Raw Recap 02.16.09

Raw Recap from Spokane, WA:

Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero arrived onto the ramp where she introduced the new World Heavyweight Champion, Edge, to the audience. Edge came out to his theme music and pyro with the belt in hand. Jerry Lawler said it's been confirmed that Cena is no longer champ now. Edge and Vickie got into the ring where Edge discussed how he bounced back from losing the WWE Title last night, because failure's not an option. Edge began running around pointing at audience members saying how they were wrong to call him a loser. Edge proclaimed himself a living miracle as he turned the WWE Title into the World Heavyweight Championship.

Vickie Guerrero said that since Stephanie McMahon left No Way Out with Shane who went to the hospital, making Vickie the highest power in the arena. Vickie said with Kofi Kingston hurt she made the decision to let Edge compete in the Chamber match. Vickie told the crowd they will accept what happened. She and Edge began to kiss passionately in the ring, but John Cena's music came on as Cena came out to interrupt. Cena marched down to the ring and after the crowd chanted his name a bit, Cena congratulated Edge. Cena said the R in Rated-R stands for "rematch" in his opinion. Edge said he competed in 2 chambers last night so he won't be fighting tonight, then told Cena he'll have to come to Smackdown to get at him. Cena said he wants Edge healthy. Edge began to mock Cena with the "You can't see me" hand in his face. Cena grabbed him and warned Edge about trying to hide or run. Cena vowed he would find and hurt Edge if he tries to run or hide.

Shane McMahon appeared on camera backstage. Shane called out Orton without Priceless for an unsanctioned match where nobody wins until their opponent isn't moving. Shane said one way or the other this ends tonight.

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Raw returned with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler unveiling a brand new website, Wrestlemania25.com which has a countdown clock on the site among other features.

Cryme Tyme & CM Punk vs. Team Priceless & William Regal

Layla accompanied William Regal to the match. Rhodes, Dibiase and Regal worked to keep Punk away from the tag for some time. As Regal came in he continuously pummeled Punk, then applied a headlock down on the mat. After kneeing Punk in the head, Regal tagged in Rhodes to punish Punk more. Punk finally managed to land a dropkick on Dibiase and then fell back to the corner where JTG tagged in. As Punk fell outside the ring, JTG went wild in the ring, knocking Dibiase around, then rushed over to beat on Rhodes. Shad came into the ring as Regal did and the two men ended up going to the outside. With JTG working on Rhodes, Dibiase was the legal man and managed to grab JTG for a slam move called "Dream Street" to win it.

Winners: Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase & William Regal win via pinfall over Cryme Tyme & CM Punk.

Backstage, Stephanie yelled at Shane for challenging Orton to fight again just one night after Shane was in the hospital. Shane said this fight will happen tonight whether Orton wants to or not. Shane left with Stephanie looking worried.

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As Raw returned Jerry Lawler announced that Melina will defend her Womens Title against Beth Phoenix later. Chris Jericho was in the ring in a suit where he began to plead to the Academy Award voters not to vote for Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler". Jericho said if Rourke wins it sets off a chain reaction of has beens wanting to get back in the spotlight. Jericho said the "has-beens" are weak, insecure hypocrites and liars who need to be shut up for their own good. As Jericho continued denouncing "legends", all of a sudden Rowdy Roddy Piper's theme music came on as Piper emerged from backstage to fan applause.

Piper got into the ring and started telling Jericho how he used to respect him as a wrestler for backing up what he said. Piper asked why Jericho is now running his mouth calling out the legends, then told Jericho "Please shut the hell up!", stealing Jericho's own quote. Piper defended Mickey Rourke as his friend and his acting job in "The Wrestler". Piper discussed all the great memories he's had in wrestling on behalf of the fans and said he'd crawl to the ring one last time to give the fans another memorable moment. Piper extended his hand for a shake, but Jericho eyed him then kicked Piper in the leg. Piper fell to the mat where Jericho started kicking him and screaming at him to dance like a puppet for the fans. Jericho continued to scream, berating Piper and telling him to crawl. Jericho kicked Piper again before exiting the ring. A ref helped Piper back to his feet in the ring.

Todd Grisham interviewed Randy Orton backstage. Orton said he'd have no problem fighting Shane again tonight, and doesn't need Priceless to help him beat up Shane to make sure he's not moving later.

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A highlight video package of Wrestlemania IX was shown, which was in Las Vegas Caesars Palace outdoors. Yokozuna was able to defeat Bret Hart for the WWE Title after Mr. Fuji threw sand in Bret's face. Hulk Hogan came out to challenge Yokozuna and won back the WWE Title to end the event.

Jamie Noble was in the ring with a mic and said he's waiting for his big Wrestlemania moment this year. Noble talked about Chavo Guerrero only being in the spotlight for 9 seconds last year. As Noble continued speaking, Kane's pyro exploded and the Big Red Machine came to the ring.

Jamie Noble vs. Kane

As the bell rang Kane shoved Noble to the corner, then charged at him. Noble jumped up to kick Kane with both feet, then tried to jump off the corner as Kane came at him. Kane caught Noble in the air with a hand around his neck, then delivered the quick Chokeslam to win it.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler discussed last night's big victory by Shawn Michaels over JBL at No Way Out. Michael Cole said that JBL has paid for time to speak on Raw to make a "historic announcement" tonight. JBL was shown walking backstage.

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JBL's white limo pulled up next to the ramp and JBL was let out the back by the chaffeur. JBL was sporting a shiner under his left eye as he walked to the ring intently. In the ring, Bradshaw said as of last night Shawn Michaels is no longer his employee. JBL said he had a large check signed over to Michaels last night, and Michaels still owns his name. JBL said the payment to Michaels was a drop in the bucket for him, because he's still richer than everyone in the arena combined. JBL said he has his eyes set on a new prize, The Undertaker's streak 16-0. JBL said he's going to head to Wrestlemania 25 and end that streak so the fans will know he's the greatest wrestling entity ever. Just then, Shawn Michaels' theme music hit and Michaels came down to the ring ecstatically.

Michaels was all smiles as he danced around JBL in the ring. Michaels proclaimed himself a free man now, no longer employee of the month for JBL. Michaels said he's living on heaven on earth now, and feels there's no better man to take on Undertaker than himself. Michaels discussed his previous big moments at Wrestlemania including last year where he sent Ric Flair to retirement. JBL said beating Undertaker at Wrestlemania is his destiny, not Michaels'. HBK reminded JBL he can't tell him what to do anymore. Michaels proposed they wrestle next week with the winner earning the right to challenge Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25. JBL then started poking his fingers into JBL's chest just as JBL did to him weeks ago. Michaels told JBL he'll be lucky if he even makes it to Wrestlemania now.

Highlights were shown to chronicle the events between Randy Orton, Stephanie, Shane and Vince McMahon over weeks past, leading to tonight's unsanctioned match. Shane McMahon was shown preparing himself in a backstage hallway.

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Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox

Mysterio came to the ring looking beat up after last night's Elimination Chamber where he was the final wrestler to face Edge. Knox began to work on Mysterio kicking him in the corner, then putting Rey onto his shoulder. Rey slid off, but Knox came back to level him with a vicious clothesline. Mysterio escaped when Knox charged at him in the corner, but as Rey tried to jump at Knox, Knox simply batted him down. Knox picked up Rey and tossed him face first through the bottom rope to the outside.

As Raw returned, Rey tried to mount a comeback, but once again Knox knocked him to the mat. Knox went for a cover with Mysterio kicking out at 2. At one point Knox picked up Rey in a Bear Hug to squeeze the life out of him. Mysterio finally escaped it and was able to kick Knox in the back of the head, sending him to the middle rope for the 619. Mysterio then went for a springboard off the rope at Knox who avoided it. Rey landed on his feet then tried to do a backflip off the ropes, but Knox caught him from the air. Knox hung Rey upside down in the corner and started beating on him. As the ref backed Knox away from Rey, Knox started to charge. Rey flipped himself up out of the way causing Knox to run shoulder first into the ringpost. From there Rey was able to roll up Knox for the quick pinfall victory.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Mike Knox.

Beth Phoenix was shown walking backstage with Santino Marella and WWE Diva Rosa Mendes. Beth told them tonight they'd help her win back the Womens Title.

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Beth Phoenix vs. Melina
WWE Womens Title Match

With Santino and Rosa cheering her on, Beth dominated Melina early, whipping her to the corner, then suplexing her off the top rope. Beth continued to beat up Melina, until Melina escaped and tried to mount a comeback. Melina went to the side apron to kick away at Beth, but The Glamazon responded by knocking Melina off the apron. Rosa Mendes ran over to kick Melina in the gut, and Santino went to assist. Just then, Candice, Kelly Kelly and Mickie James rushed down the ramp to beat up Santino and Rosa. The distraction allowed Melina to get back into the ring and with Beth's focus taken away, Melina quickly rolled her into the pinfall.

Rosa Mendes and Santino rushed into the ring to comfort Beth and apologize for the mishap.

Winner: Melina wins via pinfall over Beth Phoenix to retain the WWE Women's Title.

Terry and Dory Funk Jr were announced as the latest 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees. The famous pair will be inducted by Dusty Rhodes.

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Replay highlights were shown from earlier on Raw when John Cena came to the ring to congratulate and challenge new World Heavyweight Champion, Edge. Cena told Edge they will fight and he's gonna hurt him.

Stephanie was shown backstage telling someone on her cell phone that Shane insisted on fighting Orton again tonight. Stephanie told the caller to hurry then the call seemed to cut out as Stephanie threw her phone down.

Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton
Unsanctioned Match

Shane didn't even wait for Orton to get to the ring as he rushed out to attack him. Shane continued beating up Orton over the crowd barrier, then leaped from off the barrier to clothesline Orton to the pavement. The two continued fighting through the crowd, with Shane smashing a water bottle in Orton's face, then punching away at him. Orton started to fight back, eventually bouncing Shane face first into a table nearby, then unloading punches on him. Orton continued beating up Shane, slamming him face first into the announce table and then the steel steps.

Back in the ring, Orton continued punishing Shane, punching him hard in the face. Shane fell out of the ring to the floor, and Orton came back out to ram him into the apron several times. Shane managed to gain energy and rushed Orton, toppling over the commentators' table with him. Shane started beating Orton with Jerry Lawler's chair near the crowd barrier, then grabbed the ring bell. As Orton stood Shane clocked him with the bell causing Orton to fall back. Shane rolled Orton back into the ring and sat him in the corner then grabbed the ring bell to hit Orton in the back of the skull. With Orton seemingly unconscious, Shane set a chair in front of him in the corner, then prepared for the Coast to Coast off the ropes. As Shane got up on the corner to jump, suddenly Priceless rushed into the ring to knock Shane to the mat and attack him.

Rhodes and Dibiase beat Shane down as Orton staggered over. Orton prepared for a Punt kick as he watched Shane trying to get up on the mat. With Shane on all fours, Orton ran over and delivered another vicious Punt Kick, leaving Shane down on the mat. Stephanie rushed to the ring to check on her brother with Legacy still in the ring. Orton started to eye Stephanie and walked over to stare down at Shane. Stephanie stood up and began to confront Orton for what he just did. Out of nowhere Orton grabbed Stephanie and RKO'd her. With both McMahons down and officials checking on them, Orton staggered back and fell against the ropes realizing what he just did. All of a sudden, Triple H came rushing out from backstage and down to the ring. Legacy cleared out of the ring fast with The Game enraged as he checked on Steph. Triple H was fuming and almost convulsing as he stared out the ring at Orton who was up the ramp.

Winner: No winner announced in unsanctioned match with Shane McMahon left unconscious by Randy Orton.

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