fight with Batista. Randy gave an arrogant speech about how great he is. Rhodes said “Randy, keep talking… because right now, it’s what you’re best at!”
ON STAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & Evan Bourne + Mike Knox: Todd Grisham showed a video package with highlights from Evan Bourne’s short WWE career and showed slow-motion clips of his unfortunate ankle injury. Bourne came out to update the fans on the progress of his injury, but was interrupted by Mike Knox. Knox just stood there looking down at Bourne for several moments before walking off.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Shawn Michaels & Rey Mysterio: Shawn Michaels joked about all of his former tag team partners and said tonight is his first time teaming with Rey Mysterio. Michaels acted nervous and joked with Mysterio until they bumped into Dolph Ziggler (fresh off his 30-day suspension). Michaels looked in the camera and said there is a Survivor Series preview coming up next!
TAG TEAM MATCH (SURVIVOR SERIES PREVIEW)
John Morrison & Mike Mizanin defeated Shawn Michaels & Rey Mysterio: Rey Mysterio hit the Miz with the 619, then Shawn Michaels knocked out Miz with a Superkick! Shawn turned around and got clocked with a Superkick by John Morrison! Morrison went over the top rope with Mysterio, as the Miz rolled over and pinned Michaels for the 1-2-3! Morrison celebrated like he won the SuperBowl..
VIDEO PACKAGE: More JOHN CENA propaganda.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Stephanie McMahon & World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho: Chris Jericho said John Cena was a bad influence on RAW. Jericho claimed that when he returned he will cause controversy and it will cause a full scale riot on RAW. Jericho said everybody on RAW hopes he is still champion next Monday on RAW after Survivor Series.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & C.M. Punk: They showed a clip of Randy Orton kicking C.M. Punk in the head at Unforgiven, and costing him the World Heavyweight title..
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Bradshaw Layfield & Kane: JBL tried to convince Kane that they were compatible. Kane said JBL’s hobby is giving finiancial analysis, while he (Kane) likes to find victims and electricuting their groins with car batteries. Kane warned JBL that he does not take orders from anybody.
TAG TEAM MATCH (SURVIVOR SERIES PREVIEW)
John Bradshaw Layfield & Kane defeated Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG): Kane did most of the damage until JBL tagged himself in and flattened JTG with a Clothesline from Hell for the win!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne + Mike Knox: Kofi Kingston was talking to Evan Bourne when Mike Knox showed up and beat the crap out of Kingston. Knox then stalked Evan Bourne and took his crutch and smashed it over his injured ankle!!! (which was fitted with a solid protective boot)
NON (WWE INTERCONTINENTAL/ECW WORLD) TITLE MATCH
ECW World champion Matt Hardy vs. WWE Intercontinental champion William Regal w/Layla El ended in a Double Countout: William Regal complained that a rap star in the front row got a bigger reception than he did, and that is the difference between America and Britain. Weird promo. Each man was representing a team that will face off at Survivor Series. The match ended in a Double Countout and the two grapplers engaged in a brawl and had to be separated.
IN THE RING
World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho: Chris Jericho said it was time for him to tell his story (in reaction to all the John Cena video packages that have been playing over the past few weeks). Jericho said one year before Cena stepped into a WWE ring, he (Jericho) made history by defeating Steve Austin and The Rock in one night to become the Undisputed champion. Jericho also talked about winning the Championship Scramble a few months ago to achieve the extraordinary. Jericho said while Cena was recouping at home from an injury he has beaten C.M. Punk in a steel cage, then two weeks later beat Shawn Michaels in a Ladder match, then beat Batista in another grueling cage match to become a five-time World champion. Jericho said every bit of pomp and circumstance has been centered on John Cena. Jericho said Cena has never conquered him (Editor’s Note: Well there was that time at Vengeance 2002 and then again at SummerSlam 2005, as well as the RAW after SummerSlam when Cena beat him in an “I Quit” match and sent Jericho into retirement – but who’s counting?). Jericho said the centerpiece of RAW is the World Heavyweight champion, and that is CHRIS JERICHO. Jericho promised to extinguish the phenomenon that is John Cena and then Monday Night RAW will finally be SAVED.
LUMBERJACK MATCH
Randy Orton defeated C.M. Punk: Lumberjacks included Batista, Rey Mysterio, JBL, Kane, Paul Burchill, Manu, Cody Rhodes, William Regal, Jamie Noble, Ricky Ortiz, John Morrison, Mike Mizanin, Matt Hardy, Deuce, Mike Knox, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, Gene Snitsky, Santino Marella, Fit Finlay, Charlie Haas, Jim Duggan, Shad Gaspard, JTG, Mark Henry, Tony Atlas, Tommy Dreamer, D-Lo Brown —– Late in the match, C.M. Punk did a crazy dive off the top rope into a sea of Lumberjacks. It was all for not, because a few moments later Randy Orton hit Punk with an RKO in the ring to win the match! Orton lined up for a kick to Punk’s head, but Batista jumped in and speared Orton! JBL went after Batista, but Shawn Michaels attacked JBL. Kane went after Michaels, but Rey Mysterio drop-kicked him off the top rope! All hell broke loose as the lumberjacks paired off for a massive brawl to end the broadcast!