WWE Raw 7/20/09 Review

Tonight, your guest host is legendary rockers, ZZ Top.

We kick things off with John Cena heading to the ring. He's excited, the fan's are excited, everyone's excited. Cena goes over how important the triple threat match at Night of Champions is and mentions how it main evented WrestleMania two years ago. Cena goes on and, I HEAR VOICES IN MY HEAD, oops here comes the no-fun police in Randy Orton. Orton reminds everyone that he won at WrestleMania and that he'll do it again this Sunday. Fisticuffs are almost thrown out as it looks like Cena and Orton are going to go at it, until Orton unleashes Rhodes and DiBiase to ringside. It looks like it's going to be a three on one beat down when Triple H decides he wants in on the action. A very odd verbal exchange between Cena and Triple H where we learn that Hunter has never seen a Lord of the Rings movie. Or ever heard of them apparently. Anyways, main event is changed from Priceless vs. Cena/HHH to Legacy vs. Cena/HHH. Cena and HHH really played off each other well in this segment, which made it enjoyable.

We go from that to our first ZZ Top segment of the night, where they are backstage excited to be guest hosting. Santino Marella comes in and mentions he's a big fan and they outfit him in a ZZ Top outfit. Then we get fake playing of music by ZZ Top.

Kofi Kingston, MVP, Primo vs. Jack Swagger, Carlito, Big Show THIS MATCH IS SPONSORED BY DAVE & BUSTERS. odd.

Our opening contest brings up this six man affair. Before the match we learn that Kofi Kingston will defend the US title in a six-pack challenge against Swagger, Carlito, The Miz, MVP, and Big Show. Not much to note here really, extending the Colons fued and showing that Show is dominant. Primo picks up the win over Carlito, and then Big Show chokeslams everyone.

We're back to ZZ Top and now we get Chris Jericho joining them. Jericho mentions how he is a big fan and how they must be big fans of his band Fozzy. ZZ Top have no idea who that is, and then tell Jericho that he's facing Mark Henry in action tonight.

Oh look, it's THE Brian Kendrick. He's at the announcer's table campaigning to become Jericho's partner at Night of Champions. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't get that, but instead gets a match with Jerry Lawler.

The Brian Kendrick vs. Jerry Lawler

This is your typical, Lawler wrestling randomly match that we get every year or so. If there's anyone who has not benefited from the draft, it's Kendrick. He was doing well with Big Zeke on SmackDown before, and now he's really treading water on Raw. But I think that's a case of there really being nothing for him to do. Just give me Bourne/Kendrick on week WWE and I'll be happy. Oh yeah, Lawler wins by the way.

HOLY CRAP IT'S EARLY 90'S WWF AGAIN. We have a interview stage right by the entrance. It's like I'm watching Superstars or Wrestling Challenge and I'm three years old again. Oh right, anyways, Josh Matthews is out to interview Mickie James about her shot at the Diva's Championship. Remember kids, it's Night of Champions, not Night of Tramps, as Mickie pointed out. The Miz comes out to have words with Mickie. They banter back in forth throwing insults at each other when Maryse comes out AND SPRAYS MICKIE WITH ARROGANCE, I mean hair spray. See, I told you this was a early 90's WWF segment. Next week needs Rick Martel to come and try and sell Maryse a new form of Arrogance.

Chris Jericho vs. Mark Henry

Remember last week when we had Mark Henry and Chris Jericho looking like buddies, arms around each other? Well that's not what we got tonight. Instead, it's an actual match. Jericho gets DQ'd after using a chair and then tries to hit the Codebreaker while back in the ring to no effect. He gets World Strongest Slammed for his efforts. Henry poses for the crowd afterwards. I'm still not sure about super babyface Mizark yet.

Backstage again with ZZ Top and Santino where we get round 3 of Chavo Guerrero and Hornswaggle. This time, it's a Sharp Dressed Man match. Which is basically a tuxedo match.

"Sharp Dressed Man Match" Chavo Guerrero vs. Hornswaggle

Okay, the first time these two fought, it was a nice comedy match on Superstars. The second time on raw, not as good. This time, still not as good. Maybe it's time to write this angle off now, since poor Chavito can't pin Hornswaggle in three matches.

John Cena and Triple H are backstage talking about their match. According to them, everything will work tonight, but Sunday, it's a different story.

Backstage with ZZ Top and Santino again. This time, we get the Diva's to run through while "Legs" is played. It's all well and good until Santino get's a little carried away and strips down and starts dancing. Um, yeah, that segways us to our next match.

"Legs" Match Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim vs. Rosa Mendes & Alicia Fox

Wow, these gals sure no how to change clothes real fast. Anywho, Rosa still has the most stereotypical theme music ever. Though Alicia could be second in that category. Normal Diva's match here as Fox rolls up Kelly Kelly for the win.

Before the match, we are informed of next week's guest host. None other than NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal. Somebody might even get a taste of Shaq-Fu next week.

Legacy (Orton, Rhodes, DiBiase) vs. John Cena and Triple H

Main event time as ZZ Top drives into the arena before introductions. This is what the 20th handicap main event we've seen on Raw this year? C'mon Raw, I thought you had gotten out of that trend. Anyway, if you've seen one of the previous one, you know what to expect here. Legacy control most of the match, until everything breaks down. Orton goes for a punt on Cena and is then rolled up for the pinfall. Cena winning with a roll up? When's the last time you've seen that? Cena and Hunter shake hands afterwards as the final Raw before Night of Champions ends.

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So this wasn't as bad as some people have been panning it. I've heard things like, 'Oh this raw was absolutely horrible!' to something like, 'Worst Raw of the year.'. Okay, if you're going to say that, you obviously missed the 4 to 5 weeks where Raw was nearly unwatchable after the draft. This has been the weakest of the guest host shows, but we're nowhere near the atrocities of the post draft Raw's. Shaq should be fun next week. It'll be cool if they put Big Show and Shaq in a segment together, just to size both of them up.