Raw
Birmingham, Alabama
June 1, 2009
results thanks to pwtorch.com
After the general WWE intro, the
show started cold in the arena with a steel cage looming. Inside were WWE
champion Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, Jr., and Cody Rhodes. Orton held his WWE
Title belt high in the air before beginning his promo about defending his title
against Batista in a cage at Extreme Rules on Sunday. He said he can do whatever
he wants to do on Sunday against Batista - throw him into the cage, rake his
forehead against the cage, etc.
Orton said Vickie Guerrero allowed him to book a cage match for Batista. He
pulled out a coin. Heads is Rhodes. Tails is DiBiase. Winner gets Batista
tonight. Orton flipped, but the camera didn't zoom in tight. Orton simply walked
over to Cody and told him congratulations. Night off? Orton told Cody what to
do. Cody said he knows exactly what to do. Cage matches are in his blood and he
has no problem giving Big Dave a preview of this Sunday. Orton gave his own
preview: him walking out of the cage door and still WWE champion.
Suddenly, Ric Flair's music interrupted and Flair strutted out on stage in a
suit. He flung his suit jacket away and Whoo'ed! to all sides of the arena
before strutting like a peacock. Flair said he's out here to tell Orton what
he's going to do to him tonight. Orton said Flair doesn't get it that he can't
compete anymore and he's irrelevant. Flair cut him off that Orton is a punk and
he can't compete, but he's going to come out here every week and call him out
until he grows a set and accepts his challenge.
Orton asked Flair what part he doesn't understand about being retired. Flair
asked him...whoo...what part he doesn't understand about being punked. Flair
called him out to a parking lot fight. A Fight Without Honor...oops... too
soon... a Fight to The Finish. "Punk, Punk, Punk, Punk, Punk!" Flair shouted.
Orton accepted and Flair excitedly threw down his mic. Orton with a parting shot
that it will be a night to remember, but too bad Flair won't be able to remember
it. Orton sneered toward the stage after Flair ran off to the parking lot. PYB
(3): 8:05.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Cody Rhodes was inside the cage back from break after winning the toin
coss. After a pause, Batista came out to a big reaction to get some of Cody.
Cody paced around the cage before the bell sounded to get it started.
[Q2]
1 -- BATISTA vs. CODY RHODES -- steel cage match
Batista pounded Cody left and right to start things off, so Cody tried to climb
the wall to get out, but Batista yanked him back down to the mat. He landed a
spear at 2:00, then Orton slowly made his way down to ringside as the kiddos
near the arena mic screamed in horror at the sight of Orton ringside. Cody tried
to take advantage of Orton's distraction to escape by climbing out, but Batista
grabbed him and delivered a Batistabomb out of the corner. Batista made the
cover for the pin and the win. He then paraded around the ring before staring
down at Orton to give him a warning message.
WINNER: Batista at 3:15. Dominating victory for Batista to set up the Extreme
Rules title match. Cody seems to be in that role of being presented with the
main eventers, but simply to bump around for them. DiBiase is being protected
considerably more right now. (*)
Backstage: Vickie and Chavo were talking to Big Show about teaming with The Miz
against John Cena and a partner to be named. Show said he doesn't like the idea
of any of this. (a) He doesn't like Miz. (b) He doesn't like Miz talking about
his fake winning streak. Show tried to get some understanding from Chavo, who
then pulled out a magic bag. (Could have continued NBA theme with Draft Lottery
balls.) He told Show to draw from the hat. Show drew Chavo's name so he's
teaming with Cena. Vickie and Chavo had a few giggles, then Show threatened
Chavo that he would beat him up too along with Cena. Chavo and Vickie lost their
smiles.
[Commercial Break]
[Q3]
2 -- Divas champion MARYSE & BETH PHOENIX vs. KELLY KELLY & MICKIE JAMES
Typical back-and-forth exchanges in this one. Beth and Mickie brawled to the
floor, leaving Maryse and Kelly. Maryse nailed a DDT with an extra whip (to
match her trademark hair whip) on Kelly for the pin and the win. Maryse
celebrated post-match.
WINNER: Maryse & Beth at 2:50. Your basic three-minute Divas match.
Up later: Deck stacked against Cena in the tag match...ya know, because Chavo is
dead weight. They showed a graphic of Orton and Flair for the parking lot brawl.
Actually had a photo of a parking garage in the background. Looked pretty cheap
by WWE standards.
[Commercial Break]
3 -- Unified tag champions CARLITO & PRIMO COLON vs. WILLIAM REGAL & MATT HARDY
Hardy still sporting the cast over the broken hand. Cole said he's still hearing
questions in the locker room that Hardy is milking the injury and he's not
really injured. To make this match seem somewhat important, Cole said that if
Regal & Hardy win, they receive a future tag title shot. Hardy started off
against Primo, then Hardy and Regal double-teamed him while exchanging a few
choice words for each other. Carlito finally took a much-needed hot tag to liven
this up. Hardy then accidentally blasted Regal with the cast allowing Carlito to
nail Regal from behind with the backstabber for the pin and the win. Afterward,
Regal and Hardy jawed at each other and teased coming to blows, but no contact.
WINNERS: Primo & Carlito at 4:20. Really slow paced tag match as Primo took a
beating for a while. Just a chance to get the tag champs on TV for another win
and to build tension between Hardy and Regal for whatever purpose that will
serve down the road. (3/4*)
Tonight: MVP vs. Kofi for the U.S. Title.
[Commercial Break]
[Q4]
Parking lot: Flair was looking around looking for Orton, but Big Dave walked in
with a towel around his neck to calm Flair down. Flair said he doesn't want to
hear Batista's nice words because he goes to sleep every night thinking about
wanting to be in the ring one more time. Batista tried to quietly talk to him
about everyone knowing he's The Man, but Flair cut him off and said he's going
to vomit if he hears that one more time. Flair said he's going to get his licks
in on Orton to soften him up for Sunday, so he just needs Batista to support him
and be there for him. Batista breathed a deep breath, then hugged it out. *tear*
Backstage: Hardy and Regal were in Vickie's office blaming each other for the
loss. She wanted to know why they should receive another chance. Regal said they
have a plan. Hardy said tonight, Vickie is going one-on-one against Santino.
Regal said they all know Vickie is going to beat Santina in the Hog Pen on
Sunday, so she could get a warm-up tonight by beating Santino. Hardy whispered a
plan to Vickie, who liked it and showed so much pleasure for the plan by
snorting and laughing.
Backstage: John Cena was shown walking down the hallway for the tag match, but
he was stopped short by Chavo Guerrero. Cena sneered in his direction, then kept
walking. Chavo said "We're going to win, man! I got your back." Cena was having
none of it.
In-ring: The Miz came out first for the tag match. Miz said he is 6-0 against
the corporate, sell-out, brown-noser John Cena. He said Cena has captured the
hearts of 9-year-old kids...pause for nine year olds to cheer... but he'll never
capture his self-respect. Miz congratulated Cena on being in the same category
as the Jonas Brothers, Spongebob, and Hannah Montana. Miz told everyone in the
arena to look to the person on their left and right because standing in the ring
is what a winner looks like. Miz said he plans on going 7-0 because he's the Miz...and
he's awesome. Match up next.
[Commercial Break]
ECW promo: They showed a video package on the Hart Dynasty. Included clips of
British Bulldog, Jim Niedhart, and Stu Hart in the Dungeon. Haven't seen Bulldog
on WWE TV in forever.
In-ring: Miz's music was still playing before Big Show came out to the ring for
the top-of-the-hour TV main event. Miz stood confidently in his corner before
backing down a bit to let Show pace around in the ring. Chavo came out first for
the default babyface team, then they did a lengthy pause before John Cena's
music hit. Huge reaction for Cena, although the audio has been "sweetened"
throughout the entire show. With all four men in the ring, Miz said he wanted to
face Cena to start, but Big Show slowed his roll and not-so-nicely told Miz to
stand on the apron and get out of his way.
[Q5 -- second hour]
4 -- THE MIZ & BIG SHOW vs. JOHN CENA & CHAVO GUERRERO
Cena and Show faced off center-ring to start things off, but the ref never
called for the opening bell. So, apparently it's an unsanctioned match. In any
event, Show pounded Cena down to the mat to start things off. He stalked Cena
for a submission hold, but Cena squirmed underneath Show and went for the STF.
Cena couldn't apply it, though, and Show flung him to the outside. Show stalled
the ref, then Miz punched Cena on the floor. Show didn't want any help, so he
ran after Miz and told him not to touch Cena. Cena slowly made his way back into
the ring, then he tried to counter a splash with a scoop slam, but Show fell on
top of Cena for a two count. Miz then blind-tagged himself into the match as
Show bounced off the ropes, which certainly didn't please Show. Miz tried to
sneak in a pin, but Cena kicked out. Miz then landed his trademark clothesline
in the corner before stomping a mudhole in Cena for another two count.
Cena fought back at 3:30 with right hands, then he set up the ol' Cena comeback
combo leading to the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Miz. Cena wanted the FU, but Show
blind-tagged himself into the match. Ref didn't see the blind tag, though, and
disallowed Show's involvement. Show simply re-set the action for Miz to tag him
in, but Miz wanted no part of a tag. Miz turned around and Show blasted him with
the Big Punch from the apron. Miz was KO'ed, then Chavo blind-tagged himself in
for his first involvement in the match and covered Miz for the pin and the win.
Post-match: Chavo jumped up and down celebrating, then Cena gave him the FU in
the corner. Show licked his lips eager to go after Cena and he gave Cena the Big
Punch to KO Cena. Kids and women screamed as Show stalked Cena for a submission
hold. Show put Cena's lifeless body in the Camel Clutch and locked it in for a
good while before releasing the hold.
WINNERS: Chavo & Cena at 4:53 unofficial time. Unique tag match to set up Show
vs. Cena at Extreme Rules in the Submission match. Certainly stacked the deck
against Cena for Sunday with him appearing to have no chance of slapping on a
submission on Show, or avoiding Show's Big Punch and Camel Clutch. Not sure if
it's going to convince anyone to spend $40, but by-the-book WWE PPV build. Miz
kinda-sorta benefited by getting over his personality, but he was more of a
bystander for this. (*1/2)
[Commercial Break]
[Q6]
Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in Kofi Kingston and MVP to talk about the U.S.
Title match coming up. MVP spoke for Kofi that he earned his title shot and he
did it honorably, so he's looking forward to the match-up. Kofi said he's
winning, though. MVP did a Jamaican accent saying he's been drinking too much
Red Stripe, mon. Mathews threw out the question, "So, who's really going to
win?" They both said: "I am!" at the same time. Nervous laughter. Babyface
tension.
5 -- U.S. champion MVP vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- United States Title match
Kofi came out, then MVP second as the announcers talked up the Prom deal with
MVP and Sherri Shepherd. "I never got to go the prom," Cole said. That's just
too easy. I'm moving along. Bell sounded and the babyfaces did their feeling out
process with big smiles trying to test each other out. Slow build, then Kofi
pulled out a series of pin attempts for nearfalls. Kofi then executed a leaping
dropkick and told MVP he's "that close" to winning. Cut to break with Kofi
confident.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, MVP was in control. Kofi nailed a leaping elbow smash to
comeback, then he jumped on MVP's shoulders in the corner to execute a rolling
huracanrana for a two count. MVP then popped up and nailed a big boot to the
face for a two count of his own. MVP followed with the Ballin' elbow drop for
another nearfall. Kofi blocked a corner splash with a pendulum kick, then he
went up top, but MVP crotched him and executed a big superplex. Both men crashed
down hard with MVP taking a blow to the back of the head on impact. MVP and Kofi
then had a classic rolling pin attempt exchange on the mat with neither man able
to secure a pin. Double clothesline and both men fell to the mat to recover.
[Q7]
They came to their feet at 10:00 and started exchanging blows. Kofi rebounded
off the ring ropes into MVP, who nailed a German Suplex with a bridge pin, but
Kofi kicked out. Kofi then came back with a sick rolling frontslam, but MVP
kicked out. MVP tried to come back with the Playmaker, but Kofi escaped and
tried to hit the buzzsaw kick, but MVP ducked. Kofi then hopped on MVP's
shoulders for a reverse huracanrana, but MVP tried to roll him up, only to have
Kofi roll through and pin his shoulders for a three count.
Post-match: Kofi celebrated the title victory and MVP grabbed the U.S. Title
belt. He handed it to Kofi, who accepted with a big smile. MVP was shown
smirking on the floor like he couldn't believe Kofi beat him tonight. Kofi did
the boom-boom handclap to celebrate as Cole called him the future of Raw.
WINNER: Kofi at 11:18 to capture the U.S. Title. Excellent title match. Probably
hit 85 percent of the "medium-to-hard" spots they were going for and pulled off
a very good match. Crowd was quiet for the most part, but that's been the case
throughout the show. Interesting to see the title switch, as WWE is so "hot and
cold" with Kofi's push. We'll see how this is followed up. (***)
Backstage: Ted DiBiase asked Orton why he's doing this. DiBiase said this is a
Fight to the finish in a parking lot. Anything goes, bro. DiBiase said Flair is
desperate for the spotlight and hates himself for being retired, so he will do
everything and risk everything. Orton said he will be in complete control. No
worries, son. Orton told DiBiase it will be a preview for what Batista has to go
through on Sunday. DiBiase shot him a line: "That's exactly what Cody said."
Whoa. DiBiase walked off, then Orton stared down at the ground.
In-ring: Vickie Guerrero came to the ring with a bucket of slop to preview the
Hog Pen match on Sunday.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Vickie was waving to the crowd sporting her Miss WrestleMania sash.
Santino came out to the ring as Lawler narrated clips of previous Hog Pen
matches in WWE history. Just focused on the pigs in the slop. No shots of the
Godwins or Triple H. Perhaps a match Hunter doesn't want his likeness associated
with.
6 -- SANTINO MARELLA vs. VICKIE GUERRERO
Santino picked up a bucket of slop and threatened to hit Vickie with it. Crowd
screamed as William Regal and Matt Hardy stormed the ring. Santino spun around
and "accidentally" flung the slop everywhere, landing on Regal, the cameraman,
and the announcers. Regal sold it for a while so the crowd could get a good
laugh, then Hardy and Regal beat up Santino. Hardy landed a Cast Shot on Santino
before Regal and Hardy put Santino in position to accept more slop on the mat.
Vickie cackled as she grabbed another bucket of slop and teased Santino's
lifeless body with more punishment. She slowly dropped some slop on Santino's
scrotumus region before slowly pouring it out on Santino's face, neck, and eyes.
She covered Santino's torso with slop while cackling. Lawler said every pig has
its day, like every dog has its day. Vickie put her foot on Santino's chest to
close the segment.
WINNER: Bell never sounded. Ref was as useful for this segment as an
incompetently-booked TNA ref. Just a mid-ring "filler attempt at comedy" segment
to promote the slop fest on Sunday.
Backstage: Flair was readying himself for the parking lot brawl.
DVD promo: Well, well, well, a Randy Savage DVD promo for the release next
Tuesday. Macho Madness. No context to the DVD plug, though. We'll see if they
add any color to the DVD release on next week's Raw the day before the official
release when they don't have a PPV to focus on.
[Q8]
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Cole and Lawler stood center ring to plug the Extreme Rules PPV card. I
like the change from breaking down the line-up from the announce desk. The cage
lowered down for Cole and Lawler to promote the Orton vs. Batista cage match on
Sunday.
Backstage: They showed Randy Orton walking down the hallway in anticipation of
the parking lot brawl.
[Commercial Break]
ECW plug: Christian vs. Tyson Kidd before Christian's three-way title match at
Extreme Rules.
Parking Lot: Randy Orton was slowly walking around looking for Flair. There was
some noise in the background as Orton paced around. He hopped over a guardrail
near a row of cars. Wish they were in a circle like Eddie vs. Cena from six
years ago. Flair then snuck up behind Orton and lightly pushed him into a metal
garage door. Flair landed a chop or two and kicked Orton before ripping open his
t-shirt to blast him some more. Orton came back with a kick, but Flair with a
chop. Flair then put Orton on a portable trunk with wheels and wheeled Orton
into a wall. Flair with another chop as they moved closer to the Gorilla
position.
They made it through the curtain and the camera picked up a brief arena shot.
They were in the equipment area and Orton put Flair in a headlock before taking
him to the floor area near the Raw HD stage. Orton stomped on Flair's forehead
before landing a round of punches. He flung Flair onto the stage and stood over
Flair's prone body before starting the Orton Stomp. Orton wanted to chuck Flair
off the stage, but Flair landed a mule kick and the crowd came to life Whoo'ing
for Flair.
[Q9 -- over-run]
Flair started kicking and punting Orton in the gut to move him across the stage.
Flair chopped him down the entranceramp before stomping on his hands. Side note:
Is Orton being manhandled by 40-something Shane McMahon or 60-year-old Ric Flair
worse? Anyways, Flair took Orton ringside and continued to take Orton apart
piece by piece. Flair nearly chopped him over the guardrail into the front row
as Orton bled from the chest from all of the chops. Of note: cage was still down
around the ring after Cole and Lawler hyped the PPV. Flair cleared the announce
desk before chopping Orton onto the table. Flair landed more right hand blows to
the forehead, then he climbed on the desk. Flair measured Orton and stomped him
right between the legs. Crazy Ric continued to beat on Orton before slapping on
the figure four on the freakin' announce desk.
Suddenly, DiBiase and Rhodes jumped Flair and assaulted him ringside. They
rammed Flair into the cage wall before whipping him into the guardrail. Wild
action as Legacy took Flair inside the cage. Crowd chanted for Batista as Legacy
beat up Flair inside the cage. They executed a double-team suplex as Orton
shouted from ringside to keep pounding on Flair. Orton entered the cage and told
Legacy to leave the cage and lock it up. Cody, apparently not proficient in
cage-locking, struggled to lock it. Batista suddenly stormed ringside and chased
off Legacy. He couldn't get in the cage, though. Batista tried ripping the lock
off, but to no avail. Orton started measuring Flair for the RKO as Batista
started climbing the cage. Orton nailed the RKO in center ring as Batista cried
out to Ric.
Batista continued to pace around the outside of the cage as Orton stared down
Batista. Batista vowed to break Flair in half. Orton lightly kicked Flair to
check for life as Batista screamed out to Orton, who slowly backed away from
Flair inside the cage. Batista saw what was coming and sold it with his eyes.
Orton bounced and bounced around before landing The Punt on Flair. Maybe grazed
Flair's forehead, as he missed him 95 percent. Orton sold it, though, and got
within inches of Batista while foaming at the mouth. Batista could only grip the
cage wall from the outside as Orton stared back at him with that Classic Orton
Venom Look. Show ended with Batista cussing Orton, but it was bleeped. Think he
called him a sick f---. Fade out to Sunday. PYB (3) time: 14:55.
Closing segment thoughts: Tough to gauge the effectiveness of selling Sunday's
PPV on the merit of this segment. Orton's vicious. He had the final word after
taking a pounding from Flair before his cronies helped him in typical fashion.
Batista wants to rip Orton apart to avenge Flair. Fine. Good. Dandy. But, there
wasn't emphasis on the WWE Title, which may or may not be a big deal since WWE
was selling this on the personal issue between Orton and Batista, the cage match
format, and potential for mass chaos in the ring.
A lot of elements in play and it really depends on whether the viewer (a) wants
to see Batista get revenge on Orton or (b) cares so much about Flair that they
want to see Orton get his comeuppance. WWE was hoping to cast a wide net to
capture WWE viewers who could turn into PPV buyers on the merit of one or both
points. Tough sell, though, when the casual audience perhaps doesn't have as
much of an emotional connection to Flair as the centerpiece of the storyline
because the overall message on Flair to the casual audience is that he's this
crazy old man who's trying to take back the spotlight. But, perhaps the whole
point of Flair having so much offense on Orton tonight was to make him seem more
credible.
Does Flair's involvement help or hurt? That's the key. Orton is so good as a
vicious heel, though, that he might have cancelled out Flair as a possible
distraction to sell the PPV on seeing Orton get his comeuppance.