Rhodes and Holly golden on Raw’s 15th AnniversaryIn a night where legends returned to their old stomping ground, new champions were crowned tonight during Raw’s 15th Anniversary celebration. Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly’s tenuous relationship proved fruitful, and they defeated Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Team Championship.
Cody’s father, WWE Hall of Famer “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes watched from ringside, as Holly caught Murdoch in the Alabama Slam and picked up the winning golden pinfall for his team. The Arena at Harbor Yard crowd cheered as a proud Dusty embraced his son and held the new champions’ arms high.
The win ended the “Redneck Wrecking Crew’s” three-month reign as champs and marked Cody’s first title win in WWE and the third World Tag Team Championship for Holly. Maybe Cody, who fought his now-championship partner several weeks in singles competition before they formed their team, has finally earned Holly’s respect.
Cody’s father, WWE Hall of Famer “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes watched from ringside, as Holly caught Murdoch in the Alabama Slam and picked up the winning golden pinfall for his team. The Arena at Harbor Yard crowd cheered as a proud Dusty embraced his son and held the new champions’ arms high.
The win ended the “Redneck Wrecking Crew’s” three-month reign as champs and marked Cody’s first title win in WWE and the third World Tag Team Championship for Holly. Maybe Cody, who fought his now-championship partner several weeks in singles competition before they formed their team, has finally earned Holly’s respect.
Triple reunion for The Game
Triple H must have felt like he attended three different family reunions when Raw’s 15th Anniversary celebration came to a close tonight.
One thing is for sure, it was definitely a walk down three different very memorable memory lanes for The Game. He not only got a chance to torture Mr. McMahon (one of his favorite pastimes) and crash his former in-laws’ first-ever in-ring family portrait, but he competed with two of his closest friends, Ric Flair and Batista and helped Shawn Michaels in a potentially career-threatening situation.
In some ways, Raw’s 15th Anniversary tonight was a celebration of The Cerebral Assassin’s career. Triple H has been a part of three of the most powerful groups in sports-entertainment – The McMahon Family, Evolution and DX. One reunion – with Evolution – was expected while the other two were not. Perhaps more than any other Superstar, The Game has loved embarrassing the Chairman. Tonight was no different when, on Mr. McMahon’s glorious celebration of the program he created, The Game crashed the family portrait featuring all the McMahons, including the Chairman’s little bastard Hornswoggle, and stirred the pot.
Linda McMahon was conspicuously absent due to, as Mr. McMahon explained, a “gastrointestinal problem.” But the faces of Shane and Stephanie McMahon reddened as The King of Kings reminded them – and all our fans in the Arena at Harbor Yard – that Mr. McMahon is not exactly a family man. From the “Original Diva” Sunny to Melina to Mae Young and even Howard Finkel and Pat Patterson, Triple H took great delight pouring the spotlight on the Chairman’s unquenchable libido and his many – and somewhat, eclectic – dalliances, even if they were accidental. (After all, that’s how Hornswoggle came into the world, right?)
While the McMahon Family Reunion was all fun and games for The Game, the Evolution reunion was a very serious matter. Tonight was the first time Evolution – Triple H, Batista, Flair and Orton – had been together as a unit in more than two years. Since that time, The Game, The Animal and the “Nature Boy” have remained friends. But Orton’s ego has grown out of control as he has “evolved” into a ruthless, yet dominant, WWE Champion. Just a few weeks ago, he leaped at the opportunity to send Flair into retirement after Mr. McMahon issued a “win or retire” ultimatum to “Naitch.” (Under orders of Mr. McMahon, the next singles match Flair loses – by disqualification, pinfall, submission or count-out – will be his last and he’ll be forced to retire.)
Tonight, Orton refused to stand alongside his former Evolution teammates. He refused to pay any homage to the men who helped mold him. He spit on Evolution’s legacy and preferred a different kind of reunion – with his former Rated-RKO partner Edge. Along with Umaga and Edge, Orton took the opportunity to try to embarrass his former teammates on a historic Raw. But alas, thanks to the overzealous ferocity of the Samoan Bulldozer, Orton’s team was disqualified and Triple H rejoiced alongside Batista and Flair.
However, The Game wasn’t through for the night. Just like Orton attempted to cement his legacy as a Legend Killer at Flair’s expense, Mr. Kennedy has tried to show the world that Shawn Michaels’ time has come and gone. These two will meet at Armageddon next Sunday, but tonight, Kennedy tried to make their rivalry personal by giving his longtime friend, Jannetty, a beatdown after defeating him in a competitive matchup.
Michaels thwarted Kennedy and a brawl ensued between him and the brash Superstar. Just when it appeared Kennedy was about to make sure HBK wouldn’t make it to Armageddon, out came his old DX partner, Triple H.
Our fans erupted and crossed their arms in salute to The Game and The Showstopper. They paid homage to DX, but in many ways it was a tribute to Triple H. The 11-time World Champion has known nothing but excellence in his career. That’s illustrated not only by his trophy case, but by the company he keeps. Our fans have shared Triple H’s highs and lows – many of which have occurred on 15 years of Raw. The Game has provided many unforgettable moments on Raw, and tonight was no exception.
One thing is for sure, it was definitely a walk down three different very memorable memory lanes for The Game. He not only got a chance to torture Mr. McMahon (one of his favorite pastimes) and crash his former in-laws’ first-ever in-ring family portrait, but he competed with two of his closest friends, Ric Flair and Batista and helped Shawn Michaels in a potentially career-threatening situation.
In some ways, Raw’s 15th Anniversary tonight was a celebration of The Cerebral Assassin’s career. Triple H has been a part of three of the most powerful groups in sports-entertainment – The McMahon Family, Evolution and DX. One reunion – with Evolution – was expected while the other two were not. Perhaps more than any other Superstar, The Game has loved embarrassing the Chairman. Tonight was no different when, on Mr. McMahon’s glorious celebration of the program he created, The Game crashed the family portrait featuring all the McMahons, including the Chairman’s little bastard Hornswoggle, and stirred the pot.
Linda McMahon was conspicuously absent due to, as Mr. McMahon explained, a “gastrointestinal problem.” But the faces of Shane and Stephanie McMahon reddened as The King of Kings reminded them – and all our fans in the Arena at Harbor Yard – that Mr. McMahon is not exactly a family man. From the “Original Diva” Sunny to Melina to Mae Young and even Howard Finkel and Pat Patterson, Triple H took great delight pouring the spotlight on the Chairman’s unquenchable libido and his many – and somewhat, eclectic – dalliances, even if they were accidental. (After all, that’s how Hornswoggle came into the world, right?)
While the McMahon Family Reunion was all fun and games for The Game, the Evolution reunion was a very serious matter. Tonight was the first time Evolution – Triple H, Batista, Flair and Orton – had been together as a unit in more than two years. Since that time, The Game, The Animal and the “Nature Boy” have remained friends. But Orton’s ego has grown out of control as he has “evolved” into a ruthless, yet dominant, WWE Champion. Just a few weeks ago, he leaped at the opportunity to send Flair into retirement after Mr. McMahon issued a “win or retire” ultimatum to “Naitch.” (Under orders of Mr. McMahon, the next singles match Flair loses – by disqualification, pinfall, submission or count-out – will be his last and he’ll be forced to retire.)
Tonight, Orton refused to stand alongside his former Evolution teammates. He refused to pay any homage to the men who helped mold him. He spit on Evolution’s legacy and preferred a different kind of reunion – with his former Rated-RKO partner Edge. Along with Umaga and Edge, Orton took the opportunity to try to embarrass his former teammates on a historic Raw. But alas, thanks to the overzealous ferocity of the Samoan Bulldozer, Orton’s team was disqualified and Triple H rejoiced alongside Batista and Flair.
However, The Game wasn’t through for the night. Just like Orton attempted to cement his legacy as a Legend Killer at Flair’s expense, Mr. Kennedy has tried to show the world that Shawn Michaels’ time has come and gone. These two will meet at Armageddon next Sunday, but tonight, Kennedy tried to make their rivalry personal by giving his longtime friend, Jannetty, a beatdown after defeating him in a competitive matchup.
Michaels thwarted Kennedy and a brawl ensued between him and the brash Superstar. Just when it appeared Kennedy was about to make sure HBK wouldn’t make it to Armageddon, out came his old DX partner, Triple H.
Our fans erupted and crossed their arms in salute to The Game and The Showstopper. They paid homage to DX, but in many ways it was a tribute to Triple H. The 11-time World Champion has known nothing but excellence in his career. That’s illustrated not only by his trophy case, but by the company he keeps. Our fans have shared Triple H’s highs and lows – many of which have occurred on 15 years of Raw. The Game has provided many unforgettable moments on Raw, and tonight was no exception.
Climbing the ladder
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy fended off a formidable challenge from Carlito in a brutal Ladder Match to retain his title. Video
Evolution redux
The reuniting members of Evolution – World Heavyweight Champion Batista, Triple H and Ric Flair – teamed to defeat former teammate, WWE Champion Randy Orton, Edge and Umaga by disqualification. Video
Van Damn!
In a shocking surprise for our fans at the Arena at Harbor Yard, former WWE and ECW Champion Rob Van Dam answered an open challenge from Santino Marella, beating him with his trademark Five-Star Frog Splash. Video Interview with RVD
Hogan knows best
When Mr. McMahon ordered that Hornswoggle get another mandated dose of “tough love” and face The Great Khali in a Survivor Series rematch, it looked like the little guy’s luck was about to run out. But Hulk Hogan came to ringside and chopped the Punjabi Giant down to size. The colossus rolled out of the ring, leaving the Hulkster and Hornswoggle to pose for the cheering crowd. Video
A royal success
With 15 former Raw competitors involved in a Raw 15th Anniversary Battle Royal, the fans roared as the devious tax collector Irwin R. Schyster outlasted Sgt. Slaughter, Skinner, Scotty 2 Hotty and the rest of the field. But just as IRS was to be announced the winner, the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase offered his former Money Inc. partner a wad of cash to eliminate himself over the top rope, making DiBiase the winner. Video
Bischoff gets block knocked off
Former Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff was taking credit for Raw’s success when he was interrupted by Chris Jericho. Bischoff, who fired Y2J from Raw two years ago, said Jericho should forfeit his upcoming match against WWE Champion Randy Orton at Armageddon and save fans the money. But, as Orton attempted a sneak attack, Y2J had a message for both Bischoff and the Legend Killer. Story …
Diva reunion
As Jillian Hall tried to serenade the crowd with holiday carols, Trish Stratus came to ringside to put an end to the horrendous racket. As Jillian and Trish argued, Lita arrived to get in the face of her former rival. Jillian encouraged the two to fight, but Lita would have none of it. Trish and Lita teamed to chase Jillian away, and then hugged, seemingly settling their differences for the Raw celebration.
Kennedy defeats Jannetty, sending a message to HBK
Last week, Mr. Kennedy brought out a gauntlet of impostors to mock Shawn Michaels’ illustrious career.
But this week, HBK introduced Kennedy to the real deal – HBK’s former tag-team partner, Marty Jannetty – as both Superstars showed that there is nothing phony about their mutual animosity.
“I’m curious, Kennedy, what you can do against the real thing,” HBK told our fans, with Jannetty at his side.
Though HBK’s former Rockers’ partner fought valiantly and nearly upset the loudmouth with the Rocker Dropper, the Green Bay gladiator scored a pinfall victory over Jannetty after a vicious DDT. Watch the video...
After the match, it appeared Kennedy was about to send a message to HBK by giving Jannetty a vicious beatdown. But The Showstopper rushed to the ring to chase off Kennedy before he could do any more damage to Jannetty.
As HBK checked on the fallen Jannetty, Kennedy attacked his Armageddon opponent from behind. But HBK’s D-Generation X partner Triple H made a beeline for Kennedy, which allowed Michaels to recover and chase the former United States Champion from the ring.
As DX posed in the ring and soaked in our fans’ cheers, Kennedy glared from the entranceway. He knew in just six days at Armageddon, he’d get his hands on Michaels one-on-one, and he’d finally get an opportunity to get the respect and championship attention he thinks he deserves by defeating the legendary Showstopper.
We’ll all see whether Kennedy can back up the words behind his big mouth at Armageddon.
But this week, HBK introduced Kennedy to the real deal – HBK’s former tag-team partner, Marty Jannetty – as both Superstars showed that there is nothing phony about their mutual animosity.
“I’m curious, Kennedy, what you can do against the real thing,” HBK told our fans, with Jannetty at his side.
Though HBK’s former Rockers’ partner fought valiantly and nearly upset the loudmouth with the Rocker Dropper, the Green Bay gladiator scored a pinfall victory over Jannetty after a vicious DDT. Watch the video...
After the match, it appeared Kennedy was about to send a message to HBK by giving Jannetty a vicious beatdown. But The Showstopper rushed to the ring to chase off Kennedy before he could do any more damage to Jannetty.
As HBK checked on the fallen Jannetty, Kennedy attacked his Armageddon opponent from behind. But HBK’s D-Generation X partner Triple H made a beeline for Kennedy, which allowed Michaels to recover and chase the former United States Champion from the ring.
As DX posed in the ring and soaked in our fans’ cheers, Kennedy glared from the entranceway. He knew in just six days at Armageddon, he’d get his hands on Michaels one-on-one, and he’d finally get an opportunity to get the respect and championship attention he thinks he deserves by defeating the legendary Showstopper.
We’ll all see whether Kennedy can back up the words behind his big mouth at Armageddon.
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