Tonight’s special three-hour edition of WWE Monday Night RAW kicks off with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler at ringside looking serious. Cole welcomes us to Charlotte, NC and the Time Warner Cable Arena. They talk about how Mr. McMahon is here at RAW tonight to announce a new General Manager. Lawler says he’s heard rumors Vince is here for something else. We cut to a video package of how Batista got injured by Legacy on last week’s show and how Triple H made his return at the end of the show. We cut to the regular RAW opening video.
The pyro explodes inside the arena as Cole and Lawler hype the WWE Title match later on. Matt Striker and Josh Matthews plug the ECW Title match and also at ringside are Jim Ross and Todd Grisham to hype the World Heavyweight Title match.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
Tonight’s opener is for the WWE Intercontinental Title match as Champion Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring first and yes, he does have the IC belt with him tonight. The crowd boo’s Jericho as he takes the mic. He says ever since he was drafted to SmackDown, RAW has gone down the toilet. Jericho trashes RAW and the fans. Jericho says some day the fans will realize how important he was to RAW and one day, Mysterio will realize what he says is the truth, that his mask will be his downfall and only Jericho can be his savior and set him free. Rey Mysterio’s music hits and he comes out to a big pop.
The bell rings and Mysterio attacks. He goes to the top and takes Jericho down again. Rey sends Jericho through the ropes and to the floor. Jericho comes back in the ring and Rey attacks again. Jericho is in the ropes as Rey leg drops him from the top for a 2 count. Rey sends Jericho back to the floor but he takes a smack on the apron. Jericho counters and sends Rey into the announcer’s table. Jericho enters the ring as we go to commercial.
Back from commercial and they’re back in the ring going at it. Rey with an enziguri kick. Rey goes for the 619 but Jericho catches him and drops a backbreaker variation for a 2 count. They go at it and Jericho rolls him up for a pin but gets dropkicked. Rey with kicks and chops now. Rey runs the ropes and takes Jericho down with a head scissors. Rey drops Jericho’s neck over the ropes and comes off the top with a springboard and a senton for a 2 count. Jericho misses the running bulldog and gets trapped in the corner. Rey with a low dropkick that sends Jericho back to the floor.
Jericho is on the floor as Rey comes flying over the top rope. Both are down on the floor. Rey brings Jericho back into the ring and goes to the top. Jericho stops him with rights and they fight up top. Mysterio counters and drops Jericho from the top rope with a sunset flip for a 2 count. Another counter by Jericho and he gets a 2 count now. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho but Rey throws him into the ropes for 619. Rey runs and Jericho kicks his knee out from under him. Jericho runs the ropes and Rey hits a springboard moonsault for a close 2 count. Rey drops Jericho in the ropes again and nails 619 this time. Rey comes off the top for the West Coast Pop but Jericho catches him. Jericho with another counter into a Codebreaker for the pinfall and the win.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Backstage we see Mr. McMahon getting ready for the cameras as we go back to commercial break.
– Josh Matthews is backstage with Randy Orton. He asks him about last week when Triple H returned. Orton cuts him off and talks about who he has put out of action. Orton says Triple H brings his sledgehammer because he can’t take him on his own. Orton says he is about to take back the WWE Championship and Triple H will be irrelevant. John Cena walks up and mocks Orton. Cena calls Orton the grand wizard of the Baby Boy’s Oil Club or something. Cena reminds Orton he is in the match tonight. Not much else here.
– We go back to ringside where Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler show us a replay of Vickie Guerrero quitting as General Manager last week on RAW.
We cut to Vince McMahon on the big screen. Vince says he expected a much bigger applause. He says after considering everyone involved, he is not going to announce a new General Manager of RAW tonight, he will let someone else pick it. Vince says when opportunity knocks you have to answer. Vince announces that he is selling Monday Night RAW. Lawler asks who and Vince says he will make that announcement right after we clear up the WWE Title situation. Vince says if someone would have told him he would be naming this person to sell RAW to, he says he would have thought there would have been no chance in hell. We go to commercial.
Cole and Lawler show a replay of Vince’s announcement before the commercial.
ECW Championship Match: Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian
The next match is for the ECW Championship as the challenger Christian makes his way to the ring. Out next is the Champion Tommy Dreamer as we get ready to go. The bell rings and they lock up. They go back and forth. Dreamer with a neckbreaker out of the corner and a 2 count. Dreamer takes Christian to the top. Christian fights him off and comes off the second rope with an elbow for a 2 count.
Christian dumps Dreamer to the floor and comes flying over. Christian brings Dreamer back in and gets a 2 count. More back and forth. Dreamer throws Christian off the top and lifts him in the air for a big body drop. Dreamer with a reverse DDT for another 2 count. Christian runs into a big clothesline from Dreamer and we get another 2 count. Christian comes off the top with a sunset flip but Dreamer counters with a 2. Back and forth pinfall attempts here. Christian with a nasty shot as he goes to the top. Christian comes off the top and lands hard on his ankle. Dreamer counters and rolls Christian up with a small package for the win.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer
Matthews goes to replays and plugs the CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Edge match for later tonight. Lawler plugs the WWE Championship match which is up next as we go back to commercial break.
Back from commercial and Kelly Kelly is talking with The Bella Twins about RAW being sold. They talk about Oprah or Paris Hilton owning RAW. We cut to more replays of Orton injuring Batista last week on RAW. Cole leads us into some shots of Batista undergoing surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital last week. Cole says he will miss “some months” of action.
WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. Big Show vs. John Cena
Voices start playing as Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. Out next is Big Show followed by John Cena. Out last is Triple H to the biggest pop of them all. Triple H stares down Show on the apron before doing his usual poses.
The bell rings and Orton and HHH go at it while Cena and Show trade shots. Triple H takes Orton to the floor using the announce table and beating Orton around the ringside area. HHH knocks Orton over the barrier. Show tosses Cena to the floor from the ring. Triple H gets in the ring and stares down with Big Show as RAW goes to commercial.
Back from the break and Orton is stomping HHH in the corner, keeping him pinned down while Show has Cena in the other corner. Orton drops a knee on HHH and goes to work with right hands. Orton goes for another knee and HHH moves out of the way. Show misses a splash in the corner as Cena kicks him in the face. Triple H hits the facebuster on Big Show and Cena clotheslines him. HHH and Cena take turns hitting Show until he falls back through the ropes and to the floor. It’s Cena and HHH in the ring. The crowd is hot as they stare each other down. They lock up and run the ropes. Triple H knocks Cena down first. Cena with a shoulder and his usual moves. Cena calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Triple H counters with a spinebuster.
HHH goes for the Pedigree but Cena counters with an Attitude Adjuster attempt. Big Show comes in and knocks them both down. Orton comes in and takes HHH to the floor and goes to work. Show works on Cena in the corner now. Orton throws HHH into the steel steps and kicks away while Show continues to beat Cena down. Cena fights back with right hands and tries to scoop slam Show. Show falls on him for a 2 count as Orton makes the save. Show backs Orton out of the ring. Show turns around and goes for a double chokeslam on Cena and HHH. They counter and hit a double suplex. Orton comes in and drops HHH and Cena. Orton goes for the punt kick on Show. Show catches his leg and backs him in the corner with hard body shots. Show clotheslines Cena and HHH. HHH goes back down again and so does Orton as Show keeps in control. Show dumps HHH to the floor and then sends Orton to the floor.
Show scoop slams Cena and goes to the second rope. Show drops a huge splash off the second rope for a 2 count as Orton breaks the pin again. Show grabs Orton and tosses him to the floor again. Show turns around and spears Triple H for a very close 2 count. Show has HHH down and goes back to the second rope. Show tries the splash again but HHH rolls out of the way. Orton goes for an RKO on Show but he blocks it. Triple H nails the Pedigree on Show. Cena comes up with the Attitude Adjuster on HHH and a 2 count on Show. Cena goes for the Adjuster on Show and nails it for a 2 count as Orton makes the save. Orton nails the RKO on Big Show for the pinfall, the win and the WWE Championship.
Winner and New WWE Champion: Randy Orton
After the match, Randy Orton takes his WWE Title up the ramp and poses as Triple H, Cena and Big Show try to get it together around the ring. We see Vince McMahon backstage making his way to the ring as RAW goes back to commercial.
Back from the break and some replays and Vince McMahon makes his way to the ring to a nice response from the Charlotte crowd. Vince says tonight he comes to us with a heavy heart, saying he’s done a lot of soul searching over the past few weeks. He says he’s been talking with his family and financial advisors. Vince says he has decided to sell Monday Night RAW and it will be independently operated by someone he has a history with. He says he has been nicely compensated for this and introduces via satellite, the new owner of Monday Night RAW – Donald J. Trump. Trump is on the big screen and says yes, he is the new owner of RAW. Trump says Vince never appreciated the fans and he will now do things that have never been done before. This looks like a pre-taped video of Trump. Yep it definitely is. Trump says his first act as owner of RAW is something Vince was too cheap to do. He says next week’s RAW will be presented commercial free. Vince doesn’t like the idea of this and says Trump has lost his marbles. Trump says he will be at RAW next week to run things the right way. Trump tells Vince not to get in his way and talks about shaving him bald a few years back.
Vince apologizes to the fans and says he has came here to give his farewell address tonight but can’t do it right now. He says he will make his farewell address next week on RAW. Vince says there will be a 10 man over the top battle royal tonight with the winner to face Randy Orton for the WWE Title at The Bash. Vince is looking a bit stumped as he says he is going to lead us to commercial. Vince makes his way to the back as Cole plugs the World Heavyweight Title match later tonight and we go back to commercial.
Mickie James vs. Rosa Mendez
Lawler and Cole talk about Vince McMahon and his announcement before Mickie James makes her way to the ring. We cut to commercial break before her opponent comes out. Back from a quick break and Rosa comes out with Beth Phoenix. They pose on the ramp but Rosa tells Beth to go to the back and she does. Maryse’s music hits and the Divas Champion Maryse comes to ringside for commentary.
The match starts and Mickie takes Rosa down. Rosa gets sent to the floor. Maryse isn’t doing commentary, only sitting at ringside. Rosa drops Mickie for two 2 counts in a row. She mount’s Mickie’s backside and presses her face into the mat. Rosa with a facelock on Mickie now. Mickie starts fighting back with clotheslines and such. Mickie with a low dropkick and a 2 count. Mickie ends up hitting her DDT on Rosa for the pinfall and the win.
Winner: Mickie James
After the match, Maryse gets up pissed off and storms to the ramp. Mickie invites her to come in the ring. Maryse steps up on the apron and poses. Mickie charges at her but she gets off the apron. Mickie looks on as Maryse heads to the back.
Back from commercial and Goldust and Hornswoggle are in the ring shooting merchandise into the audience with a big cannon. The music hits and out comes The Miz. He is wearing his anti-Cena shirt. Miz says he has a message for Donald Trump, the new RAW owner. Miz says if Trump really wants to take RAW to the next level, the the new face of RAW is The Miz. Miz says Cena is in the past and he is the present and future. He says tonight he will throw Cena off the top rope and go on to win the WWE Title at The Bash. Miz says he wants everything – magazine covers, endorsements and whatever else. Miz says his face will be everywhere soon. He asks Goldust and Horny why they’re still in the ring and tells them to get out. Goldust takes the mic and says he has seen Miz try and play mind games with Cena and it disappoints him. Goldust asks Miz where his imagination is. Goldust says he once gave Ahmed Johnson mouth-to-mouth to get in his head. Goldust and Horny mock The Miz. Goldust says he should change his name to The Wiz. Goldust says the real reality check is Miz is a loser. He tells them to grow up. He starts ragging on Goldust and says this is his fourth or fifth go around in WWE. Miz says Goldust was cool in 1999 but in 2009, he’s irrelevant, a t-shirt shooting choke. Miz says he would beat Goldust down right now but nobody would even care. Miz says he is going to show Donald Trump he isn’t afraid to take risks and attacks Goldust. Horny goes for the t-shirt cannon and Miz stops him. Miz grabs the cannon and corners Hornswoggle with it. Miz shoots Horny in the gut with a t-shirt. Miz taunts Hornswoggle, who appears to be in pain, as we go to break.
Backstage we see Josh Matthews with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. Josh asks Punk if he regrets cashing in on a vulnerable Jeff Hardy. Punk has “MISAWA” written on his wrist tape as a tribute to the late Mitsuharu Misawa. Punk says there is some fans who don’t agree with what he did. Matt Hardy walks up and says that was some good stuff. Matt says Punk shouldn’t feel any regret because he would have done the same thing. Punk tells Matt he has never won Money in the Bank and never been World Champion. Punk tells Hardy they are nothing alike so don’t come around here with that stuff. Punk says he has earned everything he has got and walks off.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Edge vs. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk
We see replays of last week where Edge broke up with Vickie Guerrero. Edge makes his entrance first for this Triple Threat. Out next is Jeff Hardy to a big home state pop. We go to commercial.
Back from commercial and the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk makes his way to the ring to a nice ovation from the crowd. We get the formal introductions before the bell rings and we get ready to go. Hardy attacks Punk first and fights off Edge. Hardy throws Punk into Edge. Hardy keeps in control to start the match and rolls Punk up for a 2 count. Edge gets a 2 count and so does Punk. Punk kicks Hardy and clotheslines Edge to the floor. Punk runs and dives through the ropes onto Edge on the floor.
Jeff Hardy comes flying over the top rope and lands on both men. Back in the ring now and Hardy kicks Punk in the back and gets a 2 count. Punk kicks Jeff in the face and clotheslines him for another 2 count. Punk scoops Hardy and slams him. Punk with an elbow drop and another 2 count. Edge comes back in and decks Punk before giving him a big boot. Big boot to Hardy as well. Edge throws Hardy to the floor now and covers Punk for 2. Edge works over Punk now and takes him to the corner. Hardy comes in and pulls Edge off of Punk in the corner. Hardy climbs the top and tries to superplex Punk. Edge gets Hardy on his shoulders. Punk tries to knock him off from the top but he moves and Hardy rolls Edge up for a 2 count. All three go down in the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Punk goes at it with Edge. Punk with a backfist and a dropkick off the ropes. Punk hits knees in the corner on Hardy and Edge. Punk gets a close 2 count on Hardy and then one on Edge. Edge drops Punk and locks in a Sharpshooter. Hardy locks on a sleeper on Edge and the hold is broken. Edge falls, still in the sleeper. Hardy with a 2 count on Edge. Hardy fights back with a double dropkick, drops Edge and hits the double leg drop. Hardy with a 2 count on Punk. Punk drops Hardy with a knee to the chin. Hardy pulls Edge off the apron and sends him to the floor. Punk is down in the ring. Hardy goes to the top but Edge pushes him off and he hits the mat. Edge waits for Punk to get up and hit him with the spear. Punk catches him with a powerslam for a 2 count.
Punk goes for the GTS on Edge but Edge slides out and pushes Punk into Hardy. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Punk picks him up for a GTS. Punk drops Hardy as Edge runs with a spear. The spear connects on Hardy and it’s a nasty one. Punk with forearms on Edge now. Punk misses the knee in the corner. Edge pushes him to the floor and his knee hits on the steel steps. An official runs over to check on Punk. In the ring, Edge and Hardy collide in mid-air and both are down. Another WWE official comes down and checks on Punk as Hardy and Edge are down in the ring. Hardy nails the Whisper in the Wind on Edge for a close 2 count as Punk crawls in the ring and stops the hold. Jeff Hardy comes to the floor and stomps away on Punk’s hurt leg. Punk is down on the outside. Edge rolls Hardy up for a close 2 count. Hardy nails the Twist of Fate and goes to the top rope. Hardy nails the Swanton Bomb on Edge for a 2 count as Punk pulls him out to the floor by his leg. Punk rams Hardy into the steel steps. Punk enters the ring and covers the down Edge for the pinfall and the win.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, CM Punk celebrates in the ring while Edge and Hardy are down. SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long comes down and announces that CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Title against Jeff Hardy at The Bash.
The Hart Dynasty vs. The Colons
Back from the break and Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes make their way to ringside for commentary. Out next is The Hart Dynasty, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natalya. Cole announces that Priceless will face The Colons at The Bash for the WWE Unified Tag Titles. Out next is their opponents, The Colons. DH and Primo start the match off with DH using his power.
DH continues to work over Primo and drops a big backbreaker and some stomps as Cody and Ted are on commentary. DH goes to the top and misses a big leg drop. Primo tags in Carlito. Carlito with a dropkick off the ropes onto DH. DH kicks Carlito in the head but gets a big boot himself. Carlito with a back elbow off the ropes for a 2 count. DH catches Carlito on the top and goes for the running powerslam. Carlito blocks it and nails the Backstabber for a pin attempt. Legacy storm the ring and attack Carlito to end the match. Primo comes in but they take him out as well. Ted and Cody clear the ring as their music plays and the Colons look on from the floor.
– Backstage we see Triple H making his way to the ring for the 10 man battle royal which is next.
Back from a break. Santino Marella is backstage with Vince McMahon. Santino says he wants to see if they still have their jobs on RAW. He acts like he’s talking about someone else and talks about him and Santina. Vince says Donald Trump might be attracted to Santina. Vince says he won’t have any influence. Vince’s phone goes off and it’s his theme music on the ringtone. Santino says Hey Trump. Vince is talking to Trump and says Trump took it rough on him out there, saying some things that were uncalled for. Trump apparently tells Vince that he wants to make an announcement after the battle royal. Vince says save some time and tell him the announcement. It sounded like Vince said, “you want him back?” but I’m not sure. They end the call and Vince says he hates a billionaire with a big ego. Santino says he must hate himself and they do some comedy.
10-Man Over the Top Battle Royal: MVP vs. Matt Hardy vs. William Regal vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz vs. Big Show vs. John Cena vs. Triple H
Out first is MVP followed by Matt Hardy, then William Regal and then WWE United States Champion Kofi Kingston. Out next is The Miz followed by Big Show and another commercial break.
Out first is MVP followed by Matt Hardy, then William Regal and then WWE United States Champion Kofi Kingston. Out next is The Miz followed by Big Show and another commercial break. Back from the break and Triple H makes his way to the ring next followed by John Cena.
The bell rings and everyone goes at it. Show works Miz over in the corner and on the ropes. Triple H tosses Cody over but he hangs on. Show with more big shots on Miz. Cena goes at it with Show now. WWE Champion Randy Orton walks out to the ramp to watch the match. Regal tries to eliminate Kofi. MVP decks Show from behind and they go at it. Triple H and Ted are going at it in the corner. Legacy stomp on Triple H now. Hardy tries to dump The Miz but can’t. Hardy and Cena fight now while Kofi tries to dump Regal.
Regal with uppercuts on MVP in the corner. Miz and Hardy are trying to eliminate Cena until Show comes over with body shots. Legacy still work over Triple H in the corner until he knocks their heads together. Show chops Legacy down now. Kofi and Miz go at it. Show starts delivering headbutts and clotheslines to everyone and takes them all out. Hardy hits him with his cast and rolls to the outside. Show picks him up from inside the ring and brings him back in the ring then tosses him right back over the rope. Hardy is gone. MVP hits a big running kick on Big Show but ends up on the apron. Show eliminates MVP. Regal and Miz try to eliminate Show. He chokeslams Miz. Miz rolls to the floor. Everyone else teams up on Show and try to get him over and they do. Big Show is gone and he’s pissed. Orton looks on from the ramp as we go back to break.
Back from the break and six Superstars remain. Legacy tries to eliminate Cena but can’t. Orton is still looking on from the ramp. Triple H and Regal go at it as do Kofi and Ted, Cena and Cody. Cena dumps Cody but he hangs onto the apron. Triple H is working on getting Regal out. Legacy work on Cena in the corner some more. Triple H with a big knee to the face on Kofi off the ropes. Regal with a knee to the head on Cena. Legacy try to double team Triple H but he fights them off. They overpower him and get him in the corner. Legacy try to eliminate Triple H now but he hangs on. Cena takes out Legacy with a shoulder. Cody and Cena go at it now. Triple H and Kofi try to eliminate DiBiase but Cody makes the save. Triple H with a big spinebuster on Regal. Triple H stomps on Regal now. Triple H and Cena come face to face in the ring. Triple H hits first and they trade shots. HHH tries to toss Cena over the top. Cody tries to dump them both. Cena lifts HHH for the Attitude Adjuster over the top but can’t. Double clothesline and HHH and Cena are both down. Legacy work on Kofi now.
Kofi fights off both members of Legacy now. Ted drops his face over the turnbuckle. Legacy hits Kofi with a double clothesline and he’s out. Regal hits Legacy from behind with clotheslines. They dump Regal over the top also. It’s down to Rhodes, DiBiase, Triple H and Cena as Orton looks on. Cody attacks Cena and Ted attacks Triple H. Cody drops Cena and rushes over to help Ted. They stomp Triple H down in the corner then go back to work on Cena. Double team move drops Cena on his face. They go back to work on Triple H in the corner now.
Legacy continue to beat Cena and Triple H down. Cena comes back with a bulldog on DiBiase, takes out Rhodes and suplexes DiBiase. Big rights and a back drop on Cody. Cena dumps DiBiase over the top to the floor and is pissed. Cena tosses Cody but he hangs on. Triple H clotheslines Cena but he ducks and HHH nails Cody. Cody is eliminated. Cena and Triple H go at it. Triple h counters with a Pedigree and Cena is down. Rhodes and DiBiase come back in the ring and beat down Triple H. Two WWE referees come in and tells Legacy to leave the ring and they do.
The Miz creeps up from outside the ring from the floor. He’s never been eliminated. Wow. Triple H and Cena are down as Miz enters the ring. Miz rushes Cena and Triple H with a double clothesline. They duck and he goes over the top rope. Triple H takes advantage and dumps Cena over the top rope to get the win and WWE Title shot at The Bash.
Winner: Triple H
– After the match, Orton and Triple H stare at each other from the ring and ramp. Money music plays and Donald Trump appears on the big screen and congratulates Triple H. He says we aren’t going to wait until The Bash for that match, we’re doing it next week on the commercial free RAW. It will be Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title in a Last Man Standing Match on RAW. RAW goes off the air with Triple H taunting Randy Orton from the ring.
