Report by: Carl Walsh of PowerWrestling.com

The following show airs this Thursday in the United States on the USA Network due to the Westminster Dog Show being aired Monday night. The show aired as usual on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, and on TSN in Canada. If you're an American reader planning to watch RAW this Thursday spoiler free, do not read on.

RAW opened up with the music of the Game as Triple H made his way down to the ring as Joey Styles, Jerry Lawler and the Coach welcomed us to the show! The music of the Big Show then hit, and the winner of this match moves onto the finals of the Road To WrestleMania Tournament!

The start:

Triple H jumped Show as he entered the ring but Show nailed him with a headbutt and then a chop in the corner. Show nailed another chop but then Triple H came back with a boot to the face before Show press slammed Triple H and dropped an elbow. Show hit another elbow drop and then stomped on the left hand of the Game. Show slammed Triple H’s hand into the turnbuckle and then chopped it, and Show is after payback on Triple H here tonight.

Mid-match notes:

Show wrenched at the wrist of Triple H and tossed him around the ring. Show chopped Triple H in the corner and Triple H fell face first before Show stood on the lower back of the King of Kings. Triple H rolled to the outside and then snapped the neck of the Big Show across the top rope. Back in the ring, and Show whipped Triple H hard to the corner sending him flipping over the top to the outside. Show followed out and went to ram Triple H into the ring post but Triple H fell out the back and pushed Show face first into the steel. Show is busted wide open as we go to commercial.

Back on RAW and Triple H is in control with repeated right hands to the bloody skull of the Big Show. Triple H nailed a knee drop to the head and then more right hands. Show came back with an inverted atomic drop and then got pissed and called Triple H a son of a bitch before nailing a series of headbutts and then a powerslam. Show went for a leg drop but Triple H rolled out of the way. Triple H ran at Show but Show caught him and went for a chokeslam but Triple H countered into a DDT for two. Show came back with another headbutt but then Triple H hit the facebuster and went for the Pedigree. Triple H nailed it and turned over Show for the cover but Show kicked out!

Triple H can’t believe it and went for the Pedigree again but Show picked him up on his shoulders and hit an Emerald Fusion! Show nailed a big splash in the corner and then a shoulder knockdown before calling for the chokeslam! Show went for it but Triple H raked the eyes and then went to the middle rope and dived off but Show caught him with the chokeslam and covered but Triple H got his boot on the rope! Triple H rolled to the outside and Show followed out. Show dropped Triple H face first over the barricade and then stalked the Game around the ring.

The Finish:

Show chopped Triple H and then whipped him into the ring steps. Show rolled back into the ring to break the referees count and then went back out after Triple H. Show charged at Triple H but he nailed him in the leg and Show went head first into the steps. Show came back and rolled Triple H off the apron and the referee called for the bell. Both men have been counted out of the ring!

The Aftermath:

Triple H went to slam Show into the ring post but Show blocked and then started to dismantle the announce table! Show grabbed Triple H and went for the chokeslam but Triple H nailed a low blow and then grabbed a steel chair but then Show exploded with a spear sending Triple H and himself right through the barricade! Show stood over the fallen Triple H looking intense, and the Game doesn’t seem to be in good shape!

Michaels Retires Tonight:

We are taken to footage from February 13th, 1997 and the infamous “Lost My Smile” speech given by Shawn Michaels on RAW.

Backstage:

McMahon is backstage with two men looking over some paperwork, and Todd Grisham comes in. Grisham asks McMahon that since there was no winner in the Triple H vs. Big Show match, are we safe to assume that the winner of the RVD vs. Masters match with move onto the main event of WrestleMania? McMahon said he saw two individuals that didn’t lose, not two individuals that didn’t win, and he’s going to reward that and next week those two will face the winner of the RVD vs. Masters match. Shelton’s mother is wheeled in by Shelton and she’s in a wheelchair. She said she needs for McMahon to give her baby an opportunity for the Intercontinental Title. Shelton’s Mama is crying and she said McMahon owes them this. McMahon looked a little freaked out and McMahon said if Shelton wins his match with Eugene tonight, then he will be the number one contender. Mama said to bless his soul, and McMahon ordered Shelton to take his mother away.

Backstage:

Mick Foley is shown signing “Big Time” in the back and Edge and Lita come in. Lita checked out Foley’s necklace and said he has lost a lot of weight. Foley said it’s the vertical stripes. Lita said Foley has brains, some of those books were pretty awesome. Foley asked her favourite part and Edge said to cut the crap and no one read his book. Foley said he and Edge go way back, and he remembers when he was referee at WrestleMania 15 counting Austin’s victory over the Rock. Foley said Edge’s actions lately have been disgusting, and he’s a huge Jim Duggan fan. Foley said if Edge puts Cena on the deck fair and square, then he will have no problem counting the one, two, three. Edge said if Foley doesn’t, it will be the biggest mistake he’s ever made. Have a nice day.

The music of Shelton Benjamin hit in the arena as he wheeled his mamma down to the ring, and he’s set for action with Eugene here tonight, and if he wins this match, he will get a shot at the Intercontinental Championship! Eugene then made his way to the ring, and he’s got a some chocolates for mamma. Shelton slapped them out of his hands, and then kicked Eugene right in the face.

The match:

Shelton threw the box of chocolates at Eugene and then slammed him head first into the turnbuckle. Eugene started to fire up and rallied back with some right hands and then nailed the airplane spin. Both men were dizzy and Eugene countered a T-Bone attempt into a Northern Lights for two. Shelton came back with a Samoan Drop. Benjamin then hit the T-Bone Exploder for the three count and the victory.

The Aftermath:

Shelton got on the mic and said next week they won’t be calling him mommas boy, they’ll be calling him the new Intercontinental Champion after he beats the Nature Boy, Ric Flair.

Shawn Michaels Retires Tonight:

Footage is shown from October 6th, 1997 with Triple H and Shawn Michaels making fun of the Madison Square Garden incident in 1996 when Hall and Nash left the company. Michaels then got in McMahon’s face on commentary and said he made an ass out of him.

Backstage:

Ashley is shown getting ready in the back, and she’ll be facing Torrie Wilson after the next commercial break.

The music of Ashley hit in the arena as she made her way to the ring set for action here tonight with Torrie Wilson, who was accompanied by Candice Michelle. Footage was shown of Candice on the Tonight Show last Monday.

The match:

Torrie threw Ashley to the outside from behind and then stomped away at her before sending her back into the ring. Torrie pulled at the hair of Ashley and then Candice handed Chloe to Torrie and she rubbed her ass into Ashley’s face. Torrie hit a clothesline out of the corner and then nailed a facebuster. Torrie slapped Ashley’s ass repeatedly and then slammed her face first into the turnbuckle. Ashley came back with a botched rollup for the surprise win out of nowhere.

The Aftermath:

Candice got on the mic and said it’s okay because she has great news for everyone. Candice said on March 10th, she will be on the cover of Playboy magazine, and it will be the hottest cover ever. Candice then took off her robe and paraded around in her bra and panties.

Shawn Michaels Retires Tonight:

We are taken to footage from December 26th 2005 with McMahon and Michaels talking about the Montreal screw job and Michaels telling McMahon to let it go, which kicked off the series of events that have led to Michaels retiring tonight.

In the arena:

The ring is set up with a black carpet, some leather chairs and a large table. McMahon’s lawyers are in the ring as Mr. McMahon makes his way down to the ring. McMahon said tonight in this very ring, history will be made. He said this will be the last night Shawn Michaels ever graces the squared circle of the WWE. He said tonight marks the official retirement of Shawn Michaels, so without further adieu, let him introduce for the very last time, the single biggest pain in the ass that he has experienced in his entire life, Shawn Michaels. The Heart Break Kid made his way down to the ring as McMahon glared at him. McMahon offered a handshake and Michaels went to take it but McMahon pulled his arm away. The fans chanted “HBK” as McMahon said that Shawn doesn’t look too happy, but this is what he wanted wasn’t it? McMahon said all of Shawn’s accomplishments in the WWE have been put together in a music video. McMahon went to say to roll the footage, but McMahon changed his mind and said he has every superstar from RAW and Smackdown here to come down and shake his hand because he deserves it, but he isn’t going to do that either. McMahon said he flew Shawn’s family up from San Antonio, but he didn’t do that either. He said the reason he didn’t do that is because Shawn is special and he deserves an extraordinary tribute.

McMahon then introduced the Spirit Squad to pay tribute to Shawn Michaels. The Squad came out and did a chant saying it’s time to kiss Vince’s ass, and that he will headline the unemployment line. The Spirit Squad made their way to the back and McMahon said that was a tremendous tribute. McMahon asked Michaels what the matter was. This wasn’t how he envisioned his last night in WWE? McMahon called the crowd hick rednecks and asked if that’s what Shawn envisioned? McMahon took the papers from the lawyer and told Shawn to sit down and sign them. Michaels got on the mic and said that he knows he wasn’t the easiest guy to deal with, but this is not what he wants. McMahon said to cut his mic off, and only one mic will work and that will be his. He said he isn’t going to listen to his crap; he’s listened to it for too long, and to sign the papers now. Michaels sat down and went to sign but then closed the paper and stood back up. Michaels shook his head and McMahon said he doesn’t say no to him. Nobody says no to him. He says he’s Vince McMahon, and then Michaels grabbed the mic. Michaels said he can’t do it. He said he knows he said walking away was an option, but it’s not. Michaels said he loves this job and to walk away from this ring, to walk away from these people, would be walking away from one of the greatest joys he has ever known, and he’s not going to do it. He said he doesn’t know why Vince is doing this to him, but he’s not going out this way.

McMahon said Michaels wants to know why he’s doing this. He’s doing this because Michaels has something that he wants, something he can’t have and something money can’t buy. He’s got that inner peace, and he doesn’t have that, but he wants it. Half the time he doesn’t know who he is, but all he knows is he has an appetite for life and he wants more! He said Michaels doesn’t know what it’s like being him. He’s got an empire to run, stockholders to answer to, a film division to get off the ground. You don’t know the pressure he is under, and his life is a nightmare! McMahon said Michaels is going to make that all better, because he is going to sign those papers, because he has to. McMahon said he doesn’t like people like him, he hates people like him, and he wants what he has and he can’t have it, so sign the damn papers and sign them now. McMahon took the papers off the clipboard and laid the pen on them as the fans chanted for HBK. Michaels took the papers and went to sign, but then stopped again. Michaels tossed down the pen and then ripped the papers in half. McMahon then slapped Michaels right across the face and Michaels started to throw the furniture around. McMahon left and Michaels is incensed. McMahon got back on the mic and said when Michaels tore up those papers; he opened the flood gates for his own personal hell!

Hall Of Fame:

A video package aired announcing that Bret “Hitman” Hart will be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame on April 1st.

The music of Chris Masters hit as he made his way down to the ring for this semi final match in the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, where he will be facing Rob Van Dam. The winner of this match will move onto the Triple Threat Match next week with Triple H and the Big Show, with the winner advancing to the main event match at WrestleMania!

The start:

RVD and Masters locked up and Van Dam grabbed a side headlock. Masters came back with a shoulderblock and then mocked RVD but RVD came back with a series of kicks and then grabbed another side headlock. Masters came back with some knees to the head and then RVD hit a dropkick to the knee. RVD hit a slingshot leg drop onto Masters on the apron, and then hit another slingshot leg drop on Masters back in the ring for one.

Mid-match notes:

RVD went for a cross body off the top but Masters caught him with a powerslam. Masters hammered away with right hands and then hit a back elbow to send RVD to the apron. Masters hit some right hands and then charged at Van Dam and knocked him right off the apron, over the barricade into the crowd! Masters sent RVD back inside for a two count and then locked in a Torture Rack. RVD fought out into a sunset flip for two. Masters nailed a spinebuster and then covered for a two count. Masters worked RVD with a head vice but RVD fought out. RVD hit a back kick to knock Masters down and then hit some forearm shots and a back elbow in the corner.

The Finish:

RVD hit a springboard sidekick from the middle rope, and then hit a spinning heel kick before jumping up top for a leaping side kick. RVD nailed the Rolling Thunder and then went up top but Masters crotched him. Masters climbed up and hit some mounted punches and went for a superplex but RVD blocked and kicked Masters right in the face to knock him down. RVD then hit the Five Star Frog Splash and covered for the win.

Backstage:

Trish’s date from last week is shown and he knocks on her door. He enters and Mickie James is inside dressed as Trish, blonde hair and all. Jack asked where Trish was and what Mickie was doing here. Mickie started to come onto Jack and said that friends share. Mickie went to kiss Jack but he stopped her and said he wants to make things work with Trish. Mickie asked why Jack was hitting on her and started to scream and pulled off the wig and Jack told her to get a hold of herself. Security then came in and grabbed Jack and took him away. Mickie then stopped crying and grinned.

Back on RAW:

Mickie is shown crying in the back and Trish comes in and says that Jack attacked her. Mickie said that Jack said she looked like Trish and he likes girls that look like that. She said Jack kissed her and she pushed him away. Security confirmed it. Trish said she is so sorry and Mickie said she’s glad it happened to her and not Trish.

Next Week:

Shelton Benjamin will take on Ric Flair for the Intercontinental Championship, and the finals of the Road To WrestleMania Tournament with a Triple Threat between Triple H, The Big Show and Rob Van Dam.

The music of Mick Foley hit in the arena as he made his way to the ring as the special guest referee for this WWE Championship Match between Edge and John Cena. After commercial break, Edge made his way down to the ring with Lita as the challenger, followed by WWE Champion John Cena.

The start:

Cena and Edge locked up and jockeyed for position. Cena grabbed a side headlock and then Edge sent him to the ropes but he came back with a shoulder block for one. Cena sent Edge hard to the corner and then hit a side slam for two. Cena locked in a rear chin lock but Edge fought out. Cena sent Edge to the ropes but Edge bailed to the outside and Lita checked on him as we go to commercial.

Mid-match notes:

Back on RAW and Edge is in control with a clothesline on Cena. Edge sent Cena face first to the corner but then Cena fought back with some shots to the gut. Cena whipped Edge hard to the corner and then hit a fisherman’s buster for two. Cena locked in a rear chin lock and then backed Edge to the corner and broke clean but Edge came back with a clothesline. Edge hit a knee to the back and then a standing dropkick for two. Edge kicked Cena hard in the ribs and then played to the crowd. Cena came back with right hands but Edge hit a flying forearm.

Edge perched Cena on the top rope and hit some right hands before going for a superplex but Cena knocked Edge down. Edge hit another right hand and went for the superplex again but Cena again knocked him down and hit a splash from the top for two. Cena hit a knee to the head and then some right hands and elbows in the corner. Cena hit a snap suplex for two but then Edge sent Cena head first to the middle turnbuckle. Lita removed the turnbuckle pad in the corner but Foley catches her. Lita tied it back on and then Foley ejected her from the match! Cena waved bye to her and Edge looked pissed as we go to commercial.

Back on RAW and Cena looks in pain on the outside and during the break, Edge backdropped Cena onto the guardrail. Edge hit a baseball slide on Cena and then stomped away on him in the aisle before tossing him back inside the ring for two. Cena fought back with right hands but then Edge grabbed a sleeper hold. Cena fought out, falling backwards onto Edge. Cena hit a series of clotheslines and then a flying shoulder. Edge nailed a boot to the face but Cena hit a belly to belly for two. Edge nailed another kick to the face and then went up top.

Cena cut Edge off and went for the FU from the top but Edge fell out the back and hit a powerbomb and used the ropes for two. Foley noticed Edge using the ropes and they got into a shoving match. Cena then hit a back suplex on Edge and followed up with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the FU but Edge countered into a DDT for two! Edge went for the spear but Cena moved and went for the FU again but Edge countered and shoved Cena into Foley. Edge charged at Cena but he moved and Edge nailed Foley and he fell to the outside.

The Finish:

Cena locked in the STFU on Edge and he started to tap but Lita came down to the ring and attacked Cena. Cena cornered Lita but Edge attacked him from behind and then Lita grabbed the WWE Title belt and gave it to Edge. Edge nailed Cena in the skull with the belt and fell into a cover and then Lita got Foley back into the ring. Edge covered and Foley counted but Cena kicked out. Edge went up top and dove off but Cena caught him and threw him onto his shoulder for the FU and the victory.

Edge is pissed and got in Foley’s face, and Lita came from behind him and gave him a low blow. Edge then gave Foley the spear and screamed that Foley cost him the match as we go off the air.

WWE RAW - Quick Match Results

- Road To WrestleMania Tournament: Triple H vs. The Big Show; Double count out
- Shelton Benjamin def. Eugene
- Ashley def. Torrie Wilson
- Road To WrestleMania Tournament: Rob Van Dam def. Chris Masters
- WWE Title: John Cena def. Edge to retain [Special Referee: Mick Foley] Report by: Carl Walsh of PowerWrestling.com