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

[Q1] The show opened with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler hyping ZZ Top's appearance as the special guest hosts... John Cena's entrance music played. The announcers noted that the main event would be Cena and Triple H vs. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. They credited ZZ Top with booking the match.

Cena was all revved up about ZZ Top appearing on the show. He was also fired up about the pay-per-view main event. He noted that Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena is a WrestleMania 24 rematch.

Randy Orton's music interrupted Cena. He came to the ring and reminded Cena that he won the Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 24. Cena praised the fans and said it sounded like they want an early preview of him pounding Orton's face into mush. Orton acted like he was ready to fight, but he backed down and said Cena may want to rethink this.

Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase came to ringside. The three Legacy members glared at Cena, who indicated that he was ready to take them all on. They slowly made their way onto the ring apron, but stopped when Triple H's entrance music played and he came to the ring. Hunter joined Cena in the ring while Legacy remained at ringside.

Hunter took the mic and said he doesn't care whether he or John Cena win the WWE Championship on Sunday. "What I really care about is that you don't," Hunter said. Triple H brought up last week's show with Seth Green and struggled to come up with a comparison for how small he is. Cena interjected with "like Hornswoggle."

Hunter said Hornswoggle is much heavier. Cena mentioned the word "hobbit." Hunter asked what the hell that was. Cena said it was from Lord of the Rings and said that's the word Hunter should use. Orton pitched the idea of adding himself to the tag team main event.

"Well played," Cena said in a mocking tone. He referred to Orton as an evil genius. Cena said Orton knows there's no chance that he and Triple H can coexist on the same team headed into Sunday's show. He clowned around and said he asked the magic eight ball and was told to ask again later. Hunter and Cena simultaneously accepted the challenge to the new match, meaning it's Hunter and Cena vs. Orton, Rhodes, and DiBiase...

[Q2] The announcers recapped the first segment and then turned it over to ZZ Top, who were in a soundproof room with their guitars in hand and mics in front of them. Santino Marella entered the room and said "Z-Top" is his favorite band in the galaxy. They corrected him and then had him dress in a fake beard and cowboy hat. He had his own guitar and they all pretended to play "Cheap Sunglasses" even though there were no drums or other instruments in the room... [C]

Powell's POV: Decent opening segment. There was a little too much clowning around for my taste given there's a pay-per-view to sell, but it was entertaining. As for ZZ Top, well, at least they got the lame beard skit out over with right away.

After the break, the announcers hyped a six-pack challenge for the U.S. Title for Sunday's Night of Champions. The match will be Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz vs. Jack Swagger vs. Big Show vs. MVP vs. Carlito...

1. Kofi Kingston, MVP, and Primo defeated Big Show, Jack Swagger, and Carlito in 9:15. MVP hit the Ballin' Elbow on Swagger early. The show cut to break just over a minute into the match. [C] Highlights aired from during the break of Show catching a diving Kofi at ringside.

[Q3] Hot action down the stretch. Primo avoided a spear attempt by Big Show, who accidentally speared Carlito. Kofi took out Big Show. Primo ended up pinning his brother. Afterward, Big Show laid out everyone, including his teammates...

Powell's POV: Show didn't win the match, but he looked dominant heading into the pay-per-view.

Backstage, Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons were still hanging with Santino. They discussed their tour with Aerosmith. Chris Jericho entered the room and said they were all finally together at the same time. He brought up his band Fozzy, but they haven't heard of them. Jericho said they could jam later in the show.

Hill and Gibbons had something else in mind. They booked Jericho in a match against Mark Henry. He repeatedly asked how he was supposed to have a match with Henry, which led into one of their songs... [C]

Powell's POV: Damn, the ZZ Top skits are cornier than I expected. By the way, it looks like they're making up the rules as they go along with Jericho. The rule was that the tag champs could defend the titles on any brand, but I don't recall hearing anything about the general managers (or guest hosts) having the freedom to book them in singles matches.

After the break, The Brian Kendrick was standing in front of the announcers' desk lobbying for them to talk about him as Chris Jericho's next tag partner. He had a mic in hand and took a shot at how his tag title reign was one more title than Lawler ever had in WWE. He entered the ring and told Lilian Garcia to introduce his opponent. Lawler stood up and interrupted Lilian. He asked if he could introduce Kendrick's opponent instead. Lawler introduced himself...

2. Jerry Lawler defeated The Brian Kendrick in 2:40. Kendrick looked for the WWE Hall of Fame ring that Lawler wasn't wearing. Lawler socked Kendrick, who came right back on offense.

[Q4] Kendrick dominated the bulk of the match, but he avoided The Kendrick and hit a fist drop off the second rope for the 1-2-3... Cole hyped the main event... [C]

Powell's POV: That was odd. Nothing wrong with it other than that it has nothing to do with the pay-per-view they're trying to sell. Oh, and I hate seeing Kendrick lose to everyone including the color commentator. No disrespect to The King, but Kendrick deserves better.

After the break, Josh Matthews and Mickie James were standing on a platform next to the entrance ramp. Matthews interviewed Mickie about her match against Maryse. He pointed out that she lost the swimsuit match last week. "Sunday is Night of Champions, Josh, not trampions," Mickie said. Funny.

The Miz's entrance music interrupted Mickie's promo. He walked onto the platform dressed in street clothes. He said Maryse is beautiful and glamourous, while Mickie will be working as a waitress in a waffle house 10 years from now. He told another joke, which Mickie asked if he found online "like you get all your material." Maryse walked out and sprayed an aerosol can in Mickie's eyes... [C]

An ad for Smackdown hyped Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk for Friday's WWE Smackdown...

Powell's POV: So much for the MyNetwork TV press release that hyped Punk vs. Jeff Hardy. Punk vs. Mysterio is a more logical match given the pay-per-view is only two days after the show airs.

The announcers hyped the tag title match for Night of Champions and questioned who Chris Jericho's partner would be...

[Q5] 3. Mark Henry defeated Chris Jericho by DQ in 5:05. Lawler said it looked like Jericho had been crying. He wondered if Jericho was crying because ZZ Top had never heard of Fozzy. "Who?" Cole asked. The announcers also mentioned the ongoing storyline with Jericho and Edge.

Henry controlled the first two minutes of the match. Jericho came back with knees and kicks and then posed for the crowd. Later, Jericho went for the Codebreaker, but Henry caught him by the legs and performed the giant swing. Jericho came right back with a Walls of Jericho attempt, but Henry kicked him to ringside.

At 5:00, Henry followed Jericho to ringside. Jericho greeted him with a chairshot for the DQ. Jericho tried to hit Henry again, but Mark caught the chair and shoved it and Jericho over the announcers' table. Herny tossed Jericho back inside the ring. Jericho went for the Codebreaker again, but Henry turned it into the World's Strongest Slam...

Powell's POV: Fun match. Jericho worked hard. Cole took a spill while trying to avoid Jericho coming over the table. Nothing major, though.

Backstage, Santino continued to clown around with ZZ Top. Chavo Guerrero entered the scene and complained about being forced to wrestle a leprechaun. The ZZ Top boys said they agreed. They booked him a "Sharp Dressed Man" match. They admitted it would normally be called a tuxedo match. They broke into their song "Sharp Dressed Man"... [C]

Powell's POV: Gibbons and HIll aren't even trying to pretend like they're really playing their guitars. Can you blame them? The corniness continues. For those who don't remember, "Sharp Dressed Man" was Jimmy Garvin's entrance theme way back when. Great wrestling entrance song.

[Q6] After the break, Lilian Garcia introduced the "Sharp Dressed Tuxedo match." She stumbled over her words before she was finally interrupted by Hornswoggle's music...

4. Hornswoggle defeated Chavo Guerrero in a Sharp Dressed Man match in 2:35. Both wrestlers were dressed in tuxedos. The legs of Chavo's pants were sewn together so he waddled around like a penguin for laughs. Hornswoggle pulled off Chavo's jacket and shirt, but was greeted with a big clothesline. Chavo ended up bending over the ropes and Horny pulled off his pants to win the match...

Powell's POV: Chavo made the most out of the match with the penguin walk. Cute for what it was even if the joke got old within seconds of the opening bell.

Backstage, John Cena thanked Triple H for coming out earlier. Hunter said it wasn't necessary. Cena asked Hunter if he meant that he cares more about Orton not retaining the belt than he does about winning the belt himself. Hunter said Cena should know by now that he didn't mean that. Hunter said Cena could count on him in the tag match, but all bets were off on Sunday. Cena said he wouldn't have it any other way... [C]

Powell's POV: At least they had Hunter clarify that he cares about the belt. His previous comment was awkward.

Backstage, Santino continued to clown around with "Z-Top." They said it's been a remarkable night, but something's been missing. Kelly Kelly walked into the room wearing shorts. This led to them pretending to play "Legs." Alicia Fox came in and took Kelly's place. Gail Kim came in and danced. Rosa Mendes took her turn. Santino entered the picture and removed his pants. The music stopped. ZZ Top said they were out of here. After they left the room, Santino danced in his underwear...

Powell's POV: Please tell me that's the end of ZZ Top and Santino. These skits kept getting worse as the night went on.

In the ring, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ran through the Night of Champions lineup...

[Q7] The cameras cut away from Cole and Lawler before they finished their schtick to a backstage shot of Chris Jericho. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes asked if he had a partner. Ted said Jericho probably doesn't even have a partner yet. Cody mockingly said Jericho is second generation just like they are, only his father was a hockey player. Jericho stood up for himself briefly. DiBiase threatened to leave him lying and then have Randy Orton come out and finished the job. Jericho smirked and said for all they know Orton might be his partner... [C]

Powell's POV: Nice line by Jericho at the end. By the way, Cole was going to ask Lawler to pick a winner in the Triple Threat match, but the cameras were already following Jericho backstage, so Cole stopped asking the question in mid-sentence.

At ringside, Cole and Lawler announced that NBA player Shaquille O'Neal will be the guest host of next week's show...

Powell's POV: Another legit WWE fan. Maybe he can issue his open challenge to Brock Lesnar on Raw. Now that would be fun.

5. Gail Kim and Kelly Kelly vs. Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes in a ZZ Top Legs match. At 1:30, Gail jumped off the top rope and into a poorly timed dropkick form Alicia. Later, Alicia caught Kelly in a school girl by the ropes. They were both in the ropes, but the referee counted to three anyway... [C]

Powell's POV: Maybe Madison Rayne blew this referee too (see the TNA Victory Road PPV). The crowd is dead for this lousy show. They should wake up for the main event, though.

[Q8] Lilian introduced ZZ Top. They drove into the building in one of their legendary cars from their '80s videos. Gibbons and Hill shook hands with fans while Cole and Lawler plugged their next CD release. Ring introductions for the main event took place...

6. Triple H and John Cena defeated Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes in 13:30. After two minutes of action, the show cut to commercial. [C] The heels took turns working over Hunter after the break.

[Overrun] The heels continued to focus on Hunter. The fans chanted Hunter's name while Cena begged for a tag in the corner. Hunter came close to tagging Cena a couple times, but the heels kept him inches away. Hunter eventually hit a spinebuster on Orton.

Triple H made the hot tag to Cena and the crowd popped huge. Orton came in and set up Cena for the big punt kick, but Cena missed and rolled him up for the clean pin. Cole put over that Cena had just pinned the WWE Champion. Eventually, Cena held his hand out and Hunter eventually shook it while Orton got mad at ringside...

Powell's POV: The live crowd loved the main event and the way they built to the hot tag. WWE went against the grain by not having Hunter and Cena squabble during the match. Honestly, the predictable route would have been more appealing for this viewer. The overall show didn't do much for me and did not leave me excited about Sunday's Night of Champions show. Maybe the rest of the WWE programming this week can change that. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

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