WWE RAW REVIEW (12 January 2009)

WWE RAW REVIEW

Raw opens to JBL and Shawn Michaels in JBL's limo.

JBL tells Shawn he's versing John Cena, stating that he's not fighting for a title, but he's fighting for a pay check - from JBL.

RAW Intro video plays.



OPENING PROMO

No fireworks, Stephanie McMahon comes out straight after. Lillian Garcia addresses her as the "Raw GM Stephanie McMahon".

Stephanie annoucnes that in 2 weeks, the Road to WrestleMania starts with the Royal Rumble. She also states that Vince McMahon will be returning, and that she can't wait for him to return.

Chris Jericho Interrupts.

Jericho calls Stephanie a Liar.

Jericho states that Stephanie is scared of Vince's return and that Stephanie will no longer be a GM of Raw.

Jericho states that Vince will give Jericho what we wants, and will remove JBL from the title match at the Rumble and will choose Jericho instead. Jericho says this will happen because Vince respects Jericho and that Raw is Vince's show.

Stephanie then cuts him off, saying "Raw is my show, Chris"

Jericho says "You don't have a clue as to what's going on around here"

Stephanie says that Vince supports Stephanies decisions as Raw GM

Jericho asks Stephanie if Vince supported Stephanie's decision to hire Adamle. He states that Adamle was Stephanie's choice, and that Adamle lowered the bar so much, that it makes Stephanie look admirable.

Stephanie told Jericho that if he focused on his career, more than Stephanie's leadership - He might still be champion.

Jericho states he will not compete unless the World Championship is at stake.

He then referres to Stephanie as "lame duck" and that Stephanie's time is running out.

Stephanie then snaps back stating that Jericho has lost the opportunity to "talk to Vince, to be in the Rumble, and never compete for the World Title ever again".

Jericho says he doesn't give a damn as to what Stephanie says.

Stephanie then says "Maybe you'll give a damn about this - You're Fired"

Stephanie exits.


AFTER THE BREAK

Jericho is shown being lead out of the building by security. Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler reflect on Jericho being fired.


First Match
The Miz vs Rey Mysterio

Miz enters the ring first, is announced to be a "Royal Rumble participant"

Rey then comes to the ring.

Footage of Mysterio getting beat up by Mike Knox last week is shown.

Michael Cole states that Morrison will not be on Raw, after his table match with Triple H on SmackDown last week.


Winner: Rey Mysterio via a 619


After the match, Mike Knox comes down and attacks Mysterio again. Mysterio finally fights back and takes out Knox with a Headscissor takedown.


Random promo with Candice Michelle and CM Punk is shown.

Candice says something about someone "being dead". She then taps CM Punk on the shoulder.

Punk turns around, and takes his earplugs out of his ears, claiming "he's focusing on his Intercontinental Title match, which is right now"

CM Punk walks away, whilst Candice stands alone.


AFTER THE BREAK

A video package of Mr McMahon's upcoming return is shown.


SECOND MATCH
WWE Intercontinental Title Match
CM Punk vs. William Regal (champion)


CM Punk enters first.

Regal enters, accompanied with Layla.

Towards the middle of the match, Punk punches Regal in the lower stomach. Regal sells it as a low blow, and the ref awards Regal as the winner

Winner: William Regal


BACKSTAGE

Cody Rodes, Mickie James are shown talking.

Sim Snuka and Manu interrupt stating they are attacking Randy Orton tonight, and are asking Rodes if he's "With them, or against them".

They also state they have brought back up with them.


A match up screen featured Kane vs Randy Orton is shown

A match up screen of John Cena vs Shawn Michaels (with JBL as manager) later tonight

A video pacakge for the new WCW Starrcade DVD is shown.


AFTER THE BREAK

Regal is limping backstage, with Layla.

Regal says "Im glad this challenge is over, and im still your Intercontinental Champion"

Stephanie says "Well im not satisfied. Next week you have no DQ match between punk next wee on Raw"

A video package for the Stone Cold Steve Austin's 2009 WWE Hall of Fame induction is shown.

Shawn Michaels and JBL are shown backstage. JBL said that Shawn should worry about Jericho being fired, because Stephanie can't fire Shawn as Shawn works for JBL.

JBL then says that he should worry tonight, because JBL is in his corner.

Shawn says that he doesn't need JBL in his corner, and that hes going out to prove that hes still the Main Event, the Headliner, the Show Stopper.

Shawn exits, leaving JBL somewhat offended.


AFTER THE BREAK

Another Mr McMahon Return video package is shown, focusing on his "You're Fired" gimmick.

A match up screen showing Rey Mysterio vs Mike Knox for next weeks Raw


THIRD MATCH
Kane vs Randy Orton

Kane enters first.

Randy Orton comes to the ring, accompanied to the ring by Cody Rodes. Rodes constantly looks behind him, making sure the planned attack on Randy Orton doesn't happen.

Randy Orton is thrown out to the outside, and holds onto his collarbone.


AFTER THE BREAK

Randy Orton is in control of the match, after a middle rope DDT.

Randy controls most of the match.

Kane then takes charge of the match, after a big boot on Orton.

Orton counters, and sets up for the RKO.

Kane counters.

Kane goes up to the top rope, and launches for his clothesline. Orton dropkicks him in midair.

Pinfall cover by Orton.

WINNER: Randy Orton


Kane then argues that his shoulder was up.


Manu and Snuka then enter, and start a promo.

Again, they as if Rodes is with them or against them. They state they have brought backup

Ted DiBiase makes his return.

The 3 of them march down to the ring.

All 4 superstars (Manu, Snuka, Dibiase and Rodes) surround Orton.

Suddenly, Dibiase and Orton attack Manu, whilst Rodes goes after Snuka.

Dibiase, Orton and Rodes beat down Manu and Snuka using their finishing moves. Interesting that Dibiase uses the Million Dollar Dream, plus a legsweep.

The 3 of them exit, leaving Manu and Snuka beaten in the ring.


A video re-cap of Chris Jericho being fired is shown.

A backstage interviewer with John Cena is shown. He talks about the current HBK/JBL situation.


AFTER THE BREAK

Raw Rewind is shown, reviewing last weeks tag match of Goldust and Melina vs Glamarella (Santino Marella and "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix)


FOURTH MATCH
Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly and Melina

Rosa Mendez (the obsessive Beth Phoenix fan) disguised herself as one of Melina's paparazzi photographers and attacks Melina. Beth and Jillian then jump Kelly and Melina.

The match is over, before it begins. Kelly and Melina are too injured to compete.

On with the show...

A match up screen with John Cena vs Shawn Michaels is shown again.

A video package for the Royal Rumble is shown.


AFTER THE BREAK

JBL arrives in the arena via his Limo. He then exits the Limo, followed by Shawn Michaels.

John Cena then enters the arena, and extends his hand in friendship.


AFTER THE BREAK

The Bell rings... Wow they must have waited a while.

Constant back and forth matchup between Cena and Michaels

Most notably, Michaels locks in the "Crossface", a finisher once used by the late Chris Benoit.



AFTER THE BREAK

Cena is in control of the match, going for the "Throwback".

Michaels counters by holding onto the rope.

Shawn Michaels eventually wins via Sweet Chin Music.

The finish of the match is replayed.

Shawn Michaels then leaves the arena, whilst JBL enters the ring and looks down at the beaten John Cena.

End.