February 23, 2009 – Nashville, Tennessee
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
DARK MATCH: Kofi Kingston defeated Ryan Braddock..
IN THE RING
SmackDown! General Manager Vickie Guerrero + John Cena + World Heavyweight champion Edge & The Big Show: Vickie screamed “EXCUSE ME!” at the RAW fans in a feeble attempt to quiet them down. Vickie said that due to the unfortunate incident that happened to the McMahons last week the WWE board of directors has appointed her the interim General Manager of RAW. John Cena interrupted and said they could have called in Mike Adamle, or hired Michael Cole to be General Manager. Cena said he wouldn’t fight city hall, and congratulated Vickie. Cena said have some pride in the product and do not lie to everybody. Cena said they all knew Vickie didn’t care about the McMahons or anybody on RAW, and that all she cares about is the fact that her husband is the World Heavyweight champion. Cena reminded Vickie that he has a rematch clause, and he is going to cash it in tonight! Edge came out with the Big Show and said it was time for John Cena to get intimidated. Cena said there was no reason for Edge not to defend the World Heavyweight title tonight. Edge said he feels sorry for Cena, because he wants to be this generation’s Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, or Stone Cold Steve Austin. Edge said it won’t happen because Cena lives in the same era as HIM. Edge put himself over as the smartest wrestler and said as long as he exists Cena can never ber that person. Edge suggested that Cena hold off on his rematch and stretch it out because after the match Cena all of the people will be left with nothing.. Cena said that Edge only has courage because he has a disgusting 400 lbs beast behind him, and he brought out the Big Show too! Cena said Vickie should step up and do the right thing and make sure this match happens. The Big Show told John Cena to show some respect for his General Manager. Cena asked the Big Show where he fits in the equation? Cena said the Big Show was hired to take care of Vickie Guerrero, and made some sexual implications. Vickie said Edge was her family, the Big Show was his friend, and John Cena is nothing. Vickie said Cena would be in a match tonight against either her friend, or her family. Gee, I wonder which? Cena said tonight he will either slay a giant or walk out as the World Heavyweight champion!
TRIPLE THREAT MONEY IN THE BANK QUALIFYING MATCH
C.M. Punk defeated John Morrison and Mike “The Miz” Mizanin: C.M. Punk qualifies for the Money in the Bank Ladder match at WrestleMania 25, the match which he won at WrestleMania 24!
SMACKDOWN! REPLAY: Triple H‘s difficult comments concerning Randy Orton from this past week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown!..
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW: Todd Grisham was camped out outside of Randy Orton’s dressing room trying to get an interview. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase came out and said they do not like how this was being presented and it wasn’t right. Rhodes pointed out that Orton didn’t ask to face Shane McMahon last week – Shane did. Rhodes said Orton didn’t ask Stephanie McMahon to confront him – Stephanie did. Rhodes said it was time to stop pointing fingers and take responsibility for their actions. DiBiase said Orton was not going to be a prisoner on his own show, so he’ll come out and address his actions from last week later tonight. DiBiase said if Triple H decides to show up they will be ready..
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW: Santino Marella was walking around confidently with Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendez when he bumped into Dolph Ziggler. Santino and Dolph introduced each other and compared abs.
SIX-PERSON INTERGENDER TAG TEAM MATCH
Melina Perez & Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) defeated Dolph Ziggler & Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix w/Rosa Mendez:
WINNER FACES UNDERTAKER AT WRESTLEMANIA
Shawn Michaels defeated John Bradshaw Layfield: There is an added stipulation where the winner of this match will have to wrestle SmackDown!’s Vladimir Kozlov to earn the right to face the Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania 25. The finish saw JBL dominate most of the match go for the clothesline from hell but was destroyed by a Shawn Michaels super-kick! After the match, Vladimir Kozlov made his way to the ring and had a stare-down with Shawn Michaels. Michaels took the first punch, but it was blocked and Kozlov flattened him with a choke-slam!
HIGHLIGHT REEL: WrestleMania 24 featuring Ric Flair..
SINGLES MATCH
Mike Knox defeated Jamie Noble: Jamie Noble said he only lasted 15 seconds with Kane last night, but if he can last longer tonight he knows he will be going to WrestleMania… Noble’s opponent, Mike Knox, came down and squashed him in 29 seconds…
HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT: They announced that Rick “The Dragon” Steamboat will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame! He will be inducted by “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair the night before WrestleMania 25!
ON STAGE INTERVIEW: Michael Cole introduced Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat! Steamboat said the WWE Hall of Fame was the greatest honor in his entire life. Steamboat remembered his match with Randy Savage at WrestleMania 3 being the greatest highlight of his career. Steamboat said thank you to the fans, but was interrupted by the mega heel Chris Jericho… Jericho mentioned Mickey Rourke losing at the Oscars the night before. Jericho said Rourke reminds him of the losers in the wrestling business like Flair, Piper, and Steamboat. Jericho said Steamboat wrestled Flair in the NWA, but it wasn’t until he came to the WWE where he became “the Dragon.” Jericho brought up Steamboat’s fire-breathing gimmick later in his WWE career. Jericho said Steamboat got a job backstage with WWE so now he is a life long sell-out like Ric Flair. Jericho told Steamboat to enjoy the moment with all of his hypocrites because he is the biggest hypocrite of them all! Steamboat spoke up and remembered twenty years ago when he signed an autograph for Jericho and that Jericho wrote in his autobiography that he (Steamboat) was his hero. Steamboat talked about Jericho returning to the WWE for the Jerichoholics and spent a year turning on them. Steamboat said THAT was a hypocrite. Steamboat pointed out that he didn’t change once during his entire career. Steamboat said he always gave the fans respect, and never changed (turned heel). Steamboat said he, Flair, Piper, and other legends know who they are. Steamboat said they come back to the WWE to teach the young superstars and pass the torch. Steamboat said he did it because he loves the business. Steamboat said it doesn’t matter what Jericho thinks of him… he is not a hypocrite or a sell-out…, but he is something Jericho may never be – a Hall of Famer! Jericho snapped and attacked Steamboat, ramming him head-first into the RAW set. Jericho screamed at Steamboat and told him to stay down!
MAIN EVENT
John Cena defeated Chavo Guerrero: Before the match, Vickie Guerrero announced that John Cena would not be getting his title shot tonight. Cena said he would follow Vickie everywhere she goes until she gives him his title shot.. Vickie said Cena would be wrestling a member of her family tonight…. and out comes Chavo Guerrero to do Vickie’s dirty work AGAIN.. Cena finished off Chavo with an FU and an STFU (or whatever they are calling it these days).
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase came out of Legacy’s dressing room to make sure the coast was clear. Randy Orton exited and held up a sledgehammer, which he took with him to the ring….
IN THE RING
Legacy (Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase) + Triple H: Randy Orton held up his sledgehammer and said if Triple H shows up to avenge his wife then he really is a McMahon – arrogant, out of touch, and just plain stupid! Orton said Triple H thinks his wife is a victim, but he is wrong. I (Orton) am the victim. Orton said weeks ago Vince McMahon insulted his family so he kicked him in the skull as hard as he could. Orton blamed it on his IED. Orton said Shane challenged him last week so he kicked him in the head and put him in the hospital right next to his old man. Orton said Shane pushed him until he pushed back. Orton said Stephanie thinks she can do whatever she wants just because of what her last name is. Orton said Stephanie got in his face last week and instinct took over. Orton said the fans judge him, but they have no idea what it’s like to be at the top of their profession. Orton said that Stephanie should have known better, and hopes that Triple H’s children will learn from their mother’s mistakes. Triple H finally arrived at the building with his own sledgehammer and walked straight to the ring with evil intentions in his eyes. Orton stopped him and warned Triple H not to be stupid. Orton suggested they drop their sledgehammers and they settle it like men. Orton dropped the sledgehammer out of the ring and Triple H did the same. Triple H entered the ring cautiously and took of his leather jacket. Legacy surrounded Triple H, who pulled a second sledgehammer out of his pants and swung it at Orton! HHH bashed Rhodes and chased Orton & DiBiase backstage where they locked themslves into a dressing room. HHH bashed the door in with the sledgehammer and cornered Orton & DiBiase again. HHH bashed DiBiase and swung th sledgehammer at Orton, but missed and smashed a mirror (that can’t be good). Orton & DiBiase ran to the parking area where Rhodes was waiting in the get-away car. Orton & DiBiase jumped in and HHH smashed the window and threw his sledgehammer at the car as it sped away from the scene…..