Raw Recap 05.25.09

Raw recap from Los Angeles, CA:

Raw opened with a special video dedicating tonight's Memorial Day episode of Raw to the men and women of the armed forces for protecting our country.

After the pyro, Michael Cole welcomed fans to Raw and introduced his commentary partner Jim Ross for tonight. Ross said Ric Flair will come out to confront Randy Orton tonight. Lillian Garcia introduced E. Stan Kroenke the owner of the Denver Nuggets, and a man dressed up as Kroenke came out with a basketball. Michael Cole introduced footage of the various news coverage of the Nuggets kicking WWE out of their arena for tonight due to a playoff game. Vince McMahon was shown giving comments about how Kroenke should be arrested and is a bad businessman. NBA Commissioner David Stern told a reporter "I'm not taking Vince on, he's too tough".

As the fake Kroenke got to ringside he shook hands with several other fakes in the crowd, a Jack Nicholson, Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and David Stern. In the ring, Kroenke got on a mic to a chorus of boos and began saying how he can't stand WWE or its fans. Kroenke said he doesn't care that he screwed a bunch of WWE fans because he has more important things to do. Kroenke blasted the media, WWE and fans for making fun of him for weeks now, then showed how WWE.com displayed him with a tail and horns on him like a devil. Vince McMahon was shown with a halo over his head. Kroenke said McMahon is surely no angel, and just then Mr. McMahon came out from backstage strutting to the ring.

Vince announced the formation of a new basketball league, the XBA. Vince said it would be an utter failure because he'd have Kroenke and his people run it. Vince told him he screwed up by thinking his Nuggets wouldn't be in the playoffs and giving WWE the arena. Vince then exposed Kroenke's first initial "E" stands for Enis, and told him "you're an Enis". Vince told Kroenke he must have "Enis envy". Vince told him when Kroenke pushes the WWE Universe around, they push back. Vince shoved him down and Kroenke rolled to the outside. Just then, The Miz emerged from backstage.

Miz said he had an important announcement for WWE fans. Miz said he became a huge star in Los Angeles, where everyone thinks their team will become champs. Miz said he's actually from the home of this year's champs, the Cleveland Cavs, and tore off his shirt to reveal a Lebron James jersey. Miz then said John Cena's a poser just like Kobe Bryant, and tonight Miz will go 6-0 against him. Miz said "WWE is where The Miz happens". Just then, John Cena came walking down the ramp ready to go fight Miz. As Cena got to the ring, Legacy had rushed down and attacked from behind. All 3 men started to attack Cena in the ring, Batista rushed down to make a save. Batista seemed to be helping, until Big Show came to the ring fast and attacked him. Jerry Lawler came charging down the ramp wearing Lakers colors and began to beat on Show in the ring. Show turned around and headbutted Lawler down. Cena and Batista had managed to recover and did a double clothesline to knock Show out of the ring. Cole and Ross reminded fans of tonight's 5 on 5 tag match, with a mystery partner on Batista & Cena's squad.

Backstage, Kelly Kelly was shown preparing for her upcoming match against Divas champion Maryse. Maryse was shown walking cockily backstage with her belt on her shoulder.

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WWE Rewind focused on last week's Diva Battle Royal to determine #1 contender for Maryse's Divas championship. It came down to Kelly and Mickie James, with Maryse at ringside. Maryse sprayed aerosol in Mickie's face, allowing Kelly to kick Mickie out for the win.

Kelly Kelly vs. Maryse
Divas Championship Match

As the match started, Maryse did her cocky hair flip near the ropes to taunt. Kelly mocked her and got a bigger crowd response for it. Maryse quickly tackled Kelly down and attacked. Kelly gained a decent bit of momentum using a barrage of moves including a high dropkick and flip into Maryse in the corner. The two divas started to battle around the ring rolling on top of each other. It went to the outside with Maryse beating on Kelly on the commentators table. As the ref was counting them out, Maryse shoved Kelly over the commentators table then returned to the ring. The ref immediately called for a DQ on her, awarding Kelly the win. After the bell, Kelly got back in the ring and tackled Maryse down. Maryse rolled the outside with an angry Kelly demanding she get back in to fight. Maryse stayed on the ramp catching her breath.

Winner: Kelly Kelly wins via disqualification of Maryse. Maryse retains the Divas Championship.

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Backstage, the Bella Twins were shown walking with fake Jack Nicholson. Goldust and Hornswoggle were there and asked Nicholson for acting tips. They gave him a sample of a scene from A Few Good Men, and Nicholson told them "it was alright" before he left with the Bella Twins. Goldust and Hornswoggle were ecstatic.

Highlights were shown from last week's Raw where Ric Flair came to the ring to interrupt Orton's speech, telling him that he was booked for a steel cage title match against Batista at Extreme Rules. Orton gave Flair a message for Batista, and sucker punched Flair down.

Back in the locker room, Flair was putting a jacket on when Batista came in. Batista told Flair he should wait to call Orton out until the day after Extreme Rules when Batista's beaten him up. Flair said it seems Batista is half supportive and half feeling sorry for him. Flair said he's still going to call Orton out tonight.

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Matt Hardy vs. William Regal vs. Kofi Kingston
Triple Threat Match

The winner of this match will receive a US Championship match against MVP next week on Raw. Hardy came to the ring still wearing his arm cast. Highlights were shown from WWE Superstars where Kofi Kingston picked up a win on Regal.

Hardy was knocked outside as the bell rang and Regal started beating on Kingston. Regal dominated Kingston early on with Hardy taking a breather outside. Kofi finally gained momentum off the ropes to take Regal down several times. Matt Hardy grabbed Kofi's leg from outside, and the distraction allowed Regal to get up and run at Kofi with a clothesline. Double clothesline took both men down and Matt Hardy came in to try several pinfalls on both men. Suddenly, MVP came walking down the ramp to watch the match.

Raw returned from a break with Regal in control. Regal tried a pin on Kofi, with Matt trying to steal a pin on Regal next. MVP was on commentary with Cole and Ross, saying he wants to face the best of the best next week. Regal was knocked outside and Matt went to work on Kofi with a neckbreaker. Regal was back in quick to break a pin up. Kingston started to gain momentum again with just Matt Hardy in the ring. Kofi hit a double leg drop but only got a 2 count. Regal was back in to pull Kofi off Hardy in the corner. Matt managed to hit a Side Effect on both men, but no pinfalls. Regal was able to counter a Twist of Fate attempt by Hardy. Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on Regal, but Matt broke up the pin. Matt went for a clothesline with the cast on Kofi, but Kofi ducked then hit Matt with Trouble in Paradise. Kofi score the pinfall and now will face MVP for the US Championship.

Kofi went to the outside and looked at MVP's title. MVP got up and congratulated him saying he wants him to have a shot.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins a Triple Threat via pinfall over Matt Hardy and William Regal to earn a US Title shot against MVP.

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Footage was shown from last week's Raw main event between Orton, Legacy and Cena/Batista. Cena became distracted with Big Show and chased him backstage with a steel chair. It ended with Ric Flair distracting Orton, then Batista hitting a Spear on Orton to win by pinfall.

The Nature Boy Ric Flair came to the ring to call out Randy Orton for last week. Flair said he wanted to see Orton do what he did again but this time with Flair looking him in the eyes. Orton arrived onto the ramp with a mic in hand. Orton said he'd love to fight and would beat Flair down on principle alone. Orton said he lowered himself by punching a 60 year old man last week. Orton told Flair that HHH kept Flair around because he felt sorry for him. Orton said all the fans are starting to feel sorry for him, because it's over for Flair. Orton got into the ring and walked up to Flair telling him it's over. Flair slapped Orton in the face, and Orton responded by kicking him down and beating on him. Batista rushed down to chase Orton out of the ring.

Orton got on the mic up on the ramp and told Batista it's a smart move to waste his time helping Flair because after Orton beats Batista in the steel cage, Batista will be just like Flair. Just then, Mr. Kennedy's music hit and Mr. Kennedy made his return to Raw, coming onto the ramp with Orton surprised. A mic dropped down from overhead for Kennedy to speak on looking at Orton across the ramp. Kennedy said Orton may have thought this segment was over, but it's not. Kennedy told him that soon he'd be WWE Champion, and he'll also be the fifth man for the one team in tonight's main event. Kennedy yelled out his name as Orton gave him a look before heading backstage. Kennedy yelled out his last name a second time.

Jim Ross made the official announcement that Kennedy will be the 5th mystery man in tonight's 10 man tag match.

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Vince McMahon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was shown. Actor Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile) was shown in the Raw crowd.

Santino Marella came down to the ring for a mixed tag team match. The winning team picks the stipulation for the Santina Marella vs. Vickie Guerrero Miss Wrestlemania match at Extreme Rules. Last week, William Regal came to the ring and knocked Santina out allowing Vickie to pin her for the Miss Wrestlemania title.

Santino Marella & Mickie James vs. Chavo Guerrero and Beth Phoenix

Rosa Mendes accompanied Beth and Chavo to the ring. Mickie took control of things against Beth at one point, with Chavo rushing in to pull Mickie off the pin. Santino was about to get in the ring, but stopped as Chavo charged at him. Santino ducked down and Chavo went flying to the outside. Beth came over towards Santino and he jumped off the apron. Mickie James capitalized by jumping on Beth from behind to take her down into a rollup pinfall. Mickie and Santino pulled off the win.

Santino got on the mic after the win to announce his stipulation of choice. Just then, Vickie Guerrero came out wearing her crown and sash for Miss Wrestlemania. Vickie patronized Santino congratulating him on the win then saying she'd have Chavo in her corner at Extreme Rules. Santino said he thought of all sorts of match ideas but finally chose a Hogpen match, saying Vickie will be in with the pigs, as he made pig sound effects.

Winner: Mickie James & Santino Marella win via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero and Beth Phoenix.

Backstage in a hallway, The Miz walked up to Big Show. Show told Miz that nobody likes him, but Show said he doesn't mind if Miz wants to go at Cena in the ring tonight. Show warned Miz not to pin Cena. Show said at Extreme Rules he's got Cena and he'll make him tap out. Show started to leave and Miz said "just like you did at Judgment day?" Show returned and backed Miz to a wall asking if he said something. Miz said no and Big Show left.

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Jim Ross and Michael Cole reminded fans of Extreme Rules presented by AT&T. Footage was shown again of Vince McMahon confronting the fake E. Stan Kroenke, owner of the Nuggets in the ring.

Goldust & Hornswoggle vs. Festus & The Brian Kendrick

The Colons joined Ross and Cole for commentary. Last week, Primo and Carlito defeated Kendrick and Goldust, with Kendrick going off on Goldust for the loss. Hornswoggle came in the ring and attacked Kendrick to help Goldust.

Festus came to the ring wearing a LA Clippers jersey. The bell rang and Festus started going crazy going after Goldust. Hornswoggle tagged in and Festus didn't know what to do. Kendrick screamed at Festus, and Hornswoggle ran over to dropkick Kendrick on the outside. Kendrick eventually slap tagged Festus then came in to beat Hornswoggle around. Hornswoggle managed to get a DDT on Kendrick, and Goldust came in to knock down Kendrick multiple times. Kendrick got up fast to hit a high dropkick and then went to tag Festus. Festus wouldn't tag so Kendrick slapped him in the face. Festus angrily got in the ring to go at Kendrick. The ref held him back as Hornswoggle and Goldust knocked Kendrick down then Horney hit the Frogsplash. Goldust picked up the pinfall win.

After the bell, Kendrick noticed Festus in a stupor and started yelling at him. He went to the outside to grab a steel chair. As Kendrick prepared to strike Festus, Primo was on the outside ringing the bell. Festus became enraged and went at Kendrick who quickly ran out of the ring up the ramp.

Winner: Hornswoggle & Goldust win via pinfall over Festus & The Brian Kendrick.

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"You're Going Down" by Sick Puppies is the official theme song for Extreme Rules 2009. (Available July 14th) Cole and Ross ran down the matches for 2009 Extreme Rules including Batista vs. Orton in a Steel Cage for the WWE Title, Hardy vs. Edge for World Heavyweight Title in a Ladder match, and Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio in a No Holds Barred Match for the IC title.

Batista, John Cena, MVP, Jerry Lawler & Mr. Kennedy vs. Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, The Miz and Big Show
WWE All-Star Match

A mock announcer said it was time for the 5 on 5 main event, with the visiting "Nuggets" first. Miz came out wearing a #1 jersey as the point guard. Shooting guard was #6 Cody Rhodes. Small forward was #4 Ted Dibiase. Center was #99 Big Show. Randy Orton was #15 Power forward.

For the home team Lakers, MVP came out first wearing Kobe Bryant's #24, and was named the point guard. Jerry Lawler was out next as shooting guard, #48. Mr. Kennedy was small forward at #4. John Cena was power forward, #54, and Batista was the Center at #7.

Everyone got involved in the match, with MVP and Kennedy becoming victims of keep away, as the heels kept working both them over and preventing a tag. Kennedy eventually escaped Randy Orton and tagged in Cena. Cena came in as Rhodes did and went wild knocking Rhodes down and slamming him. Cena made a tag to MVP and they each hit their signature move from off the ropes (Ballin & Five Knuckle Shuffle). MVP eventually won it after hitting the Playmaker on Rhodes.

Dibiase rushed into the ring and attacked MVP from behind. Kennedy came in to grab Dibiase and bring him down. Big Show came in next and attacked. As everyone started to get in the ring fighting, Cena and Batista were both caught around the neck by Show, but did a double suplex on Big Show to cap things off. The winning Lakers team celebrated and posed in the ring as Raw went off the air.

Winners: Cena, Batista, Kennedy, Lawler & MVP win via pinfall over Orton, Dibiase, Rhodes, Show and Miz.

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