By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
DECEMBER 28, 2009
LIVE FROM HARTFORD, CONN.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK

[Q1]

-Chris Jericho stood outside the arena telling fans through a megaphone that he is protesting his ban from Raw. WWE just can't keep Jericho off of this show.

-Jesse Ventura would love to investigate the "plausible deniablity" built into that newly edited WWE open where Ted DiBiase says, "Everybody has a price..." (replacing, by the way, Hulk Hogan) followed immediately by an image of Bret Hart. Don't think for a second that Vince McMahon bringing Bret Hart back into the fold doesn't satisfy him greatly in the sense that one of his most bitter fallouts has now, for a price (money, fame, whatever), has returned. Next it Phil Mushnick and Irv Muchnick, although I'm not sure how they'd boost ratings and fan interest.

-The Raw opening aired with a message "Happy New Year!" on the screen. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped Sheamus defending against John Cena, plus Vince McMahon "addressing the Bret Hart rumors." Cole said, "Is it fact or fiction? Find out tonight." It was just something Dennis Miller said he'd like to see, that's all.

-John Cena walked right out to his music in his Denver Broncos color scheme. Cena entered the ring, set up a table, and sat on a corner turnbuckle. He pointed at the table and said that's how Sheamus won the WWE Title. He said based on the fans' excitement over him getting a rematch against Sheamus, he thought they should have it right now. He also suggested they make the rematch a Tables Match. Sheamus walked out to his intro. Lawler and Cole sung the praises of the impact Sheamus made in such a short span.

Sheamus asked Cena if he's "for real." He said he's the challenger, so he's the one with something to prove. He said because he holds this belt, he has nothing to prove. He held up his belt. "That means Raw belongs to me," he said. Cena said Raw belongs to the WWE Universe, so he needs to get his facts straight. He asked if he'll agree to a tables match. Sheamus said the rematch will be fought on his terms, so it won't be a tables match. He said he already put him through a table, so that's not a challenge for him. He said he'll beat him straight up one-on-one in the main event. He said the last Raw image of 2009 will be him standing over his Cena with his title belt. When Sheamus moved toward Cena, Cena gave him an Attitude Adjustment through the table. Cole said Sheamus may find his title reign only two weeks long because Cena is "hell bent" on regaining it live tonight. [c]

-Lawler and Cole celebrated a replay of Cena putting Sheamus through the table. They wondered how it'd affect Sheamus in his title defense later. Ten Cole threw to Timbaland, the guest host for Raw.

[Q2]

-Backstage Timbaland was sitting with the Bella Twins and Gail Kim laughing. Josh Matthews walked up to Timbaland and asked if he'd postpone the title match to another date based on what just happened. Sheamus said he's the captain of the ship, and the way he sees it, they're even as far as putting each other through tables. He asked Matthews why he'd postpone "the biggest match of the century." He turned to the camera and asked the fans if they want to see "Cena and Sheamus get it on for the WWE Championship." The crowd cheered. He repeated himself. They cheered louder. He sat back on the couch with women and taught them some lazy dance moves that involve sitting back on the couch.

-Backstage Cody Rhodes held a copy of Ted DiBiase's DVD. DiBiase said something about buying Cody a BluRay player. Randy Orton was sitting down and told them he thinks it's time to break up Legacy. He said he just realized he wasted the last year and a half of his life on them. He said last week three men who shared nothing in common and never teamed before beat them. "How does that happen?" he said. "I think we're finished." He told them they're not tag champions and he doesn't associate himself with failures. Cody said they bailed him out as WWE Champion multiple times. DiBiase said they put their bodies on the line time after time for him. Orton said he'd like to test them in two singles matches against men who beat them last week - DiBiase vs. Evan Bourne and Cody Rhodes vs. Mark Henry. Orton said it's their chance to prove they're not failures. Cody asked what happens if they don't win. Orton said he'll kick them out of Legacy and "beat the living hell" out of them.

-Lawler and Cole reacted as they showed the exterior of the XL Center. Jericho continues to pace with a sign that said "Stop the Jericho Embargo."

-Orton's intro song played and as Orton walked out, Lawler said he knows Timbaland met with Orton earlier and it was about setting up DiBiase and Rhodes with matches. [c]

-WWE Fact: Last Monday, Raw was watched by more female viewers than every program on Lifetime, A&E, CW, HGTV, Hallmark, and Oxygen.

-Jericho was shown sitting in front of the arena asking fans to sign his petition. He said he was wrong to call them terrible names before. He said WWE will listen to them if they sign his petition. "Stop the injustice!" he pleaded. Lawler said he doesn't think he got one signature on the petition.

1 -- TED DIBIASE vs. EVAN BOURNE

They showed Orton seated at ringside. Cole and Lawler talked about "Marine II" coming out on DVD and BluRay tomorrow. They snuck in a video preview for it as DiBiase entered the ring. The video package included the obligatory statement by a director saying the star insisted on doing all of the stunts himself, plus clips of DiBiase working out. lots of good back and forth action for a couple minutes. with DiBiase scoring a clean win with the Dream Street. Orton nodded at DiBiase after his win.

WINNER: DiBiase in 3:00.

[Q3]

-Cole plugged Rhodes vs. Henry. Lawler pushed the Sheamus vs. Cena main event. [c]

2 -- CODY RHODES vs. MARK HENRY

Henry went for a sitdown splash at 1:00, but Rhodes moved. Henry, though, powered him out of the ring with one arm while on his knees. Rhodes returned quickly and dropkicked Henry. Henry knocked Rhodes down immediately with a clothesline. He then headbutted him and set him up for a 619. Oh wait, instead he charged through the ropes and crushed him in the process. However, he sold a leg injury upon landing on the floor. He limped back into the ring and tried to press Rhodes. Rhodes slipped out and clipped Henry from behind and went for a cover. Henry powered out at one. They showed Orton studying the match at ringside. Rhodes then DDT'd Henry and scored the pin.

WINNER: Rhodes in 2:00.

-They went backstage to Jillian Hall talking with Gail Kim about wanting to audition for Timbaland. Gail said he woudln't have time to meet with her. The camera panned over to DX duct taping Hornswoggle to a skateboard chest-first. Triple H said Michaels had Hornswoggle all week and all he did was take him to church, but couldn't think of anything cool to do with him. Triple H said, "I'm doing what anyone with a brand new midget does; I'm taping him to a skateboard to see how far he can go." Triple H asked Michaels why he's so serious. Michaels said it has to do with the Vince McMahon-Bret Hart deal. Triple H said he shouldn't stick his nose in McMahon's business because four years ago, the last time he did it, he ended up wrestling him at WrestleMania. Triple H said they have to face Big Show and a partner of his choosing later, so the should concentrate on that, not do something stupid. Triple H then went back to taping the skateboard. Then they cut back to Timbaland's office entrance where Jillian was singing and Timbaland made faces. Triple H then rolled Hornswoggle into Jillian, who took spill. Hornswoggle and Timbaland shook hands. [c]

[Q4]

-Cole and Lawler plugged the tag match with DX, plus The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston (if Kingston wins, he gets a U.S. Title shot next week on Raw).

3 -- KELLY KELLY vs. MARYSE

Maryse took Kelly down in the opening seconds. Kelly came back with a clothesline, dropkick, and top rope bodypress. When she went for a handspring elbow, Maryse moved. Maryse then gave Kelly a DDT for the win.

WINNER: Maryse beat Kelly in 1:00.

-Afterward, Maryse laughed uproariously. She asked, "Are you watching me, Melina? Of course you are!" After some trash-talking, she said she's regain the Divas Championship. She gave Kelly a kick to the ribs just as she started to get up.

-They went backstage to Vince McMahon, who looked nervous as he headed toward the entrance set. Lawler said he was about to address rumors of the return of Bret "The Hitman" Hart.

-A Royal Rumble PPV commercial aired. [c]

-Cole plugged the WWE website's list of the Top 25 Matches of 2009.

-Still outside, Jericho continued to complain about the conspiracy. Big Show walked up to him and told him to let it go because it's over. Jericho said it's not over because what they had was special. Show said it was, but all good things come to an end and he has to move on. "You're on Smackdown, I'm on Raw, long-distance relationships just don't work," said Show. Jericho asked if there was someone else. Show said nobody knew him like he did, but he said he's moving on. He told him he cares and he handed him an envelope. As Show walked away, Jericho said he'd cherish the note forever. He opened it up and laughed.

-Justin Roberts introduced Mr. McMahon, who then walked out as Cole touted Raw as the longest-running episodic show in network history. As McMahon walked to the ring, Lawler said Bret may be the biggest Superstar in WWE history. McMahon was greeted by a chant of "We Want Bret!" McMahon again took credit for his ingenious idea to have a guest host every week on Raw. He said it shows there's nothing he wouldn't do for them. He said he's heard suggestions. He said next week there will be a very special guest host on Raw next week. McMahon said for the benefit of younger fans, he's put together "a brief, but nonetheless unbiased history of Bret 'The Hitman' Hart."

They went to a video of Bret with his signature theme song. It included a photo montage of Bret as a kid through becoming a pro wrestler. Plus Bret being swarmed by fans and hugging fans at ringside followed by clips of him winning big matches (gotta love the ICOPRO banner hanging in the rafters of one match highlight). Then the video went to the Survivor Series 1997 incident.

[Q5]

Back in the ring live, Vince said: "Bret Hart did not leave my company on the best of terms. And I have said it before, I will say it again, I did not screw Bret Hart. Bret Hart screwed Bret Hart. In spite of Bret's selfish, egomaniacal actions, to show Bret I was the better man and again to show all of you there is nothing I wouldn't do for you, I will allow Bret to come back to the WWE." He said he even allowed Bret to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He said on that weekend he and Bret didn't share a word.

He said Bret thanked the fans, but after his speech, he offered a handshake. He said he expected Bret to show him the same respect and appreciation, but that's not what happened. "Bret Hart showed me nothing but utter contempt, indignation, mendacity." He ripped on the fans for saying "What?" and then said, "If you're an imbecil and you're from Hartford, you'll say..." Some fans still shouted "What!" He was about to say next week Bret would be a guest host, but he couldn't say those words, so instead he concluded: "I just can't do it. Bret Hart will never be a guest host on Raw." As McMahon began to leave the ring, Shawn Michaels's music played and he walked out. Cole said the Bret news was bothering Michaels lately. Michaels entered the ring to talk to McMahon.

Michaels told McMahon: "Sometimes there are rivalries that are bigger than this industry and so big, you can't deny the people or yourself simply because it doesn't work for you." McMahon said he must be talking about Bret. Michaels said no, he was talking about Undertaker. He said he knows he can beat Taker and end his undefeated streak. He said he was out there not to appeal to his heart or sense of right and wrong, but rather his wallet. He asked him to book him against Undertaker at WrestleMania in "The Rematch." He told him to make it happen. McMahon said as Chairman of the Board, he is reluctant to book the match, so "therefore Shawn Michaels, I won't make this match." He said Michaels has to make it happen on his own.

As McMahon began to step out of the ring, Michaels told him he had one other thing to add to their conversation. He said he can understand McMahon being afraid of the Undertaker, but not Bret Hart. Michaels said he doesn't have many open chapters left in his life, so maybe it's time he bring some closure to this one. He told him, "What have you got to lose?" He said he should bring Bret back to WWE and Monday Night Raw. He said if he does that, only good things are going to happen. The crowd began chanting, "We Want Bret!" again.

McMahon said he's not afraid of Undertaker, him, Bret, the big bad wolf, or any man who walks the Earth. "I am fearless!" he shouted. McMahon asked Michaels to repeat that phrase he just said. Michaels repeated: "Only good things will happen." Michaels said he would be more than happy to see Bret one more time. McMahon smiled broadly and said if only good things are going to happen, then next week on Raw, the new year starts off with a special guest host, Bret Hart. McMahon strutted away smiling as Cole wondered what would happen next week when Bret returned to WWE for the first time in 12 years. Michaels and Vince have a strong on-air chemistry. Good segment that mixed a couple big issues that Michaels has a stake in. This segment also gave fans of the Cena era, if nothing else, a sense that Bret was a big deal and his return his newsworthy.

[Q6]

-Matthews stood backstage and hyped the Sheamus vs. Cena main event. Cena walked into the picture. Matthews asked if he thinks he has a psychological advantage over Sheamus now. At that moment, Sheamus jumped Cena. He stomped him repeatedly until referees pulled him away. Lawler said that advantage Cena might have had just disappeared. [c]

-The Bella Twins, Kim, and Eve chatted in Timbaland's office as MVP talked to Timbaland on the couch. Kofi Kingston then walked up to Timbaland and thanked him for the chance at the U.S. Title. MVP jumped into the conversation and said after he beats Miz, he wants the first title shot. Kofi agreed. Miz walked up to them and said, "Really, Kofi? Really?" He said the truth is MVP can't beat Kofi for the title because Kofi will never have it. He predicted that next year at this time he'll still be the U.S. Champion, while Kofi and MVP will be mere afterthoughts. Miz called Kim into the picture and said he doesn't think she can keep up with Maryse. Kim walked away disgusted by him. Timbaland said he needed to talk to Miz. He said if Kofi beats him, the U.S. Title match will take place tonight instead of next week. Miz asked, "Really?" Miv, Kofi, and Timbaland all said in response: "Really!"

-Cole and Lawler talked about Bret returning to WWE next week. Cole said it would be "an [sic] historic night." They also showed a clip of Cena putting Sheamus through a table earlier in the show.

4 -- THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- Non-Title Match

Lawler said one of Miz's New Year's Resolution should be not putting his foot in his mouth anymore. A minute into the match, Kofi caught Miz as he flew off the top rope with his Trouble in Paradise. Cole said Miz has to defend his U.S. Title after the break.

WINNER: Kingston in 1:00. [c]

5 -- THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- U.S. Title Match

They joined the match in progress after the break with Kofi on offense scoring several two counts. Just as it appeared Kingston was going to win the title after hitting his Trouble in Paradise 360 degree roundkick, Orton showed up and yanked him off of Miz. The ref called for the DQ as Orton whipping Kofi into the ringpost and gave him an RKO at ringside.

WINNER: Kingston via DQ in 2:00, so Miz retained the U.S. Title.

[Q7]

-Lawler plugged the Cena-Sheamus main event. [c]

-In my market, another ad featuring Hulk Hogan aired hyping next week's three hour edition of TNA Impact on Spike TV.

-WWE Fact: Last week, Raw was watched by more male viewers than every program on NBC, Fox, CW, and ABC.

-Matthews interviewed Orton backstage regarding his attack on Kingston. Orton said if Kingston thinks the dispute between them is over, it's not. He proposed they finish it next week. He said he can think of no better way to kick off the new year than by kicking somebody in the skull.

-We get a very long DX ring intro. Triple H observes the arena is packed. They ask the fans if they're ready. Triple H broke from the routine and made some gay jokes about Big Show and Jericho, using the term "partner" derisively. Michaels, dating himself with a line more tired than "Jumping the Shark," leaned over to Hunter and said, "Not that there's anything wrong with that." Triple H said Show has a new "partner" who will be revealed next. Jericho, though, walked down the steps of the arena toward the ring. Cole and Lawler said he's been banished from Raw and isn't supposed to be there. Jericho displayed a ticket and he sat at ringside. He looked like he maybe had been crying. Lawler said that's what was in the envelope Big Show gave to him. [c]

[Q8]

6 -- DX (Triple H & Shawn Michaels) vs. THE BIG SHOW & CHAVO GUERRERO

As Chavo walked out with Show, Cole said the word in the locker room was that Show's new partner could match Jericho's athleticism, but also could neutralize the new DX mascot, Hornswoggle. Chavo went for an early Three Amigos on Triple H, but Triple H stopped him after one suplex and reversed Chavo with a suplex of his own. He followed with a kneedrop for a two count. When Michaels tagged in, Show yanked him by his hair backwards as he rebounded off the ropes. Chavo punched Michaels in his corner. Show clawed Michaels's belly, then tagged in. They continued to show Jericho yelling at ringside. Lawler wondered if he was rooting for Show & Chavo to win. At 3:00 Michaels tagged Hunter in, but Show took early control on Hunter. Triple H made a comeback, fended off Chavo, and collided with Show. Show speared Hunter to stop his flurry, then tagged Chavo in. Chavo launched off of Show's shoulders with a frog splash attempt, but Hunter moved. Michaels tackled Show and they both tumbled over the top rope to the floor. Hornswoggle then entered the ring and he went for a Pedigree. Chavo backdropped out of it, but as Chavo celebrated, Hunter surprised Chavo with a Pedigree for the win.

WINNERS: DX in 5:00.

-Afterward, Jericho jumped over the security wall to check on Show or yell at him. He threw a fit at ringside, shoving the ringside steps and ripping off his jacket. As he began to enter the ring, Michaels gave him Sweet Chin Music. Triple H said if Jericho is going to whine and complain every week, he'd rather just give him his rematch next week. He said when he loses, though, he's gone for good. He said no more stupid disguises or picketing after that. WWE is stacking next week's show: Bret's return, Orton vs. Kingston, DX vs. Show & Jericho. Lawler said next week keeps getting bigger and bigger. It's clear WWE is responding to the special three-hour Impact with Hulk Hogan, making Jan. 4 a bigger show than it would have been if not for TNA and Spike TV's bold move. [c]

-Cole and Lawler hyped the line-up for next week's Raw. Lawler called Bret's return the biggest news of the decade. Yeah, the new decade, that'll be four days old at that point.

[Q9]

-Justin Roberts introduced Timbaland. He walked out wearing an orange Cena t-shirt and gray sweatpants. He introduced Cena as his main man.

7 -- SHEAMUS vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title Match

Cena opened up with a barrage of rapid-fire punches. Sheamus fought back with a clothesline and his own barrage of punches. Cena made a comeback at 3:00 and went for an Attitude Adjustment. Sheamus yanked the ref to the mat. The ref called for the bell and DQ'd Sheamus. Roberts said that "Gee-yawn Cena" won the match, but Sheamus retained the title because it was a DQ. Lawler groaned.

WINNER: Cena via DQ in 3:00 so Sheamus retained the WWE Title.

-Afterward, Sheamus beat up Cena. As Sheamus stood over Cena, Lawler said Sheamu's prediction for how the final Raw of 2009 would end came true.

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