WWE RAW Results (3/9) - HHH Arrested + Ric Flair!

Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, March 9th, 2009 (USA Network)
Location: The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Results by 411Mania.com

"Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?"

-Live from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL

-Hosted by Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler

-We open with a recap of last week's HHH-Orton segment, and then the Legacy beat down of HHH on Friday.

-Orton is not in Jacksonville tonight, as we get a live shot from his home in St. Louis. He will join us via satellite tonight.

-Shawn Michaels is out for a word about his Wrestlemania match with The Undertaker. Shawn says 16-0 is a streak so extrodinary, no one could even think of replicating it. When it comes to showstopping performances though he's no slouch. That's why on Friday he interrupted Taker's promo with a video package of his greatest Wrestlemania moments. Shawn says he respects The Undertaker, but he's not afraid of him. He says Taker may be 16-0, but he is Mr. Wrestlemania. He says he's never been outperformed on the grandest stage and he never will. He says streaks are made to be broken, good things come to an end, and all good things come to an end. He says that's why at Wrestlemania something has to give. The promo is then interrupted by an awesome video package chronicling each of Taker's 16 Wrestlemania victories. The lights come back up and Taker is in the ring with Shawn, but Shawn's back is turned. Shawn says while his back is still turned "Hello Undertaker, I've been expecting you" and turns around. Taker says Shawn's arrogance has clouded his judgement. Taker says he does respect Shawn, but he's fought many men he's respected and they've all fallen. Taker promises that Shawn will be no different. Shawn says he and Taker have taken different career paths, and even different personal paths. Shawn says he shouldn't have to qualify for anything at Wrestlemania. He says he revolutionized the ladder match, wrestled for an hour to win the title, and retired Ric Flair. He says he's still the showstopper and he can't wait for this. Taker responds that Shawn has had epic victories at Wrestlemania, but he's also had bitter defeat. Taker says despite all of his achievements his dream of beating Taker at Wrestlemania is just that, a dream. Taker will soon lay that dream to rest. Taker says Shawn concerns himself with being the showstopper, and with winning a match and breaking the streak. Taker says he should concern himself with what he's going to do with him physically, and what he will do to his soul. He says he doesn't need to steal the show, but Shawn will realize that he is the most dangerous entity to enter the ring. He says Shawn should have been more careful with what he wished for, because he's opened hells gates. Taker tells Shawn on April 5th he will rest? Shawn cuts him off and says he'll rest quite comfortably because he'll knew he did the impossible, and that's ended Taker's streak. Shawn reminds him that even though he's beaten all of his Wrestlemania opponent's he's never beaten Shawn, and he never will. Amazing promo. Sadly as soon as it was over Michael Cole has to ruin it by screaming "Vintage Shawn Michaels, oozing confidence." Can someone get him a muzzle?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. CM Punk ?
These two were originally scheduled to have a non-title match last week that we saw thanks to a leaked Raw script. That was cut for time, but it was supposed to lead to this match anyway, so they're just cutting to the chase explaining that JBL lobbied Vickie Guerrero for the match. Lansdell tells me he is having all sorts of feelings for his man crush right now. Shoulderblock from JBL gets a quick two count. Punk ducks a clothesline and delivers a series of low kicks. Snap mare out of the corner gets a two count, so Punk goes back to the kicks. JBL sends Punk into the ropes and locks in a sleeper. Punk quickly counters with a chinbuster. High knee connects for Punk, and he goes for a bulldog. JBL sneaks away and bails to the floor, so Punk comes out with a suicide dive as we head to break. Back from commercial and JBL has an abdominal stretch locked in. Punk comes out of it and hits the ropes with a crossbody attempt that is caught by JBL into a fall away slam for two. JBL gives Punk a series of knees in the corner, and delivers a short clothesline for two. JBL continues the assault with a pair of forearms to the small of the back getting another two count. JBL grabs a bearhug, but Punk quickly elbows out of it. JBL sends Punk to the corner, and charges into the boot of Punk. He comes right back with a roundhouse, and sets Punk on the top rope. Punk fires back with a headbutt and tornado DDT off the top, which picks up a two count. A flying forearm follows spin kick from Punk. Off the ropes with another kick sets up a high knee attempt. JBL backdrops him to the apron, but he comes right back in with a springboard clothesline. Running high knee sets up a running bulldog for another two count. Punk measures JBL for the GTS, but a rake to the eyes stops that. JBL hits the ropes and delivers the clothesline from hell, which give him the win and the Championship at 9:30. And somewhere Lansdell dies a little inside. Please god tell me this means we actually get a Intercontinental Title match at Wrestlemania.
Winner: NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion-John "Bradshaw" Layfield (Pinfall-Clothesline from Hell **3/4)

-We take a look at Orton and his smoking hot bride as they prepare for their interview live from St. Louis.

-A victorious JBL talks to Vickie, and says she can't be serious. She says now he's going to do something for her. He says a deal is a deal. Edge interrupts and says he needs to find out what Cena said to Vickie last week when he ruined the contract signing. Vickie screams that it doesn't matter, and Edge agrees saying that it wont matter when he signs his contract tonight.

-Michael Cole talks to Randy Orton from St. Louis. Orton introduces his wife Samantha. Cole asks Orton while he violated his own stipulation. Orton says to show the footage of the alleged violation. Orton says you can call it a violation, but he calls it restraint. Orton says he could have punted him like he did the McMahon men, or RKO'd him like he did Stephanie. He's proud of himself that he was able to show restraint and take his rightful place at Wrestlemania. He says he's confident HHH will show in Houston, and he even thinks that HHH will show up on Raw tonight. He says that every time HHH shows up he's going to take a little more out of him. But he'll leave just enough for HHH to defend that Championship. Cole says they have more questions for Orton later tonight. Orton says he's not going anywhere.

Maryse vs. Melina
All the Raw and Smackdown diva's are positioned at ringside for this one. Legsweep puts Maryse down right off the bat. Melina grabs a leg and Maryse goes for an enzaguri which misses. Elbow drop connects to Maryse, but she then fires Melina to the floor only for the Smackdown diva's to fire her back in. Maryse locks in a reverse chinlock, and then sits back on it even pulling back on the hair. Melina comes back with a smack then a double boot to the face. Melina comes off the second rope with a seated senton, then hits a facebuster for two. Melina hits a forearm in the corner then lays Maryse down on the second rope horizontally coming down on her with the knees. Melina charges again, but Maryse moves and then drives her head into the mat. That's good enough to pick up the fall at 2:12. Afterward Rosa goes after Maryse and then a big brawl commences presumably to set up the rumored diva battle royal at Wrestlemania. Oddly enough it started as brand vs. brand fight, but ended up with the faces in the ring and the heels on the floor. Odd.
Winner: Maryse (Pinfall-Back of the head driven to mat *)

-Recap package of the Edge/Show/Vickie angle is presented.

-Vickie Guerrero is in the ring for the contract signing. Vickie says before they begin she has an important announcement to make. There will be a special 25-diva battle royal featuring past and present divas to crown the first ever Miss Wrestlemania. She then brings out the participants. I shouldn't care, but I find it very odd that we're having a contract signing between two Smackdown guys on Raw. Vickie asks the two men to take a seat and they oblige. Edge says there is something he needs to say before Vickie continues. Edge says last week him and Show said some nasty things to each other, but this week's Wrestlemania highlight reminded him of being at Wrestlemania VI. He says he knows that Show is better than the Warrior, and that he is far better than Hulk Hogan. Edge says they have the chance to have an epic historic match at Wrestlemania, and whether the fans like it or not they are the top two superstars in the WWE today. Edge says they should put the past in the past and concentrate on making history at Wrestlemania. Edge signs the contract, and Big Show says he's glad to hear Edge say that. He says he agrees 100% and signs the contract making the match official. Edge offers a handshake and Big Show obliges. Just when you thought you were going to see the first ever incident free contract signing John Cena interrupts. Edge asks Cena what he's doing here. He says Cena doesn't belong here, and in case he missed it its not official. He's not in this match. Cena looks at Vickie and says "you mean you didn't tell them?" Edge says it doesn't matter what she didn't tell them, and tells Big Show they need to get Cena out of the ring. Vickie tells them to wait, and lets them know that out of fairness to the audience she thought it was only fair to allow Cena to compete for the title. Show asks who cares what the audience thinks, and that he is the number one contender. Cena tells Show to take it easy, and tells Vickie its time everyone knew the truth. Cena says he interrupted the contract signing on Smackdown not because he didn't like them, but because he had to tell something to Vickie Guerrero. Cena says he told Vickie Guerrero that he loves her. Vickie looks as stunned as everyone else, but Cena says he can't control who he fell in love with. Cena says she wouldn't have allowed him into the match if she doesn't love him either. Cena says he wants two things. The World Heavyweight Championship and Vickie Guerrero. Vickie looks stunned, as Cena says he will see them at Wrestlemania. Edge calls Cena back, and says he doesn't love Vickie. He says Cena is playing on her emotions, and she is going to destroy the contract right now. Cena finally fesses up and admits he doesn't love Vickie, and tells the real secret. He tells them that Raw was in his hometown, and he knows a lot of people in the arena. He even knows the guy who runs the security camera. Then he shows video footage of Big Show and Vickie making out in the locker room. Cena tells Vickie she's got some 'splainin to do, and heads off. Edge screams at Vickie to look him in the face, and she won't. Everyone stands in the ring stunned as we head to break. Probably could have cut out the whole Cena loves Vickie tease, but other than that it certainly made this one interesting triple threat. I guess Vickie and Edge are even now?

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston
Jericho grabs a side headlock at the outset, and Kofi shoves him into the ropes. Jericho comes off with a shoulderblock. Jericho hits the ropes and runs into an armdrag. Series of dropkicks sends Jericho to the corner where Kofi mounts and gets six punches in before being powerbombed out. That gets a two count as we head to break. Back from commercial and Jericho has a half nelson chinlock on. Kofi fights out, and ducks a clothesline before delivering a flying clothesline of his own. Springboard crossbody is rolled through by Jericho for a two count. Side Russian legsweep from Kofi sets up the double legdrop, but Jericho counters into a Walls of Jericho attempt. Kofi kicks out of that, but Jericho is right back with an enzaguri for two. Bulldog from Jericho sets up a lionsault attempt which misses. Kofi again goes for the double legdrop, and this time it hits for two. Spin kick from Kofi is blocked by Jericho and he locks in the Walls. Ric Flair's music plays as Kofi gets to the ropes!?!? Jericho stares down Flair, but turns into a spinning heel kick from Kofi, which finishes at 7:49. Fabulous match with a bit of a shock there in the middle of it to continue Jericho's Wrestlemania storyline. Afterward Kofi celebrates with Flair on the ramp.
Winner: Kofi Kingston (Pinfall-Spinning Kick ***)

-Back to Orton in St. Louis. Cole asks Orton why he's not in Jacksonville. Orton asks if Cole is implying that he is hiding. He says that he's afraid of what he would do to HHH if he were there. Orton says he can't temp himself because he's not always in control of his actions. Orton says he is showing restraint and that is why he's not there. He says he'll enjoy watching HHH compete tonight.

-Todd Grisham is with Jericho. Jericho says Ric Flair took away his Wrestlemania moment. Jericho says he dares Flair to come out of retirement and face him on Raw. He says he knows Flair has been waiting for that ever since Wrestlemania, to come out and bask in the glory of the hypocrites and parasites one last time. He says the story of Ric Flair will end forever next week on Raw.

-The next inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame is?Koko B. Ware!?!?!?! Seriously, Koko B. Ware? There are about a million guys who aren't in the hall of fame who should be in there ahead of Koko, and he'll be inducted by one of them. The Honky Tonk Man.

Rey Mysterio, Finlay, & Christian (w. Hornswoggle) vs. Kane, John Morrison, & The Miz
Christian starts with the Miz. Miz hits the ropes, and ducks a clothesline but gets a spinning heel kick. Christian chokes Miz on the second rope and an inverted DDT gets two. Miz comes back with a front face lock and tags Kane. Kane charges into the ropes, but comes up empty. Christian goes for a springboard sunset flip, but Kane blocks it and throws in into the corner. Tilt-a-whirl slam gets two and Kane tags in Morrison. Kick to the head from Morrison and a quick tag to Miz. They deliver a double gut buster for two, and Miz locks in a side headlock. Christian comes up, but gets thrown into the corner. Miz charges and comes up empty. Christian gets a hot tag to Finlay who comes with a series of clotheslines. Miz gets a slingshot inside, and Finlay tags Mysterio. Springboard seated senton connects to Miz sending him to the floor. Springboard crossbody is delivered to Morrison. Rey has an Irish whip reversed sending him to the corner, but moves as Morrison charges. Hurracanrana gets a two count for Rey as Miz breaks up the count. Miz misses a charge to the corner, and a dropkick sets up Morrison for the 619. Kane intercepts the 619 attempt, but Christian and Finlay make the save sending Kane to the floor with a double clothesline. Hurracanrana sets up Morrison again for the 619 which then connects. West Coast Pop is busted out for old times sake giving the faces the win at 3:49. That was about the best 4 minute match I've ever seen.
Winners: Rey Mysterio, Finlay, & Christian (Mysterio pins Morrison-West Coast Pop ***)

-Next week on Raw, JBL and Vladimir Kozlov will team up to take on the team of Shawn Michaels and Undertaker!

-We are shown a trailer for John Cena's new movie, 12 Rounds, looks pretty good, as surprising as that may be.

Handicap Match ? Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs. WWE Champion Triple H
Music plays, and we have no Triple H. Everyone can see this coming a mile away can't they? Music plays again, and still no Game. Finally the ref awards the match to Dibiase and Rhodes by forfeit.
Winners: Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes (Forfeit)

-Orton says no one should be happy, and Cody and Ted should be disappointed. Orton says HHH let both of them down, and let the people in the arena and watching at home. He says HHH isn't the competitior he thought he was. Him not showing up tonight means he probably wont show up at Mania and Orton won't be able to beat him for the title at Wrestlemania. There's a knock at the door, and Orton sends his wife to answer. Gee wonder who that could be. Orton realizes it as she's almost there and tells her to stop. Triple H breaks down the door with his sledgehammer and goes hunting through the house for Orton. He runs in to several house guests, and eventually finds Samantha Orton cowering. More random women come running out of the laundry room. What is Orton running a brothel? Orton eventually attacks from behind leading to a big brawl in the front room. Orton gets the worst of it, and eventually flies through the front window. Hunter continues to beat the s–t out of Orton in his front lawn as police arrive to arrest HHH. HHH is taken away in the police car as the show ends. What exactly was the point of the no-touch clause again?

-So for the second time in three weeks the show ends with a Triple H sledgehammer chase, this time in Orton's home. I think this one worked better than two weeks ago, but yet still seemed a bit hokey for my taste. The no touch until Wrestlemania stipulation has been completely thrown out the window in near record time. As for the title match, to the shock of no one Cena has gotten into the match, however a very interesting turn in the discovery of the Vickie-Show affair. Decent enough show this week. Not a blow away show, but good enough to keep the interest peaked on the road to Wrestlemania.