WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] The show opened with Triple H's music playing. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show as Hunter made his way to the ring for a promo. "Wow," Hunter said in response to the crowd's reaction. He brought viewers up to speed by recapping Donald Trump buying Raw and Vince buying it back. He said Trump introduced the guest host idea.

Powell's POV: Just posted the WWE Superstars spoiler and the Raw dark match on the main page. By the way, Vince's name was cheered and Trump's name was booed.

Hunter ran through some of Seth Green's accomplishments and then introduced him. Green came to the ring as "Welcome to the Jungle" played. Green played to the crowd and did a big kick when he was in the ring. He said he was excited to hosting the show knowing that he could do anything he wanted. He said his first idea was a "Diva swimsuit summer spectacular."

Triple H said it was all about the athletic competition and joked that there wouldn't be another reason why they'd have scantily clad women wrestle. Hunter said that's the type of out of the box thinking he likes about Green and his show "Robot Chicken." Hunter said celebrities are begging to be on the show.

Hunter introduced footage from his appearance, which airs on July 26. John Cena also appeared, but it didn't sound like he provided a voice for the show. Seth and Hunter went back and forth about how Orton is a whiney little girl like Dakota Fanning, who Hunter "wrestled" in the "Robot Chicken" clip.

Orton's music interrupted Green and Hunter. Randy entered the ring and said he has something Hunter doesn't - the WWE Championship. Orton chastised Green for taking shots at him. Randy said he's known for having temper issues and said he's not afraid to kick anyone no matter how "big or pathetically small they might be."

Hunter suggested the idea of Seth booking him against Orton in the main event. Orton said Seth didn't want to do that because they'd be meeting at Night of Champions. Hunter said he could just drop Orton on the spot. Orton started to leave the ring, but he turned around and asked Green why he showed up. He said he assumes it's because someone might tune in and mistake him for a real man.

Green said he had an idea for the main event. He announced Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes vs. Triple H and John Cena. Green paused and said, "And me." Hunter look concerned while Orton looked happy about the announcement...

Powell's POV: Solid opening segment. It was a nice touch to have Hunter introduce Green as his friend simply because you never know when a pro wrestling crowd is going to turn on a celebrity. Green wrestling? Not a bad stunt, but it could be a major turnoff if it's booked poorly.

A shot aired of Kelly Kelly walking backstage in her swimsuit...

[Q2] [C] A shot aired of Adelitas Way sitting in the crowd and holding up their CD...

1. Maryse, Rosa Mendes, and Alicia Fox defeated Gail Kim, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly in 3:45. All six women wrestled in their bikinis and were barefoot. There were fake palm trees and beach towels in the corners. In the end, Maryse DDT'd Mickie and scored the pin. Cole pointed out that it was a tag team situation and that they'd be one-on-one at the pay-per-view...

Powell's POV: It's amazing that the live crowds pop so huge for the bikini gimmick. It's not like they're wearing much more than that on a weekly basis.

A shot aired of Green hanging up a photo on the office wall. Chris Jericho entered the room and Green tried to shake his hand. Jericho wouldn't shake his hand, though, because he accused Green of claiming to be a big fan of Star Wars and WWE and mocking both.

Jericho said Green as much as a hypocrite as the fans watching at home. He brought up a roller skating party tour. Green said he was trying to do something fun for the people and suggested that Jericho leave the building if he was going to be such a downer. Jericho said he has an agenda. Jericho said he had something to say and was going to say it whether Green liked it or not. He told Green to stay out of his way...

Powell's POV: Dot Net reader Dan Carruthers pointed out that security pulled a "Who's Seth Green" sign from a fan in the front row. I think WWE has fulfilled their plug obligation for Green within the first 30 minutes of the show.

[Q3] [C] Highlights aired from last week of Carlito attacking Primo... In the ring, Primo called out his brother. However, The Miz came out instead with a mic in hand. Miz made the obligatory colon joke...

2. The Miz beat Primo in 2:10. Primo took control of the match, but Carlito walked out wearing street clothes (and sporting a new goatee). Carlito teased climbing inside the ring, which distracted Primo long enough for Miz to hit a move similar to Jeff Jarrett's Stroke for the win. After the match, Carlito entered the ring and kicked his brother. He bit and apple and spat it in Primo's face...

Powell's POV: Carlito entered to more cheers than boos, but he left to a smattering of boos. Cole actually said, "It was indeed Carlito's way tonight." Ugh.

Cole turned his attention to Edge's injury. Still shot photos aired of Edge lying in a hospital bed with his surgeon standing next to him. Lawler speculated that there could be a tournament to crown new tag champs at the pay-per-view. The announcers hyped the six-man main event... [C]

Highlights aired from WWE Superstars of Hornswoggle pinning Chavo Guerrero... Seth Green told Horny he would have a rematch with Chavo. Horny didn't want it until Green told him Chavo would have to wrestle with one arm tied behind his back. Hornswoggle split when he saw Big Show enter the room.

Big Show said Green could watch his match with Evan Bourne to see how guys his size do in WWE. Green asked Show for advice on his main event match. Show said it would cost him "one million dollars." Show did his Dr. Evil impersonation and then left the room...

Powell's POV: You knew there had to be one Dr. Evil impersonation. How did I know WWE would go with the most predictable, tired Dr. Evil impersonation of them all?

[Q4] 3. Jack Swagger pinned MVP in 7:55. Swagger was wearing a red, white, and blue singlet. MVP took the early advantage and the show cut to break roughly a minute into the match. [C] Swagger was in control of the match after the break and worked over MVP's arm. He talked smack to MVP and hit a Vader Bomb at 6:40.

MVP made his comeback and woke up to the crowd by playing to them. They reacted nicely to his Ballin' Elbow. MVP tried to dump Swagger over the top rope, but Swagger caught himself and pulled MVP's arm down over the top rope. Swagger followed up with gut-wrench powerbomb for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: No hype for the match. It just aired in the middle of the show without warning. I don't get it.

A shot aired of Chris Jericho walking backstage... [C] An ad for ECW hyped Christian becoming No. 1 contender... Did You Know visitors spend more time on WWE Universe than Myspace, Twitter, or Facebook?...

Cole and Lawler discussed the Edge injury at ringside. They warned viewers that the footage they were about to show was graphic. Lawler said he had a friend who had a similar injury and was in a cast for over a year. He said Edge would be out "a long time"...

Powell's POV: Even if you warn a viewer, is surgery footage really PG?

[Q5] Chris Jericho came to the ring. Cole said Jericho and Edge were supposed to defend the Unified Tag Titles against Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase at Night of Champions and wondered what would happen now. Jericho boasted that the tag titles are now held by one man. He ran through the list of Edge's injuries.

"Edge was the weak link of our team, that's so obvious," Jericho said. "And I should not be punished because of his shortcomings as a performer and a man," Jericho said. He ripped the crowd and said he knew they wanted him to forfeit his title. "Not gonna happen," Jericho said. He said they probably expected Seth Green to hold a tag tournament, but that wouldn't happen either.

Jericho pulled out his NOC contract. He said it gave him the right to pick a partner to hold the tag titles with him if Edge was injured. He said the man would be the exact opposite of Edge.

Mark Henry's music played and he came to the ring with a big smile on his face. The announcers questioned whether he was Henry's partner. Jericho smirked at Henry and said he's exactly the type of partner he had in mind. Henry put his arm around Jericho and they both smiled. Henry said they could do unbelievable things. He asked the fans whether they would make a great team. Mixed reaction.

"Actually, Chris, I didn't come out here to be your partner," Henry said. Jericho's smirk turned into a look of concern. "I cam out here to be your opponent," Henry said. Henry clotheslined Jericho and then ripped his suit jacket and dress shirt off. Henry put the boots to Jericho and roughed him up in a corner before Jericho fell to ringside.

Somehow, Jericho's tie was still on his body even though the shirt and jacket were gone. Funny. Jericho started to leave, but then he came back to ringside and removed his tie. A referee was waiting in the ring for a match. Jericho teased entering the ring a couple times before finally climbing in to start the match...

4. Mark Henry defeated Chris Jericho via countout in 1:25. Lawler said he just received word that Seth Green made the match official. Henry controlled the short match and then Jericho left the ring and was intentionally counted out. Cole said it's the second straight week that someone has walked away from a fight with Henry... [C]

Powell's POV: A nice little segment. Jericho was very good on the mic and they set up Henry to shine by having him attack Jericho. Henry had a lot of fun playing to the crowd afterward. He pointed up and they'd stand and cheer until he pointed down.

[Q6] [C] Highlights aired from WWE Superstars of Hornswoggle beating Chavo... The referee tied Chavo's arm behind his back. Lawler said it's impossible to compete like that. "Why is that?" Cole asked. Lawler even mocked him for that idiotic line...

5. Hornswoggle pinned Chavo Guerrero in 2:00. Lawler said Seth Green is a big Hornswoggle fan. He noted that he was in the Austin Powers with Mini-Me. Chavo went for a one-armed suplex, but Horny caught him with a small package for the win...

Powell's POV: Make it stop!

Backstage, Randy Orton praised Ted DiBiase for slapping his own father across the face. He said he would have done the same thing. Ted said his dad never wanted him to join Legacy. He said he wants him to be a copy of him and he never will be.

Cody Rhodes entered the room and said the rumor is that his father might be the Raw general manager next week. He said that unlike "some people," he actually has a good relationship with his father. Ted was offended, but Randy interjected quickly and turned their attention to the six-man tag main event. Randy ordered them to leave Seth Green for him... [C]

Powell's POV: I mentioned in the Dot Net Weekly audio show on Friday that WWE had reached out to Dusty Rhodes about the guest host role, and were talking with a celebrity about the gig. The Dusty idea was a gimme given his relationship with the company and because of the way The Million Dollar Man mocked him last week.

Kofi Kingston came out to join the announcers on commentary. They aired highlights of Big Show beating up him and Evan Bourne from last week. The move formerly known as the Camel Clutch is now called the Colossal Clutch...

[Q7] 6. Big Show beat Evan Bourne in 2:45. Before the match, a shot aired of Seth Green taping up for his match and smiling while watching the backstage monitor. Cole pointed out that Kofi didn't know who his opponent would be at the PPV. Kofi said there's no advantage since his opponent doesn't know either.

Show dominated the glorified squash match. He speared Bourne, who landed awkwardly on his head. Show looked concerned for a couple seconds, but then applied the Clutch to win the match. Kofi ran in for the save afterward...

Powell's POV: That was scary. Bourne seemed to okay since Show applied the hold and Evan sold it by flailing his arms and legs.

Cole and Lawler hyped the new Robot Chicken DVD that comes out next week. It's the Star Wars Episode 2 version... [C]

Powell's POV: I guess they had one more plug to work in. I saw the first Star Wars spoof on Robot Chicken and it was a lot of fun, so I'll have to rent the DVD. By the way, it looks like we've had some new refs tonight. The guy who worked the Big Show vs. Bourne match nearly got caught in the corner because he was out of position at one point.

A shot aired of the band Sick Puppies sitting in the crowd and holding up their CD... The announcers ran through the Night of Champions pay-per-view lineup. They said Chris Jericho and a partner of his choosing will defend the tag titles against Rhodes and DiBiase. They said Jericho would introduce the man at the pay-per-view...

Backstage, Santino Marella played with action figures. His action figure knocked out Iron Shiek and then made out with a female action figure. The camera pulled back and showed Santino sitting on the couch next to Seth Green. Santino asked him for a job. Triple H and John Cena walked in and Santino made a quick exit.

Seth expressed concern about the match. Cena grabbed him by the collar and teased that he'd beat him up if he abandoned him. Cena said he was kidding. Seth took a shot from his asthma inhaler. Hunter said he should stay close to him. Cena said Green could follow him and he'd take care of him.

Hunter referred to Cena as Dudley Do-Right. Cena said they didn't have to argue about it since they both knew Green was going to get killed out there. After Cena walked away, Hunter told Green that Cena had a point. Green looked scared...

Powell's POV: Very funny exchange. The live crowd laughed hard at that one.

Cole and Lawler announced that ZZ Top will be the special guest hosts of next week's show...

Powell's POV: They cater to a younger demographic this week with Green and now they go for the classic rock crowd. Get ready for lame ass beard jokes.

[Q8] [C] The announcers put over the fact that "12 Rounds" was the best selling DVD of last week... Ring introduction for the main event took place. Seth came out to "Welcome to the Jungle" again. He walked to the bottom of the ramp and shook his head as if he was having second thoughts.

Triple H came out next and stood behind Green, who looked more confident. "Are you okay?" Triple H asked. Green responded, "I think so." Hunter did his water spitting routine while the heels watched from ringside. Cena came out last... [C]

Powell's POV: I guess the nice thing about ZZ Top hosting next week is that we know they won't wrestle. One bump and those old dudes turn to dust.

7. Seth Green, Triple H, and John Cena fought Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase to an apparent no contest in 6:40. The match was joined in progress. Hunter worked over Cody and suplexed him. Green smiled in the corner.

[Overrun] Cena tagged in and worked over Rhodes momentarily. A "We Want Seth" chant broke out. Cena obliged and then held Cody from behind while Green punched him. Green smiled and shadow boxed until he realized Cody was staring at him. The referee clearly gave Green his instruction, and then he rolled out of the ring.

Green ran around the ring with Cody in pursuit. Hunter hid behind the ring steps and knocked Cody down as he was coming around his side of the ring. Back in the ring, Green scored a near fall on Cody, who kicked out strong. Seth tagged out and the heels went to work on Cena.

At 4:30, Cena made a hot tag to Hunter, who hit some of his signature spots on Orton. He went for the Pedigree, but Cody and Ted broke it up. Cena ran in and cleared Cody and Ted from the ring. However, Orton hit the RKO out of nowhere on Hunter. He went for the cover, but Seth ran in and broke it up, which got a big pop from the live crowd.

Randy looked irate and Seth backed away with fear on his face. Orton grabbed Seth by the collar and then kicked him in the gut. The fans booed. Orton backed up for the punt kick. He went for it, but Cena recovered just in time and speared Orton. The heels ganged up on Cena.

Cody grabbed a chair. Triple H came back with a sledgehammer and chased them out of the ring. He came close to hitting Cena with the sledgehammer, but pulled up when he saw who it was. Cena and Hunter stared at one another.

Seth reentered the ring and the fans chanted his name. Hunter and Cena ended their staredown and raised Seth's arms. Hunter picked up Green on his shoulders and they played to the crowd as Cena gave the heels who were standing on the ramp the "You Can't See Me" hand gesture. The show concluded with Green, Hunter, and Cena celebrating in the ring...

Powell's POV: Very nicely done. Great facial expressions from Seth. He played his small part well and did a great job of selling the action he was witnessing by smiling when his teammates were on offense and looking concerned when the heels were in control. He always watched the action intently and didn't look like he was only concerned with his spots. His involvement was laid out perfectly in that they had him do just enough.

The overall show left a lot to be desired, but the segments involving Green, Hunter, and Cena were strong. I'll have more to say about the show in the WWE Raw Hitlist on Tuesday. Don't forget that you can become a Dot Net Member by using the signup link below. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

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