CHUCK LIDDELL ON "DANCING WITH THE STARS" TONIGHT
On tonight's "Dancing With The Stars," UFC's Chuck Liddell and his partner, Anna, two-stepped around the dance floor to "Boot Scootin' Boogie." Liddell seemed to be in his element with this dance, wearing jeans and a leather vest instead of the usual fussy sequined dancing costumes, and his size, strength and training helped as he easily lifted his partner over his head. Judge Bruno, who had called last week's dance the samba from Zombie Town, said Liddell had given this dance an air carnage and mayhem. Of course, he said that in a nice way.
The dancing duo received 17 points from the judges and the call-in votes will be added to that. The elimination show will air Tuesday night on ABC. Check local listings for time and channel.
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Welcome to WWI's ongoing coverage of Raw, live from the Conseco Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tonight's Co-Guest Hosts will be Nancy O'Dell and Maria Menounos of "Access Hollywood." *Shrugging* Makes about as much sense as most of the other guest hosts. When do you suppose Spencer and Heidi from "The Hills" will have their turn?
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The show opened with Chris Jericho, who introduced himself and started to explain the 7-on-7 tag team match at Bragging Rights. He said that he had been named the team captain for his team, Smackdown, and . . .
Guest host Nancy told him to button his lip and let DX open the show.
Jericho's smile turned upside down into a world-class pout.
Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed the viewers to the show.
Half of DX headed to the ring. In Shawn Michaels' place, Triple H yanked some unsuspecting person into the ring, then chased him right out again. According to Triple H, HBK had called off earlier. However, Triple H had him on speed dial and put him on speaker phone. (Darned if his message wasn't set to "Sexy Boy" with some appropriate JG-style wording.)
Anyway, HBK explained that his daughter was sick and he had to stay home. He'd read her a story and put her to bed. Triple H wanted to know if he'd read her a story from the new DX book, and HBK replied "heck no" before thinking better of that answer. Triple H said he reads it to his kids all the time.
Big Show and Chris Jericho came down the ramp. Guess since he'd let Triple H open the show, it would be kosher with Guest Host Nancy to come back out.
Jericho wanted to get on with selecting the team. Triple H mocked Smackdown and Jericho had an equal opportunity to mock Raw. However, Triple H managed to cause friction between JeriShow and they were bickering before too long. Long story short, Big Show stated that he wanted to be on Team Raw. Triple H said there were no openings on Team Raw, but he could earn a spot tonight in a match against Jericho.
(Commercial break)
(1) Match for Spot on Team Raw at Bragging Rights: Chris Jericho vs. Big Show.
This match had been authorized by Guest Host Nancy. How convenient.
Jericho was in a bit of a snit from getting pummeled by Show, and rolled out of the ring for a break. Big Show picked him up and pulled him back into the ring and pummeled him some more.
The matched ended when Big Show won by count out. He will now join Team Raw at Bragging Rights.
The King is running for Mayor of Memphis. Did ya know?
Guest Host Maria was backstage and introduced Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. She told them they would have to work their way onto "Bragging Rights" by taking part in a qualifying match later tonight.
(Commercial break)
(2) Divas Championship Match: Mickie James vs. Jillian.
Surprise win for Jillian, who couldn't stop her gleeful shrieking. She immediately called for a photo op and then burst into a Lady Gaga song. SHUT UP!!
Guest Host Nancy came out and told Jillian to stop singing. She said she'd made a Diva trade over the weekend. Jillian was still on Raw, but she would have to defend her title against Melina. Right now.
(2) Divas Championship Match: Melina challenging Jillian for the title.
The title belt had to be pried from Jillian's reluctant hands and it was won immediately by Melina. That's cold. Couldn't Jillian have kept it for at least a week?
(Commercial break)
Next week's Guest Host will be Snoop Dogg.
Triple H was deep in conversation with a cardboard cutout of HBK (while talking to him on the cell phone). Hornswoggle burst in dressed in DX gear. Triple H told him that was nothing short (pun intended) of gimmick infringement. Hornswoggle super kicked the cardboard cutout.
If you want full details of the diva trade they will be available at WWE.com following Raw. Sort of makes one think the trade was made on the fly instead of over the weekend. I'm just saying.
Santino "auditioned" for the Guest Hosts in case they ever need his help on "Access Hollywood."
The Bethazon barged into the room and cussed the guest hosts for trading her to Smackdown. She stomped off and Santino yelled after her that he'd faked every "organism" while they were together.
(Commercial break)
(3) Triple Threat Match for "Bragging Rights": John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase.
New ring announcer Justin Roberts made the introductions for this Bragging Rights qualifier. Somebody is going to be left out of Bragging Rights, but the explanation of just who was a little muddy.
Legacy teamed up to take on Cena instead of trying to secure themselves at spot on Bragging Rights. They relentlessly beat on Cena.
(Commercial break)
Finally, Legacy got down to business, and Cody attempted a cover after Teddy was sent crashing into the ring post. Double suplex by Cena who had been playing possum. STF to Teddy, but Orton came running down to the ring. In the confusion, Cody pinned Teddy to move on to Bragging Rights and the bickering began.
Before Legacy could completely disintegrate, Guest Host Nancy appeared on the TitanTron and assigned Legacy to take part in a match with Orton and Cena later in the show.
And here I thought we were going to have an Orton-free Raw.
(Commercial break)
Some of the Indianapolis Colts were seated in the front row.
(4) Team Raw Qualifying Match: Jack Swagger vs. MVP.
Last week, Swagger had vowed not to lose for the rest of 2009. Pinning attempts by each, but Jack Swagger, true to his word, won the match and a spot on Team Raw at Bragging Rights. He looked pretty pleased with himself.
Backstage, Legacy and Orton were shouting at each other. Orton said he would not be shown up by Nancy O'Dell. He would let Legacy take care of Cena and Orton would look after his own interests.
(Commercial break)
(5) Team Raw Qualifying Match: Kofi Kingston vs. Evan Bourne.
The match had started during the break. (Just announced, the 7th member of Team Raw (either Mark Henry or Chris Masters) will be decided Thursday night on "Superstars.")
Much high-flying and many pinning attempts by each, but Kofi made the winning pin to become the 6th member of Team Raw.
The guest hosts joined Triple H and HBK (still on the phone) to plug the DX book. Triple H had been training Guest Host Maria. Suddenly Chavo showed up. Hmmm…is GH Maria going to pin him? Nope, she kicked him in the gut.
On the phone, HBK was heard to say: "If you're not down with that . . ."
(Commercial break)
(6) Six Diva Tag Match: Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim & Maria Menounos vs. Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendes & Melina.
Maria pinned Rosa and took the win for her team. Sort of makes a mockery of wrestling training, since Maria had just had the one lesson from Triple H.
A clip of a serial killer/buddy film being produced by GH Maria was shown. Based on the lame clip, you might want to skip it.
(Commercial break)
The Miz was introduced next. He had his U.S. Title belt over his shoulder and demanded adulation. In two weeks at Bragging Rights he will face the Intercontinental Champion of Smack down (John Morrison). And don't forget, he's The Miz and he's awesome.
(Commercial break)
Randy Orton boasted that he'd just talked on the phone to next week's Guest Host, Snoop Dogg, and they had apparently concocted some kind of special match for Cena.
(7) Tag Team Match: Randy Orton & John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.
Supposedly Nancy O'Dell is a big Cena fan. Why, then, did she throw him to the wolves tonight? Oh well, not much else on this show has made any sense.
The King announced that immediately following this match, Cena's opponent for next week's match would be announced. In other words, Please don't change the channel.
This match was predictable, right up until Cena tagged Orton in. Orton had thought he was untouchable tonight. Then Orton tagged Cena back in and the two engaged in quite the staredown. Cena backed into the rope and was unwittingly tagged by Orton. In the confusion that followed DiBiase pinned Randy Orton. Orton, as you might imagine, was livid.
Special Announcement: Triple H will be Cena's opponent next week on his "last" Raw match.
Mercifully, this show finally came to an end.
And if you'll excuse me, I need an aspirin for the migraine this show gave me.