Weekly Rundown: 11th – 15th May 2009 (Judgement Day Edition)
Raw 11/05/2009
ECW 12/05/2009
Superstars 14/05/2009
Smackdown 15/05/2009
Jump to The Raw Review –>
Jump to The ECW Digest –>
Jump to The Superstars Recap –>
Jump to The Smackdown Summary –>
The Raw Review - 11/05/2009
Opening Segment
Legacy open Raw
Lillian Garcia introduces Orton at the start of the show and he struts out to the top of the ramp with Legacy in tow.
He starts by saying that the McMahon’s should stop listening to the crowd and act more like them instead, branding everyone in attendance a coward before showing the footage of the attack on Shane from last week.
While the footage played Legacy had made their way to the ring. He tells everyone that Vikki Guererro has imposed a ‘no physical contact’ ruling between himself and Batista (I seem to recall there was a similar clause imposed between Orton and Triple H before WrestleMania, which was adhered to for all of a week and then never mentioned again) but that doesn’t stop them talking.
Batista lumbered to the ring in his wrestling gear, where Orton informed him he won’t win the WWE Championship this Sunday, or ever for that matter.
Orton says that although he’s never offered it to anyone who wasn’t second or third generation, but he’d like to offer Batista the chance to join Legacy. DiBiase then took the microphone and told The Animal not to be upset about being punted as it happened to him too and it was the single biggest positive influence on his career to date.
Orton says he wants Batista to be what Arn Anderson was to Ric Flair; an enforcer.
Batista says that it sounds like a great opportunity, but the only problem is he loathes Orton and will never stoop so low as to be his backup.
Orton got annoyed and said that if there wasn’t a no-contact ruling he’d drop Batista where he stands. Batista said he doesn’t think there is a chance Vikki would call off the main event for Judgement Day, so the two of them may as well go at it tonight.
Vikki walked out from the back and waived the no contact rule for tonight (effectively making it a pointless addition as the PPV is this Sunday) and made a 2 on 1 handicap match with Batista Vs. Priceless.
If Priceless win tonight’s main event will be a 3 on 1 with Orton thrown into the mix, if Batista wins Judgement Day comes early and he will face Orton 1 on 1 in a non-title bout.
Match 1
2 on 1 Handicap Match
Batista
Vs.
Priceless
DiBiase and Rhodes started strongly but The Animal got back into this one and looked like he might pick up the victory.
At the climax of the match Rhodes slid a chair into the ring behind the referee’s back, although Batista was the first to get to it. The official turned round just in time to see The Animal holding the chair in his hand and called for the bell, gifting Priceless the victory via disqualification.
Tonight’s main event will be a 3 on 1 Handicap match!
Priceless win by Disqualification.
Match 2
Divas Tag Match
Maryse & Jillian Hall
Vs.
Mickey James & Kelly Kelly
Before the match Maryse said something in French, then said if she wasn’t Maryse, she’d want to be.
It looks like a rivalry is slowly building between Mickey James and Marsye, although at the moment the creative team haven’t really given me a reason to care.
This was a pretty good divas bout, especially when Mickey and Maryse got to go one on one, but until this rivalry escalates there is going to be something missing that will really hold everyone’s interest.
Mickey scored the pin over Diva’s Champion Maryse for the second week running with a big jumping DDT after Kelly Kelly had taken Jillian out of the equation with a flying clothesline from the apron.
Mickey James & Kelly Kelly win by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Missing Legacy Members / Cena’s Exhibition Match
Josh Matthews introduced Orton then asked him his thoughts on the 3 on 1 match. Just as Orton began to answer DiBiase interrupted and informed him that Cody had disappeared. The two fled to look for him as the show went to a commercial.
After the break and a recap of the Cena/Big Show situation Chavo and Vikki are shown chatting backstage. Chavo (who seems to have been influenced by Show) suggests that Cena compete in an ‘exhibition’ match tonight to see if he is going to be able to compete at Judgement Day.
Vikki likes the idea and books an ‘exhibition match’ between Cena and The Miz tonight.
After a Judgement Day preview from Cole and King, Orton is shown finding Rhodes backstage, before both of them find that DiBiase has been attacked by Batista and potentially put out of tonight’s main event.
Match 3
Singles Match
Carlito
Vs.
‘The’ Brian Kendrick
Kendrick apparently requested this match after losing to Carlito last week, although in the first couple of minutes he might have been wishing he hadn’t done.
However, moments later he took advantage when Carlito ran into the ring-post, rolling the Tag Team Champion up for an upset victory and his first win on Raw.
After the match Kendrick said this was step one, with step two being finding a partner and step three winning the Unified Tag Titles. It’ll be interesting to see who he gets paired up with.
‘The’ Brian Kendrick wins by Pinfall.
Match 4
Exhibition Match
John Cena
Vs.
The Miz
The rules of this one are as follows:
No Pinfalls, No Submissions, (I assume) No D.Q’s or Count Outs. Basically this match runs until Vikki Guererro ends it, presumably when she has decided if Cena is suitable to compete at Judgement day.
Big Show made his way to ringside before the match, and Miz sounded off as he came down the ramp, taking shots at Cena’s movies and rap albums. He also decided that at the end of this he would be 3-0 over Cena, despite the fact this match won’t actually have a winner.
I didn’t really see a point to this. Miz started well but Cena took charge pretty quickly. Just as he was moving in for the kill Vikki appeared on the screen and said she had seen enough, deciding that Cena wouldn’t stand a chance against Show. The Miz then hit a sneaky DDT on Cena and left him laying in the ring as Big Show smirked to himself at ringside.
Segment 3
More Legacy / Santina comes out
Cody and Randy discuss tactics backstage, with Cody saying they should take the fight to The Animal.
Orton tells Rhodes it’s time to prove himself by finding Batista and taking him out.
After the commercials Vikki Guererro has a meeting with Santina, asking her if she referred to her as ‘Swine-Like’ last week. Santina says that it wasn’t her, it was Santino.
Chavo accuses them of being the same person, then Vikki says she will prove it by getting Rosa to give him a good luck kiss. When she can’t resist and plants a smacker on Rosa, she explains that she is a ‘Lesbiano’.
She then says that she prefers the company of women but not pigs, before grunting in Vikki’s face and walking out.
Rhodes is then shown searching for Batista with a lead pipe. He almost attacked Hornswoggle by mistake before being taken out by The Animal.
Match 5
‘Divas’ Match
Beth Phoenix (w/Rosa Mendes)
Vs.
Santina Marella
Phoenix asserted her dominance by displaying seemingly superior strength and wrestling ability, although it was Santina who once again snatched the win with a roll-up, completely against the run of the match.
Santina Marella wins by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Cena Interview and the V.I.P Lounge
Josh Matthews asks Cena how he will even be able to compete this Sunday considering what he has been through in the past few weeks.
Cena turned his response into some sort of metaphor about the current economic climate, saying he will adapt and overcome to beat Show at Judgement Day.
M.V.P then made his way to the ring for another edition of the V.I.P Lounge. After footage of Regal’s involvement in M.V.P’s match last week he called him to the ring for an explanation.
Regal came out and said it was upsetting that M.V.P had come to Raw and started acting like he owns the place. He went over how he used to be G.M and won the King of the Ring.
Regal then said that M.V.P perfectly represented the U.S.A as he is arrogant, misguided and despised by the rest of the world, which incited a big U.S.A chant from the crowd.
Just as it looked like the two might square up, Matt Hardy made his way from the back and began whining about being forced to compete while he has a broken hand.
Matt tells Regal he should wait his turn, as if anyone deserves a shot at the champion it’s him. Kingston then jumped Hardy, prompting Chavo to appear and book an impromptu tag team match featuring the four men.
Match 6
Tag Team Match
Matt Hardy & William Regal
Vs.
M.V.P & Kofi Kingston
The commentary team used this match as an opportunity to speculate on whether Matt’s hand is truly broken, while the four guys in the ring put on a pretty good match.
Kofi and Regal didn’t really gel but rather than making things look sloppy it actually made Regal’s offence look more impressive although it was clear he was delivering things a little on the stiff side.
At the climax of the bout Kofi Kingston delivered a kick to Matt’s hand which lead to him walking out on the match. M.V.P then dispatched Regal with the Playmaker to pick up the win for his team.
M.V.P & Kofi Kingston win by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
Randy Orton
Vs.
Batista
Orton came to the ring and immediately began trying to back out of the match but the swift arrival of Batista prevented him from doing so, even when he attempted to flee through the crowd.
Batista hit a pair of Spinebusters before heading to the outside and grabbing a steel chair, which he drove down onto Orton’s back and then ankle, much like Legacy did to Shane McMahon last week.
Batista then went for the steel steps and looked like he was in the process of pulling off the perfect one-man ambush attack. However, just as he was about to bring the steps down onto Orton’s ankle Priceless returned and momentarily saved their leader.
The numbers game looked like it might catch up with The Animal, but he easily managed to fight off all three members of Legacy, standing tall in the centre of the ring as the show went off the air.
Randy Orton wins by Disqualification.
The ECW Digest – 12/05/2009
Opening Segment
For the first time in 4 years…
Before the title music has even played we are shown Swagger and Christian backstage with interim G.M Tiffany.
She declares that for the first time in over 4 years The Peep Show will return to WWE television, and Christian has requested Swagger be the special guest.
She tells both men that they are permitted to talk about anything they want, but as they are representing ECW at Judgement Day they are not allowed to lay a finger on each other. Doing so will apparently lead to serious consequences.
Opening Match
Singles Match
Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas)
Vs.
Tommy Dreamer
Neither one of these men are known for their amazing mat skill or technical ability, so I’m fully expecting more of a brawl than a wrestling match in this opener.
Dreamer began focusing on Henry’s right arm almost from the offset and although it seemed to weaken the World’s Strongest Man, it wasn’t long before he regained control and began to dominate.
The ECW Original fought back valiantly and scored a very long 2 count which was only prevented from being a 3 by Henry smartly putting his foot on the ropes.
However, moments later Henry planted Dreamer with a World’s Strongest Slam and covered for the win. Not as terrible as I’d expected and (I can’t believe I’m saying this) a good showing from Henry.
Mark Henry wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Interview with Tyson Kidd
Helms is once again on interview duty tonight. He asked Kidd how Natalya being banned from ringside will affect his match with Finlay tonight.
They played up the Hart dungeon connection before Kidd headed off for his match and Natalya wished him luck. Helms then asked Natalya if she wanted to watch the match with him, and uttered a ‘What’s up wid dat’ when she flat out refused.
Match 2
Singles Match
Finlay
Vs.
Tyson Kidd
I really hope they let Kidd show his talent here tonight and don’t make out that he has to rely on Natalya to pick up victories.
I have an idea of what might happen in this match, with rumours of a Hart Foundation revival circulating and a very interesting draft pick moving to ECW, but I’ll say no more until it does or doesn’t happen.
Finlay seemed to have the better of this match although Kidd displayed some sound tactics, firstly by putting some distance between him and his opponent when he needed to, as well as taking every opportunity to hit some offence.
As I thought might happen, just as Finlay looked like taking the match D.H Smith appeared through the crowd. He and Kidd began double teaming Finlay, brutalising him with the Shaleighle before hitting ‘The Hart Attack’, a move made famous by Jim Neidhart and Bret Hart.
Finally Natalya joined them in the ring as they posed over Finlay’s motionless body.
The crowd really seem to dislike this new union, which is perfect.
Finlay wins by Disqualification.
Segment 3
The Birchill’s complain
After Zack Ryder begs Tiffany to let him go to the gym, The Birchill’s enter her office. Paul says that he can’t help but notice that he isn’t on the card tonight, just as he wasn’t on the card last week either. Tiffany explains that not everyone can be on the show every week, upsetting Paul who walks out.
Katie Lee then tells Tiffany that when her brother has too much time on his hands, he tends to get into trouble.
After this there was yet another random Kozlov promo. As awful as it was, I’m guessing it is still going to be better than the upcoming match.
Match 3
Singles Match
Vladimir Kozlov
Vs.
Chad Collyer
Once again it’s time to delve into the career of another of WWE’s jobbers!
Collyer is quite accomplished in comparison to the ‘local talent’ Kozlov has been squashing recently. Having trained primarily under Dean Malenko in 1997, Collyer had mixed success working in the Heartland Wrestling Association, as well as touring England and Japan.
In 2002 he was called up to the WWE where he jobbed a few times on the now defunct ‘Jakked’ show before being released in the same year.
He made a few more appearences for the WWE before working in TNA and Ring of Honour where he wrestled a number of matches with Matt Stryker (I’m seeing a pattern emerge here.)
Looking at a brief summary of his career I’d put him in the same ballpark as the Brooklyn Brawler in terms of being a perrenial jobber, although a very accomplished one at that.
So with that in mind it was no surprise that come the end of this match Kozlov had his hand raised with hardly a drop of sweat on his brow.
After the match Josh Matthews asked Kozlov what sets him apart from the other WWE Superstars. He babbled something about Russia being dominant.
Vladimir Kozlov wins by Pinfall.
Closing Segment
The Peep Show
I remember the set of The Peep Show looking a lot cooler than it does now. I’m sure it used to have like a flame motif and a sofa etc, now it is just a few ‘C’s on the canvas, a pair of directors chairs and some signs mounted on the ring posts.
After a brief intro Christian welcomes Swagger to the ring.
Swagger says this segment is stupid and Christian tells him that people will start to think he is a sore loser rather than just a straight up loser like he usually is.
Swagger says that he wants to talk about how Christian cheated at Backlash, rolling a clip of the incident. Swagger asks Christian how he feels after seeing the clip.
Christian thanks him for showing his title victory one more time, then says that he noticed how Swagger had omitted how he removed the opposite turnbuckle cover and had planned to use it.
Christian then played a clips reel of his own which poked fun at Swagger’s short tongue. Afterwards Swagger asked demanded to know what it proved and Christian admitted that it proved nothing but he enjoyed making him look like a fool.
Swagger re-iterated that he is going to take back the title at Judgement Day, then goaded Christian saying he couldn’t attack him during the show because Tiffany had said so.
Christian found a way around this by declaring the show over, before drilling Swagger with the microphone and getting the upper hand going in to Judgement Day.
The Superstars Recap - 14/05/2009
Opening Match
Singles Match
Rey Mysterio
Vs.
Shelton Benjamin
John Morrison has joined J.R and Todd Grisham on commentary for this match, no doubt to further the bubbling rivalry between himself and Shelton.
Morrison seems to have pretty much completed his shift from one of the biggest heels outside the title picture to fan favourite, spending the match being overly friendly with the commentary team and complementing Mysterio.
Shelton and Rey took things back and forth both inside and outside the ring, before the Gold Standard took advantage and locked in an abdominal stretch after countering the 619.
Morrison continued his face act by praising Shelton’s in-ring performance, but evened it out by claiming he was socially awkward backstage and insulting his hair.
Things continued to go back and forth but it was Rey Mysterio who eventually grabbed the win with a 619/Splash combination, after hitting a highlight reel of moves.
After the match Morrison and Benjamin squared up at ringside, before the two had a set to which saw The Friday Night Delight come out on top.
Rey Mysterio wins by Pinfall.
Match 2
Singles Match
Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas)
Vs.
Christian
Even the inclusion of Christian couldn’t save this match from being tedious.
Christian tried his best to make things entertaining but due to a combination of Henry’s average performance and the fact that their styles completely clashed, this one was duller than Vladimir Kozlov’s ring attire.
The conclusion of the match was no more interesting than the rest of it.
After Christian failed to gain the required momentum to hit a Sunset Flip, Henry attempted to sit on him but failed spectacularly. Christian then hit a cross body from the second rope and picked up the 3 count.
Christian wins by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
The Big Show
Vs.
Hornswoggle
Until now the best example of a ‘David Vs. Goliath’ match was something along the lines of The Big Show Vs. Rey Mysterio. I think after tonight’s show, we’ll have a much better definition.
Make no mistake, this match is nothing more than hype for the Cena/Show match at Judgement Day and I’d be incredibly surprised if Cena doesn’t come to the aid of the little Leprechaun at some point.
Hornswoggle gave his very best ‘scared little kid’ performance as he made his way to the ring, finally joining Show inside the squared circle after some serious consideration.
The bell rang and after the two squared up (kind of) Show raised the little guy above his head and teased that he would throw him into the crowd. Instead he put him on the top turnbuckle and laid down, telling his opponent to deliver a Tadpole Splash, before moving out of the way and letting him crash and burn.
Aid arrived for Hornswoggle in the very bizarre form of Goldust (who looks like he’s been working pretty hard in the gym-kudos to him.)
The Bizarre One slid into the ring and tried to take down Big Show but to no avail, falling victim to the giant’s offence and ending up being left in a heap.
After Show left the ringside area Hornswoggle slid into the ring and checked on his fallen saviour as the show went off the air.
The Big Show wins by Disqualification.
The Smackdown Summary - 15/05/2009
Opening Match
Tag Team Match
John Morrison & C.M Punk
Vs.
The Worlds Greatest Tag Team
Morrison’s face turn now seems to be 100% complete as he is now teaming with a former opponent and they have ‘mutual respect for one another’, as J.R so eloquently put it.
Conversely it looks like Haas is going the other way; from fun loving impressionist and fan favourite to Shelton Benjamin’s lackey. It was nice to see the Worlds Greatest Tag Team back together but I would have liked to have seen them come out to Haas’ music (the music they used as a tag team) and in the mauve training suits.
Morrison and Punk worked well as a team despite this being the first time they had joined forces, displaying more tag flair than the experienced team of Benjamin and Haas.
The W.G.T.T finally started clicking towards the end of the match, isolating Morrison and making frequent tags to keep themselves fresh.
The tag was eventually made allowing Punk to enter the ring and take it the fight to Shelton Benjamin. However, after a blind tag Haas quickly regained the upper hand and began to isolate Punk much in the same way they had done to Morrison.
The end of the match came when Punk managed to tag a refreshed John Morrison in. He knocked down Haas while Punk took Shelton out of the picture then hit the ‘Starship Pain’ (a split-legged corkscrew moonsault) to grab a win that many will consider an upset.
A very good opening bout.
C.M Punk & John Morrison win by Pinfall.
Segment 1
Please welcome Chris Jericho
Jericho makes his way to the ring and delivers some spiel about not fearing Judgement Day because he has done nothing that could be judged in a negative way.
He then turned his attention to the crowd, Teddy Long and the entire Smackdown locker room, claiming there was a conspiracy against him. He then said that come the end of Judgement Day the conspiracy would be no more as he will have won the Intercontinental Championship.
Finally he focused on Rey Mysterio, blaming him for the loss he suffered to Jeff Hardy last week on Smackdown. He guarentee’d that we will not see a 619 at Judgement Day on Sunday, but you will see a new I.C Champion; Chris Jericho.
Jericho then claimed he was the leader of Smackdown and demanded Rey come to the ring so they could settle this right now. Instead of Mysterio, Edge joined Jericho in the ring and clearly had a bone to pick about what he had just said.
Edge said he was sick and tired of hearing Jericho’s voice, then began to lay claim to Smackdown and Jericho’s T.V. time, before calling out Jeff Hardy.
Teddy Long appeared from the back and told them both that Smackdown belonged to neither of them, but instead belonged to the WWE Universe. He then booked the main event which will pit Jericho against Edge,
We then saw Jeff (clad in more ridiculous face paint) heading to the ring for the next match.
Match 2
Singles Match
Jeff Hardy
Vs.
Ricky ortiz
While Ortiz made his way to the ring a screen-split showed a promo he had pre-recorded. He told the fans that to beat Jeff Hardy he was going to need them all to ‘rally up’.
I think Zack Ryder has a rival for poorest catchphrase.
Ortiz looked good on his Smackdown début and this certainly wasn’t just a warm up match for Jeff as I assumed it would be.
The former ECW Superstar displayed some good offence but a Twist of Fate/Swanton put him away. Despite being a very short match that he lost, this will have done no harm to Ortiz’s reputation with the fans.
After the match Josh Matthews asked Jeff how he felt now he has momentum going into Judgement Day.
Jeff said Edge is a creature of habit, stating that he wins the title at a PPV, then he loses it the following one. At Backlash he won the title, so at Judgement Day he will lose it.
Jeff wasn’t as awful as usual when he delivered this promo and seemed to be more relaxed and himself, I hope he realises what he’s doing right and adapts to be more like that in the future.
Jeff Hardy wins by Pinfall.
Match 3
Divas Tag Match
Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox
Vs.
Gail Kim & Melina
This was your run of the mill Diva’s match; nothing special but not difficult to watch, if you catch my drift. It was also Melina’s Smackdown début.
Momentum shifted back and forth and it was Melina who finally did just enough to pick up the pinfall over Michelle McCool while Gail Kim kept Alicia Fox at bay on the outside.
Gail Kim & Melina win by Pinfall.
Match 4
Singles Match
Jimmy Wang Yang
Vs.
Dolph Ziggler
I feel kind of bad for Jimmy Wang Yang. He’s been stuck with this awful gimmick for ages now without actually being used in any way, shape or form.
Every time I see Ziggler wrestle I like him just a little bit more. He might have a ridiculous name/gimmick but Nameth is a real talent and I’d love to see him put into a narcissistic heel tag team with son of Mr. Perfect; Joe Hennig.
Ziggler picked up the win before Khali made his way to the ring and attempted to get some retribution for the chair shots he suffered last week. Ziggler fled to the backstage area with the Punjabi Playboy in toe.
Dolph Ziggler wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Cryme Tyme fire up Eve
Backstage JTG and Shad fire up Eve Torres, telling her that they heard Layla is the one with all the moves and that she has been insulting her mother.
Eve walked up to Layla at the make-up counter and poured powder in her hair before the two brawled and had to be dragged apart.
Match 5
Singles Match
R-Truth
Vs.
Mike Knox
Knox scored a big victory last week and now R-Truth has a chance to pull even at 1 victory each.
Just like last week there was nothing amazing going on here, Truth picked up the win with a Flying Elbow Lariat that usually wouldn’t even get a 2 count.
R-Truth wins by Pinfall.
Segment 3
Interview with Rey Rey
Josh Matthews asked what he thought about Jericho’s claims that there would be no 619 at Judgement Day.
Mysterio called him arrogant, egotistical and deceitful and that he needs to understand that respect is earned not given.
J.R and Todd Grisham then did an in-ring summary of what is set to take place at Judgement Day.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
Edge
Vs.
Chris Jericho
Jericho and Edge sized each other up at the start of the match before brawling to the outside.
The fans didn’t know who they should cheer for and as the match progressed it seemed like this caused them to lose a little bit of interest.
After much back and forth action which included both men attempting to get a cheap victory by using the ropes, Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho. Edge refused to quit despite having an important title match in just a few days time, making it to the ropes before hitting a Spear out of nowhere.
Jericho cleverly rolled to the outside to prevent being pinned, then hung Edge up over the top rope before considering using a steel chair. Edge booted Jericho in the face and the referee called for the bell, causing mass confusion as neither man seemed to have done anything wrong.
Edge grabbed the chair but before he had chance to use it Jeff Hardy ran in and hit a Twist of Fate directly onto the steel.
C.M Punk then made his way to the ring and looked like cashing in Money in the Bank, but once again Umaga appeared and prevented it from happening.
Edge and Hardy fought through the crowd, Umaga and Punk did the same and then just before the end of the show Mysterio ran appeared and began to brawl with Jericho.
Edge wins by Disqualification.
This year’s Judgement Day emanates from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Judgement Day 2009 Live Results
Judgement Day Live Results will appear at the link above as soon as the show begins!
Judgement Day 2009 Previews and Predictions
Previews and Predictions of all the matches set to take place at Judgement Day.
Judgement Day 2009 Confirmed Matches
Find out what matches are scheduled to take place at Judgement Day 2009.
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