For the first time, Raw originates from Milan, Italy. WWE has done television from Japan & England in the past, and they'll be in London next week, but this is their first broadcast from Italy. Let's see them do TV in Mexico. I digress.

Jonathan Coachman makes his only appearance of the evening to do two things. He announces the main event: John Cena vs. Rated RKO, the same handicap match he wanted as the Backlash main event last week, and introduces Chairman Wackjob, Vince McMahon. Somewhere, Bing Crosby is rolling in his grave seeing Vince in a fedora. Actually, he looks quite distinguished, but he's not so in the manner of Bing or Bear Bryant. Vince brings out Intercontinental Champ Umaga and Armando Estrada. He claims Bobby Lashley didn't make the trip because of customs. He also admitted Shane isn't there, either. After issuing an open challenge to the locker room and getting no takers, Vince surveys the audience and finds a volunteer to challenge Umaga for the IC title. It's almost like the old carnival gag of the locals challenging the touring strongman, except that in this case, the best laid plans of a madman will go astray.

Umaga vs. Santino Marella (Intercontinental title) Marella is also Boris Alexiev from OVW, his new ring name a homage to the late Gorilla Monsoon (Bob Marella) and his son, 80's ref Joey Marella. Santino has Umaga reeling early, prompting Vince to stop the match and declare it no holds barred. I disagree with this sort of tactic, but it's Vince, and 9 out of every 10 times when he overplays his hand, it backfires on him. Umaga gets an advantage, but doesn't go to his usual finishing moveset. He goes for the big splash off the top, but who should show up but Lashley, in civvies. A series of clotheslines puts Umaga down. Vince has a chair, but Lashley takes that from him and waffles Umaga three times before blasting the Samoan with a spear and putting Marella on top. Ref Chad Patten counts the fall. Winner and new IC champion: Santino Marella. Post-match, Marella and his patron are interviewed by Jerry Lawler. McMahon's been foiled again. Marella is still in shock over winning.

Ric Flair & Carlito (w/Torrie Wilson) vs. World's Greatest Tag Team Worth noting is Todd Grisham is doing the ring announcing tonight. Flair tries to end it early with a figure four on Charlie Haas, but Shel Benjamin stops that from happening. Flair is face in peril, then hot tags to Carlito, who's revved up and rolling. The end comes when Haas trips up Carlito behind the back of ref Marty Elias, setting up Benjamin to hit the Exploder Slam for the first time in weeks. Benjamin is fumbling trying to grab the tights needlessly. Post-match, Carlito, upset again over losing, blows off Flair & Torrie. Winners: World's Greatest Tag Team.

Maria interviews John Cena, but Shawn Michaels shows up. The message? HBK doesn't care anymore what happens to Cena. And Shawn's supposed to be the bad guy? The Milan fans aren't exactly part of the Chain Gang, though.

Melina & Johnny Nitro are preening and prepping. Eugene happens along to say hi in his own way, which offends Team Poser, and he's Nitro's opponent......

Johnny Nitro vs. Eugene. Eugene's hair is almost completely grown back already. That's a relief, and the only good news for Eugene, as he is squashed. Nitro wins with the Snapshot 2.0 (Rude Awakening neckbreaker). Winner: Johnny Nitro.

Diva Fashion Show. Todd turns the mic over to a local MC who speaks entirely in Italian. In order, we have Candice Michelle (w/angel's wings), Victoria, Mickie James, Maria, Torrie, & Melina. Victoria trips coming out, so she removes her shoes and walks the runway barefoot. Unfortunately, it didn't help her cause. Crowd popped big for the face divas, especially Maria & Torrie. The fan vote decides this, of course, and Torrie ends up winning. Melina attacks after, but Candice, Maria, & Mickie make the save.
Winner: Torrie Wilson.

Jeff Hardy (w/Matt Hardy) vs. Lance Cade (w/Trevor Murdoch). After blowing the violation committed by Haas earlier, ref Marty Elias is a little more vigilant this time, and comes close to tossing Murdoch about a minute in. Pretty even match, and a preview of what we'll get for the World tag titles at Backlash. Murdoch hops on the apron, but is cut off by Matt. Cade blocks the Swanton with his knees, then KOs Jeff with a clothesline from hell that would make JBL blush. Winner: Lance Cade.

Super Crazy vs. Chris Masters.Masters cut a pre-match promo comparing himself to the works of Da Vinci, among others. What a shock. JR referenced that Masters was Crazy's 1st opponent when he came over from Smackdown last year. Masters kept going for pinfalls instead of setting up for the Masterlock, which shows a diversity of offense. Crazy went for a wheelbarrow bulldog, but Masters turned that into a back suplex and earned the pinfall. Winner: Chris Masters.

Rated RKO vs. John Cena (non-title handicap match). Best match on the show, especially since the participants know each other so well. Heels controlled most of the offense until it was time for Cena to do his thing. At a key moment, Shawn Michaels came down and pulled down the top rope on Orton, who was not legal anyway. Cena hit the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and set Edge up for the FU, but Orton knocked Cena--and Edge--into ref Mike Chioda. In the ensuing scramble, Edge moved into position for a spear, but Cena saw that coming and ducked, leaving Orton to eat the spear. HBK went for the superkick, also on Cena, but Da Champ swerved again, and Edge was KOd. Cena hit the FU on Michaels, who was twitching as if he'd reinjured his back. What a sell job by HBK. Cena moved in for the pin, and Chioda counted the fall. Winner: John Cena.