NEWS: |Matt B| RAW starts with Edge, Women’s Champion Lita and Randy Orton entering the ring. Edge acknowledges Lita’s title win last at night at Cyber Sunday (11.05.06) and then praises himself & Orton’s win over DX as well (video clip played of the win). Orton is happy too because for the first time, DX has lost. But he reminds the fans that it’s their fault because they voted Eric Bischoff as the special guest referee. Orton introduces Eric Bischoff. Bischoff comes out and thanks the fans for voting him as the special guest ref. And since he was voted, he was able to see DX get their first lost. Bischoff laughs because he was involved in the screw job and is very proud of that fact. Bischoff then says his new book “Controversy Creates Cash” is making money all over the nation. And because of that, Vince has rewarded him by making him the general manager for the night. And with that, Bischoff explains the show tonight. DX is banned, Cena has the night off and Nitro will take on Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Title — WOOOOO! New tag champions Ric Flair and Roddy Piper come out. Flair knows Bischoff has a new book and it’s all about controversy, but Flair knows controversy too. He tells Bischoff to tell everyone about the time he confronted him and beat the crap out of him (Bischoff’s face gets angry). And Flair makes it clear that he would do it again. Edge tells Flair that he cannot talk to Bischoff like that. And he reminds Flair what happened to him last time he was on the Cutting Edge. Piper takes exception to this and tells Edge that his show is nothing more than a rip off of Piper’s Pit. And Randy Orton can’t even rip off his father correctly. Piper tells Bischoff that he was born in controversy and both him and Flair have been doing it much longer that Bischoff. Bischoff cuts them off and tells them that maybe they didn’t hear him due to their advanced age: He is in charge tonight. And Bischoff makes the main event, Piper & Flair vs Edge & Orton, No Rules.

The first match of the night is our Intercontinental Match between Johnny Nitro and Jeff Hardy (c). Match starts with Hardy throwing Nitro out of the ring and hitting a top rope splash. Match goes back inside and Nitro throws Hardy into the turnbuckle. Hardy is choked on the middle rope and Melina slaps him in the face. The ref sees this and warns her about interfering. Hardy gets back into it with a flying clothesline. Hardy bounces off the ropes, but Melina trips him. The ref sees this too and calls for the bell. He disqualifies Nitro and awards Hardy the victory. Melina & Nitro start arguing with the ref, but Bischoff comes out to the stage. He tells the ref that this match will continue and it will be No Disqualification. Commercial. We’re back and Nitro has a reverse chin lock on Hardy. Hardy fights out with shots to the guy and jawbreaker. Nitro throws Hardy into the corner chest first and hits a springboard spinning kick. Big forearms by Nitro and a throw down. Cover by Nitro, Hardy kicks out. Hardy ducks two clotheslines by Nitro and both wrestlers hit each other with cross bodies. Both men are down, but get up at the 7 count. Two clotheslines by Hardy and a reverse elbow followed by a reverse mule kick. Face buster by Hardy and a cover, but Nitro breaks it. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate, but Nitro pushes him off. As Hardy goes flying, he runs up the turnbuckle and hits Whisper in the Wind. Melina climbs on his back and starts choking him. Hardy throws her down and goes for the Senton Bomb. But Nitro moves his legs and Hardy falls down crotch first. As Hardy gets up, Nitro blasts him with the IC Title. Cover by Nitro…One…Two…Three! Winner and new Intercontinental Champion, Johnny Nitro.

Backstage, The Spirit Squad, Eugene and Jim Duggan are all yelling at Bischoff. Eugene tells his uncle that he can’t do this, he just can’t. Bischoff tells his nephew that his word is law tonight and both teams will be in a tag team match. And the team that loses will be disbanded. Both teams leave and in walks Maria. Bischoff smiles and says Maria’s ditzy act is very cute. But he knows that she’s in fact a very smart women. And he knows this after the stunt she pulled at his trial last December (12.05.05). So now it’s Bischoff’s turn, as he puts Maria in a match against Umaga. Maria is shocked and Bischoff threatens to fire her if she doesn’t wrestle.

On the screen is Kevin Federline. He knows that everyone loved what he did to Cena at Cyber Sunday, just like they love his concerts and his new CD. But Federline isn’t done with him because he’s challenging Cena to a match on New Year’s Day.

Kenny & Johnny of the Spirit Squad defeat Eugene & Duggan after Spirit Squad plays the numbers game on them. This means that they’re disbanded and Eugene is very upset. They both hug and Duggan poses for the crowd. But Eugene snaps and attacks Duggan. He slams Duggan wit the 2×4 several times and starts screaming around the ring after marching to the back.

Our next match is Maria vs Umaga. Coach escorts Maria to the ring and holds her arm when she starts getting nervous. Maria petrified and Coach is holding her in the ring and smiling as Umaga slowly walks to the ring. The match starts and Coach pushes Maria into Umaga. Maria bounces off Umaga and falls to the mat. She backs up into the corner and absolutely scared. Umaga lifts her up and delivers a Samoan Drop. Maria lays motionless in the ring and Umaga drags her by the arm into the corner. Maria is sitting up and Umaga slams into her ass first. Maria is motionless still and Estrada tells Umaga to finish her. But John Cena’s music hit and he storms the ring. He ducks a clothesline from Umaga and hits a flying shoulder block. Umaga flies backwards and out of the ring. Estrada holds Umaga back and they both go to the back. Grisham asks Cena what he’s doing here, he has the night off. Cena says nothing is making sense tonight. Umaga is attacking Diva’s, Bischoff is General Manager, Federline is challenging him and even Grisham is in the ring. He’s usually in the back, not in the ring. Cena is trying to make sense of the night and he starts by giving the FU to Todd Grisham. He calls Bischoff a “jack off” and tells him to back off him. He also accepts Kevin Federline’s challenge for New Year’s Day because he’s not going anywhere.

Backstage, Bischoff and Lita are talking about the show so far. They both agree that it’s going well so far and Eric is proud of Eugene’s actions tonight. But Bischoff asks Lita why she wants to wrestle Mickie James again tonight. Lita whispers in Bischoff’s ear and he starts smiling. He says that has a very controversial tone to it and can’t wait.

Elsewhere backstage, Carlito is talking to Torrie Wilson until Shelton interrupts. He congratulates Carlito on getting the title shot against Hardy at Cyber Sunday, but the fans wasted their vote. They wasted their vote because Carlito lost. Shelton knows he would have done a much better job and he’ll prove it in their match tonight. But he didn’t get picked by the fans last night because he’s black. Both Torrie & Carlito is surprised to hear this. But Shelton isn’t messing around. He tells them that this nation is prejudice against minorities and the odds were against him. Carlito has a hard time believing this and tells Shelton that it’s untrue because he’s a minority. He’s Puerto Rican and he won the fans’ vote by a landslide. Carlito knows Shelton’s problem, it’s that he’s a whiny “pendejo.” Shelton is getting more agitated. He can’t believe what Carlito called him, but he admits that he doesn’t know what it means. But Shelton does say, “It can’t be anything good if the word ‘ho’ is in it.” Shelton explains that he’s a icon for all black people around the world. Little black children in China, Europe and even Yugoslavia sing his theme song as a lullaby. Both Carlito & Torrie turn their heads and finally Shelton does too. All three look at Ron Simmons. Ron gets in Shelton’s face and looks him up and down before saying, “Damn!”

In the ring is Chris Masters as he awaits his opponent. Bischoff comes in screen and informs JR that he’s going to wrestle Masters because JR has been calling him a disgrace all night long. The King stands up for JR and instead challenges Bischoff to a match since he’s been throwing his weight around all night. Bischoff starts laughing and says The King doesn’t want any piece of him, but The King can wrestle Masters. The King gets in the ring, but Bischoff isn’t finished. He tells King that if he wants to keep his job, he’ll be handcuffed to the ropes. The Coach runs to the ring with a handcuff in hand. He tries to put it on King, but is punched in the face instead. Masters then jumps in and starts beating The King. He kicks him around the ring with no problem and locks in the Master Lock to end it.

When we come back, JR is alone at the announce table so Cryme Tyme come out to join him. Our next match is Shelton Benjamin vs Carlito Cool. Before the match, Cryme Tyme call him over and admire his chain. As Carlito makes his entrance, he hops on the apron, but Shelton slides under the ropes and pulls him down. He clothesline Carlito and throws him in the ring to start the match. Slam by Shelton and several punches and kicks. Reverse chin lock by Shelton. Carlito fights out and delivers a high knee, a slap and a clotheslines. Springboard reverse elbow by Carlito and a failed cover. Carlito ducks a spinning kick by Shelton and delivers a flapjack. Another failed cover by Shelton. Carlito goes for a springboard Senton, but Shelton rolls out of the way. Carlito gets to his feet and his kicked straight in the face. At the announce table, Cryme Tyme leave JR and takes Shelton’s sunglasses, chain and shirt. Shelton starts yelling at them from the ring which allows Carlito to hit him with the Backcracker for the win.

Our next match is a rematch from Cyber Sunday for the Women’s Title between Lita and Mickie James. Before the match starts, Lita informs Mickie that one of her hands will be tied behind her back. The ref ties Mickie’s left hand back and the match starts. Lita starts punching Mickie over and over again after Mickie tries to clothesline her. Side Russian Leg Sweep by Lita, but she misses the moonsault that follows. Mickie kicks Lita in the head and delivers right hand after right hand. But Lita comes back with some right hands and delivers the Impaler DDT for the win. After her win, Lita announces herself as the winner and then introduces the special guest of the main event, Eric Bischoff.

In the main event of the night, Tag Team Champions Piper & Flair take on Edge & Orton in a No DQ match for the Tag Team Titles. Edge and Flair start the match. Chops by Flair, but Edge turns it around and hits a back body drop and missile drop kick. Edge misses the cross body and Piper is tagged in. Several right and lefts by Piper followed by stiff kicks to the head of Edge. Cover by Piper, and Bischoff is very slow to make the count. Rake to the eyes by Edge and a sleeper by Piper. Lita distracts Bischoff and Orton hits Piper in the back of the head with a chair. Flair is getting really pissed as he watches this. Orton tags in and he stomps Piper’s body over and over again. Edge back in and he delivers an elbow drop. Edge poses in front of Flair and Flair gives him the middle finger. Cover by Edge and Bischoff makes a fast count as Piper breaks it. Orton back in and he delivers a knee drop and a sleeper. Piper powers to his feet, but Orton grounds him again and tags Edge. Edge continues with the sleeper hold and once again, Piper gets to his feet. Shots to the gut by Piper, but Edge knocks him out of the ring with a reverse elbow. edge slams Piper’s around the ring and tries to hit him with a chair. But Piper moves, slams Edge’s head into the ring post and then finally tags in Flair. Flair i in and now Orton is. Chops by Flair and a back body drop. But Edge runs in to help. Flair is knocked down, but as he gets up he gives a double low blow to Edge & Flair. Bischoff is knocked down by Flair and Edge spears Flair. Cover by Edge and a new ref makes the count…One…Two….Shoulder up! DX runs in now and HBK superkicks Orton. They pull Flair over Orton and the ref makes the count…One…Two…Three. Winners and still tag team champions, Ric Flair & Roddy Piper. Orton & Edge run from DX and now Bischoff is left alone in the ring. HBK fakes a superkick and forces Bischoff to turn around. Bischoff turns, is kicked in the gut and Pedigreed by HHH. HHH tells the crowd that this is the part where they say, “We’ve got two words for ya.” But tonight, HHH says they have three words, “Big Dick Johnson!” The overweight male stripper comes dancing to the ring. They hold Bischoff and Johnson rips off his clothes to reveal the letters DX on his ass. DX shove Bischoff’s head into Johnson’s DX branded ass and then throw him out of the ring to end the show.

The opening segment to RAW was entertaining. It was made better with Bischoff, Flair and Piper. Piper’s promo didn’t make much sense in the end, but it’s OK. And of course, I was really happy to see Bischoff running RAW again.

Overall, RAW was good. It flowed really well from one segment to the next. Having Bischoff on the show was great because it was something different. I’m hoping he’ll be back for good so we’ll see how it goes. And basically, it all made sense. Bischoff is under the impression that he’s back for one night so of course he’s going to get revenge on Maria, reward all his friends and screw all the fan favorites. And because of that, it was a pretty good show in my opinion.