The 866th edition of Monday Night RAW was the final RAW of 2009 and it came to you, live, from the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Two weeks after losing the WWE Championship to Sheamus in a Tables Match at WWE TLC, John Cena would get his rematch for the WWE Title against Sheamus on RAW. WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon would make a special appearance on RAW to address the rumors that Bret Hart would be returning to the WWE. Plus, rapper and producer Timbaland would serve as the final Guest Host of 2009.
Match Results
- Ted DiBiase def. Evan Bourne by pin following Dream Street to remain a part of Legacy.
- Cody Rhodes def. Mark Henry by pin following a DDT to remain a part of Legacy.
Following last week’s loss to Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, & Mark Henry, Randy Orton placed Rhodes & DiBiase in the above matches with the stipulation being, if they lost, they would not only be kicked out of Legacy, but Orton would "beat the hell" out of them.
- Maryse def. Kelly Kelly by pin following the French Kiss DDT.
- Non-Title: Kofi Kingston def. The Miz by pin following Trouble in Paradise.
- United States Championship: Kofi Kingston def. The Miz (c) by DQ after Randy Orton interfered; The Miz (c) retains.
The Miz Vs. Kofi Kingston was set to be a non-title match where, if Kofi won, he would get a shot at the United States Title on next week’s RAW. However, Guest Host Timbaland changed the stipulation of the match to where, if Kofi won the non-title match, he would immediately get his title match. Kofi won the non-title match and, in the match for the United States Title, Randy Orton interfered and attacked Kofi before laying Kofi out with an RKO on the floor.
- Non-Title: D-Generation X (with Hornswoggle) def. Big Show & Chavo Guerrero by Triple H pinning Chavo Guerrero following the Pedigree.
Earlier in the evening, Big Show gave Chris Jericho a front row ticket and, before the tag match, Jericho took his spot in the front row. After the match was over, Jericho hopped the barricade and got on the apron of the ring. Shawn Michaels then knocked Jericho off of the apron with Sweet Chin Music.
- WWE Championship: John Cena def. Sheamus (c) by DQ after Sheamus (c) attacks the referee; Sheamus (c) retains.
The end of the match came about with John Cena having Sheamus set up for the Attitude Adjustment. While in position for the move, Sheamus pulled the referee by his shirt and threw him to the mat. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment and pinned Sheamus, but the referee rang the bell for the disqualification. Sheamus then exited the ring, but Cena caught him on the ramp and, after Cena threw Sheamus into the ring, Sheamus laid Cena out with two of his signature kicks.
Match Results
- D-Generation X Vs. Big Show & Chavo Guerrero
- WWE Championship
- United States Championship
- Kofi Kingston Vs. The Miz
- Ted DiBiase Vs. Evan Bourne
- Cody Rhodes Vs. Mark Henry
- Maryse Vs. Kelly Kelly
Detailed Results
RAW opens with Chris Jericho, outside the arena, asking fans to sign a petition that would allow Jericho to come back to Monday Night RAW!
Back inside the arena, John Cena comes out and proceeds to grab a table from under the ring and sets it up in the ring! Cena explains that, two weeks ago at WWE TLC, the table is how Sheamus became WWE Champion. Cena then proposes that they have the rematch right then and there; in the same match that Cena lost the WWE Title in; a Tabled Match! WWE Champion Sheamus then comes out to respond to the challenge proposed by John Cena. Sheamus tells Cena that the former champion has “something to prove” and proclaims that he is the champion and has “nothing to prove”! Sheamus then states that RAW “belongs” to him and that they will have the match on his terms and it will not be a Tables Match! “The Celtic Warrior” then vows to beat Cena in a regular match and that the last RAW of 2009 will end with the image of Sheamus holding the WWE Title! Following his bold declaration, Sheamus turns to leave the ring, but Cena attacks the WWE Champion and delivers the Attitude Adjustment through a table! Cena seems poised to regain the WWE Championship from Sheamus, but Cena once again become “The Champ” or will Sheamus make his first title defense a successful one?
Backstage, Randy Orton proposes the end of Legacy following their 6-Man Tag loss last week! Orton cites that none of them are champions, so he considers Legacy a “failure”! Legacy defends themselves by saying that they are the ones who were responsible for Orton’s three reigns with the WWE Championship since the forming of Legacy. Orton reveals that he is placing them in two separate one-on-one matches to prove their worth with Ted DiBiase taking on Evan Bourne, while Cody Rhodes faces Mark Henry! Not only that, but if they fail to win their matches, they will be kicked out of Legacy and Orton vowed to “beat the hell” out of them as well!
Back outside the arena, Chris Jericho continues to try and draw support for his petition to stop the supposed “Jericho Embargo” that is keeping him off of RAW!
Following his surprising ultimatum to his protégés, Randy Orton comes out and takes a seat at ringside as Ted DiBiase faces off with Evan Bourne! With his role in Legacy on the line, Ted DiBiase picks up the win over Evan Bourne! Ted DiBiase has retained his role in Legacy, but can Cody Rhodes do the same against “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry?
After witnessing his tag team partner, Ted DiBiase, succeed against Evan Bourne to keep his spot in Legacy, Cody Rhodes would be put in a similar situation against “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry! Rhodes was able to overcome the size and strength of Mark Henry to plant “The World’s Strongest Man” with a DDT and keep his spot in Legacy! Does doubt still linger in the mind of Randy Orton when it comes to Legacy or have Rhodes & DiBiase proven themselves to Orton once and for all?
The Divas were in action on RAW as Maryse avenged her 6- Diva Tag loss last week by defeating Kelly Kelly. Following her victory, Maryse proclaimed that she will be the next Divas Champion before delivering a vile kick to the mid-section of Kelly Kelly! How will Divas Champion Melina respond to Maryse’s verbal and physical statements?
Outside the arena, Chris Jericho is still protesting his exile from RAW, but Jericho is confronted by Big Show! Show urges Jericho to “let it go” before handing Jericho an envelope; an envelope whose contents makes Jericho very happy. What is inside the envelope that put a smile on Jericho’s face?
WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon makes a much-anticipated appearance and states that there is “nothing” he would not do for the fans. The Chairman then addresses the rumors that Bret “Hitman” Hart will be returning next week on RAW to serve as Guest Host! Mr. McMahon then presents a look at the WWE career of Bret Hart; a highlight reel that ends with the controversial events that rocked the wrestling world at the 1997 Survivor Series. Like he did after the controversial events in 1997, McMahon still proclaimed that “Bret screwed Bret”! McMahon revealed that he met up with Bret after the induction of Hart in 2006 and claimed that Bret showed him nothing but “contempt” in their meeting. McMahon then begrudgingly begins to announce Bret as next week’s Guest Host, but the Chairman states that he “just can’t do it” and vows that Bret Hart will “never” serve as Guest Host of Monday Night RAW! Mr. McMahon starts to exit the ring, but, against the plea of his partner, Triple H, Shawn Michaels comes out to confront the Chairman! HBK states that some rivalries are bigger than wrestling and that he is not talking about the HBK/Hart rivalry, but about his rivalry with The Undertaker! Michaels states that he knows he can end the undefeated streak of The Undertaker and tells McMahon he is appealing to McMahon’s “wallet” and tells McMahon to make the match! McMahon then denies HBK and tells Michaels that HBK will have to “make it happen”! HBK then tells the Chairman that he can understand why McMahon is afraid of The Undertaker, but did not realize McMahon was afraid of Bret Hart! HBK tells McMahon that the Chairman needs to “close the chapter” on the Bret Hart saga and says that “only good things will happen” if Bret returns to the WWE! McMahon states that he is “fearless” before announcing, with a smile on his face, that Bret “Hitman” Hart will serve as Guest Host of next week’s RAW! What has changed the mind of Mr. McMahon? What will happen when Bret Hart appears on Monday Night RAW for the first time in twelve years on next week’s RAW?
Backstage, John Cena is discussing his rematch for the WWE Championship when Cena is ambushed and laid out by the WWE Champion, Sheamus! How will the champion’s and challenger’s attack on their adversary affect the WWE Title match in the main event?
After witnessing the arrogance of United States Champion The Miz in person, Guest Host Timbaland changes the non-title match between The Miz and Kofi Kingston to include the stipulation that, if Kofi defeats Miz, then Kofi gets an immediate rematch for the United States Championship! Kofi takes his first step toward regaining the United States Title by quickly and soundly defeating The Miz with Trouble in Paradise!
Following his swift non-title victory over The Miz, Kofi Kingston would immediately face The Miz a second time; this time with the United States Championship on the line! After hitting The Miz with Trouble in Paradise, Kofi Kingston was poised to regain the United States Championship, but Randy Orton emphatically dashes the hopes of Kofi with a vicious attack and an even more vicious RKO on the floor! How will Kofi Kingston respond to the surprise attack by “The Viper”?
Backstage, Randy Orton states that his rivalry with Kofi Kingston is “not over” until he says it’s over and, on next week’s RAW, he and Kofi will “finish” it! Orton then states that it would be perfect to kick off 2010 by punting someone in the skull! Can Kofi Kingston get the win over Orton next week or will Orton put a definitive end to his rivalry with Kofi?
Prior to their non-title match against Big Show and a partner of Show’s choosing, Unified WWE Tag Team Champions D-Generation X are speaking to the fans in attendance when their attention turns to Chris Jericho, who is among the fans in attendance! Jericho makes his way to the front row and reveals that he has a ticket to be in the arena!
As Chris Jericho looks on from the front row, Unified WWE Tag Team Champions D-Generation X face Big Show and Show’s hand-picked replacement for Jericho- Chavo Guerrero! With the referee distracted by Shawn Michaels, Hornswoggle enters the ring and tries to get the Pedigree on Chavo, but Chavo counters the attempt! While Chavo avoids the Pedigree from Hornswoggle, “The Latin Warrior” could not avoid the Pedigree by the originator of the maneuver as Triple H plants Chavo with the Pedigree to pick up the win! After the match, an irate Chris Jericho jumps the barricade and tries to enter the ring to confront DX, but Shawn Michaels catches Jericho with a rendition of Sweet Chin Music! Triple H then announces that, on next week’s RAW, DX will defend the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles against Chris Jericho & Big Show once again, but if Jericho loses this time, he must leave RAW and agree not to come back! Will Jeri-Show regain the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles on next week’s epic edition of RAW or will DX finally rid RAW of Chris Jericho?
Following their two prior “meetings” earlier in the night, it was finally time for Sheamus to make his first defense of the WWE Championship against former champion John Cena. Cena looked poised for victory after hoisting Sheamus up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Sheamus saves his title by putting his hands on the referee and throwing the referee down! Cena delivers the Attitude Adjustment, but the referee rings the bell for the disqualification for Sheamus’ attack! Still the WWE Champion, Sheamus exits the ring, but is caught on the ramp by Cena! Cena throws Sheamus in the ring, but “The Celtic Warrior” is able to recover and deliver his signature and vile kick to Cena! Following a second kick to the former champion, Sheamus closed the final RAW of 2009 just like he said he would; with the WWE Title intact! How will Cena respond to the actions of Sheamus? Will Cena receive another rematch for the WWE Title?