RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 26th January, 2009

[Kellie]

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RAW Results - 26th January, 2009
Location -
Announcers - Michael Cole and Jerry 'The King' Lawler

Last night was the Royal Rumble and we saw a man conflicted get involved with the brand’s title match. What will Matt Hardy. . . whoops, wrong show with catatonic person who interfered in a title match. What will Shawn Michaels do now that he has cost his boss the World Title and his chance to headline Wrestlemania in his home state? What is next for the man who kicked Vince McMahon in the head last week? Will he still have a job after his heinous attack on the man in charge of the company? Who won the Royal Rumble match and the right to exclusively point to the Wrestlemania 25 sign until another match is announced for the pay per view? Who will participate in the Elimination Chamber Match? How will the McMahon family punish Randy Orton since he has the title match at Wrestlemania? Will the spot be on the line at No Way Out? After seeing Mike Knox and Rey Mysterio battle for much of the Rumble match, what is the next step in their feud? Will William Regal get another shot at the Intercontinental Title that he lost to CM Punk after battering Punk during the Rumble match? Will Beth Phoenix get revenge on Melina for losing the Women’s Title? Will Beth use Melina’s foot to attack Melina again? Will Rosa Mendez get involved this time? Who is next for John Cena? Will those who have been shunned from The Legacy try to get back at three of the final four men from the Royal Rumble match? Will anyone else be announced for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame this week?

Tonight’s show starts off with a look back at last night’s Royal Rumble video package that featured the incident between Randy Orton and the McMahon family. In case you missed it on Monday when it happened live, on Tuesday when it was shown again, on Friday when shown even more, and on Sunday when it got more screen time than The Brian Kendrick.

We are live from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.


Randy Orton comes to the ring with the right to point at the Wrestlemania 25 sign. He is joined by the rest of the Legacy, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. Randy has his phalanx of attorneys. Randy has the mic and he pulls a Dolph Ziggler and introduces himself to the crowd. He introduces his lawyers and therapist. Randy also introduces the other two members of Legacy. Randy says that he is out here is to discuss what happened last week on Raw. Randy says that he is a third generation superstar and the WWE is in his blood. It is a part of him. Unfortunately, something else is a part of him. That thing is something that he has been living with for a long time. Randy says that it is ‘I.E.D’ Intermittent Explosive Disorder. It affects sixteen million people and is a mental condition and when provoked, it leads to outbursts of physical violence. When he was slapped by Stephanie and had his job threatened by Vince McMahon, he was sufficiently provoked. Randy mentions his face on Monday night and he says that he is not responsible for his actions. His therapist can confirm that the WWE was aware of the condition and did nothing about it. If Stephanie chooses to fire him, he will sue Stephanie and World Wrestling Entertainment.

That is the first lawsuit. Randy says that there is a second one. Last night he won the 2009 Royal Rumble. He proved that he is more superior than everyone in this company. That is why he will sue for breach of contract if he does not get what he is legally entitled to and that is to be in the main event at Wrestlemania. He tells Stephanie if she fires him, she will face two separate lawsuits and they will lose Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes because they will walk when he is fired. With the three of them gone, when it comes to superstars on Raw, there will virtually be none left.

Randy says that he has one more piece of business to attend to. Randy has a written statement handed to him. He apologizes for the trauma that befell Mr. McMahon last week. He apologizes for the trauma that his family is suffering. Randy says that as the father of a newborn, he can feel the same things that the McMahons are feeling. He hopes that they can put things behind them. Randy says that he is a man of honor and he offers his sincerest apologies to Mr. McMahon, his family, and to everyone else.


Backstage
We see Stephanie in the office and she does not look happy. We go to commercial.


We are back and we see footage from last week when Cryme Tyme earned their shot at Miz and Morrison for the tag titles.


World Tag Titles
John Morrison and The Miz vs Cryme Tyme

Miz and JTG start things off and Miz with a knee to the head and punches in the corner. JTG with an Irish whip and a modified X Factor for a near fall. JTG with an Irish whip and he is sent to the apron. Morrison tries to interfere but JTG stops Morrison. Miz takes care of JTG and gets a near fall. Morrison tags in and he kicks JTG. Morrison with a boot to the midsection and then he punches Morrison for a near fall. Morrison with a cravate but JTG with punches. Morrison tries for a suplex, but JTG escapes the hold and Shad is tagged in and he clotheslines Morrison and knocks Miz off the apron. Shad with a biel to Morrison and then he charges into a boot. Shad with a power slam for a near fall.

Morrison with a punch to the ribs and then he tries for Moonlight Drive but Shad with an STO for a near fall. JTG tries to get rid of Miz and then Shad with a kick to Miz. Morrison with a kick to the back of the leg and then Morrison with Moonlight Drive for the three count.

Winners: John Morrison and The Miz


Jerry Lawler says that Vince McMahon lives by the idea of the show must go on. At No Way Out, the Elimination Chamber returns. Time for a video package.

Jerry Lawler says that the World Title and WWE Title will be defended in the Elimination Chamber.

John Bradshaw Layfield comes out and he has a mic. He apologizes for interrupting Jerry Lawler, but he wanted to announce a qualifying match. On his behalf, his employee will wrestle. Bradshaw wants to be entered into the Elimination Chamber Match. Shawn Michaels will face the man he beat two weeks ago, Shawn Michaels.

We go to commercial.


We are back and tonight is the World Premiere of the 12 Rounds Trailer starring John Cena.


Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Kofi Kingston vs Kane

Kofi with kicks to Kane and then he tries for a cross body but Kane catches him and slams Kofi. Kane with a drop kick to Kofi and then he punches Kofi in the corner. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Kane gets a near fall. Kane with a forearm to Kofi followed by another Irish whip but Kofi moves out of the way. Kofi cannot avoid a boot from Kane. Kane goes up top and it is time for the clothesline and he hits it. Kane sets for the choke slam as Kofi gets up and Kofi hits a spinning heel kick that staggers Kane. Kofi with another spinning heel kick but Kane grabs Kofi by the throat. Kofi with a sunset flip for the three count.

Winner: Kofi Kingston


We see Randy Orton go IED on Vince McMahon. We go to commercial.


We are back and Chris Jericho comes to the ring and he is dressed like Randy Orton’s therapist. Chris has something to say and he mentions that it seems like the entire WWE roster has been raving about The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke. Time for a clip from the movie.

Chris Jericho says that one of the people who gave it a glowing review was WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Even though Flair is retired, he has to stay in the spotlight that he craves. Now Mickey Rourke and Flair became friends. Jericho thinks that Flair gave Rourke some bad advice. We go to comments from Mickey at the SAG Awards when Mickey challenged Chris Jericho.

Chris says that he is going to say it very slowly. He says that Mickey Rourke is out of line. It is one thing to play a wrestler, it is another thing to be one. Jericho says that he has been offended. Jericho says that it is the last thing that Rourke or Flair would want to do and that is offend Chris Jericho.


Backstage
We see Bradshaw in the locker room and he wants to talk to Shawn. Shawn says that he tried everything. Shawn says that he superkicked Bradshaw to lower Cena’s guard. Shawn says that he did everything humanly possible to help Bradshaw win. Bradshaw says that Shawn also assumed that someone was watching his money. Bradshaw tells Shawn that he has to be the Showstopper again against John Cena. Bradshaw tells Shawn that he has one more last chance and he needs to beat Cena.

We go to commercial.


It is time for a Wrestlemania video package and the mainstream impact of the likes of Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan.


Shawn Michaels playing the part of John Bradshaw Layfield with John Bradshaw Layfield versus John Cena in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match for John Bradshaw Layfield


Shawn and John meet in the center of the ring and Cena with a punch and Michaels responds. They exchange punches until Michaels starts to chop Cena. Cena with an Irihs whip but Michaels blocks the bulldog attempt. Michaels with a slap but Cena responds with a punch. Cena gets Michaels up for ‘That patented move’ but Michaels goes to the floor. We go to commercial while Shawn waits on the apron.

We are back and Cena gets a near fall. Michaels with a figure four leg lock but Cena reverses it immediately. Cena with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Cena with a reverse chin lock on Michaels while Bradshaw watches. Michaels with punches to Cena but Cena with a back body drop and Michaels is down. Cena with a hard Irish whip as he tries to work on Michaels’s back. Cena with a punch to Michaels but Michaels with a kick and chop followed by a punch. Michaels with a flying forearm and it is kip up time followed by a reverse atomic drop and punch. Michaels with a slam and then he makes his way to the apron. Cena gets up and Michaels with a shoulder and forearm. Cena with a drop toe hold but Michaels pushes him off. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles and it is time for the Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena gets ready to finish off the moves of doom with the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Michaels is playing possum and he puts Cena in the Crippler Crossface. Cena is able to fight off Michaels and he gets Michaels on his back for the ‘That Patented Move’ but Michaels with elbows to Cena. Cena with a drop toe hold and then it is time for the STF. Shawn tries to reach for the ropes and the referee tells Bradshaw not to touch the ropes to help Shawn. Michaels makes his way to the ropes and the referee tells Cena to release the hold. Cena waits for Shawn to get up and it is time for the FU but Michaels counters with a sunset flip for a near fall. Michaels with a chop and then he sends Cena into the turnbuckles and follows it with a chop. Michaels with the Michaels flip into the corner but he comes out of the corner with a clothesline and both men are down.

Bradshaw tells Shawn something and Shawn gets up to his feet. Shawn with a slam but Michaels is still clutching his back. Michaels goes to the apron but Bradshaw tells him to super kick him. Shawn says that he is going to do it his way. Shawn goes up top and Bradshaw gets on the apron and Cena pushes Bradshaw into Michaels. Cena hits the FU for the three count.

Winner: John Cena


After the match
Bradshaw enters the ring and he stands over a defeated Shawn Michaels.

Did you know that Randy Orton kicked Vince McMahon last week? We have the footage to prove it. Jerry and Michael talk about Randy Orton’s actions from earlier tonight when he read an apology.


Backstage
Todd Grisham is with Stephanie McMahon and he asks what action will she take. Stephanie says that there will be action tonight and it will be public and to Randy Orton’s face. We go to commercial.


We are back with the WWE Rewind: Photos of Melina defeating photos of Beth Phoenix to win the Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble.


Melina and Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall with Santino Marella

Santino joins Jerry and Michael at the announce table.

Beth and Melina start things off and Beth sends Melina into the turnbuckles and punches her. Melina with a Thesz Press and punches. Beth with an Irish whip but she misses a charge into the corner. Melina with an arm bar to Jillian and then Kelly tags in with a sunset flip. Jillian works on the arm but Kelly with a springboard arm drag. Jillian sends Kelly to the apron and then Beth distracts Kelly long enough to allow Jillian to knock her off the apron. Jillian returns Kelly to the ring and then Beth tags in. Beth slams Kelly’s face into the mat but she misses an elbow drop. Kelly tries to make the tag but Jillian distracts the referee. From out of nowhere, Rosa Mendez pulls Melina off the apron. Beth with the Implant Driver for the three count.


Winners: Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall


We see footage from Wrestlemania 21 with the movie parody commercials. It was also the debut of the Money in the Bank Match.

We go to commercial.


We are back with the Slam of the Week: Mike Knox destroying Rey Mysterio last week.


Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Rey Mysterio vs William Regal with Layla


Regal goes for the arm but Rey with kicks and a side head lock. Rey with a knee to Regal and then Rey hits the springboard seated senton. Rey tries for a tilt-a-whirl head scissors but Regal slams Rey to the mat. Regal with knees to Rey’s head followed by a forearm for a near fall. Real with an arm bar and chin lock combination. Rey with punches to Regal followed by back kick. Rey tries for a wheelbarrow move but Regal counters with a wheelbarrow suplex of his own. Regal with a series of near falls followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Regal with a forearm and knees to Rey. Regal with an Irish whip and forearm to Rey for a near fall.

Regal with punches to the head and he gets another near fall. Rey with a kick to the leg and Regal with forearms. Regal with a knee and then he tries for a butterfly suplex, but Rey counters with an arm drag and kick to the head. Regal with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Rey with a monkey flip that sends Regal into the ropes. Rey with a forearm to the back that sends Regal into that Patented Position in the ropes and Rey hits the 619 followed by the springboard splash for the three count.

Winner: Rey Mysterio


After the match
Rey celebrates in the ring and we go to commercial.



Backstage
Santino is in the back with Rosa and Rosa asks if she did okay. Rosa says that what happened last night was a disgrace. She says that she had to take a stand for women everywhere. Beth shows up and Santino tries to make things right with his girl. Beth says that they can keep her.

It is time for the World Television Premiere of that Patented Preview Clip for John Cena’s new movie 12 Rounds.

We go to commercial.

We see footage from last week when Punk won the Intercontinental Title from William Regal.


Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
CM Punk vs Chris Jericho

They lock up and Punk with a side head lock into gutwrench for a near fall. Punk with knees and then he sends Jericho into the turnbuckles. Punk with a knee but Jericho pulls Punk off the turnbuckles and Punk holds his back. Jericho with boots to the back and a kick to the ribs. Jericho with a snap mare into a reverse chin lock with the arm isolated. Punk gets back to his feet and he hits a leg lariat and clothesline followed by a back elbow and knee in the corner. Punk hits the bulldog and then Punk goes to the apron and hits the springboard clothesline for a near fall. Punk puts Jericho on the top turnbuckle and Punk with a forearm and kick. Punk with a superrana for a near fall. Punk waits for Jericho to get up and he puts Jericho on his shoulders for the Go To Sleep but Jericho with a sunset flip. Punk and Jericho exchange near falls. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Punk powers out of the hold. Punk with a cover but Jericho bridges out of it and he tries for backslide but Punk blocks it. Jericho with a Codebreaker for the three count.


Winner: Chris Jericho


For those of you with short term memory loss, it is time to see the incident between Randy Orton and Vince McMahon for the first time. For the rest of us, it has aired as many times as one of the Bravo Reality shows.



Backstage
Stephanie is walking in the back while Orton stands around waiting for his chance to walk. We go to commercial.


We are back and Stephanie McMahon is introduced by Lillian Garcia. She comes to the ring. She says that she is out here to address the actions of Randy Orton from last week. Stephanie says that Orton is not off the hook because he won last night. He is not off the hook because of his alleged lawsuits or some half hearted apology. Stephanie wants Randy to come to the ring.

Randy comes to the ring with his entire Entourage. Orton has a mic and he asks Stephanie to ask herself if she wants to go through with this. Orton says that if he is fired, Stephanie will open herself to a firestorm because he will be gone along with Cody and Ted. Randy’s attorney takes the mic and he says that IED is very real and the fact that the company has ignored this problem, that is an example of negligence. He says that Randy will not get down on his knees and apologize. He says that if they fire him, there will be consequences.

Stephanie wants to know if this is a threat and Randy says that it is a threat. Randy says that he will sue the WWE and he will file and injunction to stop Wrestlemania. He says that is not a threat, it is a promise.

The rest of the locker room comes out and they are on the ramp and Orton wants to know what they are looking at. Orton says that he does not care if they have a Wrestlemania. Orton says that if he is fired, he will take each and every one of them down with him. Orton says that may be what they need to do. Orton demands to be fired so he can sue the company and cancel Wrestlemania. Orton wants to hear the words that Stephanie’s father was going to say before he kicked him in the skull.

Stephanie says that firing Orton would be too easy. Stephanie says that she has bigger plans.

Shane McMahon comes out as the WWE wrestlers play the Red Sea and they part for him. Shane takes off his jacket and he comes to the ring. Shane stands in the ring with Orton, DiBiase, and Rhodes. Orton backs off and then Shane spears Orton while DiBiase and Rhodes hold Shane. Shane fights off and he goes after Orton again. Shane starts to fight Rhodes and DiBiase and Ted goes to the floor. Shane takes Orton down one more time and Cody pulls Shane off Orton. Orton is staggered and then he gets back to his feet. Shane with more punches to Orton and Orton goes down again. Shane punches and kicks Rhodes. Ted helps Orton to the back while Rhodes gets out of the ring as well. Shane follows Legacy up the ramp and he attacks Orton again. Shane wants to know where Orton went as we go to credits.

[Kellie]

WWE.com has announced that The Miz and John Morrison will be defending the tag team titles against Cryme Tyme on Raw tonight.

Additionally, WWE.com is hyping the show around the question of Randy Orton's possible punishment for kicking McMahon in the head.

WWE.com is also advertising that qualifying matches will begin tonight on Raw to determine the participants in the Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out in February.