WWE Raw Live Report
August 17, 2009
Live from St. Louis, Mo.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The final episode of WWE Raw leading to Summerslam on Sunday stared with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ringside reminding of us such. They plugged John Cena and Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho and Big Show on the tonight. Also, DX live tonight. After getting that out of the way, Lilian Garcia introduced "film and television star" Freddy Prinze, Jr. as tonight's host. He came out to a remix of the old-school Raw is War theme. I hear that and think Ahmed Johnson for some reason.

Prinze took the mic and channeled Ric Flair right off the bat. Prinze said he's here tonight for one reason: he's a life-long WWE fan. He knows Coliseum Home Video, has action figures from back in the day, and he ate the WWF ice cream bars until he vomited. Prinze said Summerslam is right around the corner, so he's going to start it off tonight. Both the Divas and U.S. Titles on the line tonight. He said tonight marks the return of DX. Before he could continue, some ominous C-Level movie music hit. Out came someone in a black raincoat doing a side-step walk to the ring. Lawler referenced "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Dude sauntered into the ring wielding a hook and said, "I know what you did last summer" and "I know what you're going to do this summer." Sounded like Ole Anderson doing Shockmaster.

Man took the head off to reveal Santino Marella, who said he wants to be in one of Prinze's scripts like I Know What... He joked about the joke being 12 years old. Santino said he can do romantic comedy too. He put on a wig and glasses. Prinze just laughing through this whole bit as Santino went through a round of characters in his bag. Prinze said it's good, but he needs help. Santino said he needs something more current, more today. "What's that?" said the WWE script writer. Santino referenced "24" and went into Jack Bauer mode cutting a promo on Lilian Garcia. End Scene. Crowd with a polite applause. Santino told Prinze to call his wife to get him a job. Prinze told Santino he'll do what we can do to get him a spot, but he needs to go rehearse.

Prinze said at least there wasn't a Scooby Doo joke. He was about to book tonight's "so sick" main event, but Randy Orton's music hit. Big pop initially for the hometown WWE champ coming home. Prinze went from super smiley and glad to be here to being a little concerned about Orton slowly making his way to the ring. Once he hit the ring and his music stopped, local crowd was hot for Orton. Lawler whispered that Orton is from St. Louis. Orton name-dropped Cena to a 95 percent positive reaction. He said he doesn't like having to tag with him tonight and he's refusing to wrestle tonight. Crowd booed.

Orton turned his back, then Prinze reminded him this is St. Louis. Orton looked around. Prinze reminded him it's his hometown. "You don't want to work?" Prinze said. He said he can't disappoint all of these people. Orton said Prinze must be confusing him with someone who actually cares. He's not here to please these people. He has nothing - nothing! - in common with any of them. Orton said it's all about him. And he's not going to ask Prinze again. Crowd with a loud "Cena, Cena" chant. Or maybe it was "You suck, You suck." Orton demanded Prinze take him out of this match. Prinze said he respects Orton, but he's not Seth Green or Jeremy Piven. He told him he will compete here tonight. Prinze right in Orton's face emphatically telling Orton he's booked tonight. Prinze started to leave, but Orton grabbed him by the head. He teased giving Prinze the fallaway backbreaker, then delivered it center ring. No sign of Cena. Orton then picked up his title belt and stood over Prinze before refs checked on the guest host. He slowly left the ring as more refs stormed the ring to check on Prinze. Announcers were silent as the crowd reactions filled the background noise to close the segment. PYB (3) talk time: 13:55.

[Q2]

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole let us know the WWE Universe is stunned after the opening segment. Well, that was a quick poll. They replayed the end of the opening segment when Orton KO'ed Prinze. Lawler sold it as a reprehensible act. Cole said Prinze has been taken a nearby medical facility. So, apparently he's off the show tonight.

In-ring: U.S. champion Kofi Kingston came to the ring for a U.S. Title defense. They replayed the mixed tag match from Superstars when Carlito pinned Kingston to earn the singles title match tonight. He came to the ring with Rosa Mendes.

1 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. CARLITO (w/Rosa Mendes) -- U.S. Title match

Bell sounded and the wrestlers aggressively locked up to start things off. Kofi then started jumping around before Carlito caught him from behind with a sledgehammer to the back. Carlito dumped Kofi to the ring as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Carlito still in control coming back from break. Carlito had a side headlock, then Kofi slipped out and Carlito blasted him with an aggressive kick strike to the head for a two count. Nice touch from the announcers drawing a lot of attention to the move as Carlito became frustrated with his inability to put away Kofi. Kofi then made a comeback at 7:00 and hit the Boom Boom leg drop for a two count. He followed with a top rope cross body block for another close call. Carlito looked a bit winded as Kofi came off the top with another splash, but Carlito rolled through into a close nearfall. Kofi and Carlito then teased finishers, but Kofi blocked the backstabber and spun Carlito into the Buzzsaw kick for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Kofi at 9:20 to retain the U.S. Title. Great Raw TV match. Where did that come from - Raw actually giving two mid-card wrestlers time to tell a complete story in the ring? Carlito didn't seem conditioned to go ten minutes - and why should he? - but the match was still a nice showcase that involved the crowd, especially the nearfalls at the end. (**1/2)

Backstage: They showed the parking garage where they're waiting for the return of DX. No sign of them yet.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Lawler grabbed Cole by the lapel of his jacket because he was so excited about DX reuniting tonight. Cue up the standard DX video package on their hi-jinks over the years. Shawn Michaels doing the Bill Clinton speech. Crock is Cooking. McMahon likes roosters. DX invading WCW. Chyna, Road Dogg, and Kip James on WWE TV again. There's Rick Rude. Some clips of Spirit Squad taking the manure bath.

Poll question: Can Orton & Cena beat Jericho & Show tonight?

In-ring: Miz's theme music hit. So, let's see what's different tonight based on the Tweet earlier. He came out to wrestle sporting new standard wrestling trunks and boots. Big grin on his face. He actually looked like a wrestler. Miz took the mic and said he was banned from Raw two weeks ago. Now, he's a new man with a new look, but the same man. Miz said in a few short moments, he will embark on a quest to become the new U.S. champion. He told Kofi Kingstahn man to enjoy his victory. Miz said the title is going to be his because he's The Miz and He's Awesome. Lawler interjected that Evan Bourne will face him next, just as we reported first earlier today.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

In-ring: Evan Bourne came out to a big hometown reception. He's sporting the same look he had on local TV this morning with his hair coming down over his forehead instead of sporting product to keep his hair spiked up like he usually has on WWE TV.

2 -- THE MIZ vs. EVAN BOURNE

Miz was in control early on pounding Bourne into the corner and landing knee smashes. Miz then hit the running clothesline in the corner before hopping up top. Miz wanted a double axehandle, but Bourne met him in mid-air with a roundhouse kick. Bourne then came over the top with a double knee smash to knock Miz down. Miz slipped back into the ring and Bourne blasted him with an enziguiri kick. Bourne followed with a sweet running head scissors into a standing moonsault for a two count. Miz then tried to roll up Bourne with a surprise pin, but Bourne escaped and kneed Miz in the jaw. Bourne then went up top for the SSP, but Miz crotched him. Bourne then tried to hop on Miz's shoulders, but Miz dropped him to the mat and hit Jeff Jarrett's Stroke, which Lawler said he calls the Skullcrushing Finale. Miz with the pin for the win over the hometown Bourne. Miz's "remarkable comeback" continues.

WINNER: The Miz at 4:11. Solid four-minute match, although I'm not sure what they're doing with Bourne now that he's lost three straight matches on TV. Miz looked good playing the heel with his new look. (*1/2)

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Lawler said he's been told the DX reunion is "minutes away." Imagine that, just in time for the top of the hour. ... Video package: They showed Triple H making that "one phone call" to HBK, then finding him at the cafeteria flipping burgers. They made us re-live this all over again.

[Q5 -- second hour]

Backstage: A DX limo pulled up in the back. The door opened and out came Triple H sporting X merchandise. He stared to walk into the arena, but he realized Shawn Michaels wasn't behind him. He went back to the limo and told Shawn to hurry up and come out. Michaels emerged sporting his Cowboy hat and a DX t-shirt. Suddenly, Jillian Hall came out of nowhere doing a Karoake version of the DX theme music. She took a trash can over the head to shut her up. Santino then snuck up behind them doing another "24" audition. Michaels then smashed him with a superkick and Santino sold a gunshot. They continued walking down the hallway...

In-ring: Cole did a voice-over in a dark arena before the DX theme music hit to a big pop. The high school reunion started with Hunter and Michaels flashing glowsticks toward the crowd. Lilian introduced them as they hit the ring and did their usual return of running around the ring before the double crotch chops to the pyro. Michaels then took the mic and ran circles around Hunter before jokingly selling a hammy injury. Hunter pretended that his heart skipped a beat. Hunter then accepted the mic and paced around the ring before beginning his promo...

Hunter asked Michaels if it's good to be back. Pause. He can't hear you. Pause. "God help me, I love this stuff," Michaels said. Hunter then asked the crowd ... Are you ready? No, I said, are...you...ready? Suddenly, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes jumped DX out of nowhere and beat them up in the ring. DiBiase rammed Hunter into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Michaels took a beating from DiBiase and Rhodes. Crowd screamed as Hunter got back into the ring, but he was ambushed too. Legacy continued to pound on DX before Cody took off Michaels's leather boot and measured Hunter for a blow. Cody delivered the Dusty Rhodes working man boot right to the temple. Cody then smashed HBK with the boot. Hunter took another blow to the head.

DiBiase took the mic and said there's the answer to the question. "Yes, we are ready," DiBiase snarled. They stood tall over DX before DiBiase landed one more solid kick to Michaels's head. Cody followed suit on Hunter. Crowd reaction was great to play up the storyline. DiBiase and Cody then slipped out of the ring. DiBiase with a great look of intensity. He backed up the entranceramp as DX writhed on the mat in pain. We know DX is winning at Summerslam, but this was a great moment for DiBiase and Cody to look credible on live TV. PYB (3) talk time: 12:25.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6]

NBC plug: They officially plugged the WrestleMania 25 music video presentation on NBC coming up on Saturday, August 29.

Announcers: Cole said it's been a disturbing night on Raw. They replayed Cody and DiBiase ambushing DX. You could see Hunter peeking over his shoulder before the ambush.

In-ring: Divas champion Mickie James came to the ring to defend the Divas Title. And her opponent is...Gail Kim.

3 -- Divas champion MICKIE JAMES vs. GAIL KIM -- Divas Title match

After a brief exchange, they suddenly were locked together on the mat and rolled around the ring like bowling balls. Gail went for a trademark top rope move, but Mickie moved. Mickie then hit an ugly DDT and followed with the Chick Kick that airballed Kim. Mickie then hit a forearm shot and scored the pin for the win. Afterward, Mickie took a deep breath as if to say she felt bad picking up the win. She then shook Gail's hand. They raised each other's arms in the hair to close the segment.

WINNER: Mickie James at 3:40 to retain the Divas Title. Started out promising as if they had something to prove tonight, but the match ended poorly. This was their default Summerslam PPV match and it appeared they tried a little too hard. (*)

Earlier tonight: They showed Orton taking out Freddy Prinze, Jr. after Prinze refused to be bullied by Orton. The announcers said Prinze is back on the show after being tended to by medical people.

Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in John Cena, who punched Mathews on the shoulder for no reason. Mathews asked him about being forced to team up with Randy Orton tonight. Cena listed Orton's accolades, but said he has problems. Cena said he also has problems, but the difference is he deals with his problems. Cena mocked Orton with a whiney voice that there's no way he can face Big Show because he might eat him. He referenced the baby oil. Mathews sold he was busting up laughing. Cena said the Champ Will Be Here after Summerslam.

Chris Jericho then interrupted and told Cena he has a big problem when he dropped Jericho on his head last week. Orton actually dropped Jericho on his head. Jericho said Cena has a Big problem tonight. Big Show walked in and told Cena he might not even make it to Summerslam after tonight.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

In-ring: Back from break, Jack Swagger and MVP were randomly in the ring. What the heck? Bell sounded and off they went with no pre-match build-up.

4 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP

Match quickly moved to the floor where MVP ate the announce table. Back in the ring, Swagger rushed through a beat down on MVP. Ref had enough of Swagger blasting MVP in the corner with strikes and called for the bell, DQ'ing Swagger. Post-match: MVP tried to attack Swagger, but Swagger ran away. Feud continues.

WINNER: MVP via DQ at 0:45. What in the world was that? (n/a)

Backstage: Freddie Prinze was selling a back or right arm injury while being escorted down the hallway by a WWE doctor. Prinze said he's going back out there.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole and Lawler talked about the Raw guest host gimmick generating publicity for WWE. They showed a shot of People Magazine promoting Jeremy Piven's appearance.

In-ring: Chavo Guerrero was in the ring. The feud that must never die continues with a Falls Count Anywhere match as Hornswoggle came out to face him. Hornswoggle sold concern over the situation.

5 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. HORNSWOGGLE -- Falls Count Anywhere

Bell sounded and Hornswoggle went under the ring. They went to a wide shot of the crowd as the wrestlers disappeared. Suddenly, Chavo emerged on the other side of the ring along with a toilet seat. Horny then ran away to the back and Chavo chased him down. Chavo approached Primo, who told him where Horny went. Chavo didn't believe him. Chavo then went on a search looking for Horny. No sign of him anywhere. He walked down a hallway with a St. Louis Blues hockey logo. "Let's Go Blues" chant. Chavo then walked into a paint can hanging from the ceiling and collapsed to the ground. Horny popped out and pinned Chavo on the ground for the win. Post-match: Chavo recovered and Mark Henry was there smiling in his red HD-ready suit. Chavo asked if he did that. Henry said no. Macaulay Culkin suddenly walked into the shot and said "what's up?" Ah, the old Home Alone scenes where the villains took paint can shots to the forehead, staple gun shots to the crotch, and all that.

WINNER: Hornswoggle at 2:20. And the roadrunner outsmarts the coyote again. This will never end. (n/a)

Backstage: Chris Jericho and Big Show were shown walking down the hallway for the main event tag team match.

[Q8]

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole and Lawler introduced a video package on Floyd Mayweather, Jr. hosting Raw next week. Included clips of Mayweather at WrestleMania 24 last year for his feud against Big Show.

In-ring: Unified tag champs Big Show and Chris Jericho came to the ring for the main event tag match. WWE champion Randy Orton then came out first for his team. John Cena came out last to a big reaction. Announcers played up Cena-Orton at Summerslam while Orton stared down Cena from the ring apron. Before the match started, Prinze, Jr. slowly walked out on stage and stared into the ring where Orton stared back at him. Prinze said this match has just become a lumberjack match. He hand-picked them. And they don't like him very much. Cue up Mark Henry, MVP, Jamie Noble, Primo, and...the camera cut to Henry so we couldn't see who else was trailing. Henry and MVP's bright red outfits probably put some eyes out. Cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

6 -- Unified tag champions CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. WWE champion RANDY ORTON & JOHN CENA -- non-title match

Match was joined in progress. Other lumberjacks were Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston. Cena was being worked over Show, then Cena wanted a tag to Orton, but Orton backed away and let Cena stay in the ring to continue taking punishment from Show. Cena then hit a drop toe hold sending Show into the corner. Orton had his back to the action, so Cena ran over to their corner and slapped Orton on the back to bring him into the ring. Orton wasn't happy, then Show speared him mid-ring. Orton rolled to the outside, then the babyface jacks taunted Orton. Henry could have done some damage, but he opted to press slam Orton back into the ring. Well, he did follow the rules.

[Q9 -- over-run]

Show dropped Orton with the sweeping leg drop, then Jericho tagged in and went to work on Orton. Cena just watched casually as Jericho went to work on Orton. Lawler referenced Show & Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme on Sunday at the PPV. Yeah, good to plug one of the top matches on the card two hours and two minutes into the show. Orton teased a hot tag as Cena pretended like he was begging for that hot tag. Show cut off Orton, though, and landed a running leg drop for a two count. Jericho then lost control and Orton hit a powerslam. Orton then teased a hot tag, Cena teased interest in taking the tag, but Jericho cut off the tag. For the third time, Orton crawled across the desert to Cena, who took the tag legit without pulling away or any funny business. Cena then did his routine on Jericho, knocked Show off the apron, and hit the FU on Jericho right in middle ring. Cena with the pin and the win.

Post-match: Orton snuck up behind a celebrating John Cena and dropped him center ring with the RKO. Henry then ran into the ring, but Orton bailed and left the ring with the final word on Cena. Jericho and Show then went after Cena while babyface lumberjacks were cleared out of the ring. Have to get in one last blow at the mid-card before the PPV. Cena then flung Jericho away and gave Show a shoulder tackle to clear him out of the ring. Cena back to standing tall center ring as Orton did a big eyes and big gulp look from the stage. Cena shook his head as Orton held up the WWE Title belt. Cena seemingly with the advantage and on fire going into Summerslam. Will he win the belt?

WINNERS: Cena & Orton at 8:30. Match was fine, although Jericho in a background role was a travesty of justice. The intrigue of Cena and Orton teaming together before Summerslam was played up fine, but there just hasn't been that "Summerslam vibe" to this feud at all. About a 5.5/10 in terms of building up the PPV title match considering how much they handcuffed themselves with the Raw Guest Host overshadowing their title match for the past four weeks. (*3/4)

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