Raw
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 14, 2009
results thanks to http://www.pwtorch.com
WWE Raw opened with a
video package from Breaking Point when John Cena refused to quit despite all of
the torture Randy Orton put him through. They showed Cena hoisting up the WWE
Title belt last night as the new champion.
After the regular Raw intro aired, Lilian Garcia introduced Batista for his big
return. Batista was still sporting the giant Barry Bonds arm brace over his left
arm. He did some deep breaths to sell a big announcement. After a video package
aired on the storyline write-off from the spring, Jerry Lawler said there have
been numerous rumors flying around about this announcement. Batista, sporting
sunglasses to cover his eyes, said he wants to say thank you to everyone who has
supported him before he makes his announcement. Pause. Batista said it's been a
rough year for him. He said he's come back to...say good-bye. Batista paused,
waited out a "Batista" chant, then said there's been rumors about his health for
a while.
Randy Orton's music interrupted much to the chagrin of Jerry Lawler, who assumed
Orton was out here to ruin Batista's announcement. Why couldn't he have a change
of heart and be out here for a Sting to A.J. Styles heart-to-heart and provide a
shoulder to cry on? Orton slowly made his way to the ring and slowly opened by
saying he is not very happy ... about losing the WWE Title last night. He said
what cheers him up...the fact that Dave is retiring. So, this is how the Big Bad
Animal goes out? He said nobody cares about the big farewell speech. Orton asked
him why he waited so long to retire. Orton said it's because of him. He put him
on the shelf, after all. Orton told Dave to hang his head and cry. Batista was
selling a lot of emotion with his head down. He was half-laughing, half-crying.
"You think it's funny I ruined your life?"
Batista said there's two things really funny to him right now. One, Orton is
very predictable. Two, Batista removed his Barry Bonds cast and blasted Orton
with a big powerslam, then a running clothesline that took Orton out of the
ring. Lawler said Batista suckered Orton out to the ring. Batista said he's not
here to announce his retirement, but that he's going to Smackdown. Orton was
like, "what?" The return of the Batista Formula match on Friday nights. Batista
said he talked to the guest host tonight and she guaranteed him one more match
on Raw. He said it's No Holds Barred vs. Orton tonight. Orton freaked out on the
outside, then Batista did his Ultimate Warrior celebration. PYB (3): 7:20.
Plug: Announcers hyped Shawn Michaels vs. Ted DiBiase later tonight.
[Commercial Break]
[Q2]
In-ring: Lilian Garcia was in the ring to introduce the Raw Diva of the Decade
and tonight's guest host, Trish Stratus. Trish came out on stage in front of her
hometown to talk about the guest hosting gig. She said Bob Barker made a good
guest host last week, which drew mainly cheers. Trish said this isn't the Price
is Right, though. It's Raw. And she knows Raw. She has Batista vs. Orton, but
Orton is owed a re-match. She put some thought into it and came up with
something. Trish slowly dragged out the expected: Orton vs. Cena re-match in
Hell in a Cell. She then decided to get some wrestling going.
In-ring: U.S. champion Kofi Kingston came out first for a tag match. Primo was
out next as his partner. Apparently they're still not going to develop any
singles programs involving the mid-card wrestlers. Jack Swagger then came out
first for the heels. He took his time coming to the ring before The Miz came out
as his tag partner. Michael Cole sold this as a "return match" from Superstars.
Good save from this being a "repeat match."
1 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON & PRIMO COLON vs. THE MIZ & JACK SWAGGER
Announcers said Miz is not happy today after being so close to winning the U.S.
Title from Kofi last night at the PPV. Heels worked over Primo, then Swagger
lost control and Kofi came in hot. Kofi then dropkicked Swagger into Miz to bump
him off the apron. Kofi then slammed Swagger with his back sweep for a two
count. Miz then picked up the U.S. Title belt and started to walk away with it,
which distracted Kofi. Swagger capitalized with a gutwrench powerbomb on Kofi
for the pin and the win. Miz just kept on walking with the title belt and left
with possession as Kofi freaked out in the ring. We'll see if they actually
follow up on this development tonight or forget about it until next week.
WINNERS: Miz & Swagger at 2:58. Too short of a match to really give these four
enough focus. Hopefully there's more on the show, as it's merited based on the
lack of TV time and Miz stealing the belt. (*)
[Commercial Break]
[Q3]
In-ring: Divas champion Mickie James skipped out to the ring dressed not to
wrestle. Apparently she's not fully recovered from her recent implant mishap.
Mickie was on commentary for a contenders match between Gail Kim, who came out
to a strong hometown reaction, and Alicia Fox.
2 -- GAIL KIM vs. ALICIA FOX -- #1 contender match to Divas Title
Action quickly moved to the floor, then Alicia went to work on Gail in the ring.
Gail fought back and went up top for a top rope splash that seemed to be the
three count, but Alicia kicked out, which drew a stunned reaction from Mickie
ringside. Alicia then avoided another top rope attempt - this time a trademark
missile dropkick. Alicia followed right up with a kick to the face that led to
the three count for the win. Afterward, Alicia looked down to Mickie and talked
some trash to Mickie to set up their future title match.
WINNER: Alicia at 3:10 to become #1 contender. WWE obviously has faith in Alicia
to be in the mix of top female wrestlers on the Raw brand. Or, they just want to
incorporate someone new into the mix to challenge Mickie for the title in a
short-term feud. Gail continues to just be a bit player in the division. (*)
[Commercial Break]
Announcers: Cole and Lawler plugged Batista vs. Orton in a No Holds Barred match
tonight. They talked up their Evolution history before taking us back to late
2008. Hey, look, there's Manu. They showed Orton using him...as a battering ram
to deliver the RKO and The Punt on Batista to put him on the shelf. They avoided
showing John Cena in the mix so this didn't seem like a total repeat.
Backstage: Trish Stratus lit a candle, then Beth Phoenix walked in and wanted to
know how Trish could make a #1 contender match without her involved. Chris
Jericho interrupted and told Beth not to let Trish talk about herself because
it's only a two-hour show. They alluded to their WM20 program where Christian
and Jericho bet a Canadian penny on who could score Trish. Beth then talked
trash to Trish and defended Jericho. Beth said Jericho didn't run away and hide
when some new competition came around to open up a yoga studio in a second-rate
country. (Boos from the live crowd.) Trish smiled and said she didn't even know
who Beth was when she retired. Nice comeback. She then booked herself in a tag
match against Jericho and Beth for tonight. She's going to find herself a
partner. Beth walked off, then Jericho closed with a parting shot that he'll
take on Bob Barker anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Such a great "tough guy" heel.
Announcers: Cole and Lawler narrated clips of DX vs. Legacy at Breaking Point
last night. WWE showed still shots of the brawl through the arena match. They
said Shawn Michaels tapped out for the first time. Um...no. Lawler gave Ted and
Cody their due that they won the match. ... Backstage: Cody and Ted had big
grins on their faces as they walked down the hallway. Ted vs. Shawn up next.
[Q4]
[Commercial Break]
Decade of Smackdown DVD: The DVD video package opened with a clip of Eddie
Guerrero as World champion. Hogan & Edge as tag champs. Lesnar vs. Big Show ring
collapse. The Rock. Eric Bischoff as the pastor for the Billy & Chuck wedding.
Steve Austin driving motorized vehicles. John Cena with hair vs. Kurt Angle. DVD
out tomorrow.
In-ring: Ted DiBiase came out first with Cody Rhodes for a lengthy intro while
the announcers talked up their victory last night. Cody and Ted took the mics.
Cody asked the crowd...Are you ready? Where's the fake big nose? Cody then asked
the crowd if they're ready to welcome a new era in WWE. He said the truth is
they didn't just beat DX, they made them submit. Cody said they made DX tap out.
He lightly tapped a top turnbuckle to emphasize the point. Cody said The Rock,
Steve Austin, The Undertaker, The McMahons, and ...dare he say... Edge & Randy
never made DX tap out. Cody said Legacy is the only group to make them tap.
Ted picked up that what they did last night was historic. He said they may have
shocked the world, what they accomplished did not surprise them one bit. Ted
said they were who they said they were. And they didn't let them off the hook!
Camera focused on a big dry blood spot on DiBiase's ear. That's going to be
cauliflowered. Cody then said they will no longer be known as the sons of
DiBiase and Rhodes. They are their own legacy now. Cue up their music.
Backstage, they cut to Shawn and Hunter watching the promo on a monitor.
Michaels wiped his mouth in frustration. Hunter was serious too. They started
walking down the hallway with Michaels leading the way for the singles match up
next. WWE doing a nice job getting as much mileage as possible out of the
victory thus far.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Cody and Ted stood firm in the ring, then DX's music hit. Shawn and
Hunter sternly walked to the ring. No shenanigans. No funny business. Ready for
a fight.
3 -- TED DIBIASE, JR. (w/Cody Rhodes) vs. SHAWN MICHAELS (w/Triple H)
Bell sounded and Ted took the fight right to Michaels with hard right hand
blows. Michaels then blasted DiBiase with a knee lift that seemed to shake up
both men temporarily. Michaels then hit a swinging neckbreaker and sold an eye
injury. Michaels was also selling a back injury from taking the figure four
around the ringpost. Crowd picked up a "You screwed Bret" chant as Ted worked
over Michaels. DiBiase with a high back-body drop going to the top of the hour.
[Q5 -- second hour]
DiBiase knocked Michaels to the outside, then Hunter backed down Cody on the
outside to prevent extracurricular activity. Cody just kept tapping the ringpost
to remind Michaels of his tap out last night. DiBiase then suplexed Michaels
back into the ring. He kept working over Michaels as the announcers talked about
Legacy backing up their words last night. Strong emphasis on Legacy thus far.
Michaels then escaped a chinlock and teased a figure four, which the audience
booed because it looked like a sharpshooter, but DiBiase broke free. Michaels
then slapped on his figure four, but DiBiase broke free with an eye-rake.
DiBiase then went on the attack with straight right hands. Michaels sold eye
damage, which prompted Cole to talk briefly about Michaels's history of eye
problems. Wow, an HBK vs. Jericho feud reference from 2008. Nice historical
reference. DiBiase then slapped on the Million Dollar Dream center ring, but
Michaels flung him away to the corner.
After a pause for both men to recover, DiBiase kicked Michaels in the gut and
wanted a piledriver, but Michaels back dropped DiBiase clear over the top rope
to the floor. Cody shouted encouragement to DiBiase as Hunter chased him down.
Hunter and DiBiase exchanged words, then Michaels dropped DiBiase with two
atomic drops. Michaels landed a flying forearm smash, then he kipped up to his
feet still selling the eye injury. Michaels landed a flurry of right hands, then
he went up top. Michaels sold losing his balance, but landed the top rope elbow
smash on DiBiase. Michaels then went to the corner to set up the Sweet Chin
Music, but Cody tripped Michaels from behind to cause a DQ.
Post-match: Hunter then chased down Cody and blasted him into the ring steps and
announce table. And the fight was on again. Michaels and DiBiase took their
fight to the floor, too. And then into the stands. Cody got an upperhand on
Hunter momentarily ringside as Michaels beat the crap out of DiBiase on the
seventh row. Hunter then regained control and made it look like he smashed Cody
head-first into the announce table several times. Hunter then took Cody to the
front row and then to the production area. A cameraman back ringside was taken
out as Hunter ran Cody back over the guardrail. They cut to break when the "feed
was cut out" when the cameraman was taken out.
WINNER: Shawn Michaels via DQ at 9:03. Very good TV match-up leading to a hot
post-match angle to keep the feud going. Announcers really emphasized Legacy's
victory at the PPV and Michael Cole deserves some props for the history
reference with Michaels's eye. Good feud going right now. (**1/2)
[Commercial Break]
[Q6]
Announcers: Cole and Lawler plugged Batista vs. Orton and Trish & ??? vs.
Jericho & Beth coming back from break. They then talked about the post-match to
HBK vs. DiBiase that didn't end. After a video replayed showed what happened,
announcers said the four men were separated during the break. Cole and Lawler
were shown on-camera to say this feud is going to go on for a while if Legacy is
determined to take DX out of WWE.
In-ring: Hornswoggle came out to the ring for a tag match with Evan Bourne
joining him on stage. They showed a Price is Raw replay from last week when
Chavo Guerrero lost out his chance at the shiny red Corvette thanks to Horny's
interference. Chavo then came out on stage along with Carlito, who is now being
managed by Rosa Mendes. Carlito's frustration with not being on the Breaking
Point PPV has apparently landed him in the middle of the feud that won't end.
Cole even reminded us of how many times Horny vs. Chavo has happened on TV
lately.
4 -- CHAVO GUERRERO & CARLITO (w/Rosa Mendes) vs. EVAN BOURNE & HORNSWOGGLE
Announcers speculated on who Trish will pick as her partner. History would
indicate John Cena, who she picked last December when she was on the show vs.
Beth and Santino. Anyways, Chavo and Carlito worked over Bourne early on. Bourne
then fought back on both men before putting Chavo in the corner. Horny was
tagged in and he went up top, but Chavo woke up and grabbed Horny. Horny had a
back-up plan, though, by spitting Carlito's apple in Chavo's face. Chavo fell
down to the mat and Hornswoggle came off the top with a tadpole splash for the
pin and the win. Lawler said Chavo needs to find another feud. Anybody but
Hornswoggle, he said.
WINNERS: Bourne & Hornswoggle at 3:58. Lawler said it best. Let's move on from
the coyote chasing the roadrunner. The coyote never wins. (1/2*)
Post-match: Chavo took the mic and shouted, "What do I have to do?!" Chavo said
he gives up. Hornswoggle wins. Horny celebrated on stage with Bourne. Chavo then
dropped the mic and rubbed his head in frustration. Cole dryly said: "Chavo
admitting defeat...to a leprechaun."
Video package: They took us back to the Extreme Rules PPV in June when Randy
Orton and Batista fought in a steel cage match with Batista winning the WWE
Title. Tonight, it's Orton vs. Batista again.
[Commercial Break]
Smackdown plug: They went to a video from Breaking Point when The Undertaker won
the World Title...but Hell's Gate is banned. They showed Teddy Long re-starting
the match and Taker "tapping out" in the "most controversial ending in World Hvt.
Title history." Voice-over man told us to check out SD to see what happens next.
Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in new WWE champion John Cena to ask him how he
withstood all of that torture from Randy Orton last night. Cena said Orton
talked for so long about how the WWE Title is his life. He said last night, in
the first sign of jeopardy for Orton, he literally gave it away. Cena gave a
promise before BP that he will not quit. And at Breaking Point, there were many
times where he wanted to give up. He said his body was wrecked. Pain was
immeasurable. Every time he said no, he knew there would be more pain and
suffering. Cena said he gave the folks his word and he kept it. Whole storyline
seems like Jesus Christ sacrificing himself on the cross faced with unspeakable
torture. ... Cena said they have a re-match at Hell in a Cell. And if you
thought there was punishment at BP, there will be a different side at HIAC. He
said he will be more brutal, more savage, and Randy Orton will be the luckiest
man on the earth if he makes it out in one piece. His voice escalated. He then
lifted up his title belt and said The Champ Is Here. Great promo from Cena, who
really knows how to measure his words and intensify when needed. Removing the
corny poopy jokes has done wonders for him.
[Q7]
Announcers: Cole and Lawler had breaking news. Cole announced DX vs. Legacy in a
Hell in a Cell match to "settle things once and for all."
In-ring: Tonight's guest host Trish Stratus came out first for the mixed tag
match. They paused for Trish to get her cheers, then MVP came out as her
partner. That was my second guess behind Cena to continue the Unified tag title
feud. MVP bounced out to the ring in his new sleeveless Power Rangers suit to
join Trish. MVP did his ballin' motion as they cut to break.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: MVP and Trish were talking about dinner plans coming out of the break.
Chris Jericho then came out alone for the heel mixed tandem. MVP smiled down at
Jericho, who confidently strolled to the ring without a care in the world. Beth
Phoenix then came out hailing from just across the border in Buffalo, N.Y. Cole
said it's like playing SD vs. Raw 2009 with a match-up of a legend vs. a new
star between Trish and Beth.
5 -- MVP & TRISH STRATUS vs. Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO & BETH PHOENIX
Divas started things off, then Jericho got involved and the action intensified
with a fight breaking out all over the ring. Big Show then ran down and attacked
MVP. Crowd roared as Mark Henry then ran down to ringside and knocked around Big
Show. Jericho, Show, and Beth then retreated to the entrance ramp. Trish and MVP
were announced as the winners via DQ.
WINNERS: Trish & MVP at 1:30. To the follow-up... (n/a)
Post-match: Trish took the mic and said this is her town and her show. It ain't
ending like this. She booked a six-person tag match for right now. That was a
much better promo than the three minutes earlier in the show when she seemed to
be a little off.
[Commercial Break]
[Q8]
5b -- MVP & MARK HENRY & TRISH STRATUS vs. Unified tag champions CHRIS JERICHO &
BIG SHOW & BETH PHOENIX
Action was joined in progress with Show working over MVP. Jericho then tagged in
and worked over MVP. Announcers plugged Batista vs. Orton later tonight and said
Batista is going to Smackdown "for some competition." Not exactly a ringing
endorsement of the Raw brand. Anyways, MVP fought back on Jericho, but Jericho
cut him off with a clothesline. Jericho then kicked Henry off the apron to
prevent a tag before dragging MVP back to the heel corner. MVP then made a
comeback so Jericho tagged in Beth, who told MVP to deal with her. She doesn't
want Trish. Beth shoved MVP, then tried a kick, but MVP grabbed her by the foot
and brought in Trish, who excitedly took the tag and cleaned house on Beth. Male
action spilled to the outside, then Trish suddenly warmed up a dive to the
outside, but Big Show tripped her from the outside. Henry then smashed Show on
the floor and both men fell hard to the floor. Back in the ring, Beth tried to
sneak in a pin on Trish, but Trish kicked out just before three to a big
reaction. Trish then wanted her vintage handstand flip out of the corner and
connected. (Lawler dropped "vintage" and Cole paused to tell Lawler thanks for
taking care of it.) Trish then followed with her Stratusfaction facebuster on
Beth for the pin and the win. Babyface trio took their bow to give Trish a "feel
good" victory in front of the hometown.
WINNERS: Trish & MVP & Henry at 5:03. Good, high-energy six-person TV tag match.
Crowd was into the non-stop action which continued the Jericho & Show vs. Henry
& MVP feud. They'll probably put it on PPV again to follow the pattern of Orton
vs. Cena and DX vs. Legacy re-matches. (**)
Video replay: They went back to Raw in June for Randy Orton and Legacy to take
out Batista and give him the storyline write-off injury.
Backstage: They showed Batista walking down the hallway as Trish Stratus's music
continued to play in the background. The Raw theme then mixed in to create a new
dance beat. They should try that more often.
[Commercial Break]
ECW plug: Tommy Dreamer & ECW champ Christian vs. Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson again
tomorrow night. ... Announcers: Cole and Lawler plugged Cedric the Entertainer
hosting Raw next week.
In-ring: Randy Orton came to the ring first for the TV main event. They showed
the opening segment with Batista pulled a trick on Orton, who sold frustration
standing in the ring before Batista's music hit. Batista then came out and did
his machine gun entrance while pointing to his arm to say he's all good.
Batista's entrance pushed the show to the top of the third hour, so you know
this isn't going long for Batista's return match.
[Q9 -- over-run]
6 -- BATISTA vs. RANDY ORTON -- No Holds Barred
Announcers said Batista will be on Raw this Monday. Bell sounded and Orton went
to the floor looking for a chair. Batista chased him down, though, only to be
set up for the Jake Roberts horizontal DDT. Batista avoided it, though, and
landed trademark shoulder thrusts in the corner. Batista landed a clothesline
and Orton went back under the ring, but Batista clotheslined him to the floor.
Back in the ring, Orton dropped Batista with his fallaway backbreaker before
going to work on Batista's arm with the Orton Stomp. Orton tried to bring a
chair into the proceedings, but Batista dropped him with a spear mid-ring. Orton
again rolled to the floor and Batista followed up by chucking him across the
announce table. Batista slowly brought Orton back into the ring and Orton teased
the RKO, but Batista flung him away. Orton then went to the floor and stared to
walk away, but John Cena's music hit. Cena had Orton trapped, then Cena
clotheslined Orton down to the ground. Apparently No Holds Barred also means No
DQ. Cena then tossed Orton back into the ring where Batista delivered a
spinebuster. Batista did the Thumbs up, Thumbs down before putting Orton in
position to deliver the Batistabomb. Batista then made the cover for the win.
Cole gave a warning to the Smackdown locker room to look out for Batista before
adding that Orton's downward spiral continues. They replayed the finish and
showed Batista celebrating in the ring to close the show.
WINNER: Batista at 5:01. Formula gimmick match between Batista and Orton. This
week, Orton was back to that familiar position of not having much credibility
being duped by Batista at the beginning and taking the loss in the main event.
It's been a PPV-to-PPV see-saw with his character lately. When he gets too hot,
WWE cools him down just a little bit to even things out. Now the question is
where Batista fits in on the Smackdown brand. (*1/4)