WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Providence, R.I.

[Q1] A shot aired of Shane McMahon pulling up to the building in a sports car. He shook hands with Cryme Tyme and was greeted by various performers, but he rushed past them to get to head out to the stage. Shane said Chris Jericho and Batista both have rematch clauses in their contracts. Shane said Jericho and Batista would face off in a match to determine which wrestler would face John Cena at the pay-per-view. Shane said Cena was in the building.

Stephanie McMahon's music interrupted Shane. She walked onto the stage and kissed Shane on the cheek. She announced that Randy Orton would compete in the Triple Threat match against Jericho and Batista. She said she would have told Shane sooner, but she knows how much she loves surprises. They held the microphones away from their faces and bickered briefly.

Steph started to introduce the The Miz and John Morrison would wrestle. Shane interrupted her to announce they would face Rey Mysteiro and Shawn Michaels. Steph got bitchy and said, "I guess you didn't hear me earlier when I said this is my show." She said Shane has tried to stab her in the back her entire life and then she reiterated that Raw is her show.

Shane said he was there to help make Raw a better show. She told him to drive back to New York City where he came from if he wanted to make the show better. "You can run the corporation, I will run the show," Steph said. Shane questioned whether Steph would sleep with another superstar and get a new husband. Steph slapped him across the face.

"You wanna run Raw," Shane asked. "Then I'm going to watch you run it right into the ground." Shane left the stage. Steph looked at the fans and then headed backstage behind her brother...

Powell's POV: Interesting development. Steph and Shane don't have much chemistry together and the storyline seemed rushed and contrived, but I guess they're just cutting to the chase.

At ringside, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler spoke briefly about the fight between Steph and Shane...

1. Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio defeated John Morrison and The Miz in 8:35. Lawler pointed out that Shawn's eye was black and bandaged. Early in the match, a shot aired of JBL climbing inside his limo and telling the driver to drive. The driver told him that there was a match going on. "I don't pay you to think," JBL said. "I pay you to drive. Now go to the ring."

Back in the ring, the heels were working over HBK. Morrison caught him with a shot to the eye and then JBL's music played. The limo pulled into the building as the match continued in the ring. The show cut to commercial a short time later. [C]

[Q2] The match was still going after the break. Highlights aired from during the break of Miz whipping Mysterio into the barricade at ringside. Back live, JBL continued to watch the match. Later, Mysterio recovered and hit his usual high flying offense, including the 619 on Miz. Rey headed to the top rope, but Morrison stopped him. HBK ran over and pulled Morrison off the ring apron, but Morrison ran him into the ring post. Meanwhile, Mysterio caught Morrison on the second rope and hit a sunsetflip powerbomb for the win.

After the match, Morrison threw Mysterio out of the ring and then attacked Michaels with repeated punches. Morrison held HBK up as JBL entered the ring. However, JBL kicked Morrison in the face and left the ring without laying a hand on Michaels. HBK sat up and looked confused as JBL headed backstage...

The announcers hyped Batista vs. Orton vs. Jericho for later in the show, and Cena's return to Raw... [C]

Powell's POV: I was hoping they were going to give Morrison and Miz another win over HBK and Mysterio and make it mean something this time around. The JBL twist was interesting. I didn't like the for the camera in the limo. You know, because they'd just have a camera inside a limo just in case JBL and his driver spoke about anything interesting.

Backstage, Todd Grisham asked JBL to explain his actions. JBL said he made HBK an offer this morning that is beneficial to both of them. He said his actions were a sign of good faith and he believes "that transaction" will be completed soon...

Powell's POV: Interesting.

Lillian Garcia introduced Mr. Kennedy as the star of "Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia." He walked onto the stage with his music blaring. He has a goatee minus the mustache. Does that make sense? He has hair on his chin. How's that? Anyway, he said he brought a camera crew and asked the fans at Survivor Series to tell him which WWE superstar reminded them of Barack Obama. All sorts of fans, all sorts of answers, no Kennedy in the video. One kid said Obama and Vince McMahon both have big ears. Kennedy delivered his catchphrase...

Powell's POV: Kennedy can talk and he handled this well. However, this was a lame segment. Well, unless you enjoy shows like America's Funniest Home Videos. Then you probably thought it was great. You're also a mouth breather. Anyway, I can't believe they brought back Kennedy for that lame segment...

[Q3] Backstage, Grisham interviewed Batista, who raved about John Cena winning the World Title. He said he got goosebumps when Cena was announced as champion. Batista said he wants to become World Champion again more than anything in the world... [C]

Powell's POV: Weak. Poor Batista had to dedicate his promo time to kissing Cena's ass. Cena might have stroke, but it's not like he's Triple H or something.

A commercial noted that there will be a three-hour Raw special for the Slammy Awards in three weeks...

Powell's POV: No, I didn't make that up.

Lillian Garcia stood in the ring and announced the tournament to determine the No. 1 contender for the Intercontinental Title. She introduced Pat Patterson as the first IC Champion. He was wearing a tuxedo at ringside and he joined the announcers on commentary. Cole said Patterson won the title in Rio, which is a fictional event that WWE created...

2. Kofi Kingston defeated Kane by DQ in a first-round tournament match to determine the No. 1 contender for the IC Title in 2:40. Patterson pimped the IC Title DVD that's coming out on Tuesday. He said it's the best DVD the company has ever done. Cole mentioned that Kane and Kofi are both former IC Champs.

Kane controlled the first couple minutes of the match. Kofi made a comeback and then climbed to the top rope to dive on Kane on the outside, but Kofi slipped and came crashing down short. Kane did his best to catch him, but Kofi landed hard. Kane attacked Kofi and choked him underneath the bottom rope until the referee called for the DQ. Kane grabbed the ring steps and attacked Kofi with them.

Stephanie McMahon walked onto the state and said Kane had two choices. He could take his aggression out on Kofi or save it for next week and take his aggressions out on the new World Champion. Kane smiled. "That's what I thought," Steph said. "Next week Kane versus John Cena"... [C]

Powell's POV: That was a lame way to launch the IC tournament. I was hoping that the tournament was designed to make the belt more meaningful, but it looks like it's just a tool to hype the latest DVD release.

[Q4] Highlights aired from the Survivor Series of Randy Orton eliminating Batista to win the match for his team...

3. Chris Jericho defeated Randy Orton and Batista in a triple threat match in 11:15 to earn a shot at the World Hvt. Championship. Jericho came out first and scowled at the crowd. The announcers said it looked like he'd been up all night crying and fretting over losing the belt. Orton gained control and was sprawled out on the mat waiting for Jericho to get up so he could hit the RKO when the show cut to commercial... [C]

Powell's POV: Odd place for a commercial with Orton on the verge of going for his finisher. The live crowd isn't as excited about this match as you'd expect them to be. Rather, they were very quiet during the opening minutes of the match.

After the break, they showed Batista pulling Orton out of the ring before he could hit the RKO. The crowd was a little livelier as the wrestlers picked up the pace following the commercials.

[Q5] Cole reminded viewers that the first man to score a pinfall or submission would win the match and the shot at Cena. At 10:10, Cena locked Batista in the Walls of Jericho, but Orton broke it up. Orton set up for the punt kick, but Batista speared him. Jericho ran in and dropkicked Batista to break up the cover and then pinned Orton. Afterward, Batista showed frustration in the ring while Jericho celebrated on the stage... [C]

Powell's POV: The live crowd was dead and the match was nothing special. I dig Jericho, but I must admit that I was hoping to see Orton or Batista challenge Cena at the pay-per-view. I figured Batista was a long shot, so I was hoping for Orton to win the match.

After the break, Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix stood in the ring. Santino complained that he is not featured in the Intercontinental Title DVD or the tournament. He said he brought backup this week, his biceps Pasquale and Franchesco...

4. Goldust defeated Santino Marella (w/Beth Phoenix) in 2:00. Weak reaction for Goldust. They worked in some comedy early with Goldust blowing a kiss to Beth. Goldust debuted a new finishing move. Cole said the name, but Lillian was already introducing Goldust as the winner so it was tough to make out...

Powell's POV: I don't know what to make of this dead crowd tonight, so I'm not paying too much attention to their lack of reaction for Goldust since they've been quiet for just about everything.

[Q6] [C] A WWE Mobile commercial featured Charlie Haas doing his Bret Hart impersonation... Backstage, Orton walked past Cody Rhodes and Manu. The young guys looked at Orton, but no words were exchanged...

Powell's POV: Rhodes wore a suit and Manu looked the part in all black. His look is improving quickly.

5. C.M. Punk defeated Snitsky in an IC tournament match. Before the match, William Regal and Layla walked to ringside and joined the announcers on commentary. Regal said he approached Steph and convinced her that he shouldn't face any old wrestler. He said they have to go through a tournament to earn a shot. Regal said he hopes Punk wins. He said he's had a feeling since he beat him to win the King of the Ring that they were going to have a feud for the ages.

Snitsky dominated the early action in the ring. Regal kept trying to put over Punk and how he kicks "like a bloody donkey," but Snitsky remained on offense. Out of nowhere, Punk hit the GTS to score the clean pin. Regal clapped politely and said, "Good for you, sunshine, good for you"...

Backstage, Grisham interviewed Mysterio, who will face The Miz in the IC tournament next week. Mysterio said he knows his IC Championship history and vowed to have his name added to the list. Mike Knox walked into the picture and stared down at Rey as Grisham scurried away. Knox eventually walked away without saying a word...

Powell's POV: The Punk match was all Snitsky until the finish. Regal was funny on commentary. Knox looked like a badass while staring down at Mysterio.

[Q7] [C] The announcers mentioned that both the WWE and World titles changes hands at Survivor Series...

Powell's POV: Is that the first time they've acknowledged Edge winning the title? That's bad.

Triple H and Shawn Michaels pimped new DX merchandise. Kelly Kelly joined them and modeled a new DX shirt. As usual, Cole laughed way harder at this segment than he needed to...

Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, and Katie Lea came to the ring for a six-man tag. First, they cut a promo about leading the Raw team to victory at the Survivor Series. Jillian interrupted her to talk about how excited she was to see the Slammy Awards return. She sang a song and Katie danced in the background until Beth shot her a look... [C]

Powell's POV: They're obviously waiting until late in the show to bring out Cena in hopes that people will stay tuned to see him for the first time since his surgery. Unfortunately, they're making the fans sit through a lot of garbage segments to get there.

6. Mickie James and Candice Michelle and Melina defeated Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall and Katie Lea in 3:20. They killed the Melina surprise by mistakenly playing her video on the big screen while Candice's entrance music played. Melina stole the show by hitting some flashy offense during her limited time in the ring. She finished off Katie and scored the clean pin.

Powell's POV: This has been a really flat show thus far. The live crowd hasn't helped matters, but there have been more lows than highs tonight.

[Q8] A shot aired of Chris Jericho walking backstage in a suit. Steph asked him where he's going. He said he's going to serve as John Cena's welcoming committee... [C] The announcers recapped highlights of Jericho winning the triple threat match earlier in the show...

Jericho stood in the ring and said he assumed people thought Cena winning the title was the beginning of a new era in WWE. He reminded the fans that they thought the same thing when Batista defeated him for the title and he regained it eight days later. Jericho said the exact same thing would happen to Cena. "At the end of the year 2008, nothing will have changed because I will still be the World Hvt. Champion..."

Cena interrupted Jericho and appeared on the big screen. He was standing in the concourse and fans were surrounding him. The fans chanted DDP, er, Cena, and he defended the fans against some of the things Jericho has said about him. Cena said that he brought thousands of friends and said if Jericho wanted to be a welcoming committee, he would have to welcome all of them.

DDP, er, Cena walked through the crowd as his music played and he eventually entered the ring with a big smile on his face. He asked for his music to be stopped and then asked Jericho to look around the crowd. He said for all the differences of the people in the crowd, the one thing they all have in common is that they care about WWE.

Cena said the fans spend their hard earned money so they can stand up and cheer. He said it's because the fans have passion. Cena said the wrestlers share in that passion every time they get in the ring. He said without all the people, "none of this exists." Cena said he's not there to start a new era and he doesn't know how many titles he's won and lost (I'll bet Hunter does).

Jericho asked if the crowd agreed with Cena. They cheered. He started to run through the list of wrestlers he's defeated when Cena cut him off and said he say the same thing every week. "The difference between you and me is you talk business, I mean business," Cena said as he took off his shirt.

[Overrun] Jericho left the ring. Cena said he expected him to do that and he said he'd get him in the ring at the pay-per-view. Cena put over Jericho as a wrestler, but said he doesn't like the way Jericho says he needs to save WWE. "I like this place," Cena said. He said Jericho insults the fans every week and tells them they're not good enough.

Cena said Jericho claims to be an honest man, but he lies every week. Cena held up the title belt and said he's a fan like everyone in the building. He said the belt proves that the fans don't need to change and that the champ is here.

Jericho headed back inside the ring and referred to himself as the champion. Jericho said Cena doesn't intimidate him. He said he senses that Cena is afraid of him. Cena smirked and looked to the fans. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, boy," Jericho said. He added that Cena panders to the fans each and every night. He said Cena is a flash in the pan and vowed to beat him at the pay-per-view.

Jericho continued his rant until Cena finally hit him. Cena suplexed Jericho and then dropped a couple of elbows on him before throwing him over the top rope and onto the floor at ringside. Cena headed to ringside and threw Jericho over the announcers' table. He slammed his head onto the ring steps and then whipped him into the other set of steps.

Cena entered the ring and looked to the crowd for approval. He motioned in a manner that suggested he wasn't finished. He headed back to ringside and rammed the ring steps in to Jericho's head. Cena dragged Jericho's limp body back inside the ring as the live crowd chanted his name. Cena continued his attack on Jericho with a full nelson and then glared down at him.

Cena looked to the fans again and locked Jericho in the STFU. Jericho tapped out and his face turned beet red. Cena finally released the hold. He stood over Jericho and raised the title belt above his head. Cena's music played. "The champ is back," Lawler said. "A champ like we've never seen. This could be a different John Cena."

A shot aired of Kane watching on a backstage monitor. Cena raised the belt above his head one more time to close the show...

Powell's POV: What a kiss ass. Jericho's line about pandering was right on. Oh well, the live crowd finally woke up for Cena. I'm not sure what's so different about Cena other than he was a little more aggressive than he has been in the past. A solid return for Cena, but the overall show left a lot to be desired. I'll have more to say tomorrow in the WWE Raw Hitlist.

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