By: Brock Moore

WWE presents RAW Live!
November 29, 2008 – First Arena – Elmira, New York

2,000 plus people filled the First Arena in Elmira, New York for the first RAW event in over 3 years. Tony Chimel was the ring announcer for the event.

CM Punk defeated Santino Marella
Marella came to the ring first, talked about how he was disappointed that he wasn’t in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament and tonight he was going to win with his new finishing move. This match was roughly 10 minutes long with Punk pinning Marella with the GTS.

Kelly Kelly was announced as the hostest of the evening and moved four people from the cheap seats to the front row.

Snitsky defeated Jamie Noble
Back and Fourth match with Noble working on Snitsky’s knees and ended with a big boot from Snitsky for the pinfall. This match was about 6 minutes.

Beth Phoenix defeated Candice Michelle
This match was for the Women’s Championship. Marella returned to the ringside area about halfway through the match to support Phoenix a native of Elmira who retained the championship by pinning Candice after the Glam Slam. Santino and Phoenix danced their way out of town.

Cody Rhodes & Manu defeated Cryme Time
Manu pinned JTG with an inverted back suplex into a neckbreaker.

Matt Hardy defeated Mark Henry
This match was contested under Extreme Rules and it was for the ECW Championship. It contained Hardy doing a crossbody off the top of a ladder onto Henry. A different variety of weapons was used which included steel chair, singapore cain and steel steps. Hardy won at the 15 minute mark with the Twist of Fate after a drop toe hold into the steps.

Intermission. When the action returned Kelly Kelly tossed out shirts and picked a young fan to be the guest bell ringer for our sixth match of the evening.

Rey Mysterio defeated Mike Knox
Knox dominated most of this contest. Mysterio wins after the 619 and splash from the top rope. Following the contest as Mysterio headed backstage Kane attacked Mysterio as he made his way down the ile for his match.

Kane defeated Kofi Kingston
This match was a copy of their Intercontinental Championship Tournament Match. Kane pinned Kingston with a Chokeslam then attacked him after the match, Mysterio came out for the save. Mysterio and Kingston the celebrated.

Tony Chimel thanked everyone for coming as always and told us they hope to be back sometime in the future.

John Cena defeated Randy Orton
This match was for the World Heavyweight Championship. One of the best House Show main events I have ever seen. Back and Fourth between the two which ended up in the crowd and the ile way. Cena locked the STFU on Orton who made it to the ropes. Orton nailed the RKO on Cena who kicked out. Orton went to kick Cena in the head but Cena dodged and nailed the Legend Killer with the FU for the pinfall at about 25 minutes. Cena celebrated as the show came to a close.

Other Notes: Overall one of the best House Show’s I have been to since 2002. We seemed like the only Santino Marella fans in the building. Surprised that Chimel didn’t mention Beth Phoenix was in her hometown of Elmira, New York. Matt Hardy and Mark Henry was a major surprise as they where advertised on both the Elmira, New York and State College, Pennsylvania events. Cena was surprisingly over with the crowd with the exception of a handful of people. Shad stopped on his way out and told us he appreciated us coming out and gave us high fives. We seen other superstars leave as they are headed to Reading, Pennsylvania for a show tomorrow at 2:00pm

Biggest Pops:
1. John Cena
2. Matt Hardy
3. Rey Mysterio
4. CM Punk
5. Cryme Time

Biggest Heat:
1. Santino Marella
2. Randy Orton
3. Kane
4. Mike Knox
5. Mark Henry