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RAW Results - 23rd March 2009
Location -
Announcers - Michael Cole and Jerry 'The King' Lawler

We are live from Kansas City, Missouri and your announcers are Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole.

Tonight’s show starts off with Ric Flair in the ring. Flair lets out a few woooos and then he turns his attention to Chris Jericho. Flair says that on behalf of Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Ricky Steamboat; he accepts Jericho’s challenge for Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary. Flair says that he will be standing in their corner. Flair says that he cannot compete, but he will stand in the ring with them and hold their hand high after they beat him and shut Jericho up forever.

Chris Jericho appears on the TitanTron and he talks about seeing Jimmy Snuka, Ricky Steamboat, and Roddy Piper at the first Wrestlemania. Chris points out that was 25 years ago (or 24). Jericho says that he never thought he would be a bigger star than them, but he has. Jericho wants to tell Flair exactly what they are signing up for. Jericho is now in the back and he asks if it is like The Wrestler. Will the beatdown lead to the credits with the crowd cheering. Jericho says that this is real and Flair is not an actor like Mickey Rourke. Nobody is telling Flair cut while Mikey Rourke can go to his trailer. Jericho says that nobody cares about Flair any more.

Jericho makes his way into the arena. He says that he knew the legends would accept his challenge. It was academic because they are all afraid that if they stay out of the spotlight for too long, they will be forgotten. Jericho says that Flair is afraid that he will end up as a nameless and faceless person. Jericho says that it is better to be a nobody than to drag your name through the mud. Jericho tells Flair that he is going to beat Flair’s friends and it will be uncomfortable for Flair. He will be powerless to do anything while Jericho continues to beat on them. Jericho says that Mickey Rourke will be there to watch the carnage and wonder what he has done. Jericho tells Flair that his friends will be remembered by a new generation as a group of washed up has beens who were eventually euthanized by Chris Jericho.

Flair tells Jericho that he is wrong. What they refuse to do is be judged by insignificant little punks who will never be Hall of Fame material. They will not be told when they are done. They enjoy being respected by the fans and they respect those people. Flair says that he will be so proud to stand by his Hall of Fame brothers, his peers, and his friends as they beat Jericho.

Flair says that since he has Jericho’s ear, he is looking forward to standing in the middle of the ring at Wrestlemania, finding Mickey Rourke in the crowd and telling Mickey to stand alongside them and look at the broken body on the mat. Flair tells Jericho that he would be the broken body. Then in front of 70,000 screaming people in Houston and the millions around the world watching Wrestlemania, being able to woo. . .

Jericho punches Flair mid-woooo and then he kicks Flair. Jericho punches Flair and Ric starts bleeding. Jericho rips Flair’s shirt and then he sends Flair into the announce table. Jericho rearranges the announce table and then Jericho sends Flair into the Lillian Garcia lounge. Jericho punches Flair with the mic and then he sends Flair onto the announce table. Jericho throws the top of the table at Flair and then he hits Flair with a shoe. Jericho punches Flair some more and the assault continues. Jericho sends Flair into the ring steps and then Jericho sends Flair’s head into the ring steps. Jericho takes one of the cameras and he nails Flair in the head with it. Jericho adds insult to injury by taking Flair’s gold watch and he puts it on the ring steps and Jericho stomps on the watch.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Jerry Lawler says that what just happened was the most disgusting thing he has ever seen. Lawler calls Jericho a punk for what he just did

Extreme Rules Match
Jeff Hardy vs Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler offers his hand and Jeff shakes it followed by a kick and punches. Hardy tries for a jawbreaker but Ziggler with a knee and clothesline and then he punches Hardy. Dolph gets a chair and he tries to use it but Hardy with a drop kick to the knees. Hardy with a clothesline in the corner and then Hardy misses Poetry in Motion using the chair. Ziggler goes under the ring and he finds a conveniently placed trash can. Dolph waits for Hardy to get up and he hits Jeff and gets a near fall. Ziggler puts Hardy on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex onto the trash can, but Hardy counters with a sit out gourdbuster onto the trash can. Hardy with a Twist of Fate and then he grabs the chair and hits Ziggler in the back with it. Hardy with a swinging neck breaker onto the chair and then he goes up top for the Swanton and the three count.

Winner: Jeff Hardy

After the match
Jeff gets on the mic and he tells Matt that what he saw was not extreme, but what he feels at Wrestlemania will be.

It is time to take a look back at Smackdown 90210 when Big Show and Edge fought over Vickie but Vickie was the one who took the bulk of the attack.

Backstage
John Cena is in a dressing room and he says that he has a get well card for Vickie since she is not feeling well. Cena provides us with ‘If They Mated’ clips of Edge and Vickie’s child and then Show and Vickie’s child. Cena suggests that Edge and Show are interested because of her position in the company.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at Wrestlemania 21st Anniversary when Wrestlemania was in Hollywood, so we got to see Steve Austin dress up like Brutus Magnus.

CM Punk, Montel Vontavious Porter, Christian, and Kofi Kingston vs Shelton Benjamin, Kane, Mark Henry, and Fit Finlay

Benjamin and Porter start things off and Benjamin with a waist lock but Porter with a take down into a side head lock. Porter with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Porter misses a boot but Benjamin with a German suplex for a near fall. Benjamin with a forearm and a side head lock. Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Punk tags in and kicks Benjamin followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Benjamin with a jaw breaker and then he tags in Finlay. Punk with an Irish whip and running knee. Benjamin distracts Punk and that allows Finlay to work on the leg. We go to commercial.

We are back and Kane has Punk in a head lock followed by a vintage uppercut. Punk with a back kick and then he tags in Christian. Christian punches Benjamin and then hits a running forearm. Christian with a monkey flip and Benjamin lands on his feet. Christian with a kick Benjamin and then Christian puts Benjamin in the ropes and then he slingshots over and punches Benjamin. Kane has Porter for a choke slam, but Kofi with a drop kick. Henry catches Punk but Porter clips Henry. Punk with a pescado onto Henry. Benjamin hits Paydirt on Porter but Christian with an Unprettier for the three count.

Winners: Kofi Kingston, Christian, CM Punk and Montel Vontavious Porter

After the match
Finlay hits everyone with the ladder, even Tony Atlas.

It is time to look at 12 Rounds.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cole and Lawler talk about the heinous vintage attack by Chris Jericho on Ric Flair.

Time to look at the History of Violence caused by IED between Triple H and Randy Orton.

Backstage
Todd Grisham is in the interview area with Randy Orton. Todd asks Randy about what we just saw and whether Hunter has a psychological advantage. Orton mentions that Hunter says that Orton suffers from cowardice, but he was not the one who attacked someone in their home? Randy is the one who attacked Vince and Shane McMahon. He is someone who attacked Stephanie McMahon, knowing who she is married to. Orton says that he was willing to wait until Wrestlemania, but Hunter had to make the challenge. Orton says that he will do something that will make the previous attacks tame. Orton says that it was Hunter and his entire family who brought this upon themselves.

Vickie Guerrero is brought out before our next match and THE WHEELCHAIR is back, but Vickie does not have the neck brace.

We go to commercial.

Edge vs Big Show

Before the match starts, we see John Cena on the TitanTron. He wishes them luck and he says that he is in California. Cena says that he wants to see both of them beat the holy hell out of each other. Cena says that it does not matter who cares more about Vickie because she is not in the match. Cena says everyone is laughing at Show and Edge because of the way they are fawning over Vickie. Cena says that there is a good chance that they both slept with Vickie Guerrero for absolutely nothing.

The match starts and Edge punches Show as he avoids Show. Edge with more punches and then he gets on the turnbuckles but Show pushes him off and then hits a clothesline. Show with a head butt and Edge rolls to the apron and floor. Show pulls Edge back to the apron and he biels Edge back into the ring. Show with a forearm to the back. Show continues to attack Edge and he tries to talk to his woman. Show goes out after Edge and he chops Edge against the announce table. Edge takes advantage of Show returning to the ring and he works on Show’s leg. Show pulls Edge down but Edge returns to the leg. Edge with a DDT and then he punches Show. Show pushes Edge off and then Show presses Edge over his head and drops Edge on the top rope. Show ties Edge in the ropes.

Vickie gets to her feet and begs for Show to stop. She tells Chavo to do something and the referee calls for the bell.

No Contest

After the match
Show pushes Chavo to the side and Chavo punches Show. Edge is able to get out of the ropes and Edge tries to spear Show but Show moves and Chavo gets the spear. Show slaps Edge and Edge goes down and he goes down hard.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at Bradshaw defeating CM Punk to become the Intercontinental Champion and achieve his boyhood dream two weeks ago.

Rey Mysterio vs William Regal with Layla, John Bradshaw Layfield

They lock up and Regal works on the arm. Rey tries to reverse but Regal with a punch. Rey with a monkey flip followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Rey with an enzuigiri and Regal falls into the middle rope. Regal goes to the floor and Rey tries for a baseball slide but Regal ducks. Bradshaw distracts Rey long enough to allow Regal to attack him. Regal drops Rey on the apron and returns to the ring. Regal with forearms in the corner. Regal with an Irish whip and forearm to the head for a near fall. Regal with a full nelson followed by a forearm. Rey with an elbow and kicks. Regal with a forearm and Rey goes down. The referee checks on Rey and Rey is playing possum. Rey with kicks and punches. Regal falls meekly into the ropes and Rey with a 619 followed by a diving splash for the three count.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

After the match
Bradshaw leaves the announce table to applaud Rey’s performance and Rey with a baseball slide to Bradshaw instead of accepting the accolades.

We take a look back at last week when Shawn Michaels outsmarted the Undertaker twice.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the lights go out as the gong sounds. When the lights go back on, Undertaker is in the ring. Taker tells Shawn Michaels that his bold and brash behavior has taken this thing to a whole new dimension. Shawn’s obsession with being Mr. Wrestlemania and defeating him at Wrestlemania has seriously impaired Shawn’s ability to decipher what is fantasy and what is reality. He says that he heard what Shawn had to say and it is true that he has never beaten Shawn Michaels one-on-one. Taker reminds Shawn that the last time they did battle, Shawn spent the next five years in agonizing pain trying to recover. Taker says that Shawn says is not afraid of him, but on April 5th, we will find out. At Wrestlemania, when Shawn stands across the ring from him and when he starts to question his faith, it was Shawn who opened the gates to hell.

Shawn Michaels’ music plays and we see Shawn on the Titantron in a graveyard. Shawn says that there was a reason why he kicked Taker in the face. He has seized the opportunity and has stayed one step ahead. Tonight, he is on Taker’s turf. Shawn says that Taker might have intimidated the others, but Taker will not intimidate him. Shawn runs through Taker’s streak. Shawn goes to an open grave and he says the grave is not for him, it is for the Undertaker. This will be where Taker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak will go forever. Shawn tells the undefeated streak to rest . . . in . . . . peace. Shawn starts to fill the grave.

The lights go on in the arena and Taker is not a happy camper. Taker paces around the ring and screams as we go to commercial.

We are back and the announcement of the final inductee for the Hall of Fame is tomorrow night on ECW.

Santino Marella is in the ring and he talks about the Battle Royal to determine Ms. Wrestlemania and he says that he knows who will win. It will be Santino Marella. He says that he demanded to get into the match. He says that he should not be denied because of his genitalia. Santino says that if he can beat Mickie with one arm behind his back, he will show that he deserves to be Ms. Wrestlemania.

Santino Marella with Rosa Mendes and Beth Phoenix vs Mickie James with Melina and Kelly Kelly

Mickie trips Santino and then she hog ties Santino and both arms are tied up. Mickie wants a test of strength and Santino trips her. Santino tries to knock Mickie down by rolling into her. Mickie with a drop kick. Santino goes to the apron and then he tries to go up top and Rosa and Beth try to help him get up. Santino finally gets up but Mickie with a punch to the gut. Beth gets on the apron and Santino falls off the turnbuckles. Mickie with a spin kick and she gets the three count.

Winner: Mickie James

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for WWE to hype ECW’s ratings.

Time for a rare look at 12 Rounds.

We go to commercial.

We are back with an Earlier Tonight Moment when Chris Jericho got revenge for what Ric Flair did to him a few weeks ago.

Jerry Lawler makes a challenge to Chris Jericho next week on Raw.

Handicap Match
Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase vs Triple H

Hunter goes after Orton and DiBiase tries to use the numbers advantage. Hunter goes out after Orton and he fights off DiBiase as well. Hunter punches DiBiase and Orton attacks him from behind. Orton kicks and punches Hunter while DiBiase holds him. Orton with another punch and Hunter goes to the floor. Hunter sends DiBiase into the ring steps and Orton is sent into the announce table. Hunter goes under the ring for something but he gets a surprise when Cody Rhodes is there. They cuff Hunter and then it becomes a three-on-one attack.

Legacy cuff Hunter to the ropes and now it is time to surround him. Hunter fights them off with one mar but it is short lived as the three-on-one attack continues. All three kick Hunter and then Orton goes to get a mic. Orton says that there is only one person who can save Hunter now. Orton says that she better hurry. Randy has an IEDHammer but Hunter kicks Orton away. Time for the three-on-one beat down to continue. Orton has the sledgehammer but Stephanie comes to the ring. Orton tells Stephanie that it is up to her as he holds the sledgehammer over Hunter’s head. Stephanie begs for mercy and Orton turns his attention to her. Stephanie gets off the apron and Rhodes and DiBiase force her back onto the apron. Orton sets for the IEDDT and he hits it. Orton stares at Hunter and then he returns to Stephanie and turns her over so she can watch what he is going to do to her husband. Orton looks at Stephanie and he is conflicted over what to do. Orton puts the sledgehammer down and then he kisses Stephanie. Hunter cannot contain his anger but he cannot get uncuffed. Hunter and Orton stand face to face and Hunter reaches at Orton. Orton hits Hunter with the IEDHammer.

Orton leaves the ring with his sledgehammer and Legacy. We go to credits.

RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 23rd March, 2009