Monday Night Raw opened with Vince McMahon in the ring with a microphone. He spoke about how tonight will be historic because it has been a few years now since everyone has been together on the same show and he thinks that there needs to be a commissioner but not just any man can be the commissioner, it has to be someone who has been in this business for years and knows how to run a wrestling show. Someone who knows how to do it all and while this man may not be at his house for the holidays, he brings the ratings and that’s what’s important…That man is Ric Flair! Ric Flair came out to the ring and in a good gesture shook hands with Mr. McMahon and then McMahon left the ring. Flair said it’s great to be back in the WWE, in a non-wrestling role. He says he will give the fans what they want.
WWE/World Tag Team Championships Unification Match
John Morrison and The Miz(WWE) versus Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly(World)The tag titles match opened the show. All four men put up one hell of an effort but in the end it was a slip up by Rhodes that cost Holly and Rhodes the tag team titles after Morrison nailed a standing shooting star press for the three. Morrison and Miz left with the WWE Tag Team Titles as Holly looked on upset at Rhodes. John Cena was in the back getting ready for the main event when Randy Orton entered the room. Cena looked ready to fight but Orton said he didn’t come to fight but rather to talk. He said that he knows Cena’s dislike for him and his is the same but they have worked together before and like it or not, they worked damn well. He says himself and Cena should work together tonight in the main event. Cena doesn’t say a word as Orton walks off.
Commercial
After Raw returned, Triple H was in the back being interviewed by Todd Grisham. Todd asked Triple H how he feels about Ric Flair being the new commissioner and how he feels about having to defend his title against nine other guys tonight. Hunter said it’s great that Naitch is the commissioner and that tonight he will retain his WWE Championship.
Ric Flair made an announcement about the WWE Championship match that WILL take place at King of the Ring in June. He said no matter what the outcome of tonight’s main event is, the final two will face again in the main event at King of the Ring. So if Triple H were to lose, he would get a rematch, as long as he lasted till the end. Same goes for anyone else who is in the match.
Intercontinental/United States Championships Unification Match
Chris Jericho(IC) versus Matt Hardy(US)The match was very intense and there were many near falls. Matt Hardy nearly nailed the Twist of Fate but Jericho countered and locked him in the Walls of Jericho for the submission victory. After the match Matt Hardy wanted to shake Jericho’s hand and he agreed but then sucker punched Hardy to boos and smiled as he left with the Intercontinental Championship. Commercial
Ric Flair made another announcement, this time regarding the King of the Ring tournament. It will be starting next week with the semi-finals and finals taking place at the pay per view itself.
Paul Burchill w/ Katie versus Jamie NobleNoble put up a valiant effort but after a distraction from Katie, Paul was able to nail the C4, for the win. Chris Jericho is interviewed by Todd Grisham. He asks Jericho why he sucker punched Hardy and Jericho says because he is tired off beating people and then them wanting a handshake. If you want a handshake then you will have to beat him to get one. Matt Hardy attacked Jericho from behind and security had to pull them apart. Ric Flair walked up as they fought and said they can settle this next week in a non-title match.
Edge was shown in the back gearing up for the main event as Ryder and Hawkins came in and said that the task is done as Edge smiles and Jim Ross questions “What task?”
After a commercial break we see The Undertaker laid out in the back as JR wonders if Edge’s goons were the ones to blame for this. Ric Flair is then shown asking Edge if he had anything to do with this but Edge says he has no clue what happened to Undertaker. Ric Flair then says that Undertaker has been removed from the main event and it is now a nine man match.
CM Punk vs. Gregory HelmsThe match was very competitive with both men giving it there all but the ending would come after Punk nailed a Go To Sleep on Helms for the win. Punk celebrated after the match as Helms left. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Jeff HardyThe match never officially began because Mark Henry attacked Jeff Hardy during his entrance. Henry beat Hardy all the way to the ring where MVP helped. Both men beat Hardy down until Kofi Kingston came running down to help Hardy. Kofi and Hardy fought both men off and then Kofi turned and nailed Hardy with a super kick! MVP and Henry came back in and all three beat up Hardy and then left together as Raw went to a commercial, the main event is next!Commercial
Main Event
Nine Man TurmoilIn a long and grueling match, it would come down to Triple H and Kennedy as the final two. Both men fought long and hard but Triple H would pick up the win after nailing a Pedigree on Kennedy. Triple H celebrated as Ric Flair came out and congratulated Hunter but said he would have to face Kennedy again at King of the Ring. Order of elimination
Big Show vs. Kane-Big Show eliminates Kane
Big Show vs. Batista-Big Show eliminates Batista
Big Show vs. Edge-Edge eliminates Show via help
Edge vs. John Cena-Edge eliminates Cena, Cena lays out Edge afterwards
Edge vs. Randy Orton-Randy Orton eliminates Edge
Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels-Randy Orton eliminates Shawn Michaels
Randy Orton vs. Triple H-Triple H eliminates Randy Orton
Triple H vs. Mr. Kennedy-Triple H eliminates
King of the Ring Bracket
