Raw
Chicago, Illinois
January 19, 2009
results thanks to pwtorch.com
The show started with the
annual replaying of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. They
transitioned into a shot of Barack Obama, which got a pop in Chicago.
Six months ago: Vince McMahon was giving away $1.0 million when the set blew up
and crunched him on stage. "Paul, I can't feel my legs!" joined the wrestling
quotebook and off we go tonight.
After the regular Raw intro and pyro, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed us
to Mr. McMahon's return. We'll have to wait, as Randy Orton's music hit to kick
off the show. Orton came out alone - and very slowly - without his fanboys.
Apparently they're starting with a six-man battle royale to preview the Royal
Rumble on Sunday.
Kofi Kingston, then Kane came out as two of the other six. Announcers said Kane
is setting the record on Sunday by being in his eleventh straight Rumble.
Santino Marella came out fourth, then some new Legacy music hit bringing out Ted
DiBiase and Cody Rhodes as the last two.
1 -- BATTLE ROYALE match
A few seconds into the match, the lights went down and out. Lawler covered that
Kane was having another entrance. Lights came back on a few seconds later, then
all of the heels ganged up on Kane and Kofi until Legacy decided to dump Santino
out of the ring at 1:00.
Legacy then dumped Kofi over the top rope, leaving Kane against the Legacy. Out
went Cody Rhodes very quickly. DiBiase then skinned the cat before coming back
into the ring to nearly eliminate everyone, but Orton held onto the top rope and
won because only one of his feet hit the ring. Afterward, Orton celebrated with
his boys in the ring.
WINNER: Randy Orton at 1:50. Well, that was insanely short for a battle royale.
And they went to sell a Rumble PPV on Sunday? (n/a)
[Commercial Break]
[Q2]
Backstage: They showed C.M. Punk warming up backstage. Fans popped seeing Punk
back home. He has William Regal in a No DQ match tonight for the IC Title.
2 -- Women's champion BETH PHOENIX vs. KELLY KELLY -- non-title match
Kelly sporting a Chicago Blackhawks half-jersey to get the local cheers. Beth
quickly shoved Kelly down to the mat before Kelly kicked back only to take a big
chest smash. Fans were hot with a "Kelly, Kelly" chant before Beth nailed her
sit-out facebuster for the pin.
WINNER: Beth at 1:30. Quick squash for Beth to set up her title match against
Melina at the Rumble.
Backstage: Orton and DiBiase were chatting it up. Orton said if he wins, they
all win. Cody then stepped in and said there's a problem. He said Sim and Manu
were in Steph's office earlier and rumor is that Stephanie is going to fire
Orton tonight. Orton was taken aback, then he said we'll see about that. Orton
walked off. DiBiase was concerned. Cody was...well...Cody.
[Commercial Break]
Video: They showed a photo-op of outgoing Prez Bush being given a WWE Title
belt.
Backstage: Santino embraced Beth backstage after her match victory. Santino said
he has a surprise present. Out came #1 stalker fan Rosa Mendes. He said he's
giving her a special internship. Rosa said she'll do anything to learn from the
best. Santino, "Pleaaaaaase, can we keep her????" Beth paused and said she'll
think about it. She walked off, then Santino gave Rosa tips on how to impress
her...tonight.
Steph office: Stephanie was on the phone telling someone how to take care of her
child. Gotta keep tabs on Hunter with those ebay pics lying around the house.
Randy Orton then walked in and said he thinks Steph did the right thing firing
Chris Jericho last week. Steph cut him off and said she's not firing him, so he
can stop sucking up to her and get out of her office. Stephanie stood up in a
huff, so Orton stood up and said he was only being nice. He said the only person
who needs to be worried about being fired is Stephanie since daddy back. Orton
said the only reason why she has a job is because she's Vince's daughter and
everyone laughs behind her back. She would be a nobody without that last name.
Steph reached back and slapped someone, then Orton stared back at her and walked
off.
[Commercial Break]
[Q3]
12 Rounds: Next week on Raw, they will have the "world premiere" of John Cena's
new movie.
In-ring: C.M. Punk came out first to a huge reaction for the IC Title match. He
sported the official flag of Chicago and showed it off walking to the ring.
William Regal then came out with Layla to defend the title. Cole narrated clips
of the previous two false-start matches in the series, bringing us to tonight
with No DQ.
3 -- IC champion WILLIAM REGAL (w/Layla) vs. C.M. PUNK -- Intercontinental Title
match -- No DQ
Punk landed some stiff kicks to the chest in the ongoing, then Regal rolled to
the floor to recover. Punk blocked a suplex on the floor, then rammed him into
the ringpost and nailed a kick to the back. Back in the ring, Punk snapped off a
suplex before landing more leg blows to the back. Let's get a break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Regal was in trouble with Punk locking him in a submission hold
inside the ropes. Punk locked that sucker in forever with no five count in a No
DQ, so Layla pulled Punk off. The distraction allowed Regal to smash Punk onto
the ring apron. Back in the ring, Regal went to work on Punk with submission
holds. Suddenly, they had a standing exchange with forearm blows until Punk
landed a spinning backfist and a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk made a cover,
but only a two count at 8:00.
Punk with the high knee in the corner, but Regal blocked the bulldog and hit a
half-nelson release suplex that dropped Punk straight on his neck. Geez. Regal
made a cover, but only a two count. Regal went back to work, then wanted the big
knee smash, but Punk ducked and wanted the G2S (huge pop for the tease). Regal
fought the hold with repeated elbow smashes, but Punk dropped him with the G2S
for the pin and the win to set off a wild celebration in Chicago. Punk soaked up
the moment for a few minutes while they replayed the finish and stayed in the
moment for quite some time. Nice to see that.
WINNER: C.M. Punk at 9:50 to capture the IC Title. Stiff as a mother match.
Excellent work by both men with plenty of intensity and a great exchange of
offense. Punk nearly breaking his neck was a momentary setback, but a great
10-minute TV bout nevertheless. (***)
[Q4]
Video package: They looked at last week's epic match between World Hvt. champ
John Cena and Shawn Michaels - HBK's WrestleMania, per JBL's employee handbook.
They focused on JBL standing over Cena to close the show, setting up Cena vs.
JBL at the Rumble next Sunday.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Jerry Lawler was in the ring to host the official contract signing
between John Cena and JBL for the Rumble. Out first was JBL, who was accompanied
by Shawn Michaels. Cowboy hats en vogue tonight. Both men entered the ring with
a business-like approach and stood over Lawler's shoulder as Cena's music to a
huge girls and kids reaction.
Cena made his way to the ring with a purpose, then his music stopped and the
mixed reaction picked up. Lawler moderated by asking who wants to go first. Cena
grabbed his leather chair and leaned over before signing the document
left-handed. JBL then picked up the clipboard, read over the paperwork, made
sure it wasn't a "terms of your release," and slammed down the clipboard after
signing.
JBL said it's only a matter of time before his reign begins. Cena answered,
"You're a scumbag." He said he doesn't even want to talk to JBL, but he wants to
talk to HBK. JBL said it's between the two of them and HBK has a personal
services contract under him. JBL said Michaels's only function at the Rumble
will be to ensure his title victory at the Rumble.
Cena said he knows JBL didn't pay Michaels all that money just to stand there.
He addressed Michaels and said they had a match last week. Not just any match,
but an epic match. Cena said he looked into the eyes of the main event, the HBK,
and had a match with the Showstopper. He said HBK still has it. Cena said his
wife, kids, peers, and these fans love HBK because of who he is and what he does
because he just does it better than everybody else. Cena thought maybe Michaels
was working hurt or lost a step, but he proved last week he can still go. He
called him Mr. WrestleMania and not a puppet of JBL.
HBK silent. JBL said he knows Michaels is all that, which is why he hired him.
He said Shawn and all his employees work for him out of choice and because he
pays them quite well. JBL said he hired Shawn for one reason: for me to become
World champion, then return to Texas for WM 25 as the returning conquering hero.
JBL said Michaels will get what he truly cares about: a large, large paycheck.
He paused and said it's not personal; it's merely a business decision.
[Q5 -- second hour]
Michaels suddenly snapped out of his funk and said shut up! Big pop. He ripped
off the cowboy hat and stared at JBL while Cena pumped his fist. Michaels said
taking money from a disgusting individual like JBL makes him sick. He said he
despises what he's become, but he does it and he'll continue to do it. Michaels
addressed Cena: you don't live in my world. He said he's not 20 years old
anymore and he has obligations and pressures that Cena can't even fathom.
Michaels said he has kids to put through college and a wife to look in the eyes.
He said Cena and people like Cena know his situation, but they don't know him or
live his life. Michaels said he got himself into this and he'll get himself out
of this. He said he'll do what he has to do and if it means taking money from
JBL, then he'll do it. If that overshadows everything he's done in his career or
throws an asterisk by his name, or costs Cena the World Title, then so be it.
Cena answered that Michaels talks about what he has or doesn't have, but
everyone knows he's still HBK. He said the fans want to see the real HBK, not
this one. Cena said at the Rumble, Michaels has a choice. Fans chanted his name,
then Cena said HBK will have to choose: will you really be the guy who helps JBL
become the next World champ? Cena said he knows HBK wouldn't do it. No way he
would help JBL.
Cena and HBK went face-to-face, then Michaels took the mic and said he's sorry
he feels that way. They had an awkward attempt to attack Cena where someone was
a step off, then Michaels went for the superkick. Cena ducked, though, and JBL
kicked him in the face. JBL then gave him the Clothesline from Hell after
Michaels left the ring. Cena was left out cold in the ring. After a replay of
the finish, they showed Cena pulling himself up.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Rey Mysterio came to the ring for the epic match-up against Knoxy.
Backstage: Todd Grisham walked up to Mike Knox and wanted to know what he has
against Rey. He said he doesn't have anything against him. Grisham: "uuuuuh, so
why do you attack him?" Knox thought about it, then said he doesn't have an
answer. Knox sneered, then walked off. Greatest backstage interview ever. Ever.
Knox's tone, his anti-heel voice, and Grisham's line of dumbfounded questions
was just classic.
[Q6]
4 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. MIKE KNOX
Rey quickly knocked Knox to the floor, then wanted a dropkick, but Knox
clotheslined him from his knees on Rey's level. Rey then slingshot Knox across
the ring and wanted the 619, but Knox caught his legs and "disconnected the
call" before whiplashing Rey throat-first across the middle rope. Knox then
wiped the blood off his mouth and began attacking Rey with a vicious beating in
the corner. Ref DQ'ed him for not breaking a five count, then Knox went back for
more by nailing the Knox Out in center ring.
WINNER: Rey Mysterio via DQ at 2:50. Just fine to keep the storyline going. Did
I just write that? Not right. We'll see where this goes before passing judgment
this week. (*)
Backstage: Steph was on the phone, then she quickly hung up. Apparently Vince is
here. Suddenly, Chris Jericho was in Steph's office. She demanded that he leave
after she fired him last week. Jericho said not so fast. See, he talked to
Vince's office last week and he will be allowed to say his piece tonight. He
vowed not to hold anything back. Jericho sneered and walked off, leaving Steph
in peril.
[Commercial Break]
Smackdown Rebound: They focused on the Black Cloud hanging over Jeff Hardy's
head leading to him taking the pyro accident. This Friday, an exclusive
interview with Hardy before defending his WWE Title against Edge on Sunday.
In-ring: Miz and Morrison were already in the ring for a chat. Miz said they
want to commemorate this Royal Rumble by beating the winner of the first one:
Jim Duggan. Morrison told him to show up and pick which one of them he wants to
lose to tonight. Instead, Cryme Tyme interrupted and said Duggan is on "special
assignment" right now. Shad said today is historical because it's MLK Day and
tomorrow is Barack's day. Miz whispered: "I'm Republican." Hooray!
Shad suggested they begin their chase for the tag titles tonight. Cryme Tyme
walked into the ring and Morrison said they're worse than the Cubs. Big heat for
that. JTG suggested if they win, they get a future tag title shot, but if Miz &
Morrison win, then CT will leave them alone for good. Morrison said that's fine
and they will win because "Yes, we can." Oh. Let's get a match.
[Q7]
5 -- World tag team champions THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON vs. CRYME TYME (SHAD
GASPAR & JTG) -- non-title match
CT stole the victory in less than two minutes running referee interference to
set up Shad for a front slam on Morrison for the pin. Miz was beside himself
afterward.
WINNERS: Cryme Tyme at 1:30. Another too-short match tonight. Promo exchange was
more intriguing than the match, which is typical for this feud. (1/2*)
Recap: They went back to Randy Orton's promo on Stephanie McMahon from earlier
in the show with Orton talking about Steph being a complete nobody if she didn't
have her last name.
[Commercial Break]
A little too late: They finally gave a hard-sell for the Royal Rumble match and
a WrestleMania title match on the line. Classic clips were shown all throughout
this video package. Steve Austin with 38 eliminations. Kane with the record for
eleven eliminations in one Rumble and eleven straight appearances. Chyna is the
only woman. Rey has the longest length of time in one Rumble. Warlord with his
annual Raw TV plug with the shortest appearance at 0:02. No. 27 is the
most-desired number. Since 1993, 70 percent of the Rumble winners have gone on
to WrestleMania to win the strap.
Backstage: Mickie James was talking to Cody Rhodes again. Snow blizzard? Cody
wanted to know why he should take career advice from her. Goldust then stepped
in for a brother to brother chat. He said he wants to give some advice on how to
be a true champion. Goldust handed over the Best of Starrcade DVD. Sting, Flair,
even daddy. First Sting mention on WWE TV? He said that DVD could teach you more
about wrestling than Orton could in a lifetime. Cody said the classic
two-out-of-three falls match between Austin and Dustin Rhodes is on there. He
shoved the DVD back in Goldust's gut and said he's not going to waste his talent
like Dustin did. Cody said he doesn't need a history lesson. He said when they
make the "Cody Rhodes" DVD, he'll send him and the Dream a copy. Cody stormed
off, then Goldust shook his head in disbelief.
Backstage: A limo pulled up outside the building. NWO Hollywood? NWO C-team?
Lawler suggested Vince is back.
[Q8]
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Jillian was in the ring singing away. Lawler said she tried to audition
for Obama's inauguration, but they told her, "No you can't." They recapped
Melina being beat down last week, then Melina came to the ring for a filler
match.
6 -- MELINA vs. JILLIAN HALL
A few seconds into the action, Beth, Santino, and Rosa walked to the ringside
area while Jillian yanked on Melina's hair in the corner. Jill nearly botched a
move, but slammed Melina to the mat. Out of the corner, Melina rolled through on
Jillian with a sunset flip pin for the win. Post-match: Rosa jumped into the
ring to earn her keep by attacking Melina, which allowed Beth to sneak into the
ring and gave her the chicken wing front-face slam to set up their match at the
Rumble. Afterward, Beth stormed out of the ring, leaving Santino to ponder
things.
WINNER: Melina at 1:20. Just a quick set-up for the Rumble. (1/2*)
Backstage: Dolph Ziggler hyped himself to Candice Michelle. Dolph said if he's
in the Rumble match, households all across the world will know the name...Dolph
turned around to see Vince McMahon standing next to him. Unexpected return
there. Vince, looking very friendly, introduced himself and Dolph became
speechless. He lost his name. Candice laughed. Vince walked off. He's back and
up next.
[Commercial Break]
Video recap: They went back to the contract-signing-gone-awry with JBL knocking
down Cena with the Clothesline from Hell.
In-ring: No Chance and out strutted Vince McMahon in a classic over-the-top
suit. McMahon strutted out to the ring and smiled before surveying the audience.
McMahon asked if they're happy to see him back and the crowd cheered. He said
tonight is not about a reception, though, it's about business. Let's take care
of some business right now. First, a former superstar who has a grievance to
air.
[Q9 -- over-run]
At the top of the hour, Chris Jericho came out in a classic heel suit. They
shook hands and McMahon complemented him on the suit. Jericho thanked him for
hearing him out and listed his credentials as being the best in the world. He
said he took Raw and carried it on his back while Vince was out before Vince's
daughter fired him. Jericho stammered through a virtual begging to be re-hired
and re-instated in the Rumble.
McMahon thought things over, said he watched last week, said Steph can be a bit
impulsive at times, but wondered if Stephanie has made any progress. Jericho
said she's regressed into an incompetent princess. McMahon focused on the word
"princess" and brought out Stephanie to the ring.
With Steph in the ring, Vince said he really doesn't want to go over her head,
but he's thinking about re-instating Jericho - Superstar of the Year. ... But,
he's not. Vince then announced himself and Steph are going to run Raw together.
He said they could give Jericho a second chance if Steph would like to. She took
the mic and walked up to Jericho before walking a circle around him. Stephanie
asked for an apology, but Jericho shook his head no.
Steph threatened security, but Jericho whispered, "I'm sorry." Stephanie said
she's a little hard of hearing. Jericho swallowed his pride and said, "I
said...I'm sorry." Stephanie looked him up and down and said he'll have to do
better than that. "Stephanie, I'm sorry I spoke out of turn against you. I was
frustrated at myself and I shouldn't have taken that out on you and I hope you
can find it in your heart to please forgive me," he said with zero sincerity.
Steph said that's good, but it's not good enough.
She reasoned Jericho has been calling all these fans hypocrites for months, so
if he wants his job back, then apologize to all of them. Jericho sneered at her,
then the crowd chanted, "On your knees." Steph suggested he take them up on the
offer. She pointed to the mat as Vince surveyed the scene with a big grin on his
face.
Jericho went down to one knee, then slowly placed the other knee down. He
scowled toward the arena before introducing his apology. Jericho said he has a
gift and when he has a gift that makes you perform better than anyone else on
the planet, then it might seem like he's arrogant. Jericho said he's said a lot
of mean things, but he's asking...what I'm saying is that if I have said
anything to offend you, then I apologize.
After Jericho issued the classic non-apology, Steph told him to get up because
this is embarrassing. She said she'll see him at the Rumble, and now he can
leave with the fans telling him what they really think of him. Jericho slowly
walked out of the ring, surveyed the audience with a scowl, then walked out to a
chorus of boos and "you suck" chants.
Vince McMahon interjected that it warms him to see Jericho grovel like that. He
smiled, then told Steph she's still daddy's little girl. They shared a hug, then
Randy Orton's music interrupted. Orton walked past Jericho and made his way to
the ring to interrupt this family portrait. He said there's another apology in
order. Orton said Steph slapped him in the face earlier today for no reason at
all. He told Vince to make Steph apologize to him.
We're 11 minutes past the top of the hour with Orton explaining that he is worth
more than she is because he is going to win the Rumble, go on to headline Mania,
and make Vince millions of dollars because people pay to see him, not Steph.
Ouch. Orton said Vince might not want to admit this, but every since Steph has
popped out some grandkids, she has become essentially worthless. Steph wanted a
piece of Orton, but Vince held her back and told Steph to get out of the ring.
Vince waited for Stephanie to leave, then he turned to Orton and thought over
his words. Vince shot Orton a cold stare, then asked, "Who the hell do you think
you are?" Vince said Orton is standing in his ring and Orton is privileged to be
in it. Vince went to Orton's dad, Cowboy Bob. He said Bob was a mediocre
wrestler until he put a spotlight on him. Had he not done that, Orton wouldn't
be standing here right now. Chances are, Orton would be a gym teacher in St.
Louis.
"Randy, what I'm saying is that now you can apologize to me," he said. Orton
sneered at Vince, but no response. Vince added...or else. Orton thought things
over, then Vince went on that if Orton doesn't apologize, he'll terminate him on
the spot. Orton said Vince does not want to do that, sir. Big pause here. Fans
chanted, "R-K-O." Vince began the "You're fired" line, but Orton cut him off at
"You're" and smashed him in the face. Orton then kicked Vince in the head before
nailing him with the big Punt to the head.
Steph stormed back into the ring to check on daddy while crying out for help.
What's left of the agents showed up to check on Vince, then medics showed up.
Orton put his hand on his face in disbelief for what he did. They replayed The
Punt with it looking like a pretty clean blow. DiBiase and Cody then showed up
to support Orton, who didn't know what to do about what he did. He then hopped
out of the ring and quickly took off with Cody and DiBiase following him. Vince
was strapped to a headboard as Steph continued to cry out for him to respond.
They faded out 18 minutes past the top of the hour