1/4 WWE RAW: Mallory's Ongoing Coverage of Bret Hart's Big Return

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Since this is such a special evening, Mike Rickard and I will be tag teaming on this edition of the Raw Recap.

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As noted on the WWE.com website today, it was long thought that "Hell would freeze over and pigs would fly . . . before the true pink and black would ever again be seen on WWE programming."

Well, it's literally freezing cold from coast to coast tonight and it doesn't take much of an excuse to have a pig toss here in the South -- close enough to hell freezing over and flying pigs. That, of course, can only mean one thing: January 4, 2010, marks the return of Bret Hart to WWE.

I've got two words for ya: About time!!!!!!!

Also on tonight's card will be the Unified Tag Champs defending against Jeri-Show, and Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton addressing their rivalry yet again.

(While waiting for Raw to come on, I was watching Impact and who should show up on the competition but Jeff Hardy. Well, that was a surprise. Anybody else going to be jumping ship tonight?)

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The show opened with a series of clips of Bret Hart's career, culminating with the famous Montreal Screw Job. Last week Shawn Michaels had made a good case for bringing Bret back this week as a guest host.

Bret Hart was introduced next and the arena exploded in cheers. According to Jerry Lawler, it had been 12 long years.

Hart's first remark was about hell freezing over, then he said it was an amazing feeling to be back. He said he'd wanted to come back several times over the years, but Mister McMahon had always said it wasn't possible.

Bret thanked all his fans for never letting him be forgotten and for carrying him in their hearts all these years. He was flooded with great memories, including winning the King of Ring right there at the Nutter Center.

Bret said he had 12 years of things he wanted to get off his chest and he asked Shawn Michaels to come out. "Sexy Boy" hit and the two bitter enemies stood face to face. Bret said he wanted to bury the hatchet and called for a truce.

HBK didn't seem to be in a forgiving mood. He'd been waiting 12 years to say something: That Hart deserved what had happened 12 years ago because he'd disrespected HBK and the business; then Shawn admitted he'd had a hand in it.

Bret said he rested his case.

HBK added that there was a big part of him that did not regret it, but Michaels said that a lot of things had changed in 12 years. He'd always respected Bret, but never thought Bret respected Michaels. HBK said that when he thought of Bret Hart, he did not think of Montreal. He thought of Anaheim and the 60-minute Iron Man Match. HBK told Bret that he also wanted to bury the hatchet.

Bret agreed and felt this was the place to do it. Bret offered his hand to HBK in friendship and called for a truce and a handshake.

Moments passed. Would they shake on it or not? HBK finally took Bret's hand and even hugged him. It was a very nice moment.

Once Shawn left the ring, Hart asked Vince McMahon to come down to the ring. No sign of Mister McMahon as Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole announced the rest of the evening's matches.

(Mike's thoughts on the opening segment)

Bret tells the fans that “Hell has frozen over”. He tells them it’s an amazing feeling to be back in the WWE. He’s been trying to get back in the WWE for several years but Vince McMahon always blocked the way. The fans chant “Welcome back” as Bret thanks them and thanks them for never forgetting him. Bret talks about all the great memories he has in the WWE. “The Hitman” tells the fans there’s another reason he’s back-he has some issues to address. Hart then calls out “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. Wow! This could be an explosive start for the show.

“The Hitman” offers to bury the hatchet with Shawn and call a truce. Michaels tells Hart that he’s not going to do anything until he gets something off his chest-Michaels tells Hart he deserved what happened 12 years ago. Michaels tells Hart that Hart disrespected the business by his actions 12 years ago. A “You Screwed Bret” chant breaks out. Michaels tells Hart that there’s a big part of him that doesn’t regret a bit of what he did to Hart (aka the Montreal Screwjob). However there’s also a part of him that’s changed over the last 12 years. Michaels tells Hart that he always respected him but he never felt that Hart respected him. Michaels tells Hart that when he thinks of Hart he doesn’t think of Montreal, he thinks of Anaheim California and their 60 minute Iron Man Match.

Michaels tells Hart that the two of them redefined everything the industry ever stood for. Michaels praises Hart, telling him when he thinks of Hart, he thinks of the “Excellence of Execution”. Michaels tells Hart that he wants to bury the hatchet too. He asks Hart if he’s sure, and if he’s ready.

Hart bluntly tells Michaels that HBK wasn’t the easiest guy to get along with and he had his issues. Hart tells Michaels that now is a good time to take the opportunity to bury the hatchet. Hart extends his hand to Michaels and calls for a truce. If Michaels wants to bury the hatchet, now’s his chance. Michaels agrees and shakes Hart’s hand. Before Michaels exits the ring, he pauses. Is he going to superkick Hart? No! Michaels hugs Hart.

“The Hitman” isn’t done taking a stroll down memory lane. He tells the fans there’s another man he wants to talk to-Vince McMahon! Bret calls out Vinnie Mac but there’s no reply!

BACKSTAGE: Josh Matthews asks Vince McMahon what he thought about Bret Hart calling him out. Vince feigns ignorance and tells Matthews he didn’t hear anything. McMahon tells Matthews that NOBODY calls out Vince McMahon. If Hart wants a dialogue, it’ll be when McMahon calls him out.

(Michael Cole announces that Divas Champion Melina was recently injured, forcing her to relinquish the Divas title. The result is a Divas Tournament to crown a new champion.

(1) Divas Tournament Match: Round One-Maryse vs. Brie Bella w. Nikki Bella: Collar and elbow tieup with Maryse forcing Brie into the ropes. Maryse slaps Brie, angering one half of the Bella twins who chases her. Brie lays into Maryse with kicks followed by a slam. Arm drag followed by a dropkick sees Maryse knocked out of the ring. With the referee focusing on Brie, Nikki takes advantage of the situation, slamming Maryse into the announce table. However Maryse rebounds and catches Brie trying a springboard, slamming her instead to the mat. Maryse grabs Brie by the hair and slams her to the mat. Nikki switches places with Brie but it doesn’t do any good as Maryse takes her and DDT’s her into the mat (Maryse calls the move “The French Kiss”). Cover and that’s it for both the Bella Twins!

WINNER: Maryse (by pinfall).

Following the match, U.S. Champion the Miz comes out, congratulating Maryse with a “tres bien”. Miz tells Maryse that if she wins the tournament, he might actually call her back. Miz tells her he heard Maryse boasted that 2010 would be “The Year of Maryse”. Miz thinks not. This is going to be the Decade of the Miz because he’s the Miz and he’s AWESOME!

(Mallory's comments)

As the show came back from commercial, Josh Matthews waiting outside McMahon's office. Mister McMahon came out and demanded to know what Josh was up to, and was told that Bret had called McMahon out. Mister McMahon said no one called him out and he instructed Josh to tell Bret that he was calling Bret out.

Out came The Miz to offer his congratulations to Maryse, the winner. He'd even learned a little French. Miz reminded her that he was The Miz and he would be the awesome one in 2010, not her.

The Miz took a seat at the announce table for the upcoming Fatal-Four-Way Match to do some scouting. He couldn't shut up about his new BFF Spencer Pratt.

Chris Jericho and Big Show were talking in the hallway about the implication for Jericho if they were to lose their match with DX. Jericho said he had a "little deal" he wanted to discuss with Bret Hart.

Hart was chatting with someone in his dressing room when Jericho knocked on the door and came in to discuss his plan. Jericho recalled his time at the Hart House during his training days and how much he'd learned in the Dungeon. Then Jericho said he knew how much Bret despised HBK and shared his idea. He suggested a scheme that involved a screw job that would benefit Jericho.

Bret declined because he said he didn't want any more trouble and Jericho couldn't believe his ears. Bret told Jericho that if he wanted to win, he would have to do it all himself. Bret also reminded Jericho that he had screamed louder than anyone in the Hart Dungeon.

Triple H and Hornswoggle were looking over some new merchandise. If Hornswoggle did his part, he could get some of it, promised Triple H.

Santino came in wearing a Jericho disguise (a suit and small, blonde animal-like toupe on his head) and Triple H told Hornswoggle to attack. For his trouble, Triple H gave him a cookie. You'd think the Little People's Union would get after WWE for the demeaning way they treat Hornswoggle.

(Mike's comments to segment)

BACKSTAGE: Chris Jericho meets with Bret Hart, reminiscing about how he trained in the famous Hart Dungeon. Jericho acknowledges Hart’s “love fest” with Michaels but tells him he knows how Hart really feels deep down inside. Jericho asks Hart to be special referee and call things down the middle. Of course, when Jericho gets Michaels or Helmsley in the Walls of Jericho, he can call for the bell and even the score over Montreal. Hart tells Jericho that he doesn’t want to be a hypocrite like Jericho. Hart tells Jericho that he wants to put Montreal behind him and that if Jericho wants to stay on RAW, he’d better win the match.

Good interaction between two of Canada’s all-time greats!

BACKSTAGE: Hornswaggle is joined by Hunter Hearst Helmsley as he checks out the new line of WWE Mattell action figures. Hunter tells Hornswaggle he can only play with the toys if DX wins their match. Shawn Michaels shows up and asks Hunter why he talks to Hornswaggle like he’s a child-he’s got a beard! Michaels asks Hunter what any of this has to do with their tag match. Hunter says “Chris Jericho” then Santino Marella shows up, impersonating Jericho. Hunter tells Hornswaggle to attack and Hornswaggle is all over “Jericho”. DX leaves as Hornswaggle continues beating up Marella. Hunter whistles for Hornswaggle and rewards him with a chocolate chip cookie.

UGH! Those DX skits are awful but that chocolate chip cookie looked good.

(Mallory's comments)

DX retained the gold in a match that was truly entertaining. I am sorry to see Chris Jericho leave Raw, however. DX gave him a hearty "suck it" in farewell, and Big Show didn't seem too sorry to see him go, either.

Jericho was stunned as he got to his feet. He took the walk of shame up the ramp as the crowd sang "NaNaNa, Goodbye."

There was a knock on McMahon's door and he was obviously expecting Bret. His gaze turned upward as he looked at Randy Orton who had a proposal for him. Randy had heard that Bret wanted to fight him tonight, and Orton said he would have McMahon's back if he were given a spot in the Royal Rumble. McMahon said he could pay for all the security he needed. Besides, he still hadn't forgiven Orton for what he'd done to his family.

On his way down the hall, Orton ran into Legacy, who "thanked" him for being so ugly to them last week and for threatening them with expulsion from Legacy. They said they would happily return the favor tonight, and if Orton doesn't win, they will kick him out of Legacy.

(Mike's comments on segment)

(2) Unified Tag Team Title Championship Match: Degeneration X (Shawn Michaels & Hunter Hearst Helmsley) w. Hornswaggle vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show

(Challengers): Big Show starts the match against Michaels, powering Michaels into the corner. Michaels avoids a Big Show blow and chops away at Big Show. Show shrugs off the chops and knocks Michaels down with a headbutt. Big Show whips Michaels into the ropes and Hunter makes the tag. DX try to suplex Big Show but he shrugs them off, suplexing them both down to the mat.

After the break, Show is battling HHH. Show whips HHH into the ropes but gets a facebreaker for his trouble. Showing his resiliency, Show shrugs off the move and knocks HHH down. Big Show walks over HHH then delivers a legdrop to Hunter. Cover on Helmsley for a two count. Tag to Jericho who continues the beatdown on HHH. Jericho does the Hogan earcup, mocking TNA’s new star. Jericho then applies a sleeper on Helmsley but he can’t get the hold locked on and HHH escapes. HHH surprises Jericho bounces off the ropes and runs towards Helmsley, walking into a spinebuster. However Hunter is worn down and can’t make the tag to Michaels. However Jericho makes the tag and in comes Big Show. Big Show goes for a moonsault on HHH but there’s nobody home. HHH crawls to his corner as Big Show is stunned on the mat. Tag to Michaels who peppers Big Show with chops. Michaels hits a flying forearm not once but twice. Dropkick to the knee knocks Show to one knee and a dropkick finally fells the big man. Michaels goes to the top rope for an elbowsmash but Jericho stops the move. Hornwaggle rolls in and dives on Big Show but it’s obvious his attack had no effect. Cover on Show by Michaels but Big Show kicks out. Michaels goes for the superkick but Big Show blocks the hold. Chokeslam on Michaels and Big Show covers Michaels slowly, getting a nearfall. Tag to Jericho who goes for the Lionsault. Michaels raises his knees, stunning Jericho. Tag to HHH who hits the Pedigree on Jericho. Big Show breaks the pin but gets a Pedigree for his trouble. Jericho shoves HHH into Michaels, with Michaels falling out of the ring. In the confusion, Jericho hits the Codebreaker on HHH but the move takes what little energy he has out of him. Cover on HHH but Michaels breaks up the hold. Hornswaggle runs in and Jericho kicks him. Jericho applies the Walls of Jericho but falls to the mat after Michaels surprises him with a superkick. Cover on Jericho and it’s all over for Chris Jericho!

WINNERS: Degeneration X (HHH pins Jericho)

After the match, Big Show looks at his fallen tag team partner and gives him a dismissive look before exiting the ring.

Excellent tag match, even though it means Jericho has been sent packing!

(Mallory's comments)

Next week Mike Tyson will be making a second appearance as Guest Host.

Sheamus the Pale came out to talk trash about John Cena. He said he was through with John Cena, and now he wanted a new challenge. He addressed Bret Hart and said his "Best there is, etc.," slogan belongs to him now.

Evan Bourne came out and told Sheamus that he only has the title because someone gave it to him. Bourne wanted a match with Sheamus right now.

Sheamus said Evan could have the match, and if he wins, Sheamus will put the title on the line at the Royal Rumble.

A match broke out in the blink of an eye and Bourne executed a perfect Airborne early in the match. Alas, Sheamus prevailed in the end.

Lawler and Cole offered WWE's condolences on the passing of Dr. Death, Steve Williams.

(Mike's comments)

BACKSTAGE: Randy Orton walks in on Vince McMahon. Orton tells McMahon that Bret Hart is the one legend he hasn’t had the chance to retire, telling McMahon that he’ll take out Hart if McMahon makes him the 30^th entrant in the 2010 Royal Rumble. McMahon tells Orton he has his own security and Orton better never confront him again. A frustrated Orton is then confronted by Legacy teammates Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes. DiBiase and Rhodes “thank” Orton for threatening them last week. This week they’re going to return the favor by sitting at ringside during Orton’s match against Kofi Kingston. Should Orton lose the match, Rhodes and DiBiase will kick him out of Legacy.

INTERVIEW: WWE Champion Sheamus tells the fans the Royal Rumble is coming up but he’s not defending the belt against John Cena as Cena had his chance to regain the belt. Sheamus wants a new challenger. Shaeamus gets his wish and out comes Evan “Air” Bourne. Bourne challenges Sheamus to a match. Sheamus asks for a referee and tells Bourne he’ll grant him a title match at the Rumble should Bourne win. However Sheamus tells “Little” Evan Bourne the only thing he’s going to get is a beating.

(3) WWE Champion Sheamus vs. Evan “Air” Bourne (Non-title bout) :Bourne starts the match with lightning quick hit and run attacks on Bourne. Bourne surprises Sheamus with the Shooting Star Press and covers Sheamus. However the champion kicks out, sending Bourne out of the ring. Bourne goes to the top rope again and hits a high cross body block on Sheamus. However Sheamus catches his opponent and slams him to the mat. Big boot by Sheamus floors Bourne. Sheamus grabs Bourne and hits a crucifix powerbomb , ending Bourne’s challenge.

WINNER: Sheamus (by pinfall).

Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler acknowledge the passing of wrestling legend Steve “Dr. Death” Williams.

(Mallory's comments)

Clips of the Hart/Michaels 1997 Survivor Series match from Montreal aired, including the thoughts of Vince McMahon and Bret Hart. McMahon said he had expected Hart leave the ring without the belt, not to spit in his face. "Bret screwed Bret," he said and added that he had no sympathy for him whatsoever.

Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton was up next. True to their promise, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase were seated at ringside just watching. Kofi wasn't sure what, if anything, they were up to. Cody and Ted were amazed that Randy was surviving everything that Kofi threw at him and finally beat him, 1-2-3 in the middle, which put sour looks on Cody and Teddy's faces. Were they really hoping for an opportunity to toss Orton out on his behind?

(Mike's comments)

Randy Orton was really under the gun for this match. A really fast-paced match between Orton and Kofi. The question remains, what does the future hold for Legacy? WWE has a lot of potential for some fascinating twists and turns as the Legacy story unwinds.

(Mallory's comments)

Mister McMahon was headed to the ring with a smug look on his face. He wished the crowd a Happy New Year, then said there was no reason for him to call Bret Hart out to the ring. They'd brought closure to the Montreal incident themselves.

McMahon moved along as quickly as possible to next week's guest host, Mike Tyson.

Loud cheers broke out as people saw Bret Hart headed McMahon's way. He got into the ring and peeled off his jacket. McMahon reacted nervously and said he figured the crowd wanted to see him apply the Sharpshooter. McMahon said he really did believe that Bret screwed Bret, and he would never forget Bret spitting in his face and sucker punching him. McMahon also felt disrespected the night of the Hall of Fame ceremony. He hoped he would hear Bret say "I'm sorry."

Bret said the two words he was thinking of were a lot different than McMahon's It was a great feeling to get all the weight off his back after 12 years. Bret also wanted closure.

McMahon said what he thought he wanted was to come out to the ring and kick Bret in the gut, but McMahon said he really did want closure. He acknowledged that Bret had scratched and clawed his way to the top and had become the excellence of execution through his hard work. He said that Stu Hart would be inducted into this year's Hall of Fame.

Bret thanked McMahon for the honor.

He also thanked Bret for all his contributions and all the thrilling moments he had given to the WWE Universe. And he thanked Bret for being the real Bret Hart tonight and for being the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. He extended his hand to Bret and they shook. Then McMahon raised Bret's arm in celebration.

And then he kicked Bret in the nuts.

I'd have been surprised if the show had ended any differently; it was too sweet a moment to have ended any other way.

I loved this show. The matches were good, the plots thickened as expected. Plus it was just so good to see Bret Hart again.

(Mike's comments to final segment)

Vince McMahon struts his way out to the ring. Cole and Lawler hype this confrontation as “12 years in the making”. Lawler hopes that over a decade has passed so maybe things will turn out well. Vince McMahon tells the fans “Happy New Year”. McMahon then tells the fans that there’s no need to call out Bret Hart as Bret and Shawn buried the hatchet. As far as McMahon is concerned, Montreal is over. McMahon thanks Bret Hart for guest hosting RAW tonight. Next week’s guest host will be “Iron” Mike Tyson, at one time considered, the “baddest man on the planet”. Bret Hart surprises Vince by entering the ring. A wary Vinnie Mac tells Bret he knows what he’s thinking; he knows what the fans would like to see-Bret apply the Sharpshooter to Vince. McMahon tells Hart he’d like Bret to be the better man. However McMahon has something he’d like to get off his chest-Bret screwed Bret. McMahon tells Hart he’ll never forget Hart spitting on him, sucker-punching him in the locker room, and disrespecting him the night he entered the Hall of Fame. McMahon tells Hart he hopes Hart will tell him “I’m sorry”. The fans boo McMahon as they await Hart’s response.

Hart tells McMahon the two words he’d like to say to Vince certainly aren’t “I’m sorry”. Hart tells McMahon he feels like he’s halfway there towards getting the weight of Montreal off of his shoulders. “The Hitman” tells McMahon this is both their chance to get closure and bury the hatchet. McMahon tells Hart he thought he wanted to kick Hart in the guts but that’s kind of stupid. McMahon acknowledges he wants closure as bad as Hart does. McMahon recalls Hart’s first Wrestlemania, working a Battle Royal against Andre the Giant. McMahon tells Hart that he knew all the way back then, that Hart was the future of the company. McMahon acknowledges that Hart truly became “The Excellence of Execution”. McMahon confides that the reason Montreal hurt Hart so badly was that McMahon was like a father to Bret Hart. McMahon then talks about fathers and says he wants to nominate Stu Hart for the 2010 Hall of Fame. Bret thanks McMahon. The Mutual Admiration Society continues with McMahon thanking Hart for everything he’s done for the WWE Universe. McMahon then concludes by thanking Hart for being “The best there was, the best here is, and the best there ever will be”. McMahon shakes Hart’s hand and raises his arm, posing for the crowd as Hart’s “Hitman” music plays. The good times then end with McMahon kicking Hart in the family Jewels. Hart collapses to the mat as McMahon gives him the ol’ hairy eyeball. McMahon leaves Hart laying, then leaves the ring.