WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Dallas, Tex.

[Q1] The opening video started the show... Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler set things up by hyping The Miz vs. Mark Henry for the U.S. Title, and Chris Jericho vs. DX in the handicap match...

Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced Mark Cuban and his freakishly large forehead. The mongoloid millionaire came to the ring and told the Dallas fans that if they thought he got wild at Mavericks games, they haven't seen anything until they've seen him at a WWE event.

Cuban hyped that his "main main" John Cena and Sheamus would meet up later "in a showdown." He said they would be allowed to say anything they want to one another. He said it was time to get the show started. "Let's do this," Cuban said.

Powell's POV: Cuban did fine. I mock him for fun, but he did a nice job. I don't think fans will care about him outside North America. Hell, we barely care here, but the live crowd in Dallas loves him because he owns their NBA franchise.

1. John Cena pinned Carlito in 3:00. Cuban took a seat in the front row next to the celebrity whore Bella Twins, who were dressed in Mavs jerseys. Cole quickly recapped the angle that Cena and Carlito were involved in last week. Cena dominated the match. He suffered a small cut on his upper lip during the match, but the trainers did not race to the ring and super glue it shut this time.

Cena had Carlito finished when he was distracted by Sheamus's music. Sheamus walked onto the stage. Suddenly, security stood between them and the ring. After security moved Sheamus to the back, Carlito attacked Cena from behind and then jumped on his shoulders for a move only to take the Attitude Adjustment. Cena got the clean pin... [C]

Powell's POV: I was hoping they were going to do more with Carlito after his fun segment last week, but it looks like he's just a quick snack for Cena. Too bad.

An ad aired for the Slammy Awards on next week's three-hour Raw with guest host Dennis Miller...

[Q2] Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase headed to the ring. Orton looked down at Cuban, who was still seated next to the Bella Twins in the front row. He said he was proud of Cuban for taking control. He sucked up to Cuban and said he would lift the ban that prevents him from getting a shot at the WWE Championship. Cuban shook his head no.

Ted took the mic and said he wanted to remind Cuban what happened the last time he was in the ring together. Highlights aired of Orton hitting the RKO on Cuban at the 2003 Survivor Series. After the video played, Cuban said he would not give Orton a championship against the winner of Cena vs. Sheamus, which he had requested.

Cuban said Orton got lucky in his match against Kofi Kingston last week. He said the only reason Orton won is because the WWE referees are worse than NBA referees. Here comes the fine and the ESPN love to go along with it. Cuban announced that he would be the special referee of a rematch between Orton and Kingston later in the show.

Cody took the mic and mocked a couple of the Mavericks players who were seated next to the celebrity whore Bella Twins. Cody asked Cuban if he would accept the match. challenge he issued in the Dallas Morning News. Cody and Ted went to ringside. Cuban told them they would pick it up again in June after the Mavs won the NBA Finals. He said Cody and Ted should prepare for their match. Primo and Evan Bourne came out for the match... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm sure this is great if you're a Mavs fan or even a big NBA fan, but it's not doing anything for this viewer. I couldn't care less if someone beats up Cuban, and I don't even know which players were sitting at ringside with him. Don't send me emails. I honestly don't care and I'm sure Cole and Lawler will fill me in soon enough. Okay, so maybe not.

2. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase defeated Evan Bourne and Primo. Bourne got a nice spot where he hit the double knee splash off the ropes for a good near fall on Ted that Cody had to break up. Moments later, though, Ted hit Dream Street on Bourne and got the pin.

[Q3] After the match, Justin Roberts was shown listening to Cuban at ringside. Roberts announced that Cuban had ruled that Cody and Ted were not ejected from the arena. Cuban sang the goodbye song like the big dork that he is. Security came out and escorted Cody and Ted to the back...

At ringside, Cole and Lawler discussed the TLC pay-per-view. Cole introduced a video package on Sheamus. After the video aired, they hyped the showdown between Cena and Sheamus for later in the show...

Powell's POV: A nice video package. The only negative is that they haven't had him beat anyone who matters, so the footage consisted of him beating up Jamie Noble. At least the announcers were able to hype that the attack ended Noble's career. The show feels really flat so far. Cuban is doing fine, but I wouldn't want to see the owners of my favorite sports teams hosting Raw, let alone the owner of a team I don't give a damn about. Let me know if I'm missing something, NBA fans.

3. Maryse pinned Gail Kim in 1:30. Kelly Kelly was the guest ring announcer. Late in the match, Maryse slapped Gail across the face and then ran away from her. Gail got in some offense, but Maryse tripped her up, covered her, and got the pin while using the ropes for leverage. After the match, Maryse and Kelly fought briefly at ringside. Melina ran out and saved Kelly...

A graphic with Kofi, Rand, and dorky Mark Cuban wearing a ref's shirt teased the main event... [C]

Powell's POV: I've officially decided which show I'm watching live on January 4. It's not the one with the regional guest hosts.

[Q4] A DX holiday commercial aired. There was a bunch of DX gear lying around and a Hulk Hogan DVD poster hanging up. Shawn gave Hunter a copy of the new video game for Christmas. Hunter said the promotional department sent him a copy also. There was a wrapped gift. Hornswoggle popped out wearing a new DX and Hornswoggle t-shirt that reads, "Littlest Member" on the back.

Hunter and Shawn kept clowning around. They read through their notes and then asked how wrote them. They showed a kid on camera who took off running. Hornswoggle climbed the Christmas tree that was in the background. He dove onto Hunter and Shawn and then did the crotch chop before running away...

Powell's POV: Did I mention that the other who won't have little people grunting? Okay, so they might be beating off in a trash can if Vince Russo is still writing the show, but I'll take my chances. I hate to be so negative, but this show has been really weak so far.

The announcers introduced another Sheamus video. This one recapped him beating up the timekeeper and Jerry Lawler at ringside... A shot aired of Kofi Kingston walking backstage... [C]

Mark Cuban was introduced as the special referee. Randy Orton made his entrance and glared at Cuban, who pointed to the patch on his referee shirt. You know, because the guy who beat up the owner and his kids would back down because of a referee's patch. Kofi came out next...

4. Kofi Kingston pinned Randy Orton in 5:15. Kofi went on the offensive quickly, but Randy cut him off with a nice clothesline. Orton went into attack mode while Cuban did his best to stay out of the way.

[Q5] Kofi came back and fired a series of punches at Orton in the corner. Cuban stepped in and pulled him off briefly, but Kofi went right back to punching Orton. Kofi set up for a kick, but Randy dodged it and hit a backbreaker. Randy glared at Cuban again and then struck his viper pose. Randy went for his finisher, but Kofi countered with a backslide. Cuban made a fast count to give Kingston the win.

After the match, Cuban stood at ringside with the mic in his hand. "I waited six years for a payback and I gotcha," Cuban said. He announced that since it was 1-1 between Orton and Kingston, they would have a rubber match at the pay-per-view. Kofi and Cuban did the "boom, boom" bit together...

Powell's POV: No, not that kind of rubber match. It's a PG show, so get your minds out of the gutter. Kingston vs. Orton is a nice pay-per-view addition. The TLC lineup looks really good on paper.

Highlights aired of Sheamus winning the Breakthrough Battle Royal and beating up John Cena after the contract signing... The announcers hyped their showdown for later in the show. They also hyped DX vs. Chris Jericho in a handicap match... A shot aired of Mark Henry and MVP walking backstage together... [C]

Powell's POV: Please let this be the night that MVP turns on Henry and goes back to the heel side. Honestly, I'll settle for no rapping from Henry.

[Q6] 5. The Miz pinned Mark Henry to retain the U.S. Title in 2:40. Before the match, they aired highlights of the dance party with Verne Troyer from last week. Cole said The King should go clubbing with Henry. King said he's "overly Caucasian." Late in the match, Miz got caught diving at Henry just like last week. However, Miz countered into a DDT and got the win...

Powell's POV: Nice play off the finish of last week's match. Unfortunately, MVP didn't even come to ringside, so no heel turn.

A shot aired of of Big Show and Chris Jericho talking backstage. There was no audio. Instead, Cole teased the handicap match for later... [C]

Apparently Chris Masters has noticed that whoring yourself out to the celebrity guest hosts gets you on television every week. They showed him wearing street clothes hanging out with Cuban at ringside...

Powell's POV: Maybe Cuban likes men who can shake their boobs to the beat of the music. By the way, who would have guessed that Masters' boobs have more rhythm than Mark Henry?

6. Hornswoggle and Eve Torres defeated Chavo Guerrero and Jillian Hall in 2:10. Eve did a handstand and landed on Jillian. She spread her legs while pinning Hall and I'm pretty sure I saw, um, well, never mind. After the match, Chavo grabbed Horny and shoved him to the mat. Eve stood up for Hornswoggle.

Masters entered the ring and took his shirt off. The live crowd cheered and chanted "Master Lock." Chavo tapped Masters on the chest. Masters's boobs Hulked up and then he slammed Chavo to the mat. Eve seemed to be impressed by his boobs. Hornswoggle stood over Chavo and grabbed his own boobs for a laugh...

Powell's POV: Okay, I'll admit that I chuckled when Horny grabbed his own boobs. Yes, I laughed when a little person grabbed his own boobs. On second thought, where's that TNA trash can?

[Q7] Another Sheamus video aired... [C] The announcers stood in the ring and ran through the pay-per-view lineup...

Chris Jericho came to the ring for the handicap match with one of the tag belts draped over his shoulder and another wrapped around his waist. He predicted that he will be named the WWE Superstar of the Year for 2009 next week. He said he will stay on Raw as long as he wants to. He also hyped the TLC match for the pay-per-view. The announcers hyped that what could be his final match on Raw was coming up after the break... [C]

[Q8] DX made their entrance. Hornswoggle must have been backstage playing with his own tits still since he didn't come to the ring with them...

7. Triple H and Shawn Michaels beat Chris Jericho in a handicap match by an apparent DQ in 2:00. Big pop for DX when they came out. Not so much once the match started and they took turns beating up Jericho. At 1:45, Jericho grabbed the ropes to get away from Hunter and ordered the ref to get Hunter off him. The referee obliged and then Jericho shoved the referee into Triple H.

Big Show hit the ring and beat up Shawn. Hunter set up to hit Show with a chair, but Show punched the chair into Hunter's face. Shawn dropkicked Show's knee. He grabbed a ladder, but show drove it into Shawn. Show grabbed the ladder and hit both DX members with it. Show placed and held Hunter and Shawn inside the ladder and then Jericho hit it with a chair twice.

Jericho set up the ladder and stood on top of it with two of the tag title belts. He and Big Show both raised their hands and mugged for the crowd. They stood over DX and mocked them to close the segment...

A split-screen shot aired of John Cena and Sheamus walking backstage... [C] A commercial hyped the Tribute to the Troops show that will air Dec. 19 on NBC...

[Overrun] Doofy Mark Cuban stood at a podium that was set up between two tables that were inside the ring. He introduced Sheamus and John Cena. Sheamus said it took Cena years to win the WWE Championship, whereas it will only take him weeks to win the belt. Sheamus claimed he's never been beaten in WWE or anywhere else. People in Florida are calling him a liar, but so be it.

Cuban asked the seated Cena for a response. "No comment," Cena said. Sheamus went back on the verbal assault. Cuban asked Cena for a response again. "I'm not finished," Sheamus said while glaring at Cuban. Sheamus said he's going to put Cena through a table and watch his backbone shatter. "This Sunday, you're going to lose everything," Sheamus said.

Cena pulled the mic out of the holder and teased responding before saying, "No comment." Cuban asked if there was anything the wrestlers had to say to each other. "I've got something to say," Sheamus said. Cena cut him off by standing up and saying, "Actually, I've got a question for Sheamus." The fans popped.

Cena said he's been in WWE for seven years. He said he's faced everyone from Shawn Michaels to Kevin Federline. He said he's been in arenas with thousands of people behind him and in arenas where people can't stand him. He said he believes in hustle, loyalty, and respect. He said he believes he's earned the right to say, "The Champ is here."

"It is you, sir, who better believes in what he says," Cena said. He noted that Sheamus should know by now that attacks won't put him down for good. He said Sheamus either backs up what he says "Or I'm the guy that make you a footnote in WWE history." Cena said he impresses Sheamus, but he's not intimidated by him.

Sheamus threw the table in front of him down. Cena picked up his office chair and threw it to ringside. Both men cleared the bulk of the props from the ring. Cuban stood between the two men. Sheamus shoved Cuban to the ground. Cena turned his attention to Cuban, but took a boot from Sheamus.

Sheamus set up a table in the corner of the ring and nailed Cena with another boot. Cuban got back to his knees. Sheamus looked at him and then turned his attention back to Cena for a second. Sheamus waited until Cuban got to his feet.

Cuban stood face-to-face with Sheamus like a tough guy and then shoved him to the mat. Sheamus looked shocked. Cuban pounded on his own chest like a tool. Sheamus got up and slowly walked toward Cuban and then kneed him in the gut. Sheamus picked up Cuban and drove him through the table that was set up in the corner.

Are you watching, ESPN? Four members of the Dallas Mavericks climbed over the guardrail and Sheamus left the ring. The announcers recapped the segment. Cena glared at Sheamus, who was standing on the stage, to close the show...

Powell's POV: A good angle to close an otherwise lousy show. Granted, I hated the way Cuban shoved Sheamus to the ground and that he backed down from the apparently nameless Mavericks players, but the rest of the angle was well done. Cuban did what they asked him to do and I give him credit for taking the table bump, but I don't think too many fans outside Dallas really gave a damn. By the way, how many kids out there are emulating Hornswoggle's impersonation of Chris Masters right now? Ugh. Thanks for watching along with me tonight. Check back for the WWE Raw Hitlist and an All Access audio review of the show on Tuesday.

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