WWE Raw Review 1/2/2009

Welcome to the March 2nd edition of the Slingshot Suplex Raw Review. The road to Wrestlemania keeps on rolling tonight. Shawn Michaels vs Kozlov to see who faces Undertaker at Mania, along with a triple threat match between Rey/Kane/Knox to qualify for money in the bank as well. Lets see what this week brings us shall we.


Jerry Lawler is in the ring to start and claims that Vickie has told him to make the announcement that Edge will face John Cena tonight for the World Heavyweight Title. We'll have to wait and see if this actually happens but ok.

Roddy Pipers music starts wich is quickly interrupted by Jerichos music, he comes out onto the Pipers Pit set. Sais he is gonna host the show himself. The classis moment where Piper smashed Snuka's witht he coconut, that segment was one of my first memories of watching wrestling as a kid and I'll never forget it. Jericho introduces my favorite wrestler as a kid, Jimmy Superfly Snuka. Markout moment for me. Some footage is shown of Piper/Snuka matches, ah good times, gooood times. Jericho talks while Snuka glares at him. Mentions Snuka's appearance in the rumble a couple years back at madison square garden wich i heavily marked out for. Jericho continues to run down Snuka just like he has done all the legends. Jericho pulls out the fruit just like Piper did back in the 80's. Snuka gets the coconut and is stalking Jericho with it, Jericho runs, but then attacks Snuka from behind, knocking the set down on him. He beats him down using the set and whipping him with his belt. Great opening segment, not as good as the last couple weeks due to Snuka not being a big talker, but very effective none the less.

Rey Mysterio vs Kane vs Mike Knox: Money In The Bank Qualifier:

Time to find out who will be the next participant in money in the bank this year. If you read the ECW spoilers you'll find out who the 3rd participant is and its baffling as to why this superstar has been put in money in the bank but I guess we'll just have to accept it and see how it goes. But its time for one of these 3 to punch their ticket to mania. I honestly cant see Rey not winning this match, but I will never complain about Kane winning everything because i'm a huge fan of his and always will be. I'm a fan of Knox's work so far as i feel he has been very impressive but he shouldnt be in the money in the bank match yet. Rey counters the chokeslam into the hurricanrana leading to the 619, but Knox interrupts the count. Knox hits his finisher on Rey but then Kane chokeslams Knox for the win. Kane is in money in the bank. Most internet fans will bitch that Rey isnt in but personally if anyone deserves to be a part of Mania its Kane. The guy has been buried time and time again and still remains over and I'm glad he won this match. I just cant see Rey being held off of the card at Mania so in that regard this baffles me some. Who knows maybe he still gets in somehow.

Interview with Shawn Michaels. He mentions how he wrestled in this building at Mania 14 with a broken back. That was one of the gutsiest performances I have ever seen. The pain he was in was written all over his face. That was the night the Austin era officially began, but it was Shawn Michaels who stole the show.

Mickie James & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Pheonix & Jillian:

Melina and Maryse are on commentary. Yeah i know i dont care either. Kelly rolls up Jillian for the win. A big silicone brawl happens. Maryse ddt's Melina on the floor, now that i liked. It wasnt quite Jake Roberts and Ricky Steamboat, but it was cool anyways.

Randy Orton is out to make his decision on who he'll face at WrestleMania. I think we know already dont we lol. He is surrounded by his lawyers, Legacy, and a bunch of security. Orton sais he will challenge the winner of the Edge vs Cena later tonight. Randy Orton sais he's pressing charges against Triple H for assault with a deadly weapon for his sledgehammer attack last week. Claims Triple H is going to jail not WrestleMania. Tells Triple H if he has anything to say to come on out and say it because he will be going away for a long time. Triple H is out, sledgehammer in hand. Triple H sais while Orton might not be in control of his actions, he is complete control of his. He walks to ringside, a huge Triple H chant starts. He drops his sledgehammer and gets in the ring. Triple H tells Orton he needs to beat him at Mania because of what happened with evolution. Triple H is basically prevoking Orton to choose him instead of Edge or Cena. Tells Orton hes afraid so he wants to run. Orton's lawyer sais that Orton has nothing more to say. The cops start to remove Triple H from the ring but Orton tells them to let him go. Sais he's changed his mind and he will face Triple H at Wrestlemania, but under one condition, that Triple H does not put his hands on Orton until Mania unless prevoked or he will go to jail. While Triple H is on his way back to the ring, Orton sais that it fealt great taking out the McMahon's and especially when he RKO'd Stephanie. Awesome job by Orton at the end. Triple H gets back in the ring and they're face to face. Triple H sais the last time they fought he broke Orton's collarbone, that was just business, this time its personal. He's gonna break his neck. Great segment by the two of them, nice old school feel to it. And although kinda predictable, still an awesome job by Orton and Triple H. And the match is finally official. Randy Orton will face Triple H at Wrestlemania for the WWE World Title.

Shawn Michaels vs Vladimir Kozlov: Winner faces Undertaker at WrestleMania:

I'm very interested to see how Kozlov does here but I fully expect Shawn to come out on top. Undertaker vs Michaels at mania will be a huge, huge deal, and could be the match of the night. I think i'm one of the few people that actually likes Kozlov but I dont think he should face Taker at Mania. Ok match with the right guy going over as Shawn pins Kozlov with sweet chin music. Undertakers music hits and he comes out to the ramp and gives Shawn the throat cut sign. What a match this should be at Mania and is already getting my prediction of match of the night.

The next inductee to the WWE hall of fame is announced and it is legendary wrestler and promoter "cowboy" Bill Watts. Very fitting induction indeed, and for those newer fans that dont know who Bill Watts is, google him and educate yourself on the history of this business we all love so dearly as fans.

Edge is interviewed. Sais he is not facing Cena tonight because he got knocked out by Big Show just 3 days ago but because its his hometown. I'm still interested to see if this match actually happens tonight or if a swerve happens. I'm hoping the latter because i want this match to happen at WrestleMania.

Edge(c) vs John Cena: World Heavyweight Title Match:

Both men make their way out to the ring and we're set to go. So far as good as these 2 are this match just seems very uneventful. Maybe because it was just announced at the beginning of the show and then barely mentioned after that until right before it started. I'm still really hoping for a swerve ending here. Pretty solid match but it just doesnt feel right to me. Edge grabs the belt from the outside. Cena catches him in the attitude adjuster but Edge hits him with the belt causing the DQ. Yes thank god lol. Edge getting himself DQ'd definitely opens the door for the actual big title match to still happen at Mania, wich is where it belongs. Big Show comes out and doesnt help Edge up. Vickie announces that Big Show is in fact the #1 contender for the belt at Mania. Looks like we're gonna get a triple threat match at wrestlemania instead. Thats cool with me as Big Show needs to fit in here somewhere I guess, And it wont be the top match on the card, that title will go to Triple H vs Orton, and even to Taker vs Michaels. So a triple threat match here is a pretty good idea actually.

Decent Raw this week with alot of continuation. Kane is in MITB. Shawn and Taker are confirmed for Mania as well as Triple H vs Orton.