By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from St. Louis, Mo.

[Q1] The show opened with a close up of a Rock photo. Rock was shown talking on the phone while seated at a desk. He said the John Cena segment stunk. "I tried to talk to him like a man, and he just acted like a child," Rock said. Cena's music started playing in the background.

Rock heard the music and said Cena has one last chance to talk to him like a man. A child dressed like Cena entered the room and did the "You can't see me" routine. Rock stood up from his chair and told the boy to drop the rap and the gang signs and talk to him like a man. The kid threw together a rap and said that if Rock wants some, he can come get some.

Rock laughed and sat down in front of the boy. He said it was time for a talk that he and Cena should have had a long time ago. Rock addressed the boy as "John" and said he took the ball when he left and he ran with it. "You became the man in WWE," Rock said. Rock said Cena owns the two to five year-old demographic.

"Do you know why you'll never be as good as The Rock?" Rock asked. The kid replied, "Because I'm not that talented?" Rock agreed with the boy's assessment. He asked the boy how it makes him feel to finally have unloaded that after all these years. The boy started to answer, but was cut off. "It doesn't matter how you feel," Rock fired back.

The boy started crying. Rock told him not to cry and said he didn't have toilet paper, but he had the next best thing. Rock handed the boy a Cena t-shirt and had him blow his nose. Rock said he's proud of Cena (the boy) for admitting he's not that talented. Rock said he had a gift for the boy.

Rock pulled out a box of Fruity Pebbles. "Hustle, loyalty, respect, and Fruity Pebbles," the excited boy responded. Rock told the boy to take the box along with his "no talented behind" and enjoy the cereal. He called the boy an "untalented Fruit Loop." The boy ran off with the box.

Rock's face got serious as he looked into the camera as some crappy mood setting music played. "Hello, Miz," Rock said. "You're right, we have not been properly introduced." Rock brought up the trash that Miz talked last week. Rock said the time for talking trash is over.

Rock turned his attention back to Cena and promised that he will bring it live on Raw before WrestleMania. He said the only thing Cena and Miz should be concerned with is how bad he will layeth the Smackdown on their candy asses. Rock delivered his catchphrase to close the segment and then his music played...

Powell's POV: That was much better than the actual heart-to-heart talk that Rock made me wonder whether they were going to deliver. A strong segment. The kid is a better rapper than Cena.

A shot aired of Trish Stratus talking with Snooki backstage. Michael Cole, Josh Mathews, and Jerry Lawler were on commentary. Cole was inside an enclosed booth. He called the booth the "Cole Mine" and said it was for his protection...

Powell's POV: Whether you like Cole's heel antics or not, you have to admit that the Cole Mine just plain awesome.

The Miz came to the ring with the WWE Championship. He recalled Rock taking offense to him talking about his family. The Miz said Rock's father and grandfather were both good, but they were never WWE Champion. "That means I'm better than the both of them and I can say whatever I want," Miz said.

[Q2] Miz said Rock likes to make six-year-olds cry. "Step into this ring and I'm going to make you cry," Miz said. He added that he doesn't just talk about beating up John Cena, he's actually done it three weeks in a row. "So, no, Rock, you don't own John Cena, I do," said Miz. The fans started a "sucks" chant, but Miz said nothing they say phases him.

The Miz said he prays that Rock lives up to his t-shirt by bringing it. Miz said he may even bring it in St. Louis. The Miz said that if Rock does, he'll be overshadowed by the most "must see champion in the history of this company." The Miz delivered his catchphrase.

The anonymous general manager chime sounded. Cole stood up and said he just received a message from the GM. He left the Cole Mine and approached the podium, but Jerry Lawler cut him off and read the announcement himself.

On behalf of the general manager, Lawler announced that the general manager was booking two never before seen matches. Lawler announced John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio. Miz said he's beaten everyone there is to face. Enter The Great Khali, who came out with Ranjin Singh. Miz didn't look happy... [C]

Powell's POV: Good use of Khali. Hey, I don't want to see the match either, but the live crowd popped and want to see Miz be put in his place. Check the main page for updated WWE Superstars spoilers, and more information than has been released anywhere on what happened with Jeff Hardy that led to his match being cut short at TNA Victory Road. Both of those items were posted shortly before Raw went on the air.

1. The Great Khali (w/Ranjin Singh) defeated The Miz by DQ in 1:10. Khali applied his vice grip finisher, but Alex Riley ran out and broke it up for the DQ. Khali disposed of Riley quickly, but Miz attacked him from behind with repeated chair shots. With Khali on his knees, Miz grabbed him and DDT'd him on the chair. When Khali sat up, his back was bleeding...

Powell's POV: The chair broke while Miz was hitting Khali, so that's how the bleeding occurred. For a company that doesn't like blood, they sure made a point to show a couple of close ups. By the way, they referred to Riley as Miz's "former apprentice."

Cole vowed to expose Jerry Lawler to the world tonight. He said he has a very special guest from Lawler's past to set the record straight. Mathews hyped Randy Orton vs. Mason Ryan match for after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Jimmy Hart? He is returning to WWE for WrestleMania weekend he fits the description of being someone from Lawler's past. Then again, The King has been around for a long time, so there are plenty of options.

[Q3] The announcers hyped that John Cena has more than five million Facebook friends. They turned their attention to the Undertaker vs. Triple H match and set up a video that focussed on Triple H destroying opponents and included some footage of his promo from Smackdown...

Backstage, John Morrison told Snooki that he hears she can take a punch better than half the guys on the roster. She told him they can always use another cast member on "Jersey Shore." Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler showed up. Vickie claimed she was offered the cover of Playboy. Snooki said it must have been a centerfold because they couldn't fit all of Vickie on one page. Vickie tried to slap Snooki, who blocked it and caught Vickie with a slap of her own... [C]

Powell's POV: Snooki can't act. She's a headliner compared to the duo that TNA used, but JWoww and Angelina were better talkers than she has been so far. Yep, this is what my life has come to. I'm actually comparing the mic skill abilities of "Jersey Shore" cast members who make cameo appearances on pro wrestling shows. I really need a vacation.

2. Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan (w/Gail Kim) to win the United States Championship in 9:00. No crown or other king crap for Sheamus, who said he would quit if he failed to win the match. When Justin Roberts reminded the crowd of the stipulation, Sheamus protested off-mic. Bryan caught Sheamus with a missile dropkick for a near fall at 1:10. Sheamus rolled to ringside and the show went to break. [C]

[Q4] After the break, Sheamus took control of the match and hit Bryan with repeated shots and a running knee while standing on the ring apron. The announcers said Sheamus has had his problems with letting his frustrations get the best of him. Lawler said he loses focus at critical times. Sheamus showed frustration following a near fall.

Sheamus took a bump to ringside and held the ankle just as he did last week. He hobbled his way back inside the ring. He sold the ankle injury as the ref held Bryan back. Sheamus tried to hit the Brough Kick while Bryan was distracted, but Bryan dodged it and then applied his own finisher. Sheamus reached the ropes.

Sheamus came back a short time later with a High Cross attempt, but Bryan countered with a roll up for a good near fall. Later, Bryan went up top and jumped into a Brough Kick. Sheamus covered Bryan and scored the clean pin to become the new United States Champion. Cole said the curse of the King of the Ring is over...

Powell's POV: The announcers were making up plenty of stuff as they went along there. All the talk about Sheamus losing focus in his recent matches and then the King of the Ring curse? Anyway, a good match. I'd like to see a longer rematch at WrestleMania. I like Gail Kim. I like Daniel Bryan. I do not like Gail Kim and Daniel Bryan together.

Cole hyped that he would bring out the person from Lawler's past after the break... [C] Highlights aired of the Steve Austin and JBL segment from last week...

Cole stood in the ring and questioned whether the people enjoyed the video of Steve Austin "sticking himself into my main event at WrestleMania." The crowd cheered. Cole guaranteed that Cole will have a minimal effect at WrestleMania when he beats Lawler. Cole said he knows how offended Lawler gets when people talk about his family - living or dead. Cole said Lawler's family was going to talk about him.

[Q5] Cole introduced Brian Christopher as Lawler's biological son. Christopher came out to his told Too Cool music and did his old dance number. Lawler didn't look pleased on commentary, and the live crowd didn't seem to know or care what the hell was going on. Cole danced along with Christopher's music in the ring.

Christopher, who is sporting blonde hair, shot his father a look while standing on the second rope. Cole welcomed Christopher back and noted that he went by the name of Grand Master Sexay. "One name you never use is Brian Lawler," Cole said. "Why would that be?"

Christopher said that it was because he never felt like he had a father while he was growing up. Christopher said Lawler was traveling the world and being The King and he neglected him. "Jerry Lawler never really wanted a child," Christopher said before leaving the ring and heading down to ringside to address his father.

Christopher said Lawler never wanted anyone or anything to get in his spotlight. "That's why when I made it on my own to the WWE, you wouldn't even acknowledge that I was your son," Christopher said. Lawler picked up a house mic. "Brian, I don't even really know what to say other than that you're not the only one who didn't use the Lawler name," Lawler said.

Jerry said Brian is a bigger screwup than Charlie Sheen. Lawler said the fact that Christopher would associate with Michael Cole tells everyone what type of person he is. Christopher asked Lawler what it feels like to know that he competed at WrestleMania before he did. He said he was one of the biggest superstars in WWE at one time. The crowd booed and groaned.

Christopher got in Lawler's face and asked him again how it made him feel. Christopher shoved his father and then slapped the back of his head while saying, "Are you going to answer me?" He slapped him across the face and said, "You're just going to sit there, aren't you, daddy?" Christopher said the reason he never used Lawler's name "is because I'm ashamed of you."

Lawler kept his cool and remained seated as Christopher walked away. Cole said Lawler is a coward and a loser. Jim Ross's music played and the crowd popped huge. Ross, wearing a suit and his hat, headed to the ring to address Cole, who said he knew it was only a matter of time before Ross did his best John Wayne impersonation.

Ross said it's gone on long enough. He said Cole ripped Lawler on the toughest week of his life and then brought out his son. He said Cole has gone on long enough. Cole said Ross should just go away. Cole said he is the voice of WWE. "You know, I've been meaning to talk to you about that," Ross said.

Ross recalled working with Lawler for a number of years and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Ross said the true voice of WWE are the fans. Ross said Lawler has been carrying cole like a kangaroo carries its young in her pouch. Ross called Cole a "rat bastard."

As Ross was leaving, Cole said he was leaving the ring with his tail tucked between his legs. Ross stopped and reentered the ring. He removed his hat, his coat, and his tie and motioned for Cole to do the same. The fans chanted "J.R." Suddnely, Jack Swagger could be seen in the wide camera shot attacking Lawler, who was still seated at the announcers' desk.

Swagger entered the ring and eventually kicked Ross in the gut. Swagger applied the ankle lock on Ross. Cole got in Ross' face and repeatedly asked him how it felt. Lawler ran in for the save, but Cole grabbed him from behind and then Swagger took a shot at him. Swagger applied the ankle lock on Lawler.

Ross pounded his fist on the mat to sell the injury. Cole grabbed Ross's leg and applied the ankle lock. Ross yelled out in pain as Cole performed a terrible looking version of the ankle lock. Cole said that will teach Ross to come out and disrespect him. "This is my time," Cole said. The crowd booed...

Powell's POV: Jim Ross! Jim Ross! Jim Ross! I guess it works better when you say Stone Cold. Anyway, the Brian Christopher portion was awkward and uncomfortable. I definitely could have done without that. However, the appearance of Jim Ross saved the segment. The live crowd still loves the guy even though he's rarely on television these days. It's good to see the fans don't have short memories. This should add more fuel to the speculation that Ross will replace Cole at WrestleMania and hopefully beyond.

[Q6] [C] Highlights aired of the C.M. Punk and Randy Orton segment from last week...

3. Randy Orton pinned Mason Ryan in 3:05. Cole was back in the Cole Mine when the entrance started. He said he was just out there to do his job. Lawler was off selling the ankle lock. Mathews noted that Orton's wife and daughter were in the crowd as a shot aired of the duo. Punk walked onto the stage with Ryan, but Ryan headed to the ring by himself.

Punk watched from the stage as Ryan scored some early offense on Orton. A "Let's Go Randy" chant broke out amongst his hometown fans. Ryan hit a nice side slam for a near fall that Orton kicked out of at the last moment. Ryan looked up at the WrestleMania sign. He picked up Orton, who hit him with the RKO out of nowhere for the pin.

Punk showed frustration on the stage. Orton looked up at him and then headed to ringside. Orton glared at Punk from the bottom of the entrance ramp. He looked back at Ryan, who was still down in the ring.

Orton raced back to the ring and Punk followed. Orton nailed Ryan with the punt kick and then struck the Viper's Pose. Punk was on his hands and knees and face-to-face with Orton. Punk backed out of the ring. The trainers brought a stretcher for Ryan...

Powell's POV: A good showing for Ryan from the standpoint that he got a lot of offense and a good near fall on Orton before looking to the Mania sign and eating the RKO. I thought for a minute that he would avoid the punt kick, but no such luck for the Welshman. The face-to-face bit was a cool visual and Orton's intensity was great. Now that Orton has destroyed Nexus, they really need to put heat on Punk over the next two weeks because I think the fans are expecting a one-sided slaughter.

A recap aired of the the Snooki and Vickie Guerrero segment...

[Q7] [C] An ad aired for The True Story of WrestleMania DVD that comes out tomorrow... An ad aired for WWE Tough Enough. Miss USA can't do a summersault... The announcers set up the Drew Carey Hall of Fame announcement. A video recapped his involvement in the Royal Rumble match and labeled him as the "king of television"...

Powell's POV: Spare me emails. I'm not crazy about the move either, but it's obviously a marketing move designed to get mainstream media attention.

Mathews was speaking at ringside when Cole interrupted from The Cole Mine. He told the crowd they were lucky enough to see the debut of his ankle lock. Cole said he will use the move to humiliate Lawler at WrestleMania in three weeks. Cole mocked Ross by saying the ankle lock was a slobberknocker. Cole was interrupted by the graphic that teased Cena vs. Del Rio...

Backstage, Snookie and Trish Stratus were walking when Zack Ryder approached and asked if she liked "this situation." He touched his abs and said "pretty solid"...

Powell's POV: The girl is a mush mouth. I was hoping for some fun comedy with the underutilized Ryder and Snooki. Damn. By the way, Dot Net reader John Rhyne reports from the building that Randy Orton came back during the commercial break to wave to the crowd. He got another huge hometown pop.

Justin Roberts introduced Snooki, who waddled her troll ass to the ring. She asked the crowd what was up. She received a bunch of boos. She said she's been waiting "all week long" to be the Raw guest host. She said she's excited to see Trish Stratus shut Vickie's "big fat mouth up." Snooki waddled her way to ringside to watch the match...

Vickie made her entrance and did the "excuse me" routine to the usual mega-heat. Snooki gave her a thumbs down. Vickie told her not to lay her hands on her ever again. Vickie said Snooki stole the cover of Rolling Stone. "That was my cover shoot," Vickie said. Funny. She showed the "original cover" that featured Vickie instead of Snooki.

[Q8] Vickie said that she knows deep down inside that she's a good person. Trish's music played and she made her entrance while Snooki nodded and bobbed her head in approval...

4. Vickie Guerrero defeated Trish Stratus in 2:30. Vickie did some fun stretching before the bell. Trish snuck up behind her and rolled her up, but Vickie escaped. Vickie took her own shoe off and struck a sword fighting pose before throwing it at Trish, who avoided it. She took off the other shoe. Trish kicked her in the gut, took the shoe, and spanked Vickie with it.

Dolph Ziggler hit the ring. John Morrison ran out in street clothes and took Dolph out of the picture. LayCool hit the ring. Michelle McCool kicked Trish. Vickie covered Trish and both LayCool members sat on her back. The announcers stressed that it was legal because it was a no DQ match.

Afterward, both LayCool members got down on their knees to mock Snooki's troll-like height. McCool headed to ringside and a "Snooki" chant actually broke out briefly. No shit. Snooki stood up and stood face to breasts with McCool, who shoved her down. Snookie got the better of her and then jumped onto Layla with a Thesz Press while Trish fired away shots at McCool.

The heels all fled to ringside. Vickie took the mic and said Raw is her show now. Vickie said she wants to see the embarrassment on their faces on the big stage at WrestleMania. Vickie challenged Trish, Snooki, and Morrison to face LayCool and Ziggler at WrestleMania. "I will see you there, baby," Snooki said... [C]

Powell's POV: Wait, does this mean Snooki has a WrestleMania match, but Beth Phoenix and Natalya do not? Sad. We'll see if they go through with it. Snooki's Thesz Press was actually funny, and I can't believe the fans who were booing her initially actually chanted for her by the end. That's the heel power of Vickie and LayCool, I guess.

A Sin Cara video aired. The announcers said the fans are in for a treat when he arrives... The latest Shawn Michaels video aired. He focussed on Undertaker. He said there are a lot of smoke and mirrors and other distractions. He said you have to stay focussed and keep your eye on the task at hand when facing Taker.

[Overrun] Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio, who was back to doing the car entrance now that JBL is gone. Brodus Clay was also introduced and he made his entrance via the stage...

5. John Cena beat Alberto Del Rio (w/Brodus Clay, Ricardo Rodriguez) by DQ in 7:25. Cole said no one told him, but he had personal knowledge that The Rock was in St. Louis for Raw. Del Rio was at ringside when the show cut to commercial about 90 seconds into the match.

Powell's POV: Rock is in the building and only Cole knows it? I'm guessing this is a Miz-related bit.

Cena did some of his signature offense, including the "You Can't See Me" bit and the five knuckle. He hoisted Del Rio up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Brodus Clay hit the ring and attacked Cena for the DQ. The heels stopped beating up Cena when The Rock's music played. The crowd popped big.

The Miz walked out with a fake bald head and was dressed in Rock's new "I Bring It" t-shirt. He struck a Rock-like pose and had shades. I'm sure fans on the other side of the building thought it was Rock because he had the mannerisms down. Once in the ring, Cena got the first shot on Miz. The heels got the better of Rock, and The Miz hit him with The Rock Bottom.

Miz removed the head piece and played to the crowd. "How's your road to WrestleMania, Cena?" Miz asked. "I have owned you for the last three weeks nad I will own you for the next three all the way to WrestleMania. Miz removed his shirt and picked up Cena on the floor. Miz suplexed Cena onto the bottom of the entrance ramp.

Cena made a momentary comeback while on the stage, but Miz cut him off quickly and DDT'd him on the stage. The Miz talked smack to the fallen Cena without a mic in hand. He picked up Cena and ran him into the WWE logo on the stage. Cena slowly made it back to his feet only to have Miz perform the Skull Crushing Finale onto the WWE logo. Miz's theme song played to close the show...

Powell's POV: The only thing missing was blood. That would have been a great way to really drive home the attack. They've bent a lot of rules lately, and I wish they would have bent that one. Nevertheless, that was a strong segment to close the show. Miz has to be getting under the skin of Cena fans because he keeps getting the better of Cena. I didn't care for Del Rio being dominated by Cena, but I guess it won't matter if he wins the World Hvt. Championship in a few weeks.

Overall, this was a strong show that continued the excellent build toward WrestleMania. It was nice to get a break from John Cena swinging and missing on the mic this week, and The Rock appearing at the beginning of the show was fun and sends the message that viewers can't miss the opening of the show. I'll have a lot more to say about Raw later tonight in Dot Net Audio. You can join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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