TONIGHT: We flip the calendar to a new (sports-entertainment) year and expect some fall-out from last night’s Wrestlemania, especially the main event, as I don’t believe it was quite settled. Speaking of main events, it’s a star-studded one tonight: CM Punk, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Ricky Steamboat face Kane, Big Show, Matt Hardy, Chris Jericho and Edge. The draft looms on the horizon as well, just one week away, so we can figure there will be plugs for that show.
-WWE Open.
-The show started with, what else?, stills from Wrestlemania last night.
-Raw Open.
-Plenty o’fireworks in the arena as Michael Cole talked up the show last night. He and Jerry Lawler plugged the all-star tag-match that will take place tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston.
-Randy Orton came out, slowly making his way down the aisle to the ring. Orton said HHH illegally used the sledgehammer to beat him last night and said the fans enjoyed every second of it. But then he said it’s nice for them to have some happiness in their otherwise miserable lives then of course said last night proved nothing. He said HHH proved he can’t beat Orton on his own and that he’ll get his re-match. Orton claimed the McMahon family owes it to him and that the company does as well. He said he’ll beat Trips when he gets his re-match, and will take his rightful place as WWE Champion. Oh, and God help the McMahon family if they decide to get in his face again. Audible “RKO, RKO” chants from the crowd. He talked about what he already did to the McMahons. What’s next? He said maybe he’ll attend a McMahon family outing as he hasn’t seen Linda in a while or introduce himself to those McMahon family grandchildren. That’s kinda creepy.
A livid Vince McMahon power-walked to the ring as Orton scampered out of it. He began to back up the ramp as Vince got the mic in the ring. He said Orton wants a McMahon so bad, there’s one in the ring right now and he’ll give Orton what he wants. He said what he’s not going to give Orton is another championship match because he doesn’t deserve it. McMahon said it’s ironic that the next PPV is called Backlash. He made a six-man match for the PPV: Orton, Dibiase and Rhodes vs. Triple H, Shane-O-Mac and Vince himself. Orton accused Vince of making a match where he can hide behind Shane and Trips and said Vince was terrified of him. Vince said it was Orton who is terrified without Cody and Teddy out there by his side. Orton had a nice bruise on the side of his face. He challenged Vince to a one-on-one match tonight. Orton said he guarantees that Vince won’t make it to the six-man match at Backlash if they face off tonight, then he said he’d have his Wrestlemania moment tonight when he puts Vince down permanently. McMahon said Orton may put him down or even put him in a coma. But then again, he said, maybe he won’t. He accepted Randy’s challenge. A different kind of promo from Vince than we’re used to, but he pulled it off. Orton did a great job of trying to balance being disappointed in last night’s outcome but also not showing it.
[Commercial Break]
(1) The Miz & John Morrison vs. Carlito & Primo- Lumberjack Match for the Unified Tag Titles
Well this is pretty absurd. Did they think the uproar was so much about dropping this match from yesterday’s show that they had to give it to the fans? Lumberjacks included Mike Knox, Cryme Tyme, Ricky Ortiz, Evan Bourne, Tyson Kidd, The Brian Kendrick, Ezekiel Jackson, Goldust, Jamie Noble, Jack Swagger, R-Truth, Hurricane Helms, Jesse, William Regal, Paul Burchill, Jimmy Wang Yang, DJ Gabriel, Great Khali, Vladimir Kozlov, Charlie Haas, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Tommy Dreamer (did I miss anyone?). Primo did what amounted to a headstand in the corner, surprising Morrison. Morrison had Primo teetering on the apron, but couldn’t know him to ringside. Instead, Morrison came back out and got sent to ringside. Burchill, Ryder, Hawkins and Yang all attacked Morrison, then tossed him in the ring. Then they went to break.
[Commercial Break]
-Morrison had Primo on the mat as they showed Primo being fed to the Lumberjack wolves during the break. Double-team move sent Primo face-first into the canvas. Jaw-breaker by Primo and he was able to make the tag to Carlito. High back-body drop. Roll of the Dice off a reverse by Carlito. Miz tried to suplex Carlito off the top rope, but couldn’t. The guys adjusted themselves on the top rope, then both fell off opposite sides of the ring and into lumberjacks’ arms. Primo dove onto some more lumberjacks, and Morrison hit a shooting star press (plus one more turn) and landed on the lumberjacks that were left. Pretty impressive as Morrison got really high in the air. Colons got a near fall, but Primo was sent to the outside, as was Morrison. The lumberjacks went after them as Miz got a jacknife cover for two. Carlito got on Miz’s shoulders and came down with a back-cracker on Miz for the win.
Winners: Primo & Carlito, at 9:31. I couldn’t believe it when they won last night and I can’t believe they retained here, even with the rumors of Miz and Morrison breaking up.
-Vince was backstage with his shirt unbuttoned when Shane walked in. Shane asked about the Backlash match and Vince said he was never one to back down from a challenge and he’s not going to do it tonight. Vince said he knows Shane has his back as far as Rhodes and Dibiase go, but he wants Orton on his own.
-A ten-Diva tag match is next, featuring Raw and Smackdown divas.
-They showed clips of John Cena appearing everywhere in the mainstream media.
[Commercial Break]
-Lawler thanked Kid Rock for providing one of the theme songs for Wrestlemania, the one he sang as the divas made their entrance.
(2) Jillian Hall, Mickie James, Layla, Kelly Kelly & Melina vs. Natalya, Maria, Gail Kim, Eve Torres & Maryse OK, so it’s Raw vs. Smackdown divas. Gail Kim locked up with Melina at the opening bell. Cole and Lawler talked about these divas possibly switching brands next week. Some unique chain wrestling from the two and it was pretty good (though it got sloppy when they started going a bit too quickly). Maryse cheap-shotted Melina on the outside. Natalya tagged in and clotheslined Melina out of her boots. The neon pink tights Natalya was wearing was blinding. Surfboard by Natalya. Melina tried to make a tag by Nattie grabbed her foot. She kicked Neidhart away and tagged Mickie. Apparently, we’re going to hear from the winner of last night’s battle royal later on. Kick to the gut by Mickie, but an Alabama Slam by Natalya caused Layla to break up a pin. She took a hard bump to the outside as all the divas started brawling at ringside. Tornado DDT by Mickie on Natalya in the ring for the win.
Winners: Raw Divas, at 3:57. Pretty entertaining match actually, as the solid in-ring workers got all the time in the ring.
-Shane was walking down the hallway and he came to Triple H’s locker room. The two hugged Shane asked Hunter to talk some sense into Vince. HHH didn’t sound too confident about it, but said he’d try.
-The camera went a brief shot of the divas still in the ring which was covered in darkness, then they showed an All-Star moment from last night in a still, that of Cena getting Show and Edge on his shoulders.
-The All-Star 10-man tag is next.
[Commercial Break]
Both the face and heel teams made their separate entrances for the ten-man tag. Jeff Hardy sold the beating from last night during his entrance. They showed Punk winning the MITB match during his entrance. They’re doing each one’s entrance so they can talk about what they did last night at WM, which is nice. The match itself will be after the break.
[Commercial Break]
(3) Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Ricky Steamboat & John Cena vs. Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy, Big Show & Edge Match was joined in progress with Rey Rey and Matt Hardy. Good choice by Matt going to the tights. Rey tagged Jeff and Matt wanted no part of him, so he tagged Edge. In a nice touch, Matt stayed at ringside ‘til Jeff locked up with Edge, then he got on the apron. Headscissors by Jeff, then a botched spot that appeared to be a type of crucifix roll-up. Cena came in and was booed heavily. Cena took it to Edge then tagged in The Dragon to a great pop. Axe-handle off the top to the arm by Ricky. “You still got it” chants from the fans. What is this, ROH? Cross-body by Steamboat. Kane tagged in and The Dragon avoided a clothesline and landed some chops. Jericho came in and was taken out. Dropkick on Edge and an arm-drag to Hardy. Crowd chanted for Steamboat as he hit an axe-handle off the top. Kane stopped the momentum with a sidewalk slam. Jericho tagged in and slapped Ricky around. That brought in Big Show for a hard slap to the chest. Show choked Steamboat with his boot. “Let’s go Steamboat” chants from the crowd. This is as over as I’ve seen someone in a while. Jericho again wanted a tag and he got it. They showed a hand print on Ricky’s chest, left by a Big Show slap. Jericho got Steamboat in a half chicken-wing. He implored the ref to ring the bell, saying Steamboat was out. The Dragon fought out of it but fell prey to the Walls of Jericho. Steamboat cradled Jericho for two. Steamboat got out of a suplex, landing on his feet and tagged Punk. He went to work on Jericho, including a knee in the corner and a bulldog. Punk got overzealous, going after all the heels and Kane saw an opening to hit an uppercut. Kick to the seated Punk by Kane, who just tagged in. Match continues after break.
[Commercial Break]
It was Kane and Punk still in there out of break. The heels took turns taking it to Punk. Punk and Kane were both on the top but Punk pushed him off. Punk got caught in a chokeslam, but turned it into a DDT. Edge tagged in, as did Hardy. Jeff got the best of his former rival and successfully hit a Whisper in the Wind. Everyone started coming in and hitting their moves. Rey came in for the first time and hit a double 619 on Edge and Jericho. Rey and Steamboat to the top. Steamboat hit a cross-body on Edge from one corner as Rey hit a splash off the top onto Jericho for the win.
Winners: Steamboat, Mysterio, Cena, Hardy and Punk, at approximately 15:37. Solid match that told a good story.
The faces celebrated in the ring afterward, then gave Steamboat a moment to celebrate by himself with the crowd. They faces all clapped for him on the top of the stage. They played into Punk looking at Cena, saying he could take the title now if he wanted.
-HHH went into Vince’s locker room. Vince said he didn’t want to hear it. Trips said Vince is one of the most overbearing, (insert nasty adjectives here) SOB’s he’s ever met: But he’s proud of him. He told Vince to finish it tonight.
[Commercial Break]
-Chavo wheeled interim GM Vickie Guerrero out. She said that when the WWE Board of Directors named her interim GM, it came with a provision. After Wrestlemania, she got to choose which brand she wanted to stay with as she could only stay with one. And with the Draft Lottery coming up, she had to make a choice. She chose being the GM of Raw. She gave a political speech on why she chose Raw, saying it has become stale and stagnant and that she hopes to breathe some fresh air into the show. She then announced that Edge would get his rematch against John Cena at Backlash. Vickie said it would be the last opportunity for Edge to re-gain his title. As for the WWE Title.....well, the six-man match announced earlier tonight will be for the title: If anyone on Triple H’s team wins, he gets to keep the title; if anyone on Orton’s team wins, he gets the title. Good to get the top matches announced already.
-Cole and Lawler lauded last night’s Wrestlemania show, including Orton vs. Triple H. They were going to talk about Taker vs. Michaels, but Vickie came back out and said she forgot something. The Edge vs. Cena match at Backlash will be Last Man Standing.
-They showed the front page of today’s Houston Chronicle- “A Really Big Show,” that had Taker vs. Michaels as the picture.
-The video of stills from the top of the show aired.
-Dibiase and Rhodes, as well as Orton were in a hallway backstage. Cole talked over Orton saying something to them, but I don’t think we were supposed to hear it. Orton takes on the Chairman tonight.
[Commercial Break]
-Clips of the H.O.F ceremony aired.
-Lilian asked us to welcome Miss Wrestlemania, Santina Marella. Oh God, she came out to “You look so good to me,” Billy and Chuck’s theme. Santina said Santino was really disappointed by not being in the match, then she wondered what the future holds for her. She said maybe she’d meet a nice man and have babies. She claimed she could be Miss America someday. She claimed she was going to cry....and I think she’s about to for another reason, as Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendes came out.
Santina tried to introduce herself to Beth, then asked the crowd to welcome her. “Santina” chants from the crowd. She said it was nice to meet Beth. Beth told her to cut the crap and asked Santina what she was trying to do. She said Santina was trying to embarrass Beth. Beth also told her not to change in the Divas locker room again. Beth challenged Santina to a match tonight then Santina asked why she was so angry to her. Santina said she was more of a woman than Beth would ever be. Crowd let out an “oooohhh!” Beth asked if Santina was man enough to face her. Santina demanded a ref come out. John Cone obliged but the show went to break before the bell could ring.
[Commercial Break]
-In a WWE.com Exclusive, Santina asked for some music to dance to during the break. It was “So Hot” by Kid Rock.
(4) Santina Marella vs. Beth Phoenix The bell rang after that last package. Santina pranced around until Beth caught her and slapped her in the chest. Beth punched Santina in the face and head and Santina alternated the selling. Beth got Santina over her knee and pulled up the skirt Santina was wearing. After a chase at ringside, Beth got Santina on her shoulders. Santina grabbed the ropes and squirmed enough to fall down on Beth for the pin.
Winner: Santina, at 1:17. Pure comedy match. But pretty good comedy.
-Mr. McMahon was walking backstage. His match is next.
[Commercial Break]
(5) Randy Orton vs. Vince McMahon McMahon punched away at Orton in the corner as the announcers speculated about Orton suffering a concussion last night. McMahon punched some more at Orton then kicked him in the gut as he was on all fours. Orton took a shot into the announce table, then another. He continued to pound away on the outside but then Orton suckered him in in the ring and hit his unique back-breaker. Right hand to the head by Orton. Knee-drop to the head of Vinnie Mac. Orton brought Vince to his feet as McMahon was pretty much dead weight. He then gave Vince an RKO. Orton set up for a kick to the head, but just as he got his start, Shane ran in to break it up. He pummeled Orton ‘til Legacy made the save. There was no bell but I think the match is over.
Winner: No Contest, approximately 4:54 (no bell).
Triple H came out, cleaned house and beat up Orton, but Legacy came back and they beat up Shane and Hunter. All of a sudden, Batista’s music hit and he came out. He speared Orton and took out Legacy. He gave the thumbs down, but Cody fled the ring before he could get powerbombed. Triple cut him off and sent him back in the ring where for some reason Shane was in there and he unnecessarily pushed Cody into Batista, who powerbombed Rhodes. Orton high-tailed it up the ramp as Vince got on the mic. Vince said Orton was right, he won’t make it to Backlash......but Batista is, and he’ll take Vince’s place. Orton was not very happy as Batista, HHH and Shane stood tall in the ring to end the show.
The only thing nice I can really say is that at least Batista getting into the mix actually has backstory, but even that has everyone trying to get at Randy Orton with no real heat or even much of a threat from the other two guys.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoThe only thing nice I can really say is that at least Batista getting into the mix actually has backstory, but even that has everyone trying to get at Randy Orton with no real heat or even much of a threat from the other two guys.
Yeah, this is the problem when you make Rhodes and Dibiase into punching bags for the McMahon/Helmsly/Batista team from the time Legacy was formed. Getting Orton over as a threat(allegedly) was definitely the main idea of the group, but they should have been doing more to build up Priceless along the way. They definitely need to do something to give those two some real credibility. Hell, put them over Batista and Trips relatively clean in a tag match and it would do them so much good. Unfortunately I don't see this happening, and it may be too late to make a difference.
The 10-man tag was all kinds of fun and Steamboat was getting a reaction most guys on the roster, even ME guys only dream of. I'm always a sucker for these types of matches and this one was great. I know I wasn't the only one hoping Punk would clock Cena with the briefcase and cash in MitB, but at least they hinted at it. I'd almost rather see Punk cash it immediately once Orton wins the title(by pinning Shane probably, can't let the mighty HHH take the fall to lose his title!), thus FINALLY getting his revenge for Orton costing him his title. But I'd be just fine with the heel turn cash-in on Cena.
The Divas tag was decent but could have used a few more minutes. Wow did they waste Gail Kim's comeback. Hell, have they even acknowledged that she was with the company before?
It was nice to finally see the Colons/Morrisson match I paid to see last night(I watched free actually but it still made me mad). I think it's only a matter of time before Rhodes and Dibiase get those belts back though. I hope M&M don't get split up. They could still get singles pushes and work tag matches at the same time IMO.
Yep, Raw has been so stale and stagnant, let's put the tiresome heel GM on THAT show.
God help me I loved the Santina Marella segment. That man can do no wrong no matter what storyline they give him.....as long as it isn't a serious role.
I blocked out the whole Orton vs. MacMahon-Helmsley clusterpoop tonight and focused on the return of the SHOOTING STAR PRESS. It only seems like yesterday that Kidman and Brock killed that move dead. Now Morrison and Bourne have made it the new black. Morrison literally grew wings and almost made it a 720 flip! I guess both The Colons and Miz/Morrison wanted to show that Vince screwed up not letting them perform at Mania.
The Divas tag was decent but could have used a few more minutes. Wow did they waste Gail Kim's comeback. Hell, have they even acknowledged that she was with the company before?
Last night Lawler said something about her "debut" on Smackdown. I guess they are erasing her from our memories.
Good show, but I could care less about an even more roided up Batista.
They really will come up with any method possible for Hunter to get past Flair's 16 without actually losing the belt himself. And, is Cody Rhodes the patsy of Legacy?
I see this ending with Legacy getting a new member at Backlash (DH Smith?) and helping Orton secure the title ... only to drop it again at the May PPV.
i agree the women's match could've used 2 more minutes, but for what it was i enoyed it. i really like mickie james' pants without the big bell bottoms. i think she usually has the flared out bottoms to look old school, but i think the streamlined look gives more flow to her moves. i wanto see more of gail kim as the submission machine we know she can be.and yeah, it was like they don't even acknowledge she's a former champion too, shich is them really dropping the ball ala the treatment christian is getting (do i sense a pattern?)
When Vince was fighting Austin, the argument was presented that Austin remained employed because he made the company so much money. Can we get some argument from Vince as to why Orton's still around? His line that Orton would be an abject failure if not for Legacy was baffling. Cody and Ted have done nothing. They are red shirts. Cannon fodder. They drummed out Snuka and Manu. Even when they ambush someone, Orton hits the coup de grace.
I'm not sure how to feel about Santina. It's goofy but less eye-rolling than some of the other diva angles. Santino is desperate for attention, and Beth is the only competent wrestler in the trio. So he takes the Tootsie route, but it's more talking and less wrestling.
I haven't seen Carlito wrestle since he left RAW, and he seemed inspired last night.
Kudos to that crowd for loving up Steamboat.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Mayhem I see this ending with Legacy getting a new member at Backlash (DH Smith?) and helping Orton secure the title ... only to drop it again at the May PPV.
Do you really expect the big swerve during the main event of backlash to be a turn by DH Smith, who the majority of viewers have never heard of? lol
What makes a lot more sense is Shane joining legacy.
This RAW was a waste for me. I did not enjoy any if the matches or the interviews. The one highlight was Santina. I agree with CruelAngle - the (wo)man can do no wrong. I do not think there is any other wreslter that is given this gimmick could pull it off so effortlessly and STILL be entertaining. Even my wife - who hates wrestleing - loves Santino.
I am surprised they announced two matches for Backlash prior to the upcoming draft. I do think this means HHH and Rhodes/DiBiase drafted/stay to/with RAW and Batista and Orton to Smackdown. This way the match is set and they all can go to both shows with an actual reason. If this happens, and Cena stays on RAW, look for Orton to take the title at Backlash.
I am curious to see what feuds start after the draft. If HHH, Cena and HBK are on RAW, they are going to need a HEAVY infusion of heels there. Edge and Jericho for sure, possibly Big Show.
Originally posted by WpobI am curious to see what feuds start after the draft. If HHH, Cena and HBK are on RAW, they are going to need a HEAVY infusion of heels there. Edge and Jericho for sure, possibly Big Show.
If Vickie is now on Raw, Edge will almost certainly follow. I think Jericho will flip flop with him; at this point it's better for Chris to be king of his world on Smackdown, especially if Triple H goes back to Raw.
Triple H, Vince, and Shane collectively defended the world title NINE YEARS AGO. And we've had a lot of laughs and a lot of love along the way.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroTriple H, Vince, and Shane collectively defended the world title NINE YEARS AGO. And we've had a lot of laughs and a lot of love along the way.
Kid Rock was also relevant nine years ago! I'm sure glad Vince decided waste time on him at WrestleMania.
Originally posted by BroncolancheKid Rock was also relevant nine years ago! I'm sure glad Vince decided waste time on him at WrestleMania.
For all those complaining about the mini-concert, please remember that it takes time to clear a multitude of ladders from the ring and the surrounding area. Best to do something to try to entertain the audience than run a recap package for 8 minutes, killing the crowd dead.
"Tattoos are the mullets of the aughts." - Mike Naimark
Originally posted by BroncolancheKid Rock was also relevant nine years ago! I'm sure glad Vince decided waste time on him at WrestleMania.
For all those complaining about the mini-concert, please remember that it takes time to clear a multitude of ladders from the ring and the surrounding area. Best to do something to try to entertain the audience than run a recap package for 8 minutes, killing the crowd dead.
And who better to hire for entertainment than Kid Rock. They should've brought in Korn and Limp Bizkit as well to remind us all of the tail end of the 90s.
Poor Cody Rhodes seems to have gotten the role of the sacrificial lamb. The guys seems to get fed to the babyfaces concerned while Orton and DiBiase make their escape.
Forfeit the game, before somebody else takes you outta the game, and puts your name to shame Cover up your face, you can't run the race The pace is too fast, you just won't last - "Points Of Authority" - Linkin Park
I'm sure it can be mostly attributed to the overly smarkish nature of WM/post WM-Raw crowds, but there sure seemed to be a lot of RKO chants popping up, and a healthy amount of distaste for HHH. If they're not careful, they're going to end up with a double turn at some point, as really, eventually the fans will remember they like seeing Vince McMahon get beat up.
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