Official RAW Thread - 01/14/2008
 

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/Headers/6033000
Looking over his shoulder

By Bryan Robinson
Written: January 11, 2008

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210
Jeff Hardy has given WWE Champion Randy Orton a lot to think about before the showdown at Royal Rumble.





After seeing the fire in Jeff Hardy’s eyes – watching the extremes he was willing to go to in his victory over the mighty Umaga in a Steel Cage Match on Raw last week – WWE Champion Randy Orton may be watching over his shoulder.
It appears that Orton’s plan to crush Jeff’s mind and body before their title match at Royal Rumble has backfired. Despite repeated interference from the Legend Killer last week – and with Orton’s brutal attack on his brother Matt heavily on his mind – Jeff Hardy still managed to emerge victorious against Umaga. Earlier that night, the Intercontinental Champion had literally revealed his mindset and intentions when he said, "Randy Orton, you wanted to kick Matt in the head? Well, I got a message back for you – I’m taking your title at the Royal Rumble and before then, I’m taking you out.” (WATCH)
Later that night, Jeff showed Orton he meant business, making Connecticut’s sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena gasp with his backward, spiraling dive off the top of the steel cage. The “Rainbow-haired Warrior” landed on top of Umaga to end the match. As the Intercontinental Champion stood atop the 15-foot high steel cage, Orton looked on in disbelief. Amazement seemed to melt into concern – maybe worriment – as reality crept into the eyes of the self-proclaimed “one-man dynasty”: My God, he’s crazy. He’s really is coming after me and the title. (WATCH)

Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
Over the past year, Orton has relied on getting inside his opponents’ heads and making their rivalries personal in order to win psychological battles and ultimately, wars within the squared circle. It had always been taboo to attack opponents’ families; as a third-generation Superstar, Orton knew that more than anyone. But he torched that barrier with his attacks on the Rhodes and Cena families.
However, Orton’s tactics haven’t seemed to work on Jeff Hardy. While Orton has watched rivals crumble into a blind rage in the past, his personal attack has only fired-up the daredevil and made Jeff apparently channel his own rage. It has also brought out a new, intense side to the normally laid-back Intercontinental Champion. Before Orton’s attack on Matt Hardy, when had you ever heard Jeff threaten to take someone out? Never.

'Lucky' Dog?
Despite the look on his face last Monday on Raw, the WWE Champion dismissed Jeff Hardy’s threat and impressive victory over Umaga.
“Jeff’s going to take me out?” Orton asked. “No, I think he’s suffering from an identity crisis. In case you haven’t heard already, Jeff, I’m the one who takes people out. By the way, how’s Matt feeling?
Orton then looked down at his WWE Championship and petted the crest.
“You think Jeff Hardy is focused?” he asked. “You think he’s unstoppable? Think again – just like he was when he pinned me in a tag team match several weeks, he was lucky against Umaga. But he won’t be lucky against this one-man dynasty at the Royal Rumble. His luck will run out.”

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I'll be in and out during the first hour due to Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Evening, all.

Randy Orton looks weird in that picture.

That's his serious face. He has many serious faces... Such as:

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

And, of course, the classic:

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

Hoping for a good raw which means it'll be shit, oh and no beer tonight, due to lack of money till next week..ah well i needa break form it. Btw just watched the heat main event, londons jobbing on heat now to santino..might aswell have kept him on smackdown..:|

how is The Rock an actor and Orton isn't when the man has so much range?

Randy give me sad

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

Ok, now......ANGER

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

Ok, you just won the lottery and shit in a diva bag, LETS SEE THAT JOY

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/6204210

nice video package. i haven't been this stoked for a main event storyline in awhile.

Oh shit, thats a reaction

I'm not buying Jeff Hardy in the main event scene... not because of him, but because of the sheer obviousness that he is in the obligatory "pre-Royal Rumble 15 minutes of fame" slot, where WWE takes an undercard guy and gives him a chance in the main event at the Royal Rumble, knowing that the Rumble match draws no matter who is in the title matches. It is transitional, come next Monday, Jeff will be back defending his IC title against the likes of Santino Marella.

MAAAAAAAAAAAAN

jeff's push has been the best thing to come out of the cena injury, without question. i always hate to see a good worker go down, but john cena's pec tear was a blessing for fans everywhere.

Yeah, crowd pop crazy. LOL, Jeff hardy as a wwe champion. wow.

fuck off.

Jeff Hardy...WWE Champion
Jeff Hardy...Risk Taker
Jeff Hardy...In...Jeff Hardy for...Jeff Hardy for...WWE...Champion

He is so terrible on the mic.

Crowd seems pretty into it tonight.

no, but seriously, when was the last time they made a serious push for a standard mid-card guy like Jeff towards the WWE title like they are now? because I haven't seen it.

Haha, this is so bad. "Under one condition.." "
"Oh yeah? What's that?"

randy's promos sound like his promos in the video game.

Oh Damn. IC title on the line tonight?

Hardy vs. Orton for the IC Title tonight

ok, so Hardy is gonna get disqualified tonight.

Flair vs. Regal?

Fuck yes

This Means Hardy goes over tonight to retain, but loses at the RR

Truth hurts? :lol:

I'm not condoning it, and fair play to them for running with Jeff... the crowd reactions are enough for them to give Jeff some serious consideration for AFTER WrestleMania... but for now Jeff is a right-guy/right-time/right-place figure.

unless this is a complete throwaway, like, they brawl and never make it to the ring, or its just a horrible booking decision.

Hot crowd so far

And seriiously, Ashley doesn't deserve pyro

lol, well since a Royal Rumble match has been booked against MVP, I reaaalllly doubt Regal wins tonight. Oh shit, it's Ashley. Why does the crowd seem to be in the dark? It seems like there's not enough lighting in the arena. OMFG Mariaaaa

It's Trashley and her funbags.

Here comes Mickie :love:

Yellow never looked so hott