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By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 26, 2009
BUFFALO, N.Y.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

[Q1]

-The show opened with a clip of The Big Show turning on his own team at Bragging Rights the night before. It included commentary from Todd Grisham declaring that it's time to "rejoice" because Smackdown "proved" it's the "superior show." Talk about putting your announcers in a position to say the dumbest things possible. Does anyone think anything was proven by that match? Even if one team beat the other fair and square, it didn't prove one brand was superior. But given how the match ended, declaring what Grisham did makes him seem like a fool.

-Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. Lawler said he had a "long, sleepless night" last night. Then Chris Jericho and The Big Show walked out. Show wore blue which matched Jericho's "Smackdown" t-shirt. Jericho clutched the trophy that the winner of the tag match got. Show said despite what happened last night, he still considers himself a proud member of Raw. As Show began to explain himself, Jericho said he doesn't owe "these germ incubators" any explanation. Show said he thinks he should tell Jericho something. Jericho said he appreciates his loyalty to him superseding his loyalty to Raw. He said he also appreciated his breaking the arrogance of DX. He said there's no jocular humor or merchandise hawking by them because of him. "Kudos to you," Jericho said. Big Show said he should let him talk "because Smackdown..." Jericho interrupted again and said he knows he was about to say Smackdown would have won anyway. Show got a little more upset and insisted that he did what he did at Bragging Rights for himself. He said he can be on both shows if he's tag champion. He said he reached out to Smackdown G.M. Teddy Long and in exchange for turning on the Raw team, he is Undertaker's next opponent at Survivor Series. Jericho said he didn't approve that with him. Show asked if he really has to approve everything with him, such as what he eats. They argued about low calorie food for a few seconds, at which point they cut outside to race cars zooming around the parking lot. Then they drove into the arena and got out of their cars.

It was NASCAR racers Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. There's nothing in the world I know less about than NASCAR, but I just learned that Joey is the youngest racer in NASCAR history. Busch said, "That's how you make an entrance." He told Show that a lot of fans aren't happy with him, "but I'm a man's man, and I'm with ya'." Not sure what being a "man's man" has to do with anything. He congratulated Show. The crowd booed. Logano said what he did to his team was wrong. "That's not impressive, that's weak," he said. Show told Busch to team his "little friend" something about respect. Busch called Logano "young and dumb" and said he doesn't know much about championships. He ripped on Buffalo. Logano then booked Big Show vs. Triple H. Busch. Jericho bragged about his trophy. Busch said he's won dozens of those. He then said he can book matches, too, and he's matching Jericho against Kofi Johnsto... Kingston. Kingston began his ring entrance. Busch tripped over his words several times on the promo, but overall they were decent as guest hosts. [c]

[Q2]

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Jericho bailed out in the opening minute to stall. Cole and Lawler talked about how proud Jericho is of "stealing" that tag victory for Raw. Cole said the Raw team livid when they arrived today, especially Kingston. Lawler said he couldn't help but feel he let the Raw team down, but he said he shouldn't feel because because it was a double-cross. Cole said the worst part about the loss is that Jericho is going to carry that trophy around everywhere he goes. At 4:00 Kofi dove through the ropes onto Jericho, and both landed a bit awkwardly. Jericho knocked Kofi to the floor at 5:00, then they cut to a break. [c]

They showed that during the break Jericho reverse-whipped Kofi into the ringpost. Jericho was in the obligatory post-break mathold, in this case a slightly more interesting variation on a chinlock or headlock - a cobra clutch variation. Kofi came back with a schoolboy for a near fall. Lawler said there was word going around the locker room today that there will be retribution for Show after what he did last night. That was news to Cole. Kofi went on a flurry at 11:00 with two chops, a kick, and a clothesline followed by a legdrop. Jericho fired back with a Walls of Jericho attempt, but Kofi powered out. Jericho then gave Kofi an enzuigiri.

Lawler said self-doubt is creeping onto Jericho's smug face. Lawler said he has a bad feeling that they're going to hear all year long about Jericho beating Raw at Bragging Rights. They're doing so much follow-up on this - way more than usual following a happening at a PPV - that it seems likely they're building toward a rematch at Survivor Series, minus Big Show of course. Hey, if Shogun and Machida can have a rematch, and if Team Raw vs. Team Smackdown can have a rematch, can the Vikings get a rematch in their bye week against the Steelers (especially considering that tripping call was lame). I hate to wait until the Super Bowl. Jericho complained to the ref about a two count, which led to Kofi surprising Jericho with his finisher for the win. The Teflon heel does another job, elevating Kofi, who is better off without the Jamaican gimmick and accent as he rises up the card.

WINNER: Kingston in 14:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good match, but even at 14 minutes, short of three stars because there was some awkward timing between the two of them at several places.

[Q3]

-As Kofi celebrated on the ramp, Orton attacked him and threw him off the ramp into the edge of the stage and then to the floor. The crowd began chanting "Cena, Cena."

-They hyped Triple H vs. Big Show, plus a Cena appearance.

-A commercial aired for Smackdown. It showed Batista turning on Rey Mysterio, and then promised "the fallout" would air on Smackdown this week. [c]

-Josh Matthews (from ECW!) interviewed Orton backstage and asked why he attacked Kingston. An enraged Orton said Kofi interfered in his match last night and cost him the title. He said he has only just begun. Cody Rhodes walked up to Matthews and told him to leave. He asked Rhodes and Ted DiBiase what they could possibly want. He said he wanted to show Orton their respect for him with a gift for all he's done for them. They revealed a race car with an image of Randy Orton on the hood. It was pretty cool looking. Orton said, "I think it is incredible. You two actually bought this for me?" DiBiase said, "Who's the son of the Million Dollar Man." Rhodes and DiBiase said it's only a matter of time before that title comes back to Legacy. He told Orton to enjoy his gift. Orton examined the car to the point that Lawler said it was getting a little creepy.

Jack Swagger walked up to the guest hosts and said he wants a match against Cena. They said since Cena wrestled for an hour last night, that might not be possible. They said they do get to decide who his next challenger is, though. Swagger said he's the next WWE Champion. Miz walked in and declared that he's the next WWE Champion because he actually won last night. Miz kissed Eve's hand. Eve reacted like someone set a rotting dead mouse in her hand.

-They cut to Santino Marella and Melina walking into the arena together with photographers snapping their picture. Santino acted disturbed by all the flashes from the cameras. [c]

[Q4]

-An commercial aired focused on Sheamus making his Raw debut later. They went to Cole and Lawler at ringside. Cole said he's "so excited" about this free agent acquisition who was running through the competition on ECW.

2 -- SANTINO MARELLA & MELINA vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & JILLIAN HALL

Santino teased doing the splits on his way into the ring. Santino went on early offense, but Chavo quickly took over. At 1:00, Jillian and Melina tagged in. Hornswoggle came to ringside dressed as Shawn Michaels. That distracted Jillian and led to Melina getting the win with her legdrop splits finisher. Santino celebrated like he just found a water well after six days in the desert. Hornswoggle crotch-chopped in the ring. A man in a suit handed Hornswoggle a large lime green envelope. He opened it, read it, and then ran to ringside and jumped in Lawler's lap. Lawler read it. It said he received a "cease and desist" letter saying he has to stop imitating them. Cole said Hornswoggle might not understand him, then said he looks heartbroken, which would mean he understood it.

WINNER: Melina & Santino in 2:00.

-They showed Cena walking toward the entrance tunnel backstage. Cole said he was making his first public comments since last night next. [c]

-Legacy walked to the ring to their music. Lawler said they interrupted Cena's plans to address the crowd. Rhodes said Cole called it an "epic win" for Cena last night, but everyone would have to wait for Cena "because Legacy is here." DiBiase said they are bringing the WWE Championship "back to The Legacy where it belongs."He said they don't have to ask the guest hosts for permission, but instead are issuing Cena a challenge. They asked him to walk out and "face [sic] myself" or Cody. Cena's music played. Talk about a meticulously planned show; Cena's music played at the very top of the second hour.

[Q5]

-As Cena walked to the ring, Cole said Cena earned his victory at Bragging Rights. Cena said, "Boys, I don't need to brag about what happened last night. Last night was exactly what it needed to be. It was the best in the WWE competing in one final showdown." He said he can even speak for their mentor and say when the clock struck 60, they were both exhausted. He said people wonder why they'd do what they did. He said they did it for the title and the fans and also because the Cena-Orton rivalry needed to end, "and it did!" Cena said fans tuning in to see who would be the new opponent to challenge for the title, they'd be let down. He made a happy face, then ran his hand over his face and turned it sad. Rhodes said, "John, we're not Randy." Cena agreed that neither of them are Orton. He said they have a lot to learn, but in his eyes it's close enough. He said he beat Orton last night and earned the right to say, "No more!" He said the fans hear them saying they're going to take the title belt back to Legacy, but if they want it, they have to lace up their boots and work for it. He said he doesn't believe they've earned it yet. He asked the fans if the "baby oil boys club" has earned anything. Cena said he's been hanging out with the NASCAR duo and talking about a match for them. He said the match is going to happen now and they need to give "a large, strong hello to their opponents." Out came MVP and Mark Henry. They've been teamed together because they both wear red. [c]

3 -- MARK HENRY & MVP vs. CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE

The match was joined in progress after the break. Cole said the NASCAR duo would determine Cena's next challenger before they go off the air tonight. It's one thing for guest hosts to announce matches on Raw, but another to have two NASCAR guys walk in and make the call on who gets the next world title shot. Rhodes and DiBiase ended up getting the advantage on Henry with some double-teaming stomps in their corner. Henry hot-tagged MVP at 4:00. He went quickly into his Ballin' routine, but Rhodes broke up the pin attempt. MVP went for a sunset flip on DiBiase. DiBiase resisted, but Henry clotheslined him down as the ref was turned toward Rhodes. Cole said that loss isn't going to impress the guest hosts.

WINNERS: MVP & Henry in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *

[Q6]

-Orton walked out onto to the ring. He said while the guest hosts decide who will be Cena's next opponent, it sounds like it won't be him. He said he knows what the stips of his match were last night, but he doesn't care. He said he's a former champion and he is entitled to a rematch. He said he would take it all the way to the Board of Directors. Kingston interrupted on the big screen. He said he lost and nobody cares what he has to say. Orton told Kingston to come to the ring and say that to his face. Kingston said that's an interesting choice of words because he's already doing that right now. The camera panned down and showed that he was standing on his new car. Orton freaked out and said he'd make his life a living hell if he didn't get off his car. Kingston said he loves that these ares are so durable. He rammed a storage crate into it. Kingston said, "Not a scratch!" He said it's things that are small that do so much damage, such as a key. He pulled out a key and scraped Orton's care. Kingston thought he saw a bug, so he bashed the car's hood over and over with a tire iron. Steam came out of Orton's ears. Kingston said he could make it right. He put a large bucket on the roof and poured bright orange paint all over the hood. Orton looked like he aged 25 years. Kingston said he doesn't think he's ever looked better. He almost slipped as he slammed the plastic bucket into the hood. They are certainly elevating Kingston by matching him with Orton in a feud, but it's the right thing to do as Orton desperately needed someone fresh to work with and Kingston is someone WWE believes is worth elevating. [c]

-An ECW ad aired pushing Yoshi Tatsu vs. Christian tomorrow night.

-After showing scenes of Buffalo, N.Y., they replayed what Kingston did to Orton's car.

[Q7]

4 -- THE MIZ vs. EVAN BOURNE

Eve did ring announcing. Miz dominated early. At 3:00 Swagger walked out. He leaned against the ring apron and stared at Eve. He said fans aren't watching Miz wrestle, but instead they're watching Eve watch him. He said who could blame her because it's hard to take your eyes off an All-American American. Miz jumped to ringside and yelled at him. Bourne slingshot himself onto both men. Bourne then dove back into the ring. Miz lost by countout. Bourne gloated as Miz fumed.

WINNER: Bourne via countout in 4:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4*

-Cole and Lawler threw to highlights of the Orton-Cena "Iron Man" match including Orton trying to "blow up" Cena with pyro. Then a commercial plugged encore presentations all week. [c]

-A clip aired of the guest hosts arriving via race car earlier in the night. Then Lawler and Cole announced that Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne would guest host next week.

-The NASCAR guest hosts appeared on the big screen and announced to Jamie Noble in the ring that his opponent would be new Raw free agent signee Sheamus.

5 -- SHEAMUS vs. JAMIE NOBLE

Cole said Sheamus ran roughshod over the young stars on Raw the last couple of months. He spoke in his Irish accent before the match, saying he was there to make an impression. He checked Noble out of the ring in the opening seconds. Lawler said the ECW people he's spoken to said nobody there likes him as a person, but they're all impressed with his skills. He actually lifted Noble's shoulders during a pin attempt at 1:00, which you don't see much. He put Noble in an inverted body vice chinlock. Noble elbowed out of it. Sheamus went for a corner splash, but Noble moved. Sheamus came right back with a series of knees. A few "boring" shouts could be heard. Lawler and Cole had almost nothing to say at 2:00. Lawler even acknowledged it by saying if they have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. Sheamus finished Noble with two backbreakers and a front thrust kick to the face. Lawler said this guy is the real deal.

WINNER: Sheamus in 3:00.

[Q8] [c]

-Clips aired of the Big Show-Triple H angle at the end of the Smackdown vs. Raw tag match at Bragging Rights. Then they went to Cole and Lawler at ringside who raved about Bragging Rights. Lawler said, "If you missed it, you really missed it."

6 -- THE BIG SHOW vs. TRIPLE H (w/Shawn Michaels)

Cole said Raw had the tag match at the PPV won until Big Show turned his back on Raw. The DX theme music welcomed Triple H to the ring. Lawler again foreshadowed that he heard the Raw roster has retribution in mind. The match began 53 minutes into the second hour. Triple H grabbed the mic after the bell rang and said he forgot to tell Show something. He said he had a meeting with the guest hosts and it's now a lumberjack match. He said "unfortunately for you, the lumberjacks are all the guys you screwed over on Raw last night." Then the Raw roster made its way to the ring, led oddly enough by Chavo Guerrero. Everyone had been on the show so far except Chris Masters and Primo. Michaels then took the mic and added that Triple is forgetful and failed to say that not only is it a lumberjack match, but it's a no-DQ lumberjack match, "which means these lumberjacks can do pretty anything they want." Michaels told the referee whose name shall not be mentioned (Charles Robinson) that they had a special referee assigned to the match. Cena's music played and he ran to the ring. Show charged at Triple H. Triple H ducked and the lumberjacks went after him. [c]

They showed a clip from during the break of Big Show tossing aside the lumberjacks and returning to the ring. Triple H had Show in a sleeper. Show powered out of it and charged at Hunter in the corner. Hunter moved and tried to lift Show, but fell backward and was nearly pinned.

[Q9]

Show dominated for the next few minutes, including a mid-ring nerve hold. Masters tried to trip Show. Show replied by yanking him into the ring and giving him his KO punch. Swagger and Primo dragged him out of the ring. Triple H came back at 9:00 by countering a chokeslam attempt with a DDT. Show kicked out of a pin attempt before three. Hunter set up a Pedigree, but Show backdropped out of it. Show set up a swing splash out of the corner. He overshot it and it looked terrible. Cena went in to count the pin, but after two slaps, he feigned a hand injury. Show got in Cena's face. Cena smiled. Chavo and Primo gave Show a double-dropkick. Swagger charged in with a splash. Then so did Miz. Show fired back with a headbutt. Henry then splashed Show. Show collapsed as Henry showed fire and the crowd popped. MVP clotheslined Show. Bourne hit a Shooting Star Press. Santino then entered the ring and trash-talked Show and told him, "You're going to get it now." Show got up and chokeslammed him. Kingston gave Show his 360 degree roundhouse kick which seemed to set on his shoulder before making any kind of contact with Show's head. Cena followed with an Attitude Adjustment. Michaels then entered and gave Show his Sweet Chin Music. Boy, that didn't even come close. Triple H hit a Pedigree that at least looked okay and then he scored the pin.

WINNER: Triple H in 12:00.

-The NASCAR guest hosts walked out again. They thanked the fans for letting them guest host Raw. He said they've been thinking all night about who should face Cena for the WWE Title at Survivor Series. He said they couldn't agree on it until they found one guy who them all on the same page. Hornswoggle danced out in his DX gear. Cole and Lawler said he got the cease and desist order regarding wearing DX merch. The NASCAR duo announced a Triple Threat match at Survivor Series with Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels. Those happened to be the three men standing in the ring at that moment. They looked at one another as the show ended.

QUOTEBOOK

Kyle Busch: "We're in the city of Buffalo, man, the city that hasn't made it to the playoffs since Hulkamania."

John Cena on his feud with Legacy: "The people watching at home are going to think we're going into reruns. What's it been? Twelve years?! Enough!"

[The Big Show art credit Cory Gould (c) PWTorch]

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