February, Week 1, 2009Dark Match: Mike Knox defeated Carson Oakley with a Bicycle Kick. (D+)The RAW opening video package airs, followed by Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcoming everybody to the show.
Shane McMahon kicks off the show, with a very serious look on his face following last week. Shane talks about how last week Randy Orton got exactly what he deserved, and that he will not stop until Randy Orton’s career is over. He guarantees that tonight is the beginning of the end for Randy Orton.
The Great Khali vs. Dolph ZigglerThis match did not last long, and it was obvious from the start that Ziggler didn’t stand a chance. Ziggler attempted to shake Kane’s hand at the start of the match, but just received a massive club to the skull. Khali took firm control and quickly knocked Ziggler out, eventually finishing him off with a two handed chokeslam. (D+)
Winner: The Great KhaliSantino Marella, Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendez are shown backstage. Beth was giving Rosa a pep talk, with Santino noting that she will be in her first ever WWE match next. Beth tells Rosa to get the job done, or she may as well get lost now.
Stephanie McMahon is shown backstage in her office, talking directly into the camera. She announces the final two Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches will take place over the next two weeks. The first will see the two members of the Legacy face off with Ted DiBiase facing Cody Rhodes. She then announces that the final Elimination Chamber participant will be decided next week in a four way elimination match, featuring the four wrestlers who lost their qualifying matches.
Melina vs. Rosa MendezRose Mendez seemed to be off her game here, but that could just be first match nerves. Despite the fact that everyone thought this match would be one sided, Mendez actually got in her fair share of offence, and could be someone to watch in time. The Women’s champion was never going to lose this match though, and got the pin following a Tornado DDT. (D)
Winner: MelinaAfter the match Beth Phoenix rushes to the ring, ramming into Melina from behind. Beth proceeds to kick the hell out of the Women’s Champion, eventually slamming her to the mat with the Glam Slam.
The three members of Legacy are shown backstage, arguing about Stephanie McMahon’s announcement that Ted DiBiase will face Cody Rhodes later tonight. Randy Orton tells them that Stephanie is just trying to get at him, and that it doesn’t matter which one of them wins tonight as Legacy will rule the WrestleMania main event.
CM Punk & Kofi Kingston vs. Manu & Sim SnukaCM Punk looked really good here, and there is no doubt that the Intercontinental Champion is going to have a good year. Neither team really dominated this match, but Manu & Snuka never really got going, and the fans weren’t interested in anything they did. The match was cut short when William Regal made the run in, grabbing the Intercontinental Title and blasting Punk in the head with it. Regal got out of the ring before anything could be done, while Punk was out cold. (C)
Winners (Via DQ): CM Punk & Kofi KingstonRAW cuts to backstage, where Rey Mysterio is shown knocked out face down on the floor, blood dripping from the gaps in his mask. Mike Knox is shown standing over him, with a sick grin on his face. Medics surround the scene as the cameras cut away.
A new video package airs, promoting the superstars of the WWE, ending with the words “Expect the Unexpected”
Chris Jericho vs. GoldustThis match was a lot better than anybody was expecting, and it wasn’t as one sided as you would expect. Jericho is a great performer, and really got the crowd to hate him, while Goldust is usually entertaining to watch. The match could have gone either way for the first eight or so minutes, but after that Jericho had the majority of the offence, eventually hitting Goldust with an Enziguiri, followed by the Lionsault for the pin. (B)
Winner: Chris JerichoAfter the match Chris Jericho grabs a microphone, does his usual routine of taunting the fans, before saying that Mickey Rourke is apparently too scared to come and face him, but that he doesn’t blame him. Jericho promised to win the World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out, and then go on to headline WrestleMania.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiaseOuch, this match was nowhere near as good as people were hoping. These two may just be too green to carry off a great match against each other, and off course the crowd didn’t seem to be into what was going on. Despite the dead crowd these two still put on a good story, with Rhodes being a bit hesitant to fight DiBiase, while DiBiase just didn’t seem to care and went straight for Cody. Both could have got the win, but DiBiase eventually locked on the Million Dollar Dream, getting the win via submission. (C+)
Winner: Ted DiBiaseRAW cuts to JBL and Shawn Michaels backstage. JBL berates Michaels for his loss to John Cena last week, and that at this rate Michaels is never going to get paid. Michaels gets right into Layfield’s face, and looks set to throw a punch, but backs down, and just walks out.
Randy Orton vs. KaneA really good match for what it was. Orton tried to keep away from Kane, only going in for moves when he thought he could be touched, but Kane soon stopped that with a massive big boot. The match quickly became about power vs. technique, with both men hitting their fair share of offence. The remaining members of the Legacy soon made their way to the ring, and the distraction allowed Orton to take control. Orton went for the RKO, but Kane pushed him away and went for the chokeslam, only for DiBiase and Rhodes to run in and attack Kane, ending the match. (B)
No ContestAs Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes fight with Kane up the ramp Randy Orton looks on with a grin, not seeing Shane McMahon rolling in behind him with a steel chair. Shane waits for Orton to turn around, before blasting him clean in the skull with the chair. Shane dives to the floor, and attacks with a barrage of blows. Shane waits for Orton to get to his knees, before hitting him with the chair another time. Shane stands over Orton while security rushes to the ring.