Raw
Rickard's Real-Time RAW Report
By "Real-time" Mike Rickard
Aug 31, 2009 - 9:00 PM

RAW is coming to you live from Detroit (Rock City), Michigan!  Tonight's matches include a Fatal Fourway for the U.S. Championship and a battle of the big men as Mark Henry squares off against the Big Show.

Lillian Garcia introduces tonight's guest host, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes!

The fans cheer the 3-time NWA World Champion!  Dusty greets the fans and recalls how he was inducted into the Hall of Fame just two years ago in a blue-collar working city known as Detroit.  Dusty talks of how proud he was of that moment.  He then talks about how he's also proud of his son Cody Rhodes, even though he's allied with Randy Orton.  Dusty talks about how there's nothing that a father wouldn't do for his son.  That being side, Dusty hopes his son sees the light.  Stardust then gets down to business, hyping the Cena/Orton submission match at the Breaking Point PPV.  The Dream then makes tonight's main event- a WWE title match between Cody Rhodes and champion Randall K. Orton!  Dusty will be in his son's corner and John Cena will be the special referee!

An angry Randy Orton shows up.  He can't believe Dusty's shameless behavior in making the title match.  To Orton, it's obvious this is just a ploy by Dusty to win Cody's respect.  Orton tells Dusty that Cody looks up to him (Orton) more than he does his own father.  Randy isn't even sure if Cody will agree to the match.  Orton then asks Dusty what's going to stop him from kicking him in the skull again, just as he did two years ago?  Just then, Cody Rhodes shows up.  Cody praises his father's legacy and tells Orton he'd be crazy to pass up the opportunity to become the youngest WWE champion in history.  Orton then asks Dusty about the match's stipulation, asking if the fix is in?  Dusty agrees, the fix is in!

BACKSTAGE:  Six WWE Divas gather as a WWE referee explains the rules of the upcoming Divas' Battle Royal.  The winner will face the Divas' Champion tonight!

VIDEO:   Hype video for tomorrow's edition of ECW .

1. American Dream Six Diva Battle Royal Match:  Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Jillian Hall, & Alicia Fox:  Friendship quickly goes out the window as "The Glamazon" tosses Jillian Hall out of the ring.  Gail Kim eliminates Fox then Beth Phoenix tosses Kelly Kelly out of the ring.  Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix battle with Phoenix outside the ring.  Phoenix manages to stay in and Kim turns her attention to Jillian Hall.  Kim blocks a Jillian Hall springboard elbow with a boot to the gut.  Hall then grabs Kim and tries to throw Kim over the top rope.  Kim holds out, peppering Hall with blows.  Hall blocks a flying head scissors then punches away at Kim.  Hall throws Kim over the top rope but Kim holds on to the top rope for dear life.  Kim then grabs Hall with a flying headscissors, tossing her out of the ring.  However Beth Phoenix is still in the match and she quickly kicks Kim out, winning the match.

WINNER:  "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix.

Order of Elimination:  Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, Jillian Hall, & Gail Kim.

One half of the Unified Tag Team Champions makes his way to ringside!  Chris Jericho will be facing MVP tonight!

VIDEO:  Highlight of MVP and "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry defeating the Unified Tag Team champions last week.  As a result, MVP and Henry get a title shot at Breaking Point!

2.  Chris Jericho vs. MVP: Jericho runs at MVP, undoubtedly hoping to get the advantage.  The two exchange blows until Jericho takes MVP down to the mat.  MVP escapes and gets to his feet, taking Jericho down himself.  Jericho escapes and whips MVP into the corner.  Jericho talks trash as he boots MVP in the head.  Jericho asks MVP where the brass knuckles are, referring to the foreign object MVP used last week to win the match (after guest host Floyd "Money" Mayweather handed MVP the brass knuckles).  Jericho suplexes MVP then punches him.  MVP fights back with punches of his own, knocking Jericho down with a big right hand then clotheslining him down. Powerslam by MVP.  MVP goes for the Playmaker.  Jericho counters and goes for the Walls of Jericho but MVP kicks his way out.  MVP hits another big clothesline and covers Jericho for a near fall.  MVP charges into the corner but there's no one home.  Jericho hits a springboard kick on MVP, knocking him out of the ring as RAW cuts to commercial.

After the break, Jericho has MVP in a front facelock.  MVP gets to his feet and punches his way out.  MVP charges towards Jericho again only to run into a boot.  Jericho jumps off the top rope but MVP counters, sending him crashing down onto the mat.  However MVP's comeback is cut short when Jericho bulldogs him.  Jericho goes for a Lionsault but there's no one home!  MVP hits a low dropkick on Jericho then sizes him up for the Ballin' Elbow!  Elbowdrop on Jericho followed by a cover for a nearfall.  MVP sets up Jericho for the Playmaker but Jericho counters and goes for the Walls of Jericho!  MVP counters and rolls up Jericho for a nearfall.  Just when MVP has things going his way, he goes after Jericho only to walk into the Codebreaker!  Cover by Jericho and that's it for MVP!

WINNER:  Chris Jericho (by pinfall).

BACKSTAGE:  DX show up.  Michaels and Triple H tell Dusty they know how he feels about his son.  Triple H tells Dusty that Orton and DiBiase are a disgrace to the legacy of their fathers.  Dusty tells DX that should Cody win the match, he will make sure one of them gets a title shot.  DX argue over who will get the title shot.  DX then tell Dusty they have nothing to do.  Dusty invites them to hang out with him and watch The Rise and Fall of WCW DVD.  Michaels hypes the DVD then Dusty cuts a shameless plug for his own DVD.  Hunter admonishes Dusty for his shameless plug, then plugs the second DX DVD.

BACKSTAGE:  Hornswaggle (dressed like a cowboy) prepares for his Texas Bullrope Match.

VIDEO:  Hype video for the return of the Undertaker to Friday Night SmackDown!

VIDEO:  Highlights of Hornswaggle's disqualification win over Chavo Guerrero last week in a Boxing Exhibition.  After Chavo lost, he went to attack Hornswaggle but Evan "Air" Bourne ran in for the save.

3.  Texas Bullrope Match:  Hornswaggle vs. Chavo Guerrero:  Guerrero comes out dressed up in a cow outfit (minus the head).  The referee ties both men to the bullrope then gets a cow's head mask from ringside.  This isn't your traditional bullrope match- the winner is the man who ties up his opponent with the bullrope.  The referee orders Chavo to wear the cow mask or forfeit the match.  Chavo seems to have trouble seeing with the mask on and Hornswaggle capitalizes, tying Chavo up with the bullrope then knocking him down to the mat.  Hornwaggle goes to ride the cow around the ring.  However Chavo catches Hornswaggle with a hoof, I mean, boot to the head.  Chavo goes to the top rope but Evan Bourne distracts him, giving Hornswaggle a chance to knock Chavo off the top rope.  Hornswaggle then ties up Chavo, winning the match.

WINNER:  Hornswaggle (ties up Chavo).

After the match, Evan Bourne goes to congratulate Hornswaggle but Chavo waylays him.  However Hornswaggle attacks Chavo as does Bourne, knocking him down.  Hornswaggle goes to the top rope and hits the Tadpole Splash, wearing the cow's mask as he does.  

BACKSTAGE:  Big Show prepares for his match against "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry.

4.  The Big Show vs. "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry:  Collar and elbow tieup with Henry shoving Show off of him. The two behemoths lock up again with Henry again powering Show off of him.  The two engage in another test of strength.  Show and Henry apply fingerlocks with Henry getting the upper hand until Show kicks him in the gut.  Big Show head butts Henry but it looks like the move has done him as much damage as it has Henry.  Show repeats the move only to daze himself again.  Henry headbutts Big Show, dazing him.  Show goes for his "Shhhhh" chop only for Henry to stop him and kick him in the gut.  Henry applies a side headlock, taking the big man down to one knee with the hold.  Show gets back to his feet as Henry continues applying the pressure.  Big Show makes his way to the ropes, forcing a break.  Clean break from Henry but Big Show kicks him in the gut.  Henry whips Show into the ropes but Big Show knocks him down with a shoulderblock.  Big Show unloads with a big right on Mark Henry.  Front facelock on Henry in the corner.  Big Show lets Henry out and Henry capitalizes, peppering Show with blows.  Henry hits a big splash on Big Show, covering him for a two count.  Henry charges at Big Show in the corner but Show catches Henry with an elbow to the head.  Big Show unties the turnbuckle pad.  Henry runs towards Show but Show grabs Henry,  then rams Henry's head into the exposed metal, earning a disqualification from referee Charles Robinson.

WINNER:  "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry by disqualification.

After the match, Big Show lays out Henry with a big right hand.

BACKSTAGE:  Ted DiBiase asks teammate Cody Rhodes if he's ready.  Rhodes tells DiBiase he's ready to make an impact.  Randy Orton shows up and asks Rhodes if he really wants the match.  Cody says yes.  Orton tells Rhodes what happens in the ring won't be personal, it'll be business!

BACKSTAGE:  DX and Dusty are watching The Rise and Fall of WCW DVD.  They engage in a friendly debate about who won the Monday Night War and why. 

5.  United States Championship Match (Fatal Fourway Match):  "The All-American American" Jack Swagger vs. Carlito vs. The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston (Champion): Kofi downs Swagger with a dropkick then turns his attention to Carlito.  Meanwhile, Miz has ducked out of the ring.  Swagger suplexes Kofi but Kingston rebounds quickly, knocking Swagger out of the ring.  Kofi goes after Carlito, covering him for a pin.  Miz runs in to break up the pin.  Miz back bodydrops Carlito out of the ring but he's soon tossed out by Kofi.  Kofi dives over the top rope onto Swagger, Miz, and Carlito as RAW cuts to commercial.

After the break, Swagger is working over Kingston's left leg while Miz and Carlito skulk about outside the ring.  Swagger applies a Half Boston Crab on Kingston.  Miz enters the ring and blindsides Swagger.  Neckbreaker on Swagger.  Miz kicks Carlito as he tries to get in the ring, knocking him back out.  Cover on Swagger but Kofi breaks it up.  Miz brawls with Kofi then whips him into the corner.  Missile dropkick from Carlito on Miz.  Cover on Miz for a nearfall.  Kofi fights back, hitting a high cross bodyblock on Miz and Carlito.  Swagger is back on his feet though and he goes after his opponents.  Moonsault on Carlito. Swagger goes for a moonsault on Miz but Miz raises his knees.  Kofi then gets up, knocking Miz out of the ring.  Kofi slams Carlito onto Swagger then hits the Boomdrop (double legdrop).  Cover is broken up by Miz.  Miz hits the Skull-Crushing Finale on Swagger.  Cover on Swagger by Miz but Carlito breaks the pin.  Carlito stops him with a Backstabber.  Out of nowhere, Kofi hits the Trouble in Paradise on Carlito, covering him to retain the belt.

WINNER:  Kofi Kingston (Kofi pins Carlito).

VIDEO:  Don't Try This at Home video.

6.  Divas Championship Match:  "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James (Champion):  James takes down Phoenix, covering her for a one count.  Side headlock by James.  Phoenix tries to get out but James holds on.  However Phoenix scoops up James after countering a turnbuckle cutter.  Phoenix then dropkicks James, knocking her headfirst into the ringpost.  James stumbles out of the ring.  When she gets back in the ring, Phoenix wastes no time wearing her down with power moves.  James fights back with kicks and punches then hits a dropkick on Phoenix' knee.  Dropkick to the head knocks Phoenix down.  However Phoenix puts the brakes on an Irish whip and sends James into the corner.  James rebounds with a flying head scissors.  James then goes to the top rope but Phoenix knocks her off of the top rope and James crashes hard outside the ring.  Phoenix whips James into the security barrier as the referee begins the count out.  Phoenix rolls James back into the ring, beating the count.  Phoenix covers Kames for a two count.  Kick to the head by Phoenix.  Phoenix goes for a move but James counters, hitting a Tornado DDT out of nowhere.  Cover and James gets the win!

WINNER:  Mickie James (by pinfall).

BACKSTAGE:  DX and Dusty discuss the Rise and Fall of WCW DVD more.  Triple H asks Dusty why WCW's greatest moment isn't on-The Shockmaster!  Just then, an explosio rocks the room and The Shockmaster breaks through the wall, tripping over his own two feet and falling down.  The Shockmaster is revealed as Santino Marella (with Arn Anderson providing the voice).

VIDEO:  Hype video for the return of The Undertaker to Friday Night SmackDown!

INTERVIEW:  Josh Matthews interviews John Cena about his role as special guest referee in tonight's WWE title match.  Given Randy Orton's controversial win over Cena, Matthews wants to know how Cena will referee the match.  Cena tells Matthews and the fans that a win by Cody Rhodes could be an epic story that sees Cody escape the shadow of Randy Orton, destroy Legacy, and leave Orton's career in shambles.  However, as good as that sounds, Cena can't just give Cody the match.  If it's Rhodes' time, then it's time to win.  If Orton wins, he wins.  No matter what, at Breaking Point, the WWE champion runs into a brick wall as John Cena will not quit!

Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler hype the Breaking Point PPV.

BACKSTAGE:  Dusty Rhodes gives his son Cody a pep talk about his big match.

VIDEO:  Hype video for ECW.  Tomorrow's edition of ECW will feature a replay of the already legendary Wrestlemania XXV match between "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker.

Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler announce next week's Guest Host on RAW- The Price is Right's former host; Bob Barker.

7.  WWE Championship Match (Special Referee: John Cena):  Randy Orton (Champion) vs. Cody Rhodes w. "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes: Before the match begins, Dusty grabs the microphone and tells the fans there's nothing a father wouldn't do for his son.  Dusty apologizes to Cena as Orton and Rhodes attack Cena.  DiBiase runs in as well, attacking Cena.  Orton and Legacy attack Cena as Dusty Rhodes watches on.

WINNER:  No contest.

The beatdown continues until Degeneration X run in for the save.  Triple H goes for the Pedigree on Cody Rhodes but Big Daddy Stardust blasts Helmsley in the head with his cowboy boot, laying Helmsley out.  Orton and Legacy turn their attention to Michaels, beating him down.   When the smoke clears, DX and Cena are lying on the mat.  Dusty hugs his son.  Dusty goes to congratulate Randy Orton only to get a RKO for his trouble.  Cody Rhodes is shocked but he doesn't know what to do. 

Mike Rickard is the author of the new book, Wrestling's Greatest Moments which captures the best in wrestling from the last thirty years.   Wrestling’s Greatest Moments brings you all the most memorable and controversial moments from modern wrestling history. It’s an insightful and essential compendium of thirty years’ worth of groundbreaking matches, angles and interviews. From Hulkamania to the Montreal “screwjob,” from the NWA to the nWo, you’ll rediscover what really occurred in arenas and on the air worldwide, and learn all the backstage and behind-the-scenes secrets that made these highlight-reel moments possible from the men and women who were there.