RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread

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RAW Results - 18th May 2009
Location - Louisville, Kentucky
Announcers - Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler

We are live from Louisville, Kentucky and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

We start off with Randy Orton coming to the ring to address the fans. Orton finally makes his way to the ring as we see photos of last night’s match between Randy Orton and Batista featuring the return of ROH Ambassador Ric Flair. Randy points out that he is still the WWE Champion. Orton says that he was not just looking to retain his title, he was looking to take Batista out for good. When he was about to accomplish that, he was stopped by Ric Flair. Randy says that Flair was never fond of him during the Evolution days as a threat to outshine Triple H and outshine him which Orton says he has done. That is why Orton kicked Flair in the skull in 2007. Orton says that if he had not done it, Flair would have been able to beat Shawn Michaels at the 24th Anniversary of Wrestlemania and still be wrestling today. Orton says that he has kicked every other member of Evolution in the skull and they have not been the same. They have sought retribution but they have never gotten it. Orton tells Flair that he is only delaying the inevitable. Orton dares Flair to get in his business . . .

We hear the Woooo and the Ambassador comes to the ring. Flair signals that he is looking at Orton. Flair says that Orton might be the champion, but he did not beat Batista. Flair says that the way he saw it, he was close to losing the title so he slapped the referee to get intentionally disqualified. Flair tells Orton to look at him. Flair wants to know what makes Orton a big man now after hanging on the ring post. When it comes to Evolution, he was supposed to be the next big deal and the heir apparent. Flair tells Orton that Batista blew by him and Flair gives us the vrooming noises. Flair says that Orton might have his own group and he might talk trash but until he beats the man, he hasn’t accomplished anything.

Orton says that he is the man because he has the belt. Orton says that he can beat Batista. Flair interrupts with a woooo. Flair asks Orton if he said that he can beat Batista. Flair says that he saw Vickie Guerrero an hour ago and she was not happy about the disqualification. Flair says that he gave Vickie an idea and she liked it. Flair says that there is a pay per view in three weeks and Orton will have to defend the title against Batista again. This time, there will be no disqualifications, count outs or interference. The match will be in a steel cage.

Orton tells Flair that since he was so nice to come out and deliver the message, he wants to give Flair a message for Batista. Orton attacks Flair and he kicks him. Rhodes and DiBiase come to the ring at the Orton pace. Batista is not in Evolution so he can run to the ring and he attacks Rhodes and DiBiase on the way to the ring. We have another three on two situation. John Cena comes out to help Flair and Batista.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Orton’s punch to Flair and the eventual brawl involving Legacy, Batista, and John Cena.

Backstage
Josh Mathews stops John Cena in the back and he wants to know why Cena was out there to help Batista and Flair. Cena says that he has been beaten down before and some say that he might have lost a step. Cena says that some of the believers have questioned his resolve. Cena points out that he beat the Big Show last night and the critics were silenced. Cena says that he usually does not look for trouble. He wishes both men well at Extreme Rules because it will be a matter of time before he wins the title.

Vickie Guerrero stops by and she says that tonight John Cena will be teaming with Batista to face Randy Orton and The Legacy. Cena shows feigned anger and a fondness for Ghostbusters and then he tells Vickie that he loves that.

Maryse joins Cole and Lawler at the announce table and Cole pulls a Vintage Adamle by mispronouncing Maryse’s name.

#1 Contender's Divas Battle Royal
Kelly Kelly, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Jillian Hall, and Mickie James

Beth with a power slam to Kelly but Mickie goes after Beth. Rosa gets snap mared by Mickie and then Mickie eliminates Rosa. Beth clotheslines Bella one over the top rope to eliminate her and then Beth attacks the other one. Jillian with an Irish whip to Mickie and Beth hits the handspring back elbow. Beth kicks the other Bella out and she is eliminated. Mickie with a head scissors that sends Jillian to the floor. Mickie with a Thesz Press. Beth puts Mickie in the Tree of Woe but Kelly grabs Beth from behind and connects with a forearm. Beth tries to eliminate Kelly but Kelly is able to eliminate Kelly. The referee is busy dealing with Beth and Maryse sprays Mickie with some sort of spray and Kelly eliminated Mickie to win.

Winner: Kelly Kelly

We go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: The non-Miz portion of the Miz and Santino Marella exchange at Judgment Day.

Santino Marella vs Chavo Guerrero

Chavo with a forearm and then he connects with a Latino uppercut. Chavo with an atomic drop and Santino goes down and winces in pain. Santino walks off the charley horse and Chavo attacks Santino and hits another Latino uppercut. Chavo chokes Santino in the ropes. Chavo with a snap mare and then he stretches Santino and Santino screams like his sister. Chavo pulls Santino back to the mat and then he slaps Santino. Santino Cenas up and he punches Chavo. Santino with an elbow to Chavo followed by a clothesline and a back body drop. Santino charges into a boot and he goes down. Chavo goes up top but Santino rolls into the corner and Chavo returns to the mat. Chavo misses a charge into the corner and Santino with a jackknife cover for the three count.

Winner: Santino Marella

After the match
Chavo gets on the mic and he asks if that is funny. Chavo tells Santino to get his sister ready for a match against Vickie Guerrero for the Ms. Wrestlemania crown.

We go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that WWE.com had more visitors than Disney.com (Mike is not happy).

Time for a Ken Kennedy video package because he is coming back soon.

Backstage
Maryse is talking in French in the back and Miz says that he has no idea what she is saying, but it is hot. Maryse does the fingernail gesture of indifference. Miz says that Maryse might be a Diva, but Miz is 4-0 against John Cena. Miz tells everyone that they will not want to miss what he has in store for John Cena tonight.

Josh Mathews is with Matt Hardy in the interview area. Josh asks Matt if he cost his brother a shot at the World Title while he has a United States Title match against MVP. Josh suggests that it is a reward for what Matt did. Matt says that Jeff broke his hand four weeks ago. Matt says that he feels the pain and it reminds him of all of the horrific things that Jeff did to him. Matt says that he will not let Jeff get all of the attention. Matt says that Vickie is a good person because she wiped his loss to Kofi Kingston off the record book. Matt says that he got the title match because he earned it.

Vickie wants to know what Chavo was thinking when he put her in a match. Chavo says that Santino’s games are over. Randy Orton storms in and he says that he is the WWE Champion and she needs to consult with him to put him in a match. Vickie says that she wanted a match that ensures that there is a winner. Randy tells Vickie that she better do everything to stay on his good side.

We go to commercial.

Carlito and Primo vs The Brian Kendrick and Goldust

Goldust and Carlito start things off and Goldust with a side head lock and shoulder tackles. Carlito with an arm drag but Goldust with an arm drag of his own. Kendrick wants to tag in and he does so. Kendrick with a kick to the midsection and a reverse chin lock as he talks to his tag team partner. Kendrick with an inverted face lock and then he runs Carlito into the corner. Kendrick wants Goldust to cheat while he was with the referee and he yells at Goldust when he doesn’t listen. Carlito with a drop kick and Primo tags in and Primo with a punch. Primo with a flying back elbow and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Kendrick with a jawbreaker and then he tries for the Kendrick but Primo avoids it. Primo with a slingshot cross body for the three count.

Winners: Primo and Carlito

After the match
Kendrick blames Goldust for the loss. Kendrick slaps Goldust and Goldust enters the ring to confront Kendrick. Hornswoggle comes up from behind and he grabs Kendrick’s leg. Hornswoggle, with help from Goldust, kicks Kendrick out of the ring.

Backstage
We see John Cena’s shirt, but it is the Miz wearing the Cena gear. Miz walks in the back as if he is the man who feels no pain. We go to commercial.

It is time for Vintage John Cena, but it is the Miz to parody John Cena. Miz says the big news coming off Judgment Day is that the Miz is 4-0 against John Cena. For some reason, John Cena will not come out to fight him and that is why he came out dressed like John. Miz says that he has decided to do a remake of Cena’s Word Life song. Miz’s song is called ‘Nerd Life’. Miz wants Cena to come out but he does not oblige.

Miz announces that it is now Miz 5 Cena 0.

Jerry Lawler gets a mic and he comes to the ring. Jerry tells Miz that he has a newsflash. Lawler says that the commercials are getting better ratings than that rap. Lawler says that because someone does not come out when challenged, you do not beat them. Lawler says that he is going to call out Batista but Batista does not come out. Lawler says that he is not 1-0 against Batista. Lawler decides to call out Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and Steve Austin. Lawler says that all of Miz’s talking is coming out of his rear end. Lawler tells Miz to go to Vickie Guerrero to get a match with Cena. Miz is about to go to the back but Big Show comes out.

Show tells Miz that make believe time is over. John Cena may think that he is done with Show, but Show says that he is not done with John Cena. Show says that he has a match against John Cena at Extreme Rules and it is a submission match. Show tells Miz that he will have to wait. Miz says that he can wait to beat John Cena after Cena is done beating Show. Miz pushes Lawler into the way to escape. Show hits Lawler from behind and he puts Lawler in a choke.

We go to commercial with a solemn voice.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Last week’s tag match involving MVP and Matt Hardy.

Jim Ross is with Michael Cole to replace Jerry Lawler after Big Show’s attack.

We see photos of Matt Hardy possibly contribute to Jeff’s loss to Edge last night at Judgment Day.

United States Title Match
Matt Hardy vs Montel Vontavious Porter

They lock up and Porter with a rollup for a near fall. Hardy with an inside cradle for a near fall. Porter with punches followed by knees to the midsection. Hardy goes to the apron but Porter with a forearm and then he suplexes Hardy back into the ring. Hardy with a kick but Porter with a back slide. Hardy with a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy tries to expose the turnbuckle and the referee stops him. Hardy with a clip to the leg and he uses the cast. Hardy gets a near fall. Hardy kicks Porter in the injured knee and then he uses the ropes. Hardy sends Porter’s leg into the ring post and then he gets a near fall. Hardy kicks the ropes and it reverberates to Porter’s leg. Hardy with punches to Porter’s midsection. Porter kicks Hardy away and then he hits a clothesline from the turnbuckles. Porter with punches followed by a side slam for a near fall.

Porter with a face buster and then it time for the Ballin’ Elbow for a near fall. Hardy throws Porter to the floor and then Hardy with a kick to the knee. Hardy tries to punch Porter with the cast but Porter moves and Hardy hits the ring post and then Porter slams the cast into the ring steps. Porter with a series of punches and then he stomps on Hardy’s cast. Porter with the running boot into the corner and then Porter hits the Playmaker for the three count.

Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter

We are back with a recap of the events that led to the main event tonight.

Backstage
Ric Flair is in the locker room and Batista stops by. Batista wants to know why Flair is so happy. Flair says that he is going to call Orton out for next week. Batista reminds Flair who he is and Flair says that he did not want to retire. Flair says that he could beat up 90% of the guys on the show and he wants to beat up Orton next week. Flair tells Batista that if he does not believe in him then he will not be out there with him.

We go to the office and Chavo is on the ground and he is trying to teach Vickie how to hit a frog splash. Vickie says the match is off. Santina says that she is disappointed because the only way that Vickie could win is if pigs could fly. Vickie says the match is back on. Chavo tells Vickie to trust him. We go to commercial.

Santina Marella vs Vickie Guerrero for the Ms. Wrestlemania Crown

Santina wants a time out and she gets on the mic. She says that she has something to say to Vickie. She says that she can see that Vickie is jealous. Vickie slaps Santina. Santina kisses Vickie and she makes a few more pig jokes. Chavo gets on the mic and he says that it is a no disqualification match.

Chavo attacks Santina from behind and Santina goes down after a Latino uppercut. Chavo punches Santina but Santina punches back. Chavo with punches to Santina until the tables are turned. Chavo gets back body dropped over the top rope to the floor by Santina.

William Regal comes to the ring from out of nowhere and he attacks Santina and hits an Exploder suplex followed by a knee to the head. Vickie gets the three count.

Winner: Vickie Guerrero

Backstage
Legacy walk very very very deliberately in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Ric Flair will be calling out Randy Orton next week on Raw, we just don’t know where it will happen.

Handicap Match
Legacy vs Batista and John Cena

Cody and Cena start things off and they lock up and Cena with a side head lock. Cena with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Orton tags in and he punches Cena. Cena with a kick and he tags in Batista but Orton leaves the ring and DiBiase is tagged in. Batista with a clothesline and he tries for a power slam. Rhodes misses an attack and Batista with a double shoulder tackle. Batista and Cena take care of Rhodes and DiBiase. Orton tries to slither his way to a sneak attack, but Batista and Cena see him and Orton goes to the floor. We go to commercial.

We are back and Orton sends Batista into the apron and the return to the ring and Orton gets a near fall. Orton with the Garvin Stomp to Batista and then he hits a knee drop for a near fall. DiBiase is tagged back in and Batista punches DiBiase but DiBiase with a drop toe hold and a near fall. DIBiase with a series of elbow drops to Batista for a near fall. DiBiase with a reverse chin lock. Batista gets back to his feet and he snap mares DiBiase. DiBiase with a boot to Batista and Cody is tagged in and he gets a near fall. Rhodes with forearms to the back and DiBiase tags in and they connect with punches to the midsection. DiBiase punches Batista and then it is back to the reverse chin lock. Batista and DiBiase collide in the ring and they both go down. Cena and Rhodes tag in and Cena with flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then it is time to set for the Attitude Adjustment but Orton makes the blind tag despite Cena hitting Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes. Orton punches Cena and then hits a knee drop to the back of the head. DiBiase attacks Cena while Orton was with the referee. Orton stomps on Cena’s chest and then he tags in DiBiase. DiBiase misses a knee from the turnbuckles but DiBiase with a clothesline. DiBiase with a series of vintage fist drops for a near fall.

Rhodes tags in and punches Cena and follows that with a snap mare and a chin lock and arm bar. Cena with a kick and an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Rhodes with a moonsault for a near fall. Orton tags in and he punches Cena and the referee gets in the way. DiBiase attacks Cena while the referee was out o f position. Orton with a drop kick to Cena. Orton with the patented reverse chin lock. Batista is able to make the tag and he punches Orton and then he hits a power slam for a near fall.

Big Show and John Cena fight on the ramp while Batista hits a spinebuster on Orton. Batista takes care of Rhodes and DiBiase. Rhodes goes up top and he falls from the turnbuckles because he was attacked by Flair. Batista with a spear to Orton for the three count.

Winners: Batista and John Cena

After the match
Batista and Flair celebrate in the ring.

We go to credits and will be back next week. Find out where.

RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 18th May, 2009