Raw Recap 08.17.09

Raw Recap from St. Louis, MO:

After the pyro concluded and the arena went wild, Michael Cole reminded fans we are six nights away from Summerslam. Jerry Lawler reminded everyone of tonight's big tag match involving Cena and Orton teaming up against Jericho and Big Show. Also, D-Generation X appears live tonight with HHH and HBK returning to Raw.

Lillian Garcia introduced tonight's special guest host, Freddie Prinze Jr. Prinze jogged down the ramp slapping hands with fans on the way. Prinze told the crowd just like them he's a lifelong WWE fan because he owns home videos and action figures. Prinze said tonight's not about him though, it's about the fans and what the want. He then said he's going to start Summerslam right there tonight, because both the Divas Championship and US Titles will be on the line. As Prinze was saying DX would be there tonight, all of a sudden he was interrupted by some ominous music, and someone dressed as the masked fisherman villain from "I Know What You Did Last Summer".

The villain in disguise started to speak eerily into the mic, then revealed himself to be Santino Marella. Santino started trying to showcase his acting skills and audition for a role in a new movie or TV show. Santino did his terrorist role audition for "24" as well as auditioning for a romantic comedy part. Prinze finally told Santino to go backstage and practice for the next 2 hours, so Santino gathered up all his costume accessories and took off for backstage. Prinze was about to announce something for the main event, when all of a sudden Randy Orton came out to interrupt.

Orton stared at Prinze as he walked down the ramp to the ring. Orton said he doesn't like teaming up with Cena tonight, and he doesn't feel like competing at all tonight. Prinze reminded Orton that he was in his hometown of St. Louis, and asked if he really didn't want to work? Orton said he isn't there to please the people. Orton said he won't ask Freddie again, then demanded he take him out of the main event. Prinze got in his face saying he respects him, but asked if he looks like Seth Green or Jeremy Piven. Prinze told Orton he won't bully him, and he will still compete in the match tonight. Prinze shook his head as he tried to leave, but Orton grabbed him and put him in a hold, then did a backbreaker. Prinze layed on the mat holding his neck, as Orton left the ring with his WWE title and went up the ramp. WWE medical staff and officials attended to Prinze who stayed down on the mat.

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Raw returned with a recap of what just went down in the ring between Freddie Prinze Jr. and Orton. Freddie Prinze Jr. was shown being helped backstage by medical staff. Lawler and Cole said they heard Prinze was taken to a nearby medical facility for observation.

Carlito vs. Kofi Kingston
United States Title Match

Carlito came to the ring accompanied by WWE Diva Rosa Mendes. Highlights were shown from WWE Superstars where Kofi teamed with Mickie James to go against Carlito and Rosa. Carlito hit a Backstabber on Kofi to win it.

Early on, both men grappled with Kofi able to knock Carlito down for a pinfall. Carlito was able to hit a move coming off the ropes to shove Kofi down into the bottom rope. Kofi hung over the side and Carlito dumped him out as Raw went to commercial. Raw returned with Carlito putting a chinlock on Kofi on the mat. Kofi fought to his feet with punches to Carlito. He slid under Carlito's legs but staggered up and was booted down hard. Carlito had a near fall afterwards.

Cole mentioned how just a few men have held the US Title, and Lawler said Carlito might add his name to the list soon. Carlito went for a suplex, with Kofi able to flip onto his feet and hit a side Russian Legsweep. Kofi hit an impressive DDT style move into a pinfall. Back up, Kofi chopped Carlito down and then hit the double legdrop. Carlito kicked out at 2 with Rosa cheering him on. Kofi did a reverse cross body from off the corner. Carlito went for a move grabbing Kofi, but Kofi blocked and gave an uppercut. Kofi was able to gain momentum getting up on the corner to fly onto Carlito. Carlito rolled through with the crossbody for a near pinfall on Kofi. From there, the two continued the battle with Carlito hitting an impressive spinning neckbreaker. Kofi just barely kicked out. Carlito waited for Kofi to get to his feet so he could go for the Backstabber. Kofi was able to escape it, turn around and shove Carlito to the ropes. As Carlito came back at him, Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise kick to finally win.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Carlito to retain the United States Championship.

Cole and Lawler hyped up tonight's reunion and return of DX. They mentioned they have cameras set up in the arena parking garage for when DX arrives to the building.

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As Raw returned Cole and Lawler discussed how exciting it would be to see the reunion of DX tonight. Cole introduced DX's Greatest Hits which included footage of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Rick Rude and X-Pac. Scenes shown included DX messing with Vince McMahon, impersonating the Nation, and delivering their famous X crotch chops.

Tonight's WWE.com poll question: Can Orton and Cena defeat Jericho and Big Show on tonight's Raw?

Evan Bourne vs. The Miz

Highlights were shown from last week when Calgary Kid defeated Eugene in the Contract on a Pole match. Miz was able to get his spot back on Monday Night Raw with the win. Miz grabbed a mic to speak to the crowd, saing he had a new attitude, new look but same mouth. Miz said he's going to embark on a new quest to become the United States Champion. Miz delivered a warning for Kofi Kingston that he's coming for his title.

Miz with the early advantage as he sucker kicked Bourne and started kicking him in the corner. Bourne was able to gain speed off the ropes to take Miz down, and in the corner did an impressive dropkick right into Miz' chest. Miz recovered and came back with a serious clothesline to level Bourne. Miz failed at the pin then began kicking Bourne in his back, followed with a kick to the face.

With Bourne down, Miz sat on him and pulled his arms back to wear him down. Miz finally stood up and released it, then put a different submission on him. Bourne screamed in pain but didn't give up. Bourne got to his feet and worked his way to the ropes, but Miz shoved him head first to the corner. Miz was backed away by the ref and then ran right back with a hard clothesline on Bourne. Miz went to the ropes for a move, but Bourne delivered a spin kick to the face. Bourne with a dive over the rope to land with both knees on Miz. Bourne collected Miz and shoved him back in the ring. As he got to the apron, Miz tried to grab him but Bourne did another spin kick. Bourne did a series of impressive moves in the ring including a standing moonsault.

At one point, Bourne was going for Air Bourne, but Miz got to the corner to shake him off. Bourne fought him off and got on Miz' shoulders. Miz dropped Bourne off in front of him, then hit his new finisher "The Skull Crushing Finale" when he did a legsweep style move to slam Bourne face first into the mat.

Winner: The Miz wins via pinfall over Evan Bourne.

A camera was shown out in the garage with a forklift driving and a staff member walking through. Lawler pleaded with DX to get to the arena already.

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As Raw returned, Cole reminded fans how tonight will be historic with Cena teaming up with Orton in the main event. Lawler said he heard DX is just minutes away from their arrival. Cole introduced the footage of how the DX reunion came to be, with HHH announcing his intentions to make one phone call. The next week on Raw, fans saw Triple H's trip to Texas to find Shawn Michaels working as a chef. He eventually convinced HBK to come back to DX for Summerslam so they can face Legacy.

A white limo was shown arriving in the garage with DX painted on its sides. Triple H stepped out first and started to walk, then went back to the car to get HBK. He grabbed Michaels and pulled him out, then the two started walking on their way to the arena. Just then, they heard a woman screaming at them, and saw Jillian Hall with Alicia Fox. Jillian started singing the DX theme in annoying fashion. The duo stared at her and finally HHH shut her up by putting a trash can on her. They started to walk forward again for a bit. Just then, Santino Marella jumped down behind them pretending to be a terrorist. He pointed his fake gun at them telling them to freeze, practicing his lines for "24". Michaels looked back then delivered a Superkick to take him down. HHH said he didn't think Santino meant to harm them, and HBK said he knew.

Out in the dark arena, the DX theme music started up with the fans going wild. DX got into the ring with the fans still going wild. After several minutes of dancing around, crotch chops and pyro smoke, the crowd started to chant for D-X. HHH delivered the "Are you ready?" lines to the crowd, and got on the corner to ask if the fans were ready. Just then, Legacy was in the ring to attack out of nowhere. Rhodes and Dibiase took down both men, tossing HHH to the outside, then shoving Michaels into the corner.

Triple H got back in the ring and started trying to fight both guys on his own, but he was quickly put back down to the mat. Rhodes pulled one of Michaels' boots off and Dibiase held HHH so Rhodes could clock him in the head. Rhodes turned and smashed the boot on Michaels as he tried to grab Rhodes' leg. A second shot was delivered by the boot to HHH's head. Dibiase took a mic and got down in HHH's face saying he had the answer to his question "yes, we are ready". Michaels and HHH started to crawl on the mat, and Legacy rushed over to kick the meach down before leaving the ring.

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A commercial was shown for the TV premiere of Wrestlemania 25, on NBC, Saturday August 29th at 9PM EST.

Cole and Lawler covered the highlights of DX's return celebration which was interrupted by Dibiase and Rhodes of Legacy.

Gail Kim vs. Mickie James
Divas Championship Match

Early in the match, Gail and Mickie both tried to dropkick each other at the same time. Mickie and Gail slapped hands, then Mickie tried for a kick with Gail ducking it. Gail went to the side apron then tried for a Sunset Flip pinfall. Mickie went for a suplex, with Gail blocking it. The two divas ended up in a series of rolling pins with neither getting a pin. Both divas got up to double clothesline one another.

At one point, Gail and Mickie fought in the corner, with Mickie kicking Gail away, then using a headscissors to flip her across the ring. Gail came back to do one of her own, then did a flying attack on Mickie in the corner. Gail with a missile dropkick off the corner, but failed at the pinfall. Mickie got up hear the ropes and fought back then tried for her finisher, with Gail blocking. Mickie put it into a submission but Gail grabbed the nearby bottom rope. Mickie had another DDT attempt with Gail blocking yet again as the two divas fell to the mat. Gail staggered back up as Mickie also got to her feet. Mickie went with a spin kick but Gail avoided it. Mickie then caught her with a forearm to the jaw to knock Gail flat to the mat. Lawler and Cole claimed it was a "knockout punch" and that Gail Kim was out for the count in a strange closing segment of the match.

After the win, Mickie had a strange look on her face and went over to help up Gail Kim and stand with her arm raised.

Winner: Mickie James wins via pinfall over Gail Kim to retain the Divas Championship.

Again, Lawler and Cole covered Randy Orton's heinous attack on Freddie Prinze Jr. earlier. Cole said he understands that Freddie Prinze Jr has returned to the arena with possible back and neck problems, but he is back on the show.

Josh Matthews interviewed John Cena backstage. Matthews asked Cena his thoughts on having to team up with Orton tonight. Cena said you've got to hand it to Orton for using all his resources to be WWE Champion. Cena said Orton also has a lot of problems and it seems everyone else is the source of his problems. Cena said everyone has problems, but everyone deals with the problems. Cena then gave examples of how Orton is always whining about having to wrestle. Cena said he plans to go out there and wrestle tonight. Cena said together they need to deal with the problem of their opponents. Cena said on Sunday at Summerslam he'll solve his problem of not having any gold around his waist. Jericho and Show showed up backstage to get in Cena's face. Jericho said Cena's got bigger problems to worry about tonight. Show looked at Cena and told him he might not make it to Summerslam.

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Highlights were shown from last week's Chris Masters vs. MVP match with Jack Swagger coming down to distract MVP after his win. Masters got back up and put the Masterlock on to subdue MVP, so Swagger could hit a Gutwrench Powerbomb on him.

MVP vs. Jack Swagger

Early on, Swagger taunted MVP, but MVP smiled then turned and punched him in the face. The fight went to the outside with MVP slamming Swagger into the announcers table. Back in the ring, Swagger recovered to kick MVP into the corner where he repeatedly kept attacking. The ref warned Swagger to back off, but Swagger refused to and kept going at MVP. The referee finally called for the bell giving MVP the win due to DQ. Swagger was still up, and got in the ref's face about the call. MVP got back up and tackled Swagger down pounding on him. The two rolled around the ring a bit, with Swagger rolling to the outside to escape MVP's fury.

Winner: MVP wins due to disqualification when Swagger refused to heed the ref's instructions.

Freddie Prinze Jr. was shown backstage walking gingerly and favoring his right arm a bit. A WWE staff member urged him to stay backstage, but Prinze said he was going out there.

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When Raw returned, Cole and Lawler discussed how WWE was featured in People Magazine, where they showed a few large pictures of guest host Jeremy Piven leaping off the corner onto John Cena.

Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero
Falls Count Anywhere Match

As the bell rang, Hornswoggle kept his green jacket on, then looked at Chavo and quickly scurried out of the ring. Hornswoggle ran under the ring with Chavo chasing him. For several moments the camera showed an empty ring with both men underneath. Chavo emerged on the opposite side of the ring with a few items including a toilet seat. Hornswoggle came out on the other side, laughed at Chavo then started to run up the ramp. Chavo went after him backstage and asked Primo Colon where Hornswoggle went. Primo pointed down a hall and Chavo went looking for him. Chavo found a bunch of locked doors, then heard noise from behind one. As he opened the door, a paint bucket can swung out and hit him in the head. Chavo fell to the ground KO'd. Hornswoggle came out from the other door kicked Chavo to see he wasn't moving, then took the winning pinfall.

Chavo got back up holding his head to see Mark Henry standing in the other doorway. He pointed at Mark Henry saying "it was you!" Henry laughed and left the scene. Just then, Macaulay Culkin from the movie "Home Alone" came out the door. Chavo pointed at him, and Culkin said "it's not funny".

Winner: Hornswoggle wins via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero.

Cole and Lawler were in the ring to hype up Sunday's Summerslam matches including the TLC match between Jeff Hardy and CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title, John Cena vs. Orton for the WWE Title, and Cryme Tyme vs. Jericho and Big Show for the Unified Tag Team titles.

Big Show and Jericho were shown walking backstage on their way to the ring.

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As Raw returned, Cole said celebrity guest hosts on Raw have been taking the world by storm. Next week, the guest host will be boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas, Nevada. They showed footage of Mayweather boxing, counting money, and competing at Wrestlemania 24.

The answer to the WWE.com Poll question was 76% said yes Cena and Orton can defeat Jericho and Big Show tonight on Raw.

John Cena & Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show

After all four men arrived to the ring, Freddie Prinze Jr. made his way back out to the ramp. Prinze screamed on the mic to Orton that he took a page out of his book tonight and made this a Lumberjack match. He said he handpicked the Lumberjacks and they don't like Orton very much. The Lumberjacks arrived to the ring including Mark Henry, Jamie Noble, MVP, Primo, Kofi Kingston, and Evan Bourne.

Raw returned with the match in progress as Show was applying a bear hug submission hold to squeeze Cena in the ring. During the break, Cena sent Jericho to the outside so the Lumberjacks could attack him. Cena tried to gain some momentum against Show with a shoulder block from the ropes, but Show shoved him down hard. Orton extended his hand as if he wanted to help Cena by tagging. Cena crawled over to try to tag and Orton took his hand away, turning his back as the Lumberjacks glared at him. Meanwhile, Cena managed to escape Big Show in the corner and then ran over to slap Orton for a forced tag. Orton gave him a look and Cena threw him into the ring yelling at him they are partners. Show caught Orton with a Spear, and Orton rolled outside. On the outside MVP went at Orton, but Henry told him to step aside. Henry picked up Orton overhead and tossed him back in through the ropes for Show to attack.

Show took the advantage with Jericho tagging in to further punish Orton with punches and kicks. Jericho brought Orton to his feet to continue punching away, then shoved him to the ropes and applied a Sleeper as Orton came back. Orton managed to counter the hold and slammed Jericho backwards to the mat. Orton started to crawl over for a tag with Cena getting all amped up to tag in. Just then Jericho, grabbed him and dragged Orton back as he tagged Show. Big Show came off the ropes with a huge move to take Orton down for a near pinfall. Show then applied a hold to wear down Orton's head and neck. Orton got to his feet and looked over for a tag, but Show stopped him then suplexed him. Jericho eventually got back in, and went off the ropes at Orton, but Orton caught him in a Powerslam. Jericho stopped Orton from a tag again then reapplied the sleeper chokehold. Orton fought out on his feet, but was elbowed down by Jericho.

Jericho missed on the Lionsault attempt, and again Orton began to crawl to Cena for a tag. Cena had his arm out begging for the tag as Orton crawled over. Cena made the tag and came in with momentum to take down Jericho for a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Show grabbed Cena since he was nearby, but Cena responded by yanking Show down across the top rope to cause him to fall off the apron. From there, Cena managed to get Jericho on his shoulders and hit the Attitude Adjustment to win it.

Cena raised his arm in victory after the bell, but the celebration was shortlived. Orton snuck into the ring and delivered the RKO to take Cena down, then escaped the ring as Lumberjacks came in after him. Jericho and Show got back in to try to doubleteam attack Cena. Lumberjacks tried to stop them but got tossed out of the ring one by one. Cena was back on his feet and managed to knock Jericho out of the ring, then came off the ropes to hit Show with a shoulder block sending him outside the ropes. Cena was fired up in the ring as Orton looked down to the ring shocked. Raw went off the air with Orton holding up the WWE Title on the ramp, and Cena still going wild in the ring for the fans.

Winners: John Cena and Randy Orton win via pinfall over Big Show and Chris Jericho.

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