RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread

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RAW Results - 5th January, 2009
Location - New Orleans, Louisiana
Announcers - Michael Cole and Jerry 'The King' Lawler

Last week we found out that John Bradshaw Layfield will be the man to face John Cena for the World Title at the Royal Rumble. Maybe we will find out who some of the Raw brand participants will be in the 30 man 'duck and boost' invitational. Tonight we will see two titles defended as CM Punk gets his shot at William Regal's Intercontinental title while John Morrison and the Miz face Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio for the tag titles. Will we see Mike Knox during this match to get revenge for being pinned by Mysterio last week? What will happen when Kelly Kelly faces Jillian Hall? Will Manu be the only one to leave The Legacy or was Randy Orton's loss exempt? Will Kane seek revenge against Randy Orton for stealing Kelly's heart? Did you know that there is a DVD release tomorrow for Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia? Will Ken Kennedy talk about the DVD? What will happen when Melina and Goldust team up to face Beth and Santino?

We start off with Shawn Michaels’ speech when he admitted that he is having a hard time financially and he is not going to become Randy the Ram. He has received a bailout package from John Bradshaw Layfield. We move ahead to last week when Shawn Michaels, after a lot of discussion with Bradshaw, decided to take the Clothesline from Wall Street to allow his boss to face John Cena at the Royal Rumble.

We are live from New Orleans, Louisiana and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

Randy Orton and Chris Jericho are in the ring and they have mics. Chris says that Randy and him are here to address the atrocity that occurred last week. The rules of a Fatal Four Way match state that it is every man for himself, but it was obvious that Shawn Michaels was working in collusion with John Bradshaw Layfield. Chris says that they have filed a formal protest. Randy says that they feel that Bradshaw should be removed from the title match at the Royal Rumble. Randy says that Shawn should not be allowed to compete for the title again. Randy says that they have agreed to face each other with the other earning that title match against John Cena. Chris says that he does not care if the fans like them or hate them, but you have to accept the fact that him and Orton fought an honest match last week while Bradshaw and Shawn Michaels fought a corrupt match. Chris says that they are not going to leave the ring.

John Bradshaw Layfield’s music plays and the JBLimo comes out and Bradshaw and Shawn Michaels emerge and they walk to the ring.

Bradshaw and Shawn both have mics so they are going to respond to Orton and Jericho. Bradshaw says that they can protest all they like but it won’t matter because he will be facing John Cena at the Royal Rumble. He tells them to lose with dignity. He says that they have the audacity to cast aspersion at him knowing their track records. He says that they would have done the same thing if they had the resources. Chris says that they don’t deal with dishonest people. Chris asks Mr. Wrestlemania how he feels. Chris says that he was thrown under the bus for calling Shawn a sellout and a phony, but Shawn’s actions have made him a prophet.

Shawn says that the one thing that allows him to sleep at night, it is that he personally made sure that Chris and Randy would not fight for the World Title. Randy tells Shawn that he can try to justify it all he wants. Randy tells Shawn that he has to understand that he has taken a turn for the worst. It turns out that Ric Flair’s career was ended by a weak pathetic sell out. Randy says that once their protest is heard, it will be overturned tonight.

Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and she has legs. Stephanie says that Shawn Michaels did not lie down and he was pinned by the Clothesline from Hell so Bradshaw will wrestle John Cena for the title. Stephanie says that it is her show and her decision stands. Stephanie says that Randy and Chris are in the Royal Rumble match and if they win, they can be in the main event at Wrestlemania 25.

Chris says that they should be in the Royal Rumble match, but Shawn Michaels does not deserve to be in the match unless Stephanie wants to poison the Rumble match. Stephanie tells Chris that it is not her decision.

Bradshaw says that Shawn will be in his corner at the Royal Rumble and that will be his only function. Stephanie accepts that from Bradshaw. She is going to talk about tonight. She says that she could make a tag match for tonight, but that would be too simple. Stephanie announces that Chris Jericho and Randy Orton will face Shawn Michaels and John Cena.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina becoming the number one contender for the Women’s Title.

Goldust and Melina vs Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella

The women start things off and they lock up and Melina with a waist lock but Beth with a head butt and she lifts Melina up and Melina punches Beth. Beth with a back elbow and then she lifts Melina up by her arm. Santino tags in and he grabs Melina’s arm but Melina slaps her. Santino turns around and Goldust is there. Goldust with a slap and an arm drag. Goldust with a wrist lock but Santino with a forearm and snap mare followed by a forearm to the back. Santino with a reverse chin lock but Goldust gets to his feet and then he hits the drop down uppercut followed by a reverse atomic drop. Goldust with a leaping butt bump and Beth breaks up the cover. Santino goes to the floor and the women return to the ring. Beth sends Melina into the turnbuckles and then she follows with an Irish whip but Melina kicks Beth. Melina with a modified X Factor from the top followed by a jackknife cover and bridge for the three count.

Winners: Melina and Goldust

After the match
Rosa goes into the ringside area and she attacks Melina. Security tries to separate them and Melina goes after Rosa. Melina returns to the ring and poses as Goldust appears to have disappeared.

Backstage
Todd Grisham is in the interview area and he is joined by CM Punk. Todd asks Punk about what happened last week and how he is doing. Punk says that he is stoked after winning three matches to face Regal. He has always wanted to be Intercontinental Champion and he mentions some past champions. Punk reminds everyone about the King of the Ring finals that he lost to Regal. He says that he is looking forward to starting off this year with a bang by winning the Intercontinental Title.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage from after the match between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk when William Regal attacked Punk.

Intercontinental Title Match
CM Punk vs William Regal with Layla El

They lock up and Regal backs Punk into the corner and he connects with a forearm. Punk responds with forearms and a kick followed by a snap suplex for a near fall. Punk with more knees to Regal followed by an Irish whip but Regal goes to the apron when Punk tries for the running knee into the corner. Punk kicks Regal and Regal goes to the floor. Punk sets for the suicide dive but Regal pulls Layla in front of him. Punk goes out of the ring and Regal pulls Punk off the apron. Regal with a knee to Punk and then he punches Punk for a near fall. Regal with another near fall. Regal with knees to Punk’s head followed by an Irish whip and forearm. Regal gets another near fall. Regal with a half nelson and he turns it into a full nelson. Punk with a series of back fists but Regal blocks the kick. Regal cannot avoid another kick and Punk gets a two count. Punk with the knee into the corner, but Regal avoids the bulldog. Punk gets Regal up for the Go To Sleep and Regal grabs the ropes and then the referee. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner: CM Punk by disqualification

Backstage
We see Stephanie McMahon on the TitanTron and she says that she cannot let the first title match of 2009 end that way. There will be a rematch and if Regal is disqualified, he will lose the Intercontinental Title.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the first of many Barry O Moments about the Raw rating.

Bradshaw is telling Shawn Michaels that things could not have worked better. He says that making John Cena his partner, it worked perfectly. Shawn is offered a number of bonuses if certain things happen during the match. Shawn stands up and stares and wants his moment on The Soup. Bradshaw says that he hired Shawn to get him to Wrestlemania as the champion and the returning hero in Texas as the World Champion. Bradshaw says that it means financial security for the rest of his life. He will never have to worry about a bill for the rest of his life. He tells Shawn that Shawn won’t let him down.

Randy Orton is in the hallway and he tells Cody and Sim that since they won last week, they passed phase one. If they win tonight, they are in. Randy points out that both of their parents were Hall of Famers. Manu stops by and he wants another chance from Randy. Manu points out that Randy lost last week. Randy yells at Manu and says that he gave him the opportunity to be a part of the group. What has Manu done? Randy says that Afa was nothing compared to his father, or even him. Randy says that Manu has the audacity to call him out. Randy says that Manu will never be the part of his group and he never wants to see Manu’s face again. Cody and Sim follow Randy to leave Manu alone to breathe heavily.

Dolph Ziggler introduces himself to Mickie and we see Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio walk past as we go to commercial.

We are back and John Morrison and the Miz are in the ring. Miz boos the fans. Morrison says that the number one city for murder has the right to say things to them. Miz apologizes for being the tag champs and two time Slammy Award winners. They tell everyone to be jealous.

We find out that Rey Mysterio is in the Royal Rumble as he mind melds with some of the kids on the way to the ring. We see Rey pinning Mike Knox last week.

World Tag Titles Match
John Morrison and The Miz vs Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston

Miz and Kofi start things off and they lock up. Miz backs Kofi into the corner and he tries to punch Kofi but Kofi blocks it and he punches Miz. Kofi with a cross body and arm drag but Miz goes to the floor to regroup. Kofi teases going to the floor and it gets Miz to flinch as we go to commercial.

We are back and Miz with an arm bar and cross face on Rey. We see footage during the commercial when Miz drove Rey into the mat to counter a rana. Rey with a punch as we return to live action but Miz with forearms and a knee to stop Rey. Miz with an Irish whip but Rey floats over and he sends Miz into the turnbuckles with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Kofi tags in and he hits a drop kick after a double sledge. Kofi with a forearm and then he pulls Morrison to the floor. Kofi punches the Miz and the referee was distracted as Morrison knocks Kofi off the turnbuckles. Miz works on the knee and he tags in Morrison who continues to work on the knee. Morrison pulls Kofi down and uses the apron to continue to work on the knee. Miz is tagged back in and he kicks Kofi in the leg. Miz with a boot to the solar plexus followed by kicks to the hamstring and an elbow to the knee. Miz with a front face lock but Kofi tries to get to the corner to tag in Rey but Miz is able to keep Kofi away and Miz punches Rey. Kofi with a back body drop but Rey is not in the corner when he gets there. When Rey returns to the apron, Kofi is not there. Morrison tags back in and he punches Kofi. Morrison with a Shining Wizard but Kofi kicks out at two. Kofi kicks Morrison off and hits a head scissors but Morrison keeps Kofi from making the tag.

Miz tags back in and he drops an elbow on the knee. Miz puts Kofi on the turnbuckles and he sets for a superplex but Kofi punches Miz and pushes him off. Kofi with a missile drop kick but Kofi is still feeling the effects of what Miz and Morrison have done to the knee. Morrison and Rey tag in and Rey with kicks to Morrison. Rey with a rana to Morrison. Morrison with a sunset flip but Rey rolls through into a drop kick for a near fall. Rey tries for a wheelbarrow move but Morrison drives Rey into the mat for a near fall. Rey with a DDT with help from the ropes for a near fall. Miz tries for a back breaker but Rey gets to the apron and Kingston with a cross body that takes him and Miz out of the equation. Rey with a drop kick that sends Morrison into the ropes into the 619 position and Rey hits it. Miz tries to stop Rey from the springboard senton but Rey stops him. Rey comes off the ropes but Morrison with a spin kick and the three count.

Winners: John Morrison and The Miz

After the match
Mike Knox comes into the ring and he attacks Rey and hits a catapult in the ropes. Knox kicks Kingston off the apron and then he returns to Rey and he drops Rey on the top rope and then he hits a bicycle kick that sends Rey to the floor.

Backstage
Shawn Michaels is in the locker room getting ready and John Cena stops by. John asks Shawn if he is fighting two or three guys. He wants to know if he is getting HBK or JBL’s puppet. Shawn says that he is no puppet. He tells John to think about what he should expect from Shawn based on history. We go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage from last week of Randy admitting to a one night fling with Kelly.

Kelly Kelly vs Jillian Hall

They lock up and Jillian with a waist lock but Kelly with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Jillian puts Kelly on the apron and Jillian lets Kelly back in and holds the ropes open but it was a trap and Jillian kicks Kelly. Jillian with a snap mare or two followed by a kick and a near fall. Jillian with a knee to the back and a kick to the back. Jillian with a boot to the head and then she puts Kelly in a partial camel clutch. Jillian slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Jillian tosses Kelly by the hair and then Jillian bellows for the fans. Jillian with a near fall. Jillian with a full nelson but Kelly will not give up. Kelly with a jaw breaker to get out of the hold followed by a series of kicks. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and then she goes to the turnbuckles for a cross body and she gets a two count. Kelly with a series of flying clotheslines and a drop kick for a near fall. Kelly with forearms and she goes for a victory roll but Jillian blocks it and gets a near fall. Jillian with a forearm followed by an Irish whip. Jillian gets ready for the handspring back elbow but Kelly blocks it and hits a leg drop for the three count.

Winner: Kelly Kelly

After the match
Jillian attacks Kelly and that means that Kane is coming to the ring. Jillian leaves the ring and Kane checks on Kelly. Kane has a mic and he says that the truth finally comes out. Kane says that Kelly never liked him and she was protecting Randy Orton. Kane asks Kelly if it feels good that Randy rejected her. Kane says that he is going to back to doing what he feels good. Kane says that he will be eviscerating people again and he will face Randy next week. He tells Kelly that she can watch.

We go to commercial

We are back and Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about the Triple H Triple Jeopardy match this Friday on Smackdown.

Phase Two Who Wants to Be In the Legacy Match
Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka vs Cryme Tyme

JTG and Sim start things off and they lock up with JTG getting a waist lock but Sim with a standing switch. JTG with an elbow and kick to Sim but Sim with an inside cradle for a near fall. JTG with a side head lock but JTG with a flying shoulder for a near fall. Shad tags in and he hits a running shoulder tackle. Shad with an elbow in the corner and JTG is tagged back in. Shad sends JTG into Sim and then JTG punches Cody. Sim with a back kick and a forearm. JTG with a clothesline and drop kick. Sim with a knee and then he tags in Cody. JTG with a punch but Cody with a knee and he sends JTG to the apron. Sim pulls JTG down to the apron and then Cody with boots to JTG and a near fall. Cody with a boot to the back and a punch to the head. Cody with a slam and then Sim is tagged in. Sim with a fist to the head for a near fall. Sim with an elbow and a reverse chin lock. JTG with punches to Sim but Sim with punches of his own. JTG with a clothesline to Sim and both men are down.

Shad and Cody both tag in and Shad with a clothesline or two to Cody. Shad with a back body drop and then he knocks Sim off the apron. Shad with a slam and then does the Money Money Elbow but Sim breaks up the cover. Shad clotheslines Sim over the top rope to the floor. Cody moves when Shad charges into the corner. JTG tags in and he gets a two count with a sunset flip. JTG with knees to Cody but Cody with a version of Roll the Dice for the three count.

Winners: Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka

Backstage
Bradshaw leaves Stephanie’s office and he has a smile on his face as we go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to look at Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia. Did you know that it is coming out on DVD, along with Pineapple Express and Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica?

Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka are happy as they walk in the back. Randy tells Sim that he is out because Cody won the match. Sim points out that it was a tag match and only one man could get the pin. Randy says that he was trying to find the weak link. Cody says that he won the match and he walks away with Randy.

Santino wants to know why Rosa Mendez is banned. Stephanie says that Rosa is out of control for attacking Melina. Santino says that it is not her fault that women are attracted to him. Beth thanks Stephanie and takes Santino out of the office.

Chris Jericho comes in the office and he wants to know if Bradshaw was paying her off and Stephanie says that she does not need his money. Chris says that he gave the protest to Vince. Chris says that he got a call from her father’s office. In two weeks, Vince is going to return to Raw. In two weeks we will find out whose show it is.

John Cena walks in the back and he is alone. We go to commercial.

We are back with Barry O Moment Two showing how many homes can watch Raw.

We are told that the Intercontinental Title rematch between William Regal and CM Punk will take place next week on Raw.

Randy Orton and Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels and John Cena

Jericho and Cena start things off and they lock up with Jericho applying a side head lock and a take down. They return to their feet and Jericho with a shoulder tackle but Cena with a side head lock take down. Michaels makes the blind tag and Cena has Jericho up for an FU but Jericho gets out of the hold. Michaels sets for Sweet Chin Music but Jericho avoids it. Michaels and Cena clothesline Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Bradshaw comes into the arena and we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton with a side head lock on Michaels but Michaels with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. We are told that Bradshaw returned to the back. Cena tags in and he hits the flying shoulder tackles and then it is time for the Blue Thunder Bomb and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Orton up for the FU and Michaels punches Jericho but Orton with a rake of the eyes. Cena can’t see Michaels and tries for the FU on Michaels but Michaels yells at Cena. Orton with a clothesline to the back of the head and then Orton and Jericho double team Cena.

Jericho slaps Cena and then he punches Cena in the corner and chokes him with his boot. While Jericho talks to the referee, Orton hits Cena. Jericho with a drop kick that sends Cena out of the ring. Jericho slams Cena’s head into the announce table. Jericho with a slingshot splash for a near fall. Jericho with a reverse chin lock with the arm isolated. Cena escapes the hold and gets Jericho up for the FU but Jericho counters with a DDT and a near fall. Orton tags in and he punches Cena and continues with forearms to the back. Orton kicks Cena and turns it into the Garvin Stomp with the knee drop to finish it off for a near fall. Orton with a boot to the solar plexus and then he does it again. Orton chokes Cena in the corner with his boot. Shawn gives Cena some words of advice. Jericho tags in and Cena punches him but Jericho with a sleeper and Cena tries for the ropes or a tag. Cena moves to his corner and Jericho pulls him back.

Cena powers out of the hold and he kicks Jericho. Jericho with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Jericho puts Cena on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex but Cena pushes Jericho off. Cena with the leg drop from the top turnbuckle and both men are down. Orton makes the tag and he keeps Cena from making the tag. Orton gets a near fall and he follows it with punches to the head that stagger Cena. Cena holds on to the ropes when Orton tries for a drop kick. Cena powers his way back to his feet and he jumps to make the tag. Michaels punches Jericho and then he hits the flying forearm and kip up. Michaels with a reverse atomic drop but Jericho sends Michaels to the mat. Jericho tries for the Lionsault but Jericho gets his knees up. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop but Jericho gets his knees up to block the move. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Michaels with an inside cradle for a two count. All four men are in and Orton with a back breaker to Cena. Michaels with a super kick to Orton and then one to Jericho and Michaels makes the cover for the three count.

Winners: Shawn Michaels and John Cena

After the match
Cena goes to the apron while Michaels remains in the ring. Michaels stares around the ring looking for Bradshaw’s presence. We see Bradshaw in the back and Todd Grisham asks Bradshaw how he feels about Shawn’s integrity. Bradshaw says that he was proud of his employee. Shawn will face John Cena next week and Bradshaw says that he will be in Shawn’s corner to ensure that Shawn maintains his integrity. Shawn and Cena stand face to face as we go to credits.

RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 5th January, 2009