411’s WWE Raw Report 06.29.09

-Coming off the heels of The Bash where Randy Orton retained the WWE title with a bunch of help from his Legacy buddies the feud that is setting the wrestling world on fire is sure to continue this evening. John Cena looks to have sent The Miz packing to the midcard, and might also look to get himself back into the WWE Title picture. Also the shocking new Unified Tag Team Champions Rated Y2J are now here to save Raw by defending the titles against the former champs The Colons. Also we’re getting a major announcement from Mr. McMahon regarding a special guest host for the evening, and rumors abound that we could get a mini-draft of sorts. Hopefully an infusion of talent to freshen this show up.

-Live from HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA

-Hosted by Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler

-Mr. McMahon is out to start the show, and says if his friend Donald Trump was here tonight he’d be giving away the show for free and not having commercials. Vince asks the crowd if they want him to do the same thing, but he says he needs commercials to make money. He says can give them their moneyback however, but he’s not going to. He says Trump even orchestrated a fifteen superstar trade between ECW, Smackdown, and Raw that he has to live with. He says Trump also came up with this guest host idea that he has to live with. So I guess all of Trump’s decisions were final, and irreversible. That’s some contract. Vince announces that tonight he’s going to have a guest host who will shake things up, and introduces Batista as the guest host for the evening. Yes, that Batista. Batista says he’s excited, and we’re going to have some fun tonight. Batista announces a four man Night of Champions tournament to determine Orton’s challenger for the PPV. Batista announces the matches as Miz vs. Cena and MVP vs. HHH. Batista says when Vince first asked him to do this he said no way, because he’s a fighter not a guest host. Before he can finish his thought Legacy comes out, and in a stunning upset they are all wearing shirts! Orton tells him he shouldn’t have come back, and asks if he’s a glutton for punishment. Orton asks what he thinks is stopping them from coming down and tearing the rest of him apart. Batista says nothing is stopping them, except for that they even look at him the wrong way he’ll fire all three of them. Batista says he wasn’t ready to come back until he was ready to fight, but Vince promised him unlimited power. He can do anything he wants which means he can make Orton’s life a living nightmare. Orton reminds him that it already is a nightmare. He barely survived three stages of hell after getting hit with a sledgehammer. Batista makes crying noises, and again gives the folks over at the Wrestlecrap forums the gift that keeps on giving with a whining face that is sure to give them lots of photoshopping fun for this week. Batista says he’s not going to make Orton defend his title tonight, but he needs to worry about the trade that Trump made before he was fired. He says Raw acquired five new superstars, but Batista is only going to make him face three of them in a 3 on 1 gauntlet match. Batista says he knows how much Orton likes 3 on 1 fights so its about time he found out what its like to be on the other side of one.

Night of Champions Tournament Match One: Triple H vs. Montel Vontavious Porter
Im very intrigued at this, because one would think that either MVP is going to win here or Miz is going to beat Cena. No way in hell WWE is giving away Cena-HHH III on Raw. Poor MVP gets left to die on the entrance after Trips comes out. He basically gets a negative pop. HHH sells his knee at the outset, so MVP grabs a single leg but gets hammered down. MVP again goes for the single, and again gets a few right hands. MVP answers with a kick to the injured knee, and then wraps the leg around the ropes in the corner. MVP kicks the knee, and then drops an elbow down on it. HHH comes back firing back with right hands out of the corner, but MVP counters a spinebuster and chopblocks the knee. MVP locks in a figure four leglock. He’s ballin’ and proflin! MVP is able to break the figure four with a right hand, but MVP goes right back to it. This time HHH kicks off on the attempt, and then hits a knee lift. HHH goes for the pedigree out of nowhere, but again MVP clips the knee. MVP hits the ballin’ elbow for a two count, and then misses a drive by kick. Another pedigree attempt is countered into a backdrop, and this time the drive by connects for two. MVP sets up for the playmaker, but HHH counters and the pedigree finishes at 4:34. Odd match as basically MVP looked good for the majority, but only because Trips was injured. Then he gets caught with the pedigree out of nowhere and loses. Meh.
Winner: Triple H (Pinfall-Pedigree *1/2)

Unified Tag Team Championship: Chris Jericho & Edge © vs. The Colons
Jericho says despite his vow to never appear on Raw again, because of his massive talent and prodigious abilities he finds himself in front of all of us hypocrites once again. He says make no mistake about it that the only reason he’s here… Edge cuts him off and says the only reason he’s here is because he asked him to create a united front, because of inept management they were being held back. Now they stand in front of us as the Unified Tag Team Champions. Edge says that means they can appear on any show they want, and unfortunately that includes Raw. That’s one of those unintentional shoot comments isn’t it? Jericho starts out with Primo, and grabs a side headlock. Shoulderblock from Jericho connects, but Primo is back with a dropkick. Headscissor takedown from Primo is followed by a Legsweep. Edge tries a cheapshot, but gets knocked down to the floor. Primo then backdrops Jericho out on top of Edge, and then the Colons deliver a double baseball slide as we head to break. Back from commercial with Jericho back in control of Primo. Primo comes back with a rollup, but Jericho hits an enzaguri for two of his own. Edge tags in and fires Primo into the top buckle. Primo gets an Irish Whip sending him crashing into the corner for two, and Jericho tags back in smacking Primo in the back of the head. Jericho goes for a running bulldog, but Primo counters sending Jericho crashing into the corner. That allows the hot tag to Carlito who comes in with a springboard dropkick. Swinging neckbreaker connects on Jericho for a two count, and then Carlito runs into a back elbow. Jericho goes for the lionsault, but Carlito moves and then hits a springboard moonsault of his own for two. Carlito goes for the backstabber, but Jericho sees it and counters into a Walls of Jericho attempt. Carlito blocks so Jericho slingshots him into the corner. Carlito is able to stop the momentum and hop onto the second rope delivering a shot to Edge in the process, and delivers a second rope crossbody for a two count. Carlito hits the ropes and runs into a forearm from Jericho allowing him to tag into Edge. Edge goes for the spear, but Primo is able to move Carlito out of the way from the floor. Carlito then hits the backstabber which looks to finish, but Jericho is in to make the save at two. Primo dropkicks Jericho to the floor, and then takes him out with a suicide dive. That leaves Edge and Carlito in the ring, and Carlito delivers a knee lift. Carlito goes for a springboard, but gets tripped up by Jericho on the floor. That allows Edge to hit the spear to retain the titles at 9:35. Great match, but what else would you expect out of these guys. Who says thrown together tag teams suck?
Winners: STILL Unified Tag Team Champions-Chris Jericho & Edge (Edge pins Carlito-Spear ***1/2)

-Orton is in the back complaining to his lackeys about the unfair treatment of Batista when he wanders in and lets them know that if Rhodes or Dibiase interfere he’s going to fire them on the spot.

-Recap of The Miz-Cena rivalry. Correction, an ABSURDLY LONG RECAP of the Miz-Cena rivalry

Night of Champions Tournament Match Two-John Cena vs. The Miz
So last night the IWC nearly exploded with fury after Cena defeated Miz in a glorified squash seemingly thinking he was heading back to FCW or something afterward. I thought I’d take a wait and see approach before shitting on it, and now they have a chance to redeem it a little bit. So we’ll see what happens. Miz takes control right off the bat with a series of knee lifts and right hands. Cena comes back with a back elbow, and a hiptoss. Elbow drop from Cena gets a one count, but then he charges into a boot in the corner. Miz mounts Cena with a series of right hands, and delivers a kick to the head. Cena comes back with a backdrop, and a fisherman suplex for two. Cena grabs a reverse chinlock, and backs Miz into the corner with it. Miz hits a cheapshot on the break, and connects with a suplex for two. Miz turns the table grabbing a reverse chinlock, and then delivers a kneelift. Neckbreaker from Miz gets a two count, and he follows that up with an elbow to the back of the head. Miz buries a shoulder into Cena in the corner, and then measures Cena with a pair of right hands. Cena goes for a running bulldog, but Miz counters, and drops Cena on the top rope. Swinging neckbreaker by Miz gets a two count, and then he continues working Cena over in the corner as we head to break. Back from commercial and Miz is still in control with a reverse chinlock. Cena powers out of it, but misses a charge and gets hit with a clothesline for two. Miz mounts Cena again and delivers a series of right hands. Miz chokes Cena out with his boot in the corner, and then hits a running clothesline in the corner. Miz heads to the top rope, but gets caught by Cena who sets up for the Attitude Adjustment off the top. Miz is able to counter and deliver an electric chair drop for a two count. Miz drops a series of knees on the back of the neck of Cena, and then hits a legdrop. Running boot to the face by Miz gets another two count, and then he charges into a drop toehold from Cena. Cena goes for the STF, but gets kicked off by Miz who then locks in a sleeper. Cena backs Miz into the corner to break the hold, and then ducks a clothesline. Cena hits a pair of shoulderblocks and a protoplex. Five knuckle shuffle connects, and that is followed by a blockbuster from Cena. Top rope Rocker Dropper from Cena connects, and the STF finishes things at 13:51. Well that sets up a blockbuster main event on Raw next week. I’m SHOCKED they would give away Cena-Trips III on Raw. As for this match it is my feeling that this is the match they wanted to have last night, but couldn’t due to time constraints. This was far better, and actually elevated Miz a bit. Good job from the ‘E righting a wrong from the night before.
Winner: John Cena (Submission-STF ***1/4)

-Cody tries to talk down Randy, but Dibiase butts in and lets them know that everything is going to be alright because he just got off the phone with his dad and next week he will be the guest host on Raw. Orton asks how that is supposed to help him tonight.

Diva’s Fatal Four Way Number One Contender Match: Kelly Kelly vs. Mickie James vs. Rosa Mendes vs. Beth Phoenix
Beth attacks Rosa when she wants a piece of Mickie to show its every woman for themselves. Beth makes a cover on Rosa, but Mickie makes the save with a dropkick. The heels end up on the floor leaving Mickie and Kelly in the ring. Mickie takes her over with a headlock, but Kelly reverses into a head scissors. Its very hard to recap this because they keep cutting to Maryse talking. Not that I’m complaining. Beth comes in and gives a clothesline to the faces getting two counts on both of them. Beth starts dominating mounting Mickie and delivering a series of right hands. Rosa asks if she can help, but Beth runs her off. Mickie uses the quick distraction to lock in a dragon sleeper. Rosa hops on Mickie’s back with a reverse chinlock, and then Kelly hops on board with a sleeper. Beth comes out and then drives all three women into the corner. Beth and Mickie trade blows in the ring, and Mickie gets the best of it going for a rollup. Beth elbows out, and then all the ladies roll each other up with a variety of near falls. Beth hits a powerslam on Rosa, but Kelly makes the save at two. The faces double team Beth taking her down with a series of forearms. Beth comes back to hit the glam slam on Kelly, but Mickie makes the save at two. Beth charges into an elbow from Mickie, who sends Beth to the apron with a hurracanrana. Mickie dropkicks Beth off the apron sending her into the steps. Mickie then comes back to Rosa with a few forearms, and finishes things with the jumping DDT at 6:05. It was a disjointed mess of a match, but it was slightly more entertaining then your average diva match. Which means it was a step up from watching paint dry. Mickie and Maryse exchange words afterward.
Winner: Mickie James (Pins Mendes-DDT *)

The Big Show vs. Kofi Kingston
SOS…I hear dem shoutin. SOS…dey see me jobbin. This would be the very definition of a clash in styles. Kofi runs into a clothesline from Show right off the bat, and then gets an elbow to the shoulder. Show headbutts the shoulder of Kofi, and then delivers a knee to the face. Bodyslam from Show sets up an elbow drop attempt which misses. Kofi hits a series of kicks, and a European uppercut. Kofi hits the bicycle kick in the corner, and then a missile dropkick to put Show down. Kofi hits the double legdrop for two, and then hops up to the top for the punch attack to Show. He gets casually tossed to the floor by the big man who heads out after him. Show chops Kofi on the table, and then goes for a press slam. Kofi slides down the back, and sends Show into the post. Neither man is able to beat the count, and it’s a double count out at 3:41. I can’t remember the last time I saw a double count out. Afterward Show just stomps off mad. That was…odd?
Winner: Draw (Double Count Out *1/2)

3 on 1 Gauntlet Match: Randy Orton vs. Three Mystery Opponents
Orton really sells the injuries from The Bash by slowly walking to the ring. Although its really just the same speed he always walks, but this time with a limp.

First Opponent: Evan Bourne

Orton attacks Bourne right away with a boot, but Bourne is right back with a flying forearm. Orton pulls Bourne to the apron, and then goes for a suplex back inside. Bourne counters into a rollup for one, and then hits a spinning heel kick for two. Orton hits a European uppercut, and then delivers a series of signature Orton stomps. Bourne comes back with a standing moonsault for one, and then gets a rollup for two. Drop toehold from Bourne connects, and is followed by a low dropkick for two. Orton runs into the boots of Bourne, who then dives off the top rope with a pair of knees to the face. Bourne goes back up for the Shooting Star Press, but gets crotched by Orton who delivers a bulldog off the top rope to pick up the pin at 3:25.

Second Opponent: Jack Swagger

THWAGGAH ON MONDAY’S!!! Phenomenal pick up for the Raw brand for a guy long overdue for the promotion. Swagger grabs a double leg takedown, and then goes outside to the apron. Swagger stands on the apron and allows the referee to count him out. Ahh heel solidarity, gotta love it. Count out comes at 6:00. Swagger grabs the mic, and says he’s always liked Orton. He says on his first night on Raw he wanted to leave a lasting impression, and shakes hands with Orton as he leaves. Interesting.

Third Opponent: Mark Henry

And you were worried about Smackdown getting raped? Did ECW get cancelled? Henry has the mic, and tells Orton he’s always liked him too. He says he also has a lot of respect for him, and just like Jack Swagger he wanted to make an impression. He says its going to be a good one. Henry shoves Orton down on a lockup, and then like Swagger before him he also takes the intentional count out. Heel solidarity ftw! Oh, but wait, Henry stops the count and tells Orton not so fast. Orton begs Henry not to kill him, but gets no mercy as Henry picks him up by the throat and biels Orton across the ring. Henry connects with a headbutt, and puts the boots to Orton. Avalanche connects for Henry, but Orton comes back with a smack to the face. Henry comes right back with a headbutt. Orton gets a little offense with a boot, and an RKO attempt but its blocked by Henry who shoves Orton into the ropes and catches him with the Worlds Strongest Slam to a thunderous pop. That finishes at 12:07, and the Henry celebrates what appears to be a face turn. This was incredibly well booked, and Henry got a bigger reaction for this then he has for anything in his career. Raw actually closes with Mark Henry in the ring celebrating. Do not adjust your sets folks.
Winner: Mark Henry (Pinfall-Worlds Strongest Slam **1/2)

-Well what a difference a week makes! This was the best Raw in a long time, as we saw a fantastic Tag Title match, Miz and Cena having the match they should have had last night, and Jack Swagger and Mark Henry both making impressions in different ways in their Raw debuts. Since the draft they’ve had a couple rays of hope that were quickly shot down, so I’m not sure if this was just a one week thing or if it’s a sign of good things to come. We shall have to see, but for one week Raw certainly got its groove back. As long as you ignore the HHH-MVP match that is.