Raw Recap 02.02.09

Raw Recap from St. Louis, MO:

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans to Raw, then announced the huge main event match for tonight: Chris Jericho vs. John Cena in a non-title bout. Lillian Garcia introduced WWE Executive VP, Shane McMahon, who came down the ramp to the ring. Replay footage was shown from last week's Raw involving Orton threatening to sue Stephanie and the WWE. Orton said if Steph fired him, he'd file an injunction so there would be no Wrestlemania. Raw roster members came to the top of the ramp and Orton demanded Stephanie fire him so he could ruin their Wrestlemania. Instead of firing Orton, Stephanie allowed Shane McMahon to come to the ring and handle business, attacking Orton. The fight continued despite Legacy trying to hold Shane off. Raw ended with Shane at the top of the ramp still looking for a piece of Orton.

In the ring, Shane spoke about what happened after Raw left the air last week. Shane said Orton's legal team approached him and asked for Shane to face Orton at No Way Out, in a No Holds Barred Match. Shane said he's accepted and the match will go down with Shane getting payback for what Orton did to his father. Shane added he will do everything in his power to make Orton unable to compete at Wrestlemania 25.

As Shane paused momentarily, Orton came out to the top of the ramp, mic in hand. Orton said Shane wasn't able to beat up 3 of the top superstars on Raw, but because Orton told Rhodes and Dibiase not to fight back. Orton said if he threw a punch then the members of Raw up on the ramp would have ganged up on Legacy, making it 20 vs 3. Orton said he can do whatever he wants to Shane now at No Way Out, with no consequences. Orton suggested Shane call the hospital where his father is, to order a bed side by side with Vince's. Orton started down the ramp staring at Shane who got ready to throw down. Orton turned after getting halfway down, then started walking back up and placed the mic down.

Shane got ready in the ring for a fight as Orton walked back down the ramp towards the ring. Orton started to climb to the apron, then stopped himself. Orton slid into the ring all of a sudden, just as Rhodes and Dibiase appeared from the other sides. Shane grabbed a Kendo stick to strike Rhodes and Dibiase, fighting off the ambush. Legacy regrouped on the ramp and headed backstage with Rhodes and Dibiase looking hurt.

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CM Punk & Mickie James vs. William Regal & Layla
Mixed Tag Match

Prior to the match starting, Lawler announced that Regal invoked his rematch clause and will face CM Punk next week on Raw for the Intercontinental Title.

Layla and Mickie James got into it at one point with Layla toying with Mickie as she pounced on her on the mat. Layla pounded Mickie's head into the mat several times, but as Mickie got up she started to punch Layla back to the corner. Finally the two divas collided with a double clothesline. As they struggled to get up, they began to crawl to their tag partners. Things eventually went to the outside, where Layla and Regal tried to regroup. Mickie James jumped off the side apron taking out Layla. With Punk on the apron, Regal came over and yanked his foot, causing Punk to hit the outside floor. Mickie helped Punk up and into the ring to beat the count, but as Punk was going in through the ropes, Regal ran over to knee him in the head. Regal took the pinfall victory.

Winners: William Regal and Layla win via pinfall over CM Punk and Mickie James.

A Wrestlemania 25 promo video was shown featuring highlight moments from the previous 24 Wrestlemanias. April 7, 1986 was the date for Wrestlemania 2, which saw the event take place in three different venues, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, with different broadcast teams. Mr. T faced Roddy Piper in a boxing match while Hulk Hogan defended the WWE title in a steel cage against King Kong Bundy.

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As Raw returned looking outside in St. Louis, Jerry Lawler announced that tonight JBL would have a public Employee Performance Appraisal of Shawn Michaels.

Cryme Tyme vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase

Big Shad gained serious momentum in the tag team matchup as he repeatedly clotheslined down Ted Dibiase. Shad whipped Dibiase to the other corner then threw him up in the air for a slam. After yet another slam, Shad tried to rile the crowd up and hit an elbow drop off the ropes. Rhodes slid back in to break up the pin attempt, then rushed over to knock JTG off the apron. Shad shoved JTG into the corner and went for the attack, but Dibiase was back up to attack Shad from behind. Dibiase continually hammered away on Shad. Due to the blatant doubleteam, the ref called for the bell awarding the DQ win to Cryme Tyme.

Winners: Cryme Tyme wins due to disqualification of Dibiase and Rhdoes when they used a blatant doubleteam.

Michael Cole discussed the "war of words" going on between "The Wrestler" movie actor Mickey Rourke and Chris Jericho. Rourke and Jericho's comments back and forth were shown with Rourke at the SAG Awards and Jericho on Raw. Rourke also appeared on Larry King Live saying he wants to support Wrestlemania come April after his work in The Wrestler. Jericho was brought in via satellite and said that Rourke was out of line when he mentioned Jericho's name and wrestling against him. Rourke admitted he may have put his foot in his mouth and wouldn't get in the ring with Jericho because wrestling is "not his world". Jericho said Rourke may respect his world, but he doesn't respect Rourke.

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As Raw returned a graphic announcing that Wrestlemania 25 is 62 days away was shown. The camera cut backstage to a hallway where Randy Orton was yelling at Legacy members Orton and Rhodes to get on the same page. No audio was heard but Orton seemed to be instructing his team.

Chris Jericho was in the ring to discuss the Mickey Rourke situation. Jericho said he wanted to clear up what he said to Rourke on Larry King. Jericho said he respects Rourke's acting in "The Wrestler" and his ability to backtrack on his comments regarding a match with Jericho at WM25. Jericho said he has a problem with Rourke's "The Wrestler" because it glorifies the "has beens" who don't know when to call it quits. Jericho then named off Roddy Piper and Ric Flair as examples. Jericho said Flair should be in a mansion living the good life in retirement but instead Flair's selling his face and name to anyone who will pay him for it. Jericho called Flair pathetic, saying he's "tarnishing his legacy". Jericho suggested that WWE revoke the Hall of Fame status of the wrestlers still leeching off their celebrity status as wrestlers.

Suddenly, John Cena appeared on the Titantron to provide a rebuttal to Jericho's speech. Cena said Jericho is one to talk after being fired twice from WWE and continually reminding everyone of his accomplishments. Cena said in their match tonight he's going to shut him up by knocking his teeth down his throat.

Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio were shown backstage on their way out for a match against Mike Knox and Kane.

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Highlight footage was shown from last week's Raw where Kofi Kingston defeated Kane in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match, making for a huge upset victory.

Kofi Kingston & Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox & Kane

Lawler and Cole discussed how Mike Knox qualified for the Elimination Chamber at a House show over the weekend. At one point in tonight's match, Kofi was getting beat around the ring by Kane. Kofi was able to gain momentum after landing a high kick to knock Kane out of the ring.

Raw returned from a break with Kofi still taking it to Kane in the ring using quick attack moves. Kane tried to pick up Kofi with a doublehanded slam, but Kofi avoided it and backed Kane to his corner for the tag to Mysterio. Mysterio almost had the 619, but Kane got out of the ring. Rey got to the apron and launched himself off landing on top of Kane outside. Eventually Kane tagged in Knox, and Rey went for a backflip off the ropes at him. Knox caught Rey up on his shoulder and prepared for a slam, but Kofi managed to tag Rey's foot as he was nearby. Kofi came in to knock Knox to the mat, allowing Rey to stomp on him, and Kofi to hit the double legdrop.

The match continued as Knox powered out of Kofi's pinfall attempt, then delivered a huge boot to level Kofi. Knox went for the pin with Kofi getting his shoulder up after 2. Knox and Kane started to work over Kofi, preventing his tag attempt. At one point Kofi escaped Kane with a kick and started to crawl to tag Rey. Kane noticed it and knocked Rey off the apron, preventing a tag. Knox began to violently attack Kofi around the ring, with Kofi finally getting a boot in his face in the corner. Kofi managed to get over to the apron where Rey finally had arrived back, but Kane was able to pull him away. Kane picked up Kofi on his shoulder but Kofi slid off then tagged in Rey.

In the closing moments, Rey had the momentum after knocking Kane to the mat and using a rapid fire attack. Knox came in to break up Rey's pin on Kane, but Kofi rushed in to take out Knox to the outside. Kofi tried to leap out at Knox, but Knox caught him and delivered a huge knee to his gut. With Kofi and Knox out of the action, Rey set up Kane in the 619. As Rey ran over and was coming around on the kick, Knox managed to grab his legs. Rey kicked Knox away, then tried to springboard off the ropes at Kane. Kane caught Mysterio with a hand around his throat and chokeslammed him.

Winners: Mike Knox & Kane win via pinfall over Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston.

Shane and Stephanie McMahon were shown walking backstage talking when all of a sudden Legacy rushed in to attack. Stephanie was knocked to the floor near the wall as Legacy attacked Shane. Security tried to rush in to stop them, but Legacy beat them back and continued on Shane. Orton got ready for a Punt kick and ran towards Shane, then held back. Orton then turned his attention to Stephanie who was trying to get up. Orton went into a rage and started to run for the Punt Kick on Steph, with Shane able to leap over into his path. Orton kicked Shane in the back, and WWE personnel rushed in to hold back Orton as they checked on Shane. Orton seemed in shock at what had just happened as Legacy held him back.

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Raw returned to replay what had just went down involving Legacy and Stephanie/Shane McMahon. Lawler and Cole ran down the card so far for No Way Out, including both Elimination Chambers and Shane vs. Orton in a No Holds Barred Match.

Highlights were shown from Wrestlemania 10 which included the legendary Bret Hart facing the late Owen Hart. Owen Hart picked up the big victory over his own brother. Later on, Shawn Michaels faced Razor Ramon in the first ever televised Ladder Match. The match saw two Intercontinental Title belts hanging above the ring, with Razor Ramon winning it to become undisputed champ. The ad credited that match with giving way to the modern day "Money in the Bank" match, now a tradition for Wrestlemania.

JBL was shown in a locker room watching Raw on a television set. Lawler said next up will be Shawn Michaels' Employee Appraisal.

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Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix

Beth arrived to the ring flanked by Santino Marella and her intern, WWE Diva Rosa Mendes. Last week, Rosa helped Beth win a divas tag match by yanking Melina off the apron, preventing Kelly Kelly from tagging out.

In tonight's match, Beth dominated Candice early on, and eventually got her up in a modified torture rack on her shoulder. Candice refused to call it quits as Beth held the move and squeezed Candice on her shoulder. Candice managed to fight out with elbows and then propelled herself off the ropes. Candice gained the momentum eventually jumping onto the back of Beth's shoulders, but Beth reversed it and went for a slam. Candice countered that and rolled Beth into a pin attempt. Beth managed to escape it, with Rosa Mendes screaming from the outside. From there, Beth was able to ram Candice into the corner and hoist her up into her finisher for the face first slam into the mat.

After Beth's victory, Santino and Rosa entered the ring. Beth ordered Rosa to do something to Candice. Rosa grabbed Candice by the hair, dragged her to the ropes and tossed her out of the ring, then looked to Beth for her approval.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Candice Michelle.

Chris Jericho was shown getting ready backstage for his match with Cena. Cole and Lawler made a big announcement that Ric Flair will be appearing on next week's Raw.

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JBL's white limo arrived next to the ramp, with JBL getting out and coming to the ring. Highlights of last week's match between Cena and Michaels were shown, where JBL's interference cost Shawn Michaels the win. It also cost JBL his opportunity to be in the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out.

In the ring, JBL announced he would now conduct a Performance Appraisal, where management assesses the value of employees. JBL called out Shawn Michaels to the ring, and HBK arrived from backstage to the cheers of the crowd. JBL reminded Michaels of how he rescued him from financial problems, and has held up his end of the bargain. JBL said his only motive in hiring Michaels was for HBK to ensure JBL would go to Wrestlemania 25 as World Heavyweight Champion. JBL asked HBK if he's lived up to his end of things. Michaels told JBL that he's done everything he could to help JBL win, reminding him of how he layed down for a pinfall attempt so JBL could face Cena, and also how he placed JBL on an unconscious Cena at the Royal Rumble. JBL told Michaels that he has failed, and asked if he wants to be released from his contract.

Michaels told JBL he'd rather just kick JBL's teeth down his throat. JBL said if he does that, he loses his job with him, and it will affect his entire family. HBK asked JBL what he wants from him. JBL proposed that Michaels and he face off at No Way Out. JBL said if Michaels wins he will pay him everything he owes him and releases him from contract. JBL said if he wins though he officially owns the Shawn Michaels name, and Michaels works for him, forever, doing whatever he asks him to. JBL told Michaels the match is for "All or Nothing" and asked if HBK would roll the dice. Michaels told JBL he accepted it. JBL began to goad Michaels by jabbing him with his fingers to the chest, reminding Michaels he can't put his hands on his employer. JBL began to yell at Michaels, then slapped him in the face. Michaels was visibly ready to strike JBL but held off then left the ring to head backstage.

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A replay was shown again of the vicious blindside attack that Legacy made on Shane McMahon and Stephanie backstage. Shane prevented Orton from Punt Kicking Stephanie by jumping in front of Orton. Orton kicked Shane in the back causing apparent injury.

Backstage, Kane was shown in a locker room when Stephanie entered and asked if he talked to him. Kane said he had, and Stephanie then said Kane is officially in the Elimination Chamber match. Stephanie added that next week, Randy Orton will go one-on-one with The Undertaker.

Chris Jericho vs. John Cena

As Cena made his entrance and got in the ring, he quickly handed off his title belt then began to attack Jericho, beating him into the corner. Jericho gained some momentum as Cena turned his back and went to remove his shirt. Despite the attack by Jericho, Cena turned things around and was able to hit the Bulldog with Jericho coming off the ropes. With Jericho down, Cena measured him then did a slam with Jericho, causing Jericho's head to bounce off the mat. Cena continued to dominate and clotheslined Jericho over the top rope out of the ring. Jericho recovered on the outside, but Cena went out after him. Cena tried to grab Jericho's legs as he got on the apron, but Jericho kicked Cena into the announce table.

Raw returned from a commercial break with Jericho keeping Cena down on the mat in a submission hold. Cena powered out of it and stood up with Jericho on his shoulders. Jericho countered and turned it into a pin attempt, with Cena escaping it. Despite Jericho landing a kick to Cena on the apron, Cena managed to recover and get himself back into the ring to take control. Cena went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Jericho countered it to the Walls of Jericho. Cena countered to turn it into a pinfall, and as Jericho escaped, Cena went for the STF. Jericho turned that into a pinfall attempt. Cena kicked out and Jericho did a Lionsault off the ropes onto Cena for another pin. Finally Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena had two near FU attempts, with Jericho managing to escape each. Eventually Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho.

Cena struggled to crawl over and grab the bottom rope, but Jericho pulled him back to the center, keeping his submission hold locked in. Finally Cena was able to use his power to flip underneath Jericho's legs and reverse Jericho's submission, turning it into the STF. Jericho tapped out in pain, giving Cena the submission victory.

Winner: John Cena wins via submission over Chris Jericho.

As Cena celebrated his victory, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler reminded fans that Ric Flair will appear on next week's Raw to address Chris Jericho's comments. Also, Randy Orton will face The Undertaker one-on-one.

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