The opening montage opened the show. It's the same old song with some new footage of the new draftees.
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. Cole welcomed viewers to cable television's most watched show and said there were 17,176 fans in attendance. They hyped the Triple H vs. Randy Orton match as a WrestleMania rematch.
Chris Jericho's music played and he walked to the stage wearing a suit. The announcers immediately mentioned Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair. Cole hyped that "The Wrestler" comes out on DVD tomorrow. Once in the ring, Jericho said this is his final appearance on Raw "forever." The fans cheered.
Jericho said he expected that reaction from the live crowd because the fans never understood his brilliance. He said things will change for the worse after he leaves Raw. He predicted that the fans will be begging him to come back within six months. "I'm not going to do it because I'm done with Raw," Jericho said.
Ricky Steamboat's music played and he walked to the ring and told Jericho that he's wrong. He said the crowd isn't unappreciative and showed him more love than he could ever dream of. He said he never dreamed he'd be at WrestleMania again, but it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Jericho. Steamboat said he was there to thank him.
Jericho said no one cares about Steamboat anymore. He said Flair, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Mickey Rourke haven't been heard from since WrestleMania, and Steamboat will join them. Jericho said Ricky doesn't have anymore and that the fans who chanted that he does are delusional.
Jericho said he wants a one-on-one match with Steamboat at Backlash. "I'm gonna finish you off, Steamboat, if you accept the challenge," Jericho said. As Steamboat and Jericho stood face-to-face, John Cena's entrance music played and he walked out with the World Hvt. Championship belt wrapped around his waist.
Cena joined Jericho and Steamboat in the ring. He tried to address Jericho, who cut him off by telling him to stop right now. Jericho said he knew Cena was there to talk about what a fan of Steamboat's he is while pandering to his own fans. Jericho said this is his final night on Raw and wants his last act on the show to be walking out on Cena.
Jericho left the ring as the fans sang the goodbye song to him. Steamboat stopped him by saying, "On your challenge, I accept." Jericho smiled and started walking backstage again. However, Cena cut him off by addressing him over the mic. Cena said Vickie Guerrero isn't at the show, but had ruled that Edge would not compete, but he would. Cena said Jericho's last act on Raw will be a match with him later in the show. Cena and Steamboat played to the crowd while Jericho headed backstage.
The announcers hyped Rey Mysterio vs. Big Show for later in the show.
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At ringside, the announcers spoke about how great the draft was and how WWE was the number one show on cable television last week.
In the ring, Chavo Guerrero referred to himself as the "Mexican Warrior" and noted that he's been officially drafted to Raw. He said he wanted to prove to Vickie Guerrero that he can put around her wheelchair and anyone on the Raw roster. "So bring it on," Chavo said. Cue Batista's music.
1. Batista beat Chavo Guerrero in 0:20. Batista stood with his hands on his hips and let Chavo charge him. Batista kicked Chavo and hit the Batista Bomb for the win. Batista left the ring without working up a sweat, but Chavo took the mic and apologized to Aunt Vickie. He said he wasn't ready for the match. Batista headed back to the ring. Chavo noticed him and said, "I was ready!" Batista grabbed him and hit another Batista Bomb before leaving the ring.
A John Cena vs. Edge video showcased their match for the Backlash pay-per-view.
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Backstage, Batista and Shane McMahon spoke about last week's main event. There was definite tension between the two as the pointed out the things that took place during the match that they didn't appreciate. "Check you later," Shane McMahon said as Batista walked away.
The announcers recapped footage of Punk fighting off Kane to capture the Money in the Bank briefcase.
2. C.M. Punk defeated Kane in 2:10. The announcers noted that Punk was drafted to Smackdown last week. Lawler said this might not be the end of Punk on Raw since he has the right to challenge any champion he wants as the MITB winner. In the end, Kane went for the chokeslam, but Punk turned it into a DDT and got the pin out of nowhere.
The announcers hyped Cena vs. Jericho, Mysterio vs. Show, and Hunter vs. Orton for later in the show.
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Santino Marella came to the ring and said he wanted to call out his sister so that he could apologize to her because she has to kiss Great Khali on Smackdown. He said people who think he and Santina are the same person are crazy. Santina's entrance music played and she appeared on the big screen with part of her face turned away from the camera.
Santina said she couldn't join him in the ring, nor could she kiss Great Khali. She turned and revealed a big blister on her lip. She said there was no way she could go to Smackdown, but her doctor was sure that it would clear up by the weekend. Suddenly, the video sped up. Santino said that his sister likes Red Bull.
Santino read a poem about the Marella family good looks. However, he was interrupted by Beth Phoenix's music. Beth and Rosa Mendes walked to the ring. Beth said she spoke to Vickie Guerrero, who ruled that Santina could go to Backlash to kiss Great Khali. Santino wasn't pleased. Santino said Beth better win her title back tonight because she'll never be Miss WrestleMania. Cue Melina's music. She came to the ring and the announcers said her final Raw appearance was coming up after the break.
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3. Melina beat Beth Phoenix (w/Rosa) to retain the WWE Women's Title in 3:20. Great move early with Beth putting Melina in a Torture Rack-like hold and bending her so that Melina's feet touched her own head. She also put Melina in the corner and rammed Melina's foot into the back of Melina's head.
Melina made a comeback. Rosa stood on the apron and bickered with her. Beth charged Melina, who moved, causing Beth to spear Rosa off the apron. Melina scored the pin just seconds later. She stood on the ropes and appeared to be crying as she waved goodbye to Raw.
Backstage, Shane McMahon spoke to Triple H about being a hot head. He reminded him that Orton could win the belt if one of the babyfaces is disqualified at the pay-per-view. Hunter said it wouldn't be a problem because he's getting it all out of his system later in the show.
A shot aired of Chris Jericho walking backstage. The announcers said his match with Cena was coming up after the break.
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An ad aired for ECW and revealed no info regarding tomorrow night's show.
The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup.
The announcers noted that the Jericho vs. Steamboat match his official for Backlash.
4. John Cena apparently beat Chris Jericho by DQ in 16:55. The fans did the "Yeah" and "Boo" bit early as the wrestlers traded punches. The fans were booing Cena, yet they chanted along with his "You Can't See Me" routine. Lawler said the London fans love to boo Cena. Jericho slammed Cena's head off the ring steps as the show cut to commercial.
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At 11:00, Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment off the second rope, but Jericho slipped out and turned it into an electric chair for a good near fall. Jericho went for the Lionsault, but Cena moved. Cena caught Jericho in a drop toe hold and went for the STF, but Jericho turned it into a small package.
Cena powered out and picked up Jericho. He went for his finisher again, but Jericho flipped out and hit the Codebreaker for another near fall. Cena finally hit the Attitude Adjustment at 13:40. He crawled over for a cover, but Jericho kicked out. Cena went for a second rope leg drop, but Jericho avoided it and applied the Walls of Jericho.
Jericho yelled, "Give it up, Cena." Lawler said he doesn't remember Cena tapping out. Cena powered out of the move and came right back with the STF. Jericho was nearing the ropes, so Cena released the hold while holding onto Jericho's foot, only to take an enziguri.
Cena caught Jericho on the ropes. They jockeyed for position. Suddenly, Edge ran out and attacked Cena for the finish. Jericho disappeared while Edge continued his attack on Cena by spearing him. Edge brought a couple chairs inside the ring and hit the Conchairto on Cena.
Edge ran to ringside and called for a mic. He returned to the ring and said the winner of a Last Man Standing match is the man who knocks his opponent unconscious for a count of 10. Edge counted to 10 and Cena never moved. "The winner and new World Heavyweight Champion, the Rated R Superstar, Edge," announced Edge to a mixed reaction from the live crowd.
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After the break, the announcers recapped the previous segment. They aired footage from during the break of Cena being helped out of the ring by a few referees.
5. Big Show pinned Rey Mysterio in a non-title match in 1:45. The announcers noted that Rey had been drafted to Smackdown. They said the draft would be "in full effect" next Monday night, meaning this would be his final appearance on Raw. They also claimed that Big Show weighs 485 while Rey weighs 175. Show knocked Rey to ringside early with a slap to the chest and then grabbed him by the head and pulled him over the ropes to get him back inside the ring.
Rey put Show in position for the 619, but Show caught him. Show picked up Rey in that position with one hand and knocked him out with the other hand. After the match, Show stood over Rey while the referee and a trainer checked on him.
Rey continued to sell the punch for over a minute.
The announcers hyped the Triple H vs. Randy Orton match for later in the show.
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A WWE Superstars ad hyped Edge vs. Kofi Kingston as the main event of Thursday's show.
Highlights aired from WWE Superstars of Super Shane beating the hell out of Cody Rhodes.
The announcers narrated footage of Batista beating Ted DiBiase on Smackdown.
Backstage, Cody Rhodes asked a sore Ted DiBiase how his back was doing. Cody said he'd be feeling better on Sunday because the other team isn't on the same page. Ted said it's great being part of the group, but it's not the same "when the leader's not a..." Randy Orton entered the room and said, "Not a champion?" Orton said he's the very best. He said Hunter is on borrowed time and used the sledgehammer at WrestleMania because he knows it. Orton said they're going to win on Sunday, and guaranteed he would beat Triple H.
Triple H made his ring entrance.
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6. Randy Orton pinned Triple H in a non-title, No DQ match in 17:30. Orton hit Hunter with a flurry of punches to start the match. Hunter came back and they fought their way to ringside. Hunter pulled the announcers' table apart, but Orton recovered and attacked him.
Orton pulled two trash cans out from underneath the ring. He tried to hit Hunter with one, but was greeted with a kick to the gut. Hunter went for a trash can shot and took a kick to the gut from Orton. Later, Orton finally hit Hunter with one of the trash cans as the show cut to commercial.
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After the break, Hunter regained control of the offense and hit the jaw jacker knee spot for a near fall. The live crowd woke up briefly and went back to sitting on their hands afterward. They came to life moments later when Hunter hit the spinebuster onto a trash can in a cool spot. Hunter slammed a chair over Orton's back. He wound up to hit him again, but Orton cut him off with a shoulder to the gut and a DDT onto the chair.
Orton went for the punt kick, but Hunter avoided it and clipped Randy's leg. Hunter slammed Orton's leg into the ring post. He grabbed the chair and slammed it on Orton's leg. Hunter returned to the ring and continued to work over the knee. "Randy Orton might not be able to walk into Backlash on Sunday," Cole said in a golf announcer voice.
Hunter locked in the figure four to a chorus of "Whooos" from the crowd. Orton reached the ropes, but Hunter didn't break the hold since there are no disqualifications. Orton eventually broke the hold by falling to ringside. Hunter went right after him and continued to work over Orton's leg.
Triple H brought a chair into the ring and wrapped it around Orton's left ankle. He looked to the crowd and got a reaction. Suddenly, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase ran out and attacked Hunter. Shane McMahon ran out and fought off Rhodes and DiBiase with punches. DiBiase eventually got Shane out of the ring by pulling down the top rope as Super Shane ran near.
Batista ran out while the heels were ganging up on Hunter. He speared Orton. He tried to spear Cody, but accidentally hit Shane. Hunter stood in front of Batista, who shoved him aside to punch DiBiase. Batista threw DiBiase out of the ring. Cody threw Batista out of the ring. Hunter threw Cody out of the ring. Orton hit the RKO on Hunter and scored the clean pin.
Orton continued to writhe in pain on the mat while selling the knee that Hunter worked on throughout the match. Randy slid to ringside and was helped by his minions. Meanwhile, Batista stood over Hunter. Shane returned to the ring on his knees and Batista helped him up. The show closed with Hunter on his knees surrounded by his partners staring at the heels, who were together on the ramp to close the show...
