411's WWE Raw Report 02.23.09

Posted by Rob McNew on 02.23.2009

EXCUSE ME! Raw has a new interim GM as WWE decides to take a piss all over the brand extension.

-After last week's tremendous edition of Raw the road to Wrestlemania has been cleared up considerably. After Triple H's kayfabe breaking interview on Friday Night letting the cat out of the bag that he is in fact the husband of Raw GM Stephanie McMahon the build towards what will almost assuredly be a HHH-Orton main event at Wrestlemania continues tonight. Also we'll see if Chris Jericho is here to gloat about Mickey Rourke coming up short at last night's Oscars, and if there are any more legends around to confront him. Also JBL and Shawn Michaels square off in a rematch from No Way Out to determine who gets the honor of being victim number 17.

-Live from Sommet Center in Nashville, TN

-Hosted by Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler

-We start off with a recap of last week's street fight between Shane McMahon and Randy Orton that of course ended with Shane getting the punt and Steph getting the RKO. The WWE production staff does another bang up job of making this seem like the most epic moment in history, but in this case it truly deserved it.

-For the second week in a row we open with Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero in the ring. EXCUSE ME! Vickie announces that due to the unfortunate incident involving the McMahon's last week she has been named the interim General Manager of Raw. Oh Sweet Jesus what the fuck did I do to deserve this? Vickie assures the fans that she will carry out the commitment and dedication for Raw that she does for Smackdown. She is thankfully interrupted by John Cena who says she needs to stop because this isn't right. Cena says everyone is looking for a job, but they hired her? He even gets a dig on Mike Adamle saying we could have called him or hired that loser Michael Cole. Cena says instead of excuse me we could have gotten great quotes like "Oh my, vintage Michael Cole." Tremendous! Cena says he would have made 100 other choices, but he congratulates her on being the GM. Cena asks her to have some pride in the product and not lie to the fans. Cena says she doesn't care about the McMahon's and doesn't care about the fans. He says all she cares about is Edge being World Champion. He reminds her that he does have a rematch clause and he's cashing it in tonight. That brings out Edge and Big Show, who asks if Cena thinks he can come out here and intimidate his wife to get what he wants? He even asks if he thinks he's Randy Orton. Edge says it's about time he felt intimidated. Cena says Edge doesn't need to make this more than it is, and says there is no reason this match doesn't need to make this more than it is. He asks Edge to stand up and be a man, because the match is going to happen. Edge says he doesn't answer to Cena, and says he feels sorry for him. He says Cena wants to be this generation's Sammartino, Hogan, or Austin. He wants to be that guy so bad, but it can't happen because Edge won't allow it to happen. Edge says its just too bad he happens to exist in the same era as him. Edge says he's smarter and tougher than anyone who has held the title before. Edge says as long as he is around Cena will never be what these people want him to be. Edge says Cena is the beacon of hope people cling to in these hard times, but Edge thinks he should hold off and stretch this out as long as he can. Because when they do have the rematch, and Edge beats him the fans will be left with absolutely nothing. Cena says it's a fine speech, but something tells him he thinks he got this courage because he's standing in the ring with a barbaric, disgusting, 400 pound, beast…and Big Show too. Edge tries to interrupt, but Cena stops and says he doesn't try to be something he's not. Edge is a champion, Cena's a former champion, Cena is one match away from being a future champion, and Vickie Guerrero as the new GM of Raw should step up and make this happen. Big Show steps in and says Cena needs to show some respect to the new GM. Cena says Show is the one guy who doesn't fit into this situation. He says Show was hired to take care of Vickie, but he didn't know Edge was so bad in the bedroom. Vickie clears things up by saying Edge is her family, and Show is her friend. Cena is neither. Vickie says tonight Cena will be in action tonight, and it will either be against her family or her friend. Cena says tonight he will either slay a Giant or be the new World Champion. Not as strong as last week's opening promo, but still strong from all involved. I'll take a wait and see approach on Vickie being GM of both shows.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat Match: CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison
Miz and Morrison surround Punk, but he is able to attack with kicks and rollup Miz with a small package. Morrison breaks that up and they begin to double team Punk. Double gutbuster connects, and they continue to pound Punk down. Miz whips Punk into the corner, but Punk leapfrogs a charging Miz. He quickly runs into a forearm from Morrison, which sends him back to the canvas. Miz charges the corner again and runs into a boot, then Morrison runs into a clothesline from Punk. Punk kicks Miz to the floor, and then Morrison connects with a clothesline sending both men to the floor as we head to break. Back from break and Morrison has a chinlock on Punk. We see Miz has been taken out on the floor with a clothesline from Punk and an inadvertent moonsault from Morrison. Punk fights out of the chinlock and connects with a dropkick. Hiptoss is followed by a pair of kicks and knees from Punk. Punk charges into the corner with a knee to Morrison, but Miz stops a bulldog attempt with a clothesline. Miz suplexes Punk, which gets two as Morrison, is out on the floor. Chinlock is locked in by Miz, but Punk quickly is able to fight out of that. Morrison comes back in and runs into a headlock from Punk. Punk takes out both with a rana to Miz while holding the headlock. Bulldog to Miz while delivering a clothesline to Morrison puts Punk firmly in control. Scoop slam to Morrison gets two for Punk as Miz breaks up the count. Miz charges into the corner and ends up with Punk on his shoulders. Morrison comes off the second rope with a springboard kick. Miz goes for the cover but Morrison breaks it up. Morrison himself goes for the cover, but also gets two. Then Miz rolls up Morrison getting two. Finally the tag champs begin to square off. Miz tries to suplex Morrison in from the apron, but Punk catches Morrison on the way inside with the GTS. He uses Morrison's feet to send Miz to the floor and then delivers the GTS to pick up the victory at 10:26. Another year without the Intercontinental Championship defended it Wrestlemania. Great match regardless.
Winner: CM Punk (Pinfall on Morrison-GTS ***)

-Triple H's interview with Jim Ross is replayed from Smackdown. Triple H was great here at selling the genuine emotion. Basically he admits that Vince is his father in law, and Shane is his brother in law, and of course Stephanie is his wife. Then he is too angered to continue and leaves. Ironic moment of the interview is that Trips mentions that Vince may not be liked by a lot of people, but he's a 63 year old man. Apparently smashing him in the back of the head with a sledgehammer was okay because he was only 61.

-Todd Grisham is outside Randy Orton's locker room. Dibiase and Rhodes stop by to give their thoughts. Cody says they don't like how this is be presented. He says that Orton didn't ask to fight Shane, Shane asked for that. Randy didn't ask to be confronted by Stephanie McMahon, she did that on her own. Rhodes says people should start taking responsibility for their own actions. Dibiase says that Randy Orton will address his actions when he is ready, as he will not be a prisoner on his own show. And if HHH, the last McMahon standing, decides to show up Dibiase and Rhodes will be ready.

-Santino is walking with Beth and Rosa. They bump into Dolph Ziggler who introduces himself to the trio. Hilarity ensues.

Six Person Mixed Tag: Melina & Cryme Tyme vs. Beth Phoenix, Santino Marella, & Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler, Santino, and Beth? Now that's a dream team. Melina starts the match with Beth. She quickly grabs a modified abdominal stretch, but Beth quickly powers out. Beth whips Melina into the corner and misses a kick charge and is hung up in the ropes. After a stand off Beth tags out to Ziggler. JTG tags in for the face team and gets a hip toss from Dolph. JTG answers with a few arm drags of his own, and comes out of the corner with his faceplant for two. Dolph comes right back grabbing the hair and driving JTG to the mat. Dolph offers a tag, but Santino short arms him and Ziggler says to hell with it and goes back to work. Ziggler locks in a headlock. JTG comes out of the headlock and meets a backdrop attempt with a drop and punch which allows him to make the hot tag to Shad. Three clotheslines followed by a flap jack meet Dolph. Finally Dolph is able to tag to Santino after scurrying away from the money money elbow drop attempt. Santino gets all psyched up in hilarious fashion and runs right into the Thugnificant, which finishes for the face team.
Winners: Melina & Cryme Tyme (Shad pins Santino-Thugnificant *3/4)

-Trailer for 12 Rounds is shown.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. Shawn Michaels
You know the drill. Winner gets the right to job to challenge Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Cole states that the winner of this match will face Kozlov next week on Raw and the winner of that match will face Taker. JBL powers Shawn into the corner and delivers a knee. Shawn attacks out of the corner and mounts with a barrage of punches. After a pull apart Shawn charges into a clothesline, which gets two for JBL. An elbow drop form JBL misses, and Shawn gets a chop for two. Shawn locks in an wristlock, but JBL punches out of that. Into the corner and JBL drives Shawn down with a series of stiff punches. Off the ropes comes Shawn and he stops a backdrop attempt with a kick. Series of chops follows from HBK, but an Irish whip is reversed by JBL sending Shawn crashing into the corner. Elbow drop connects by JBL for a two count. Knees in the corner are delivered by JBL followed up by an Irish whip into the corner. JBL comes charging in, but he walks into a boot. Shawn comes back at him but walks into a punch, which sends Shawn to the floor. JBL follows out after him and picks up Shawn. Shawn slips down the back and sends JBL crashing into the post. Shawn also hits the post and both men are out. I thought they were going for the double count out here to set up a triple threat but both men barely beat the count into the ring at nine. That sends us to commercial. Back from break and both men are still down. JBL comes off the ropes and puts a stop to a backdrop attempt from HBK with a forearm. Shawn is placed up on the top rope by JBL and they trade punches from that position. JBL gets the better of it and goes for a superplex, but Shawn fights him off. JBL comes right back with a huge kick that sends Shawn crashing to the floor. JBL stays in the ring hoping to take the count out, but Shawn is able to drag himself back in. Short clothesline from JBL gets a two count. JBL works the back a little bit with a few forearms before locking in an abdominal stretch. Shawn is able to fight out of it was a series of elbows and follows those up with a chop. Shawn comes off the ropes with a flying forearm. Nip up sets up a pair of inverted atomic drops. Bodyslam from Shawn sets up the picture perfect elbow drop. Shawn tunes up the band, but JBL ducks the attempt. JBL sends Shawn over the top rope, but Shawn skins the cat. Back inside Shawn runs into the big boot from JBL. JBL sets up for the clothesline from hell, but charges right into sweet chin music. Pinfall is academic from there at 13:01 and Shawn moves on to try to work the miracle of all miracles and get a watchable match out of Vladimir Kozlov next week for the right to face The Undertaker. We really mean it this time.
Winner: Shawn Michaels (Pinfall-Sweet Chin Music **1/2)

-Shawn's celebration is interrupted by Kozlov who marches down to the ring to get nose to nose with Shawn. Staredown commences until Shawn decides to fire the first shot. Big mistake as Vlad connects with a chokeslam. Vlad screams some random Russian gibberish as he stands over Shawn.

-We see the Legacy talking things over in the locker room as they await the arrival of HHH.

-Recap of Wrestlemania 24 is shown. Honestly if you don't get chills watching the highlights of HBK-Flair you're not a wrestling fan. "I'm sorry I love you" is the defining moment of the decade.

Jamie Noble vs. Mike Knox
Jamie Noble gets on the mic to say he knows he only lasted 15 seconds against Kane last week, but he knows if he can last longer this week he's going to Wrestlemania. I think you know where this is headed. Noble attacks quickly but runs into a knee. Noble charges into a big boot and a roll of the dice finishes at :29. So this means Jamie's going to Wrestlemania right?
Winner: Mike Knox (Pinfall-Roll of the Dice DUD)

-The newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2009 is none other than Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. No surprise as this one had been leaked a while back, but still a long overdue and very deserving induction. This is already shaping up to be one of the best classes top to bottom ever. Ric Flair will do the induction.

-Michael Cole is on the stage to interview Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat says it's the greatest honor of his life. He says he can remember wrestling at the Pontiac Silverdome and winning the Intercontinental Championship was the greatest highlight of his career. If you're scoring at home Intercontinental Championship > NWA World Championship. Now being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame is the greatest moment of his life. To the shock of absolutely no one Chris Jericho is out to interrupt. Jericho says he also has some thank you's. Jericho says that he was proven right. He says despite all of Mickey Rourke's shameless pandering and butt kissing he lost the Oscar. Just like the character he played in The Wrestler he's a loser trying to hold on for one last run in the spotlight. He says Rourke reminds him of a lot of the losers in this business like Flair, Piper, and even Steamboat. Jericho says he's a man of truth and he's going to tell Steamboat the truth right now. He says when Steamboat was in the NWA, a company the WWE doesn't even acknowledge existed, and was facing Ric Flair in those classics he was just Ricky Steamboat. Jericho says it wasn't until he came to the WWE and sold his soul and became The Dragon. He calls him a glorified Karate Kid selling headbands and feeding into stereotypes. Then he literally came to the ring with a Kimono Dragon spitting fire like the circus freak he had become. Jericho says it was pathetic, but it was all right as long as he was making a paycheck. Jericho says he knows that Steamboat would have come back and wrestled like all the rest, but instead he took the back door route with a backstage job. He calls Steamboat a lifelong sellout, and now with the hall of fame induction the loyal dog gets his bone. Jericho tells Steamboat to enjoy his moment with all the hypocrite fans because he's the biggest hypocrite of them all. Jericho goes the back but Steamboat calls him back. Steamboat asks Jericho if he knows what hypocrite means. He says he remembers 20 years ago at an autograph signing he signed an autograph for Jericho, and Jericho called him his hero. Steamboat says he wrote that in his autobiography. Steamboat says when Jericho came to the WWE he talked down to the fans, but then within a year he embraced them. Then he spent the next several years turning on them, then embracing on them, and turning on them several times. He tells Jericho that is a hypocrite. Steamboat says from the day he started until the day he retired he didn't change once. Steamboat says he respected the audience and entertained them every time he came through the curtain. Steamboat says himself, Flair, Piper, and the other legends know who they are. Steamboat says coming back to work with young stars, and help them isn't a sellout, but because he loves the business. Steamboat says he doesn't care what Jericho thinks of him, because he's not a hypocrite or a sellout, but he is something Jericho may never be and that's a hall of famer. Jericho then attacks Steamboat with the microphone and throws him into the screen. Honestly, that might have been the best promo of Steamboat's career. Jericho was phenomenal too. Still not sure where this is headed, but its sure got me intrigued.

-Grisham is in the parking lot and he's still waiting for Triple H. Does anyone have a clock? They still have a main event match and only fifteen minutes left.

John Cena vs. Chavo Guerrero
Vickie says Cena will not be granted his World Championship rematch tonight. Cena says that's no big shock. Cena says he's trying be patient, but she's testing his patience. Cena promises he's gonna follow Vickie everywhere she goes until he gets his match. He promises to follow her to Smackdown Friday, then to Raw Monday if he has to. Vickie says as she promised Cena would be facing friend or family. Everyone sees this coming don't they? The family is Chavo of course. Cena attacks right away with a protoplex. Five knuckle shuffle, Attitude Adjustment, and STF finish as Chavo gets the Noble treatment in just :46.
Winner: John Cena (Submision-STF DUD)

-The Legacy heads to the ring, and Orton is bringing a sledgehammer.

-Randy Orton heads to the ring with Dibiase, Rhodes, and a sledgehammer head to the ring to explain the events of last week. Orton says he's been waiting for Triple H all night, but he might as well come out and wait in the ring. That is if HHH will show up at all. Orton says for those of us who think HHH will come out and avenge his wife then congratulations. Because if HHH truly is a McMahon he's arrogant, out of touch, and just plain stupid. Orton says HHH thinks Stephanie is a victim, but he is wrong. Orton himself is the victim. He says all he wanted to do was mind his own business and stay out of way. Orton says Vince McMahon insulted his family and caused him to lose control and kick him in the hand. Orton says he beat Shane at No Way Out, but Shane wouldn't let it go, so he did what he said he was going to do and put him in the hospital right next to the old man. Orton says it didn't have to be that way, but Shane pushed him and pushed him until he had to push back. Orton then says there is Stephanie. The last time Steph got in his face she slapped him. Orton says Stephanie thinks she can do whatever she wants because of what her last name is, but she got in his face again and instinct took over. Orton says the people judge him, but they have no idea what he goes through. Orton says they have no idea what its like to be at the top of his profession. He says they hate him because he does things they can only fantasize about. He says they have no idea the pressure he is under being a celebrity. Orton says the fans don't understand, but the McMahon's do. Orton says Stephanie should have known better. Orton says he hopes HHH's children were watching so they could learn from their mother's mistakes. HHH is shown arriving on the titantron with a sledgehammer of his own in tow. Again no music or fanfare, just an angry pissed off husband out for revenge. HHH stalks the ring slowly as The Legacy waits. Orton tells him to hang on. He says he figured HHH would bring out the sledgehammer. Orton says someone will get hurt. He tells HHH to drop the hammer and he'll drop his then they can settle things like men. Orton drops his sledgehammer, and HHH does as well. The Legacy surround HHH, but HHH has a trick up his sleeve ans he stored another sledgehammer in his jeans. Rhodes gets blasted with the sledgehammer as Orton and Dibiase run for safety. The doors to the arena are locked so Orton and Dibiase barricade themselves in a locker room. Its only temporary as HHH is able to break the door down. Dibiase gets a shot in the back with the sledgehammer as HHH corners Orton. Orton is finally able to escape the locker room and Dibiase is now running with him somehow quickly recovering from the sledgehammer shot. They are able to finally get out of the arena into an awaiting vehicle and they drive off seconds before HHH can get to them.

-Well things were going along all great until HHH showed up. Orton was delivering a strong promo using twisted heel logic. Then HHH shows up and Orton drops his sledgehammer like an idiot. HHH is apparently the smartest guy in history, because he thought to store a SECOND sledgehammer in his pants on the off chance that Orton would offer up such a deal. Then sadistic heel Orton turns into chickenshit Orton as he runs for safety. If things had ended there, it might have been fine, but instead we got to see the Tom and Jerry act throughout the backstage area complete with Dibiase completely no selling a sledgehammer shot to the back of the neck. Thought was there, the emotion of the angle is there, the execution however was awful. I still think this is going to be a great feud, but it definitely hit a bump in the road this week. Rest of the show was pretty hit and miss and lived or died by the final segment. It died.