WWE Raw on the USA Network
Taped last Monday in San Jose, Calif.

[Q1] The opening montage aired and featured footage of Shawn Michaels and the wrestlers who were added to the brand in the recent trade... Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped the Triple H vs. John Cena match...

Lilian Garcia introduced Ted DiBiase as the guest host. He walked onto the stage with the Million Dollar Belt draped over his shoulder. DiBiase played to the crowd and was eventually joined by Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes, who escorted him to the ring and held the ropes open for him.

Ted Sr. said he made a phone call and wrote a check when he found out that guest hosts could run Raw for the night. He said it would give him a national forum to remind the people of the greatness that stands before them. He said Ted Jr. and Cody are two of the most naturally gifted young superstars they'll ever see. The fans booed both of them.

DiBiase Sr. said he's been informed that there won't be any title defenses on Raw until the NIght of Champions pay-per-view. Ted announced that Edge and Chris Jericho will defend the Unified Tag Titles against Cody and Ted Jr. The elder DiBiase asked Cody how it made him feel when Mark Henry defeated Randy Orton last week. Cody said it upset him and Henry needs to be punished. Ted Sr. booked Henry vs. Cody for later in the show. Cody wasn't pleased.

Ted Jr. asked his father what he was doing. DiBiase Sr. apologized for not talking to him earlier in the day. He brought up Ted Jr. telling off Randy Orton at The Bash pay-per-view. He said that even though they made amends, Orton is still holding Ted Jr. down. DiBiase Sr. said Orton his using his son. Ted Sr. booked Ted Jr. vs. Randy Orton for later in the show. Ted Jr. wasn't happy. Ted Sr. said his son wouldn't just face Orton, he'd beat him...

Powell's POV: Good opening segment. The live crowd responded favorably to The Million Dollar Man even before he announced the matches. Ted Sr. still has the gift of gab.

After Ted Sr. left the ring, Edge and Chris Jericho came out to the former's entrance music. As Edge and Jericho engaged in a staredown with Rhodes and DiBiase Jr., Cole said the tag champs would face Primo and Carlito in a rematch after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Obviously, they'll be changing the tag title match due to Edge's injury. We might not know the direction they're taking until next week, though, as all of this week's television was taped last week before Edge was injured.

An ad hyped Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Title for Friday's Smackdown...

Powell's POV: I'm curious to know if they'll go back to Rey vs. Jericho now that Edge is out with the Achilles injury.

[Q2] 1. Edge and Chris Jericho defeated Primo and Carlito to retain the Unified Tag Titles in 5:20. After solid back and forth action, Jericho hit the Codebreaker on Primo, and Edge followed up with a spear for the 1-2-3.

After the match, Carlito picked up his brother and rammed him shoulder first the ropes and into the ring post. Carlito picked up Primo and tossed him to the floor where he beat him repeatedly with punches. Carlito picked up his brother again and tossed him over the announcers' table. Carlito left to a loud chorus of boos...

Powell's POV: The live crowd was livelier than you'd expect them to be given that they'd already seen these teams face one another earlier in the night. WWE finally gave the fans a reason to care about Primo and Carlito by feuding them with Edge and Jericho only to break them up just two matches into the feud.

Backstage, Ted Jr. told Cody he doesn't have an option when it comes to facing Randy Orton. Randy entered the room and said there's no shame in losing to him. Ted took offense and reminded Orton that his father is better than Bob Orton Jr. Ted Jr. said he was going to beat Randy later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: It will be interesting to see whether they race into this program or take their time getting to the inevitable Randy vs. Ted Jr. feud. Either way, I see this match as a preview of things to come.

Did You Know six times more people watched Raw last week than the MLB game on ESPN?... The announcers ran through the five wrestlers acquired by the WWE Raw brand in the draft...

[Q3] 2. Mickie James and Gail Kim defeated Maryse and Alicia Fox in 3:25. After some back and forth action, Gail caught Maryse with an innovative move in which she pulled Maryse face first into her foot. Cool move that resulted in Gail scoring the pin...

Powell's POV: It was nice to see Gail spotlighted. It seems odd that they would do so at Mickie's expense when Mickie is challenging Maryse at the pay-per-view, but I'm not complaining.

Backstage, Cody spoke to Ted Sr., who said that he despises Dusty Rhodes. "Why would the Million Dollar Man want anything to with a Common Man?" DiBiase asked. He also said it's a travesty that Dusty is in the WWE Hall of Fame and he's not. Ted said Cody should leave the office before he put him in polka dots just like his old man... [C]

Powell's POV: It is a travesty that The Million Dollar Man isn't in the WWE Hall of Fame. My guess is that he goes in next year. It would be really cool if DiBiase and Randy Savage were in the same class. Yeah, probably just wishful thinking on my part.

Highlights aired from last week of Mark Henry pinning Randy Orton to win the gauntlet match... Ring introductions for the Cody Rhodes and Mark Henry match took place...

[Q4] 3. Mark Henry beat Cody Rhodes via countout in 1:35. Before the match, Cole said it was silly for Cody to attempt to bribe the Million Dollar Man with a couple hundred bucks (forgot that part). Cole said he could be bribed with ten bucks if he ever hosts the show. Early in the match, Henry slammed Cody, whose momentum carried him out of the ring. The referee counted to 10 while Cody stumbled backstage and was intentionally counted out...

Powell's POV: Honestly, I'm not sure they would protect Cody given how many jobs he and DiBiase have done. Then again, I guess you have to start somewhere.

A shot aired of John Cena kissing his fake dog tags... [C] An ad hyped Christian vs. Vladimir Kozlov for a shot at Tommy Dreamer's ECW Title at the Night of Champions pay-per-view...

4. Randy Orton pinned Ted DiBiase in a non-title match in 10:45. It sounds like Cody and Ted have new entrance music again. Here's hoping that every copy of the Priceless song is rounded up and burned. Early in the match, Randy backed Ted into the ropes and then slapped him after releasing him. Randy taunted Ted with "Why" chants, which Ted responded to with a punch. Ted knocked Orton to ringside as the show cut to commercial. [C]

After the break, Orton was back in control with a chinlock. Sadly, Ted had hours and hours hours of footage to scout this hold, so he broke out of it quickly. Orton stomped on Ted a few times. Lawler said Orton was methodically trying to prove to Ted Sr. that the match shouldn't even be taking place.

[Q5] DiBiase came back with a few shots, but Randy quickly regained control of the match. Randy caught Ted in the middle of the second rope and DDT'd him. He cockily called for the referee to make the count, but Ted surprised him by kicking out. Ted went back to the chinlock of doom. Ted proved once again that he's scouted the move by picking up Randy and suplexing him.

DiBiase hit a flying forearm/elbow off the second rope. Cole unenthusiastically said Ted seemed to be starting to believe he could win the match in his own mind. It was the right call, but the wrong level of enthusiasm from Cole. At 10:00, Randy went for the RKO, but DiBiase turned it into a backslide for a near fall. Ted came right back with another good near fall. DiBiase went for the Million Dollar Dream portion of Dream Street, but Randy rolled out of it and hit the RKO for the clean win...

Powell's POV: Nice match. I look forward to seeing more from these two down the road. Here's hoping Jim Ross is calling the match rather than the uninspired and unexcitable Cole. Again, he told the right story, but his lack of passion came shining through.

Backstage, Josh Matthews approached Triple H, who said he doesn't care who he has to hurt or go through to get what he wants. "And that includes John Cena," Hunter said... The announcers hyped Cena vs. Hunter for later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: The in-show hype for the main event has been solid, yet unspectacular. They haven't laid it on thick with the past WrestleMania main event hype like I assumed they would.

Highlights aired of MVP and Sherri Shepherd at the BET Awards. Several celebrities raved about how cute they are as a couple...

Powell's POV: The only thing cooler than dating a chick from "The View" is having celebrities talk about how cute you look together. Sigh.

MVP hosted the VIP Lounge in the ring and introduced Jack Swagger as his special guest. Swagger tried to answer a question before MVP finished asking. MVP chastised him and said Swagger exposed himself as a fraud by being intentionally counted out in the gauntlet match.

[Q6] Swagger pointed out that he went to Oklahoma. He said MVP went to Florida State, but not the university. Swagger said MVP spent nearly 10 years behind bars. MVP said he doesn't hide from his past, he speaks about it openly. He said he ran the streets as a kid. He said he made some bad decisions and paid for them dearly and now spends his time telling his story to kids so they don't make the same mistake.

MVP took one of his shirts and chains off and got in Swagger's face. He said that unlike Swagger, he's never been afraid of a fight. The live crowd chanted MVP's name as he stood face-to-face with Swagger, who slowly backed away. Swagger got to the ropes and said he doesn't fight people below him, especially criminals. MVP said it's obvious to everyone that Swagger hasn't fought at all since he's come to Raw. MVP said he could find him in the VIP Lounge if he ever decides he wants to fight...

Powell's POV: Nice! MVP really shined in that segment, and Swagger is just awesome in his heel role. This segment was so good that I almost forgot the Sherri Shepherd footage.

Backstage, Ted Sr. praised his son for his performance. Ted Jr. got upset and said his father put him in a position to lose. The younger DiBiase said it's his time to shine. Ted Sr. said it's not like that. Ted Jr. slapped his father across the face... [C]

Powell's POV: Quick and to the point. Ted Jr. is going back to being Randy's minion. However, the seed has been planted for his eventual babyface turn.

5. Evan Bourne defeated Kofi Kingston in a non-title match in 2:45. The announcers raved about their high expectations for an innovative match. In the end, Kofi went for a splash in the corner, but Bourne lifted his knees. Evan followed up with a Shooting Star Press for the clean pin.

[Q7] After the match, Bourne and Kofi shook hands. Big Show came to the ring and attacked Kofi. Bourne tried to help Kofi, but Show swatted him away. Bourne tried again, but Show picked him up by the neck and threw him aside. Show applied his version of the Camel Clutch on Kofi and left both wrestlers lying...

Powell's POV: I'm guessing we'll see a three-way between Kofi, Bourne, and Show at Night of Champions. It could be a lot of fun if Show plays base more than dominant giant during the match.

The announcers hyped Cena vs. Hunter for after the break... [C] Did You Know WWE uses fuzzy math?... Highlights aired of a John Cena autograph appearance for "12 Rounds"...

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed John Cena, who said all bets were off regarding his match against Hunter. Cena said Raw had transformed itself into WrestleMania. He said it wasn't just his or Hunter's opinion, it was the opinion of WWE Universe. He said two of the biggest forces in WWE would lock horns and one person would get a shot at the WWE Title. Cena said he respects Hunter, but it's been way too long since he's said the words everyone wants to hear, "The Champ is here"...

Powell's POV: Forgettable promo. Nothing wrong with it, but I can't say it got me more excited about Cena's match with Hunter. At least they're kicking in the WrestleMania talk even if they're not exactly acknowledging their history. It bothers me, though, as I can only imagine what the reaction would be if the Cowboys and Steelers met in the Super Bowl and the announcers never bothered to acknowledge their history.

Triple H made his ring entrance... [C] Another ad aired for Rey vs. Jericho on Friday's Smackdown... Cena made his entrance after the break...

6. Triple H fought John Cena to a no-contest in a No. 1 contenders match in 18:35. The bell rang and Hunter and Cena met in the middle of the ring for a staredown. Cole spoke about how the two wrestlers have been able to get so many mixed emotions out of "the universe."

The wrestlers traded punches early. Hunter connected with a high knee that knocked Cena to the mat. However, Cena dumped Hunter to ringside a few seconds later. Cena went after him and hoisted him up at ringside for the Attitude Adjustment, but Hunter slipped out and shoved Cena into the ring post as the show cut to break just a few minutes into the match. [C]

After the break, Hunter and Cena traded punches and kicks. Hunter got a strong reaction for his offense. Cena had his share of supporters, but most seemed to be women and children, as he received some baritone boos. At 10:45, Cena went for his finisher again, but Hunter avoided the move took control of the offense.

At 11:20, Hunter hit the spinebuster. He set up Cena for the Pedigree, but Cena backdropped him. Hunter came right back with a sleeper hold. Cena eventually powered out of the move and locked Hunter in a sleeper of his own. "This has been a match of whatever you can do I can do better," Cole said. Hunter eventually suplexed his way out of the hold.

[Overrun] Hunter and Cena traded punches. Hunter got the "Yeah" and Cena got the "Boo" as they traded punches. Cena eventually went for a legdrop off the ropes, but Hunter moved. Hunter went for the Pedigree, but Cena avoided the move and went for a cover. After Hunter kicked out, Cena went for his finisher, but Hunter countered with a pin attempt of his own.

At 16:45, Cena applied the STF, but Hunter reached the ropes quickly. Cena pulled Hunter into the middle of the ring, but Hunter caught him with a school boy for a near fall. Later, the two wrestlers went for simultaneous clotheslines and knocked each other down. They both reached their feet at the nine count.

Suddenly, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase hit the ring and attacked Cena and Hunter. Rhodes and DiBiase left the ring quickly after the referee called for the bell. Lilian Garcia started to explain the referee's decision, but Orton cut her off and said he wouldn't face either man since neither one of them won.

The Million Dollar Man came out and said that his take is that Cena and Hunter didn't lose their match. Therefore, they will both challenge for the WWE Title in a Triple Threat match. It will be Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match at Night of Champions...


Powell's POV: Good main event. The live crowd's reaction was predictable in that the women and kids mostly cheered Cena while the men mostly booed him, yet it was still fun. The finish sets up an intriguing three-way for Night of Champions. I'll have more to say about the show in Dot Net Members' Audio either later tonight or Tuesday morning, and in the WWE Raw Hitlist on Tuesday. Thanks for watching along with me. You can gain access to all Dot Net Audio via the link below.

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