By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Pittsburgh, Pa.

[Q1] The show opened with a long recap of the Randy Orton and Edge segment from last week's show...

Powell's POV: The WWE Superstars spoilers are on the main page. By the way, Marv Hermanstyne is discussing WWE Raw right now in the Dot Net Members' Forum. I'll be joining the members tomorrow night during the WWE NXT show.

Randy Orton's music played and he headed toward the ring while Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show on commentary. Cole hyped that over 14,000 fans are in attendance at the show. The announcers hyped Orton vs. Edge for the Over The Limit pay-per-view.

Orton started to deliver a promo, but he was interrupted by Meatloaf. No, really. Meatloaf came to the ring and said he has a new album coming out tomorrow. He held the CD upside down while trying to show it off. Meatloaf said he has a new theme song for Orton that is written by Jon Bon Jovi.

Orton told Meatloaf to hum a few bars. Meatloaf asked Orton to hold up the cover for him and then he said he was going to perform the entire song for Orton. Meatloaf started to sing the song while the song played in the background. Orton didn't look impressed. Meatloaf told him the song picks up.

Meatloaf started to sing a different song and said his album rocks. He said he also has a duet with Jack Black. He continued to hype songs while Orton remained expressionless. Orton finally ended the misery by hitting the RKO on Meatloaf.

Powell's POV: Damn, I didn't think I'd long for the days of watching Eric Bischoff play guitar this soon.

Edge walked onto the stage and ran through the list of celebrities that Orton has attacked. Edge said he agrees with him. He said he doesn't like the celebrities either. He said he called WWE Headquarters to complain. Edge said WWE Headquarters tweeted him back and agreed. He said guest hosts will no longer have any authority on Raw. Yes!

Edge said WWE Raw needs a permanent general manager. He said they need someone who has experience and the moxie to pull it off. He said WWE Headquarters agreed with him. Edge introduced Vickie Guerrero as the new permanent general manager of WWE Raw.

Powell's POV: Well, I guess this is a promotion from serving as the manager for lame ass LayCool.

Vickie walked out to her usual mega-heat while delivering the "Excuse Me" line. Vickie ripped into Orton on the mic. Orton responded by telling her to come to the ring and reprimand him to his face. Edge said Orton is just a bully. Vickie announced that Edge and a partner of his choice will face Orton in a handicap match...

Powell's POV: I'm thrilled to see the guest hosts lose power, which Wade Keller and I were talking about in today's PWTorch Livecast. Unfortunately, I'm not crazy about turning back the clock for another Edge and Vickie Guerrero power trip. Vickie gets great heat, but we've seen this before.

[Q2] A shot aired of Chris Jericho and The Miz walking backstage. Cole said Jericho would be in a match with Unified Tag Title ramifications after the break... [C] Cole and Lawler pointed out a group of Pittsburgh Steelers in the front row...

Powell's POV: Here's hoping Ben Roethlisberger isn't hanging out in the ladies room.

Cole said he confirmed during the break that Vickie is the new general manager. Cole said she's like the Pepper Potts of WWE. Cole and Lawler shared a laugh over the Iron Man reference...

1. Chris Jericho defeated David Hart Smith (w/Natalya) in 3:00 to earn a Unified Tag Title match. If Jericho wins, he gets a Unified Tag Title match for his team. Cole said Tyson Kidd and The Miz have a match later in the show. If Miz loses, he'll be forced to defend the U.S. Title against a member of the Hart family in Toronto next week.

Lawler butchered the explanation for Miz's match, and then he got lost on commentary when Cole asked him what he thought of the Miz and Jericho pairing. Rough night for Lawler thus far. During the match, Smith applied the Sharpshooter, but Jericho reached the ropes. He followed up with a thumb to the eye and the Codebreaker for the 1-2-3.

A shot aired of a smiling Miz watching backstage. Cole said they'll get their tag title shot at the Over The Limit pay-per-view...

A shot aired of Batista and Edge talking backstage... The announcers hyped Flavor Flav as the (powerless) guest host... [C]

Powell's POV: It's not just Lawler. Cole called the Codebreaker like it was a headlock and then acted surprised that Jericho won the match with that move. It's called a finisher, Cole. Call me crazy, but you might want to know what those are. By the way, you know WWE is guilty of throwing too much information at us when their own announcers can't deliver the news without getting tongue tied.

[Q3] The announcers hyped Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk for Friday's WWE Smackdown television show...

R-Truth made his entrance and was accompanied by guest host Flavor Flav, who sang along with him. William Regal, who must have been in the ring, was at ringside in his ring gear. Flav hyped something about being the new Rod Serling and Crypt Keeper. He also hyped R-Truth...

2. R-Truth beat William Regal by DQ in 0:30. Within 30 seconds, Carlito and Primo hit the ring for the DQ. Cole actually said it was "Primo and Carlos." Flav joined in on commentary as they roughed up R-Truth. After the Colons left the ring, Flav headed back in to check on R-Truth. The Colons joined Ted DiBiase, who was dressed in a suit and carrying the Million Dollar Title, at the top of the stage. He handed them both envelopes...

Powell's POV: So Ted paid off the Colons to attack R-Truth. Why not pay them to beat up someone who matters? By the way, did anyone else think the backstage shot of Edge and Batista was very reminiscent of the Hervey-Cam that TNA has been using for their backstage segments on Impact lately?

A video package spotlighted Eve... A pre-taped segment aired with Maryse training with an MMA instructor. The man told her that she wasn't trying hard enough. She got mad and kicked his ass...

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed Randy Orton about his handicap match. Orton said there isn't much he can do about it, but he hopes Vickie Guerrero comes out because he wants it to be a night she'll never forget...

An ad aired to hype Michael Tarver's elimination from NXT...

Powell's POV: Okay, so they didn't hype Tarver's elimination, but this has to happen, right? Then again, this is the same show that featured a winless competitor at the top of the pro's poll...

[Q4] [C] Buzz Aldrin hyped his appearance as the gust host on next week's WWE Raw. He was in an astronaut outfit on a moon set that was worse than they one they used when they staged the moon landing (kidding). Mark Henry hit him from behind with a chair and delivered a "One small step for Raw" line...

3. Evan Bourne beat Zack Ryder in 2:05. Gail Kim and Alicia Fox were at ringside again. Ryder got a little mic work and then called for his opponent. Bourne came out to start the match. At 2:00, Bourne went to the top rope. Alicia tried to stop him, but Gail pulled her down. Bourne hit his finisher and got the pin. Bourne and Gail walked backstage together...

Powell's POV: Ryder's character has hooked up with Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes. That's more ass than John Cena, Undertaker, and Batista's characters have scored combined. I'm just saying.

The announcers hyped that John Cena would announce the stipulation of his Over The Limit match with Batista after the break... [C]

John Cena made his entrance just before the top of the hour and received a big babyface reaction with some scattered boos. Cole hyped that 14,152 fans were in attendance for the last time in the Igloo in Pittsburgh.

[Q5] Cole welcomed viewers who flipped channels at the top of the hour by saying they were watching the longest running... Oh hell, you know the drill. Once the Cena fans cooled off, the boo birds came out. Cena said Sheamus gave him an entire week to think about the match he wants to have with Batista at Over The Limit.

Cena labeled his victory over Batista as "intellectual." He said he thought it was creative, but Batista and some critics saw it as the easy way out and an act of cowardice. He said he's been called a lot of things in his life and deserved every one of them, but he's not a coward.

Cena ran through the match possibilities he could go with at the pay-per-view. He said he could have him blindfolded, handcuffed, or make him hop on one leg. He said that would be an act of cowardice. He said the match will be fair, competitive, and very brutal. He said it will be the last time he'll face Batista for the WWE Championship. Cena said he'll forfeit his rematch clause if he loses to Batista.

"I will face Dave Batista in an 'I Quit' match," Cena said. He said that if Cena wants to shut him up, he just has to make him say two words. "Funny, I owe all this to Sheamus," Cena said. "If he didn't kick me in the head, I would have rushed my decision and made another match." Cena invited "the human jar of mayonnaise" to the ring to thank him in person.

Sheamus walked onto the stage with a mic in hand and questioned whether Cena really wanted him to come to the ring. Cena took his shirt off and invited him to settle it. Sheamus said Cena's decision will cost him the WWE Championship. Sheamus headed toward the ring.

Batista tried to attack Cena from behind, but Cena spotted him and attacked him. Cena turned his attention to Sheamus, only to eat a spear from Batista. Sheamus followed up with a big boot to Cena's head. Batista scooped up Cena and drove him into the ring post at ringside and then threw him back in the ring, where Sheamus nailed him with another boot to the head.

Batista picked up Cena and set up for the Batista Bomb, but Mark Henry headed to the ring and attacked Batista and Sheamus. Henry splashed Batista in the corner and then booted him out of the ring. Henry checked on Cena. The women and kids chanted for Cena, who was helped to his feet by Henry...

Backstage, Edge told Vickie that he found a partner. Edge recalled saying some hateful things to Vickie the last time they were on Raw. Edge claimed that he wanted the people to feel sympathy for Vickie, but it didn't work. Edge said they're not married, but he wants her to be at ringside for his match against Orton.

Vickie didn't want to do it, but Edge guaranteed her that nothing would happen to her. Edge reminded Vickie that she could fire Orton if he raised a finger toward her. Edge said this is her chance to show the world that she won't be intimidated. Vickie said she'd be there. "I knew you would," Edge said before walking off... [C]

Powell's POV: It was odd seeing Henry run out for the save. My guess is that Henry has a big boot or a Batista Bomb coming his way. Perhaps they're setting him up with a match against Sheamus at the pay-per-view.

[Q6] 4. Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya) defeated The Miz in a non-title match in 0:45. If Kidd wins, a Hart family member will get a shot at Miz's title next week in Toronto. Kidd caught Miz with a unique rollup for the clean pin. David Hart Smith came out and shared in the celebration at ringside.

Afterward, The Miz took the mic and said that the stipulation was that he gets to decide which Hart family member he'll defend the U.S. Title against. He said he won't face Kidd or "Baby Bulldog." Miz said that as badly as Natalya wants to roll around in the ring with him, she can keep dreaming. Miz announced that on next week's commercial-free Raw, he will defend the U.S. Title against Bret Hart...

Powell's POV: Some asshole actually yelled "Owen" while Miz was building up the drama about which Hart family member he'd face. No one should have their hopes up following what we saw with Bret vs. Vince McMahon at WrestleMania, but the Canadian crowd's reaction to Hart should be awesome. Speaking of crowds, the fans were really flat for this segment.

Backstage, Batista told Josh Matthews that he intends to make John Cena scream that he quits. He said that if Josh doesn't believe him, he can watch what he does to Mark Henry... [C]

Powell's POV: It looks like Sheamus has a Batista Bomb coming his way. Not sure about the pay-per-view opponent for Sheamus yet. Oh, and I'm bummed that we didn't get more from Miz and Kidd. That could have been fun even though the outcome was predictable.

5. Skip Sheffield, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Michael Tarver, Heath Slater, and Darren Young defeated John Morrison, Yoshi Tatsu, Goldust, and Santino Marella in a four-on-eight match in 3:35. After some throwaway action, Santino tagged in. The crowd cheered as he flashed a look of determination, only to be caught with small package by Bryan for the pin...

Powell's POV: Daniel Bryan won a match, so stop bitching Bryan Danielson lovers. You'll all be happy when he eventually feuds with Miz over the United States Title. Well, assuming Bret Hart doesn't rename it the Canadian Title next week. At that point, it's worthless. Just kidding! Come on, lighten up neighbors to the north.

[Q7] A graphic hyped the main event... [C] After the break, we were treated to the ominous sound of Matt Hardy cutting a bad promo. They replayed the footage of Drew McIntyre beating up Hardy and then being fired. Cole hyped that the finals of the Intercontinental Title tournament will take place on Friday's WWE Smackdown...

Backstage, the celebrity whore Bella Twins showed up wearing clocks around their necks and flirted with Flav. Vladimir Kozlov and Santino showed up. Vladimir said Santino wouldn't leave him alone. Santino said he thinks they would make a good tag team.

William Regal showed up and told Kozlov not to listen to the fool. Flav said Kosloz should hear him out. Regal said anyone can rap. "Don't just stand there bust a move," Kozlov said and drew a laugh from the live crowd. Regal delivered a rap of his own. Flav wasn't impressed and neither was the live crowd...

Powell's POV: Let me guess, we can all thank Brian Gewirtz for this week's lousy comedy segment.

The announcers were the only people laughing. Despite having zero credibility, they still hyped the pay-per-view lineup... Batista made his entrance, set up a chair, and sat down... [C]

[Q8] The Buzz Aldrin promo aired again...

Mark Henry came to the ring, where Batista was still sitting down in a chair. Henry looked tentatively at Batista. Henry started to climb inside the ropes when Batista jumped up and attacked him. Batista hit Henry with the chair repeatedly and then locked him in a crossface hold. Two referees tried to pull Batista off. Batista eventually released the hold...

Powell's POV: Cena really needs a little buddy that people care about to play the setup guy. This didn't get much heat because the live crowd doesn't seem to care about Henry in a sympathetic manner.

Cole and Lawler recapped the segment and then recapped the Meatloaf weirdness that opened the show. Cole said the night started with rumors that Meatloaf would be there. Yeah, the world was buzzing over that one... A shot aired of Orton walking backstage... [C]

The announcers hyped John Cena vs. Sheamus as the main event of next week's show, and Bret Hart challenging The Miz for the United Stats Championship...

6. Randy Orton defeated Edge and Ted DiBiase (w/Vickie Guerrero) in a handicap match in 5:10. Edge came out first and then DiBiase's music played. The announcers noted that there's a lot of history between Orton and DiBiase. Vickie was seated at ringside for the match.

[Overrun] Orton got the better of DiBiase late and then struck the Viper's pose. Ted blocked the RKO, only to be backdropped over the top rope. R-Truth came out. DiBiase headed back to the ring, but was distracted by Truth. Orton hit the RKO on DiBiase and scored the pin.

Afterward, Orton glared at Vickie, who was still seated at ringside. Orton stuck the Viper's pose again. Vickie looked frightened and Edge was laid out on the ground next to her. Vickie took a mic and said: "Don't do it. I'm warning you." He kept inching toward her until.

Vickie yelled, "I resign." Edge got to his feet and Orton hit him with the RKO. Meanwhile, Vickie Guerrero ran backstage. Orton posed in the ring to close the show... They replayed the Buzz Aldrin clip again...

Powell's POV: I really hope this is the end of Vickie as the general manager. It just feels like a repeat seeing her and Edge together in power again. Maybe they're setting this up for Bret Hart to be named general manager next week. Overall, this was a flat show that didn't leave me more excited about the pay-per-view than I was going in. Dot Net Members will be getting a double dose of audio tonight, as Rich Twilling and I will both record audio recaps on the show. You can access all Dot Net Audio for only $5 per month via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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