KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
MARCH 15, 2010
LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIF.

[Q1]

-After a brief recap of last week's show-closing angle with Vince McMahon, John Cena, and Batista, the Raw opening aired. Then Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced and previewed the show.

-"Stone Cold" Steve Austin then walked out to his entrance music. Cole said he set every record in WWE and is called "the greatest of all-time." The crowd went nuts for him. (A.J. Styles and Ric Flair were talking in the ring on TNA Impact at this time.) He talked about how rough it was walking the 100 feet to the ring. He said he got winded, so he needed a beer. Then he talked about the tradition of WrestleMania. The crowd did the "What?" routine at the beginning, but thankfully stopped after a minute.

Austin then talked about his respect for Bret Hart. He then said he appreciated what Vince McMahon brought to the ring every time he was in the ring with him because he brought his A-game, which was being cutthroat and nasty. He said tonight Bret and Vince will step into the ring and sign a contract. Austin said he's going to be sure that Vince doesn't screw Bret like he tries to screw everyone he does business with. Austin stopped to drink beer. "I love being thirsty," said Austin. Lawler said Austin's idea of a "balanced diet" is a beer in each hand. He got bleeped by USA Network when he said something about sticking his boot up McMahon's ass. John Cena's music played.

Austin seemed a little irked. "WWE's past and the WWE's present," said Cole. Cena slid into the ring and threw his hat to the crowd. Lawler said, "This is a moment!" Austin teased a Stunner, then did the "You Can't See Me" hand wave. Austin's music then played. Now it feels like the Monday Night War again. As Austin began to walk toward the back, The Big Show's music played and Show walked down the ramp. Austin stood in front of the ring and let Show pass him. Then Austin walked to the back. Austin looked like a day hadn't passed. He's definitely not living on just beer if he looks that fit and vibrant.

1 -- BIG SHOW vs. JOHN CENA - WrestleMania Rewind Match

Cena ducked an early Show punch, but Show belly-punched him and then slammed him over his head with a reverse powerbomb. With Cena down at 1:00, they cut to a break. [c]

[Q2] Show had Cena in an STF type move. Cena escaped and went for his own. Show powered out and kicked Cena to the floor. Cena made a comeback at 4:00, but when he went for a bodyslam, he fell backwards with Show on top. It led to a near fall. Cena caught a charging Big Show with a boot, then climbed to the top rope. He landed a legdrop to the back of Show's neck and then signaled for his "You Can't See" routine. Batista provided a distraction. Show then surprised Cena with a chokeslam for a very convincing near fall. Cena kicked out and Batista pierced his lips in frustration. Show then swung with a KO punch, but Cena ducked. Cena went for an FU, but Batista stood on the ring apron. That distraction helped Show escape and then KO punch Cena for the win. Batista leaned into the ring and trash-talked in Cena's face for a few seconds.

WINNER: Show in 7:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Fine for what it was. Good weekend for Show with a Friday win over John Morrison and a Monday win over Cena. [c] (During this break, Impact featured the Nasty Boys (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. Team 3D including a table spot and then a Christy Hemme interview with Angelina Love.)

-Evan Bourne vs. Sheamus was scheduled next. After their ring intros, Sheamus began to do pre-mic work, but then cheap-shotted Bourne with the mic. He then gave him a boot to the face and a Celtic Cross. Bourne rolled to the floor. "What's wrong with this guy?" asked Lawler.

[Q3] Sheamus then said he was fascinated watching WWE growing up in Ireland. He said he was intrigued by one person in particular, someone who would turn on a friend and use a sledgehammer to get to the top and stay there. He said he was "The Game" Triple H. He said when he came to Raw, Triple H was the man he wanted to face at WrestleMania because beating him could catapult you to superstardom in WWE. He said in two weeks he'll get his chance. He said it's going to be the turning point in Hunter's career because he'll never be the same again. "The Celtic Warrior will take your throne!" he said.

-Shawn Michaels asked Austin backstage if he thinks he can beat Undertaker. Austin said he thinks he can, but he doesn't think he will. He predicted he'd go 18-0. Michaels said he thought he'd get his honest opinion. Michaels said when he lost to Austin at WM18, people thought his career was over, but he proved them wrong. He said he'll do it again. Chris Jericho walked in and said he wanted to remind everyone that he is World Champion. How high were Jericho's heels that he was almost at Austin's height and taller than Michaels by at least an inch or two in that shot? Jericho thanked Austin for matching him against Michaels because he has one more chance to retire him for good. Michaels said Undertaker sent him a message last week by destroying four guys. He said tonight he's going to send Taker a message and destroy him. Jericho invited Austin to have some Steveweisers with him after Raw. Austin laughed mockingly and then stopped cold and told him to get out of his office and go compete. [c] (Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson was taking place on Impact during this break.)

2 -- KELLY KELLY vs. MARYSE

Maryse won quickly and easily. Afterward, she kicked Kelly in the gut. Kelly rolled to the floor where Maryse threw her into the ring barrier. Gail Kim and Eve made the save. Kim gave Maryse a neckbreaker. Michelle McCool and Layla from Smackdown ran out and attacked Eve and Gail. McCool kicked Eve, but it was a botched sequence with Eve having to lift her head up to take the second attempt at the kick. A little messy, but otherwise a solid women's angle with heat on the heels. They showed Vickie applauding from the stage.

WINNER: Maryse in 1:00.

[Q4] [c]

-After a aerial shot of downtown San Diego, a video feature aired on the Undertaker winning streak. Same thing that aired on Smackdown. It's surprising with Impact on opposite of Raw that they'd put a video package on Smackdown before Raw as SD viewers would be more tempted to flip channels.

-Shawn Michaels made his full ring entrance. Then Jericho's full ring intro took place. [c] (Good timing for Impact in theory, as they were at a video package for the Hogan-Sting storyline and then Hogan's ring entrance took place. As he began his promo, the Michaels-Jericho match was also just starting.)

3 -- SHAWN MICHAELS vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Michaels went after Jericho aggressively at the start. Jericho made an early comeback and controlled the action for several minutes. When he went for a Lionsault at 4:00, Michaels lifted his knees and caught him.

[Q5] Michaels climbed to the top rope and hit a flying elbow. He played to the cheering fans and showed great fire. He stomped the mat to set up Sweet Chin Music. Jericho ducked out of the ring and took a breather long enough to be counted out.

WINNER: Michaels via countout in 7:00.

-Afterward, Edge charged at Jericho in the aisle. Edge threw him into some of the equipment around the stage and then speared him inside the ring. He then whispered at him: "Spear." Jericho rose a minute later clutching his World Hvt. Title belt.

-Cole and Lawler hyped the upcoming Triple H vs. Randy Orton match, plus the Bret Hart-Vince McMahon contract signing with Austin. [c]

-A video package aired pushing Austin's latest movie "Damage" being released on March 23.

-At ringside Lawler and Cole talked about Austin, then commented on highlights of the battle between Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase last week with Cody Rhodes taking sides against Orton.

-Backstage Josh Matthews interviewed Orton about the breaking news that Orton vs. DiBiase vs. Rhodes was signed for WrestleMania in a Triple Threat match. Orton asked him if that affects his focus for his match later against Triple H. Orton said he doesn't like Triple H and he's motivated to beat him. He said as much as he hates to say it, he respects Triple H and takes him seriously. He said he doesn't take Rhodes and DiBiase seriously. He said they've never had to exist without him, but now they'll have their chance. Orton said Triple Threat matches mean no alliances and every man for himself. Orton said DiBiase and Rhodes will find out at WM that without him they are nothing.

-They showed Triple H headed to the entrance tunnel. Lawler said: "The main event from last year's WrestleMania takes place live next." [c] (Impact was also at a commercial break here, and then Beer Money's interview and ring entrance took place.)

[Q6]

-They went to Lawler and Cole who recapped the show so far including clips of Cena vs. Show.

4 -- TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON

Triple H's ring entrance came before Orton's. Lawler talked about the Triple Threat match with the Legacy members. Early in the match Lawler compared Sheamus beating Triple H at WrestleMania to a scenario in "another sport" such as in baseball if a rookie were to hit a homerun at his first at bat against a star pitcher. They cut to a break as Orton beat on Triple H at ringside. [c] (Impact was also at a break at this time.) Orton had Hunter in his obligatory mid-match chinlock. At 7:00 Hunter showed signs of life. They went into sequences countering each other's moves.

[Q7] Triple H snapped Orton's head over the top rope and then he executed the Pedigree mid-ring. Rhodes and DiBiase attacked Hunter, shoved him out of the ring, and then attacked Orton two-on-one. Hunter re-entered the ring to go after DiBiase and Rhodes, but Sheamus appeared almost out of nowhere and gave Hunter a boot to the face. As Sheamus stood over Hunter in the ring, Rhodes and DiBiase stood over Orton at ringside.

WINNER: Orton via DQ in 9:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Never really got rolling until the final couple minutes, and the interference took away much satisfaction from that, especially as the third match of the three big matches with non-finishes or overtly controversial finishes. [c]

-A cool video package aired on the induction of Gorgeous George into the WWE Hall of Fame including a clip of his first wife Betty Nance saying she told his husband at the time to "get dirty" so he could make more money. They also had soundbites from Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer, Bert Sugar, John Capouya (George George biographer), Dick Steinborn (opponent), Angelo Dundee (Muhammad Ali's trainer, who gave credit to George for inspiring Ali's persona), and Bob Geigel (former NWA President). Great vintage footage.

-Back at ringside Lawler said George was said to be responsible for the sale of more televisions than anyone during that period. Cole and Lawler then hyped the WrestleMania line-up.

[Q8]

5 -- BATISTA vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Lawler got nostalgic about Austin's appearing on Raw. He said when Austin was around, he used to shout "puppies!" all the time. At 2:00 Batista caught Kingston flying mid-air on a springboard off the top rope with a clothesline. He followed with a Batista Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Batista in 3:00. Boy have they taken Kingston from a hot breakout star last fall to a mid-card jobber to the stars now. [c]

-Bret's ring entrance took place, then McMahon's, and then Austin's. Cole touted how these wrestlers changed sports entertainment forever. Austin grabbed the mic and told McMahon, "Sit!" He pointed at the chair. Bret was already sitting at the contract signing table. He walked to the ring with a crutch.

[Q9] Austin said he believes Stu Hart should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, so he asked McMahon if he had a problem with that. McMahon said no. He said that means the entire family of derelicts will be there. He said Bret's a special kind of derelict - a handicapped one. McMahon told Bret if he signs this contract, he has to show up or else he'd sue him. Bret said he doesn't care if both legs are broken, he can and will beat him. Bret said he doesn't want it to be a wrestling match, he wants it to be a fight. "A full on massacre," he said. "Complete annihilation." He wanted it to be a No Holds Barred match. McMahon thought about it for a second, then said, "Hell yeah!"

McMahon said one time Bret screwed Bret, then he screwed Bret, but now Bret's about to screw Bret again. He said after signing the contract, he can't back out of he'll sue him. "Now sign it," said Vince. Bret flipped through the pages and then signed it. Austin looked at the paperwork and said it was official. He leaned in and got bleeped as he said he's looking forward to him getting the worst ass-whippin' of his life. Austin then walked to the stage. He turned around, paused, and said there's one thing he forgot to tell him. He said he'd let Bret tell him himself.

Vince turned back around and the leg cast was removed and sitting on the desk. McMahon looked at it. Bret threw the crutch away and then the cast. He said he didn't need either of them. "What I needed was for you to think I was hurt," he said. "I'm not going to get into a big long detailed explanation about how hard it was to film that little stunt that made it look like a broke my leg." He said Cena knows someone in the stunt business. He said what McMahon needs to know is that he's 100 percent. He said if he tries to find a way to back out of the match, "I'm going to sue you for everything you're worth." Bret hit Vince with the cast a couple of times and knocked him over the desk. "How the complexion of WrestleMania has changed," said Cole, then added that Bret has just 13 days until he puts the Survivor Series controversy behind him.

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