WWE Raw Flashback: WrestleMania 26 go-home show - Randy Orton and Triple H vs. Legacy and Sheamus, Hall of Famer Pete Rose as the guest host, John Morrison vs. The Miz, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels

The following is Rich Twilling's "Live Coverage" report of the March 22, 2010 WWE Raw television show. Check back tonight for Jason Powell's WWE Raw live coverage review. Dot Net Members can look forward to an exclusive audio review of the show later tonight. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from San Jose, Calif.

[Q1] The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage to kick off the final Raw before WrestleMania 26. Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed us to the show. King hyped tonight's Triple H and Randy Orton vs. Legacy and Sheamus main event...

Shawn Michaels' music hit and he made his way to the ring in a t-shirt and jeans. Highlights of HBK hitting Sweet Chin Music on the Undertaker on Smackdown were shown. Shawn said he had a feeling and it was the same feeling he had in January of 1992 when he put Marty Jannetty through the Barbershop window, in 1996 when he beat Bret Hart for the WWE Championship, and last week when he kicked Taker's teeth down his throat.

Shawn said with his new DVD set coming out, it looks like it could be the end for him. He instructed his fans to clear off space on their DVD shelves because this was just the beginning. He said after WrestleMania, he would not be the icon, the main event, or the co-founder of DX. He said he would be remembered as the man who ended Undertaker's WrestleMania streak.

The lights went out and the crowd went nuts. A Shawn Michaels career perspective video was shown and it ended with Undertaker's voice saying "Shawn Michaels career will rest in peace." An AWA era photo of Shawn with "Shawn Michaels' career: 1985-2010" on the screen. Shawn called Taker out but Pete Rose came out instead to the Fox NFL music.

Rose said Shawn was the man to end Undertaker's streak. He put Michaels in a match tonight against Kane and wanted Michaels to get revenge on Kane for everything he has done to him in the past. He said it would have the same stipulations as the WrestleMania match. Michaels said he would get revenge for Rose and himself...

Twill's Two Cents: I would have liked to have seen Taker here, but I'm guessing we'll get a final sell for their match later in the show. Just to clarify, Michaels does not have to retire if he loses tonight; the stipulations refer to the no countout or disqualification. Beyond that, solid way to open the show.

A short video package hyping Batista vs. John Cena was shown. The two will have a face to face confrontation tonight... [C]

[Q2] The Raw Rewind showed highlights of Big Show and The Miz vs. R-Truth and John Morrison from two weeks ago...

1. John Morrison (with R-Truth) defeated The Miz (with Big Show) in 8:29. Show and Truth joined the announce booth. Show will face Truth on Friday Night Smackdown. Morrison kicked Miz to the floor and followed that up with a springboard moonsault... [C]

Back from commercial, Miz was in control of the match in the center of the ring. He hit a reverse neck breaker onto the apron during the break. He focused on the head and neck of Morrison. Morrison turned the tides and scored a nearfall.

Miz tried a superplex but Morrison hit a sunset flip powerbomb. He followed that up with Starship Pain for the clean victory. After the match, Morrison had a dropkick for Show, who chased off both of his WrestleMania opponents...

Twill's Two Cents: When Show retires, he has a future as a color analyst. He was great. Good opening match with a surprising clean finish. They will have more buildup to the tag title match on Friday night. Miz is the new Jericho in that a loss doesn't really hurt him.

Backstage, Triple H was taping up and was approached by somebody. "What makes you think I want to talk to you?" Randy Orton appeared. Hunter said just because they have common enemies doesn't mean their past goes away. He said he would drop Orton tonight if he needed to. Orton said Hunter hasn't yet made it to WrestleMania... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Short, but effective. I'm glad Triple H (finally) mentioned the near ridiculousness of the fact that he is teaming with Orton given their personal past.

The WWE NXT spoilers are now available on the main page.

[Q3] The San Francisco 49ers were shown in the crowd. Another Batista vs. John Cena hype video was shown and their face off was plugged...

Jack Swagger was in a suit and he joined the announce team. The Money in the Bank briefcase was shown hanging high above the ring. They hyped the upcoming match to determine the tenth and final man to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania...

2. Kofi Kingston defeated Vladimir Kozlov to earn the final slot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania in 2:18. Swagger said he wanted "Kof" to win because he wanted no part of Kozlov. After being dominated early, Kofi hit the TIP and scored the three count...

Swagger said after he wins at WrestleMania, he might challenge one of the champions that night. A graphic with all ten men in the match was shown as Kofi celebrated...

Twill's Two Cents: Swagger was surprisingly good on commentary. The MITB field is finally set and it's wide open as to who will win it. Nobody stands out as the obvious choice and that is a good thing. Does anyone else when Kozlov was challenging for the WWE Championship on pay-per-views?

Shawn Michaels vs. Kane was hyped for later... [C]

[Q4] Cole and King reminded everyone that Stu Hart will posthumously go into the Hall of Fame. Bret Hart will appear live on the show tonight...

Legacy made their entrance and highlights of their involvement, during the Triple H vs. Randy Orton match from last week was shown. Cody took the mic and said he and Ted were finally free after eighteen months of verbal tirades and physical abuse. He said they didn't need Randy Orton; Randy Orton needed them.

Ted DiBiase said it did not matter which one of them won at Mania as long as it was not Orton. Rhodes called himself the future of WWE. He said he was six years younger than Orton and three years younger than DiBiase. Ted said everyone was jealous of him, including Cody. Cody said he would be the winner at Mania...

Twill's Two Cents: Well, that hardly sold their match at WrestleMania. That was not the best promo. I'd like to see both of them watch tapes of their dads and adopt their respective charisma.

Sheamus made his ring entrance... [C]

Triple H and then Randy Orton made their individual entrances. Rare credit for Cole for mentioning Orton's history with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon from last year...

3. Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Sheamus defeated Randy Orton and Triple H in 5:02. Hunter started for his team and took offense from all three of his opponents. Rhodes and DiBiase worked well as a team.

[Q5] Orton received the hot tag and the crowd popped huge. He hit his signature spots and set up Sheamus for the RKO as the crowd cheered him on. Rhodes came up on the apron and Orton caught him for the hanging DDT, but Sheamus hit a bicycle kick on Orton for the win...

After the match, Legacy rolled Hunter into the ring for Sheamus. Sheamus tried to hit a bicycle kick on Hunter, but he ducked and closelined Sheamus to the floor. Hunter's music played as Sheamus teased going back into the ring after Triple H...

Twill's Two Cents: I was expecting a little more than that. The focus was definitely on Triple H vs. Sheamus and not so much the triple threat match. Orton took the pin from Sheamus and Hunter disposed of Sheamus afterward. The triple threat match is such an afterthought and Orton deserves better than that.

Another video hyping Batista vs. John Cena was shown...

Twill's Two Cents: The fact they are treated Batista vs. Cena as a huge deal is a very good thing. That is how you hype a WrestleMania main event level match.

Bret Hart was shown walking through the backstage area... [C]

The WrestleMania Week events, beginning Wednesday and run up to the actual event on Sunday, were shown...

Highlights of last week's contract signing for Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon with Steve Austin moderating was shown. Bret made his entrance to a very loud pop. He was in shorts, a leather jacket, backwards hat, and Eric Cartman police officer sunglasses.

Bret said he never thought in his wildest dreams he would be competing at WrestleMania again. He said he left WWE twelve years ago and it left a horrible taste in his mouth that is sometimes still there. However, he can now leave on a good note. Vince always said, "Bret screwed Bret," but starting next week, people will chant "Bret beat Vince."

[Q6] He referred to Vince McMahon calling the Hart family dysfunctional. He said they would be out in full force to induct his father into the Hall of Fame and watch Bret beat Vince on Sunday. He said it would be great for the entire Hart family...

Twill's Two Cents: Yes, it will be be a very special night for the Harts.

Bret said he had a lot of special WrestleMania memories, including his matches with Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Roddy Piper, Owen Hart, and Yokozuna. He said this year's WrestleMania would be the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

Vince McMahon came out to the stage and said, "Bret, one way or another, this Sunday at WrestleMania, you're screwed." Vince's music played...

Twill's Two Cents: Solid promo from Bret and I am ready for this match. Vince's retort was well done as well.

Shawn Michaels was shown walking through the backstage area. Pete Rose stopped him and wished him luck. "Thanks Pete," said Shawn... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Did anyone else laugh when Shawn said, "Thanks Pete?" Just wondering.

4. Shawn Michaels defeated Kane in a no disqualification match in 5:26. Cole said he thought we were seeing Michaels for the last time on Raw. King disagreed and picked Michaels to win on Sunday. Kane was on the offensive with his power early on and scored a nearfall with a side slam.

Michaels locked in a Crossface but Kane quickly made it to the ropes. Kane set up a chokeslam but Michaels rolled through and applied an ankle lock. Again, Kane made it to the ropes and Shawn had to relinquish the hold. Shawn hit the top rope elbow and set up Sweet Chin Music.

[Q7] The lights went out and Undertaker's gong echoed throughout the arena. In the ring, Undertaker appeared and chokeslammed Michaels. The lights went out again and when they came back on, Kane was there and could only score a two count. Michaels wiggled out of a Tombstone and hit Sweet Chin Music for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: That was predictable but fun. The physical contact between Michaels and Taker was kept to a minimum. Bonus points for each announcer picking a winner on Sunday and standing firmly behind their picks.

Footage was shown of Vince McMahon pinning John Cena a couple of weeks back. The face-off was hyped yet again... [C]

Bob Uecker was announced as the next member of the WWE Hall of Fame. A great video package of "Mr. Baseball" was shown, featuring his appearances at WrestleManias 3 and 4, as well as his great portrayal of Harry Doyle in "Major League." Too bad most of his lines were censored. Dick Ebersol will present him...

Cole and King ran down the entire WrestleMania card. I love how each wrestler has their own logo now. Reminds me of the 80s styles promos when wrestlers would talk in front of a huge screen with their log on it...

Christian and Pete Rose were chatting backstage. Rose said Kane was finally taken care of and his luck was changing. He said he had three more World Series rings than the San Francisco Giants. He opened his door and Kane was waiting for him. Kane pulled Rose into his dressing room and presumably beat the crap out of him... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: A Tombstone spot in the ring would have been better, but that was okay too.

[Q8] Footage was shown of Maryse defeating Gail Kim and the involvment afterwards of Layla, Michelle McCool, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres...

5. Michelle McCool, Layla, and Maryse (with Vickie Guerrero and Alicia Fox) defeated Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres (with Kelly Kelly and Mickie James) in :56. Michelle hit the Styles Clash on Gail for the quick victory...

Twill's Two Cents: That was it? That was the "get every diva on the show" match about six days early. The best part was Cole saying King likes Vickie's "Cougar" necklace because he likes cougars when that couldn't be further from the truth.

One last Batista vs. John Cena video aired. Batista and an entourage made their way through the backstage area... [C]

Batista and his security goons made their entrance. "Say hello to the bad guy." He said Cena could not and would not beat him. Bad things happen to Cena when he is the ring with Batista. He mocked Cena's catchphrases and mannerisms. Funny. He said the fans hate him because he is honest and speaks the truth.

[Overrun] Big Dave said the fans mean nothing to him. He was in the company to win titles and make money. He thanked the fat guys in the stands that have to pay for two seats and all of the fans for their money. He said he was done talking and called Cena out.

Cena's music hit and he walked very seriously to the ring without jumping around or saluting. Cena looked like he was going to cry as Batista stood behind his security guards. Cena somberly said he already let the people down the moment Batista became the WWE Champion. Fans chanted "You can't wrestle" at Cena.

Cena went on a diatribe about how he has always believed in himself but wonders if he has enough fight to beat Batista. Batista chimed in and called Cena a common loser. Cena said he was like each of the fans and they were all tired of Batista's garbage.

He said Batista really thought he was an animal but he was bad at his job because Cena is still standing. Batista removed his glasses and looked pissed. Cena said he didn't see an animal, he saw Dave Batista. "Dave Batista can be beat. Dave Batista will be beat."

Cena said he was done talking. Batista was pissed and started talking a lot of smack. Cena attacked Batista and security tried their best to keep them separated. Batista retreated to the back and Cena stood triumphantly in the ring...

Twill's Two Cents: That segment sucked and was horribly weak. It might have worked a little better earlier in the show, but we got all of those video packages for that? This show was very good and paced so well up until the last two segments. I am still not very excited about Cena vs. Batista and that segment did nothing to change that. I'm thrilled for Mania though.