RAW Comes to Hershey, Pennsylvania

After an incredible night in Washington D.C, tension was high in the packed Giant Centre in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The show kicks off with WWE Ring Announcer Justin Roberts introducing tonight's special guest host for the evening, former WWE Superstar, announcer and Governor of Minnesota, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. But rather than Ventura coming out, Randy Orton's music hits and he enters the ring. 

Orton says that he knows the normal routine is for the guest host to come out and get interrupted by someone, but he doesn't care. He knows that Ventura has a major announcement tonight about the WWE Heavyweight Championship and although he's not supposed to face John Cena for the title anymore, the guest host has the power to lift his ban so he can face Cena for the belt. 

He continues pleading his case by saying he deserves the title more than anyone else and he asks the governor to come out and do the right thing. Jesse Ventura's music hits and he comes out to the ring.

Jesse says that "The Body" is back and he's dressed like pro wrestling, not like a governor. He addresses Orton and says that he respects him and likes his "style."  He says that Orton reminds him of him from back when he was younger. 

He says that since he's the governor of revolution, he's going to bring something completely new to the WWE tonight. He says Orton is "not" going to give Orton a title shot. He says that week after week, the same people get a shot at the title and it's time to change that. He starts naming the main stars like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Jericho saying that none of them will get the title shot. 

There will be a series of matches tonight to qualify for a "break-through battle royal" and the winner of that will be the number one contender. However, no former champion can be part of the tournament. 

Orton says that Ventura is making a big mistake. Ventura then says that he's made plenty of mistakes, but it still remains that what he says goes. He then goes on to announce that John Cena will be taking on CM Punk. He puts over that they've never wrestled before. He also says that D-X will fight the Hart Dynasty and they've never wrestled before. He then puts over the tournament again and announces that the first match starts now. 

Kofi's music hits and he heads out to the ring. Orton meets him up the entrance way and they stare each other down, but Orton continues to the back and no physical confrontation occurs. 

Qualifying Match - Kofi Kingston vs Dolph Ziggler

They lock up and Ziggler backs Kofi to the corner and gives him a cheap shot over the referee who tries to get in the middle. Kofi turns around though, with punches of his own. He backs up and charges, but Dolph moves and Kingston nails the top rope. 

Dolph attempts a pin, but Kofi kicks out at two. Dolph then takes over control with a number of offensive moves until he puts a headlock on Kofi.

Kofi gets back up to his feet and tries to elbow his way out of the headlock. He succeeds, but Dolph knees him into the stomach and throws him back down followed by dropping some elbows. He then applies a leg lock on Kofi's waist, pulling back on his head, until Kofi finally gets out and nails a dropkick. 

Kofi starts heating up and does the "Boom Drop." He tries for the "Trouble In Paradise," but Dolph ducks and tries his own finisher, but Kofi hangs on to the top rope. Immediately after, Kofi lands the finisher and gets the three count.

Winners and qualifiers for Battle Royal - Kofi Kingston

Since this is a Thanksgiving Special Edition of Raw, we are going to have superstars telling us what they are thankful for and Miz is first. He's thankful for the admiration the fans have for him. He's thankful for being the most successful and dominant United States Champion of all-time. 

Actually, he's not thankful for any of those things because he expects them. As a matter of fact, the fans should be thankful. He's the Miz and he's awesome—apparently.

Qualifying Match - Sheamus vs Finlay

Two Irish brawlers—sure to be an excellent match. Sheamus goes for a clothesline right off, but Finlay ducks and hits him to the outside. He follows Sheamus and spears him into the announcers' booth. He rolls him back inside, but as he gets in, Sheamus takes over and goes to work on Finley. After a few kicks, he goes for a pin attempt, but Finlay kicks out at two. Sheamus charges at Finlay in the corner, but is met with a knee to the face. 

Finlay's offense doesn't last long though and Sheamus rams his shoulder into the steel post. Sheamus picks Finlay up on to his shoulders and launches him across the ring with one of his finishing moves (the Razor's Edge move). He pins and gets the three count.

Winner and Qualifier - Sheamus

After the match Sheamus comes back and attacks Finlay, ramming him into the steel steps on the outside of the ring and then giving him the big boot which sends Finlay flying over the guardrail into the crowd.

We're back from break and Theodore Long is in the back about to tell us what he's thankful for, but Vickie Guerrero cuts him off and says he should be thankful for Vince assigning her to be his consultant. Someone with her wisdom, etc. 

Ventura's in the back and Randy Orton comes in to talk to him about the battle royal for later tonight. He asks to be put in the match and says he's a victim of a conspiracy to keep him from challenging for the title. Jesse says his hands are tied and he can't go against what he already said out there. 

CM Punk's music hits and he comes out to the ring. He gets a mic and talks about what he's thankful for, including being straight-edge. He talks about what being straight-edge means and apparently, it means he's better than you. He makes fun of the crowd some about being gluttonous and fat. He tells John Cena that through his sober eyes, he can see him. That match is next.

The bell sounds and the two circle each other feeling each other out. Punk does the cowardly act and puts himself in the ropes before they even lock up. They finally do lock up and Punk applies a headlock. Cena whips him off the rope and a shoulder block connects, but doesn't take Punk down. They meet again in the middle and Punk starts his kicks. He takes Cena back to one corner with multiple kicks. He then delivers some shoulder blocks and tries to whip Cena into the other corner, but Cena reverses and hits a bulldog. Cena takes over offense and tries for his finisher, but Punk rolls out of the ring and we take a break.

[COMMERCIAL]

We're back and Punk has a leg lock submission applied to Cena's head in the middle of the ring. Cena starts powering up though and takes Punk on to his shoulders and drops back to free himself. 

Punk nails a clothesline and tries for a pin, but only gets a two count. He continues his offense in the corner with some kicks and then whips Cena into the other corner which drops Cena. Punk hits a neck breaker. 

Pin attempt—kick out. 

Cena finally regains the advantage and hits his multiple shoulder blocks and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He then tries the "Attitude Adjustment," but Punk counters by landing on his feet. 

Punk then tries the "Go To Sleep," but Cena counters into his "STF" submission. Punk makes it to the ropes though and Cena is forced to break the hold. Punk lands a huge roundhouse kick to Cena's head, but a kick out at two. Punk hits the high knee in the corner and attempts a bulldog, but Cena tosses him across the ring. 

Cena goes to the top rope and hits his leg drop. He pins Punk, but only gets two. Cena tries for the "Attitude Adjustment" again, but Punk counters and nails him with a dropkick to the jaw. 

Pin attempt by Punk again, but another two. 

Punk tries for a cross-body in the corner, but Cena moves and Punk lands on the top rope. Cena follows by picking Punk up on his shoulder and going up to the second rope and hitting the "Attitude Adjustment" off there! Pin and the three count.

Winner: John Cena

Jesse is shown in the back and met by none another than Vince McMahon. Vince talks about Roddy Piper challenging him to a match last week and gives the reason he declined. He says he hopes that's not what Jesse wants to do and Ventura asks him why he would want to do that. Vince asks Ventura why he wanted to meet with him. Ventura says he's going to do to Vince what Vince's father did to him. Jesse says that Vince's father didn't believe in him so he made him an announcer. Tonight, Vince and Jesse are going back on the mic together just like the old days, the only thing that Vince is somewhat good at. Jesse hands Vince a tuxedo and a red bowtie to wear and McMahon storms off. Funny segment.

Qualifying Match - MVP/Mark Henry/R-Truth vs Jack Swagger/Chris Masters/Chavo Guerrero

MVP and Jack Swagger start the match off and Swagger hits a shoulder block early, but after a series of counters, MVP hip tosses Swagger. Swagger takes MVP back to his corner and tags in Chavo. Chavo leaps off the top rope, but MVP catches him and delivers a belly-to-belly suplex. However, Masters had tagged in and he attacks MVP from behind. He tags in Chavo and then Chavo tags him back in as they continue their offense on MVP. MVP finally gets a tag to R-Truth after a clothesline on Masters.  R-Truth comes in firing with a lot of his normal moves. 

The match starts breaking down as all men enter the ring. MVP takes Swagger over the top rope and Mark Henry takes Chavo out by pressing him over his head and throwing him to the outside. That leaves R-Truth to his kick on Masters and gets the pin for the win.

Winners and Qualifiers - MVP, Mark Henry and R-Truth

We cut to the back with D-X. Hunter asks Shawn what was with the early Sweet Chin Music last night and Shawn says the match was for the heavyweight title. He assumed Hunter was going to Pedigree him first. They argue back and forth a little until they're interrupted by a "little person" in a suit. He hands them a paper and it says they are being sued by Hornswoggle. The court date is apparently next week and they make some short jokes before we cut to break. Typical funny DX segment.

We're back from a commercial break and Evan Bourne is in the ring for another breakthrough qualifying match. 

His opponent is Primo, but Orton attacks Primo as he comes out to the ring. He beats the heck out of him and then gets in the ring to try and take on Evan Bourne in the match. 

Jesse Ventura then comes on the big screen to tell Orton that since he's been persistent, rules are always made to be broken and he can break his own rules. That's what he's going to do too. He said that if Orton can beat Evan Bourne right now in the ring, he'll be in the battle royal and can possible challenge Cena for the title again if he wins that.

Qualifying Match - Randy Orton vs Evan Bourne

Orton attacks Bourne quickly and takes the early advantage until Bourne counters one of Orton's moves and hits his big knees off the top rope. Orton hits a scoop slam and then nails the RKO. A pin and the three count.

Winner and Qualifier - Randy Orton

Jerry "The King" Lawler and Michael Cole say that next up is a Mayflower Melee Divas Match

McCool takes the mic before the match starts and talks about how stupid this whole match is as they wear pilgrim outfits. Justin Roberts then announces the Gobbledy Gooker (I presume this is an American term, I have never heard of it) as the special guest time keeper.

Michelle McCool, Layla and Jillian Hall vs Melina, Mickie James and Kelly Kelly

Melina and Jillian start the match. Melina gets a couple of moves in before Jillian takes over the offense. She tries her cartwheel move in the corner, but Melina counters and hits a faceplant. As Melina tries to hit the other members of the heel team, she gets hit with a huge clothesline. However, Layla and McCool have had enough and they head to the back. This allows Melina to get the roll up on Jillian and the three count.

After The Match

Jerry Lawler comes in and interviews Melina about the "big win" that just took place.  The Gobbledy Gooker is in the ring and all of a sudden it attacks Melina. Once the head comes off, the Gooker is revealed to be Maryse, returning after knee surgery. 

D-Generation-X vs The Hart Dynasty

Shawn Michaels and Tyson Kidd start things off. Kidd throws some early punches, but HBK lands a slap to the chest. He does the running forearm and kicks himself back up.  David Hart Smith comes in though and nails HBK from behind. A back-breaker and a pin attempt, but HBK kicks out. 

The Hart Dynasty go back and forth working over Michaels until HBK finally makes the tag to Triple H. Hunter comes in firing with clotheslines and spine-busters to both Kidd and Smith. He then attempts the Pedigree on Smith, but Kidd interferes and allows Smith to regain the control. However, a Pedigree is nailed on Tyson Kidd moments later and he gets the three count.

Winners - D-Generation-X

After The Match

Chris Jericho comes out and announces that Ventura just informed him that in three weeks at the Tables, Ladders, & Chairs Pay Per View, D-X will challenge JeriShow for the Tag Team Championship.  Jericho says Big Show is not there tonight and Hunter makes a joke about Show being at the chocolate factory. Shawn then informs Jericho that their tag team match at the pay per view is going to be TLC Match. Jericho cuts Shawn off as he's about to do their normal catchphrase and says that despite all of their accolades and accomplishments, they've never been the tag team champions and that's not going to change in three weeks. I am very much looking forward to this match.

We're back and Rey Mysterio's music hits, but instead of Rey coming out, Batista walks out. He says that Rey won't be joining them tonight because he's spending his Thanksgiving in a hospital bed. Batista says Rey has no one to blame but himself. He says that Rey stabbed him in the back last month costing him the World Heavyweight Title. He said he gave Rey a chance after that by allowing him to simply walk away, but Rey didn't. Instead, Rey decided to embarrass him. 

Last night at Survivor Series, he decided to powerbomb Rey until the Medical staff had to stop him. Batista continues by saying that someone from Raw better win the battle royal match tonight because if someone from Smackdown wins, he's going to hit the ring and attack them. The Undertaker is his and no one can stop him... Kane's music hits and he comes out.

Kane asks what counts as disrespecting Batista? Does interupting him in the ring embarrass him, because he wants to know what Batista's going to do about it. He begs Dave to make an example out of him. Batista stares him down for a minute before he decides to walk away. The crowd erupts into boos as Batista exits. Batista has a smirk on his face as he walks up the ramp and Kane's pyro goes off, which consists of a all four posts exploding.

Qualifying Match - Cryme Tyme vs Legacy

Rhodes and JTG start the match and early on, JTG hits a big faceplant off the second rope. Rhodes runs away from him and makes the tag to DiBiase who attacks JTG from behind. Legacy work him over a while before he can finally make the hot tag to Shad. Shad comes in with some clotheslines to DiBiase and then a big shoulder block. He throws DiBiase off the ropes, but DiBiase connects with a kick. DiBiase tries a crossbody, but Shad catches him and lifts him up for a powerbomb. A pin, but Rhodes breaks it up.  DiBiase hits the Dream Street and gets the three count and they are the last to qualify for the breakthrough battle royal.

Winners and Qualifiers - Legacy

In the back, Gail Kim is shown and she's about to talk about what she's thankful for, but Alicia Fox interupts her and the two almost try to put pie in each other's faces. Santino Marella comes in and says the two shouldn't be fighting, they should be cooking. He says he's thankful for breasts (chicken breasts, off course). He also wants the divas to cook him a meal of epic proportions and he asks the ladies what they think. They throw the pie in his face. 

The Bella Twins come in to rescue and he says that they know what he's talking about—a woman should be cooking for the man. They then hit him with a pie. Eve comes in and he says she has the honor to clean his face, so she hits him too. Vickie then sneaks up on him with a pie, but as he throws up his hands blindly, he hits the pie into her face. Funniest segment of the night.

Justin Roberts says it's now time for the Breakthrough Battle Royal and he introduces Jesse Ventura and Vince McMahon who will be the announcers for the match. Ventura gets on the mic and says that since he's the guest host tonight, he thought they should turn back time to about 20 years when he was on the broadcast team of the WWF. He thought it was best to also put Vince McMahon on there with him where he belongs.  Vince then comes out sporting the tuxedo and the red bowtie he was given earlier.  They get on the headphones and go back and forth a little before Kofi's music hits.

Breakthrough Battle Royal - Kofi Kingston vs Randy Orton vs Sheamus vs MVP vs Mark Henry vs R-Truth vs Ted DiBiase vs Cody Rhodes

The match starts and the competitors divide with faces on one side and the heels on the other. Immediately, Legacy and Orton go after Kofi, but he's finally helped by MVP and the other faces. Orton slides to the outside and waits while Sheamus goes to a corner and doesn't get involved in any fights as well. Legacy work over Kofi as MVP and Mark Herny work on R-Truth. MVP tries to eliminate R-Truth, but can't. Sheamus finally gets involved and clotheslines R-Truth, followed by throwing him over the top rope.

Sheamus eliminates R-Truth

The action continues and Randy Orton is back in the ring now as he and Kofi go at it.  In the meantime, Sheamus throws over MVP.

Sheamus eliminates MVP

Mark Henry tries to eliminate Sheamus, but Legacy attack him from behind.  Mark Henry then clotheslines Legacy over the top rope.

Mark Henry eliminates Legacy

We're down to three with Kofi, Orton, and Sheamus. Kofi and Orton go at it as Sheamus just watches from the corner. Sheamus then tries to attack Orton, but Orton counters with a backbreaker before he goes back to work on Kofi. Kofi hits a huge dropkick and charges Orton. Orton almost eliminates him, but Kofi hangs on to the top rope and pulls himself back over to catch Orton by the neck and drag him over the top rope eliminating him.

Kofi eliminates Randy Orton

While Kofi is looking at Orton on the outside, Sheamus comes up from behind and nails him off the apron winning him the match.

Sheamus eliminates Kofi Kingston

Winner and Numer One Contender: Sheamus

We're back and we're going to have a contract signing between John Cena and Sheamus, officiated by Jesse Ventura. Cole and Lawler are back on commentating.  Ventura talks about the match at the TLC pay per view. 

Sheamus grabs a mic, says he's the number one contender and demands that John Cena stand up and face him. Cena says he's heard that before and it's normally Hall of Fame stars saying that to him. John Cena says for the past eight years he's hung with the best in the business and he's proud to stand before them tonight and say he's the champion. He's earned it and everyone knows, whether they like or dislike him, that this business is his life and it's all he's got. 

Cena lays the belt down on the table and tells Sheamus to take a good look at it because in a few moments, he's going to sign that contract and go to war with him. He says Sheamus better be ready to make a statement. Sheamus says he retires people because he can. He beats up Hall of Famers because he can. But that's nothing compared to what he's going to do Cena. They stare each other down. Cena takes his shirt off and Sheamus signs the contract. Cena signs it and Ventura holds it up. 

Ventura then says that he thinks there is a conspiracy in the WWE to keep Cena champion. He goes heel here and says that there was one time when he didn't get a title shot because he was a rebel. The WWE wants someone like Cena. Cena gets in Ventura's face and Sheamus nails him with the big boot. He then throws him shoulder first into the steel post. 

Sheamus grabs Cena and picks him up on his shoulder slamming him down into the table.  Ventura says that the match will be a table match at the pay per view. We start seeing replays and go off the air with Sheamus standing over Cena holding up the WWE title.

Overall, a great Monday Night RAW, Jesse Ventura was excellent as guest host, by far the best there has been in my opinion, great mic skills, much better than Ricky Hatton two weeks ago in Sheffield—a city very close to where I live.

Rating - 7/10