RAW started off with Coach in the ring and he said he was going to make an announcement that would affect Randy Orton. My first thought was Orton is getting suspended. They then showed a little package recapping the past few weeks. Coach then said based on the behavior of Orton last week, Orton is suspended indefinitely. What the hell? Coach said he brought security out to the ring so Cena couldn't take any anger out on anybody, especially Mr. McMahon. So, I guess the dissatisfaction that came from Orton not being suspended finally got to them. Vince came out and said he didn't like people disrespecting him and authority. He then said that Triple H was the worst and talked about how Trips has been all over his case the past few weeks. He said he was tired of the embarrassment and he would do something about it. Vince said Carlito wouldn't be alone in the steel cage tonight. Great, Triple H gets to bury Carlito and Mr. McMahon! Why is Vince trying to wrestle?
He then said he had to give Hornswoggle an apology. I must say the facial expressions Hornswoggle gave were excellent. There's some people in the back that could learn from him. Vince said that there was somebody who wanted to meet him and I was expecting Mae Young but it was Melina. The little deal between Hornswoggle & Melina was great. Horny. What a name! After all that, Coach tried to pitch the idea of him taking over permanently when Super Cena came out. Coach tried to tell Cena that he couldn't touch him. So much for that "security" as Cena attacked Coach. Vince said that he should strip Cena of the title. YAY! Vince said Cena was going to surrender his title in a ceremony tonight. Interesting. Vince said it was up to Coach whether Cena kept the belt or not. I was thinking that it would be Cena vs. Coach for the belt. Good opening segment.
After the recap of the opening segment, Cody Rhodes made his way out to the ring. His opponent was somewhat a surprise as Hardcore Holly returned. Now, I know Holly's been hurt and all, but keep him on ECW. Is this another "make the young guy pay his dues" type deal? Hardcore said Cody had to earn Holly's respect and with his name, he should be in a boy band. I would imagine if Hardcore Holly worked as stiff as he did against Matt Capotelli, American Dream would bionic elbow his ass all over the arena. The match was decent but Hardcore won with the Alabama Slam and got a nice pop.
They did a pretty good pre-taped segment with Orton. I don't get this when Orton is suspended. He called Cena a phony and any other name that dealt with being a chicken shit. What's funny is Coach made the match between Orton and Cena's dad, yet he suspended him for winning. That's retarded. From Orton's promo, he's still in the match at No Mercy, but he's suspended indefinitely or for one show. Why not just "bar" him from the building?
Santino came out next with Maria, who is very gorgeous. I have another question. Why say Santino is from Patterson, New Jersey? Why not just do it like they used to do Christian, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit by saying, "from Patterson, New Jersey by way of Milan, Italy, Santino Marella?" It's something small but it beats hearing that he's living in New Jersey. Santino ran like a scalded dog and Simmons won by count out. DAMN!
The backstage segment between Jillian and Melina was pretty good. I was waiting on Hornswoggle to walk in or be standing there listening. Wow, the Highlanders want a title shot, yet they haven't won any matches. The ending wasn't that great, but at least the Highlanders are getting some TV time.
The cage match was next and it wasn't that great. Hardly any blood during the match and no big bumps, so it wasn't great. Vince ended up winning the match and they made a big deal about it being the first loss since Triple H came back. Wahoo. Haven't they run the Vince-Trips feud in the ground enough? After that, Triple H continued his burial of Carlito. They might as well release Carlito. You can't argue with me that Carlito isn't getting buried. I mean, damn.
There was a good match between Cade & Murdoch and London & Kendrick going but it didn't get enough time. The Highlanders officially turned heel by attacking London & Kendrick. Meanwhile backstage, Hornswoggle was waiting on her to get out and get the towel off of him. A chase ensued that was pretty funny. Hornswoggle is one little prankster!
They did a backstage deal with Triple H and Vince. They set up a match for next week. It's amazing that they've rekindled the feud almost a year later. I guess they're doing it so when Kennedy comes back, they can put up where they left off.
Candice looked good tonight. I still wish they would get the belt off of her. Beth looks great, too. This is how a feud should be. I like what they're doing with Hardy & Benjamin. The match was pretty good. I even enjoyed the Poetry in Motion with Candice playing the part of Matt Hardy. Phoenix & Benjamin pick up the win.
The whole title surrender thing was weird. Why suspend Orton for 24 hours? Coach played it up that he was going to strip Cena of the belt. This would be an easy way to get a new champion without having Cena pinned, which would probably be ideal for Vince. I really don't think Cena would just give up the belt. I mean, damn. Coach did a good job during the segment. He kept threatening to strip Cena. The kids started a "Cena" chant and Coach took off his jacket like he was ready to fight. Coach said they could do it the easy way or the hard way. I was waiting on Orton to come out and beat the hell out of Cena. Coach said the security could to the title and take him out of the building. Didn't he just run through them earlier? The bell started ringing and Lillian got on the mic saying that Cena wouldn't be stripped of the title. She then went on to say that it would be Cena against Coach in a Tables match. Since when is Vince turning face? I guess this was a way to get Cena some revenge on Coach. Cena put Coach in the STFU, even though it was a tables match. The crowd was giving Cena some time as a face, despite the mixed reaction he got in the beginning. Just like that, Cena gave Coach the FU through the table. Wow. That sucked. But just as I was getting pissed, Cena thanked Mr. McMahon....MR. HORNSWOGGLE McMAHON!!! It was a good way to end the night.
I give this RAW:
3 out of 4 ring posts
RAW is Blogged "You Must See This" Match of the WeekNo Mercy '99Terri Invitational Tournament Ladder MatchEdge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boys
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