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By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 19, 2009
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

[Q1]

-Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced Snoop Dogg, who drove out in his pink car and got out with several women accompanying him to the ring. Dogg said he's sure that on Sunday night, Raw is going to embarrass the hell out of Smackdown. He said it might be John Cena's last night on Raw, but he's got him fighting against Triple H. He said he's also matched Randy Orton against Ted DiBiase, "just to be fair." Hardly fair since DiBiase might not even try that hard against Orton. Dogg also announced a big match of Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels. It's arguably a better top three matches than the PPV on Sunday.

DX came to the ring waving glow sticks like it's 1998. Triple H said since Snoop Dogg is there, it's time for white guys to try to talk like him. He told Michaels to start, and he said something about "off the hizzle." Triple H asked if he knows why he carries an umbrella and Michaels said, "For the drizzle." They high-fived. Hunter said, "Now that we've shown the world how white we are, let's get down to business." Some may see that as self-deprecation on Hunter's part, but don't be fooled.

They talked about Team Smackdown. They said they've each the co-captains before on PPV. Hunter said Kane's girlfriend was "a real stiff." Hunter said Cryme Tyme can be found in the parking lot before Smackdown events selling unsold tickets. He said the guy who introduces himself to everybody is on the team, but he said he can never remember his name. He said he has no idea who the other two guys are. "What did Teddy Long do? Have a 'guess how many jelly beans are in the jar' contest? Or did he sell spots on eBay." Michaels knew their names and touted that Drew McIntyre was signed personally by Vince McMahon. He said from what he hears, he's a future champion. Michaels then said he doesn't know who the last guy is. Hunter said he thinks he parked his car last week. You know, because he's not white. Michaels said he just realized who he is, and he's the toughest, bravest, gutsiest guy ever. He whispered something to Hunter, who did the spit take. He said, "He's boffing Vickie Guerrero? Holy cow, he is a tough guy."

Triple H then introduced Team Raw. Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, The Big Show, Mark Henry, and Cody Rhodes walked out to the Raw theme song. Hunter bragged about the team, but is there anyone on it he hasn't either squashed or belittled before other than Show? Michaels touted Big Show as the World's Biggest Athlete, Henry as the World's Strongest Athlete, Kofi as a multi-time champion who can be on his side any day of the week, and Jack Swagger as "the All-American American... American... American... American." Swagger's reaction to being booed was hilarious, in part because he didn't overdo it. He got to Cody and stopped and walked away. Cody grabbed him and spun him around. Hunter said, "He was just about to say, 'Team Raw, millions of dollars worth of talent, and Cody Rhodes.'" Cody said he won't listen to anything they say on Sunday because they're captains in name only. He said if the captain was based on talent, he'd be team captain "and everybody knows it." He said he might beat Team Smackdown all by himself.

[Q2]

Show told Cody he doesn't care if he insulted DX, but if he senses he's going to let the team down, he's going to take him out himself. He turned and said, "That goes for each and every one of ya'." Henry asked if that was a threat. Show said, "What if it is?" Henry said if it is, they'll have a problem. Swagger walked between them and said he's miles ahead of both them in athleticism. He said they ought to stand in the background and look intimidating and let an All-American wrestler take care of business. Kofi stepped in and dropped the fake Jamaican accent. He said they need to come together and get on the same page or else it's bad news for all of them. Triple H said, "I got a question. Aren't you a Jamaican? What happened to your accent?" The crowd reacted as if Hunter just called him out for forgetting to talk in a gimmick accent, and Kofi reacted that way, too.

Michaels interrupted and moved the discussion a new direction, saying that they each had their spot in the match at stake during the show in a five-on-five tag match. Hunter said if anyone gets defeated in the match, they'll have proven they're the weakest link in the team, so the person who beats them will take their place on the team. He said the match begins now. MVP's music played as they cut to a break. [c]

1 -- BIG SHOW & KOFI KINGSTON & JACK SWAGGER & MARK HENRY & CODY RHODES vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & PRIMO & EVAN BOURNE & MVP & CHRIS MASTERS

They joined the match in progress with Chavo vs. Kofi. Show and Henry each tagged themselves in at the same time. They argued. Cody tagged himself in instead and went after Chavo, who then tagged MVP in. At 3:00 Cody gave Chavo the Crossroads finisher. Swagger tagged himself in and scored the pin. That led to Cody shoving Swagger, Show shoving Kofi into Henry, Henry going after Show, Swagger kicking Kofi, Henry tossing Swagger out of the ring, Show hitting Henry. Cole said they'd all have to get on the same page before Sunday.

WINNER: Show & Kofi & Swagger & Henry & Cody in 4:00. [c]

-Josh Matthews interviewed Ted DiBiase backstage. He asked what Orton's reaction was to his actions last week. DiBiase said Orton didn't return his calls. Orton walked into the picture and accused him of betraying him last week. DiBiase asked if he would have done the same thing. Orton said, "If I were you, I would listen carefully." He then told him that when they wrestle later, he will not fight back. "You will not fight back! You will finally show me the respect I deserve." He said if he does that, he will not throw him out of Legacy. He said if he sees their match later as another opportunity, he'll regret it for the rest of his life. "Your choice, Ted," he said. Lawler said after the break they'll see if DiBiase will "show respect or fight."

[Q4] [c]

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. TED DIBIASE

Cole asked Lawler what he'd do if he were in DiBiase's shoes. Lawler said he'd be as conflicted as DiBiase appeared to be. Orton gave DiBiase an uppercut. DiBiase ate it and stood up, shaking and trying to control his emotions. Orton gave him another uppercut and then knocked him to the mat. Orton stomped on his leg. Orton kneeled down and yelled in DiBiase's face, "Do you want to hit me? Do you want to hit me?" DiBiase slowly got up. The crowd cheered as he appeared to be considering fighting back. Orton shoved DiBiase. DiBiase got right back in Orton's face. Orton pie-faced him. They went forehead to forehead. Lawler said, "How intense is this?!" DiBiase finally shoved Orton down and he got a big pop. Orton backed up into the corner as DiBiase huffed and puffed, but began to break down emotionally. Orton stood up to him and gave him a long quizzical look. DiBiase hung his chin. Orton lifted his chin and gave him an RKO for the pin.

WINNER: Orton in 4:00. Not a full-fledged match, but well played by both with believable body language. They continue to revisit the complex relationship between Orton and DiBiase, and DiBiase continues to show signs of wanting to break away and be his own man, but deciding he's not ready to leave what it is he believes Orton has to offer him at this early stage of his WWE career.

-Cole and Lawler were shown at ringside. Cole talked about the death of Captain Lou Albano. He said he put the word entertainment in sp orts entertainment. Lawler called him one of the most colorful, charismatic, and successful managers in WWE history. He said he was proud to call him his friend. A tribute video package aired. It touted that he managed four singles wrestlers and 15 tag teams to championships. They showed him on various crossover platforms such as the Cyndi Lauper video and a Super Mario cartoon, plus Tuesday Night Titans on USA Network. Nice video. [c]

[Q4]

-They showed some members of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the crowd. Then they aired a music video sneak preview for "Gangsta Luv." It's available Tuesday on iTunes. After a minute of that aired, they went backstage to Snoop Dog and those three women lounging around, talking about the "drop date" for his CD. Hornswoggle barged in and laughed. Chavo Guerrero stepped in and had a brotherly spat with Hornswoggle, then turned to Snoop and said he's overlooking him and he's wrestling royalty. Jillian Hall barged in and demanded a Diva's Title rematch tonight. Snoop mumbled something, then Jillian began singing to try to impress him. Santino Marella walked in wearing a Halloween costume of Charlie Brown, or "Charlie the Brown" as Santino put it. He got confused and thought Snoop Dogg was Snoopy. Snoop told all of them to get their asses out of his office. He then called for "his bag." They went to a funny "technical difficulties" screen shot of Cole and Hornswoggle. Then they came back and there were a variety of scented candles lit and smoke filling the air. He said he also likes the smell of "fresh cut grass." Santino walked in and took a deep breath.

-The went to Cole and Lawler at ringside laughing. Then they pushed Michaels vs. Jericho and Cena vs. Triple H. Cole stressed that this could be Cena's final match on Raw.

-A commercial aired for the Batista DVD. It had the tone of the opening of the "Intervention" TV show. [c]

-Cena's ring entrance took place. Cole said after nearly five years as the cornerstone of Monday Night War, this could be his final appearance ever on "this sports entertainment juggernaut." Lawler said it's almost unthinkable, but it could be. Then Triple H's ring entrance took place. The camera work of Triple He's ring entrance is an example of WWE's production at its finest. Triple H has put a lot of thought into his posturing and pauses, too, but everything about incorporating the lighting and the backdrop of the stage entrance is just top notch at creating the impression he's a mega-star preparing for a big fight.

[Q5]

3 -- TRIPLE H vs. JOHN CENA

I still think giving a match like this away on Raw, no matter what the rationalization, really diminishes the ability of WWE to compel people to pay to see similar caliber matches on pay-per-view because being a pay-per-view purchaser doesn't feel like a special, exclusive club anymore where it's the only place to see top level one-on-one fights like this. That said, they did a good job setting a tone that established this was a big deal to be on Raw. After four minutes of a slow, deliberate built, they cut to a break. [c] At 10:00 Triple H blocked a bulldog attempt by Cena. Cena applied an STF and Cole wet into high-drama mode. Triple H crawled toward the rope. When he got close, Cena dragged him back to the middle. Hunter did grab the rope seconds later and went right into a Pedigree. He made the cover the ropes and Cena draped his leg over the bottom rope. Cole declared this a classic as they cut to another break.

[Q6] [c]

Back from the break, Hunter was on offense. They showed a clip of Hunter whipping Cena into the ringside steps. Hunter applied a sharpshooter mid-ring at 16:00. As Cena crawled to the bottom rope, they showed Orton watching the backstage. Cena forced a break. Cena went into the You Can't See Me routine a minute later and landed the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Hunter stood and Cena put him into position for the Attitude Adjustment, but Triple H countered and hit his high knee. Cena reversed Triple H into the ropes and hit a kneelift and clothesline and spinebuster. He played to the crowd and then hit the Pedigree for a near fall. The crowd popped for Cena's kickout, and then boos began to rise through the cheers. Cena surprised Triple H with a sudden Attitude Adjustment, but Triple H kicked out. Cole and Lawler reacted with shock. Lawler said they're watching two of the best of the best in a classic on Raw. At 19:00 Cena climbed to the top rope and went for a legdrop onto Triple H's neck. Triple H moved and set up the Pedigree. Cena blocked it once, but Triple H went for it again and connected and scored the pin.

WINNER: Triple H in 20:00.

STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- The build early was so methodical it doesn't get to that four star level, but the final minutes were a good example of WWE style at a high level with strategic and effective near falls and use of established signature moves.

-Triple H shook hands with Cena afterward. Cena seemed to be trying to keep it together as he contemplated being pinned and then having to move on to facing Orton on Sunday. They cut again to Orton sneering at the TV screen with a look of anticipation for Sunday. As Cena walked to the back, Lawler solemnly said, "Thanks, John," as if it could be the last time he'd be on Raw. Cena raised his arms once to acknowledge his cheering fans, then returned to the back.

-Lawler plugged Jericho vs. Michaels. [c]

[Q7]

-The Miz made his ring entrance. There was a jobber in the ring and about to be introduced, but Snoop Dogg interrupted and said all of the insults he threw at Marty Jannetty on Smackdown on Friday got to him. He touted Jannetty's accomplishments in WWE and said he contacted him and set him up as his opponent right now. Jannetty then came out to the old Rockers entrance song. He showed great enthusiasm and fire, but the crowd didn't respond much to him. They didn't air clips of Miz ripping on him, so for the many who didn't see the segment on Smackdown, it took away that sense of Jannetty getting revenge.

4 -- THE MIZ vs. MARTY JANNETTY

Cole talked about Jannetty's history with the Rockers and Michaels. Cole said after Michaels turned on Jannetty, Michaels went on to become a legend while Jannetty became just a "solid" performer. Miz decapitated Jannetty with a hard clothesline early. Nice bump by Jannetty. Miz then locked on a chinlock so Jannetty could catch his breath. A chant of "Marty, Marty" struggled to get going. Lawler said Jannetty was fighting solely for pride and was doing a pretty good job of it. Cole said it'd be very embarrassing to lose to Jannetty. Miz countered Jannetty and dropped him over the top rope and then finished him with the Skull Crushing Finale. Jannetty looked a step slower, but worked hard and put in a good showing.

WINNER: The Miz in 3:00.

-Cole and Lawler hyped the release of "WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" which is released this week. [c]

-WWE Fact: WWE Raw is the longest-running weekly entertainment program in television history, featuring more episodes than Cheers and The Simpsons combined.

5 -- MELINA vs. JILLIAN HALL (w/Chavo Guerrero) -- Diva's Title match

Melina slipped walking up the steps to the ring apron, then looked a little embarrassed and played it up. Chavo distracted Melina at the start leading to an early pin attempt for a one count for Jillian. She then went for a springboard elbow, but Melina leg scissored her instead. Chavo distracted the ref. Hornswoggle, dressed as Snoop Dogg, yanked Chavo off the ring apron. Melina then finished Jillian for the win.

WINNER: Melina in 1:00.

-Afterward, Chavo threatened Hornwoggle, so Snoop Dogg ran out for the save. Chavo shoved Hornswoggle down, then pushed Snoop in the chest a couple of times. He also lightly pie-faced him. Hornswoggle kneeled behind Chavo, then Snoop clotheslined him to the ground. Chavo threw his t-shirt at Chavo. Snoop looked like he was getting ready to fight. Chavo charged and Snoop speared him. Chavo sold it. Snoop called his women to the ring for a dance party. Hornswoggle joined in. Out came Eve, the Bellas, Kelly Kelly, and Gail Kim. Hornswoggle got some laughs for "backing it up" with Eve.

-Cole danced in his chair as Lawler groaned.

[Q8] [c]

-A 37 minute highlight package then aired chronicling just a few highlights of the never-ending saga between Cena and Cole. Okay, it was just a minute or so, and it was well produced, but it barely touched the surface.

-Lawler and Cole stood in the ring and hyped the entire line-up of Bragging Rights.

-They showed Jericho heading toward the entrance tunnel.

-A commercial break aired hyping Undertaker vs. C.M. Punk with Teddy Long at ringside and Scott Armstrong standing at ringside. [c]

-With two minute left in the second hour, Jericho began his ring entrance. So you knew this wouldn't be a 30 minute classic. Lawler said he's going to call Smackdown with Ross this Friday as final hype for the Bragging Rights PPV. Cole said he knows because he read about it on Ross's blog, almost with a derisive tone. Michaels's ring entrance then took place. He moves like he's feeling the years of beatings his body has taken. It sinks in when watching Jannetty that Michaels has way more mileage than Jannetty does and Jannetty looks like an old-timer trying really hard.

[Q9]

-Before the match, Jericho grabbed a mic and said he could knock Michaels out right now "and all these parasites know it." He said he doesn't have to because Smackdown already has an insurmountable advantage since he is the captain. He said he has devised a plan to humiliate Team Raw. Cryme Tyme's music played and out came Shad and J.T.G. through the crowd. Kane's music played as Michaels bailed out to ringside. Kane walked to the ring through the crowd also, because everyone knows nobody from Smackdown would be allowed backstage at a Raw show, but somehow they'd wrest control of the music director and get their music played with the special lighting that goes with it. Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, and Eric Escobar joined everyone in the ring, although their music played. DX's music then played and all of Team Raw joined Michaels. They all entered the ring and had a face-off in the ring.

Triple H said Jericho did the impossible - he brought together all of the egos and differences on their team in unity against him and his team. "We don't like you, we don't like your team, we don't like your show," he said. He said they may have all walked onto the show, but they're about to get thrown off of it. Vickie Guerrero interrupted with, "Excuse me! Excuse me! Excuse me!" (She always cracks me up with that.) She said she can see where that is going. The crowd booed, so she let out another "Excuse me!" She said as an official consultant for Team Smackdown, she will not allow it. She told Shawn and Hunter (she called him "Hunter"!) that they'll have to wait to fight until Sunday. She said Team Smackdown is leaving the arena now. The crowd chanted, "You suck! You suck!" This puts Cryme Tyme in an awkward position of being booed by the very fans who are asked to cheer for them the next time Smackdown comes to town or the next time they wrestle on PPV. Triple H said they don't work for Vickie Guerrero and then Team Raw jumped Team Smackdown. The show went off the air with a wild brawl taking place.

QUOTEBOOK

Triple H: "I've always said if you're going to sleep your way to the top, do it with somebody who weighs less than you."

Shawn Michaels: "And you'd know for sure."

Jerry Lawler to a dancing Michael Cole: "You are overly caucasian."

[John Cena art by Grant Gould (c) PWTorch]

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