WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Oakland, Calif.

[Q1] The opening montage aired... Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy, and John Cena vs. JBL for later in the broadcast...

Vince McMahon walked onto the stage and made a money hand gesture. He welcomed viewers to "McMahon's Million Dollar Mania." Vince introduced "a million dollars in cash money." Two security guards walked onto the stage with a glass case filled with one million dollars and then placed it into another glass case. Vince announced that the password for tonight's giveaway is "WWE Universe." He said he would give away $200,000 after the first match...

1. Mr. Kennedy defeated Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lea) in 3:15. After some back and forth action, Kennedy hit the Mic Check and got the pin. Afterward, Katie got in Kennedy's face and slapped him. Burchill recovered and hit the Twisted Sister neckbreaker on Kennedy, who didn't see it coming. The hot crowd chanted," You suck," at Burchill...

Powell's POV: This match falls into the same category as last week's Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade match in that there just wasn't enough time for either wrestler to get over, nor did were they given any promo time to set up their match.

Vince made his first call on the stage. He was thrown off when a song played rather than a ring and actually hung up on the man just after he answered. He called back and the man answered. The man form 29 Palms, California had the password and won $200,000.

Powell's POV: My youngest brother was stationed in 29 Palms when he as an active Marine. He told me there's not much to the town other than military bases, so I wouldn't be surprised if the winner was a military man, but that's just a guess.

[Q2] Several members of the Oakland Raiders were shown hamming it up in the front row...

2. Mickie James pinned Beth Phoenix in a non-title match in 2:30. Mickie went for what appeared to be a twisting DDT early, but Beth caught her and slammed her to the mat. Mickie hit a Thesz press off the second rope for the surprise pin. After the match, Melina ran out and attacked Beth. She performed a top rope facebuster and then stood over her. Beth recovered and scowled after Melina left the ring...

Powell's POV: I never thought I'd say this, but WWE should take lessons from TNA when it comes to how they use Awesome Kong and then apply it to Beth...

Vince gave away more money. The person he called knew the password and won $75,000. Vince teased that a surprise guest would join him... [C]

Powell's POV: Why hasn't my phone rang yet? This contest sucks! Anyway, Dot Net reader Jamie Vance just asked me in an email why they don't use a different password for every giveaway if the goal is to keep viewers watching throughout the show. Good question.

[Q3] Backstage, Triple H and John Cena stood nose to nose. Cena said everyone is talking about Night of Champions because they finally get to see the two best fight it out to be the best. Hunter said it's never been personal, but he's the best. Cena tried to remind him that he won at WrestleMania, but Hunter cut him off and pointed out that he tapped out at WrestleMania. They begrudgingly wished each other luck in their matches...

On the stage, Vince introduced Charlie Haas as his special guest. Vince dialed the wrong number (not enough numbers). He tried again and the phone didn't ring. The crowd booed. The line was busy. Gabe from EPrize brought out another number. Vince said he was going to have Charlie dial the number, but he dialed it himself.

A woman answered the phone and got the password right. Vince awarded her $50,000. He said he'd up it to $100,000 if Charlie kissed a Diva. Maria walked out. Charlie kissed her. Vince said he'd up it $25,000 more if Charlie kissed another Diva. This time Mae Young walked out. "My God, she's out of the home," Ross quipped. Funny. Mae forced a kiss on Charlie. Ron Simmons walked out and said, "Damn!"

Powell's POV: I hope Vince's next special guest is his secretary so that she can dial the phone for him. I can't help but wonder how that Maria kiss went over at home with former WWE Diva Jackie Gayda-Haas.

Backstage, JBL cut a short promo to hype his match against Cena... [C]

A "Did You Know" fact noted that WWE broadcasts in 23 languages to more than 130 nations... Triple H joined the announcers on commentary for Cena's match...

3. John Cena pinned JBL in 10:10. Hunter said he had the same dream as Cena growing up. He said he may not have made a belt out of tinfoil, but he had the same dream. Hunter raised the belt in the air, which distracted Cena long enough for JBL to jump him from behind to start the match. "You take your eye off the ball in this game and you're done," Hunter said on commentary.

Hunter added that he's never been in the ring with anyone as strong as Cena. "It's freakish," Hunter said of Cena's strength. He added that Cena is the "Rocky Balboa of WWE." In the ring, Cena went for the FU, but JBL slipped out and headed to ringside where he had a staredown with Hunter before the break.

[Q4] [C] After the break, JBL locked Cena in the sleeper. Cena eventually powered out of the hold, but JBL caught him with a big boot to the face and received a loud chorus of boos. A short time later, JBL nailed Cena with a Clothesline from Hell, but Cena got his left foot on the rope to break up the pin.

JBL headed to ringside and set up the announcers desk by removing the top covering and the monitors. He headed back inside the ring to grab Cena, who caught him with an inside cradle and for the pin out of nowhere. Afterward, Hunter stood on the announcers' desk and raised his belt in the air.

Cena headed to ringside and joined him on the desk. Cena jawed at Hunter, who held up three fingers and jumped down from the desk. Hunter turned around and pulled Cena's leg out from under him. Hunter headed backstage and left Cena embarrassed on the desk... [C]

Powell's POV: Hunter was good on commentary. He put over Cena's strength and did a nice job of establishing their match as a battle between the two top forces in WWE. The match was entertaining. Now if only someone other than established stars could get more than three minutes in the ring.

An ad hyped John Morrison vs. The Miz vs. Kane and a partner for the WWE Tag Titles as the main event for tomorrow's ECW on Sci-Fi...

[Q5] At ringside, Lawler wore green Hulk gloves and hyped a special preview of the new Hulk movie would be coming up after Raw... On the stage, Vince asked for Lillian Garcia to stand up at ringside. Vince heard a rumor that Lillian was bragging that her measurements are 38, 24, 36. He said the sum equaled 98, so he was going to give away $98,000. Vince misdialed again. He got a woman named Stephanie (no, not that one) and she had the correct password. Vince introduced the Highlight Reel...

Powell's POV: Can't rich people dial telephones? What the hell?

Chris Jericho came to the ring and introduced Shawn Michaels as a good friend and mentor. Michaels came out and joined Jericho in the ring. Jericho pointed out that Michaels feigned a knee injury for over a month. Michaels said he said he'd do whatever it took and therefore the only person he lied to was Jericho. Y2J pointed out that the fans cheer Michaels no matter what he does and then led the crowd in an "HBK" chant.

Jericho asked how Michaels had turned into a "lying, cheating, pathetic, little worm of a human being" Suddenly, he clotheslined HBK, who fought back until Jericho kicked him below the belt. Jericho stood over Michaels and said he started all this. He picked him up and rammed his face-first into one of the video monitor's that hung in the background...

Powell's POV: Great segment. It was especially fun for longtime fans who remember Michaels putting his former tag partner Marty Jannetty thorugh the window on the old "Barber Show" set.

[Q6] [C] 4. Umaga and Snitsky defeated Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes in a non-title match in 3:05. "This is a tag team that's uglier than Hulk Hogan's divorce," Lawler said regarding the heels. At 2:45, Umaga hit the reverse sidewalk slam on Cody and then followed up with the Samoan Spike for the clean win.

Ross pointed out that the tag champs have lost their last two Raw matches and added that they're lucky they were non-title matchups. Ted DiBiase Jr. walked onto the stage and said Rhodes and Holly haven't been on the same page ever since he showed up. "In two weeks, there will be new World Tag Team Champions," he said. "And that moment will be just like me, simply priceless"... [C]

Powell's POV: DiBiase isn't as smooth or as polished as his father, but that's probably asking a lot at this stage in his younger career. He doesn't seem like a natural, though. He sounds like he's reading rehearsed lines rather than speaking naturally. No complaints, though. I'm enjoying his angle with Rhodes and Holly, though.

WWE patted itself on the back in the form of a commercial that touted their involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation...

[Q7] Vince stood on the stage and introduced Trevor Murdoch and Jillian Hall "in WWE's version of American Idol." Trevor sang a country version of Steve Miller's "Go On Take the Money and Run." Jillian said she was embarrassed for Trevor. She sang another song in her own special way. Vince said dogs were barking all over the country...

Vince called another woman and she identified the password. Vince asked "Sara" what she thought the performance in the ring was worth. She didn't answer. He said it was worth two dollars, which was her prize. Vince called out Gabe again for another number. He reached Joshua Smith, who had the password. "Vince informed the man he won $200,000. "Oh (censored)," was the man's response. Vince and Lawler cracked up... [C]

Powell's POV: Vince is a lousy game show host, but that was comical. Something tells me Sara may never watch WWE again. Maybe it was Undertaker's ex- or soon-to-be-ex-wife. I'll bet they wish they could have bent the rules to award the two dollar prize to Jeff Jarrett or Dixie Carter.

5. Cryme Tyme defeated Santino Marella and Carlito in 3:20. Before the match, Ross introduced footage of the Cousin Sal and Jimmy Kimmel skit with Big Show as his next opponent. There was a blown spot when JTG jumped toward Santino. He didn't hit Santino, nor did Santino hit him. Rather, JTG sold a leg injury. In the end, Shad hit his finisher on Santino for the win...

[Q8] Vince called Cryme Tyme to join him on the stage. Vince told them that he was going to give away $250,000 at the end of the main event. He had them stand by while he dialed the phone to give away $51,998. The man had the right password. Vince and Cryme Tyme did the "Money, Money" bit on the stage... A shot aired of Jeff Hardy walking backstage and Ross hyped his match with Hunter as the main event... [C]

Powell's POV: Vince keeps telling people they've won before gets the password, which is totally out of order. Where's Bob Barker when you need him. By the way, they've done a terrible job of building up Hunter vs. Hardy. Triple H was totally preoccupied with Cena throughout the show, and Vince was too busy giving his money away to plug the actual main event match. Hardy hasn't even had a chance to explain what the match means to him. What a wasted opportunity.

6. Jeff Hardy beat Triple via countout in a non-title match in 8:30. Before the match, John Cena joined the announcers on commentary. Cena said he respects the hell out of Triple H, but he doesn't fear him. At 6:00, Cena said Hunter and Hardy had been kicking the hell out of each other. Actually, Hunter had dominated the bulk of the offense.

[Overrun] Hardy missed a Whisper in the Wind attempt when Hunter moved out of the way. They fought their way to ringside. Hardy charged toward Hunter, who hip tossed him onto Cena, who was behind the announcers' table. Hunter threw Hardy back inside the ring. He tried to follow, but Cena pulled him off the ring apron and prevented him from getting back inside the ring before the ref counted to 10. Afterward, Cena and Hunter had a staredown. Hardy dove onto both of them...

The announcers reminded viewers that Vince was giving away more money after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Hardy didn't beat Hunter. Cena beat Hunter. That's how most fans will look at it given that Hunter dominated the bulk of the offense before the finish. Make no mistake about it, Jeff gained nothing from this "win."

Another "Did You Know" fact informed viewers that WWE is the most watched regularly scheduled cable television program... Ross hyped the upcoming Hulk preview...

Vince walked back onto the stage to give away the $250,000. Vince thanked the fans in Oakland, viewers at home, and USA Network. "To show my appreciation, your crazy chairman is going to giveaway another million dollars." There was a mild cheer from the unimpressed live crowd. A man named Steve had the right password. Vince actually asked for the password before telling the man he'd won. He reminded viewers that he'd be giving away another million dollars and wished everyone goodnight...

Powell's POV: Those giveaway segments were dreadful. Yes, I'd feel differently if I would have won, but it was painful to watch Vince struggle in the role of game show host. What a lame way to go off the air. As always, I'll have more to say about this show on Tuesday in the WWE Raw Hitlist.

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