WWE Raw on the USA Network 5/18/09
Live from Louisville, Ky.
The opening montage aired.
The fireworks exploded and then Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. Cole overhyped the Judgment Day pay-per-view. Randy Orton's music played and he came out for a promo. The announcers narrated still shots of Orton getting himself disqualified during his pay-per-view match against Batista. They also showed a shot of Ric Flair saving Batista from an attack by Legacy.
In the ring, Orton boasted that he was still WWE Champion. He said he was most concerned with taking out Batista, but Flair stopped him. He said Flair was never fond of him back in the Evolution days. He said Flair saw him as a threat to outshine Triple H back then. He recalled kicking Flair in the skull back in 2007. Orton said he'd like to think that Flair may have had enough left in the tank to beat Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 had he not kicked him.
"I'm proud to say I have kicked every other member of Evolution in the skull and they have never been the same," Orton said. He said they've all sought retribution and they never have and never will get it. Orton dared Flair to get in his business again. He continued to talk, but he was interrupted by a loud "Whooooo."
Ric Flair's music played and he strutted his way onto the stage and down the entrance ramp. Flair joined Orton in the ring and pointed out that Randy didn't beat Batista. Rather, he got himself intentionally disqualified. Flair said Orton was the chosen one in Evolution, but Batista zoomed past him.
Orton said the title belt on his shoulder means he is the man. Orton started to say he could beat Batista any time and any place, but Flair interrupted him with a "Whoooo!" Flair said he saw Vickie Guerrero earlier today and she was upset about the way the pay-per-view match ended. Flair said he gave her an idea she liked.
Flair pointed out there was a pay-per-view in three weeks. He said Orton didn't have to worry about count outs or disqualifications because his match with Batista will be a steel cage match. Orton didn't look happy. Randy said he wants Flair to give Batista a message for him. Orton sucker punched Flair and then put the boots to him. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes slowly walked to the ring only to be jumped from behind by Batista.
Orton attacked Batista when he tried to enter the ring. Legacy worked over Batista and Flair. John Cena ran out and made save. Batista popped right up, but Flair was still on the mat selling Orton's attack. The babyfaces tended to Flair and then stared down the heels while Flair's music played.
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Backstage, Josh Matthews asked Cena why he got involved in the Batista and Flair vs. Legacy segment. Cena said he's been beaten down and worn out. He said people have questioned whether he's lost a step. He said he defied gravity by defeating Big Show. He said his fans could hold onto their sense of pride and know that he won't let them down.
Cena said that it doesn't matter who wins at Extreme Rules. He said it's only a matter of time before "the champ is here." Vickie stopped Cena in the hall and announced that the main event would be Orton, DiBiase, and Rhodes vs. Cena and Batista. "Oh no, don't do that it's chaos, the sky will fall," Cena said. "I'm just kidding, I love it"...
1. Kelly Kelly won a Divas Battle Royal to earn a future shot at the WWE Divas Championship. The participants were Kelly Kelly, The Bella Twins, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Jillian Hall, and Mickie James. Maryse sat in on commentary and badmouthed Mickie. The match came down to Mickie, Beth, and Kelly. After Kelly eliminated Beth, Maryse stood up and sprayed something into Mickie's eyes. Mickie rolled out of the ring in pain to eliminate herself from the match.
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Highlights aired from Judgment Day of The Miz roughing up Santino, and Chavo Guerrero coming out and frogsplashing the fallen Santino.
2. Santino Marella pinned Chavo Guerrero in 3:35. Chavo dominated the early "action," but Santino got fired up and said, "You make me so mad." Santino took control of the match and looked surprised by his own offense. Chavo came back and went for a Frogsplash, but Santino rolled toward the ropes and forced Chavo to drop down. Moments later, Santino pinned Chavo.
The announcers acted like it was a shock that Santino won. After the match, Chavo took the mic and told Santino that he better tell his sister to get ready to defend her Miss WrestleMania crown against Vickie Guerrero. Santino smiled and said, "My sister can beat her".
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A video hyped that Mr. Kennedy was "coming soon" to Raw.
Backstage, Maryse spoke in French when The Miz told her he didn't understand what she was saying, but it was really hot. She blew him off. He told her to tell everyone that he's 4-0 against John Cena and said they won't want to miss what he has in store for him this week.
Backstage, Josh interviewed Matt Hardy about costing his brother a title match, yet getting a U.S. Title shot on tonight's show. Josh questioned whether Vickie Guerrero was rewarding him for helping her husband. Matt complained about Jeff breaking his hand. He said there was no way he would sit back and let Jeff win the title and steal all the champion. Matt said Vickie erased the loss to Kofi Kingston off the record books, and said he earned his title match against MVP.
Backstage, Vickie wasn't happy about Chavo saying she'd face Santina. He assured her that he had a plan. Randy Orton stormed into the room and said she shouldn't make cage matches without consulting him first. She said she's the general manager of Raw and she makes the decisions. She said he should worry about his match that takes place later in the show. "And if I were you," Orton said, "I'd worry about making sure that you stay on my good side".
The announcers hyped the handicap match main event.
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3. Primo and Carlito beat The Brian Kendrick and Goldust in a non-title match in 2:25. The announcers narrated highlights of Goldust saving Hornswoggle on WWE Superstars. Kendrick scolded Goldust early and tagged himself into the match. Lawler took a lame shot at the Denver Nuggets owner. In the end, Primo hit a crossbody block on Kendrick for the win. After the match, Kendrick bitched at Goldust. "You blew it," Kendrick said. Hornswoggle ran in and attacked Kendrick from behind and eventually kicked him in the shin. Goldust picked up Hornswoggle and helped him drop kick Kendrick.
Backstage, a shot aired of Cena's t-shirt. When the camera pulled back, it showed Miz dressed like Cena and doing over the top hand gestures. The announcers said we'd hear from him after the break.
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The Miz came out to Cena's "Word Life" song. Miz said the big news coming off of Judgment Day is that he's 4-0 against Cena. He said Cena still won't come out and face him. Miz said he decided to do a remix of the "Word Life" song. The fans chanted, "You suck." He responded by saying, "I haven't heard that one before."
Miz introduced his remix of "Word Life" called "Nerd Life." He said Cena was first in line to see Star Trek the movie, and he was 25 before he touched a booby. He worked in a line about Urkel, showed off Cena toilet paper, and suggested that fans throw "12 Rounds" in the crapper.
The live crowd chanted for Cena. Miz pointed at the entrance ramp and said, "Well, I guess you know what that means - the Miz five and John Cena zero." Suddenly, Jerry Lawler stood up and interrupted Miz. Lawler climbed inside the ring and received "Jerry" chants from the crowd.
Lawler said the commercials are getting better ratings than Raw is when Miz was rapping. He said just because you call someone out and they don't show it up doesn't mean you get a victory over him. Lawler called out Batista and said that doesn't make him 1-0 against Batista. Lawler called out Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and Steve Austin for a three-on-one handicap match. When they didn't come out, Lawler said he would have a victory over them using Miz's weird logic.
Lawler said Miz is just talking out of his rear end. He said Miz should go back and ask Vickie Guerrero for a match if he wants Cena so badly. Miz said maybe Lawler was right. Just as he was about to leave the ring, Big Show's music played. Show came out and glared at Miz.
Show said make believe time is over. He said Cena might think their feud is over, but it's not. He announced that he would face Cena in a submission match at Extreme Rules. Show said Miz would have to wait to get his hands on Cena. Miz said he could wait until Cena's done beating Show. Miz shoved Lawler into Show, who locked him in a submission hold and tapped him out. Meanwhile, Miz fled the ring.
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After the break, Ross narrated highlights of Show's attack on Lawler.
4. MVP beat Matt Hardy to retain the U.S. Title in 5:10. Cole asked Ross whether he thinks it's a coincidence that Matt has a title match after helping Edge last night. Ross said the Raw general manager sometimes conducts business like the owner of the Denver Nuggets.
At 4:00, they fought to ringside. Matt wound up to hit MVP with his cast, but MVP ducked and Matt smacked the ring post. Back inside the ring, MVP stood on Matt's hand and stomped on his cast a couple times. MVP hit the Drive By Kick and followed up with the Playmaker for the win. Afterward, Ross wondered what excuse Matt would come up with now.
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Highlights aired from the opening segment.
Backstage, Flair was downing a Diet Mountain Dew when Batista entered the room. Batista asked Flair why he was smiling. Flair said he was going to go to the ring next week and call out Orton. Batista reminded Flair that he's retired. Flair took offense and said, "They retired me." He said that since Batista lost faith in him, he wouldn't walk out to the ring with him later in the show.
Backstage, Vickie was standing on the couch, but was afraid to perform the Frogsplash. She said the match was off. Santina entered the room and squealed like a pig. Vickie said the match was back on.
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5. Vickie Guerrero pinned Santina to become Miss WrestleMania in 1:30. Cole noted that this was the first time that Santino and Santina competed on the same show. Santina took the mic and compared their bodies. Santina said she's a lesbian who likes it rough. She planted a big kiss on Vickie and then gagged. Chavo entered the ring and said the match would be a No DQ match.
The bell rang and Chavo attacked Santina from behind. They rolled on the ground and traded punches. Santina eventually backdropped Chavo to ringside. William Regal entered the ring and attacked Santina. After Regal nailed Santina with a knee to the head, Vickie covered him/her and scored the pin. Vickie danced to Kid Rock's "So Hot" after the match, and Chavo placed the Miss WM sash and crown on her.
A graphic noted that Ric Flair would call out Randy Orton on next week's Raw. Ross said he knows Flair and there will be a fight next week.
6. John Cena and Batista beat Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes in 14:45. The announcers tried to sell the story that Cena will lose to Big Show at Extreme Rules. Orton started the match with Cena, but ducked out when Batista tagged in less than a minute into the match. The babyfaces dominated the first two minutes and then they cut to break.
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Back from the break, Orton was working over Batista. The announcers noted that he was willing to enter the ring after Batista had been taken down. The heels spend the next few minutes working over Batista while Cena waited for the hot tag. Batista made the tag to Cena at 8:00. The heels quickly worked over Cena. Ted tagged in and dropped some fists on Randy.
The heels continued to work over Cena until he finally tagged in Batista, who went to work on Orton. Cena disappeared and they eventually showed him running off Big Show with a chair. Cena chased Big Show to the back. Meanwhile, the cameras missed Ric Flair showing up and pushing Cody off the top rope. Batista speared Orton and scored the pin to win the match for his team.
Batista and Flair celebrated in the ring. Cole recalled Flair saying, "Just because I'm retired doesn't mean I can't fight," earlier in the show. They aired a replay of Flair coming out behind Big Show and taking a chair from him right before Cena attacked Show. Flair and Batista continued to celebrate to close the show...
