Raw Recap 03.16.09

Raw Recap from San Antonio, TX:

As Raw opened, highlights from last week's contract signing between Big Show and Edge were shown. John Cena came out to interrupt Show, Edge and Vickie in the ring. Vickie announced that she felt it was fair to the audience to put Cena into the title match at Wrestlemania 25. Cena dropped a bomb on everyone when he revealed video footage of Vickie and Big Show having an affair backstage. Edge became outraged and shocked as Vickie and Big Show didn't know what to do. Meanwhile, Cena was all smiles up on the ramp, having used the footage to blackmail Vickie and get into the title match at Wrestlemania 25.

Jerry Lawler announced that Cena will face Edge tonight in a non-title match. Michael Cole said there will be an update on Triple H following his arrest at Randy Orton's home last week. Lawler also announced that Jericho may fight Flair tonight if Flair chooses to come out of retirement. Shawn Michael's music hit and HBK came out for the first match.

Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker vs. JBL & Vladimir Kozlov

Early on Michaels faced Kozlov who threw Michaels right down. HBK put his hand out for a tag from Taker, with Taker just staring at him. After HBK jumped on Kozlov, beat on him a bit and slid off his slam attempt, he rushed over and tagged in Undertaker. Taker gained momentum on Kozlov, beating him up in the corner, then clotheslining him out of the ring.

After Raw's commercial break, Michaels gained the advantage on JBL. As Michaels prepared for Sweet Chin Music, Kozlov rushed over on the apron. HBK ducked his clothesline but turned to eat a JBL boot. From here Kozlov and JBL started to work on Michaels, keeping him away from a tag to Undertaker. Michaels managed to escape against Kozlov using a DDT to the mat, then leapt over to tag in Taker as JBL tagged in. Taker again gained the major advantage on JBL, hitting Old School from the ropes, and dropping JBL face first onto the turnbuckle. Undertaker prepared for a Chokeslam with his arm raised, but he was close to Michaels who tagged his hand. Michaels got into the match and promptly Superkicked JBL down then took the pin.

Taker was enraged at Michaels taking over to win it and kicked him. Michaels rolled out of the ring and backed up the ramp. Undertaker soon started to follow him up. Michaels got backstage and Taker stopped at the top of the ramp as his bell tolls began. Taker turned and looked back down at the ring, then suddenly HBK came out from backstage and delivered a Superkick to lay out Taker on the ramp.

Winners: Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker win via pinfall over Vladimir Kozlov &

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Raw returned to show recap highlights of the previous match and its aftermath with Michaels getting the best of Undertaker on the ramp.

Backstage, Edge walked into Vickie Guerrero's office. Edge said after thinking things over for a week he forgives Vickie for what happened. Vickie played things off saying Big Show forced himself on her. Edge said Big Show doesn't love her and just wants her to help his career. Edge said he blames John Cena for all of this, for trying to ruin Vickie's life. Vickie told Edge to go take Cena apart in the ring, and if Cena lays a finger on her, even accidentally he's out of the title match. The two ended up kissing and hugging.

Michael Cole and Lawler covered last week's incident where Orton was at his St. Louis home with his wife Samantha. After a series of interviews via satellite, Orton's Legacy team members Rhodes & Dibiase were set to face HHH in a handicap match for the main event. HHH didn't show for the main event as Rhodes and Dibiase picked up a forfeit victory. Instead, HHH showed up at Orton's home with a sledgehammer and chased Orton around the house. Orton hid in a closet and jumped out at HHH. The two got into a brawl with HHH gaining the upperhand. Eventually, HHH threw Orton around the living room and out through a window onto the front lawn. The fight continued there until police arrived on the scene and restrained HHH, cuffed him and put him into the back of a squad car.

Jerry Lawler said HHH was able to post bail and get his release. Lawler added that Orton decided not to press charges. Triple H is scheduled to face Cody Rhodes tonight one-on-one.

Backstage, Todd Grisham asked Orton why he dropped the charges against HHH. Orton spoke about how HHH traumatized his wife, attacked him and wrecked his home. Orton said he didn't want HHH in jail because at Wrestlemania it will be "Orton's Law" when he will pass sentence on HHH and become WWE Champ.

Lawler and Cole displayed a graphic on screen of the Miss Wrestlemania 25 Divas Battle Royal which showed 16 of the participants for the match which will feature current and former WWE divas.

Kelly Kelly, Mickie James & Melina vs. Layla, Jillian Hall & Beth Phoenix

Beth arrived with Santino Marella and Rosa Mendes. Santino joined Cole and Lawler on commentary for the match.

As the match intensified, WWE Divas Melina and Beth Phoenix fought one on one. Melina jumped off the corner onto Beth, but Beth responded by slamming Melina on her knee. Mickie rushed in to break up the pin, but then was yanked to the outside by Jillian and Layla. Kelly Kelly rushed over as Santino came over and got kicked in the gut by Mickie. Beth Phoenix reached outside to grab Mickie by the hair, but Melina slid into the ring and grabbed Beth to pin her. Rosa Mendes tried to rush into the ring with Santino, Layla and Beth as Kelly, Mickie and Melina got away to the ramp, celebrating their win.

Winners: Melina, Kelly Kelly & Mickie James win via pinfall over Layla, Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix.

Previews were shown from John Cena's upcoming movie "12 Rounds" which is released on March 27th.

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A Wrestlemania 25 ad revealed that the big event is just 20 days away. AC/DC's Shoot to Thrill is one of this year's PPV theme songs.

Triple H vs. Cody Rhodes

Rhodes came out to the ring alone but soon after Orton and Dibiase came out from backstage to the top of the ramp. HHH started the match off at a furious pace. Orton motioned for Dibiase to stay back on the ramp as things continued. HHH tossed Rhodes out onto the commentary table, as Orton and Dibiase started down towards the ring. HHH grabbed a Sledgehammer from under the ring and slid into the ring, then taunted Orton/Dibiase to try to enter. Eventually Rhodes was back on his feet, but HHH turned and delivered a Pedigree on him. With Rhodes down, HHH picked up the sledgehammer and called Orton/Dibiase to the ring. Orton was furious as he screamed at HHH in the ring. All of a sudden, a steel cage hanging above the ring started to lower. Orton screamed for WWE staff to stop lowering the cage. HHH slid out of the ring and chased Orton/Dibiase up the ramp. HHH turned and ran back to slide into the ring just before the cage lowered completely.

Triple H started to beat up Rhodes inside the cage with Dibiase and Orton helpless on the outside. Orton and Dibiase made attempts to climb up the side walls of the cage, but HHH tossed Rhodes into the wall causing each to fall off. Orton came over to get in HHH's face near the cage wall, with HHH picking up the sledgehammer and getting in his face. Dibiase made his way up the wall with HHH rushing over and smashing the sledgehammer against it to make him fall off. As Rhodes staggered to his feet, HHH waited then clocked him in the head with the sledgehammer. The ref counted the pinfall to give HHH the win. HHH went over to the cage wall near Orton and again got in his face. Orton was enraged as he looked at HHH. HHH climbed to the top of the cage with Sledgehammer in hand and sat there looking at Orton and Dibiase.

Winner: Triple H wins in a Steel Cage match against Cody Rhodes.

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Ric Flair was shown arriving to the arena in a limo in the arena parking garage.

Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler took control early on, as he clotheslined Rey down and landed an elbow drop, then began slapping Rey on the back of his head. Michael Cole announced that Mysterio has issued a challenge to JBL for an IC Title match at Wrestlemania 25. Ziggler locked a hold on Rey from behind with Rey eventually dropping down to hit a jawbreaker on Dolph. Rey gained serious momentum as he did a headscissors to send Ziggler into the ropes, then hit 619. Rey followed up with a huge splash off the corner to take the victory.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Dolph Ziggler.

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Chris Jericho came down to the ring in wrestling attire, ready for Ric Flair. Jericho complained on the mic that Flair cost him a shot at Wrestlemania last week, robbing Jericho of history. Jericho said that's why he called Flair to come out of retirement and face him now, making tonight his Wrestlemania. Jericho said Flair can't stay on the sidelines or out of the spotlight. Jericho began to insult Flair on the mic as he called him a pathetic, washed up has been.

Flair's music hit and Ric Flair arrived from backstage in a suit with a mic in hand. Flair told Jericho he knows he can beat him, but is officially retired. Flair said he refuses to tarnish the great send off he got from WWE last year after his final match. Flair said he can't wrestle against Jericho but has found some men who can. Superfly Jimmy Snuka came out first, followed by Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, and Roddy Piper. All four of the hall of famers walked down the ramp to surround the ring with Jericho on the inside. Eventually everyone got inside to surround Jericho, including Flair. Steamboat grabbed Jericho by the leg to trip him down as Steamboat and Piper pounced on him. Jericho scrambled to escape the ring but Flair was waiting on the outside and clocked him in the face. Jericho backed up the ramp pointing down at Flair who was now in the ring with the others.

Wrestlemania XV highlights were shown which included the Brawl for All. Bart Gunn won a tournament to face boxer Butterbean in one match, with Butterbean winning by KO. The Rock defended his WWE title against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Stone Cold delivered the Stunner with Mr. McMahon angrily watching. After his title win, Stone Cold beat up Vince and gave him a Stunner in the ring.

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Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Chris Jericho who was enraged after what just went down in the ring. Jericho said it's time he teaches these legends something and challenged Snuka, Piper and Steamboat to a 3 on 1 match at Wrestlemania 25. Jericho suggested Ric Flair could be at ringside to witness what Jericho does to these legends. Jericho then added he's going to buy Mickey Rourke a front row seat so he can watch Jericho put the legends out of their misery once and for all.

Kofi Kingston, MVP & CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin, Kane & Mark Henry

Christian, Finlay & Hornswoggle joined Cole and Lawler on commentary for the match. At one point in the match all six men got into the ring with the ref standing in the middle to prevent a brawl. Raw headed to commercial break.

When Raw returned, Punk gained control against Shelton. All of the competitors got involved with Kofi Kingston rushing in to headscissor Kane over the top rope. Mark Henry rushed in but Punk ducked his clothesline, then MVP pulled the top rope down so he could fall out. With MVP on the apron, Shelton tried to take a swipe at him. MVP ducked it and yanked Shelton against the ropes causing him to bounce forward to Punk. Punk grabbed Shelton for GTS and grabbed the pinfall victory.

Winners:

A "12 Rounds" segment was shown which highlighted Cena's girfriend in he movie, Molly. The movie plot centers on a former villain that Cena went up against kidnapping Cena's girlfriend, then forcing Cena's character to go through 12 rounds of tasks to save her.

Backstage, Vickie Guerrero was dressed in referee uniform to officiate the Cena vs. Edge match. Big Show was seated on a couch as Vickie angrily asked why he was there. Vickie confronted Show for trying to use her. Show said not to believe Edge and that Edge doesn't truly love her, he married Vickie to use her. Big Show said he loves Vickie then kissed her again.

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Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ran down the full card for Wrestlemania 25, including the Triple Threat match between Cena, Edge and Big Show for the World Heavyweight title, Orton vs. HHH for the WWE title, and Matt Hardy versus Jeff Hardy.

Footage was shown of HHH beating up Rhodes inside the steel cage earlier, using the Sledgehammer as Orton and Dibiase could only watch from the outside.

Todd Grisham caught up with HHH in the parking garage as the Game was leaving the arena. Grisham asked HHH how he got Vickie to help him earlier by lowering the steel cage. HHH just shot a look at Grisham, then got in his truck. The camera revealed Stephanie McMahon in the passenger's seat. HHH gave her a kiss then they sped off.

John Cena vs. Edge
w/Special Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero

Vickie was introduced first and came down to the ring to a chorus of boos and jeers. The champ come out next with his full pyrotechnics display followed by Cena who got a huge pop from the crowd.

Early on, Cena gained momentum and slammed Edge down then tried for a pinfall. Vickie just stood over to the side and wouldn't count the pinfall. Cena went over to confront her with Edge soon back on his feet to hit Cena from behind. The two battled some with Edge eventually tossing Cena over the top rope. Edge went to the outside where he whipped Cena into the steel steps before sliding back into the ring to gloat. Edge went back out to retrieve Cena and get him inside the ring. Edge put Cena down in the corner then prepared for a Spear. Cena started to get up and moved away causing Edge to spear the corner. Cena took control yet again, glanced at Vickie, then went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. As Cena ran against the ropes, Vickie jumped on top of Edge to prevent the move. Cena held off, but as soon as Vickie rolled off he dropped down to punch Edge.

Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Vickie grabbed Edge's leg to pull him down. Cena tripped Edge down and locked in the STF, but Vickie jumped on Cena and started to choke him. All of a sudden, Big Show's music hit and Big Show came down to the ring. Show got up on the apron as Cena rushed over to start beating on him. Show pushed Cena away, and soon Edge came over to help Big Show with the doubleteam.

Show and Edge ended up wrapping Cena into the side ropes. Edge ran and speared Cena while he was tangled, then Show delivered several huge punches including knockout punches to the head. With cena appearing to be out of it, Edge rushed over and Speared Big Show down. Raw went off the air with Edge raising his arms up victoriously while Cena was wrapped in the ropes and Show was layed out on the mat.

Winner: No winner as Big Show came down to interfere in the match.

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