4/14 WWE Raw Live Coverage: Randy Orton vs. William Regal, Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Taped earlier today in London, England

[Q1] Backstage, William Regal was sipping tea when JBL interrupted him. JBL said Regal is spineless like his country for letting Triple H and John Cena in the WWE Title match at Backlash pay-per-view. Regal said Hunter and Cena spared him from booking Orton vs. JBL. Regal booked JBL vs. Triple H for later in the show... The opening video aired to that hideous poppy entrance theme...

Powell's POV: Remember, Regal is the fan favorite this week because they're in London.

Jim Ross introduced himself and Jerry Lawler and said they were broadcasting in front of 17,363 fans... Shawn Michaels walked to the ring in street clothes and and played to the live crowd. Ross said he's looking to the HBK vs. Batista match as much as he has any match in years.

Michaels recapped his story line with Batista relating to the Ric Flair retirement. HBK also recalled injuring his back and being told he'd never be able to wrestle again. He said he's not proud of some of the things he's done in the past, but he's also tired of apologizing it. "Batista, you said the only reason I retired Ric Flair was to boost my ego and that's not the case," Michaels said. But I'll tell you this, what is going to boost my ego—come Backlash—is when I kick your teeth down your throat."

Ric Flair's entrance music interrupted Michaels. Shawn smiled and looked toward the stage. The entrance video played on the big screen and Flair's music continued to play, but several seconds went by before Chris Jericho walked out. Jericho apologized for misleading Michaels, but he wanted to get HBK's attention. "You can gloss over Ric Flair all you want, but we're never going to hear Ric Flair's music again because of you," Jericho said.

Jericho walked to the ring and told HBK that he's a phony...or at least that's what Batista thinks. Good line. Jericho questioned whether HBK enjoyed retiring Ric Flair. "We all know that you thrived on screwing Bret Hart," Jericho added. "It's true, right?" Jericho also brought up HBK superkicking Marty Jannetty through the window and said Batista would appreciate it if HBK just admitted the truth.

Jericho said he thinks Batista is being irrational about Ric Flair, but not about Michaels. He insinuated the Michaels suggested the Flair retirement stipulation. "Just admit it," Jericho said. HBK superkicked Jericho and laid him out. "I'll admit this," Michaels said, "that felt pretty darn good." Michaels danced and left the ring...

Powell's POV: Really strong stuff. Jericho was great. I'm not sure where he fits into this whole picture, but he's doing a great job of antagonizing Michaels.

[Q2] [C] The camera focussed on a throne that was positioned on the side of the entrance stage. Ross announced that the King of the Ring would return next week. He said the tournament would take place in one night on next week's Raw...

Powell's POV: I love it. This could be great. I hope they stack the tournament with some of the better workers and give viewers a show to remember.

1. Santino Marella and Carlito beat Brian Kendrick and Paul London to become No. 1 contenders for the World Tag Titles in 4:00. A backstage shot aired of Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes watching the match on a monitor. Late in the match, Kendrick ran and dove at Santino, who pulled down the top rope and sent Kendrick flying onto the floor at ringside. Moments later, Carlito hit the Backstabber on London and scored the pin. After the match, they cut a promo that was a rare comedy miss with the live crowd for Santino... [C]

Powell's POV: Good action. London and Kendrick just seem like they're working in fast-motion compared to everyone else sometimes.

At ringside, Ross and Lawler showed off the new WWE Kids magazine and said it debuts tomorrow...

[Q3] 2. Mickie James defeated Beth Phoenix to win the WWE Title in 5:15. Lillian Garcia held off on the introductions until both women were standing in the ring. At 2:30, Beth caught Mickie in a double-arm chickenwing. Very cool move. Mickie made a big comeback and scored a great nearfall. Later, Beth grabbed Mickie's arms while facing her back and lifted her into the air. Mickie sold the move, then hit a victory roll out of nowhere for the win. The live crowd popped big. Mickie rolled out of the ring with the title belt and celebrated at ringside... [C]

Powell's POV: The pre-match introduction were definitely TNA-like. Then again, they're also boxing and UFC-like. The match quality was definitely TNA Knockouts-like. Good match and the crowd was very receptive. There's a focus on tag teams and now we got a quality women's match out of nowhere. I like it.

After the break, Mickie was still celebrating on the stage, where she was joined by Ashley and Maria. Lawler asked if he could go back there. Todd Grisham approached her on the stage and asked what it felt like to be the champion again. Mickie flipped out while celebrating and laid a big kiss on Grish's face...

Powell's POV: I loved the way they sold the title change by having Mickie continue to celebrate after the commercial break. Lawler's comment seemed really out of place, though, given that the focus was on the title change and not T&A for a change.

[Q4] Backstage, Mike Adamle asked Regal why he wanted to wrestle "the best in the world." Regal said he did it because he wanted to beat the very best. Adamle departed and Jericho entered the room. He asked Regal to include him in the Batista vs. Michaels match by turning it into a three-way. Regal named his special referee. When Jericho protested, Regal informed him that he'd be defending the title against Umaga later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: Ah, so that's where Jericho fits into the Batista vs. HBK feud. I don't like it. I'd rather head into the pay-per-view thinking there's a chance we'll get a clean finish. Jericho as ref just screams screwjob finish. Of course, it doesn't have to play out that way, but that's how most viewers will see it.

Highlights aired of Anamorph, the Williem Dafoe movie that Mick Foley has a part in. Foley discussed the movie and Dafoe smiled and seemed genuine while he talked about enjoying the experience of working with Foley...

3. JTG (w/Shad) beat Trevor Murdoch (w/Lance Cade) at 1:30. Before the match, a pre-taped segment aired with Cade telling Murdoch that he didn't let him down last time. Of course, that means Cade thinks Murdoch let him down. In the ring, Murdoch hit a cross-body block off the top, but JTG rolled through and scored the pin. Cade entered the ring and just stared at his partner with a frustrated look on his face. Cade patted Murdoch on the shoulder and then left the ring...

Powell's POV: Here's comes the Cade singles push. It's been rumored for a while and WWE officials have high hopes for him.

A backstage shot aired of Randy Orton... [C] A commercial hyped the King of the Ring tournament for next week's Raw...

[Q5] Randy Orton made his entrance and cut a pre-match promo. He said he's beaten everyone there is to beat. He said beating Regal in his own country is an added bonus. "It doesn't matter what continent you're on, we're all living in the Age of Orton"...

4. Randy Orton defeated William Regal in a non-title match at 5:45. The crowd was really hot for Regal. Orton sold it by looking surprised by their reaction. Regal hit a belly-to-back suplex on Orton and dropped him on his head and neck. Regal came back with more suplexes and a knee to the face, but Orton hit the RKO out of nowhere for the win...

Ross hyped JBL vs. Triple H for later in the show... [C] An ad hyped Undertaker vs. Batista for Friday's Smackdown... A shot aired of Umaga yelling...

Powell's POV: That was a really nasty suplex. Orton held his neck after the match. That move aside, this was a fun Regal-style match with mat wrestling and suplexes. The live crowd was hot for everything Regal did.

[Q6] Ross listed Bret Hart, Steve Austin, and Triple H as past King of the Ring winners as a shot aired of Westminster Abbey...

5. Chris Jericho pinned Umaga to retain WWE Intercontinental Title in 15;00. As with the previous title match, Lillian waited until the wrestlers were in the ring to introduce them. At 3:30, Jericho dropkicked Umaga. Jericho ran toward Umaga, who caught him, pressed him up, and dumped him over the top rope. [C]

Umaga dominated the action after the break. Jericho came back and went for a bodyslam, but Umaga's weight was too much for him.

[Q7] Later, Jericho hit a low dropkick and went for the Liontamer, but Umaga fought it off. Umaga came back with a Samoan backdrop for a good nearfall. Jericho avoided the spike, but Umaga caught him with a kick to the chops. Umaga charged Jericho in the corner, but Jericho moved and rolled him up. Jericho placed his feet on the ropes for leverage and scored the pin... [C]

Powell's POV: Very entertaining match. I don't think the crowd really knew who to cheer for, but oh well. Meanwhile, the title match introductions don't have the same effect in WWE as they do in boxing, MMA, and TNA because Lillian is wearing Diva-like clothing. I'm usually the last person to complain about women wearing revealing outfits, but it just doesn't mesh with what they're trying to accomplish with this introductions.

The King of the Ring commercial noted that wrestlers from all three brands will be involved...

6. Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lea) beat Jim Duggan at 1:07. Burchill attacked Duggan as soon as the ref called for the bell to start the match. Hacksaw snuck in a couple of punches, but it was all Burchill otherwise. Burchill finished him off with the American History X kick to the back of the head. Fortunately, Duggan wasn't biting the curb at the time. That scene still makes me shiver whenever I think about it...

The Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama invitation commercial aired... [C]

[Q8] Backstage, Grisham interviewed Triple H about his match against JBL. Hunter mocked Grisham and hyped his match. "You should have kept the cushy little announcing job, JBL, because tonight, for the first time in your life, it's time to play the game," Hunter said...

Ross and Lawler hyped the top Backlash pay-per-view matches... Ring introductions for the main event took place... [C]

7. Triple H fought JBL to a no-contest at 6:00. The match was joined in progress. Back and forth action to start. The live crowd was hot for Hunter's entrance, but they were pretty tame during the opening minutes of the match.

[Overrun} Hunter tossed JBL to ringside and went after him. They brawled at ringside until Randy Orton ran out and attacked Hunter in the aisle. Orton brought Triple H back inside the ring and continue to attack him. Triple H got the better of the exchange and went for a Pedigree, but JBL ran in and kicked Hunter. Orton hit the RKO on Hunter.

JBL grabbed Hunter's head and lifted it up. Orton charged for a kick, but JBL dropped Hunter and hit Orton with the Clothesline from Hell. JBL followed up with a Clothesline From Hell on Triple H. He then picked up the WWE Title and stared at it to close the show...

Powell's POV: Ho-hum main event with a cheap finish. I guess I didn't really expect a clean finish, though, as it wouldn't make much sense to bury JBL, and you just knew Hunter was going to be pinned here. A newsworthy show with the title change, the seemingly renewed focus on the tag division, the King of the Ring tournament announcement, etc. I'll have a lot more to say about the show tomorrow in the Raw Hitlist.