The Raw Review – 4th January 2010
04/01/2010
Hello and welcome the LIVE Raw Review.
Use the quick links below to jump to a specific match or segment.
If you’re following the event with us live keep refreshing as updates will come through sporadically depending on match and segment length.
We’d still love to know what you think about the layout changes, or anything else for that matter so please feel free to get in touch via the Contact Us page, or any of the usual email addresses.
On with the show!
Quick Links
Opening Segment: He’s Baaaaaack!
Segment 2: The Boss is Oblivious
Match 1: Maryse Vs. Brie Bella
Match 2: M.V.P Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Carlito Vs. Mark Henry
Segment 3: Jeri-Show Talk Tactics
Segment 4: New Merchandise Time
Match 4: Sheamus Vs. Evan Bourne
Match 5: Kofi Kingston Vs. Randy Orton
Closing Segment: Vince Calls Out The Hitman
The Raw Review
As you can see we’ve gone a little Pink and Black crazy tonight to celebrate the hotly anticipated return of Bret Hart!
As a tribute to the Excellence of Execution we’ll even be featuring Pink and Black results boxes for one night only.
If you want to know more about Bret’s return, why it’s taken so long coming (as if you didn’t know) and where it is meant to be going why not check out my Suite101 article on the subject by simply clicking here!
Opening Segment
He’s Baaaaaaack!
Tonight’s epic Raw kicks off with the Bret Hart promo Vince played last week, or one very similar to it at least, it had the back and forth between Vince and HBK tacked on the end for good measure.
As we cut to the arena a huge ‘We Want Bret’ chant echoes around the arena.
Justin Roberts says it’s his honour to introduce Bret…. ‘The Hitman’… Hart.
Hart’s music plays for what seems like an age before he finally emerges, it’s actually happening!
I have to admit I’m pretty shocked, I expected a swerve right there at the beginning, and judging by some of the faces in the crowd so did they.
Once the crowd reaction died down Bret started to speak.
He opened by saying Hell must have frozen over, then said that many people must be wondering why he’s here.
He says it’s great to be back and he’s grateful to be able to talk to the WWE Universe, and that for a long while he’s tried to find a way back to the WWE but Vince has blocked him each and every time.
The crowd give him a ‘Welcome Back’ chant before he thanks all his fans around the world for not letting him be forgotten.
His voice is pretty croaky, I don’t know if he’s ill or if he’s just a little choked up.
He talks about the great memories he’s had in a WWE ring, including winning the very first King of the Ring in this very arena. He mentions Lawler jumping him afterwards, leading to an awkward moment between the two.
It looks like it’s fixing to get a whole lot more awkward however, as he calls out Shawn Michaels, saying he has 12 years to get off his chest.
As HBK makes his way to the ring Michael Cole informs us that this will be the first communication Shawn and Bret have shared since Montreal 97.
Bret starts by saying that he’d like to bury the hatchet and call for a truce between them, which after some deliberation Shawn responds.
He says that before Bret gets his closure, there’s something he’s been waiting 12 years to say.
He says the fact is Bret deserved what happened 12 years ago in Montreal, because he disrespected him and this business.
He then admits that he did have a hand in the screwjob as the crowd start a ‘You Screwed Bret’ chant.
Bret says he rests his case, but Shawn goes on and says there’s a big part of him that doesn’t regret a bit of it.
However, there’s another part of him that knows in the last 12 years a lot of things have changed in their lives.
Michaels says he always respected Hart, but he didn’t get that feeling back from The Hitman and as a result often couldn’t stand the sight of him.
Shawn says that when he thinks of Bret Hart he doesn’t think of Montreal, he thinks of Anaheim California and the 60-Minute Iron Match that everyone said no one would want to see, but re-defined the industry.
He says that when he thinks of Bret Hart he thinks of The Excellence of Execution and that he isn’t the only one who’s been carrying it around with him for 12 years and is ready to move on.
Shawn asks him if he’s sure he wants to bury the hatchet and if he’s ‘ready?’
Bret says that HBK wasn’t the easiest person to love back then, but he’s right, their careers shouldn’t be epitomised by Survivor Series 97, so in front of the world he offers him a hand of friendship.
As the crowd jeer Shawn shakes his hand.
Shawn goes to leave the ring but then stops, just the right distance away to hit a Sweet Chin Music.
He makes a sudden movement towards Bret, but instead hugs him before heading to the back.
As he heads up the ramp Bret says there’s one other person he wants to come to the ring… Vince McMahon.
Vince doesn’t appear and the show cuts to a commercial.
Groundbreaking stuff!
Segment 2
The Boss is Oblivious
Backstage Josh Mathews catches up with Vince McMahon outside his office.
He asks for a reaction about what just took place.
Vince says that he’s just gotten out of a meeting and isn’t aware of what has just transpired.
Mathews explains and Vince says that no one calls him out, but he isn’t against the idea of a public discussion.
He says he’ll call out Bret later in the show.
Back at ringside Cole and Lawler explain how Melina has injured herself pretty badly at a live event and as such has had to vacate the Divas Championship.
As a result there will be an 8 Diva Tournament to crown a new champ, starting right now.
Match 1
Divas Championship Tournament Match
Maryse
Vs.
Brie Bella (w/Nikki Bella)
Hmm I wonder who’s going to win this one.
Title contender Maryse, who has recently attacked Melina numerous times in pursuit of her title, or one half of the guest host-bothering Bella’s.
This one didn’t last long.
The Bella’s pulled their usual Switch-a-roo, but Maryse spotted it and took advantage, hitting her French Kiss DDT to pick up the win straight afterwards.
After the match The Miz emerged with some pretty awful new entrance music.
He turned the tables on Maryse from mid way through last year, saying he might show her some interest if she wins the Divas Championship.
He tells her that while she might think 2010 is her year, it is in fact his, just like all the ones that will follow.
Maryse wins by Pinfall and advances in the Divas Championship Tournament.
Match 2
Fatal 4 Way U.S Championship #1 Contendership Match
M.V.P
Vs.
Jack Swagger
Vs.
Carlito
Vs.
Mark Henry
After his banter with Maryse The Miz made his way to the commentary desk, apparently to scout out his future opponent.
Judging by the alignment of the guys in the match (you’d think) M.V.P or Mark Henry will be Miz’s next opponent.
When the show returned from commercials Mark Henry had been downed on the outside, a replay showing how he got drilled into the ringpost.
After some pretty uneventful back and forth Mark Henry made his way back into the match and began to battle with his former partner and supposed friend M.V.P.
Henry looked like coming close to winning with a pair of submission holds on the heels. But M.V.P made the save with a Drive By, then moments later landed the Playmaker on Swagger to pick up the win.
M.V.P Vs. The Miz? Hmm, I’ll wait to make a judgement call.
M.V.P wins by Pinfall and becomes the #1 contender for the United States Championship.
Segment 3
Jeri-Show Talk Tactics
Backstage The Big Show and Jericho are discussing their Tag Title match later tonight.
Show reminds Jericho that this is their last chance to regain the titles and his last chance to remain a Raw Superstar, for as long as DX have the titles at least.
Jericho says he has a plan involving tonight’s guest host, then with Show’s blessing sets off to find Bret Hart and put his plan into action.
After the commercials Jericho enters Bret’s office and the two talked a little about their past and how Stu Hart trained him.
Jericho says he saw the little love-fest with HBK earlier, but he knows the real Bret Hart and he knows he wants retribution.
Jericho offers Bret a chance at revenge by being the guest referee for the DX/Jeri-Show match tonight, where he could let ‘instinct take over’ as soon as the Walls of Jericho was locked in.
Bret refused and said that he didn’t want Montreal to keep coming back up and he doesn’t want the WWE Universe to look at him in any way like they look at Jericho.
He wrapped things up by saying that if Jeri-Show wanted the gold back, they would have to claim it on their own.
Segment 4
New Merchandise Time
Elsewhere backstage Triple H and Hornswoggle are looking at the newest line in WWE figures.
Triple H points out a selection of the Superstars immortalised in miniature form while Hornswoggle does impressions of them.
Triple H stops him playing with them and says the only way he gets to play with them is if DX retain the titles tonight.
HBK enters and asks why Triple H treats him like a kid.
Triple H says that he’s an innocent child then says while HBK was out at the ring making up with Bret, he was backstage preparing for the tag title match.
Shawn asks how playing with toys will help them win the match tonight and Triple H demonstrates.
He brings in ‘Chris Jericho’ (aka Santino Marella in a wig and suit), then sets Hornswoggle on him.
DX talk a little more while Santino takes a savage beating behind a sofa in the background, before heading towards the ring with Hornswoggle in tow.
Match 3
Unified Tag Team Championships Match
DX (c) (w/Hornswoggle)
Vs.
Jeri-Show
It looks like Triple H’s pre-match preparations might have worked, as he had to physically restrain Hornswoggle when Jericho made his way to the ring.
DX’s littlest member shuffled under the ring as the match began, but I doubt it’ll be the last time we see him.
The match kicks off almost instantly with huge offence from The Big Show, who reversed a double-team attempt into a double Supplex, lifting both members of DX and driving them into the canvas as the show cut away to commercials.
Surprisingly as the show returned Jeri-Show still had the upper hand and after a sustained period of offence Jericho mocked Hulk Hogan, ripping off his gestures.
While we’re on the subject, I realise it’s been a big night for TNA, but for the sake of dual-promotion fans I won’t publish any spoilers during the Raw Report.
After some more back and forth and an appearance from Hornswoggle, Show avoided the Sweet Chin Music and hit a hellacious Chokeslam that Shawn somehow managed to kick out from.
Moments later Shawn avoided the Lionsault, only to be caught in the Walls of Jericho which he spun out of and tagged in The Game.
Triple H hit Pedigrees on both members of Jeri-Show but couldn’t get a 3 count.
After pushing The Game into HBK, Jericho hit a CodeBreaker, but couldn’t capitalise either.
Hornswoggle appeared yet again and began calling for a Sweet Chin Music, but instead took a boot to the face from Jericho, distracting him long enough for Triple H to go for the Pedigree.
Jericho reversed it into the Walls of Jericho but HBK caught him with Sweet Chin Music and The Game covered for the 3.
Phew, that was fast paced at the end there!
After the bell DX led the crowd in an obligatory chorus of ‘Hey Hey, Goodbye’ as Show looked less than impressed with his fallen partner, snubbing him and leaving alone.
DX retain the Tag Team Championships by Pinfall.
Segment 5
The Anonymous Hand
No, this wasn’t a promo harking back to the time Mae Young gave birth to a prosthetic hand, but rather a segment that began with an unknown hand knocking on Vince’s office door.
Vince emerged and told the unknown caller he had a lot of nerve for knocking on his door, but just as it looked like this person was going to remain anonymous, the camera pulled back and revealed it to be Randy Orton.
He told Vince this wasn’t a social visit, but rather one of a business nature.
Orton says tonight seems to be the night for burying the hatchet, so he’s here to offer his services with regards to the Bret Hart situation tonight.
Vince says that everything Bret did pales in comparison to what Orton did to him and his family.
Orton says he knows Vince has done deals with people he doesn’t like before, so if he gives the word he’ll make his way to the ring and kick Bret in the skull, as he’s one of the only Legends he hasn’t been able to get his hands on.
Vince asks him what’s in it for the Legend Killer and he explains that all he wants is #30 in the Rumble in return.
Vince snubs his offer and sends him on his way.
Orton then runs into Legacy, who first thank him for the threats he made last week as it spurred them on to win.
They then issued him the same challenge they were set, if he doesn’t beat Kingston tonight he’s out of Legacy, and they are going to beat the hell out of him.
Segment 6
Bourne Identity
Next up on promo duty is current WWE Champion and probable flash in the pan Sheamus.
He crows about beating Cena last week, then says that his next title defence will be at The Royal Rumble where he won’t be taking on the same opponent again.
He says that Bret Hart might have been right when he said that he was the best there was, but The Celtic Warrior claims the best there is and the best there ever will be.
He issues somewhat of an open challenge, which is answered by…
Evan Bourne?!
Bourne says that Sheamus is only champion because he was given a chance, and if given the same chance he’s sure he could achieve the same.
Now if my memory serves me correctly (and it does because I checked) Evan Bourne DID have the same chance and failed to make it past the first round of the Breakthrough Tournament.
Sheamus tells Bourne that if he can beat him right now, he’ll give him a shot at the title.
Match 4
Singles Match
Sheamus
Vs.
Evan Bourne
Bourne almost stole a win in the first few seconds, hitting the Shooting Star Press almost immediately.
However, Sheamus kicked out and dominated proceedings from there on, picking up the win after a Pump Kick and a Razor’s Edge.
After the match Michael Cole and King talked briefly about the passing of ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams, who lost the battle with throat cancer at the end of 2009.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends from the WWEBlog staff.
Sheamus wins by Pinfall.
Match 5
Singles Match
Kofi Kingston
Vs.
Randy Orton
Orton and Kofi have battled a few times now, so it’s nice to have the fresh angle on it with regards to the challenge issued by Orton’s fellow Legacy members.
Kingston started this match stronger and had a distinct upper hand leading into a commercial break, however when the action returned Orton had turned the tables and looked to be in control with a Sleeper.
A replay then showed how Orton threw Kingston from the top turnbuckle right into the retaining wall on the outside. The height Kingston achieved was something to behold.
Orton said this rivalry would end once and for all tonight, but if he picks up the win in this match then the whole ‘Kicked out of Legacy’ bit from the past two weeks has been for nothing, so I really can’t call this one.
Orton continued to boss the match until The Ghanaian Sensation avoided a Clothesline and both men went for Flying Cross-bodies, levelling the playing field.
A slugfest ensued which Kingston initially won and began to click into his ‘Controlled Frenzy’, hitting a Boom Drop and calling for the Trouble in Paradise.
Orton briefly escaped to the outside, but Kingston used this to his advantage, diving through the ropes to keep his momentum going.
Orton came close to landing an RKO, but Kingston avoided it and landed the SOS, which grabbed a 2 count (is that move EVER going to win a match? It looks so epic.)
Randy attempted another RKO, Kingston countered into a Trouble in Paradise but Orton blocked it and finally landed the RKO to pick up the win.
Legacy looked less than impressed with the outcome of the match, but it looks like they’ll be sticking together at least for another week.
Randy Orton wins by Pinfall.
Closing Segment
Vince calls out The Hitman
This is it, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Deep down I wish Shawn Michaels had been in the position to turn heel, but with his DX commitments that was never going to happen.
So it looks like it’s good old Vince McMahon who will have to assume the villainous boss role.
With the amount of star power TNA have supposedly unveiled tonight I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. McMahon didn’t have an ace up his sleeve here, but we’ll see.
Vince opens with a ‘Happy New Year’ message to the fans, then says that he doesn’t really have a reason to call Bret out now as he and HBK already buried the hatchet and the Montreal incident is finally behind everyone.
Vince thanks Bret for guest hosting tonight then announces that ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson will be guest hosting next week.
Just as the boss began to talk about ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ Bret Hart made his way out from the back, removing his jacket as he entered the ring.
Vince said he knows everyone wants to see a Sharpshooter, but he urges Bret to be the bigger man.
He says seeing as they are both in the ring he wants to get something off his chest, but doesn’t intend to provoke The Hitman.
Vince tells Bret that he honestly believes he screwed himself and he’ll never forget the various incidents of disrespect from Hart since then.
Vince says he wants to hear what Bret has to say, and sincerely hopes it begins with the two words ‘I’m Sorry’.
Bret grabs a stick and tells Vince that the two words he is thinking of are a lot different.
He says he came here tonight to find closure and he feels like he’s halfway there so far, and the weight off his shoulders after 12 years is phenomenal.
Bret says they both want the same thing; peace and closure, so they should just come to an agreement.
Vince says that he thought he wanted to come out and kick Bret in the guts, but he’s realised that actually he does want to bury the hatchet and leave the past in the past.
Vince casts his mind back to Bret’s first WrestleMania (II) then through his very successful career, which he claims Bret deserved every aspect of.
He said that he felt like a father figure to Bret and that’s why it hurt so badly when he did what he had to do, and while they are on the topic of fathers, he’d like to induct Stu Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
Bret acknowledges that it means a lot to the family, then Vince thanks him for every single thrilling moment he’s given the fans across his spectacular career and for being the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.
Vince and Bret shook hands and the boss raised his hand to all four sides of the crowd.
Just when it looked like this might have a happy ending Vince delivered a brutal kick to Hart’s jewels, leaving him down and out in the centre of the ring.
I knew it couldn’t be that simple!
As Vince exited up the ramp Bret pulled himself to his feet and looked up towards the tron, seemingly dejected at what just happened.
The End Bit
This was without a doubt the best Guest Host episode of Raw we’ve seen, although I don’t actually remember Hart doing any ‘hosting’.
He didn’t even make a single match I don’t think, so what does that tell you about the whole host aspect.
Competition does indeed bring out the best in Vince and the WWE, and I for one hope TNA mount a good challenge to keep the standards high.
Goodnight everybody!
< Previous Show | Next Show >If you’ve loved what you read here why not consider helping us out?
Donate to WWEBlog.co.uk
and help keep us Alive!
