This week Raw was live from the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed viewers to the show, after which Shane McMahon bounced down the ramp. "He's here to make an impact," J.R. told viewers. So far the only impact has been boos from the crowd.

Shane took the mic and talked about how the McMahon name is respected all over the world. The last couple of weeks, however, he's heard laughter associated with the name because his father had his head shaved. As a fourth generation McMahon in the business, Shane was all about putting respect back into the McMahon family name. He told Bobby Lashley to come on down.

Lashley came out wearing…gasp…a suit. He got a tremendous pop from the crowd. Shane said he planned on taking the ECW Championship away from Bobby. It would be Bobby Lashley vs. Shane McMahon tonight with the ECW title on the line.

But wait…

Umaga and Estrada came down to the ring. Umaga is not a good listener and got right in Shane's face. Estrada got a slap in the face from the son and heir.

After mulling it over, Lashley agreed to the match, but added a stipulation of his own. If he wins, he gets to shave Shane's head.

Shane reminded Lashley that he works for the McMahon family, and they make the rules. However, Shane agreed to the stipulation.

(Commercial break)

The first match is yet another TAG TEAM match. Not a good way to start the show.

(1) Tag Team Match: Mickey James & Candice Michelle vs. Victoria & Melina. This match was what it was--and that was tedious. Spike DDT by Mickie James who pinned Victoria to win it for her team.

(Commercial break)

Mick Foley's Make-a-Wish friend, Michael Pena, was the honorary General Manager tonight. Mick introduced him to the Highlanders and Maria. The kid was a natural on the mic and had a lot of poise.

Carlito recalled that Ric Flair had said he had no heart or passion. It had made him angry at first, but then Carlito realized that he was lucky to get a wake-up call from someone of Flair's stature.

Clips aired of some of Flair's classic promos.

Carlito told Ric Flair he could have gold around his waist again if they get the chance to go for the tag titles at Backlash. "And that's cool," added Carlito.

(Commercial break)

(2) Carlito (w/Torrie) & Carlito vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch. J.R. talked up how impressive Cade and Murdoch were as they took Flair apart. One of these teams would be going to Backlash. J.R. added that Backlash would be the first tri-branded PPV in the history of the world. Now The King is talking up how good Team Redneck is. Carlito tagged in and it didn't look good. YIKES! Cade and Murdoch pinned him and are going to Backlash to take on the Hardys for the Tag Team Titles.

Flair tried to console Carlito, who shrugged him off and abruptly left the ring. What happened to the Mutual Admiration Society?

(Commercial break)

Shane was bouncing in his dressing room when Coach burst in to try give him some guidance. Shane told Coach to take care of his own business and leave the big-picture stuff to him.

Todd Grisham asked Shawn Michaels for his thoughts on his upcoming match with Randy Orton. The match was going to be about who wanted it more, said HBK.

Orton butted in, as usual, to say that HE wants it more. HBK's days as top contender are over.

In a sarcastic tone, HBK said that Orton had won…he was the thousandth guy to tell HBK he would never amount to anything in the business. He told Grisham to tell Orton what he'd won, but Grish seemed to be taken off guard. That was okay--HBK told Orton he'd won a set of dentures for when his teeth get knocked out via some Sweet Chin Music.

(It was a very good promo on HBK's part. Timing is everything, and HBK's timing was perfect.)

(Commercial break)

Whoohoo!!! HBK came out to "Sexy Boy."

(3) No. 1 Contender's Match for the WWE Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton. The fans were firmly behind HBK. Michaels got a cut over his eye, which Orton capitalized on. Then something caught Orton's eye. It was Edge walking down the ramp. HBK went for a roll-up while Orton was distracted, but only got a two count.

As the show when to the break, Orton and Edge were busy jawing.

(Commercial break)

Edge was still at ringside. Orton kept covering HBK and only getting two counts. He was frustrated, of course, and stomped the proverbial mudhole in HBK.

The two got to their feet and started trading chops. The referee got knocked down. HBK dropped an elbow on Orton and HBK began to tune up for the chin music. Edge interfered to the detriment of both Orton and Michaels. RKO on Shawn Michaels on the floor. Still no ref. Orton rolled HBK back into the ring, then told Edge to get out . Edge speared Orton and shoved him back in the ring. Both HBK and Orton were out in the ring. Edge picked up the ref and tried to get him into the ring. A second referee ran out and began counting them out. They both stood and HBK gave Orton a face full of chin music, then fell on him. The referees began to argue about who won, since Randy fell with his shoulders on the mat, but when HBK fell on him, his shoulders ended up on the mat, too. What to do????

Edge had it all figured out. He felt that since there was confusion about who won, that made him the No. 1 Contender. Edge isn't big on logic.

(Commercial break)

Shane was warming up when Randy burst into his dressing complaining about the outcome of his match. Shane told him to get out and take it up with Coach. Shane said he already had too much on his plate.

Mick and Michael, the honorary GM, were meeting the stars backstage. They were all nice to him, except Nitro. Mick said it was because Nitro had a carbohydrate deficiency. Coach was obviously jealous. Michael was trying to tell Coach and Edge something, but they wouldn't listen. I think they'll be sorry.

(Commercial break)

Next week Raw will come from Milan, Italy.

Matt and Jeff Hardy came out to the cheers of the crowd.

(4) Non-Title Tag Team Match: Matt and Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas. Good back and forth action. Benjamin was pinned by Matt and Jeff (Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb, etc.) and the champs took the win.

Edge was headed to the ring with a smirk on his face.

(Commercial break)

J.R. said Stone Cold will be the Grand Marshall at the NASCAR Samsung 500 race this weekend.

Apparently there is still not winner of the No. 1 Contender's Match.

It was time for The Cutting Edge and the crowd told Edge he sucked. Edge wanted to comment on the Orton/Michaels match. Edge said they'd both lost, so Coach felt that made Edge the No. 1 Contender.

Not so fast…

Orton came out to make his case, then HBK came out, too. He felt he was the better man and had won the match.

John Cena headed out to share his opinion, which was crudely put.

Coach came out to clarify the situation. Since Edge and Randy Orton were the only two who sought him out and given him the respect he deserved, it would be Edge & Orton vs. Cena in a two-on-one handicap match. That was Coach's decision and it was final.

Whoa…

Out came Mick and Michael Pena, the honorary GM of Raw. And what had Michael decided? The new main event for Backlash would be John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge vs. Shawn Michaels. The crowd gave the honorary GM a cheer for his decision and the really good job he did!

(Commercial break)

(5) Title vs. Hair Match: Shane McMahon vs. Bobby Lashley. Shane speared Lashley as he was coming through the ropes. Shane's strategy was to strike early and often, observed J.R. Shane hit the referee in the face.

Umaga's music hit and he came out with Estrada and Mister McMahon. Umaga picked up where Shane left off. Umaga held Lashley as Shane smacked Lashley in the head with a steel chair his McDaddy had given him. Shane dropped some elbows on Lashley.

McMahon got in Lashley's face and said that at Backlash, it would be Lashley vs. Umaga vs. Shane vs. Mister McMahon.

To top off the evening, Umaga gave Lashley a Samoan Spike.

* * *

Good show tonight. It was the show that should have been on last week. Plots thickened nicely.

McMahon's hat this week made him look like a goober. Mister McMahon is just not a hat person.

The Make-a-Wish segments were well done, too, and are something WWE and Mick Foley both do very well. The fact that Michael Pena happened to be very comfortable in front of a crowd made his big announcement all the more credible.