WWE RAW Results (7/18/05): Matt Hardy & Hulk Hogan!

WWE RAW Results (7/18/05): Matt Hardy & Hulk Hogan!

Event: WWE Monday Night RAW Results
Date: Monday, July 18th, 2005
Location: The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA
Results by PowerWrestling.com

WWE RAW Opener:

The music of General Manager, Eric Bischoff, hit in the arena to start to the show. Eric said that last week, something happened that was so appalling, so heinous, that he couldn t let it go unaddressed. We are then taken to footage from last week when John Cena hit the FU on Bischoff. Bischoff said new RAW, or old RAW, Eric Bischoff is still in charge, and because of that, he could suspend John Cena. He could bring him out here right now and fire him, but a better idea came along. He said that John Cena vs. Snitsky right here on RAW, but that s only half of it. He said the ring is going to be surrounded by hand picked superstars, because this match is going to be a lumberjack match. Bischoff said he has a strange feeling that Cena will be in no shape to defend his title at SummerSlam, and he predicts that we will be seeing the beginning of the end of the championship reign of one John Cena. We then go to opening credits and the fireworks then went off in the arena as Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler and the Coach welcomed us to a red hot summer night in Philadelphia. Tonight, the Diva Search continues, and someone will be going home tonight. We then see a steel cage hanging above the ring, and Edge and Kane will do battle tonight inside that structure.

Intercontinental Championship Match
Referee: Chad Patton
Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito (c)

The music of Carlito hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring as the Intercontinental Champion, and he is set to face Shelton Benjamin. Lilian Garcia announced that the title can change hands on a count out.

The start:

Carlito went to work on Benjamin with right hands, and then a reverse elbow to knock Benjamin down. Carlito whipped Benjamin to the corner, but then Benjamin came back with a clothesline and then the Stinger Splash in the corner. Carlito rolled to the outside and Shelton hit a flying clothesline off the top rope onto Carlito. Back in, and Benjamin hit a springboard shoulder tackle to take Carlito down. Carlito rolled to the outside again, and grabbed his title belt.

Mid-match notes:

Carlito made his way up the aisle, but if he gets counted out, he will lose the title. Carlito got back inside, and then rolled out the other side, but Benjamin knocked him down on the outside with a clothesline off the apron. Benjamin tossed Carlito inside, and then came off the top rope with a clothesline for two. Carlito came back, and tied Shelton in the tree of woe. Carlito stomped away on Benjamin and then locked in a bear hug on the mat. Benjamin fought out and then the two traded right hands. Benjamin nailed him with a pair of clotheslines and then drove Carlito into the mat and covered for two.

The Finish:

Carlito rolled up Benjamin, and got his feet on the ropes for leverage but Benjamin kicked out. Carlito hit a DDT in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Benjamin hit an elbow in the corner, but then walked into a front slam for two. Benjamin rolled Carlito up for two and then Carlito rolled Benjamin up and grabbed the tights but Benjamin kicked out. Benjamin came back and went for the T-Bone but Carlito gave him a low blow and the referee called for the bell.

Winner by disqualification, Shelton Benjamin

The Aftermath:

Carlito left up the aisle way with the Intercontinental Title, looking very proud of himself, while Shelton was still down in pain.

Kurt Angle Invitational
Referee: Jack Doan
Matt Striker vs. Kurt Angle

The music of Kurt Angle hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring with two security guards, and his Olympic Gold Medal, for the Kurt Angle Invitational. Angle got on the mic and said that last week, he had each and every one of them fooled. He said he made them believe that some hometown hero was going to take his medal away from him, but in reality, he could have ended it just like that. Angle said he likes drama, and that taking the Medal away from him is like the Eagles winning the Super Bowl, impossible! Angle said since he is in no mood to go three minutes, he will keep this one short and sweet. Striker made his way down again. Striker grabbed the mic and said he is Matt Martel, and he is from Philadelphia, and he is the guy that took Angle to the limit last week, and he wants another shot at the Medal. Angle said don t ever take the mic away from him again, and second he is the biggest liar ever. He said his name is Matt Striker, not Matt Martel. He said he changes his hometown every week, and got fired from being a school teacher by lying. Angle told him to get out of here, and then Angle nailed him in the back.

The Match:

Angle gave Striker a European uppercut, and then another one, followed by a third. Angle took down his straps but then Striker locked in a choke on Angle. Striker held onto the choke and Kurt tried to roll through, but Striker kept the choke in. Angle went bright red and then fought to his feet, but Striker got a body scissors on Angle and continued to choke Angle out. Angle fought to his feet again, and then ran Striker into the ropes to break the hold. Angle kicked him hard in the head and then pulled him up and nailed the Angle Slam. Angle then locked in the Ankle Lock and Striker tapped.

Winner – Kurt Angle

Backstage:

The Diva Search girls were shown making their way down the hallway, and someone is going home next.

In the arena:

Coach is in the ring with Christy Hemme, and they introduce the Diva Search Contestants. Coach lined them up and said ultimately it s the fans who vote who stays and who goes. Coach said earlier today, each of them had thirty seconds to say who they would eliminate and why. Ashley was first, and said she would vote off Cameron because she doesn t have what it takes to be a Diva. Leyla was next, and she picked Simona because she doesn t think she has what it takes to be a Diva, and doesn t have the personality to go with the look. Summer was next, and she picked Simona because she sees her more as a cover girl. Kristal was next, and she picked Elisabeth because she is a talented actress and dancer, and would be better suited elsewhere. Large boring chant has started by this point. Elisabeth picked Kristal to go because seeing her talent last week, she is a great painter and she should create more masterpieces like that. Simona picked Summer because she thinks she would make a great lingerie model instead. Cameron picked Ashley because she is tough and hardcore, and wonders if the WWE could handle her. Coach announced who was to be eliminated, and it is Simona. Crowd chanted BOOORRRRIIIINNNGGG numerous times during this crap.

The Boogeyman is coming:

A promo aired hyping up the debut of the Boogeyman. Wrestlecrap, here we come. If you've ever seen this guy, he has horns, comes out to rain, thunder, and lighting. We've got pics at the link below.

Backstage:

Kerwin White is shown with Eric Bischoff backstage, showing him his golf swing. Kerwin said he is thinking about joining a Country Club. Chris Jericho came in, and said Kerwin looks great. They high fived. Kerwin said if it s not white, it s not right. Jericho said he wants to commend Bischoff for making the Lumberjack Match tonight. Bischoff thanked Chris for suggesting the idea. Jericho said Cena can t be putting his hands on Bischoff, and they are going to expose Cena tonight. Jericho said he has another idea how to expose Cena, Battle of the Bands. He said Fozzy can kick John Cena s ass, but that s if Cena makes it out of the building tonight.

Backstage:

Todd Grisham is backstage with Shawn Michaels. Michaels pretended to be scared by the fact that Hogan was here tonight. Michaels said finally Hogan is here to give them an answer. He said that was the point of this, to give everyone one more match. He said we will find out tonight if he is man enough to accept the challenge, and see if he can step up to the Showstopper.

Master Lock Challenge
Referee: Michael Chioda
Chris Masters vs. Rosey

The music of the Masterpiece, Chris Masters, hit in the arena as he made his way out to the ring. Masters said it s been over three months now, and no one has broken his Master Lock. Masters said maybe he isn t offering enough money, so he upped it to $20,000. The music of the Hurricane then hit in the arena, as Rosey made his way to the ring. Masters said that Rosey is a big guy, finally some real competition. Masters told Rosey to have a seat, and he did so. Rosey locked in the Master Lock, and Rosey tried to flip him over, but Rosey began to fade and the referee called for the bell.

Winner – Chris Masters

The Aftermath:

Masters kicked Rosey to the outside of the ring and then got on the mic again and said that nobody breaks his Master Lock. He said the bigger they are, the harder they fall. The music of the Big Show then hit in the arena as he made his way down to the ring! Masters got on the outside of the ring as Show entered it. Show got on the mic and said he is as big as they come, and then took a seat. He told Masters to come try and put the Master Lock on him. Masters said that Show wants to come out here and break the Master Lock? Well as much as he would love to, how about no. Masters backed up the aisle, as Show said that Masters is like a squirrel in the winter, he s got no nuts.

Backstage:

Todd Grisham is backstage with Edge and Lita. Todd asked him his thoughts about the cage match later tonight. Edge said that he will be locked in a cage with a psychotic monster, but there is one positive. He said the cage will keep the little psychotic losers out. Todd doesn t know he s talking about? The man he isn t meant to talk about. The man who called into Byte This and harassed Lita. Edge said their lives have been commented on by a bunch of geeks over the Internet LIKE MYSELF, and said the whole situation is "BULLs–t".

In the arena:

The music of Hulk Hogan is playing in the arena, as he made his way down to the ring, and he will be answering the challenge of Shawn Michaels right here, and right now. Hogan got on the mic as the fans chanted his name. He said that he needs to tell the Hulkamaniacs one thing. The first thing he would like to do is thank everyone for making his show, Hogan Knows Best, the highest rated premiere on VH1. He said there is no way in hell he would miss being here tonight in Philly. He said a couple weeks ago, the Heartbreak Kid said he super kicked Hulkamania to get his attention. He said if Michaels wants an answer, he needs to get out here like a man, face to face. The music of Shawn Michaels hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring, mic in hand. Michaels said he will have to pardon him if he has come out here and stolen some of his thunder, but he needs to recognize that Shawn Michaels is all about stealing the thunder. He said he would come down into that ring and join him, but he s afraid that if he did, they would have to wait another two weeks to get an answer to his challenge. He said the last time they were in the ring together; Hogan was flat on his back courtesy of some Sweet Chin Music. He said he doesn t want any excuses to get in the way of the answer that he is looking for. He said he has been thinking about it, and for years and years, men have come out here and told Hogan that they were going to be the ones to bring down Hulk Hogan and end Hulkamania. Michaels said it has never happened, so what makes him any different from all the rest. He said what is Michaels going to show Hogan that he hasn t already seen? Then it hit him like a bolt of lightening. He said Hogan has never in his career faced someone with the unbridled passion that is the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. He said he s never had someone to take him to a level where he has never been. He said everyone fell victim to the aura and the myth that is Hulkamania, but him, he doesn t see it. Michaels said he wants to push him like he has never been pushed before, and Hogan will have to step up for the first time, and see that his Immortality has a price. The question is, does Hogan have what it takes to pay that price? Michaels said if he accepts the challenge, he will go in there with the Headliner, the Showstopper, the Main Event, the Icon, the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. Hogan said he was paying the price in this business long before Michaels had his first match. He said that when Michaels was in High School, Hogan was selling out the Spectrum. He said Michaels wasn t the first the cheap shot Hulkamania, and it won t be the last. He said next time Michaels tries to super kick him, it will be eye to eye in the middle of the ring. All Michaels wanted was one more match? Well all he had to do is ask, because his ass is on. At SummerSlam it s going to be the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels vs. the Immortal Hulk Hogan, and all these Hulkamaniacs. He said as he prepares to get in the ring with Hulkamania, he wants Michaels to ask himself one question. Whatca gonna do brother when Hulkamania destroys you!

Backstage:

A bunch of Superstars were shown backstage, and they are the hand selected Lumberjacks for tonight. Bischoff handed them over to Jericho. Jericho said he chose each and every one of them because they will do what it takes to get the job done. He said if Cena or Snitsky fall out of the ring, it is their job to get them back in the ring. Jericho talked to Angle and Carlito, and told them to get the job done. He said Cena speaks about all of them behind their back, and Jericho wants them to teach Cena about respect tonight.

Steel Cage Match
Referee: Chad Patton
Edge vs. Kane

The cage has lowered over the ring as the music of Kane hit in the arena, who made his way down the aisle with a huge smile on his face. The music of Edge then hit, as he made his way down with Lita. Before Edge could get in the ring, Matt Hardy came out of the crowd and attacked him. Security pinned him down as the fans chanted Hardy . Edge mouthed off at him, telling him to go back to the Indies. Matt tried to get away from the security, as Edge called him a piece of s–t. Matt ran off through the crowd as security followed him.

The start:

We are underway as we come back from commercial with Edge trying to escape the cage and Kane pulling him back in. Edge nailed Kane with a DDT and covered for two. Edge hit some right hands on Kane in the corner, and then raked his eyes. Kane came back with a back body drop and then a big right hand. Kane hit a side walk slam and then went up top but Edge cut him off. Edge and Kane traded right hands, and then Edge speared Kane into the cage.

Mid-match notes:

Edge drove Kane head first into the cage, and then splashed him. Edge and Lita kissed through the cage, and then the crowd chanted that Lita was a crack whore. Kane is busted open as Edge took over with right hands and then went to ram Kane into the cage again, but Kane blocked. Kane then tossed Edge into the cage and knocked him down with a series of right hands before hitting a back body drop. Kane, by now a bloody mess, splashed Edge in the corner and then hit a side slam before heading up top. Kane came off with a flying clothesline and then laughed before hitting some mounted punches in the corner.

Kane scored with an uppercut to knock Edge down, and charged him in the corner, but Edge got his foot up and then hit a missile dropkick to take Kane down. Edge started to climb the cage but Kane pulled him down and crotched him over the ropes. Kane rammed Edge s head into the cage repeatedly, and then gave Edge a big boot while Edge was still on the ropes. Kane called for the chokeslam and went for it, but Edge gave him a low blow. Edge started to climb up in the corner but Kane stopped him and then hit a powerbomb out of the corner for a near fall.

The Finish:

Edge came back and tossed Kane into the cage, and then scored with the Spear but kicked up at two. Edge went for the door and was half way out, but Kane grabbed his foot. Lita handed Edge the briefcase, and he went to nail Kane with it, but Kane hit the chokeslam. Kane started to climb the side of the cage, but Edge nailed him in the back with the briefcase. Edge climbed up in the corner with the briefcase, but Kane sat up. Kane grabbed Edge, but Edge kicked him off. Edge got on the top of the cage, but Kane grabbed him. Edge then nailed Kane in the head with the briefcase and climbed out.

Winner – Edge

The Aftermath:

Edge and Lita made their way up the aisle and a bloody Kane stared at them from the ring.

Backstage:

Maria is backstage with John Cena. She says he has a Lumberjack Match tonight, and is he nervous about getting hit by an axe or a falling tree. Cena said tonight he is ready for action. He then stopped and said he forgot his flannel shirt, and he can t have a Lumberjack Match without his flannel shirt, and sent her off to get one. She said she would love to and left. Cena said last week Bischoff threatened him and got the FU. Tonight he gets a Lumberjack Match as punishment. Last week, he told Bischoff this was the new RAW. He said he is not Chris Jericho, and if they want to be lovers, that s fine. Cena said he will be in that ring, taking names and kicking ass. The Champ is Here!

Next Week:

The Battle of the Bands between Chris Jericho s Fozzy and John Cena, plus Kane will face Edge in a Stretcher Match!

Lumberjack Match
Non Title Match
Referee: Michael Chioda
Gene Snitsky vs. John Cena (c)

The music of Snitsky hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring for this Lumberjack Match. The Lumberjacks are already around the ring, as Jericho has a word with Snitsky. The music of the WWE Champion, John Cena, then hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring with the odds stacked against him.

The start:

Cena and Snitsky locked it up and Snitsky kicked him in the gut and threw him outside. Cena nailed Rob Conway and then Cena got back in and then sent Snitsky outside, and they helped him up. Back in the ring, and we get a lock up with Snitsky backing Cena to the corner. Conway tugged on the leg of Cena from the outside and then Snitsky hammered away on him with right hands. Cena came back with a flying shoulder block, and then a back body drop to knock Snitsky down, but then Snitsky tossed him outside.

Mid-match notes:

Cena fought off Kerwin White and Rene Dupree, but then Carlito and Tyson Tomko jumped him. Jericho then took over, sending Cena into the barricade and they all tossed him back inside. Back from commercials, and Snitsky has Cena in a cobra clutch. During the break, the Lumberjacks held Cena allowing Jericho to go to work on him. Back to live action, and Cena fought out of the hold but then walked into a spinebuster and then Snitsky covered for two. Dupree and White got some cheap shots in on Cena through the ropes and then Snitsky nailed him with a neck breaker for two.

Snitsky went for a suplex, but Cena blocked and hit one of his own. Cena hit some right hands on Snitsky, and then came off the ropes, but Jericho tripped him and pulled him outside and then sent him into the ring steps. Jericho sent Cena into the barricade and then tossed him back inside. Snitsky stomped Cena and then covered for another two count before choking Cena. Snitsky went back to the Cobra Clutch but Cena fought out with right hands. Cena then knocked Jericho off the apron, but walked into a huge clothesline from Snitsky for a near fall.

Snitsky locked in a sleeper in the middle of the ring but Cena fought out and then Snitsky raked the eyes. Snitsky hit a clothesline in the corner and then went for another but Cena moved. Jericho got on the apron and the referee tried to get him down, and then Cena went for the FU but Angle got in the ring and gave Cena a chop block and Snitsky fell on Cena for two. Cena was tossed outside and all the Lumberjacks went to work on him and held him for Jericho to nail him with right hands. They tossed Cena back inside and then Snitsky waited for him to get to his feet and then knocked him down with the big boot, but Cena kicked out at two and a half.

The Finish:

Snitsky went for the Pumphandle Slam, but Cena floated over and hit a big time DDT. Shelton Benjamin and the Big Show then made their way down, and Benjamin laid out Carlito and the Rosey and Hurricane came down as well as Tajiri. They brawled with the Lumberjacks on the outside as Viscera made his way down and splashed both Heart Throbs, and then dry humped them. Bischoff came out to the stage as Jericho and Angle backed off. Jericho grabbed a steel chair and got into the ring and went to nail Cena, but Cena kicked him and went to work with right hands and tossed him out. Snitsky went to nail Cena with the chair, but Cena hit the FU for the win!

Winner, the WWE Champion, John Cena

the Aftermath:

Cena celebrated his win, as Eric Bischoff and Chris Jericho looked none too pleased as RAW went off the air.

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