Raw Recap 05.11.09

Raw Recap from Columbus, OH

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans to Nationwide Arena for Raw, just 6 nights away from Judgment Day. Lillian Garcia introduced WWE Champion Randy Orton who came to the top of the ramp along with Rhodes and Dibiase. Orton compared the McMahons to the audience, then chastised the audience for just sitting there and taking it day in and day out while life beats them down. Orton called the audience cowards because they pay to live their lives through him. Orton had a replay shown of what he did to Shane last week, saying he put an end to the McMahon era.

After the highlights were shown, Orton and Legacy were in the ring. Orton discussed the no physical contact stipulation between he and Batista, which will end on Sunday at the PPV. Orton said they can still talk and Batista will want to hear what he has to say. Batista came down to the ring to confront Legacy. Orton told Batista he'll never win the WWE title ever. Orton then offered Batista the opportunity to become a member of Legacy. Dibiase took the mic and told Batista he can relate to being kicked in the skull by Orton, but after joining Legacy he feels differently. Orton reminded Batista how unstoppable they were in Evolution, and said HHH was holding them back, but now Orton's taken him out. Orton compared Batista's role to that of Arn Anderson for Flair's Horsemen, where Batista could be the "Enforcer".

Batista told Orton everything he said makes sense but there's a problem; he loathes Orton, so he'll never be his backup. Batista said he's not there to help him but to hurt him. Orton became enraged and said Batista's lucky there's a no contact clause. Batista said he doubts Vickie will call off the main event at Judgment Day, so there's nothing stopping him from destroying Orton tonight. Just then, Vickie Guerrero came to the ramp with Chavo. Vickie said she is waving the physical contact clause for tonight so Orton and Batista can tear each other apart, and the main event will still happen at Judgment Day. Vickie then ordered Batista to face Dibiase & Rhodes in the ring now, and if Batista wins he will face Orton one on one tonight. If Rhodes & Dibiase win, it's a 3 on 1 handicap match against Batista.

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Batista vs. Dibiase & Rhodes
2 on 1 Handicap Match

The former tag champs did their best to keep Batista grounded early on, working on his left leg. Batista fought back from their corner then began leveling Rhodes before rushing over to kick Dibiase off the apron. Batista hit Rhodes with a huge boot, causing Rhodes to roll out under the ropes to recover. As Dibiase was getting back in the ring, the referee became distracted with him. Rhodes grabbed a steel chair from under the ring and slid it under the ropes. Batista grabbed it and took a swing at Rhodes. Rhodes avoided him and the referee saw, causing the ref to call for a DQ on Batista. Batista will now have to face all 3 men from Legacy in a 3 on 1 Handicap match.

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase win via pinfall over Batista.

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WWE Torpedo Takedown showed higlights from last week of Mickie James vs. Maryse. Maryse tossed Mickie off the corner ropes and had her in a severe submission, but eventually Mickie turned the tide and DDT'd Maryse for a non-title victory.

Mickie James & Kelly Kelly vs. Maryse & Jillian Hall

Before Mickie James came to the ring Maryse spoke in French on the mic, and ended by saying if she wasn't Maryse she would want to be.

Kelly Kelly gained the advantage against Jillian, until Maryse walked over on the apron to distract Kelly. Jillian rushed over and knocked Kelly to the mat, right near Maryse who tagged in next. Maryse eventually locked in her Camel Clutch like submission on Kelly, who was able to stand up and tried to power out. Maryse yanked Kelly by her hair back down to the mat. Kelly eventually escaped on a kick to Maryse, and Mickie James came in with serious momentum. After a headscissors, Mickie climbed the corner ropes and flew off onto Maryse for a roll up pinfall. Jillian came in to break it up, and Kelly came in to go after her. Kelly and Jillian eventually went to the outside, with Maryse knocking Mickie down inside. Maryse went for her DDT near the ropes, but Mickie held on to the ropes causing Maryse to fall. From there, Mickie brought Maryse to center ring and hit her own DDT finisher to score her second pinfall on Maryse in consecutive weeks.

Winners: Kelly Kelly & Mickie James win via pinfall over Jillian Hall & Maryse.

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed Randy Orton, asking his thoughts on tonight's 3 on 1 match against Batista. Before Orton could get an answer out, Dibiase came rushing up to him, saying Cody was missing. Orton took Dibiase aside and pushed the camera away so they could confer, then the two rushed off in search of Cody Rhodes.

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Cole & Lawler revisited the incident at Backlash where Big Show came out to chokeslam Cena into a huge spotlight, allowing Edge to win the World Championship in the Last Man Standing match. On last week's Raw, an already hurt Cena was stuck in the ring with Big Show, who punished Cena even further, leaving him layed out.

Backstage in an office, Chavo complimented Vickie for how she handled herself with the Orton-Batista situation. Chavo then suggested that Vickie should force John Cena to compete tonight to prove he's ready for Judgment Day. Vickie agreed and said it could be an exhibition match against The Miz. Chavo wished Vickie Happy Mother's Day then left the office.

Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler were in the ring to discuss Judgment Day. They ran down the matches, including recently added Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title and CM Punk vs. Umaga. All 3 major titles will also be on the line.

Backstage, Orton and Dibiase continued searching for Cody Rhodes. The two split up and Orton found Rhodes talking to a girl. He told Rhodes to come with him because Batista may be up to something. They went looking for Dibiase. A WWE staff rushed by them saying he'd go find a doctor. Rhodes and Orton turned a corner to see Dibiase layed out with Kofi Kingston and the Bella twins checking on him. Orton and Rhodes pushed them all out of the way. As the camera focused on Orton he looked up and said it must be Batista.

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A promo video was shown for Mr. Kennedy, coming soon to Raw.

Carlito vs. The Brian Kendrick

Cole said Kendrick requested the rematch after losing to Carlito last week on Raw. Kendrick started the punishment early on, slapping Carlito around and clotheslining him hard in the corner. Kendrick jumped at Carlito off the corner but Carlito kicked him in the stomach. Carlito started the beatdown on Kendrick, but Kendrick reversed him on an Irish whip to the ropes. Carlito tried to jump up on the ropes to do his elbow but Kendrick quickly grabbed him and threw him to the mat hard. From there, Carlito was able to reverse a Kendrick move, shoving him to the corner. Then, Kendrick came back at Carlito and reversed a move to shove Carlito shoulder first to the ringpost, then rolled him up for the win.

Following his victory, Kendrick got on a mic saying this was just Step 1. Step 2 will involve him finding "The partner" who will help him win the tag team championships.

Winner: The Brian Kendrick wins via pinfall over Carlito.

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"Rescue Me" by Buckcherry is the official theme for Judgment Day.

John Cena vs. The Miz
Exhibition Match

Prior to the match, the Big Show arrived down to the ring and took a seat on the commentators' table to watch the match. Lillian announced that this match will continue until it's officially stopped by GM Vickie Guerrero. The Miz walked out from backstage with a mic in hand telling Cena that what Big Show did to him at Backlash is nothing compared to what Miz will do to him tonight. Miz kept taunting Cena as Cena kept his eyes on Big Show. Miz told Cena this isn't 12 Rounds and people will actually see this. Miz said Vickie may be calling this an exhibition but he's calling this 3-0.

Cena kept his eyes on Big Show as he took Miz down to the mat several times. Miz managed to gain the upperhand as he punched Cena in the ribs then suplexed him a few times, before clotheslining Cena in the corner hard. Big Show watched while smirking. Miz continued kicking away at Cena in the ring. Miz went for another running clothesline in the corner, but Cena avoided it then turned the tide in his favor. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle after giving a look at Big Show. Cena prepared for his finisher, but just then Vickie Guerrero came on the Titantron. Vickie told Cena it's obvious he has no chance against Big Show, so she's stopping the exhibition. Cena looked puzzled and just then, Miz grabbed him for a DDT. Miz declared himself 3-0 against Cena and exited the ring. Big Show smiled as he walked to the side of the ring to look at the fallen John Cena.

Winner: Match stopped due to Vickie Guerrero's orders.

Backstage, Randy Orton instructed Cody Rhodes to go find Batista and take him out.

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Backstage, Santina showed up to talk to Chavo and Vickie. Vickie asked if it was true that he called her a pig last week. Santina said she wasn't even around last week but knows that Santino says some stupid things. Just then, Rosa Mendes and Beth Phoenix showed up. Chavo told Santino to drop the charade, and Vickie ordered Rosa Mendes to give Santina a good luck kiss on the cheek. Rosa hesitantly went over and kissed Santina on the cheek, but Santina turned and gave her a full lips on lips kiss. Rosa pulled away in shock with Beth upset, and Chavo said he knew it. Chavo told Santino to admit he's got a reputation. After a few moments Santina blurted out she admits she's a lesbian before leaving.

Cody Rhodes was shown backstage with a metal rod in his hands, looking for Batista. Rhodes heard a noise near a door and opened it to find Hornswoggle. The leprechaun rushed out as Rhodes looked around. Just then a big shadow appeared behind Rhodes and Batista was there. Batista shoved Rhodes into some lockers, then into the dark room and went in, shutting the door to give Rhodes a beatdown.

Santina Marella vs. Beth Phoenix

Rosa Mendes accompanied Beth to the ring. Beth began to dominate Santina early on, tossing her to the corner. Santina was able to escape the other corner, but Beth clotheslined her out of the ring. From there Beth whipped her into the side of the ring then pressed Santina overhead to toss her back through the ropes. Beth continued to stay in control, but with Santina down on the mat, Beth fell prey to Santina grabbing her for a surprise roll up pinfall. Beth couldn't believe it as she and Rosa regrouped on the outside and Santina hugged the ref.

Winner: Santina Marella wins via pinfall over Beth Phoenix.

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Backstage, Josh Matthews caught up with John Cena, asking him how he's even going to compete at Judgment Day. Cena said he's going through hard times just like everybody in the nation. Cena said people have always found a way to adapt and overcome, and he's gotta do the same against Big Show. Cena said he's not going to compete at Judgment Day, he's going to win.

MVP came down to the ring for the VIP Lounge. MVP spoke about how last week William Regal involved himself in MVP's business. MVP told Regal to get his Swagger on and put his dress on for Ladies Night at the VIP Lounge. Regal came to the ring with a mic in hand saying it's revolting to see MVP pretending he owns Raw. Regal said he had great success in 2008, but was ousted. Regal said he's ready to return to action, but people like MVP tried to jump up in the pecking order. Regal said MVP represents the US perfectly, since he's arrogant, misguided and despised by everyone else in the world. Just then, Regal took off his robe to fight, but Matt Hardy's music hit. Hardy came onto the ramp with a mic in hand. Hardy said he wants to air his grievances also, saying he's been forced to compete despite a broken hand. Hardy told Regal he needs to wait in line, because Matt deserves a US title shot first. Hardy said his loss against Kofi Kingston needs to be taken out of the record books.

Suddenly, Kofi Kingston rushed to the ring and attacked Hardy, knocking him down and beating him up outside the ring. MVP began laughing as Regal backed away. MVP layed down on the couch. Chavo Guerrero came out and interrupted to say the ring needs to be cleared now so there can be a tag match between the four men.

MVP & Kofi Kingston vs. Matt Hardy & William Regal

Kofi Kingston had momentum against Regal and hit the double leg drop on him. Matt Hardy rushed in to break up the pinfall and MVP came in as well. The ref tried to get MVP back to his corner, and Matt Hardy used his cast to smash against Kofi's back, allowing Regal to slam him down. Matt and Regal continued to try to keep Kofi down and away from tagging in MVP. Kofi finally countered a Regal move and ducked his clothesline to tag in MVP. MVP began punching away at Regal, eventually hitting him with a Facebuster and then the Ballin' Elbow drop. MVP took the pin but Matt came in to break it up. Kofi rushed in and kicked Matt to the outside. As Kofi prepared to jump out of the ring, Regal grabbed him and tossed him over the ropes.

Matt Hardy was shown exiting backstage. Back in the ring, MVP took control against Regal and hit the Playmaker for the win.

Winners: Kofi Kingston & MVP win via pinfall over Matt Hardy & William Regal.

Randy Orton was shown walking backstage en route to the ring for his match against Batista.

A replay was shown from last week's ankle smashing given to Shane McMahon by Orton and Legacy.

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Batista vs. Randy Orton

Batista evened the odds earlier by taking out Dibiase and Rhodes backstage. Orton got on the mic to say there's no good reason for them to fight 6 days before their title match at Judgment Day. Orton said he was going to leave the ring, but just then Batista's music hit. The Animal came out charged up and got in the ring to do battle anyways.

As the match started, Batista clotheslined Orton down hard. Orton tried to escape into the audience, but Batista went out to grab him and bring him back to the ring. Batista hit the Spinebuster twice on Orton in the ring, then went to the outside for a steel chair. Batista disregarded the ref's warning and smashed the chair down on Orton to cause the quick DQ. From there Batista kept smashing Orton with the chair and eventually drove it down on his ankle. Batista went to the outside and took the top part of the steel steps and brought those in the ring next. Batista chased the ref out of the ring and prepared to hit Orton, but Rhodes came rushing in for the save. Batista quickly knocked Rhodes down with a Batista Bomb. Ted Dibaise rushed in from behind to attack Batista, and Orton slid back in. Dibiase shoved Batista to Orton for the RKO, but Batista shoved Orton away then leveled Dibiase. Batista grabbed Orton for a Batista Bomb, but Dibiase came over to grab Batista. Orton was able to escape out of the ring as Batista knocked Dibiase to the outside.

With Orton holding his ankle down on the ramp, a revved up Batista tossed the stel steps out at him. Orton was able to get off his feet and avoid getting hit by the steps. Raw ended with Orton still down on the ramp and Batista motioning that the WWE belt would be on his waist soon.

Winner: Randy Orton wins due to disqualification of Batista.

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