WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Columbus, Oh.

[Q1] The opening montage kicked off the show... Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped that we are six days away from the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Lawler said James Roday and Dule Hill would be the hosts of the show...

The DX music played and they came to the ring for a match as the announcers narrated highlights of the closing segment from last week with Triple H claiming he would win the Rumble match. Hunter started to go through his usual pre-match mic routine, but he stopped to ask where Hornswoggle was.

"He's not here," Shawn said. "I sent him home. This is serious." Hunter asked if they were going to go through it one more time. Shawn said he wished Hunter could understand the position he's in. Shawn said he wants to win the Rumble match and get another shot at ending the streak. "Is that too much to ask?" Michaels said.

Hunter said that is was too much to ask. He said they've been telling jokes for six months. "It's Rumble time," Hunter said. "That's all over." He said everyone in the company should have the goal of winning the Rumble and getting a shot at one of the titles. "I want that title shot," Hunter said.

Hunter said they could go to the Rumble and throw 28 guys over the top rope "and probably do it pretty easily." Hunter said he wouldn't hesitate to step on Shawn's dream to get to his own if it comes down to the two of them. "I understand," Shawn responded.

1. Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes in a non-title match in 10:00. Hunter went for a Pedigree roughly 30 seconds into the match, but Ted reached in and pulled legal man Cody to ringside. Cole said he had breaking news on the guest hosts that he would pass along after the break. [C]

Powell's POV: I'm sure the masses are glued to their seats in anticipation of an update on the two guys from "Psych." It's not a bad show or anything, but I don't know how much crossover there is. Anyway, the DX verbal exchange was well done. It put over the importance of the Rumble match, Shawn's desire to face Taker again, Hunter's desire to win, and even WrestleMania. Very nicely done. Best of all, no Hornswoggle!

[Q2] After the break, Lawler noted that James Roday isn't at the building. The heels worked over HBK. Shawn made his comeback and teased DiBiase with Sweet Chin Music. Ted fell down and backed away, which allowed Shawn to make the hot tag to Hunter, who took it to the heels.

Shawn reached in and tagged himself into the match. Hunter was pissed. Shawn pushed Hunter out of the way and hit Sweet Chin Music on Ted for the win. Cody wound up to hit Shawn, but Hunter knocked Shawn out of the way and nailed Cody with a shot. Cole pointed out that DX will defend the tag titles against C.M. Punk and Luke Gallows on Friday's show...

Powell's POV: Apparently, WWE officials don't think anyone read the company website, let alone watched the chat this afternoon. For those who missed it, Hill and John Cena stated earlier today that Roday underwent an appendectomy over the weekend.

At ringside, Cole and Lawler set up a video preview of John Cena's appearance on "Psych." He's playing the brother of a regular female character on the show... The announcers hyped Big Show vs. MVP for after the break... [C]

Highlights aired from last week of the Miz, MVP, and Big Show angle...

MVP came to the ring and said he had something he needed to tell The Miz. MVP said he's the No. 1 contender for the U.S. Title and then delivered a standard promo.

[Q3] The Miz came out and mocked MVP's "ballin'" line. He asked if that's slang for an unspeakable act that MVP picked up while behind bars. Wow! The line seemed to fly over the heads of most of the live crowd. MVP fired back by talking about how popular Miz would be in prison. "They'd be fighting each other to be your exclusive friend," MVP said.

MVP mockingly asked what the relationship is between Miz and Big Show. Miz said he was tempted to come to the ring and have their title match on the spot. "Why don't you?" MVP asked. Miz said he has a friend who wants to make a statement six days before the Rumble match...

2. Big Show pinned MVP in 1:00. After Show pinned MVP, Miz climbed inside the ring and gloated while standing over MVP. Cole said Miz will have to defend the title sooner or later and he won't have Big Show...

Powell's POV: WWE had been doing a good job of making me care about the title match, but they're basically just telling us that it's a mid-card title by having Big Show pin the No. 1 contender in one minute. I mean, shouldn't that make Show the new No. 1 contender? I get the idea that Show is the giant and should have some momentum heading into the Rumble match, but I'm not crazy about that momentum coming at the expense of MVP.

Cole hyped that Vince McMahon had reached a decision on the status of Bret Hart and would announce his decision later in the show... [C]

Backstage, Ted and Cody spoke in their locker room. Cody thanked Ted for sparing him the kick from HBK. Randy Orton entered the room and said there's been tension between the three of them for months. Orton reminded them that the Rumble match is coming up and only one man can win. Orton said he will beat Sheamus as the Rumble with or without them...

In another part of the backstage area, John Cena stood with his arm around Dule Hill, who told the story of James Rolday undergoing surgery. Cena told Hill this is his night as guest host. After Cena left, Miz entered the room and complained about Cena being the guest host.

Miz said he had to google Hill's name just to find out who he is. Hill responded by booking Miz in a match "against an opponent of my choice." Hill told Miz to "google that" and left the room... [C]

[Q4] A commercial aired for the "Best of Raw 2009" DVD...

Powell's POV: I wonder how much WWE charges for a 12-minute DVD? I'll be here all week, folks.

Maryse came to the ring and cut a promo about how the other Divas are wasting their time chasing the championship. She delivered part of her promo in French. She was interrupted by pyro that was set off by Dule Hill, who was talking about how awesome it was. She asked who he was. He apologized and said he hit the wrong button. She called him a loser and then spoke in French...

3. Maryse pinned Eve Torres in a Divas Championship tournament semi-final match in 2:05. Eve was in control of the match until she missed a moonsault. Maryse went for a DDT, but Eve blocked it. Maryse hit the DDT a short time later and got the pin. Maryse will face the winner of the Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox match that is slated for later in the show.

Powell's POV: The women were greeted with the usual sounds of silence throughout most of their match.

A shot aired of Vince McMahon talking backstage...

Powell's POV: Let me get this straight, I can order pizza from Dominos and if I don't like it they'll give me my money back? Alert the President, I've just solved the world's hunger problems. Seriously, someone order enough food to feed the homeless and then claim they don't like it.

Did You Know? Oh, hell, I stopped paying attention, so I don't know...

Vince McMahon headed to the ring for a promo as highlights aired from his segment with Undertaker last week.

[Q5] Vince asked the fans if there's a reason to bring Bret Hart back. There were scattered cheers at first, but a loud, "We want Bret" chant broke out. Vince worked up the fans by telling them they should be careful what they ask for. "Then listen to this announcement," Vince said. "Bret Hart will never again appear in WWE."

Vince said he's a businessman who does what's best for business. He mocked the crowd for thinking they are smarter than he is and questioned whether there is an entire arena filled with billionaires.

Vince headed to ringside and asked the fans to give him reasons why he should bring Bret back. One fan told him Bret will take him down in the ring. A kid said, "He's awesome." Vince mocked a fan who was wearing a "Damn" t-shirt. Vince hopped the guardrail and headed back to the ring.

Once back inside the ring, Vince said there's no reason to bring Bret back because he's part of the past. The fans cheered for Bret. Vince said he's concerned about the present and the future, not someone who is "just a footnote in the past."

John Cena's music interrupted Vince and stopped him in his tracks. Vince told Cena not to bother trying to change his mind. Cena said he wasn't there to do that. Cena said he never had a problem with Vince until recently when he referred to Bret as a used up piece of gum that had lost it's flavor. Cena also recalled Vince treating Roddy Piper like he was noting at MSG.

Cena mocked Vince's purple jacket. "It's better than that orange crap that you wear," Vince fired back. Cena said that when WWE stars hit their expiration date, they are gone. He asked if that's what Vince thought of him and Shawn Michaels. "I don't even know what you're talking about," Vince said.

Cena accused Vince of feeding his own ego by bringing Bret on the show and then kicking him in the gut. "You're right, you're not a coward, you're pathetic," Cena said. Cena told Vince that Vince will invite Bret Hart to Raw next week. "If you don't invite him, you prove to me, every WWE Superstar, and every loyal WWE fan that they are nothing more than a commodity to line your wallet and serve your ego."

Cena said he'll find Vince on his 90th birthday and knock his false teeth down his throat for Bret, Andre The Giant, Outback Jack, and everyone else who worked there. Cena said he wasn't there to change Vince's mind. "This is one of those times when you need to do the right thing," Cena said.

Vince stopped Cena after he left the ring. Vince said he will invite Bret to Raw next week. He said he will invite Bret to Raw next week. He said he would have Bret step in the ring if he has the guts "and I won't even flinch." Vince booked Cena in a match with Sheamus for later in the show as punishment... [C]

Powell's POV: Strong segment and really good use of the Cena character. Vince was also very good in the crowd. It looks like Vince is fired up about his Bret program because the material the last two weeks has been excellent.

[Q6] The announcers spoke about the Bret and Vince situation...

4. Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz in a non-title match in 3:40. Both wrestlers scored near falls around 3:00. Miz got the second near fall, but stood up and was distracted by MVP's entrance music. Kofi blasted him with Trouble In Paradise and scored the pin. MVP walked out afterward and pointed at his watch. Cole pointed out the two men would be in the ring together on Sunday at the Rumble...

Powell's POV: Disappointing match for those two. I was hoping for more.

Dule Hill and Carlito entered the production truck. Carlito said none of the guest hosts pay attention to him. He said he even dressed up like Napoleon Dynamite last week. Hill had one of the staff members bring up a graphic of Carlito, who asked for a title match. Hill entered a random code for an opponent to come up and it was Kelly Kelly. Carlito tried to hug Hill, who said was cool with a fist bump... [C]

Carlito wore street clothes to the ring for his match and smiled when Kelly's music played. She didn't look pleased. However, Santino Marella's music played and he walked onto the stage. He plugged the "Best of Raw 2009" DVD. He said it's a new year and he's going to take Kelly's place, beat Carlito, and then win the Royal Rumble.

Jack Swagger came out and struck Santino from behind. Swagger slid Santino in the ring as Carlito made his exit. Swagger threw Santino over the top rope and then took his victory lap in the ring. He headed to ringside, where he pulled Santino's head into the post. Swagger mocked him by doing pushups...

Powell's POV: It's nice to see Swagger get revenge, but my guess is that Santino gets the last laugh on Sunday.

[Q7] The announcers plugged Cena vs. Sheamus as the main event... [C]

Powell's POV: They better hype the hell out of the WWE Championship match during the final 30 minutes because I believe Orton is the only person who has even bothered to mention that he's challenging Sheamus on Sunday.

At ringside, the announcers discussed the Royal Rumble match. A video hyped the match and showed various winners from the past. It noted that 627 wrestlers have been eliminated. Steve Austin holds the record for eliminating 36 wrestlers. Kane holds the record of 11 wrestlers eliminated in one Rumble. Kane is entering his 12 consecutive Rumble.

Triple H won the Rumble the last time it was held in Atlanta. Rey Mysterio has the record for the longest appearance. Santino has the shortest with one second. Steve Austin has the record for most Rumble wins with three. 70 percent of the Rumble match winners have gone on to win the gold at WrestleMania.

Powell's POV: Great video. That's how you hype the Rumble match. Fantastic work even though the live crowd didn't cheer when the video concluded.

Cole and Lawler hyped the Royal Rumble from ringside and hyped the various matches. They did not any new matches to the mix...

Backstage, Cena spoke with Dule Hill. He had James Roday on speaker phone. The audio was weak and so was the comedy. Alicia Fox entered the office and was looking for psychic help. Roday offered to help, but Hill hung up the phone so that he could flirt with Fox...

[Q8] [C] After break, Hill was on commentary. He was worried because Hill had threatened him if she doesn't win like he predicted she would...

5. Gail Kim defeated Alicia Fox in a Divas Championship tournament semifinal match in 1:55. Gail pulled Alicia into her foot and fell backward. Fox flipped out after the match and headed over to the announcers' desk. Hill slapped him and knocked him down... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm not sure what the purpose of this was unless the guy has a fetish for being slapped. They actually replayed it in slow-motion (which is apparently somehow different than "FoXmo") and showed that she hit his headset and then cut back to Hill holding his jaw in pain.

The main event of ECW is Christian and Kane vs. William Regal and Ezekiel Jackson...

The announcers hyped that Bret Hart will confront Vince McMahon on Raw next week. They also hyped that William Shatner will host the show...

6. Sheamus defeated John Cena by DQ in a non-title match in 9:55. Back and forth early.

[Overrun] Sheamus took control of the match and played to the crowd, which led to boos. Cena made a brief comeback and went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Sheamus cut him off with a DDT for a near fall. Cena teased another comeback, but Sheamus kicked him to ringside.

Lawler questioned whether Cena had finally come across an opponent he couldn't beat as Sheamus continued his attack at ringside. Cena finally made another comeback by hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Sheamus countered again with a backbreaker for another near fall.

Sheamus went for a big boot, but Cena caught him in the STF. Sheamus reached up and grabbed the ropes. After Cena released the hold, Sheamus fled to ringside. Cena followed only to eat a big boot from Sheamus. The referee was counting out Cena when Randy Orton hit the ring and hit the RKO on Sheamus for the apparent DQ.

Cena struggled to get back onto the ring apron. Orton pulled him over the ropes and went for the DDT, but Super Cena countered with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena celebrated to close the show as Orton and Sheamus were both laid out in the ring. Cole questioned whether Cena will be the last man standing in the Rumble match. The announcers narrated highlights of the match to close the show...

Powell's POV: Good hype for the WWE Championship match and for Cena's Rumble chances. I love the way they were planting the seed that Sheamus might be the opponent that has Cena's number. The final segment hype for the Rumble match was stronger last week, but it looked like they were pushing the match to Cena fans tonight. I'll have a lot more to say about the show in Dot Net Audio on Tuesday and in the WWE Raw Hitlist. Until then, it's back to pouting about my Vikings. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

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