WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Raleigh, N.C.

[Q1] Michael Cole welcomed us to the show without an opening video and Jerry Lawler promoted ZZ Top hosting the show tonight. John Cena’s music hit and he came out to the ring. Cole and Lawler then announced tonight’s main event of Triple H and John Cena vs. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes...

Twill’s Two Cents: It has been a long time coming but I am finally back covering Raw. I hope they give me something good to write about tonight.

Cena cut a promo hyping tonight’s show and Night of Champions. He reminded everyone that this Sunday’s main event was also the main event at WrestleMania XXIV (actually, it wasn’t, but it was a match on that show). Randy Orton’s music hit and he came out to the ring. He reminded Cena that he won that match at WrestleMania XXIV and history would repeat itself this Sunday.

Cena interrupted Orton and said he was not listening to him because of the “awesome crowd.” He said he wanted to get an early start. Orton backed off but then Legacy surrounded Cena and they had a three on one advantage. Triple H’s music hit and his presence forced Legacy to retreat to the ramp.

Triple H took the mic and said for the first time in his career, he did not care if he won the WWE Championship. He also did not care if John Cena won the WWE Championship. He only cared that Orton did not win the title. H and Cena discussed what a hobbit was because Seth Green punked out Orton.

Randy said he wanted in the main event tonight to make it a three on two match handicapped match. Cena called Orton’s challenge what it was and that was an opportunity to drive a wedge between H and Cena. They playfully argued and then in unison said, “We accept.” ...

Twill’s Two Cents: I enjoyed the segment because I hate how serious they tend to make everything and I liked how Triple H and John Cena kept it light. That being said, maybe they made too light of the situation. A happy medium was needed here. I loved the “You guys are stupid” look on Orton’s face.

[Q2] Backstage, ZZ Top was in their office, which resembled a studio. Santino Marella entered and said he was a huge fan. Dusty Hill put a hat, glasses, and a long beard on Santino. They started to play a song as the show went to commercial... [C]

Footage was shown of Big Show beating Evan Bourne with Kofi Kingston on commentary last week...

Cole announced a six-pack challenge for the United States Championship at Night of Champions with Kofi defending against Carlito, MVP, Big Show, Jack Swagger, and The Miz...

1. Kofi Kingston, MVP, and Primo defeated Big Show, Jack Swagger, and Carlito in 9:11. MVP hit the ballin’ elbow on Swagger within the first minute. With the faces in the ring looking over the heels on the floor, the show went to commercial... [C]

Cole made a horrible reference to Dave and Buster’s (sponsoring the match) by saying Show was “feeding his fun.” He also referred to him as the favorite a few times so he won’t win the match on Sunday. He also made the obligatory “hand like a frying pan” comparison from a Big Show chop.

[Q3] Carlito hit an impressive dropkick on Kofi and Swagger tagged in to score a two count. Carlito tagged back in and Kofi was able to tag Primo, who cleaned house of everybody and kicked Carlito’s ass. MVP came and hit a springboard high cross body on Swagger. Kofi took out Show with a head scissors over the top rope. Primo pinned Carlito after hitting a top rope head butt...

After the match, Big Show took out all five guys and left them lying as his music played and he made his way to the back. Again, thank you to Dave and Buster’s for sponsoring the match. They outbid Dot Net by a few dollars...

Twill’s Two Cents: Fun match that helped hype the match at the pay-per-view. Of course, Miz was nowhere to be seen and the guy who is not going to be in the match scored the pin, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I’d rather not see Show win the title, so I am glad he was booked to look so strong.

Backstage, Chris Jericho approached ZZ Top and asked if they were a fan of Fozzy. Gibbons had never heard of them. They put Jericho in a match with Mark Henry and Jericho repeated “How?” over and over again. Of course, ZZ Top then broke into song... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Jericho on the show? I am cool with that!

Back from commercial, The Brian Kendrick was arguing with Jerry Lawler at the announce table. He grabbed the mic and reminded everyone he was one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions for over a year and that was one more WWE title than King ever won. Lawler jumped in the ring and announced himself as Kendrick’s opponent...

[Q4] 2. Jerry “The King” Lawler defeated The Brian Kendrick in 2:16. The dominated early but King came back with big left jabs. He then hit a dropkick. Nice. Kendrick went for The Kendrick but Lawler countered. He hit the second rope fist to the head for the win... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Obviously, I didn’t like seeing that, but it makes me wonder why they can’t throw King that bone at a WrestleMania. He deserves it.

Josh Matthews interviewed Mickie James in an 80s style interview on a podium by the entrance ramp. Mickie said Sunday was Night of Champions, not “Night of Trampions.” Miz came out and said Mickie would be working at a waffle house in ten years. Mickie said Miz was upset because she scored a pinfall on Maryse while Miz couldn’t score at all. Maryse approached Mickie and sprayed something in her face. She posed as her music played...

Twill’s Two Cents: Mickie is never great on a live mic, but she was much better here than usual. I absolutely loved the old 80s style interview set and would love to see more of it. Good segment to hype this Sunday’s pay-per-view match.

Mark Henry, with a huge smile on his face, made his way through the backstage area... [C]

Chris Jericho made his entrance and as he did, Cole reminded everyone Jericho would be able to choose another partner for his tag team championship defense this Sunday. Footage was shown Henry turning down Jericho’s offer last week...

[Q5] 3. Mark Henry defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification in 5:08. Jericho stalled early by exiting the ring. Once Henry caught him, he dominated for the first couple of minutes. Jericho grabbed the advantage by taking out Henry’s leg and nailing him with multiple kicks. The announcers sold Jericho working on a twelve year old ankle injury Henry has.

Even when Henry was able to fight back, Jericho kept going back to the leg. Henry applied the giant swing on Jericho and motioned to the crowd afterward. Jericho raked the eyes and hit the bulldog. He tried to apply the Walls of Jericho but Henry kicked him to the floor. Jericho hit Henry with a chair and the referee called for the bell...

Jericho tried to hit Henry in the face with the chair, but Henry intercepted it. Back in the ring, Jericho attempted a Codebreaker. Henry caught him and hit the World’s Strongest Slam. His music played and Lillian actually announced him as the winner by disqualification...

Twill’s Two Cents: It was nice to hear the match announcement. For so long now, matches end without any announcement. I like Henry, but I don’t like to see Jericho, who should be a (the) top guy, being booked to look weak.

Backstage, Chavo Guerrero approached ZZ Top and said he was disgusted with the way he has been treated on Raw lately. He was booked in a “Sharp Dressed Man” match against Hornswoggle for later in the show. Chavo was pleased and ZZ and Santino played their next tune... [C]

The WWE Rewind showed footage of Hornswoggle defeating Chavo Guerrero on Superstars two weeks ago...

Lillian botched the announcement by saying the following was a “Sharp Dressed Match Match.” Then she said, “The following” again and just gave up as Hornswoggle’s music hit. Chavo’s pant legs were tied together. Footage was shown of Horny winning last week’s match with Chavo’s arm tied behind his back...

[Q6] 4. Hornswoggle defeated Chavo Guerrero in a “Sharp Dressed Man” match in 2:36. Both men were in tuxedos and the winner is the first one to tear off the tux of the other. I guess WWE is trying to top Sharmell vs. Jenna Morasca from last night’s show. Hey, at least Chavo is cashing a paycheck.

Anyway, Horny was able to remove Chavo’s shirt and jacket before Chavo took over. Chavo threw Horny’s shoes at him. The “Who throws a shoe?” joke would have been more appropriate last week with Seth Green as the host. Chavo got himself caught in the ropes and Horny ripped his pants off. Chavo was wearing boxers with chili peppers on them...

Twill’s Two Cents: Is this ready the best way to use Chavo Guerrero? Hell, is this even the best way to use Hornswoggle? Damn, that was just a waste of time.

Backstage, John Cena approached Triple H, who was taping up his hands. Cena was confused about H saying he did not care about winning the WWE Championship. H said he obviously did not mean that. They agreed to have each other’s backs tonight, but all bets were off this Sunday. Cena said he would not have it any other way... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Short, but solid backstage segment that remedied exactly what I complained about earlier. Both men were having fun during the first segment, but business is business.

Did you know? Cheers, ER, and Seinfeld have nothing on Raw because all of those shows combined have not run as many episodes as Raw...

ZZ Top and Santino said it was a great night, but something was missing. Enter Kelly Kelly, who started dancing. She was interrupted by Alicia Fox, who was interrupted by Gail Kim, who was interrupted by Rosa Mendes, who was interrupted by Santino, who ripped his pants off. ZZ Top took off and Santino danced...

Twill’s Two Cents: Could they bring Kelly back out please? Damn, she looked great.

King and Cole stood in the middle of the ring and ran down the card for Night of Champions...

[Q7] Chris Jericho struggled to leave the arena and was approached by DiBiase and Rhodes. DiBiase called Jericho a self-righteous loser. Rhodes said Jericho was “second generation” too, but his dad was a “bench warming hockey player.”

Jericho reminded his opponents that he has won more titles than them and their dads put together. He said he was self-righteous, but he was not a loser. He then put doubt in their head by saying Randy Orton could end up being his partner... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Jericho was gold here. His facial expressions and response timing was something the roster should look at when studying how to become better. Jericho also did a great job selling his match for the pay-per-view.

Cole and King announced that Shaquille O’Neal would be hosting Raw next week...

Twill’s Two Cents: Nice! Shaq will garner a lot of mainstream press and should do a fantastic job.

5. Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox defeated Gail Kim and Kelly Kelly in a “ZZ Top Legs” match in 3:40. It looked like Alicia (literally) accidentally punched her partner Rosa. Cole covered it up by saying it was an odd looking tag. King said he didn’t see it. Weird. Alicia scored the first nearfall after hitting a dropkick to the knee of Gail. Rosa followed up with a snap suplex for another two count.

Kelly hit a spinning head scissors and King dropped his 100th “legs” reference of the match. Gail took out Rosa with a springboard high cross body to the floor. Alicia applied a bad looking small package and the new referee looked clueless in counting the three...

Twill’s Two Cents: Alicia is getting better, but Gail is so far out of the league of these three. She belongs working with Mickie, Maryse, and Beth (remember her?). Kelly still looks fantastic; if she could go in the ring, she would have the belt for a long time.

[Q8] Lillian introduced ZZ Top and they came out in a sweet, old red car. I loved these guys in Back to the Future Part III. They waved to the crowd and then Randy Orton’s music hit. Legacy made their way to the ring. I’m wondering if Triple H and John Cena will be able to win tonight since Seth Green will not be their partner...

As Triple H made his entrance, Cole said he would be looking to win the title for the 14th time. Damn, I did not realize he was up that high. Triple H is on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine. That is a good magazine, but I prefer Men’s Health. Cena came out to his second huge pop of the night...

6. John Cena and Triple H defeated Legacy (Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes) in 13:31. Cena started the match with Cody Rhodes. Cena established a very fast pace early but then tagged in Hunter, who methodically decimated Rhodes, including hitting a Davey Boy Smith-like delayed vertical suplex. Hunter and Cena knocked all three opponents to the floor... [C]

Back from commercial, Triple H tagged in while Cena was struggling with Cody. H cleaned house but then was distracted by Orton, allowing Legacy to gain the advantage. Orton took advantage of a distracted referee by slamming Hunter into the ring steps. Legacy then tagged in and out while beating down Triple H in their corner.

[Overrun] DiBiase moved Hunter back into the middle of the ring and kicked him in the head for a two count. Legacy scored a series of nearfalls as Hunter took the prolonged beatdown. A “Triple H” chant broke out in the arena. Rhodes locked in a front facelock and Hunter tried to life him back to his corner to tag Cena, but was unable to.

By the way, I have new neighbors and they are not going to last long. This is a nice place and I don’t need loose cigarette butts everywhere, their eyesore of a car in the always open garage next to me, and them yelling and screaming at all hours of the night. Anyway, Hunter still has not tagged out.

Orton prepared himself to hit the RKO, but Hunter pushed him into the corner and followed with a spinebuster. Cena excitedly waited for a tag as both H and Orton crawled towards their respective corners. Cena and Rhodes tagged in simultaneously. Cena got the best of Rhodes and knocked DiBiase from the apron.

He hit the five-knuckle shuffle and went for the Attitude Adjustment but DiBiase prevented it. Cena then locked in the STF but DiBiase broke it up before Rhodes tapped out. Orton tagged in and tried to punt Cena, but he avoided it and surprised Orton with a schoolboy for the pin...

After the match, Hunter and Cena stood triumphantly as Legacy looked pissed as they retreated up the ramp. Cena and Hunter shook hands...

Twill’s Two Cents: I disliked this for a few reasons. I’m not being negative just to be negative, but I don’t like that Hunter took the majority of Legacy’s offense only for Cena to score a fluky victory. I hate handicapped matches in which the team with the advantage loses, even if it is to the two top guys. Legacy looks weak by losing to two guys, regardless of who the two guys are. Finally, I hate that the champion was pinned. The champion should never be pinned unless he is losing the title. It makes it more monumental.

What did you think of the show? Your opinions are always welcome by shooting an email to me at dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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