Raw Recap from Raleigh, NC:
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans to the arena for the show, reminding everyone that ZZ Top will be tonight's guest hosts. John Cena arrived out to loud cheers from the crowd to start things off. ZZ Top scheduled Cena and HHH to fight Rhodes and Dibiase in a tag match for tonight's main event. Cena spoke about all the excitement of Raw being hosted by ZZ Top, and that Night of Champions is under a week away. Cena hyped up his Triple Threat WWE Title match against Orton and HHH. Cena said this was the main event at Wrestlemania a few years ago. As Cena continued to talk, he was interrupted when Randy Orton came down the ramp.
Orton reminded Cena that in the WM match two years ago, he kicked HHH in the skull, then pinned Cena for the win. Orton said on Sunday history will repeat itself. Cena made fun of Orton's theme song saying he "hears voices in his head". Cena said he hears the voices of 10,000 fans cheering for him to get an early start for Sunday by pounding Orton now. Orton layed down his belt and Cena prepared to go. Just then, Orton ducked out under the ropes, and picked up the mic on the apron. Orton remained on the apron and Dibiase and Rhodes got on the other sides to surround him. Cena taunted them to get in the ring, and as they prepared to HHH's theme music hit, and The Game charged down to the ring. Orton and Legacy all retreated around the ring and Orton grabbed his WWE belt.
Triple H told Orton he doesn't care if he wins the WWE Title this Sunday, but he does care that Orton doesn't win. HHH reminded Orton how Seth Green punked him out last week. Orton said they weren't embarassed by last week, and then added himself to the main event. Cena and HHH started to joke about how Orton thinks if he's in the match it means HHH and Cena won't be able to co-exist. Triple H and Cena accepted the challenge, and Legacy walked up the ramp.
Cole and Lawler threw it back to ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, who were backstage with guitars and microphones. Santino came up to tell them how much he loved their music. ZZ Top gave him a fake beard and guitar along with black shades. Santino jammed with ZZ Top backstage on one of their songs, then pretended to play a guitar solo as Raw went to commercial.
Replay highlights from last Monday's Raw showed Big Show defeating Evan Bourne and keeping the submission hold locked on after the bell. A nearby commentator, Kofi Kingston, got up from his seat, came in the ring and kicked Show out of the ring.
Michael Cole announced that Kofi Kingston will defend the United States Championship in a 6 Pack Challenge. Kofi will face Jack Swagger, Big Show, MVP, Carlito and The Miz. The first man to score a pinfall or submission will win the US Title.
Primo Colon, MVP & Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger, Carlito & Big Show
The heels worked to keep Kofi near their corner for quite a while, dishing out punishment on him. Kofi tried to break away several times but was unable to. He finally made the escape using a headscissors to toss Carlito. Primo tagged in to take it right to Carlito. Primo went wild as he punched away on Carlito, knocked Swagger off the apron, and even Big Show! Primo hit a double leg drop off the ropes on Carlito and took a pin, but Swagger came in to break it up. MVP and Swagger went to the outside fighting. Carlito tried to take advantage of Primo who was distracted and went for the Backstabber, but just then Big Show had entered the ring and went for a Spear. Primo move, and Show speared Carlito down. Kofi Kingston jumped off the ropes to put a headscissors on Show and threw him over the top rope to the outside. Carlito was able to hit a flying headbutt off the corner to pin Carlito.
Primo's victory party was shortlived, as Big Show got into the ring and proceeded to chokeslam or knock down every wrestler. Big Show had 5 other men laying down in the ring before he left the scene.
Winners: Primo, MVP & Kofi Kingston win via pinfall over Jack Swagger, Big Show and Carlito.ZZ Top and Santino Marella were shown backstage again. They commented on the Big Show, and then talked about their tour with Aerosmith. Chris Jericho came in to tell them he's a big fan and mentioned his band Fozzy. ZZ Top wasn't familiar with the band. Jericho suggested they have a jam session later, but ZZ Top said they scheduled him to face Mark Henry in a match instead. Jericho became upset asking "How" he was supposed to do that. ZZ Top kept saying how and then launched into another song, with Jericho looking puzzled before leaving.
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler mentioned the Aerosmith ZZ Top tour again, and said for more info to check ZZTop.com.
The Brian Kendrick was out talking to Lawler, who kept telling him to get in the ring. Kendrick picked up the mic and reminded Lawler he was one half of the WWE Tag champs for over a year, and that's 1 more title than Lawler ever had. Kendrick told Lillian to bring his opponent out and got in the ring,
Jerry Lawler vs. The Brian Kendrick
After an early taunt, Lawler punched down Kendrick, but Kendrick responded aggressively, leveling Lawler and eventually putting him in a submission hold on the mat. Lawler fought to get to his feet and began to unload punches to knock Kendrick down. Lawler hit a dropkick then whipped Kendrick to the ropes. Kendrick held himself back then kicked Lawler down. Kendrick went for his finisher from the corner, but Lawler shoved him off. Lawler got up on the corner and then did a drop punch to the head to finish Kendrick off.
Winner: Jerry Lawler wins via pinfall over The Brian Kendrick.
Josh Matthews interviewed Mickie James up on the ramp in front of the crowd. Josh asked Mickie about her chances against Maryse after losing to her in a Summer Swimsuit Spectacular. Mickie said it's time for a reality check and Mickie is just the woman to do it. Just then, The Miz' music hit and Miz came walking out to interrupt. Miz began to talk up Maryse, then said in 10 years Mickie will be working as a waitress in Waffle House. Mickie asked Miz if he's sour since Mickie scored a pinfall on Maryse and Miz can't score at all. Just then, Maryse came out and walked up to Mickie on the platform. They stared at one another and Maryse pulled a can of aerosol spray out to spray Mickie in the face. Mickie fell down on the platform holding her face and writhing around as Maryse laughed and posed.
Mark Henry was shown walking backstage on the way out for his match against Jericho.
Chris Jericho vs. Mark Henry
Highlights were shown from last week's match between these two, with Henry squashing Jericho, and Jericho leaving the ring to get counted out.
Early on in this match, Jericho kept leaving the ring to get away from Mark Henry. Jericho finally got in and hit a cheapshot, but Henry was soon in control and pressed Jericho above his head for a slam. Henry toyed with Jericho, standing on him and preparing for a sit splash off the corner. Jericho kicked Henry's leg out to take him down to the mat, and then continued to kick away at him. Henry got up, but Jericho continued to work on kicking his hurt leg to take him down.
Henry was finally able to make his come back, leveling Jericho down and also hitting him with an airplane spin to toss Jericho across the ring. Jericho was able to escape the World's Strongest Slam and went for Walls of Jericho, but couldn't get it. Henry threw Jericho out of the ring using his leg strength. Henry went out to retrieve Jericho, but Jericho had a steel chair which he used to bash on Henrry. The ref called for the DQ.
Jericho tried to continue using the chair, but Henry blocked it and shoved Jericho over the commentator's table towards Michael Cole. Back in the ring, Jericho tried to hit him with a Codebreaker but Henry caught Jericho, held him and then hit the World's Strongest Slam.
Winner: Mark Henry wins due to disqualification when Chris Jericho used a steel chair.Backstage, Santino was still in his ZZ Top costume with the 2 band members. Chavo Guerrero came in to tell them how he doesn't seem to be getting much respect on Raw lately, having to wrestle a leprechaun. ZZ Top said they agreed and put him in another match tonight against Hornswoggle. They said it would be a "Sharp Dressed Man" match, then began to play their famous song of the same name.
Highlights were shown from WWE Superstars 2 weeks ago, when Chavo and Hornswoggle had a match. Hornswoggle won it with a Tadpole Splash off the corner, after Chavo tried to superplex him off the corner. On last week's Raw, guest host Seth Green scheduled Chavo to fight Hornswoggle with one arm tied behind his back.
Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerreor
Hornswoggle came out in a tuxedo first, followed by Chavo, who had his tuxedo pants legs sewed together. Chavo told the ref he can't wrestle this way, but the ref called for the bell to start things. Hornswoggle started to chase Chavo around, then Chavo fell. Hornswoggle ripped off Chavo's jacket and tie, and kept kicking away at him. Next Hornswoggle ripped off Chavo's white shirt. As Hornswoggle walked back towards Chavo this time Chavo leveled him with a clothesline. Chavo pulled of Hornswoggle's suit coat to beat him with it, then took off his shoe and threw it at him. Chavo continued trying to mock Hornswoggle. Horney begged Chavo not to hit him near the ropes, and then tripped Chavo into the ropes. With Chavo hanging half in and out of the ring, Hornswoggle tore off his pants to win it. After the win, Chavo was embarassed in the ring in his Joe Boxers, and Hornswoggle kicked him out of the ring.
Winner: Hornswoggle wins the Sharp Dressed Man Match over Chavo Guerrero.Backstage, Triple H was taping himself up for the main event match. John Cena came in to discuss what HHH said earlier about not caring who wins the WWE Title as long as Orton doesn't. HHH told Cena he knows him well enough by now to know that he didn't mean that. Cena said they need to be on the same page tonight to finally take out Legacy. HHH agreed but said Night of Champions will be a different story, and Cena said he wouldn't have it any other way.
Backstage, Santino Marella said how great it was to be helping ZZ Top host Raw. They said there's still one more great match with HHH and Cena facing Legacy. ZZ Top said something's been missing all night though. Just then, Kelly Kelly walked in wearing short jean shorts. Santino said the music should start, and ZZ Top's "Legs" song started up. Kelly began to display her legs on a chair, but then Alicia Fox came in to push her away and started dancing. Gail Kim came in next and motioned for Alicia to leave so she could dance. Then Rosa Mendes came in and did the same thing. Finally, Santino told Rosa to move it, and he tore off his pants to show his legs. ZZ Top said they've had enough and left. Santino continued his dance routine to the song.
In the ring, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler hyped up this weekend's Night of Champions Pay-Per-View. They discussed all the matches including the WWE Title Triple Threat and the recently added 6 Pack Challenge for the United States Title.
Backstage, a dejected Chris Jericho was walking backstage when he came up to Legacy. Legacy said they could jump him right now but wanted to see who his tag partner will be Sunday. The duo started saying nobody wants to be the partner of a condescending loser like Jericho. Jericho snapped back saying that he's had more titles than their fathers and them combined. Jericho also added that they never know, Randy Orton could even be his tag partner Sunday.
When Raw returned. they announced that Shaquille O'Neal will be next week's guest host for WWE Raw.
Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox & Rosa Mendes
ZZ Top Legs Match
The WWE Raw divas put their legs on display in this match as they went at it. At one point, Gail Kim went for a move off the corner, with Roa coming over to distract. Gail kicked Rosa away on the apron, then tried to jump at Alicia, but Alicia caught her with a kick.
Kelly Kelly eventually tagged in to do her backflip handspring move against Alicia Fox, and then a legdrop for a pin. Rosa broke it up, then tried to throw Kelly out. Kelly hung onto the ropes and then she along with Gail Kim dropkicked Rosa out of the ring. Gail flew over the top rope to land on Rosa outside. Meanwhile, Alicia Fox was able to trip Kelly Kelly and roll her into a small package pinfall.
ZZ Top came driving out near the ramp in their trademark classic red car so they could be ringside to watch the main event match. Michael Cole mentioned their Double Down Live DVD coming out October 23rd.
John Cena & Triple H vs. Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase & Randy Orton
After a commercial break, Triple H had control against Cody Rhodes and hit him with a Facebuster. Rhodes managed to get away and tagged in Dibiase. Both Dibiase and Rhodes worked on a doubleteam effort and tossed HHH out over the corner for Orton. Orton smashed HHH face first into the steps then tossed him back in the ring. Orton tagged in to start pummeling away on HHH. The heels continued to work on HHH, keeping him from a tag to Cena.
HHH kept trying to fight through Rhodes to get a tag to Cena. HHH finally was able to tackle him down, but couldn't reach Cena for a tag. Rhodes ran over to tag in Orton, who started to work on HHH piece by piece. Triple H countered the RKO attempt and was able to hit a Spinebuster. Both men started to crawl over to their partners, and Cena and Rhodes came in. Cena exploded with momentum to slam Rhodes around, then knocked Dibiase off the apron. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle and put Rhodes into the Attitude Adjustment. Dibiase ran in to stop it, with Cena fighting him off. With Dibiase out of the ring, Cena put the STF on Rhodes. Rhodes nearly tapped but Dibiase came in for the save. Triple H came in to fight Dibiase out of the ring.
Cena and Dibiase were left in the ring. Cena had no partner to tag, as Dibiase tagged Orton back in. Orton rushed towards Cena for a Punt Kick, but Cena avoided it. Orton stopped himself at the corner, and Cena rolled him up for a surprise pinfall victory.
Winners: John Cena and Triple H win via pinfall over Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase.
Labels: John Cena, Randy Orton, RAW Recap, Triple H, WWE Divas, WWE Recap, WWE Recaps, ZZ Top
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