Raw Recap 11.07.09

Raw Recap from Dallas, TX:

After the opening pyro display, Michael Cole announced that the TLC PPV is just 6 nights away. Jerry Lawler was also on hand for commentary. Tonight's show will feature the US Championship on the line as The Miz defends against Mark Henry. Also, Chris Jericho has what could be his last match on Raw, a 2-on-1 handicap match versus D-Generation X.

Justin Roberts introduced tonight's special guest host Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Cuban entered the ring out of the crowd, then got on the mic to hype tonight's show. Cuban said tonight the fans will see a crazier side of him as he's in charge of Raw. Cuban said later in the show will be a showdown between #1 challenger Sheamus and the WWE champ, John Cena. The two opponents for TLC will have a face-to-face confrontation, no holds barred. Cuban said it's time to start and John Cena's theme music hit.

John Cena vs. Carlito

Mark Cuban was shown sitting ringside along with the Bella Twins who were in Dalls Mavs NBA jerseys.

It was all academic for Cena in this match as he slammed Carlito to the mat late, then prepared for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena was visibly bleeding from his lip, but brushed it off. Cuban was smiling ringside at the action, just as Sheamus' theme music hit. Host Mark Cuban jumped out of his seat and headed up the ramp to face Sheamus. Cuban motioned for Sheamus to stop then called out a line of security guards to hold him off.

Back in the ring, Cena was distracted and knocked Cena down. Carlito went for a Backstabber, but Cena turned it into the Attitude Adjustment to win the match. Following the match, Cena went by and slapped hands with members of the Mavs team, shook hands with Cuban and kissed the Bella's on their hands.

Winner: John Cena wins via pinfall over Carlito.

---

A commercial aired for the 2009 Slammy Awards, a 3 hour event, which will be hosted by Dennis Miller next Monday starting at 8PM EST on USA.

Randy Orton and Legacy came out from backstage to head to the ring. Cole talked about last week's attack that Legacy made on Kofi Kingston, allowing Orton to easily win the one-on-one match. Following the victory, Orton continued to further beat on Kofi and DDT'd him off the corner to the mat. Orton spoke directly to guest host Mark Cuban, applauding him for taking charge and asserting authority. Orton demanded that Cuban will now lift his ban on getting a championship shot. Orton said he'll be next in line for the WWE title match. Cuban shook his head from ringside. Ted Dibiase got on the mic to address Cuban, saying he realizes even rich people have a price. Dibiase had them replay footage from Survivor Series 2003 when Randy Orton hit the RKO on Cuban inside the ring.

Cuban got on the mic to confront them. Cuban said there's no way Orton will fight the winner of the TLC WWE title match. Cuban said Orton got lucky last week because the WWE refs are worse than NBA refs, who didn't stop the match when Legacy attacked. Cuban said he has something special set up for Orton tonight. Tonight it will be Orton vs Kingston in a rematch tonight, with Mark Cuban as special guest referee. Cody Rhodes got on the mic and told Cuban he can't talk to them like that, because they aren't Kenyon martin or his mother. Rhodes said the Mavs are all talk, and they need to do something memorable other than lose in the arena. Rhodes challenged Cuban to a match, saying if Rhodes wins then Cuban will lift Orton's title ban. Cuban said they'll take up this issue in June 2010 after the Mavs win the NBA title. Cuban told Legacy they have a match to get to now, as Evan Bourne and Primo came out from backstage to face them.

---

Primo & Evan Bourne vs. Legacy

Late in this contest it was Dibiase going for the Superplex of Bourne from off the corner. Primo was out of the picture. Bourne blocked the move and knocked Dibiase to the mat, then jumped on him with double knees. Bourne had the pinfall, but Rhodes was in to break it up. Primo rushed in to take Rhodes to the outside where he began punching away. Back in the ring, Dibiase ducked Bourne's flying kick then hit Dream Street to win it.

Winner: Legacy wins via pinfall over Evan Bourne & Primo.

Outside the ring, Mark Cuban was shown talking to ring announcer Justin Roberts. Roberts got on the mic to announce that Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase were now ejected from the American Airlines arena. A group of security guards came down to escort them out as Cuban tried to start a "Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey Goodbye" chant up.

Michael Cole discussed Sheamus' quick rise to power in the ranks of WWE Raw. They ran a highlight video of Sheamus running over all competition on Raw, including putting Jamie Noble out of commission. Later tonight, Cena and Sheamus engage in a face-to-face confrontation.

---

Kelly Kelly was in the ring as a guest announcer to introduce a WWE Divas match.

Gail Kim vs. Maryse

They showed highlights of last week's tag match where Maryse was able to block Melina's move in the corner, then hit her with a DDT for the win.

In this WWE Divas contest, Maryse was disrespectful early prompting Gail to tackle her down and start punching away. Gail continued to stay in control as she grabbed Maryse's leg and kicked her in the gut. Gail with a near fall from the corner after sliding under Maryse's legs. Gail Kim showed momentum as she choked Maryse in the corner with a knee. Maryse slapped Gail then ran out of the ring for Gail to chase her. Gail slammed Maryse face first to the mat. However when Gail got up on the corner for a move, Maryse took the opportunity to trip her up and Gail fell hard onto the mat. Maryse used the ropes for leverage on her winning pinfall.

Kelly Kelly announced Maryse as winner unenthusiastically, so Maryse got out of the ring and snatched the mic from her. Maryse told Kelly she forgot to add "next Divas champion". Kelly laughed at that and Maryse gave her a shove. Kelly shoved back harder and then began choking Maryse near the ring. Maryse gained the upperhand and shoved Kelly down, then prepared to go at her. Melina rushed in for the save to chase Maryse off and check on Kelly.

Winner: Maryse wins via pinfall over Gail Kim.

---

Raw returned with a D-Generation X backstage holiday cheer promo. Shawn Michaels was decorating a Christmas tree. They showed off all sorts of DX merchandise including wrist bands, T-shirts, scarves and DX slippers. Triple H said this time of year is purely about giving. HBK said as a token of his appreciation he got Triple H the new Smackdown vs Raw video game. Shawn started playing a TLC match involving DX vs JeriShow. Triple H angrily told Michaels he already got a copy of the game in the mail too. HHH said he got Michaels a gift too and brought out a big box wrapped up. Michaels went to open the present and Hornswoggle popped out making noises. He showed off his new DX shirt which showed Hornswoggle on front and said "World's Littlest Member" on back. DX started talking about Star Wars, and then asked who wrote their lines. A nearby WWE employee looked up and then took off fast. DX noticed Horney was missing then saw him trying to take Michaels' camo DX hat off the top of the Christmas tree. Hornswoggle went for the hat but ended up toppling over with the tree onto DX. He got up put on the hat, and gave the DX crotch chop then left.

Cole and Lawler chuckled over the DX skit then announced a new deal was reached between WWE and Sky Sports for a fifth year. More Sheamus highlights followed to show off the dominating and destructive nature of Cena's upcoming TLC opponent. This footage included Sheamus booting down Jerry Lawler at ringside.

Kofi Kingston was shown walking backstage on his way out for the next match.

---

Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton
w/special guest ref Mark Cuban

Cuban was in-ring wearing a referee's uniform. Orton came out first and stared at Cuban all the way down to the ring.

Orton had control late in the match and shot a glare at special guest ref Cuban. Orton used a headlock to wear Kofi down on the mat. Kofi got up and fought back as he started to punch away at Orton in the corner. Cuban came over to pull Kofi away, but Kingston ran right back over and jumped up for more punching. He slammed Orton to the mat, then did the Boom Boom leg drop. Kofi signaled for the finishing move, but Orton ducked the kick and snapped Kofi down with a backbreaker. Orton stalked Kofi, awaiting the RKO attempt. As he went for it, Kofi countered and pulled Orton into a backslide pinfall. Cuban quickly dropped to the mat and slapped his hand on the mat three times for the very fast pinfall count. Orton was flabbergasted as he backed into a corner, shocked at the outcome.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Randy Orton.

Cuban congratulated Kofi ringside, then got on the mic. Cuban said he's been waiting six years to get revenge for Orton's actions at Survivor Series 2003. Cuban said Orton and Kofi each have won 1 match now, so they'll have their rubber match at TLC to decide the best of 3.

Another Sheamus highlight reel was shown, this time to detail his beatdown of John Cena during the WWE Title contract signing. After Sheamus slammed Cena through a table, guest host Jesse Ventura announced it will be a Tables match.

Footage was shown of Triple H defeating Chris Jericho last week to set up tonight's Jericho vs. DX handicap match.

Mark Henry was walking backstage with his hypeman MVP. The US title match is next.

---

Mark Henry vs. The Miz
United States title match

Footage was shown of Mark Henry's victory last week over The Miz. After the win, Henry celebrated with guest host Verne Troyer up on the ramp and several divas.

Late in tonight's match, Henry pressed Miz overhead, but Miz dropped off and dropkicked Henry to the outside. Miz went out after him and dropkicked him into the steps. Miz went after Henry, but Henry grabbed around his throat and shoved Miz away. Henry got back in the ring to recover. Miz got up on the corner for a high risk move. He jumped and Henry caught him in the air. Henry was ready for World's Strongest slam, but instead Miz was able to turn it into a DDT to take the pinfall victory.

Winner: The Miz wins via pinfall over Mark Henry.

---

Eve & Hornswoggle vs. Chavo & Jillian

Late in the match, Eve hit a high dropkick and then her backflip move onto Jillian for the winning pinfall. Hornswoggle came out to celebrate the victory.

Post-match, Chavo came in and grabbed Hornswoggle. Eve pleaded with Chavo to leave him alone but he shrugged her off and shoved Horney down. Chavo got in Eve's face next. Soon, Chris Masters who was ringside in street clothes came into the ring. He tore off his shirt and yelled at Chavo telling him not to touch Eve. Chavo started to poke Masters in the chest, then backed away from him to leave the ring. Masters started to make his chest muscles move. Chavo went at him, so Masters ducked him and put him into the Masterlock before slamming him to the mat. Masters asked Eve if she was ok. Eve seemed mesmerized by Masters display of his chest muscle movements. Hornswoggle went over and did a pose over Chavo on the mat, eventually doing the DX crotch chop from the ramp.

Winners: Eve & Hornswoggle win via pinfall over Chavo & Jillian.

Michael Cole and Lawler were in ring to talk up Sunday's TLC PPV event.

---

Chris Jericho vs. D-Generation X
2-on-1 Handicap Match

Jericho insulted the crowd and DX on the mic before the match. Jericho said he's bigger than Raw, Smackdown and all of the WWE, so he'll go where he wants and do what he wants whenever. Jericho hyped this Sunday's TLC match where he said JeriShow will banish DX from the WWE.

After commercial, DX made their big entrance. In the early going they worked together to doubleteam Jericho, tagging in and out frequently to wear him down. HHH was trying to drag Jericho away from the ropes area, but the ref pulled HHH away. Jericho got up and shoved the ref right into HHH. The ref was down, so HBK got in to take down Jericho. Suddenly, Big Show came charging down the ramp. He got on the apron and as HBK came at him, Show headbutted him down. Show was in the ring, so HHH grabbed a chair and smashed him with it. Show was barely phased. He turned and smashed down the chair into HHH. From there, HBK got a ladder from under the ring. Jericho dropkicked the ladder into Michaels, then Show smashed it against HHH in the ring. They put DX inside the ladder with Show holding it down as Jericho smashed a chair on the ladder repeatedly. Jericho yelled at DX as Show pulled them out and left them laying on the mat. Jericho went over and grabbed the Unified tag titles. Show set up the ladder in the ring allowing Jericho to climb it and pose with the belts as the fans booed. DX was down on the mat battered and bruised.

Winners: No contest as ref was knocked out and Big Show interfered.

---

Sheamus and Cena were shown walking backstage on a split screen. Their big confrontation is up next.

A commercial displayed that Tribute to the Troops will air on Saturday December 19th at 9PM EST on NBC.

---

In the ring were a set of tables and podium in between. Mark Cuban was in the ring to mediate the big WWE Title match confrontation. He introduced the challenger first, Sheamus, and then WWE Champion John Cena. Cuban said he had 3 questions with each participant able to answer. First question "Why do you feel you'll win this Sunday", with Sheamus up first. Sheamus said it took Cena years to win his first WWE title, but it will only take Sheamus weeks to win his first. Sheamus said he thinks about the sound of Cena crashing through a table and wants to hear it again Sunday. Cena responded "No comment".

Next question, "Are either of you concerned about the dangers of competing in a tables match?" Sheamus said Cena should be more concerned. Sheamus said Cena will be in no condition to face him after TLC for a rematch. Sheamus said he'll put Cena several times through the table to watch him shatter. Cena picked up the mic ready to say something with the fans chanting for him, but again Cena gave a "No Comment".

Final question "Is there anything either of you would like something to say to your opponent before the match?" Sheamus went to answer, Cena got up and said he has a question for him. Cena said Sheamus talks a lot and he hopes he believes what he's saying. Cena said he's been in the WWE for seven years now. He discussed overcoming all challengers and obstacles. Cena said Sheamus impresses him but doesn't intimidate him a bit.

Sheamus got fired up after Cena's speech and pushed the table over in front of him. Cena responded by tossing his chair out of the ring. The two started to knock the set around. Sheamus shoved down Mark Cuban, then booted Cena down to the mat. He continued tossing the set around, then grabbed one of the tables to place in the corner. Cuban was back on his feet and walked up to Sheamus then surprisingly shoved the Celtic Warrior down. Sheamus was shocked by the action, and got back up to walk up to Cuban.

Sheamus delivered a knee to Cuban's midsection to take him down to the mat again then picked him up to slam through the table in the corner. Sheamus started yelling like a maniac as he surveyed the damage of Cena and Cuban layed out with the smashed table. Sheamus proclaimed himself the new WWE champion. Members of the Dallas Mavericks came out from the audience and Sheamus wisely left the ring.

Lawler and Cole kept reviewing replays of the incidents. Cena was back up to stare out at Sheamus on the ramp as medical staff attended to Mark Cuban in the ring. Cena tore off his shirt with a mean look on his mug as Raw went off the air.

---