5/5 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Vince McMahon appears, C.M. Punk vs. Randy Orton, Ashley Massaro?

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Toronto, Ont.

[Q1] Highlights aired from last week's show of William Regal proclaiming himself the most powerful entity in WWE. Additional footage showed his confrontation with Mr. Kennedy and of Regal pulling the plug on the broadcast...

Vince McMahon stood on the stage and put over William Regal's actions last week as visionary. "As a matter of fact, William Regal reminds me a lot of, well, me." Vince said he was there to endorse Regal fully as the general manager and King of the Ring. Vince asked viewers to show Regal the same respect they show him. He thanked the crowd...

Powell's POV: That was nice. I'm hopeful that we've seen the last of Mr. McMahon for a while.

In the ring, Lillian Garcia introduced William Regal, who came to the ring for a promo. He spoke calmly and said the fans don't have to like him but they must respect him. He didn't like their reaction, so he ordered that the lights be turned off. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler said they were definitely still on the air but wondered whether that was the end of the show.

Regal asked for the lights to be turned on again. The lights went on and Regal threatened to hold the entire show in darkness. "I will not tolerate being disrespected any longer." Mr. Kennedy's entrance music interrupted Regal. Kennedy walked to the ring wearing his Rock-like outfit.

Kennedy entered the ring and immediately stood face-to-face with Regal. Kennedy challenged Regal to a one-on-one match during the show. Regal said it's dreadful when people don't know their place in life. "I'm your superior." Kennedy responded by challenging Regal to prove it.

Regal booked Kennedy in a match against Kane, C.M. Punk, John Morrison, The Miz, and the entire ECW roster. Kennedy clapped. "It's a little arrangement I have with (Armando) Estrada," Regal said. He noted that he struck a deal with Estrada to promote tomorrow night's 100th Anniversary of ECW. He stated again that he won't be disrespected by Kennedy or any other man.

Cue Triple H's music. Hunter walked to the ring with the WWE Title belt draped over his shoulder. Hunter told Regal he made a mistake when he cut off his match last week. He warned Regal that it wouldn't be a good idea to go to war with him.

[Q2] Regal said he doesn't want that because Hunter is too busy. He added Hunter to the main event by putting him on Kennedy's team against the entire ECW roster. Lawler said the match would be the 14 wrestlers that make up the ECW roster vs. Kennedy and Hunter... [C]

Powell's POV: The entire ECW roster? 14 wrestlers? There was a time when people would have been outraged, but the current version of ECW is so lame that I don't think most people care. By the way, Regal so cool right now. He sounds like a freaking Jedi. I keep waiting for him to refer to Kennedy as a Padawan learner. Seriously, the guy sounds like Obi-Wan Kenobi (the Ewan McGregor version). All joking aside, I love how laid back his character is. He's made the most of his push so far.

1. Mickie James defeated Beth Phoenix in a lumberjack match to retain the WWE Women's Title at 9:10. Yes, Ashley is at ringside. The director went out of his way to include a couple of shots of her. Lillian didn't do the in-ring introductions like they've been doing for title matches. They cut to commercial early in the match. [C]

[Q3] Late in the match, Melina went to strike Mickie with her boot, but she struck Beth instead. Mickie rolled up Beth for the win. After the match, Mickie celebrated with the babyfaces divas and the alleged $25,000 Woman...

Powell's POV: I believe the gimmick was that Mickie was watching her on the monitor because she never turned around when Melina went to strike her with the boot. A really good match. I think there was more money in putting Mickie in chase mode, though, because it seems odd for the Glamazon to be losing so frequently.

Backstage, Regal informed Chris Jericho that he would be teaming with Shawn Michaels in a match against John Morrison and The Miz. "If Shawn Michaels is 100 percent, you have nothing to worry about," Regal said...

Powell's POV: Um, he's facing Miz and Morrison. I don't think Jericho has too much to worry about. I like their act, but WWE hasn't exactly gone out of their way to push them as world beaters. By the way, Regal didn't say whether the tag titles will be on the line.

Backstage, Trevor Murdoch sang "Stand By Your Man" to the makeup lady. He turned around and spotted Trish Stratus, who received a nice pop. He asked her what she thought. Trish struggled with it and then Ron Simmons showed up and said, "Damn!"...

At ringside, Ross and Lawler announced that Simmons will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. They showed highlights of Simmons from his playing career...

Powell's POV: Good to see Simmons back on Raw. He spent some time in rehab recently and this is the first time they've shown him on camera since then. Oh, and it's always good to see Trish.

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Randy Orton about this match against C.M. Punk. Orton said Punk would find out what it will be like if he ever cashes in his Money in the Bank against him after he regains the WWE Title at Judgement Day... The announcers hyped Carlito's Cabana with Roddy Piper... [C]

[Q4] After ring introductions for the next match took place, Regal walked onto the stage and pulled Ross from the broadcast. He introduced his replacement as a man who has been disrespected—Mike Adamle...

2. Paul Burchill and Katie Lea defeated Jon Cutler in a handicap match at 3:35. Lawler shook Adamle's hand. Ross took off his headsets and handed them to Adamle. In a rehearsed line, Adamle said he didn't know much about Cutler aside from the fact that if he won, they would know that the Cutler would have done it.

In the incest joke of the night, Adamle stated that Katie was a cheerleader before she got together with her brother. Lawler mocked Adamle's lack of knowledge about handicap matches. Random shots aired of Ross sitting in a chair next to the announcers' table. In the end, Burchill hit the curb stomp and let Katie get the pin. Afterward, Lawler said he wouldn't complain about Adamle's announcing because the line is too long.

After Adamle walked away, Lawler said, "J.R. please come home." Still sitting in a chair near the table, Ross raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders...

Backstage, Shawn Michaels told Jericho that he would try his best even though he's legitimately hurt... [C]

Powell's POV: They didn't even have Lawler ask Adamle where he went last week during ECW. Strange. Good tie-in with Regal, but just awkward execution.

[Q5] 3. Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels defeated John Morrison and The Miz in 4:10. Ross rejoined Lawler on commentary. Michaels hobbled to ringside on his bad knee while Jericho shot him a skeptical look and then shook his head in disgust when HBK knelt down to strike his in-ring pose.

Jericho worked the match while Michaels stood in the corner and played cheerleader. In the end, HBK snuck in the ring and tagged Morrison with Sweet Chin Music. Jericho hit the Lionsault for the win. Michaels hobbled to the back while Jericho stood in the ring and watched the replay on the big screen...

The announcers hyped the main event, and Orton vs. Punk... [C]

Powell's POV: Have they explained why HBK is wrestling if he's so injured?

[Q6] 4. Randy Orton fought C.M. Punk to a no-contest in 4:00.. After a few minutes of solid back and forth action, Regal walked onto the stage and said that he was turning off the lights in a demonstration of his authority. "This match is officially over." The crowd hated it... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm really enjoying Regal. That being said, I don't think it's a wise move to make viewers feel like they shouldn't get emotionally involved in a match because Regal could stop it at any time.

Backstage, Grisham caught up to Orton backstage. Orton said he was cool with Regal pulling the plug last week, but he's not happy about it happening again this week. He said he was headed to Regal's office to find out what the hell is going on...

Carlito stood in the ring for the Cabana segment. He aired the footage of Roddy Piper slapping Santino Marella last week and said it wasn't cool. Piper referred to Santino as the "Super Mario guy." Funny. Carlito said Piper is lucky he wasn't there last week because he would have slapped him back. Piper mocked Carlito's hair.

Santino Marella's music played and he walked to the ring and told Carlito he didn't have to lay a hand on Piper. "He's all mine," Santino said. He mocked Piper for taking eight years to becoming Intercontinental Champion. "I did that on my first day in the company," Santino said.

Piper took a dig at Santino's DUI arrest by replying, "What you need to do, first of all, is get a designated driver, baby." A large segment of the crowd popped for the line. The heels squared off in a fighting pose. Cody Rhodes walked onto the stage. He introduced Cryme Tyme. The heels split. Cryme Tyme changed their "Money Money" chant to "Rowdy Roddy"...

Powell's POV: Good line by Piper. I'm not sure he was the right guy to deliver that line, but so be it. The crowd chanted along with Cryme Tyme initially. Piper danced horribly and then they tried to keep the chant going way too long. Lame skit with too many guys trying to get rub from Piper.

[Q7] [C] The announcers ran through the Judgement Day pay-per-view lineup of Triple H vs. Randy Orton in a cage match, plus John Cena vs. JBL...

Backstage, JBL stood next to his limo wearing his stupid Mamajuana jacket and invited viewers to take a ride with him in his stretch limousine. He continued to talk until the limo parked on the entrance ramp. He got out of the car and continued to talk. He said he wished he was facing Cena, but would settle for beating up a Canadian. "The Canadian Bulldog, boy that's clever," JBL said. He said said Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith can't help him. "In fact, Harry, God can't help you right now," JBL said...

5. JBL squashed D.H. Smith in 1:00. All JBL, who finished off Smith with a Clothesline from Hell. JBL continued to beat on Smith after the match until several referees ran out and stopped him... [C]

Powell's POV: Smith tried to look angry at JBL's comments, but it didn't really work. For that matter, the crowd didn't really rally behind Smith despite the comments about Davey, Bret, and God. Clearly, the Canadian fans don't like God. Yes, I'm kidding.

[Q8] Backstage, Regal addressed the ECW wrestlers. Regal told them they all get to go out on Raw and make a statement on the eve of the 100th episode of Raw. More importantly, he said, they get to show Triple H, Kennedy, and the rest of the Raw roster that they can never disrespect him again. He said he wouldn't turn out the lights, but he expects a victory. Most of the wrestlers left the room, but Kane stayed behind to glare at Regal briefly before joining the rest of the C-Team squad, er, ECW wrestlers...

Highlights aired from Smackdown of Vickie Guerrero stripping Undertaker of the World Hvt. Championship... Ring introductions for the ECW wrestlers took place. Well, everyone was introduced together except Kane, who got his own entrance...

6. Kane, C.M. Punk, John Morrison, The Miz, Shelton Benjamin, Elijah Burke, Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely, Mike Knox, Tommy Dreamer, Kofi Kingston, Nunzio, Matt Striker, and Stevie Richards defeated Triple H and Mr. Kennedy in a handicap match at 5:43. Before the match, Ross noted that Hunter's a 12-time champion, which puts him ahead of The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and others. He also leads the WWE in marrying the boss's daughter, but J.R. left that part out.

Kennedy and Burke started the match. Ross said the match is one fall to a finish, so they won't be eliminating 10 ECW wrestlers before losing the match. Kennedy tagged in Hunter and then Burke tagged in Striker.

[Overrun] At 5:30, Kane chokeslammed Kennedy. Chavo went up top and Kane grabbed him by the throat, but Neely cut him off. Chavo hit the Frogsplash on Kennedy for the win. After the match, Hunter started plowing through ECW wrestlers until he got to Knox, who actually won their punching battle. Hunter won the war, though, as he stole the chair that Knox brought in the ring and creamed just about everyone with it.

The lights went out and the crowd booed. When they came back on, Sabu, er, Randy Orton was standing in the ring and he immediately hit the RKO on Hunter. Either Ortonw as afraid to move because he had to poop or he was trying to look menacing while standing over Hunter. Either way, the show mercifully came to an end...

Powell's POV: That show really sucked. I'll have a lot more to say about how much it sucked in the Raw Hitlist on Tuesday. Until then, I encourage you to check out Rich Twilling's review to see if he thinks the show sucked as much as I do.

Am I being too hard on the show? Whether you agree or disagree with my assessment of Raw, you are welcome to send a paragraph or two of comments to dotnetjason@gmail.com for a possible mailbag feature.