LAFAYETTE, La. Bobby Lashleys quest to become WWE Champion continued on Monday Night Raw when he was supposed to take on King Booker in one-on-one action to kick off the show. After Lashley seized the advantage, Mr. Kennedy attacked and he and Booker led a 2-on-1 assault on Lashley. Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman then declared that Lashley and a partner of his choosing would take on King Booker & Mr. Kennedy in a tag team encounter.
The American Dream Dusty Rhodes has become Randy Ortons worst nightmare, challenging Orton to a Texas Bull Rope Match at The Great American Bash. The cocky, third-generation Superstar accepted, and then he and Rhodes stood face-to-face in the ring. Rhodes son Cody entered the ring, and delivered his own message to Randy Orton when he slapped the former World Heavyweight Champion.
In other action, Intercontinental Champion Umaga was able to successfully defend his title against the former champion Santino Marella. Just one week after winning the gold, the Samoan Bulldozer unleashed his fury on the challenger once again, picking up the victory and retaining his championship.
Two other champions in action were the World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch, who faced the Highlanders in non-title action. Cade & Murdoch continued to fight by the rules, and they picked up the win over Robbie & Rory. Since winning the titles, Cade & Murdoch have seemed to be abiding by the rules, but will this moral streak follow their reign as champs?
Womens Champion Candice Michelle & Mickie James came to Raw ready to face off against Melina & Jillian. After announcing to Candice that she was invoking her rematch clause at The Great American Bash, Melina claimed injury and introduced her replacement, close friend, Beth Phoenix. Despite the last minute change, and with Melina looking on from ringside, Candice was able to score the pinfall on Jillian and secure the win for her team. However, after the match, Melina, Beth Phoenix & Jillian leveled the Womens Champion with a 3-on-1 assault until Mickie James chased them away.
Snitsky made his in-ring debut on Raw and made an immediate impact when he defeated Super Crazy. The intimidating and powerful Snitsky came to Raw via the Draft, and he is continuing on his personal path of destruction on Monday nights. Super Crazys night wasnt over, however, as he was later attacked by Mr. Kennedy while being helped in the locker room area.
Paul London made sure that Shelton Benjamins birthday was one he will never forget. London defeated the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, forcing the overconfident Benjamin to give a birthday hug to tag team partner Charlie Haas. As the Worlds Greatest Tag Team embraced, Ron Simmons echoed the thoughts of our fans -- Damn!
Finally, William Regal was put into action against Sandman by Jonathan Coachman. With Carlito at ringside doing commentary, Sandman took the fight to Regal. But after interference from Carlito, Sandman nailed both Regal and the Caribbean Superstar with his Singapore cane, drawing the disqualification.
