WWE 2009-2014: Raw 10/6 (IC Title: AJ Styles vs Cody Rhodes)

I like that you are keeping Paul Heyman around after you disband the ECW brand; however, using him only as a commentator is a shame. Paul is such a great manager and could make a rock world champion material. Ezekiel Jackson is he has the most potential to make it out of everyone involved in the match. Richie Steamboat with Chris Jericho is a really interesting choice for NXT. I also really love Skip and Santino. RVD defeating Drew McIntyre for the belt was the right call as it ends ECW on a positive note.

-Good way to open the show. Jackson winning the ten man battle royal is nice.
-The NXT pairings are interesting. Wonder how it will go.
-RVD over McIntyre is great. Dreamer coming down and helping him win is a great way to end ECW.
Overall, solid ECW.

[/color] makes his way out, taunting his newly won WWE Championship. He shows it off to the crowd and eventually gets into the ring. The crowd chant his name as he gets on the mic, thanking each and every one of them for his support. He says he couldn't of won his first WWE Championship without the support of the WWE Universe and it is already the best feeling he has had in a long time. He says 13 years ago when he first came into this business he never thought he'd be standing here the world champion, he never thought his brother Edge would be a 10-time world champion either, no matter how hard he tried. He says it has been one hell of a ride, and now that he is champion it's going to be even tougher, but it's all worth it because he has been waiting for this moment to be standing in the middle of the ring and have the spotlight on him as the world champion. The crowd pop as he raises the WWE Championship, General Manager Abraham Washington[/color] makes his way out to the ramp, cutting off the celebration, however. He has a mic in his hand and gives his congratulations towards Christian and says he is right about being the champion it's going to be even tougher. He says Raw has themselves a scramble match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions, and Smackdown is going to have won for his WWE Championship as well. He announces the four qualifiers to be Jack Swagger vs Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre, Sheamus vs Montel Vontavious Porter, and Edge vs Kurt Angle! Christian says that's just fine by him, because he'll do whatever it takes to be the best world champion this show has ever seen! The crowd pop again as he raises the title.

Commercial Break

Championship Scramble Qualifier
Jack Swagger[/color] vs Kofi Kingston[/color]

The bell rings as both men lock up, Kingston unloading with shots after. Swagger gets out of the ring multiple times and eventually trips Kingston up, pulling his leg into the steel post. He works the leg a bit and tries applying the ankle lock, Kingston escaping. Kingston soon quickly hits Trouble in Paradise. He only gets a near fall, and after a couple minutes, he misses a Trouble in Paradise attempt and is dropped with the Gut Wrench Powerbomb and pinfall.

Winner of the match: Jack Swagger[/color] (9:24) ***[/b]

Swagger gets up, pounding his chest in celebration as he could be on his way to the WWE Championship.

Commercial Break

We return as Kofi Kingston is limping his way backstage when suddenly United States Champion Bryan Danielson blindsides him with a clothesline from behind, stomping him down aggressively. Danielson confusingly keeps asking Kofi if he really thinks he can beat him, who can't give an answer because Danielson continues to throw him around and beat him down. Referees and security have to come running in to stop Danielson, who says this isn't over.

Singles Match
Dolph Ziggler[/color] vs Evan Bourne[/color]

The bell sounds and the two circle around the ring, getting in multiple lock ups and each taking each other down a few times. Bourne hits a few hard kicks that send Ziggler down multiple times, but Ziggler fights back hard hitting some nice dropkicks of his own and a few good moves. However, he hits the Zig Zag and can only get a 2 count. Bourne takes advantage as he argues, and hits a spinning DDT and climbs to the top rope, hitting the Air Bourne for the 3.

Winner of the match: Evan Bourne[/color] (8:17) ***[/b]

Bourne celebrates his victory and is awarded his Money in the Bank Briefcase. The commentary team put over that he can cash that in at any time for a title shot, and the records show he'll become the new champion. Bourne continues on with his celebration of his victory.

Commercial Break

We return as CM Punk and the Straight Edge Society[/color] make their way down to the ring, Punk with his arm in a sling and a bandage over his forehead. He gets in the ring giving Mercury and Cross a look of disgust. He gets on the mic and asks for an explanation not only to him but these people as well. They seem clueless as Punk says that at Summerslam he had his shoulder torn out of it's socket and he still managed to fight on but then got punted in the skull for a concussion. He asks where they were during that match to save the one who had saved them in the first place from having their lives placed into danger. Mercury takes a mic of his own and says with all do respect, they would of been fired had they interfered. Punk said he made it very clear to them this past Sunday that he did not care - because whether they have their job or not they are still saved from the self-destructive ways of drugs and alcohol thanks to him. He pitifully asks why over and over again, asking if they enjoy seeing him with a concussion and dislocated shoulder. They both say they don't and Punk goes on saying that thanks to him not being able to compete due to their lack of dedication, Randy Orton walked out the winner this past Sunday and is now moving on. He asks where that leaves him, Cross and Mercury having no answers. Kane[/color] then makes his way down to the ring, Punk quickly ordering the SES around. They help him out of the ring as Kane gets in. Cross comes running and gets an uppercut, Mercury meeting the same fate. As they both rise, Kane grabs them both by their throats, delivering a double chokeslam. Punk watches from the outside as Kane just laughs at him evily.

Commercial Break

Championship Scramble Qualifier
Drew McIntyre[/color] vs Randy Orton[/color]

The bell rings and McIntyre extends his hand out, Orton just staring at it before being slapped across the face. He doesn't take lightly and works on McIntyre for a long time with brutal strikes and hard shots. McIntyre is forced out of the ring a few times, Orton taking him down out there as well. They continue to go at it, Orton missing the RKO and turning to the Future Shock. McIntyre only gets a 2 count though, and tries to go for another Future Shock, but Orton manages to push him off. After fighting back, he hits the rope hung DDT and a sudden RKO as they both rise and Orton gets the pinfall.

Winner of the match: Randy Orton[/color] (10:35) ***[/b]

Orton climbs onto the turnbuckle and scans over the cheering crowd in his form of celebration celebration for his victory.

Commercial Break

Championship Scramble Qualifier
Montel Vontavious Porter[/color] vs Sheamus[/color]

As soon as the bell rings, MVP runs up and begins to fire off at Sheamus. However, he is easily pushed off and met with a clothesline. Sheamus continues onward, beating him down aggressively. MVP fights back though, hitting the Drive By kick but unable to get a pinfall. He goes for the Play of the Day, but Sheamus easily pushes him off. As MVP rises, he is hit with the Bicycle Kick. Sheamus then hits the Celtic Cross on the rise and gets the pinfall.

Winner of the match: Sheamus[/color] (8:40) **1/2[/b]

Sheamus begins to celebrate his victory, but Rob Van Dam suddenly comes rushing down to the ring with a steel chair. He pops to his feet, ducking the Bicycle Kick. He throws the chair up and delivers the Van Daminator. Sheamus falls through the ropes and RVD follows after him. However, Sheamus is up and he kicks RVD in the gut, and then hits the Bicycle Kick to send the chair into RVD's head. He pulls him up and throws him into the steel post, then picks up and the chair and clocks him over the head with it as he gets to his feet. Referees come down to stop him, but he doesn't. He drags RVD up once again and says he messed with the wrong guy, and hits the Celtic Cross on the hard floor. He gets up taunting to the crowd as referees tend to RVD.

Commercial Break

Six-Person Tag Team Match
The Uso's[/color] and Melina[/color] vs The Colóns[/color] and Women's Champion Beth Phoenix[/color]

The match begins with Carlito and Jules. They trade some shots and eventually get into a rhythm of nice counter moves towards each other. Carlito fails on hitting the Backstabber as Jules uses his strength to stay up. He tags in Jimmy, who works on Carlito. The Uso's make frequent tags until the women are brought in. They go at it, Beth using her strength over Melina. Uso's and Colóns battle outside as Melina rolls Beth up, feet on the ropes, getting the 3 count.

Winners of the match: Melina and The Uso's[/color] (6:27) **[/b]

Melina celebrates the cheap victory, quickly getting out of the ring as Beth is furious at her tactic to win. Melina quickly makes her way up the ramp as Beth is handed her Women's Title, which she raises high in taunt towards Melina in a way to say "I still have it".

We cut to a promo package for NXT, debuting next Tuesday.

Commercial Break

We return as Josh Mathews is backstage. He introduces his guest to be Kurt Angle. He asks about his return match on WWE television tonight against Edge, especially with such a big opportunity at stake. He says that he returned to the ring officially on Sunday and after destroying Jack Swagger, he feels great, and he'd be more then happy to do it again in that scramble match. He says he is going to make Edge squirm and make him tap out. He laughs and states it's true, oh yes, it's damn true! He kisses his gold medals and walks off.

We cut to as Randy Orton walking down a hall. Edge walks by him and stops him. Randy asks what he wants and Edge says it's obvious they haven't been on the same page for a long time now, but he wants to make an offer. He says that Vince McMahon is looking for some team that can possibly take out The Hart Dynasty and take away the Unified Tag Team Titles from them. He points to Randy and himself a few times before saying they can do it, Rated RKO can do it. He says that they beat D-Generation X, they beat legends like Roddy Piper, and so many more. He says that they can do this together, it doesn't matter if they have to defend the titles and compete in the scramble match because they are two of the only guys in the WWE who would do that. Randy ponders as Edge asks what he thinks. After a little while, Randy says he'll think about it, and walks off. Edge walks off as well, his match is next.

Commercial Break

Championship Scramble Qualifier
Kurt Angle[/color] vs Edge[/color]

The bell rings and Angle ducks under a clothesline right off and hits the hatrick German suplexes. He goes for the Angle Slam, but Edge quickly slips off and hits the Edge-o-Matic. Angle kicks out of the pin attempt. They show off a lot of signature moves in the opening minutes, both trying to finish the other off early. Edge prepares for the spear, but as he goes for it, Angle drops to the mat and trips him. He applies the ankle lock and twists at it hard. However, Edge slowly reaches the ropes. Angle tries to pull him away, but Edge rolls through, tossing Angle to the outside with a thud.

Commercial Break

We return as Edge is working on Angle with shots in the corner. He hits a suplex and then ducks a clothesline, hitting the Edgecution. He gets into the corner and prepares for the spear, and manages to hit it on Angle. He hooks the leg, but gets a long 2 count. In disbelief, he pulls Angle up. However, Angle is playing possum and he quickly hits the Angle Slam. But as he locks in the ankle lock, Edge rolls through again - sending him into the referee. Angle hits yet another Angle Slam though, but as he gets up, Randy Orton is in the ring and he hits the RKO. He drapes Edge's arm across as the referee slowly counts 3.

Winner of the match: Edge[/color] (13:05) ***3/4[/b]

After the match, Orton helps Edge up and they taunt their victory. However, Edge suddenly kicks Orton in the gut and gives him the Edgecution as Ross and Heyman put over that Edge was just using him to get the win. Kurt Angle comes to the aid of Orton, but Jack Swagger comes running down to the ring and he takes Angle down from behind. This brings out Christian, and he gets involved. Sheamus then gets involved as well and he suddenly hits the Bicycle Kick on Orton as his first move. The brawl continues onward until security come to break it up. The final edition of Friday Night Smackdown fades to a close.[/font][/center]

-Good way to open the show with Christian. The Scramble Qualifying matches sound nice.
-Jack Swagger over Kingston is nice.
-Bourne over Ziggler is good. Wonder when hes gonna cash in the MITB.
-Good SES Promo. Kane standing tall in the end is nice as well.
-Orton over McIntyre is good.
-Sheamus over MVP is a nice call.
-Melina and the Uso's over Beth and Colons is great.
-Rated RKO reuniting would be good.
-Edge over Angle because of Orton is great. Edge turning on Orton shows no signs of them reuniting. The rest of the post match actions were solid as well.
Overall, nice Smackdown. NoC card looks great.

[/color] makes his way down to the ring to loud boos. He gets on the mic telling everybody to shut up, he has something to say. He says at Summerslam, he made a statement by attacking John Cena. He then says last week, he beat Shawn Michaels to get into the championship scramble, and he continued his mission. The crowd stay quite silent, waiting for an answer. He says he attacked John Cena in the first place because he has found a cure for cancer. He says that Cena is the cancer in the WWE. The crowd boo as he says he is going to make sure at Night of Champions he walks out the World Heavyweight Champion and not 'that punk'! John Cena[/color] has heard enough, and he comes down to the ring. He gets on the mic himself, and asks Batista what the hell he is talking about. Batista says he has made himself clear, he wants to make sure John Cena never reigns supreme over the WWE again! He continues on saying that at Summerslam a couple years ago, he injured Cena accidentally and then says now he is going to do whatever it takes to make sure he injures Cena for good. Cena challenges him to do it right now, and drops the mic. Batista removes his jacket and it looks like they are about to go at it, but Batista stops and steps out of the ring. Cena watches him back up the ramp as the crowd boos at Batista backing down.

Commercial Break

Triple Threat Match for #1 Contendership to the Intercontinental Championship
Wade Barrett[/color] vs John Morrison[/color] vs Chris Jericho[/color]

The bell rings as Morrison is double teamed by Jericho and Barrett. Morrison fights back hard, sending Barrett to the outside with a hurricanrana. Jericho and Morrison continue to go back and forth with some fast paced, solid action. Morrison tries to go for the Moonlight Drive, but Barrett drops him down on the top turnbuckle. As Morrison gets down, Jericho hits the Codebreaker. However, Barrett throws Jericho out of the ring and takes the pin for himself.

Winner of the match: Wade Barrett[/color] (8:45) ***[/b]

Barrett gets out of the ring in celebration as Jericho gets back in the ring. Morrison slowly stirs as Jericho looks at him and gets in his face, blaming him for Barrett winning. They begin to argue back and forth until Jericho slaps Morrison across the face. He doesn't take it well, and pounces down on Jericho, sending a huge series of strikes. A few referees have to come down to the ring and split up the brawl, Morrison and Jericho exchanging in words.

Commercial Break

Diva's Championship Contention Tournament Match
Natalya[/color] w/The Hart Dynasty and Bret Hart vs Layla[/color] w/Michelle McCool

The bell rings and Natalya easily overpowers Layla in the opening minute with slams and tosses. As Natalya gets up her momentum easily with continuous overpowering, McCool gets on the apron, Natalya and the referee distracted by her. Layla tries for a cheap roll up win, but Natalya kicks out. Layla does manage to gain some offense for a while though, until Natalya manages to hit a Discus Clothesline. She then applies the sharpshooter, making Layla tap.

Winner of the match: Natalya[/color] (6:46) **[/b]

All four celebrate the victory as McCool and Layla argue with each other. We cut backstage to see Matt Hardy sitting on a set of stairs. He looks around and then down at the camera. He says throughout these years he has been nothing but a shadowed figure of his brother. He says when The Hardy Boyz ever reunited, it was always Jeff coming out on top when they were split apart. Matt says he won the ECW Championship, and Jeff went on to win the World Championship. He says his brother one upped him all the time just to spite him. He says it is time to prove everybody wrong, it is time for Matt Hardy to show everybody he is not just the brother of a world champion - but a world champion himself. He steps down, shoving away the camera.

Commercial Break

We return and Shawn Michaels[/color] makes his way down to the ring to a good pop from the crowd. He gets on the mic and says that last week he had an opportunity to regain something he hasn't held in eight years. He says that chance to win the World Championship was taken away by three men. He jokes around pretending they are nobodies by 'forgetting their names'. He gets serious and says Cody Rhodes, Joe Hennig, and Brett DiBiase decided to get involved and cost him the match against Batista and he has no idea why. He says it may be because he is a grand slam champion, it may be because D-Generation X beat the hell out of them last year multiple times, but in all honesty he has no idea. He is about to continue on, but Legacy[/color] cut him off and come down to the ring, getting a lot of boos. Cody speaks and says that it really wasn't anything personal against Shawn what they did last week. He says it had nothing to do with 2009's battles, and that he tried to carry along his team with Ted, and he ultimately failed, so he is out of the equation. He goes on saying it doesn't have anything to do with jealousy of him being a grand slam champion, it has to do with getting rid of the 'washed up'. He says that he doesn't want old 90s stars running around the ring like they still got it, it's time for second generation stars like Brett DiBiase, Joe Hennig, and himself to be on top. He says Shawn Michaels still gets chance after chance to become world champion just one more time - and he never does. He claims he'll make Teddy Long and everybody else realize they are wasting their time on the Heart Break Kid. With that, he strikes Michaels with the mic over the head. The Legacy begin to stomp down on him and pull him back up. Brett hits a missile dropkick, which sends him back to Joe who hits the Perfect Plex. They pull him up once more, allowing Cody to hit the Cross Rhodes. Legacy stand over Shawn, raising each others arms.

Commercial Break

Non-Title Match
Ted DiBiase[/color] vs World Heavyweight Champion The Miz[/color]

The bell rings and Miz quickly gets out of the ring. After the referee reaches an eight count, DiBiase goes after him. Miz fools him as he gets back in the ring and stomps him down hard. Miz takes advantage following this, hitting some signature moves. DiBiase fights back However, and late in the match he squirms free of the Skull Crushing Finale and goes for Dream Street. Miz squirms around a bit and quickly sends a boot back, low blowing DiBiase causing the DQ.

Winner via disqualification: Ted DiBiase (9:47) ***

Miz quickly rolls out of the ring, snatching his World Heavyweight Champion. DiBiase gets up and walks towards the ropes, glaring at Miz, who is backing up the ramp with a grin, raising the World title. DiBiase says that it will be his at Night of Champions.

Commercial Break

Six-Man Tag Team Match
Yoshi Tatsu,[/color] Kaval, and[/color] Shelton Benjamin[/color] vs The Dudebusters

The bell rings as Kaval starts off with Caylen. They trade some shots and each hit some nice dropkicks on each other, trying to one up. Caylen mocks him a bit and Kaval hits a roundhouse kick, causing Caylen to stumble back and tag in Trent. He goes at it with Kaval until Shelton is tagged in, who takes momentum and trades tags with Kaval. Tatsu is soon tagged in, but he is hit with a double DDT. Benjamin and Kaval fend off Trent and Caylen as Hawkins had made a blind tag already, and hits a top rope elbow drop on Tatsu, gaining the three count.

Winners of the match: The Dudebusters (7:42) **[/size][/b]

Trent and Caylen hop into the ring in celebration with Hawkins. They pump their fists in the air in taunt towards Benjamin, Kaval, and the downed Tatsu. After that, we head to a promo video hyping up NXT debuting tomorrow and Smackdown's return to Thursday Night's this week!

Commercial Break

We return as Josh Mathews introduces his guest at this time to be Intercontinental Champion R-Truth. He asks what his opinions are on now having to defend the Intercontinental Title against Wade Barrett at Night of Champions. Truth says he'll admit that Wade has defeated him here on Raw, but he hasn't defeated him for the title. He claims that when he has to defend the title, he is going to be fighting harder then he ever has to make sure it stays with him. As he finishes speaking, Barrett comes running up behind him - clotheslining him to the floor. He stomps down on Truth and drags him up by his hair, throwing him face first into the camera. He scoops up the Intercontinental Title and says he'll have this soon enough. He throws it down on Truth and walks away.

We cut to Vince McMahon in his office, the door being knocked on. He tells them to come in and Bret Hart steps in. Vince laughs a bit and Bret asks what he wants now, asking if he wants him to clean his toilets or make him dinner sarcastically. Vince says those aren't bad ideas, but that's not why he had him come here. He says that Bret should keep a close eye this Thursday for Smackdown. Bret asks why is that and Vince says he has found one of two opponents for The Hart Dynasty at Night of Champions, but, he isn't going to reveal who it is until Night of Champions. Bret says it's not a problem, 'his boys' are ready for anything and everything. Vince says we'll just have to see about that.

Commercial Break

Singles Match
Ezekiel Jackson[/color] vs John Cena[/color]

The bell rings and the two lock up, Jackson overpowering Cena. He forces him into the corner and beats him down with strike after strike and pulls him out by one arm, hitting a clothesline. He continues within the next couple minutes hitting different variations of slams. He goes for the Book of Ezekiel, but Cena manages to push off and fire back with shots. He hits his signature shoulder block three times, the third sending Zeke to the mat. He pops to his feet, motions "You Can't See Me" and hits the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. However, after hits the Attitude Adjustment, Jackson kicks out of a pin attempt.

Commercial Break

Returning, Jackson has Cena in the corner hitting multiple elbows. He pulls him up into a bearhug, Cena struggling for a while until he sends elbows into the neck. He eventually gets free and fires off with strikes. He ducks a clothesline and hits the throwback. He quickly makes his way to the top turnbuckle and hits the leg drop as Jackson is getting up. He prepares for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista comes running down to the ring. He gets in, Cena prepared, and he manages to toss "The Animal" over the top rope. He turns around to the Book of Ezekiel, however, and is pinned.

Winner of the match: Ezekiel Jackson[/color] (12:50) ***[/b]

Jackson is announced the victor as Batista gets back into the ring. Him and Jackson stare down face to face, then look down to Cena. They pull him up as Ted DiBiase comes running down to the ring. Jackson turns his attention to him and they go at it well Batista and Cena do simultaneously. The Miz comes down to the ring and gets on the apron, but decides to back down and once again allow his challengers to beat each other up to end the show.[/font][/center]

-Pretty good promo with Cena/Batista. Don't know how you plan to stretch it into Mania' or Survivor Series or whatever.
-Barrett over Morrison and Jericho is shocking. But it's good for his career.
-Natalya going over is cool. The tournament is good too.
-Legacy/HBK feud is really heating up. Too bad Triple H is heading to Thursday nights as it could've been New Legacy vs. DX. Either way, if you book this right, it'll benefit their career.
-DiBiase over Miz via DQ should get him into some contention possibly.
-Dudebusters winning the six-man-tag match was expected since they are a real team.
-Uhh! Cena losing to Jackson is fine. Don't know if Jackson would kick out of the Attitude Adjustment unless you're building him as a big resilient monster. Jackson winning is fine.
-Good RAW.

[/color] as he makes his way down to the ring, not getting much of a reaction from the crowd. He grabs a mic and thanks everybody for being here on the debut episode of NXT. He explains that this competition is to determine the next breakout star in the WWE. He states that this competition will be running for 19 weeks - the rest of the year! He explains that December 28th will be the final episode where the winner truly will be next as we head into 2011. He explains that the winner not only will be getting themselves a contract here in the WWE, as any of these rookies can be offered them following the show, but they will receive a world title shot! He continues on stating that in 6 weeks time, the competition will begin to heat up because starting then - every other week an elimination will occur. He makes it clear that the pros will be the judges of who stays and who goes when the time for elimination comes. He finally says it is time for the pros and rookies to come on down to the ring and introduce themselves to the WWE Universe. Santino Marella and Skip Sheffield[/color], Shelton Benjamin and Darren Young[/color], Montel Vontavious Porter and David Otunga[/color], John Morrison and Heath Slater[/color], Zack Ryder and Percy Watson[/color], Chris Jericho and Richie Steamboat[/color], Jack Swagger and Alex Riley[/color], and World Heavyweight Champion The Miz and Johnny Curtis[/color]. As they are all in the ring, the pros stand on one side of the ring well the rookies stand on the other directly across from their pros. Striker says we will now get the chance to find out more about the rookies. He asks Skip Sheffield first, and he says that he is a southern guy, and some people think that because of that he is going to go easy on them. He laughs and says that he goes full throttle any time he steps into the ring, and here on NXT and in his future with the WWE - it won't be any different. Striker then asks Watson, who pulls his fake glasses over his face. He says he likes to be called Showtime - because every time he is going to be coming down here he is going to be putting on a show for each and every one of the fans in the WWE universe, and in the mean time will be making a statement so everybody knows who he is. Next is Otunga, and he says that he doesn't need to answer to people like Matt Striker because he is the A-List Superstar, meaning he is better then the rest of these guys. MVP is shown across the ring not impressed. Young is up now, and he says that it is his dream and always has been his dream to be in the WWE and he is going to do whatever it takes to make his dreams come true. Riley is up, and he ignores Striker by looking around the ring. He points to Otunga and says he likes his style and introduces himself, shaking hands. He looks back to Striker and acts clueless as to if he was ever there. Slater's turn, and he says that he first wants to say he is honored to have John Morrison, a guy who he is very similar to, being his pro. He says just like John Morrison, he is a rock star and he is looking to become the rock star of WWE by winning NXT! Curtis is next and he has a wide grin across his face. He takes the mic slowly and says that women adore Johnny Curtis, men worship Johnny Curtis, and that he is Johnny Curtis. Miz is shown smiling, seeming satisfied with his rookie. Steamboat is next, and he says he is the son of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat - but can't say anything more as Jericho walks up to him and snatches the microphone away. He says he doesn't like Richie. He says he doesn't like his father even more and gloats that he even beat him last year. He says he is the best in the world at what he does, and being a pro of a second-generation parasite isn't something he does. Striker takes the microphone back and there is an awkward silence before Striker thanks all the rookies and pros for being here.

Commercial Break

Tag Team Match
Santino Marella and Skip Sheffield[/color] vs Montel Vontavious Porter and David Otunga[/color]

The bell rings as Marella and MVP start things off. They lock up, having a few comedy bits as it is Santino. MVP does get serious though after accepting the joke and works on him with some signature moves. He attempts to tag in Otunga, who refuses. Marella escapes and tags in Sheffield. He gets in the ring as MVP and Otunga argue with each other. MVP slowly turns around to a huge lariat from Sheffield and is pinned for the 3.

Winners of the match: Santino Marella and Skip Sheffield[/color] (7:44) **[/b]

Santino gets in the ring with his fists high in the air above his head. He offers a hug to Sheffield, who just looks at him oddly. Santino frowns, dropping his head down, and begins to walk away. Sheffield grabs him by the straps and pulls him back, giving him a hug by lifting him in the air. Santino begins to freak out after a little while yelling for him to be put down. Sheffield does so as MVP and Otunga are shown on the outside, Otunga storming off in disgust.

We cut to the back where Richie Steamboat storms up to Jericho, spinning him around. Jericho asks what he wants and Steamboat says he wants a match against Jericho - tonight! Jericho laughs a bit and says he doesn't deserve the honor. Steamboat calls him a coward and Jericho tries to argue against it, Steamboat sticking to saying he is a coward. Jericho eventually slaps him across the face and says he'll regret ever wanting to face him after tonight.

Commercial Break

We return to Matt Striker on top of the stage. He announces the next match to be Alex Riley and Johnny Curtis vs Heath Slater and Percy Watson. After he says this, Zack Ryder and Percy Watson[/color] make their way out, but Ryder stops Watson and takes the mic from Striker. He says he is pulling Watson out of this match - Woo Woo Woo, You Know It! Watson asks why, and Ryder says because he's fruity! Watson says he has no right to be calling somebody fruity. Ryder pulls off his sunglasses and gets face to face with Watson before pulling away. He turns back to Striker and tells him to find somebody else by pro's orders, 'bro'. He walks backstage, Watson sighing and following. Striker says that due to the pulling out of Percy, Darren Young will replace him.

Tag Team Match
Alex Riley[/color] and Johnny Curtis w/Jack Swagger and The Miz vs[/color] Heath Slater and[/color] Darren Young w/John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin[/color]

The bell sounds as Slater starts things off with Curtis. They lock up, Curtis getting the early upper hand with a few take downs. Slater fights back getting some take downs of his own, and mixing it up with some dropkicks. Curtis tags in Riley, who rushes in and hits a hard clothesline. He works Slater a bit until Young is tagged in, who fires off with shots to Riley. However, he misses a discus elbow and is hit with what Grisham calls "You're Dismissed" and is pinned.

Winners of the match: Alex Riley and Johnny Curtis[/color] (8:18) **1/2[/b]

Riley and Curtis nod to each other in approval as they exit with their pros. Morrison and Benjamin get in as Slater tends to Young. They help Young up and Shelton says that was their first lesson - here's their next. Both men simultaneously kick them in the gut, Benjamin hitting the Paydirt as Morrison hits the Moonlight Drive. They exit the ring satisfied, having made a statement to their rookies - Morrison saying to the crowd that was lesson two.

Commercial Break

We return with a promo video hyping up Smackdown's return to Thursdays this week.

Singles Match
Richie Steamboat[/color] vs Chris Jericho[/color]

The bell rings, Steamboat quickly applying multiple headlocks and taking Jericho down and using some technical moves. He plays a few tricks on Jericho by constantly getting in and out of the ring. Jericho stomps him down hard as he gets in at one point and continues on in the next minutes with momentum, hitting a lot of signature moves including the Lionsault. Steamboat manages to reach the ropes, however, after he is placed in the Walls of Jericho. He fights back with more good action. He goes for the top rope diving crossbody, but Jericho rolls through into an inside cradle with the tights, getting the pinfall.

Winner of the match: Chris Jericho[/color] (9:42) ***[/size][/b]

Jericho gets out of the ring right after as Steamboat is not happy about this. Jericho mocks him with a grin as Steamboat slowly gets to his feet. He looks to the crowd and thanks them, Jericho rushing back into the ring from behind. He hits the Codebreaker as Steamboat faces him, and then gets back up. He starts to walk away as the crowd boos, but goes right back and applies the Walls of Jericho. He pulls back on it as Steamboat begins to tap out shortly after it is locked in. The referee tries to get him to let go, but he refuses. After a very long time, Jericho finally lets go. He talks some trash before exiting the ring. We cut to Matt Striker on the ramp as he says that this has definitely been a very dramatic and great first episode of NXT - and thanks everybody for being a part of it. A last image is shown of Jericho smiling about what he has done to Steamboat, as the show comes to a close.[/font][/center]

-Nice way to open up the show, with the introduction of the Rookies and Pros, and others. Jericho and Steamboat not getting along is good, wonder what happens next.
-Santino and Sheffield over MVP and Otunga is nice. Them getting along is great as well.
-Steamboat Challenging Jericho is interesting. Their match should be good.
-Ryder calling Watson a fruit made me laugh. Their combination shouldn't be bad.
-Riley and Curtis over Young and Slater is a good call. Benjamin and Morrison teaching their rookies a lesson is good.
-Jericho over Steamboat is obvious. Would've been shocked to see Steamboat win. The Post Match actions are good as well.
Overall, nice 1st NXT.