The Raw Review - 25th January 2010
25/01/2010
Hello and welcome the 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.
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On with the show!
Quick Links
Match 2: M.V.P Vs. The Big Show
Segment 1: With or Without You
Segment 2:Cena and the Guest Host
Segment 3: The Future of Bret Hart
Match 4: The Miz Vs. Kofi Kingston
Segment 5: Carlito Vs. Kelly Kelly
Segment 6: Cena and the Guest Host Part 2
Match 5: Gail Kim Vs. Alicia Fox
Main Event: John Cena Vs. Sheamus
The Raw Review
Opening Match
Tag Team Match
DX
Vs.
Legacy
Before the match DX began to do their ‘Are You Ready’ bit, until Triple H realised Hornswoggle was nowhere to be seen.
He asked Shawn where he was, and the Heartbreak Kid explained that he’d sent him home because there is something serious they need to discuss.
Shawn asks Triple H why he can’t just for once think about someone other than himself, then talks about how this is his only shot to break Taker’s streak at WrestleMania.
Triple H takes over and talks about why winning the Rumble is just as important for him, and although they are friends he’ll step on Shawn’s dreams if it means getting to his own.
Rather dejectedly Shawn says that he understands, before Legacy make their way to the ring and the match begins.
I just noticed that Cody Rhodes has the Tri-Force on his boots. He’s just gained a few WWEBlog respect points there.
As the show began to head into the commercials Michael Cole teased that there was some ‘Breaking News’ about tonight’s guest hosts.
When the action returned King explained that James Roday (one half of tonight’s Guest Host duo) hasn’t arrived at the arena.
WOW, that IS big.
Anyway, as for the action in the ring, Legacy took control of the match after Cody hit a rope-assisted Neckbreaker on Michaels, following a distraction from Ted DiBiase.
Michaels got the isolation treatment for the best part of 10 minutes, before hitting DiBiase with a botched Sweet Chin Music.
He made the tag and Triple H cleaned house, until Michaels blind tagged himself back in on the action.
After a brief moment of unrest, DX got back on the same page and Michaels picked up the 3.
Tension is certainly building. If I were a gambling man I’d bet on the tag titles changing hands fairly soon.
DX win by Pinfall.
Match 2
Singles Match
M.V.P
Vs.
The Big Show
Two matches in a row to kick off Raw? I wonder what we’ve done to deserve this.
Before this ‘grudge’ match began M.V.P and The Miz had a little altercation, for the 3rd time in as many weeks.
This promo followed pretty much the same script as the other two.
The Miz complains that everyone likes M.V.P and his criminal history, while no one likes him despite having real talent.
M.V.P makes a few gay jokes about The Miz’s new partnership with Big Show.
Miz says he’d love nothing more than to have their U.S Championship match tonight, but his new partner is desperate to make an impact so he’ll leave M.V.P to him tonight…
…Because he’s The Miz, and he’s Awesome.
The crowd are really getting behind that one.
Surprisingly The Big Show squashed M.V.P, ending the match almost as quickly as it had begun with a Chokeslam, thanks in part to a distraction from Miz.
Because this will undoubtedly be the most boring match of the night, I’ll use this time to let everyone know about the People’s Choice Award!… Again (x2).
The voting in the WWEBlog Awards For Theatrical Achievement (W.A.F.T.A’s) is well under-way amongst the WWEBlog staff and a select few guest judges, but we’re giving you all the chance to get involved too!
Simply click the banner below and it’ll take you to the People’s Choice Voting Page, where you can cast your vote for the Superstar/team you feel most deserving of an award for their work throughout 2009.
The poll closes on the 1st February so don’t delay in getting your vote in!
The People’s Choice Award 2009
The Big Show wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
With or Without You
Backstage Cody and Ted are talking about the match they just had with DX when Randy enters.
Orton says by hook or by crook they have managed to stay together over the past month or so, but just when it looked like they were all back on the same page, they go and lose a match to DX.
On top of that, last week while Sheamus Pump Kicked his lights out, they were backstage arguing instead of being out in the ring backing him up.
Orton tells them that they need to get their head in the game, and if it’s the Royal Rumble that’s causing the issues they just need to accept that only one person can win it.
He then says that no matter what, he’s taking the title from Sheamus at the Rumble, be it with or without their help.
Segment 2
Cena and The Guest Host
Backstage Cena and his new best pal Dule Hill (from Psych) are hanging out.
Cena says that a lot of people are talking about the season première of Psych starring… them (the plugs have started early in this segment) and James Roday, who apparently couldn’t be here because he’s having an appendectomy.
Cena tells Dule to make it his night, then leaves just in time for The Miz to take his place.
The Miz says he can’t believe Psych would waste their time with someone like Cena when they could have had him.
Dule starts to come up with some sort of excuse but The Miz tells him to stop and says that he had to google his name just to find out who ‘Dule Hill’ is (that makes two of us.)
The Miz says that he’s more famous than Dule and his co-star, so when he talks everyone should listen.
Dule says he’s had enough and The Miz will face an opponent of his choosing later tonight.
Hmm, who’s that going to be then….
Match 3
Divas Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match
Maryse
Vs.
Eve
Before the match Maryse starts to say that she’s going to win the tournament and become the next Divas Champion when a huge Kane-like pyro blows up at the top of the stage.
While everyone tries to work out what just happened, the cameras cut to the production area next to the staging, where Dule is now situated.
He apologises to Maryse for setting off the blast while she was speaking, but she goes crazy and begins to hurl abuse at him in French, until Eve’s music hits and the match begins.
Long story short Maryse picked up an impressive win with the French Kiss, progressing to the final of the tournament against either Gail Kim or Alicia Fox.
I really hope the title match doesn’t get booked onto the Rumble card.
Maryse wins byPinfall and advances to the final of the Divas Championship Tournament.
Segment 3
The Future of Bret Hart
As Mr. McMahon makes his way to the ring footage of The Undertaker calling him a coward last week played.
Once in the ring Vince says that he’d love for Taker to be here tonight, because he’d like to see him come out and call him a coward again.
He then moved on to the more pressing matter of Bret Hart.
He said that in simple economics you buy low, sell high, and he sold Bret down the river to WCW when he was at his highest, and you never heard anything about him ever again.
Vince asked the crowd if they wanted to see Bret back, then told them he wouldn’t ever bring The Hitman back to the WWE when they cheered.
As the boos echoed around the arena Vince said that he would only do what was good for business, then decided to canvas the crowd for opinions on the subject.
He asked for one good business reason to bring Bret back, but didn’t really give anyone the chance to give him one.
Vince really showed here why he needs to be involved in the on-screen aspect of the WWE, because the way he handled the crowd was a joy to behold, building them up then cutting them down twice as fast.
Back in the ring he said that as he hadn’t heard any good reasons, he respectfully disagrees with their opinion and his decision still stands.
Just as Vince begins to leave the ring John Cena’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring.
Cena tells Vince that he’s never really had a problem with him until the last few months, when he described Bret as a used up piece of gum that’s lost it’s flavour, and when he disrespected Roddy Piper at Madison Square Garden.
Cena said that McMahon might be successful, but he owes a hell of a lot to people like Roddy and Bret. He accused Vince of putting use-by dates on Superstars, and throwing them away when they pass their ‘money making’ period.
Cena calls Vince pathetic and says that every decision he makes is simply to line his wallet and serve his ego, but next week he IS going to invite Bret to Raw to give him a chance to make things right.
If he doesn’t, then he’s just proven to every member of the WWE Universe that he sees Superstars as nothing more than commodities.
He tells Vince that there’s no pressure to invite Bret back, but if he doesn’t he’s going to find him on his 90th birthday, lift him out of his wheelchair and knock his false teeth down his throat for every Superstar he’s ‘used up’ over the years.
As Cena leaves the ring McMahon snaps and issues an open invite to Bret for next week, saying he won’t even flinch when they are in the ring together.
Vince wraps things up by saying that as Cena wanted to make his presence felt tonight, he’s going to be in action against the man who took his WWE Championship; Sheamus.
Phew, that was a long one. But the long and short of it is… Bret’s back next week!
Match 4
Singles Match
The Miz
Vs.
Kofi Kingston
Ok, I admit it. Dule Hill has come good here, or should I say the WWE Creative team have come good here.
Miz Vs. Kofi is a dream match for me and the only way it could have been any better is if Morrison and Ziggler had also been involved.
Unfortunately this was somewhat of a let down, thanks mainly to M.V.P.
The Miz controlled the match almost entirely, but just as it looked like getting good M.V.P’s music hit, distracting Miz just long enough for Kofi to land Trouble in Paradise and pick up the win.
After the match M.V.P made his way out onto the stage and smiled at Miz, satisfied that he’d gained some level of revenge for earlier in the night.
Kofi Kingston wins by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Dule Gets Hands On
Backstage Carlito shows Dule into the production truck.
Dule tells him that the pyro earlier on was a mistake and he’s not just going to go around pushing a load of buttons at random.
He gets the guy in charge to bring up a graphic of Carlito, then says that he’s going to key in a random code and whoever comes up will be his opponent tonight.
He pushes some buttons and up pops… Kelly Kelly.
Dule says he can re-do it, but Carlito persuades him to leave it as it is and goes to prepare for his ‘match’.
Segment 5
Carlito Vs. Kelly Kelly
As you’d probably guessed, this one didn’t go down as planned and wasn’t even a match in the end.
Just as Kelly Kelly neared the ring Santino Marella appeared toting a copy of ‘The Best of Raw 2009′.
He says that there are lots of examples of him looking stupid on the DVD, but tonight he’s going to do something spectacular in an effort to get onto the ‘Best of Raw 2010′ DVD.
He offers to take Kelly’s place, then claims he will win the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Just as he is about to get in the ring Jack Swagger jumps him from behind and completely decimates him, finishing by slamming his head into the ring post.
Vote for your Favourite Superstar Now!
Segment 6
Cena and The Guest Host Part 2
Back in Dule’s office Cena is once again plugging Psych.
This time they’ve got James Roday on speaker-phone.
He makes a joke at Sheamus’ expense and confirms that his operation went off without a hitch before Alicia Fox enters.
She says she’s heard Dule is a psychic and wants to know what’s going to happen in tonight’s match.
Roday cuts in and says that he’s actually the psychic, but Dule cuts him off and says she’s going to win and he’s going to come down to the ring and be her good luck charm for the match.
She tells him he better be right and leaves.
He asks Cena what she meant by that, and Cena spins some random story about Mark Henry hunting him down if she loses.
I don’t know the intricacies, I stopped paying attention way back.
Match 5
Divas Championship Tournament Semi Final Match
Gail Kim
Vs.
Alicia Fox
Rather than ‘being at ringside for Alicia’ as he said he would be, Dule joined the commentary team for one last chance at plugging Psych.
Sadly that was the most entertaining part of this match, which ended in a win for Gail Kim and a slap for Dule.
Gail Kim wins by Pinfall and advances to the final of the Divas Championship Tournament.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
John Cena
Vs.
Sheamus
Good news for all you cult kids and Yoghurty Bran flakes fans out there, William Shatner is hosting Raw next week!
For anyone missing the reference there, allow us to bring you Mr. Shatner in possibly his finest moment:
Anyway, onto the main event match.
This match proved that Sheamus is till being pushed as a credible champion, holding his own against possibly the most established face in the company once again in a good if not forgettable bout.
Cena started well and looked like he might have things wrapped up as he set up for an Attitude Adjustment.
However, Sheamus reversed it and immediately went on the offensive, coming close to winning the match by count-out on two separate occasions.
Cena fought back but Sheamus reversed the Attitude Adjustment for a second time and began setting up for the Pump Kick.
Cena ducked the kick and locked on the STF, but The Celtic Warrior wisely grabbed the ropes then rolled to the outside to create some separation.
As Cena followed Sheamus landed the Pump Kick, before sliding back into the ring and telling the ref to count.
As the referee reached 8 and the Count-Out victory looked a certainty, Randy Orton sprinted down the ramp and hit Sheamus with a huge RKO, causing the disqualification.
After the bell Cena crawled his way onto the apron and hung on the ropes, giving Orton the perfect opportunity to land the Rope-Assisted DDT.
However, as he went for it Cena reversed and landed an Attitude Adjustment of his own, leaving both members of the Raw title match down on the canvas as the show wrapped up.
Sheamus wins by Disqualification.
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