January 12, 2009 – Sioux City, Iowa
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
IN THE LIMO
John Bradshaw Layfield & Shawn Michaels: Shawn Michaels was inside JBL’s limosine with a sad look on his face. JBL explained that tonight Michaels was not fighting for a title, he was fighting for a paycheck.. “from me… your employer.” JBL said Shawn can consider tonight his “WrestleMania.”
IN THE RING
Stephanie McMahon + Chris Jericho: General Manager Stephanie McMahon hyped the Royal Rumble in two weeks, where 30 wrestlers will compete for the right to headline WrestleMania 25. Stephanie said she was looking forward to next week, for the return of her father – Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Chris Jericho’s music interrupted Stephanie in mid-sentance and Jericho joined the General Manager in the ring. Jericho called Stephanie a LIAR! Jericho said the truth was that Stephanie was scared to death of her father, because when he comes back her time running the show is over. Jericho said he will right all of Stephanie’s wrongs and give him what he wants – replacing JBL in the championship match at Royal Rumble. Jericho said Mr. McMahon respects the locker room and he respects him. Jericho said he (Vince) knows how to run the show, and Stephanie said “RAW is MY show, Chris!” Jericho said Stephanie doesn’t have a clue. Stephanie said her father supports her. Jericho asked if Vince supported Stephanie’s decision to make Mike Adamle the General Manager of RAW. Stephanie blamed Mike Adamle on her brother Shane. Stephanie said the World title contract is done and will be signed next week in the ring by JBL and John Cena. Stephanie told Jericho to focus on winning the Royal Rumble. Stephanie said Jericho has a match tonight. Jericho said he won’t compete unless the World championship is at stake. Stephanie stood her ground. Jericho said he was done talking because her time is running out and the REAL McMahon is coming back. Stephanie said she was still in charge, and Jericho asked “what are you gonna do about it?” Stephanie threatened to take Jericho out of the Rumble. Jericho said he doesn’t give a damn what she says any more. Stephanie looked Jericho in the eye and said “You’re fired!” with that sexy grin on her face, too! Stephanie walked out of the ring leaving a stunned Jericho to digest what just happened to him!
SINGLES MATCH
Rey Mysterio defeated Mike “The Miz” Mizanin: You think Rey Mysterio would learn to watch his own back. After Mysterio defeated the Miz, he was attacked by the maniac Mike Knox for the millionth week in a row. Rey fought back this time, and it was Knox who was forced to retreat!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Candice Michelle was talking to C.M. Punk but he had his earphones on listening to music. Candice said she didn’t think she’d ever see Mr. McMahon again, and even thought he was dead. Since when is Candice Michelle an air-head?!
VIDEO PACKAGE: They showed some footage from the old MCMAHON DVD to hype the return of Vince McMahon next week!
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE REMATCH
William Regal w/Layla El defeated C.M. Punk by DQ to retain the WWE Intercontinental title: The stipulation was that if William Regal got disqualified he would lose his Intercontinental championship to C.M. Punk. Not too long into the match, Punk went to punch Regal in the gut, but Regal acted like it was a low-blow! The referee saw it and disqualified Punk! Regal retains the WWE Intercontinental title..
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Mickie James was telling Cody Rhodes about the huge blizzard outside, and Rhodes said he didn’t even know why they were in Iowa in the first place. Why are Cody Rhodes and Mickie James talking anyway? Sim Snuka & Manu showed up and scolded Rhodes for joining Orton’s group without them. Rhodes said the two of them would have done the same thing. Manu warned Rhodes that they were going after Randy Orton tonight, and wondered if Rhodes was with them or against them. Snuka said they brought a little backup in the form of another second generation wrestler. Rhodes asked, “who?”
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & William Regal & Layla El + Stephanie McMahon: William Regal said he was glad the challenge was over and is still the Intercontinental champion. Regal said he was satisfied. Stephanie McMahon showed up and said she wasn’t satisfied. Stephanie booked another rematch next week and it would be a No-Disqualification match!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Stone Cold Steve Austin will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 25 in Houston, Texas!!!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Bradshaw Layfield & Shawn Michaels: JBL said that Stephanie McMahon can’t fire Shawn Michaels because Shawn works for him. JBL said with him in Shawn’s corner, he can’t lose against John Cena. Michaels said if this is his WrestleMania, then he won’t need JBL in his corner. Michaels left without JBL.
VIDEO PACKAGE: More clips to hype the return of Mr. McMahon..
SINGLES MATCH
Randy Orton w/Cody Rhodes defeated Kane: Kane slipped out of the RKO and went to the top rope. Kane jumped off the top rope, but was met with a drop kick from Randy Orton! Orton scored the 1-2-3 but Kane’s shoulder was off the mat. Kane protested to referee Scott James and followed him backstage. I thought we were going to see the MONSTER Kane return this week?
IN THE RING
Randy Orton (in the ring) & Cody Rhodes + Sim Snuka & Manu + Ted DiBiase Jr.: Sim Snuka & Manu came out and got Randy Orton’s attention. Manu asked Cody Rhodes if he was with them or against them. Snuka introduced their backup – Ted DiBiase Jr.! Snuka, Manu, and DiBiase walked to the ring and surrounded Randy Orton. Rhodes also slipped into the ring and joined the second generation guys in circling Orton. Orton went on the attack, but Rhodes & DiBiase pulled a swerve and sided with Orton! Orton, Rhodes, & DiBiase demolished Snuka & Manu! That was a pretty good angle. Looking forward to seeing more.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & World champion John Cena: John Cena talked about sneaking in the Royal Rumble last year, fooling everybody, and winning the whole thing! Cena said that the Road To WrestleMania starts at the Royal Rumble. Cena got serious when he talked about defending the World Heavyweight title against JBL. Cena reminded everybody of what JBL is capable of, and called Shawn Michaels an “ace up his sleeve.”
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Melina Perez & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix & Jillian Hall ended in a No Contest: Before the match, Rosa Mendez (dressed as a WWE photographer during Melina’s entrance) attacked Melina on her way to the ring. Security pulled Rosa (who was banned from WWE arenas) off and dragged her out of the building. Beth & Jillian attacked Melina & Kelly from behind in the isle. Beth tossed Melina head-first into the barricade and started aggressively snapping pictures of Melina’s face.
VIDEO PACKAGE: More clips to hype the return of Mr. McMahon, including last year when Vince McMahon received a STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame..
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Legacy (Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase): Randy Orton said when he kicked Ted DiBiase in the head months ago he was only trying to knock some sense into him. Orton celebrated with his new stablemates, all of whom will be in the Royal Rumble. Orton made it clear that there can only be one winner!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: There was a line-up of mid-carders waiting to see Stephanie McMahon about their spot in the Royal Rumble. Santino Marella came out and said that he was given a spot in the Rumble!
NON (WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT) TITLE MATCH
Shawn Michaels w/JBL defeated World Heavyweight champion John Cena: Shawn Michaels came out and JBL stood in his corner as promised. After some magical back-and-forth action, John Cena was setting up for his finish but gave JBL the “you can’t see me” sign. Michaels mounted a come-back and set up for the Sweet Shin Music, but Cena ducked and connected with an FU! Cena covered Michaels, but he kicked out after two. Cena went for another FU but Michaels connected with a super-kick! Cena kicked out after two! JBL looked on with shock and amazement. A few moments later, Cena locked Michaels into the STF-U right in front of JBL. JBL pushed the rope inward so that Michaels could reach it and break the hold. For some reason, Cena allowed Michaels time to get to his feet. Cena went in for the kill, but was momentarily distracted by JBL – allowing Shawn Michaels to super-kick Cena and score the 1-2-3 to win the match! Shawn Michaels got up and walked backstage (probably by order of JBL). JBL entered the ring and stood over the unconcious John Cena as the show went off the air.