WWE Monday Night RAW 01 26 2009

January 26, 2009 – Cleveland, Ohio
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler

IN THE RING
Legacy (Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase w/two lawyers and a therapist): Randy Orton came to the ring with his two protege’s and a couple of high-priced lawyers as well as his therapist. Randy Orton addressed his actions last week, when he kicked Mr. McMahon in his head. Orton said wrestling is apart of him, but something else is apart of him – something he has been living with for a long time. Orton said it was called IED – intermittent explosive disorder. Orton explained explained what IED is, as if the name itself doesn’t explain it already. Orton claimed he was suffiently provoked. Orton said the WWE knew about his condition and chose to do nothing about it. Orton said if Stephanie fires him tonight, he will sue her and World Wrestling Entertainment. Orton talked about winning the 2009 Royal Rumble last night. Orton said he earned a title shot at WrestleMania and if he is fired he will file a seperate lawsuit over that contract being broken. Orton added that if he is fired, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase will leave the WWE as well. Orton read a statement apologizing for the trauma to the McMahon family caused by his actions last week. Orton said he hoped they could put the incident behind them and move on. Orton said he was a man of honor, and offers his sincerest apologies to Mr. McMahon, to his family, and to the fans. Orton finished his speech by saying “thank you.” Stephanie was shown watching the segment on a wide-screen monitor in her office with a scowl on her face…

WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
John Morrison & Mike Mizanin defeated Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) to retain the World Tag Team titles:

VIGNETTE: Featuring the ELIMINATION CHAMBER..

ON STAGE
John Bradshaw Layfield: JBL said that Shawn Michaels will represent him in the qualifying match tonight and when Shawn wins, he (JBL) will be entered into the Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out.

ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
Kofi Kingston defeated Kane: What an upset victory! Kane was shocked by this disappointing loss!

ON STAGE
Chris Jericho: Chris Jericho said that people have been raving about the Academy Award nominated movie, “the Wrestler.” Jericho showed a preview of the movie and pointed out that Ric Flair gave the movie a glowing review. Jericho said Flair and Mickey Rourke have become friends. Jericho showed clips from the SAG Awards where Rourke said he was coming after Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 25. Rourke said he is learning from his trainer Afa, and also mentioned Flair and Roddy Piper. Jericho said it was one thing to play a wrestler in a movie but it’s entirely different thing to actually be one. Jericho said he was offended and the last thing he (or Ric Flair) wants to do is offend Chris Jericho.

BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Bradshaw Layfield & Shawn Michaels: Shawn Michael said he did everything he could do last night to make sure JBL left as World Heavyweight champion. JBL said he would fire Shawn right now, but there is business and he can still go to WrestleMania as champion. JBL told Michaels to go out there and make history again. JBL said it was Shawn’s last chance.

ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
World Heavyweight champion John Cena defeated Shawn Michaels w/John Bradshaw Layfield: Shawn Michaels was wrestling in place of John Bradshaw Layfield. This was weird, because as Champion, John Cena was automatically in the Elimination Chamber – so this match was only for JBL to qualify for the match. Late in the match, Shawn Michaels was going in for the kill when he started to climb up to the top rope. JBL screamed at him and ordered him to just use the super-kick to defeat Cena. Michaels said he wanted to do it his way, and drop the elbow first. JBL got up on the ring apron, and shouted “your way didn’t work last night!” Cena pushed JBL and he knocked Michaels off the top rope. Cena picked up Michaels for the FU and pinned him to win the match! Cena left and JBL got in the ring and stood over Shawn Michaels..

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & Stephanie McMahon: Todd Grisham asked Stephanie if any action will be taken against Randy Orton tonight. Stephanie said there will be action tonight, only she will do it publicly and she’ll do it to Randy Orton’s face!

DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Beth Phoenix & Jillian Hall w/Santino Marella defeated Melina Perez & Kelly Kelly: They showed still photos of Melina’s victory over Beth Phoenix at Royal Rumble. Santino Marella joined Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler on commentary, and commented how much weight Jim Ross has lost (refering to Michael Cole). Lawler congratulated Santino on his record-breaking performance in the Royal Rumble match. Late in the match, Rosa Mendez ran down and pulled Melina off the ring apron so that Kelly could not get the hot tag.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: WrestleMania 21 (WrestleMania Goes Hollywood).

ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
Rey Mysterio defeated William Regal:

BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Santino Marella & Rosa Mendez + Beth Phoenix: Rosa Mendez was freaking out about Beth losing her title to Melina at Royal Rumble. Rosa said she had to take a stand for women everywhere. Beth Phoenix showed up behind Rosa with her arms crossed and said “we can keep her.”

MOVIE TRAILER: World Television Premier for 12 ROUNDS – starring John Cena. Get used to it because it’s going to be shoved down your throat for the next five months.

ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
Chris Jericho defeated C.M. Punk:

IN THE RING
Stephanie McMahon + Legacy (Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase w/two lawyers and a therapist) + Shane McMahon: Stephanie said that just because Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble, it doesn’t mean that he is off the hook. Stephanie called Orton out to the ring, and Orton came out with Rhodes, DiBiase, his two lawyers, and his therapist. Orton said if Stephanie fired him then the RAW locker room would be crippled. Orton’s lawyer said if Stephanie wanted to fire Orton there will be extreme consequences. Stephanie asked if that was a threat, and Orton said it WAS a threat. Orton said he legally won the Rumble, and said he would sue the WWE and shut it down so there would be no WrestleMania this year. Suddenly the stage filled with WWE Superstars (babyface and heel) and Orton asked “what are all you looking at?” Orton said he didn’t care if they all had a WrestleMania this year. Orton said if he is fired he will take them all down with him. Orton begged Stephanie to fire him so he can cancel WrestleMania and put all of those guys out of work. Stephanie sneered and said “firing you would be too easy” adding “we’ve got bigger plans!” Here comes the money! Executive Vice President Shane McMahon came out and took off his expensive leather jacket before walking to the ring. Shane tackled Orton, but Rhodes & DiBiase pulled him off. Shane broke loose and went after Orton again! DiBiase & Rhodes over-powered Shane and all four of them rolled around the ring fighting. Shane kept up the pressure until the three Legacy members retreated, but Shane went after them. All the other WWE Superstars intervened and held all the participants apart. Randy Orton disappeared and Shane broke loose asking “where is he?”