WWE Raw on the USA Network
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[Q1] A backstage shot aired of Triple H, Randy Orton, and John Cena standing next to one another. William Regal told them he was going to let them call the shots for the next three weeks. Regal referred to it as the Triple Threat Takeover and said they would take turns making the main event matches. He put Cena in charge this week.

When Regal left the room, Orton tried to talk his WrestleMania 24 opponents into making a pact, noting that none of them want to get hurt before the big event. Triple H and Orton bickered while Cena pondered. He told them he could come up with something extremely satisfying after taking the RKO and Pedigree in recent weeks... The opening montage aired... Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced themselves...

1. Big Show beat Brandon “The Thrill” Hill at 1:50. A shot aired of Floyd Mayweather watching the show “live from Las Vegas.” Lillian Garcia referred to the match as a mixed martial arts exhibition. She said the only ways to win were by pinfall, submission, or knockout. Hill walked out with cornermen and was wearing boxing gear, and Ross noted that he is the same size as Mayweather. A referee called Show and Hill to the center of the ring for prematch boxing-like instructions.

Show darted at the boxer to start the match, but HIll ducked between the ropes three times. The ref threatened to call off the match if Hill hid again. Hill took a few swings at Show, who picked him up and threw him into the corner. Show followed up with a boot to the face and chokeslammed Hill for the pin. After the match, Show took the mic and addressed Hill, who appeared on the big screen. Mayweather said he broke Show’s nose last time and will break his jaw this time. “I’m willing to die,” Mayweather said. “Are you?” Show, still standing in the ring, picked up Hill over his head and dropped him to the floor...

A shot aired of Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels walking together backstage and Ross hyped they were up next...

Powell’s POV: Show and Mayweather talked over one another throughout the segment and it didn’t come off well. The highlight was Show dropping Hill to the floor.

[Q2] [C] 2. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch at 3:21. The live crowd was really hot for Flair and HBK. Michaels sold briefly, but the match was mostly Flair and Michaels on offense. In the end, Flair locked Cade in the figure-four for the win, while Michaels locked Cade in his version of the figure-four.

After the match, HBK took the mic and said he had to get something off his chest. “I can’t do it,” Michaels said. “I don’t want the match at WrestleMania. I know what you’re going to say, you’re gonna say that you’re feeling better than ever. I do not want to be the guy to go down in history as the guy that ended the career of the Nature Boy Ric Flair.”

Michaels said he loves Flair and then his voice took a cockier tone. “But you need to understand something,” he said. “This is WrestleMania and I am the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels—the Showstopper. And if you keep pushing for this match at WrestleMania, you’ll leave me no choice. It’s going to be your show that’s going to be stopped.” Michaels left the ring while Flair stood there with a surprised look in his face...

Powell’s POV: A damn good segment. Wow. HBK turned on the cockiness at just the right time. Excellent.

Backstage, Cena booked Hunter vs. Orton in the main event. Regal assumed Cena would be taking the night off, but instead he booked himself in a match against Mr. Kennedy and kicked Regal out of the office...

[C] A commercial hyped next week’s three-hour Raw will feature wrestlers from all three brands in a three-hour event in rematches from past WrestleMania events, plus an appearance by Floyd Mayweather...

[Q3] 3. Umaga squashed Super Crazy at 0:42. Regal joined the announcers on commentary for the match. A total squash. Super Crazy’s push isn’t so super these days... [C]

Chris Jericho stood in the ring in front of the Highlight Reel set. He introduced Jeff Hardy and then aired clips of their match from last week. Jericho said there’s nothing Hardy can do to stop him from winning the Money in the Bank match. Hardy stood up for himself. He said things have changed since Jericho left WWE. He said he would have nodded his head and walked away if Jericho had said that to him a few years ago.

[Q4] Jericho said Hardy is no longer his friend or colleague between now and WrestleMania. He said Hardy is now a target. Hardy agreed and extended his hand for a handshake. Jericho accepted, but Hardy hit him with the Twist of Fate. Although the fans were booing Jericho for putting down Hardy earlier, there were loud boos as Hardy left the ring... [C]

Powell’s POV: Another good segment. One could argue that they’re splitting the fan base by making them choose between Hardy and Jericho, but this was a good segment for Hardy. It was designed to show that he’s no longer a pushover and is willing to stand up for himself.

4. John Cena defeated Mr. Kennedy via submission at 9:20. They weren’t even a minute into the match when they cut to commercial. [C] After the break, Kennedy took control of the offense and had a couple of nearfalls.

[Q5] Cena teased two comebacks, but Kennedy shot them down both times. At 9:00, Cena made his comeback and hit a legdrop off the top rope on Kennedy, who was standing in a hunched over position. Cena locked in the STFU and picked up the submission win...

Powell’s POV: And Kennedy heads right back to where he was last week before the attack on Cena. It’s a shame his character hasn’t had a chance to develop on Raw. He hasn’t moved up or down the card since he departed Smackdown. HIs suspension didn’t help his cause, but he’s just spinning his wheels from a character development standpoint.

Backstage, Maria and Candice Michelle held hands while walking together, as Lawler hyped the Playboy unveiling for after the break... [C] Lawler stood in the ring and introduced Maria, who came out with Candice Michelle. Lawler announced that Snoop Doog will serve as the master of ceremonies for the Bunny Mania match at WrestleMania. Once in the ring, Maria said it’s been an amazing opportunity and a thrilling experience to pose for Playboy.

The King and Candice removed the covering from the Playboy display. However, small head shots of Santino Marella’s face covered Maria’s face, breast, and “crotchal region.” Santino walked out and told Maria tried to order Maria to leave the ring with him. She finally stood up for himself for the first time. Santino grabbed her arm, but Lawler popped him with a right hand and knocked him to ringside.

[Q6] Candice unveiled a large tapestry of the real cover that hung from the rafters... [C]

Powell’s POV: I guess I should have saw the Santino head shots coming, but I did not. I cracked up when they removed the covering. The crowd wasn’t very pleased, so I guess I wasn’t the only one.

Highlights aired of NASCAR driver Carl Edwards winning a race and mentioning John Cena and WrestleMania in the post-race interview...

5. Carlito defeated Cody Rhodes at 3:38 in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. Cody skinned the cat early in the match, but Carlito spotted it and tagged him on the back of the head with a dropkick. Good fast-paced action with nearfalls for both wrestlers. After some back and forth action, Carlito hit the Backstabber for the win... Ross hyped a live interview with Mayweather for after the break...

Powell’s POV: At least they didn’t snub Carlito again this year. He was stuck in a dark tag team match with Ric Flair vs. Gregory Helms and Chavo Guerrero last year.

[Q7] [C] A commercial noted that Mayweather and Show will have their official weigh-in next week on the three-hour Raw...

Ross and Lawler interviewed Mayweather, who was live from Las Vegas. There were scattered boos from the live crowd. He said he was in WWE to dominate. He said whether it’s MMA, pro wrestling, or boxing, he’s the best. King asked if the punishment he could receive at WrestleMania will be worth the $20 million payout. Mayweather said he’s the real King and said Lawler shouldn’t talk to him like that...

Powell’s POV: Ouch. Another lousy segment. They really need to sit him down and tell him what to say in a pre-taped environment.

A nervous Mike Adamle introduced Mae Young as the next latest WWE Hall of Fame inductee... A shot aired of Finlay walking backstage and the announcers noted that his confrontation with JBL would be up next... [C]

Finlay, carrying a shillelagh, walked to the ring to much improved Irish music. Vince McMahon walked onto the stage. Finlay confirmed that he conspired with members of the McMahon family to make Vince believe Hornswoggle was his son. Finlay also confirmed that he is actually Hornswoggle’s father. Vince said JBL couldn’t be there in person, but had a video message for Finlay.

[Q8] JBL appeared on the Titan Tron. He cut a short promo and then the camera pulled back to reveal that he was at the hospital with Hornswoggle. JBL said he’d fight Finlay “on my terms at WrestleMania” and then slapped Hornswoggle across the face. “I don’t think anyone, especially you Finlay, wants to see what I’m about to do,” JBL said. He turned off the lights and Hornswoggle began crying out in pain while the camera closed in on Finlay’s face... [C]

Powell’s POV: Disturbing. Is this the old baby oil bit again?

6. Randy Orton fought Triple H to a no-contest at 7:25 in a non-title match. Cena sat in on commentary with Ross and Lawler. Orton took control of the match and a “Triple H” chant broke out. A few minutes later, Hunter started his comeback.

[Overrun] At 6:30, Orton grabbed his title belt and teased leaving. Cena got up to stop him. Orton and Cena jawed back and forth at ringside until Triple H hit Orton from behind and knocked him into Cena. Back inside the ring, Orton tried to use the title belt as a weapon, but Hunter kicked in the gut and went for the Pedigree. Cena ran in and punched Triple H to end the match.

Cena hit the FU on Triple H and posed for the crowd. When Cena turned around, Orton caught him with the RKO. Orton stood between his fallen WrestleMania opponents and raised his belt into the air while Ross questioned what would happen next week when Orton or Triple H are in charge.

Powell’s POV: Overall, this was a really loaded show. It was filled with meaningful matches and segments from beginning to end. Not everything they did worked, but I never felt like I was watching filler material at any time during the broadcast.

Check back Tuesday morning for the Raw Hitlist.

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