Motorhead's "King of Kings", Triple H's theme song for the first half of 2006, opens the show, but, knowing that the Game isn't due back for another four weeks, give or take a couple, King Booker & Queen Sharmell are out. Booker is disputing Triple H's claim to be "King of Kings", decrying it as blasphemy. I was saying that last year, but for another reason, but that's neither here or there. Booker decrees that HHH is stripped of all claim to being a king.

Booker then turns his attention to Jerry Lawler, for obvious reasons. At first, Lawler is willing to give up his nickname, which he's had for 30+ years, but when Booker orders him to kiss his ring, Lawler takes exception. Booker tries a cheap shot, but Lawler doesn't miss, and referees have to separate the two.

As the night progresses, superstars are being asked to make a selection in the WWE title match at the Great American Bash. Ric Flair picks John Cena.

Match 1: Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Santino Marella vs. William Regal (#1 contender's match for the IC title; winner to face Umaga at the Great American Bash) First match out of the gate is a fatal 4-way elimination bout, with all 4 contestants having been past IC champions. Marella is the first one to go, pinned by Regal after a knee-trembler after Marella reversed a roll-up by Benjamin. Back from break, and the pace quickens. Hardy has recovered on the floor and re-enters the match with a vengeance. Hardy misses a swinging dropkick in the corner on Regal, but the Englishman can only get a 2. Regal misfires on the knee trembler, going to the well one time too many, it would seem, and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate. Regal is gone. Now it's down to Hardy & Benjamin. Charlie Haas tries getting involved, but Jeff knocks him right back off the apron, then hits a plancha onto the World's Greatest Tag Team on the floor. He rolls Benjamin back in, but misses the Swanton. Benjamin sets for possibly a piledriver, but Hardy counters and cradles Benjamin to end the match. Winner: Jeff Hardy.

World Champion Edge picks Cena, showing begrudging respect toward his old nemesis, and points out he has no history with Bobby Lashley.
Todd Grisham is backstage with Randy Orton. Orton faces Cody Rhodes later in the latter's 1st WWE TV match, and the "Legend Killer" claims he'll end Cody's career before it starts. He invites Dusty to be at ringside.

Maria is comforting Santino Marella, who is continuing to doubt his own abilities as his losing streak has reached 3. He wants to quit, but being with Maria changes everything. Once again, he invites Maria to spend the night with him, and this time, he'll cook her pancakes for breakfast the next morning. They hug, but no kisses. Yet.

Batista admits it's a tough call, but says that first, the fans will win as far as the title match goes, then picks Lashley over Cena.

Match 2: Snitsky vs. Val Venis Total squash. Do I have to tell you anything else? Winner: Snitsky.

Todd is back with Cody Rhodes, officially welcoming the rookie to Raw. Unlike Randy Orton, Cody won't disrespect his father, the "American Dream", who enters the picture just long enough to hug his son as we go to break..

Match 3: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes (w/Dusty Rhodes) Pre-match, Jerry Lawler explains the rules of the bullrope match between Orton & Dusty on Sunday. Orton treated young Cody like a dog nursing a newly gained chew toy. He was relentless from the opening bell, and although Cody got a few shots in, it just wasn't meant to be his night. Orton finally ended it with the RKO. He wanted a cheap shot on Dusty post-match, but "The Dream" was ready for him, and Orton was forced to retreat. Winner: Randy Orton.

Stone Cold Steve Austin offers his expert opinion, and admits to being surprised that Lashley hasn't utilized his amateur style more than he has. The Rattlesnake picks Cena, bottom line.

Match 4: Melina (w/Beth Phoenix) vs. Mickie James (w/Candice Michelle) Standard women's fare. Mickie had control of the match most of the way, but small distractions by Phoenix turned the tide. They did the bit where Melina intercepted Mickie in mid-air with a dropkick of her own, and from there Melina focused on the midsection. Beth missed tripping Mickie, but the distraction was enough. Melina with her standing split-legged legdrop for the win. Winner: Melina.

Smackdown Rebound recaps Edge's Summer Mardi Gras party and the feud with Kane. Now, they're saying the World champion has a "major announcement come Friday. Prepare to be underwhelmed.

Meanwhile, William Regal has had time to change outfits and encounters Hacksaw Jim Duggan. According to Regal, Jon Coachman sent him to collect Duggan's 2x4 so it could be bronzed in his honor. Duggan is unwilling to part with his "hardware". Regal screams that he demands the board be placed in his hands. Enter Ron Simmons, and, well......you know the rest.

Match 5: Carlito vs. The Sandman Return match from 2 weeks ago. On one hand, it follows a familiar, disturbing pattern to Sandman's matches so far on Raw. It ends with a DQ, but this time, Sandman's the beneficiary. The Hardcore Icon goes up top, presumably for the Rolling Rock, but Regal comes back out and intercepts, prompting ref Chad Patten to call for the bell. Duggan's out to make the save, and one assumes this will set up a tag match for Sunday. Winner: Sandman via DQ.

JBL picks Cena. Citing the fact that both Cena & Lashley have beaten him, JBL goes with Cena based on the experience factor.

Match 6: Mr. Kennedy vs. Super Crazy Another return from the 7/2 show. Last time, Kennedy wasted time talking and it cost him. This time, though, it's a different story. Pretty even match, and from a competitive standpoint, it's our main event. Crazy hit a moonsault from the bottom turnbuckle, then the middle one. He goes up top, hoping to complete the trifecta, something he hasn't tried since coming to WWE 2 years ago, but Kennedy crotched him on the top 'buckle, then hit an inverted front superplex for the fall. Winner: Mr. Kennedy.

Another Triple H video. This time, they're parodying "The Six Million Dollar Man" as they chronicled the quad injury he suffered at New Year's Revolution in January, and the subsequent surgery & recovery. It's clear that when he returns, his first opponent will be King Booker, based on what we saw at the top of the show.

Now, it's time for the face-off between John Cena & Bobby Lashley. Jonathan Coachman keeps a safe distance, having had history with both men. His podium is set up near the stage. Lashley comes out first, followed by Cena. Cena does a comedy act, pretending to poor mouth his chances vs. Lashley, then dismisses Coachman's line of questioning. Lashley doesn't want to talk. He wants to fight. The two are ready to square off, but Coach doesn't want that happening. Lashley starts toward Coach, who then threatens to cancel the title match by taking the title opportunity away. Cena turns Lashley's attention back to him, and we have a staredown at the foot of the ramp. Lashley pie-faces Cena, but the two are quickly separated. Lashley, when speaking, sounded as if he'd gritted his teeth to sound more intense than usual.