WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from New Orleans, La.

[Q1] Highlights aired from last week's Raw... Stephanie McMahon-Levesque appeared on the screen and implored all WWE personnel to work as one while her father is away. She did not address his health status...

Powell's POV: Short message from Steph that didn't forward Vince's storyline. Is that it for tonight?

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. They were interrupted by Vickie Guerrero saying, "Excuse me," while sitting in a wheelchair in the ring. Vickie said she was there to protest C.M. Punk winning the World Hvt. Title. She demanded an apology and said she wouldn't leave the ring until she got one.

Punk's music played and he stormed energetically onto the stage to a good reaction. Once in the ring, Punk showed Vickie the World Hvt. Title belt and smiled at her. She interrupted his celebration. The live crowd chanted Punk's name, which was greeted with a loud, "Excuse me," from Vickie. She complained that Punk took advantage of a semiconscious Edge and stole the title.

Punk reminded Vickie that winning Money in the Bank gave him the right to face any champion at any time. He said what goes around comes around and that he didn't do anything to Edge that he didn't do to others. Vickie complained that Punk ruined her life because Edge called off the wedding. He suggested she hook up with Great Khali and have their honeymoon in New Deli.

Vickie stood up and slapped Punk. He said she just bought herself a one way ticket back to Smackdown. He wheeled her into the corner only to be interrupted by JBL's entrance music. JBL came out in his limo and said "illegal interference" is the only reason Punk is still World Champion.

JBL said Vince McMahon would grant him another title shot if he were there. Punk stood up for himself and said the point is that Vince wasn't there. He said JBL had his chance and he lost.

[Q2] JBL started talking again, only to be interrupted by John Cena's entrance music. Cena came out and said JBL should listen to the new champion. He pitched the idea of facing JBL in the main event to determine the No. 1 contender to the World Hvt. Championship. Before JBL could answer, Batista's entrance music played.

Batista congratulated Punk on winning the title. He teased being nice to Vickie, but told her to wheel her ass back to Smackdown. JBL interrupted Batista, who took offense and threatened to punch him if he ever did it again. Cena played temporary peace maker by suggesting a three-way match between himself, Batista, and JBL to determine Punk's challenger at the Great American Bash pay-per-view.

JBL said he's running the show while Vince is gone and then he protested by saying that he wants a one-on-one match. Cena said JBL is not in charge and said he's either in or he's out. JBL agreed, but then Kane's music cut them all off.

"I want in too," Kane said. Punk said it sounds to him like there will be a Fatal Four-way in the main event to determine who faces him at the Great American Bash. The announcers hyped the four-way match as the main event and then hyped Rey Mysterio vs. Santino Marella for after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: A strong opening segment. I hope we're going to get more in-ring action than last week, though. I have to question why they would give away Mysterio's in-ring return and Raw debut without advertising. I guess I'll wait to see how they handle it before I complain too much.

A shot aired of Bourbon Street. The announcers noted that the show is being held in New Orleans. Lawler noted the city's nickname of The Big Easy and said he wasn't talking about Vickie Guerrero. Nice...

[Q3] 1. Rey Mysterio beat Santino Marella in 2:55. Mysterio hit the 619 and then followed up with a cool top rope splash for the win. He kept his arms at his side even as he jumped and didn't extend them until the last possible moment... [C]

Powell's POV: Well, it's over. So what's up with the lack of hype for Rey's return? I can see not wanting to make a big fuss over his latest return from injury if they're worried that his injury prone reputation will carry over to the casual fans, but they still should have made a bigger fuss over his first match on Raw. I'm also not happy to see him finish off Santino so quickly. I hope there's more to the feud than that.

The latest "Did You Know?" fact informed us that more people watch WWE on cable than baseball, basketball, and hockey...

Backstage, Todd Grisham asked Punk who he wants to win the four-way match. He started to answer the question, but a piece of equipment fell in front of him. Two crew members dragged off the piece equipment and Punk picked up where he left off. He never got to answer the question, though, because he was interrupted by Snitsky, who said it angered him that Punk won the title on a fluke. Punk said he'd prove why he deserves to be World Champion in a match with Snitsky later tonight...

Powell's POV: I'm guessing the equipment issue tied into the Vince McMahon angle in some way. Perhaps this means the culprit will be targeting others.

Backstage, Cena and Mickie James were hanging out when Kelly Kelly approached them. Mickie introduced her to Cena as the newest Raw Diva. He asked if Teddy Long let her out of her ECW contract. "We have contracts?" she asked. Mickie laughed and the women walked away. "God bless America," Cena said in response to Kelly's dimwitted answer... [C]

[Q4] In the ring, Jillian Hall was in the middle of singing a song while Layla stood by...

2. Mickie James and Kelly Kelly beat Jillian Hall and Layla in 3:30. Kelly caught Jillian in a head scissors and then rolled her up to win the match for her team...

Before the women could leave the ring, JBL's limo pulled onto the stage. The drive got out and ran backstage for some reason. Cole hyped that the Fatal Four-way match was coming up after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Wow, Michael Cole sounds just as neutered as Joey Styles did late in his ECW run. He's doing most of his talking in a mellow voice that's normally reserved for golf commentators. I'm definitely not sold on the team of Cole and Lawler.

After the break, JBL was walking around his limo. He tried to open the doors, but they were all locked. Lawler noted that a lot of strange things were happening on the show. Cena exited the back door with a crowbar in hand. He said the limo would never pass inspection. However, he knew two guys who could find parts quickly.

Cryme Tyme exited the limo with baseball bats in their hands. JBL fled to the stage. Cena said the state of Louisiana doesn't allow limos on the road without passenger side mirrors. JTG smashed the mirror. Cena said limos must have ventilated windows. Shad smashed the front window.

They also smashed out the side windows because Cena said the tint was too dark, and Cena joined them in spray painting the car. Cena actually wrote, "JBL is poopy" on the front hood. No, really.

Powell's POV: If the goal is to give Cena some street credibility while simultaneously giving Cryme Tyme a push, then he just blew it with that silly poopy line. By the way, we're one hour into the show and we've had a grand total of six minutes and 25 seconds of wrestling.

[Q5] The announcers recapped the segment that just aired and then introduced another recap of last week's show... C.M. Punk made his ring entrance. He walked down to JBL's spray painted limo, sat on the hood, and posed with the World Title... [C]

3. C.M. Punk pinned Snitsky in a non-title match in 2:50. Another short match. Punk finished off Snitsky with the GTS. The live crowd wasn't into the match, but they counted along with the referee's three count...

Powell's POV: Wow, Snitsky hasn't been taking his Flintstone Vitamins. He's looking far less muscular than usual. Lousy match for Punk in that it's hard to imagine the ratings will be strong for a match against Snitsky. Then again, I suppose it would shut up some of his internal critics if he somehow draws a respectable rating while working with someone the fans have been conditioned to view as a glorified jobber.

[Q6] [C] A video recapped the recent developments in the Shawn Micahels and Chris Jericho feud... HBK came to the ring and said he had only two words for Jericho. "I accept," he said regarding Jericho's challenge for a match at the Great American Bash. Jericho and Lance Cade walked to the ring before Michaels could leave.

Both men entered the ring and then Jericho approached Michaels. He said he knew HBK would accept his challenge even though he's hurt. He said he could tell that Michaels was hurt more than he was letting on because he wasn't attacking him. Jericho asked whether the fans would visit HBK in the hospital, take care of his kids, and pay his mortgage if something happened to Michaels.

Jericho asked if HBK wanted to be a martyr. Michaels looked down while Jericho continued to speak to him while using a plain speaking voice. Jericho said Michaels will be forgotten.

HBK said he could leave the business today and he'd always be remembered. He confessed that no matter what he's done, the fans have stood by him. Jericho said it's not fair. Michaels said Jericho has done everything he's ever wanted to accomplish in the business, but he's not content in spite of all his accomplishments. Michaels said Jericho will never be him no matter what he achieves. The show to break right after HBK's last line... [C]

Powell's POV: Another great verbal exchange between Jericho and Michaels. I also love the way Cade stands in the background and plays the silent, deadly type.

[Q7] 4. Kofi Kingston beat Charlie Haas in a non-title match in 3:20. Haas kicked Kofi's left eye early in the match and legitimately opened a cut. Kofi came back and finished off Haas with Trouble in Paradise. Afterward, Paul Burchill ran out and attacked Kofi from behind before delivering the curb stomp...

A backstage shot aired of Batista. Suddenly, a "fan" stepped in front of Batista and pretended to shoot a gun like Batista does during his entrance. The fan ran away and two security guards followed... [C] Ring introductions for the main event match took place...

Powell's POV: A Dot Net reader emailed me earlier tonight and predicted that the equipment issues (and now the security issues) will lead to a new general manager being named soon. Well, if they could reintroduce Regal into his old role if they can wait two more weeks since his suspension will conclude around May 20.

[Q8] 5. Batista defeated John Cena and JBL and Kane in a Fatal Four-way match to determine the No. 1 contender for the World Hvt. Title. All four wrestlers brawled to start the match and they cut to commercial. [C] There was solid action with all four men in the ring. Cena hit the FU on Batista and covered him, but JBL broke up the pin attempt. They cut to yet another commercial. [C]

It was Batista's turn to look strong after the break. He mowed over all three opponents for a spell, only to be clipped from behind by JBL. Later, Cena and JBL brawled to ringside, where JBL whipped Cena into the ring steps.

In the ring, Kane climbed to the top rope and lunged toward Batista, who moved out of the way. When Kane stood up, Batista greeted him with a spear and then scored the clean pin. Cole hyped that Batista would face Punk at the Great American Bash pay-per-view and said it was appropriate since Batista helped Punk win the championship.

[Overrun] After the match, Kane threw a tantrum. He knocked over the ring steps and then tore the top off the announers' table. "Is he alive or dead," Kane shouted at the announcers. Suddenly, Kane kicked a crew member in the face and then tossed another crew member to the ground while Lillian Garcia ran away in fear.

Kane approached Cole and asked, "Is he alive or dead?" Kane grabbed Cole and pulled him over the table. Kane threw Cole in the ring and asked the question a couple more times. Cole screamed that he didn't know. Kane picked up Cole for a chokeslam, but Lawler clipped his leg from behind. Lawler told Cole to leave. Kane quickly recovered and beat up Lawler to end the show.

Powell's POV: There was enough action with all four wrestlers involved to please the live crowd during the main event. There was nothing particularly memorable about the match, but it made for an interesting television main event. Interesting angle with Kane at the end. I had to go back and watch it a second time. I think Kane was asking if "Vince" was alive or dead at one point, but I'm still not positive.

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