Raw Recap 01.19.09

Raw Recap from Chicago, IL:

Raw opened with a video honoring Martin Luther King 1929-1968, with the closing of his famous speech. The video closed with a slide of Barack Obama and the words "Long Live the Dream".

Highlight footage was shown from 6 months ago of "McMahon's Million Dollar Mania", the contest which randomly awarded fans watching Raw sums of money up to $500,000. The last night of the money giveaway saw parts of the Raw set collapse on top of Mr. McMahon. Wrestlers and paramedics rushed over to assist, and Mr. McMahon was taken out on a stretcher.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans in to the show, just 6 nights away from the 2009 Royal Rumble. Lawler reminded fans that Mr. McMahon returns tonight and wondered what he will have to say tonight. Randy Orton made his way down to the ring to start the program.

Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Kane vs. Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted Dibiase
Six Man Over the Top Battle Royal

In a preview of what may be coming at the Royal Rumble, six of the competitors locked up in the ring. Half of the competitors were the Legacy, Rhodes, Dibiase and Orton.

In the match, the Legacy targeted Kane with all 3 men attacking him down on the mat. Santino Marella marched over to them trying to get in on the action. Cody Rhodes promptly tossed Santino out over the top rope. Next, Kofi Kingston was eliminated after Rhodes and Dibiase doubleteamed him in the corner and dumped him over the top rope. Kane went wild, knocking down Orton and Dibiase then clotheslined Rhodes out over the top rope. Kane tried to eliminate Dibiase next but didn't realize Dibiase hit the apron not the floor. Kane grabbed Orton in a chokeslam hold and tried to push him over the top rope. Dibiase rolled back in and rushed Kane. Dibiase toppled over the top rope with Kane and Orton. Orton hung on with just one foot hitting the floor, while Kane and Dibiase fell out onto the floor.

Orton, Dibiase and Rhodes raised the arms in victory in the ring as Kane backed up the ramp looking frustrated.

Winner: Randy Orton wins the Six Man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal.

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CM Punk was shown preparing backstage for his huge Intercontinental Title match later on.

Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

Michael Cole posed the question of whether or not Beth's reign as champ will end at the Royal Rumble when she faces Melina.

Early on, Kelly Kelly was upset by Beth shoving her down and began to kick Beth in the gut, then yanked her down against the ropes. Beth tried to grab Kelly's foot later on, but Kelly did a flip to get out of it and fell back towards the ropes. As she came off the ropes to go towards Beth, Beth flattened her. The Glamazon then grabbed Kelly's arms behind her back and hoisted her up to display to the crowd before quickly smashing her face first to the mat.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Kelly Kelly.

Backstage in the locker room, Randy Orton talked to Ted Dibiase about the Royal Rumble and the strategy. Orton told Dibiase if he (Orton) wins, they all win. Cody Rhodes came rushing in and said there may be a problem. Rhodes said Manu and Sim Snuka were in Stephanie's office earlier and there's a rumor now that Stephanie is going to fire Orton tonight. Orton became enraged and stormed out of the locker room saying "we'll see about that".

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Raw returned with Michael Cole reminding fans that tonight is President George W. Bush's last night in office. Last week, Bush received a commemorative championship belt from the WWE along with a personal note from Vince McMahon. Cole reminded fans of Vince's return tonight as well as the Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox match.

Backstage, Beth Phoenix proudly walked in a hall carrying her Womens Title. Santino walked up congratulating her on her win over Kelly then said he had a surprise gift for her. In walked Beth's super fan, Rosa Mendez. Santino said since Rosa can't attend WWE events as a fan he decided to bring her on as an intern. Santino asked Beth if they could keep her, and Beth said she'd think about it, before walking off. Santino told Beth he knew a way she could impress The Glamazon tonight.

Stephanie McMahon was shown in her office on her cell phone. Randy Orton came in and began telling Steph he agreed with her firing Chris Jericho since he was out of line. Stephanie told Orton to stop sucking up to her because she's not going to fire him. Orton became enraged saying he was being nice. Orton started to berate Stephanie saying she only had the job due to her dad and that everyone was laughing behind her back. Finally, Stephanie had too much of Orton and slapped him in the face. Orton became enraged and got in Stephanie's face fuming. The two had a stare down as Raw went to commercial.

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Michael Cole announced that next Monday night's Raw will have the World Television Premiere preview/trailer of the new WWE movie "12 Rounds" starring John Cena.

CM Punk vs. William Regal
No DQ Intercontinental Title Match

Before the match started, Michael Cole announced that Punk will be one of the 30 men in the Royal Rumble. Punk arrived to the ring first carrying the flag of the state of Illinois. Regal came down next along with Layla.

Punk gained the upperhand early on when the action went to the outside. Punk was able to counter a Regal suplex, then shoved him into the steel ringpost. Punk worked on Regal's left arm. Regal crawled to the bottom rope and grabbed it, but Punk kept the hold locked in yelling he was going to break his arm as Raw went to commercial.

When Raw returned Punk had Regal locked against the ropes in a submission hold. Layla got up on the apron and grabbed Punk trying to pull him away from Regal. The move was broken up allowing Regal to yank Punk's foot off the apron, causing Punk to hit the apron face first. Regal took control from here and brought Punk back in the ring. At one point, Punk went for a Bulldog but Regal was able to slam Punk back. Punk fell badly on the back of his head, but still was able to compete, After Regal sat Punk on the corner turnbuckle, Punk shoved him off and tried to hit a flying bodypress. Regal ducked it. As the two were back on their feet, Punk eluded Regal's attack and put him up in the GTS. Despite Regal trying to elbow out of it, he couldn't escape. Punk hit GTS then pinned Regal to become new IC champ!

Punk was emotional in his hometown after the win and went out to celebrate with the audience.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over William Regal to become the new Intercontinental Champion.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler reviewed last week's match between Shawn Michaels and John Cena. Prior to the fight, JBL reminded Shawn Michaels that he's working for him, and he should consider the match tonight his Wrestlemania. JBL was in Shawn's corner for the match and came into play several times. At one point, Michaels needed to reach the bottom rope to break a STFU, and JBL leaned on the rope to push it closer. Later in the match, JBL distracted Cena as he was shoved to the ropes. As Cena turned around HBK delivered a huge Superkick to defeat Cena.

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When Raw returned, Jerry Lawler was in the ring which was set up for the World Heavyweight Title match contract signing between JBL and John Cena. JBL arrived to the ring first accompanied by his employee, Shawn Michaels. Cena arrived from backstage next, wearing the championship belt around his waist.

Cena signed off for the match first, then JBL signed. JBl took a mic and said the reign of JBL as World Heavyweight champion is now a matter of time. Cena took the mic and called JBL a scumbag and said he came out to talk to Shawn Michaels. JBL told Cena that Michaels is his employee and he'll be in his corner for the match Sunday, and that's his only function. Cena made a plea to Shawn Michaels saying last week in their match Cena looked into the eyes of the Showstopper. Cena said he can tell Michaels isn't a broken man, but instead he has what it takes to compete in WWE still. Michaels continued to stare blankly at Cena as he gave his speech. JBL told Cena his employee is not a puppet, and he knows Michaels is still Mr. Wrestlemania, and that's why he hired him. JBL said once he's won the title, Michaels will get what he cares most about, a large paycheck. JBL said this isn't personal, it's merely a business decision. Suddenly, Michaels snatched the mic from JBL's hands and yelled "Shutup!"

Michaels told JBL he despises what he's become but he'll continue to do what he was hired for. Michaels then told Cena he doesn't live his life or know his situation that he's in. Michaels said he got himself into this and will get himself out, for his family's sake. Michaels said it may even cost Cena the World Heavyweight Championship. Cena reminded Michaels he can still make it, and the fans want him to. Cena told Michaels there will be a moment where he'll need to choose if he really wants to be the one to help JBL win the title. Michaels got in Cena's face saying he's sorry he feels that way. Michaels turned as if to hit Cena but held back. JBL clocked Cena instead knocking him to the mat. As Cena got back up, Michaels went for a Superkick but Cena ducked it. JBL caught Cena with a boot, then handed his jacket to Michaels. Michaels put the jacket on the ropes before leaving the ring. JBL finished off Cena with a Clothesline from Hell then exited.

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Kevin Grevioux from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans was shown in one of the front rows of the Raw audience.

Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox

Michale Cole noted that Mysterio won the Rumble back in 2006. Backstage Todd Grisham rushed up to interview Mike Knox who was on his way out for the match. Grisham asked Knox what he has against Mysterio. Knox said nothing. Grisham asked why he keeps attacking him and Knox said he didn't really have a reason.

Early in the match, Knox was down on his knees but still was able to clohesline Mysterio as he came off the ropes. Rey managed to stage a comeback as he did a Springboard off the ropes and flipped Knox with a headscissor down into the middle rope. On the 619 attempt, Knox caught Rey's legs and reversed it, catapulting Mysterio up into the top rope. Knox began to bleed from his lip/mouth, then began viciously assaulting Mysterio. Knox refused to heed the ref's 5 count as he attacked Rey. The ref called for the bell promptly to disqualify Knox. Knox grabbed Mysterio anyways with a crazed look and hit his finisher

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins due to disqualification of Mike Knox.

Stephanie McMahon was shown backstage. As she rounded a corner into her office she asked someone off camera what they were doing there. The camera cut to Chris Jericho sitting in a suit on a couch. Stephanie ordered him to leave since he was fired last week. With a smug look on his face, Jericho said he's not going anywhere because he called Vince last week. Jericho said Vince told him he'd let him plead his case tonight once he arrived. Jericho told Stephanie he won't hold anything back when he does.

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Raw returned with highlights from last week's Smackdown. The police video was shown from the hit and run accident Jeff and his girlfriend were victims in. Edge held a special edition of The Cutting Edge. Edge started out saying he was glad Jeff Hardy was OK following the crash because he wants no more distractions. As Jeff was coming out from backstage, his pyrotechnics exploded right in his face. Jeff writhed around on the ramp and medical staff rushed in with several wrestlers to take Jeff out via stretcher.

The Miz and John Morrison were in the ring and said they wanted to beat the first ever winner of the Royal Rumble, Hacksaw Jim Duggan. They called for Duggan to head to the ring and decide who he wanted to wrestle. Instead, Cryme Tyme showed up from backstage. Cryme Tyme got in the ring and said they wanted to start on their path to becoming new tag champs. They told Miz and Morrison if they lose they won't bother them anymore. Miz and Morrison accepted and the match was on.

Cryme Tyme vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Shad went on a rampage as he clotheslined Morrison down then knocked Miz off the apron. Later still, Shad went for a move on Morrison near the ropes. Miz was back on the apron and yanked Shad down against the top rope. Morrison tried to jump off the middle rope for a kick. JTG yanked on the rope causing Morrison to lose his footing. Shad set up for a finisher as JTG rushed over to pull Miz of the apron. Shad collected the pinfall victory getting a title opportunity for Cryme Tyme.

Winners: Cryme Tyme wins via pinfall over The Miz & John Morrison.

Cole and Lawler revisited earlier footage of Stephanie slapping Randy Orton.

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Raw returned with a review of the Royal Rumble match and what's involved. Royal Rumble by the Numbers was shown with various stats including Rey Mysterio's 62:12 minutes for longest appearance in a Royal Rumble and :02 seconds for the shortest time in the match ever, by the Warlord. #27 has been the most successful entry number for the Rumble with 4 men winning it. 70% of the Royal Rumble winners have gone on to become champion after winning the match.

Backstage, Cody Rhodes was with Mickie James and asked why he'd take advice from someone like her. Just then, Goldust came walking up saying it's been a long time. Goldust handed him a copy of the new Starcade DVD and said he should review it. Rhodes reminded him it includes a best 2 of 3 falls match between Dustin Rhodes and Stone Cold. Cody then said he joined up with Randy Orton to avoid being like Goldust, and when he has his own DVD out he'll send copies to him and "The Dream". Rhodes left and Goldust shook his head in disgust.

A limo was shown pulling into the arena backstage. Jerry Lawler asked if this could be the return of Mr. McMahon.

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An ad was shown for tomorrow's ECW which will feature a Fatal Fourway between The Miz, John Morrison, Finlay and Mark Henry.

Jillian Hall was in the ring screeching out a song as Raw returned. Footage was shown from last week when Melina tried to go down the ramp for her match with Jillian and Beth. Superfan Rosa came out of nowhere and attacked Melina, allowing Beth to attack Melina further.

Melina vs. Jillian Hall

As the match was underway, Santino Marella came down the ramp with Beth Phoenix and Rosa. The three watched as Jillian took control early after avoiding a rushing Melina in the corner. Jillian was able to force Melina into the other corner eventually ramming her in the stomach. Jillian backed off and then charged but Melina jumped up and was able to flip over Jillian, pulling her into a pin.

From the ramp Santino gave Rosa instructions and she enthusiastically rushed towards the ring. Rosa got in the ring and tackled Melina, attacking her. Beth Phoenix soon entered and kicked Melina in the head, then shoved Rosa out of the ring. Beth hit her finisher on Melina, then knelt down and yelled that she doesn't need anyone's help to defeat Melina. As Beth exited the ring, Santino prepared for a big hug, but an angry Beth walked by both he and Rosa on the ramp.

Winner: Melina wins via pinfall over Jillian Hall.

Backstage, Dolph Ziggler was trying to impress Candice Michelle. He told her that if he's in the Rumble, households all over the world will know the name - . Ziggler turned and as he turned Vince McMahon was standing there. Vince nodded to Candice then introduced himself to Ziggler. He asked Ziggler to introduce himself, but Ziggler was speechless. Vince shook his head and walked off.

Advertisement was shown for the DVD movie, "Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia" starring Mr. Kennedy.

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Cole and Lawler revisited the in-ring incident involving JBL, John Cena and Shawn Michaels earlier during the contract signing.

Vince McMahon came strutting out from backstage and headed down to the ring all smiles. Vince McMahon invited Chris Jericho out to air his grievances. Jericho reminded everyone he was 2008 Superstar of the Year and that he carried Raw on his back during Vince's time of absence. Jericho told Vince he's a smart businessman and a good decision would be to reinstate Jericho and add him to the 2009 Royal Rumble match. Jericho said he thinks Stephanie has set Raw back with her decisions and is even more of a spoiled princess than ever before. Vince invited Stephanie to come down to the ring next.

Vince told Stephanie he was thinking of re-hiring Jericho, but decided not to. Vince announced that he and Stephanie were going to run Raw together. Vince told Stephanie she could give Jericho a second chance if she wanted to, then handed the mic to her. Stephanie told Jericho she'd give him his job back if he apologized. Jericho muttered "Im Sorry" a several times, with Stephanie telling him to do better than that. Jericho asked for Stephanie's forgiveness. Steph told him his apology wasn't good enough and that he'd have to be a hypocrite now just like he called the fans hypocrites. The fans began to chant "On Your Knees!"

Jericho got down on his knees with an angry look on his face told the crowd he has a gift that makes him better than everyone on the planet. Jericho said it might seem like he thinks he's better than everyone else, but if he said anything to offend any of them, he apologizes. Stephanie told Jericho she would see him at the Royal Rumble Sunday, but for now to leave the ring and walk up the ramp so the fans could tell him what they thought of him. Vince told Stephanie she's still his little girl and gave her a hug, but just then Randy Orton came walking out from backstage.

Orton got into the ring and said he believes another apology is in order for Stephanie slapping him in the face earlier. Orton told Vince he should have Steph apologize to him because he's much more valuable than her. Stephanie prepared to hit Orton again, but Vince held her back then told her to leave the ring. Vince began to chastise Orton for how he was acting. Vince reminded Orton that he made his father Cowboy Bob Orton famous, so if not for Vince, Randy Orton wouldn't be in the WWE now. Vince told Orton he can apologize to him now, or else. Orton just stared at Vince. Vince told Orton if he didn't apologize now he'd be terminated on the spot. Orton told Vince he doesn't want to do that. Vince became enraged and prepared to say "You're..." but Orton clocked him. Orton kicked Vince down then ran and delivered a Punt kick on his head. WWE officials and Stephanie rushed to the ring to check on Vince who layed face down motionless. Orton realized what he had done and staggered back to the corner of the ring. Rhodes and Dibiase came down to retrieve Orton. As Raw ended Stephanie was crying over her father as a neck brace was put on him.

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