Raw Recap 04.26.10 - WWE Draft 2010

Raw Recap from Richmond, VA:

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler said tonight's a night when "change is in the air" with the 2010 WWE Draft (see results). Every superstar from Raw and Smackdown is present tonight. Matt Striker was also there with Cole and Lawler for commentary. Starting things off is a tag team title match after ShowMiz lost at Extreme Rules to Hart Dynasty last night. ShowMiz made their way down to the ring to start the show.

Miz grabbed a mic and said last night ShowMiz was forced to compete against 3 tag teams in 3 straight matches. He said as a result Hart Dynasty got handed a tag team match tonight. Miz said it's all because of Uncle Bret. Miz called them out for being a "Dynasty" but not winning championships. He brought up Stu Hart and asked if he ever trained them to face a 500lb giant or how to face a technical ring master like Miz? Miz said the Harts were trained to be losers. Miz also said Bret Hart needs to come out and honor their deal to declare ShowMiz "the greatest tag team in WWE history." Miz started to do the "we're aweso-" line but was interrupted by Bret's music.

Bret Hart came out and declared "ShowMiz is the greatest tag team of all time," and that "Mountie was greatest Intercontinental champ of all time" and "David Arquette is greatest world champion of all time." Bret said he can say whatever he wants, but truth is talk is cheap, and it's all about results. Bret said tonight Hart Dynasty will be declared the new Unified tag team champs.

The Hart Dynasty vs. ShowMiz
WWE Unified Tag team Championship match

Natalya and Bret were ringside with Hart Dynasty for the match.

During the late stages of the match, Miz went for a rollup pin on Smith and used the middle rope for leverage. Bret came over and shoved Miz' feet off the ropes, breaking up the pin. Striker screamed for a DQ because Bret got involved. Big Show came around the side of the ring to go after Bret, but Kidd jumped off the apron to crash down onto Show. Meanwhile, DH Smith nearly got the pin on Miz. Miz kicked out, but DH Smith tagged in Kidd and put up Miz in the Bear Hug. Kidd did the springboard clothesline to complete Hart Attack. From there, Kidd looked around at the crowd, then applied the Sharpshooter. Miz eventually tapped out from the pain, giving Hart Dynasty the tag titles.

Bret and Natalya got in the ring to celebrate with Kidd and Smith.

Winners: The Hart Dynasty wins via submission over ShowMiz to become new Unified Tag Team champions.

Up next, Cole said they'll have the headlines from Extreme Rules. They showed a graphic of Sheamus standing tall over Triple H.

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Raw returned with highlights from Extreme Rules of Batista vs Cena in the WWE Title Last Man Standing match. They showed both guys being smashed through tables, as well as Cena putting the STF on Batista. Cena duct taped Batista's legs together around the ringpost so he couldn't stand up.

During the commercial break there was a confrontation between Miz and Big Show. They showed how Big Show landed a huge knockout punch to Miz' head to KO Miz onto the mat.

Cole, Lawler and Striker discussed Sheamus vs Triple H last night. Early in the event, Sheamus attacked Triple H and layed him out backstage with a steel pipe. Sheamus demanded to be declared winner by forfeit. Triple H emerged from the training room backstage to come out and compete in the Street Fight. Sheamus continued to dominate and beat up Triple H, using a series of pump kicks inside and outside the ring to defeat him for the win. As HHH was being helped up the ramp, Sheamus came out from backstage and hit yet another kick to his head. HHH was taken away via a stretcher. Matt Striker said it's unclear how long HHH will miss.

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviewed Jack Swagger. Swagger said his performance last night screams "World Champion" after he dominated Randy Orton. Swagger said he's the most talented and most educated World Champion ever. Swagger said if he were on Wall Street, the country would not be in debt, it'd be flourishing. Just then, Edge came walking in. Edge told Swagger to be worried that he beat Jericho last night in a steel cage. Edge said that puts him in line for a World title shot, so Swagger needs to worry about how many days he has left as champ.

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They showed highlights of last week's WWE Divas title win by Eve over Maryse. Lawler, Cole and Striker said there will be a series of Raw vs Smackdown matches with the winning side getting the next draft pick of the night.

Eve & Maryse vs. Layla & Michelle McCool

The winning team here gets a diva draft pick. Eve grabbed Layla's leg and went over to tag Maryse. Maryse refused to tag then kicked Eve in the gut through the ropes. Eve slid to the outside and pulled Maryse down. The two divas started their catfight, with Eve getting the best of Maryse, leaving her near the barrier. Eve went back in, only to get attacked by Layla and then Michelle who tagged in.

Eve shot a look at Maryse who was back up on the apron. Instead of tagging, she took control of McCool on her own. As Eve ran against the ropes, Maryse slapped her head to tag in. Eve took exception and started arguing with Maryse before getting back on the apron. As Maryse turned around she ate a big boot to the face from Michelle McCool.

Winner: Team LayCool wins via pinfall over Maryse & Eve. Smackdown gets first draft pick.

Smackdown gets Kelly Kelly with the #1 draft pick. Striker started to celebrate it. Kelly arrived out to the ramp waving to the fans as her theme music played. LayCool mockingly offered for Kelly Kelly to come get in the ring.

CM Punk was shown walking backstage with Luke Gallows and Serena.

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Evan Bourne vs. CM Punk

Late in the match, Punk rolled to the outside after sustaining attacks from Bourne. Gallows came over to check on him. Bourne prepared for a running dive over the ropes to take them out, but Serena came over to stand in the way. Bourne got up and did a springboard off the top rope, landing on Punk and Gallows. He tossed Punk back in the ring, and eventually hit him with a running kick to the head in the corner. He set up for Air Bourne, but Serena jumped on the apron to distract the ref. The hooded figure who got involved at Extreme Rules came out from the crowd, got on the apron and shoved Bourne off. Punk was able to hit the GTS for the win.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over Evan Bourne. Smackdown gets second draft pick.

Smackdown gets Big Show with the #2 draft pick. Show came out onto the top of the ramp, and once again Striker was ecstatic about it.

Sheamus was shown walking backstage with a grin on his face. Lawler said he's out next to discuss his destruction of The Game at Extreme Rules last night.

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When Raw returned, the commentators reviewed the two draft picks so far, with Smackdown getting Kelly Kelly and Big Show.

Backstage, Big Show was walking down the hall, and Smackdown GM Teddy Long came up to congratulate him on being the latest addition to Smackdown. Show wouldn't shake Teddy's hand, but then put his arm around him and cracked a joke. Show walked off, and Teddy did a dance of joy singing "got myself a winner."

The Celtic Warrior Sheamus arrived out to the ring. Sheamus said the good news is HHH won't be drafted to Smackdown. He said the bad news is HHH will never wrestle again after last night. Sheamus said he made HHH's career end last night on his own terms. Sheamus said now he wants the WWE Championship. He started to call out Cena, but Orton's music hit and The Viper arrived down to the ring.

Orton told Sheamus that nobody's despised HHH more than he has. Orton said he did what he did to HHH like a man though, face-to-face. Orton said he didn't jump him from behind with a lead pipe. Orton told Sheamus he doesn't deserve a title shot. Sheamus cut him off saying Orton had his title chance last night and lost. He warned Orton to get out of the ring or risk being put on the sidelines like HHH. Orton threatened to hit him with the RKO right now and pop his head off. Sheamus said he doesn't deal with losers and he will face Cena for the WWE title. Sheamus said there's nothing Orton can do about it. Just then, Cena's music came on and out came the WWE Champion.

Cena said both guys think they should be #1 Contender for the title but can't choose who it should be. Cena said he couldn't think of a better opportunity to introduce tonight's guest host. He kept saying "tonight's guest host..." but nobody came out from backstage. Cena pretended to get a call on his cell phone, then said "What, there's no guest host?" Cena started making jokes about Sheamus' pale complexion. Cena said he was told at the start of the night the only one who can decide the #1 Contender for his title tonight is John Cena. Cena said if they want a title shot, they have to earn it in a match: Sheamus vs. Randy Orton.

Cena left the scene. Sheamus immediately tried to go at Orton with a boot pump kick. Orton avoided it then went for the RKO. Sheamus shoved him off and escaped out of the ring. He backed up the ramp staring down at Orton in the ring.

Backstage, they showed Kane, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, Drew McIntyre & Shad Gaspard all walking side-by-side wearing blue Smackdown T-shirts. Lawler said up next is a 10 man tag team match between Raw and Smackdown.

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Raw vs Smackdown 10 Man Battle Royal for 3 Draft picks

Santino Marella, Mark Henry, MVP, Yoshi Tatsu & Ted Dibiase were in the match for Raw. Kane, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, Drew McIntyre & Shad Gaspard competed for Smackdown. Three draft picks were at stake in this 10 man tag team match between Raw and Smackdown.

Santino told his team he'd start things off, then turned to look down at Rey Mysterio. He turned back around and acted like he had the matchup to his team. Kane replaced Mysterio, and as Santino turned he became scared. Kane delivered a right hand to floor him and the match was underway. First man eliminated was Drew McIntyre as he tried to throw Yoshi Tatsu out. Next out was Tatsu who got eliminated by a clothesline over the ropes from Shad.

After a commercial break, Raw returned with Mysterio using a headscissors to throw MVP out over the top rope. Next, Santino Marella managed to come over and clothesline Shad and R-Truth over the ropes as they tried to eliminate Dibiase. Santino celebrated for the crowd, then turned to get Chokeslammed by Kane. It was down to just Kane and Mysterio for Smackdown versus Kane, Mark Henry and Dibiase. Kane eliminated Mark Henry next. Dibiase dropped down to pull the top rope down as Kane charged at him. Kane fell to the outside.

It was down to Rey Mysterio for Smackdown, and Dibiase/Marello for Raw. Dibiase thought he eliminated Mysterio, but Rey hung onto the rope then did a springboard onto Dibiase. The two guys kept fighting near the ropes and on the apron. Dibiase used another move near the ropes. The two guys kept fighting it out on the apron, with Rey shoving Dibiase against the ringpost hurting his shoulder. Rey went running at Dibiase who put his boot up. Mysterio was knocked down to the outside, giving Raw 3 draft picks.

Winners: Team Raw wins the 10 man battle royal over Smackdown to get 3 draft picks.

John Morrison was drafted to Raw with the #3 draft pick. Morrison came out onto the ramp to celebrate his new brand home.

Next, R-Truth was drafted to Raw with the #4 pick. He came out onto the top of the ramp and hugged Morrison then started dancing to "What's Up?"

The #5 draft pick for Raw was Smackdown's Edge. Edge arrived out onto the top of the ramp. Morrison and Truth applauded the draft pick then shook hands with the Rated R Superstar.

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They showed highlights from Tuesday night's WWE NXT on SyFy where rookie Heath Slater countered Jericho's "Walls of Jericho" submission to turn it into a surprise pinfall. Jericho went crazy after the win, throwing chairs and screaming at the referee for the decision.

Chris Jericho arrived down to the ring for the next match. Jericho complained about being part of an unfair attack by Edge at last night's Extreme Rules PPV in the cage match. Jericho demanded an immediate suspension for Edge by Teddy Long or the Raw guest host. Jericho said it's partly his own blame for losing last night, saying he was shaken after losing to a nameless rookie on NXT. Jericho said he's still the best in the world at what he does. Jericho also said Heath Slater owes him an apology for costing him the match against Edge last night. Jericho demanded that Heath come down to the ring right now.

Slater arrived out to the WWE NXT theme song and smiled on his way to the ring. He got in the ring with a mic in hand to respond to Jericho. Slater said he's sorry Jericho couldn't beat Edge last night, or him last week, and he's sorry Jericho won't beat his pro Christian tonight. Christian came out down the ramp. Slater tossed Jericho outside the ring to the bottom of the ramp as Christian was arriving. Jericho rushed back in and chased Slater who retreated to the outside.

vs. Chris Jericho

Another Smackdown vs Raw match for a 2010 draft pick. Christian was able to knock Jericho to the outside and went to work on h im out there as Raw went to commercial.

Late in the match, Christian countered Walls of Jericho into a near fall. Jericho escaped and hit the enziguiri kick to take down Christian for his own near fall. Jericho took control with a series of attacks. He went for a bulldog, but Christian countered with a reverse DDT to slam Jericho back first to the mat. Another near fall ensued. Christian went for Killswitch, but Jericho countered and then went for Walls of Jericho. Christian punched back at Jericho, who slingshotted him into the corner. Christian with the Sunset Flip out of the corner.

Jericho finally got Walls of Jericho locked in center ring area. Striker yelled for Christian to tap out. Christian began to crawl towards the bottom rope, screaming in pain. Christian finally stretched to grab the rope and break the hold. Jericho started complaining to the ref. He went over at Christian who was on the apron, but Christian responded with a big right hand punch. Captain Charisma went off the top rope, jumping at Jericho, who caught him with the Codebreaker for the pinfall win.

Slater came in to check on his pro Christian, then got attacked from behind by Jericho. Jericho finished him off with a Codebreaker then had his arm raised for the victory.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall over Christian to win Smackdown the #7 draft pick.

Smackdown gets the #7 draft pick, Kofi Kingston from Raw. Kofi came out to the ramp to celebrate the latest draft pick. Kofi charged to the ring and went right after Jericho. He dodged a move from Jericho then hit Trouble in Paradise to take him down.

They showed a split screen backstage of John Morrison and Jack Swagger walking. They meet next in another Raw vs Smackdown match for a draft pick.

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They reviewed the tag team title match from earlier where Hart Dynasty defeated ShowMiz. After the match, Big Show delivered a KO punch to The Miz leaving him layed out in the ring.

Matt Striker said the next WWE Pay-Per-View is "Over the Limit" sponsored by Axe Hair.

John Morrison vs. Jack Swagger

Late in this contest, Swagger went for a Gutwrench Powerbomb near the ropes. Morrison held the top rope to prevent the move then was able to hit a legsweep to bring Swagger back first to the mat. With Swagger down, Morrison went for Starship Pain. Morrison hopped into a seated position on the corner of the ring. Swagger jumped to his feet and punched Morrison in the back, then hit a Gutwrench Powerbomb for the win.

Winner: Jack Swagger wins via pinfall over John Morrison to get the next draft pick for Smackdown.

Smackdown gets Christian with the #7 draft pick. Christian arrived out onto the ramp as the next pick, looking out at his peeps. He looked down to the ring and signaled to Swagger that he'll be going after the World title.

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Next week's Raw guest host is comedian/actor Wayne Brady. Lawler and Cole reviewed their latest draft picks John Morrison, R-Truth and Edge. Also, Smackdown received Christian, Big Show and Kelly Kelly.

Backstage, Carlito was in a meeting with Ted Dibiase in the locker room. Carlito said he'd rather sit on the sidelines than take Dibiase's offer. Carlito left and Dibiase turned to see R-Truth. He welcomed Truth to Raw, then said he had a proposition for him. Dibiase said he's been looking for a conidant to look after things, carrying his bags, etc. Truth said carry his boots, shine up the belt and help cook him dinner. Dibiase said sure. Truth said it sounds like Dibiase wants a "Virgil" just like his daddy. Dibiase said they'd have a different relationship where Truth does what he wants him to do and he pays him a lot of money. Truth asked for time to think about it. Dibiase said sure, and Truth slapped him saying "Truth don't play that" before leaving.

They rolled a highlight video set to a Nickelback song of John Cena's efforts for the US military overseas over the years.

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Hornswoggle vs. Dolph Ziggler

Michael Cole said tomorrow starting at Noon EST there will be a supplemental draft on WWE.com. Hornswoggle came out dressed in a greem army hat, DX shirt and camo pants. Ziggler chased Hornswoggle outside the ring as the ref counted, then rolled him back in. Ziggler climbed up on the apron nonchalantly. Each time Ziggler climbed on the apron, Hornswoggle either kicked him away or threw something at him. Ziggler was counted out. Ziggler rushed into the ring to knock Hornswoggle down after the match. He locked a sleeper hold on Hornswoggle to put the little guy out. The ref yelled at Ziggler for what he did after the match. The commentators reviewed the highlights.

Jerry Lawler got into the ring to check on Hornswoggle as Ziggler left the ring.

Winner: Hornswoggle wins due to countout of Dolph Ziggler.

Raw gets Chris Jericho with the #8 draft pick, the final pick of the night. Jericho arrived out onto the ramp wearing a business suit looking smug as he glanced around at the Raw audience members.

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Batista arrived to the ring to yell at everyone that he should be the WWE Champion and he is the #1 Contender. He screamed about Cena using duct tape to win last night, and said Extreme Rules was a joke. Batista said nobody humiliates him like that. Batista said Cena owes him a match and he's not leaving until he gets it.

Sheamus arrived to the ring staring at The Animal. They showed the bruises on Sheamus' pale white back from a kendo stick attack at Extreme Rules. Sheamus got in the ring and told Batista he needs to get it straight that he lost last night. Sheamus said Batista and Orton are both a bunch of losers. Orton's music hit next, and The Viper arrived down to the ring. Batista stayed inside the ring still.

Orton said for the past seven years he's listened to Batista whine and make excuses. Orton said he'd make a deal. First he'll defeat Sheamus, then he'll beat Batista after. Sheamus got on the mic saying neither of them deserves a title shot. They all started to argue. Cena arrived out to the ramp. He said the solution is simple, it's now a Triple Threat match.

Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Sheamus
#1 Contender Triple Threat match for WWE Title

Batista slid out of the ring to watch Sheamus and Orton battle it out as the match started. Orton eventually overcame Sheamus' attack, to send him out of the ring. Batista came in with Orton getting the upperhand and eventually stomping away on him in the corner. Batista eventually went to the outside to recover, but Orton came out to attack near the crowd barrier. He pounded away on The Animal, but Batista raked his eyes, then sent Orton back in the ring.

Late in the match, Sheamus set up Orton for the Pale Justice (Razor's Edge) finisher. Sheamus let Orton slide off as Batista ran and Speared Sheamus down for a near fall. Orton came over and hit a backbreaker on Batista, then Sheamus hit the pump kick on Batista. He went for one on Orton who ducked it and dropped Sheamus with a scoop powerslam. Orton dropped down and began to maniacally pound the mat ready for the RKO. Sheamus got to his feet and Orton hit the RKO. Just then, the Rated-R Superstar rushed into the ring and hit a Spear on Orton. He looked at Orton then left the ring to back up the ramp.

The Animal got his arm lazily over Orton to make the winning pinfall with Sheamus down near the corner.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over Randy Orton to become #1 Contender for the WWE Championship.

Cole, Lawler and Striker reviewed what just happened in the match. They discussed how Edge had the biggest impact on Raw in the 2010 WWE Draft. Raw ended with Batista's theme music playing and The Animal raising his arms up on the ramp. Edge smiled from the top of the ramp as Orton was holding his midsection in the ring looking at Edge.

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See the WWE Draft 2010 results & supplemental draft results - coverage here!