Trish Stratus did a respectable job, but Batista's return was the big news.
Trish
1. Batista. REACT: Trish made the Batista-Orton match, which was a big match to make.
2. First segment. REACT: Trish wasn't the best speaker in front of the live crowd. She seemed a little boring. I did like how she complimented Bob Barker and bashed Chris Jericho, which set up a later segment.
3. Orton vs. Cena. REACT: Trish set up a PPV classic rematch, although I don't like Orton's chances.
4. Beth Phoenix and Jericho. REACT: I was glad Beth was upset she wasn't wrestling (see my No. 2 match comments below). I was also glad WWE re-pushed the Jericho-Trish angle. Trish seemed to relax a little, even poking fun at Jericho and Big Show being a team. I was glad WWE kept her out of a singles match. Jericho challenging Barker was funny. This was a stronger segment for Trish.
5. Trish/MVP/Mark Henry beat Beth/Jericho/Big Show. REACT: Rough spots early on. Big Show running in saved things. While the restart was slow, the MVP-Beth showdown was funny, and the double-ballin' move was a nice touch. Henry had an impressive move taking out Big Show, and Beth doesn't lose anything since Trish pinned her in a 3-on-3 match. While sloppy at times, the match was good for what it was.
Final Trish grade: She wrestled, so that's more than most guest hosts. Her verbal skills bring her down, but she's the easiest-on-the-eyes guest host we've had so far (not that that's saying much). Trish gets a solid B.
Batista
1. Batista returns. REACT: This is huge for WWE, as most everyone figured he'd be out a little while longer. Batista is heading over to Smackdown as one of the top faces, which needs another face seeing how Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio are on the outs.
2. Batista hints retirement. REACT: This was an awesome swerve to open the show. I thought Batista even had tears behind his sunglasses to sell the swerve. He had me going.
3. Michael Cole, about Batista, said, "He's decided to go to Smackdown for some competition." REACT: Is it just me, or did it seem like Cole was implying Raw has no competition?
4. Batista beats Randy Orton in a No Holds Barred Match. REACT: It's good to see Batista back. While it's too bad he's off to Smackdown, he got the last word in his feud with Orton -- who has had a rough two days. I like how Orton worked on Batista's previously injured arm. While the Batista spear came out of nowhere, it didn't end the match. That was good. John Cena forcing Orton back into the ring, leading to the spine buster and Batista Bomb, was a strong finish. Again, I'm concerned about Orton's chances against Cena, especially after Batista pretty much squashed him.
The other matches
1. The Miz/Jack Swagger beat United States Champion Kofi Kingston/Primo. REACT: Solid match, and the right team won. I liked how Swagger got the pin and The Miz ran off with Kofi's belt. Might we see a triple-threat match with these guys?
2. Alicia Fox beats Gail Kim. REACT: I was surprised Alicia was even in a match, let alone a No. 1 contenders match. Mickie James' commentary was below-average, although Jerry Lawler had some classic lines like suggesting a three-person commentary booth. The match was decent, and the result was a complete shocker. I guess pushing Alicia isn't horrible -- it's not like Gail was or is getting a push.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Ted DiBiase is a no contest. REACT: Cody Rhodes had a solid "are you ready?" imitation. The Legacy really built themselves up nicely by mentioning The Rock, Austin, Undertaker, McMahons and Edge/Orton had not gotten DX to submit. By the way, what was up with DiBiase's ears? I also liked how The Legacy said their fathers are now known as the fathers of The Legacy. "You screwed Bret (Hart)" chants were abundant. The match was slow, but picked up. The crowd seemed really into it, and the brawl even took out the cameraman. I'm glad this feud is continuing.
4. Evan Bourne/Hornswoggle beat Chavo Guerrero/Carlito. REACT: Why exactly is Rosa Mendes with Carlito? For a feud that never ends (but seems like it finally is -- thank God), this was decent. The apple spitting by Hornswoggle was a good finisher and lead-in to Chavo giving up against Hornswoggle, for good.
The segments
1. John Cena. REACT: Serious but powerful promo.
Next week's Raw guest host
1. Cedric the Entertainer. REACT: This stands to be the worst Raw guest host yet.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
Ashley Massaro (ankle) said she could have lost her foot had doctors not caught her infection. REACT: Good to hear she's better.
Roddy Piper cancels series of upcoming appearances due to health reasons. REACT: Keep Piper in your thoughts.
Brooke Hogan and mom Linda reportedly reconcile. REACT: I'll believe it when I see it and hear it.
Hulk Hogan files lawsuit against two of his attorneys, saying they charged him more thean $1 million in legal fees for a civil suit defense from the John Graziano incident. REACT: Sad, especially since he said Progressive had a free representation offer for Hogan, which he says he never received.
Hulk Hogan impersonator at http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/09/14/news/srv0000006389145.txt REACT: This guy has a great job.
An even better link, this one about Jeff Hardy, is at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkeeWKFgsb0 REACT: Funny!
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