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Randy Orton’s music interrupted and Batista shot him a glare before unbuttoning his club-approved dress shirt. Orton slowly made his way to the ring stalking Batista, then Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes snuck in the back door to try to subdue Batista. He fought off all three, then teased a Batistabomb on Orton, but DiBiase blasted him with a chair from behind. Legacy then ganged up on Batista and pounded on him in the corner. They began stomping on Batista’s left arm and shoulder area. Orton then slowly picked up the chair and put Batista’s left hand inside the chair. Crowd chanting for John Cena at this point. Orton then stomped down on the chair repeatedly, over and over and over again. No one with the assist.

Batista shouted: “I’m going to get you! This is never going to be over!” Orton then bent Batista’s arm backward with his arm inside the chair. Orton then dramatically flung the arm backward to “snap it off” and Batista sold a tear. Of note, the entire work was done on his healthy arm and not the legit injured arm. Orton then held up the WWE Title belt as Batista writhed in pain. Lawler talked about a probable dislocation or break. Trainers eventually hit the ring as Orton walked away with the title belt.

Backstage, Cody and Ted talked to Orton about there being no way Batista can come back after they broke his arm. Orton was gazing into the WWE Title belt as Josh Mathews interrupted for a word from Orton. Orton said Batista is done and out. He said he intends to use his re-match clause tonight. He said he’ll beat Batista tonight if he comes back or he’ll win by forfeit. Mathews questioned him and Orton interrupted Mathews to tell him to check with Vickie Guerrero. Orton said he’ll be champion one way or another tonight. Boos from the live audience.

Backstage, They showed Randy Orton walking down the hallway in anticipation of the expected-to-be-real-short title match. Randy Orton came to the ring holding the stolen WWE Title belt over his shoulder. Ted and Cody were still in the ring after their tag team victory to shake hands with Orton. First things first, Orton said. DiBiase & Rhodes are the #1 contenders to the tag titles after defeating the Colons. Orton transitioned to talking Batista. He said he hopes Dave doesn’t use the opening segment as an excuse for not showing for the title match tonight. Roll footage for the 80th time of the beating Orton and Co. gave Batista at the top of the show. Back live, Orton watched the footage and soaked it in. He said if Batista doesn’t show up, then Batista forfeits the title. He said let’s get on with it.

Lilian Garcia gave the ring intro for a WWE Title match. She introduced the challenger, Randy Orton. Lilian introduced champion Batista. Ref Chioda told Orton to back off. He then handed over the WWE Title belt, but Batista’s music hit. No sign of Big Dave. Maybe he’s stuck in traffic on the way back from the hospital. Dave’s music stopped, then Orton looked to the crowd. Ref told Ted and Cody to back off. He called for the bell.

Batista vs. Randy Orton (w/Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase) — WWE Title match
Ref started his ten count, but they cut to a shot of the ambulance returning to the building. Ref waved off his count, wanting to see if Batista had returned. Apparently match was over. Kinda. Who knows. WINNER: No Announcement at 0:20 milked seconds.

Suddenly, there was a shot of Triple H on the screen. Cody and Ted freaked out and grabbed chairs. Hunter emerged from the ambulance with a sledgehammer in hand. “Triple H is back!” Cole declared. Hunter walked into the building and his music played. Orton stood still in disbelief. Hunter then slowly walked out on stage and Cody ran down the entrance ramp. Hunter blocked a chair shot and landed hammer shots. DiBiase took a similar fate. Hunter slowly walked down the entrance ramp and stared down Orton, who was alone in the ring. Hunter then dropped his hammer on the ground and ripped off his official WWE Shop t-shirt. Hunter entered the ring and the fight was on. Hard camera shaking for added effect to the hot crowd response. Fight moved to the floor where Hunter punched Orton into the front row. Orton grabbed a chair, though, but Hunter blocked. Hunter blasted Orton into the announce table before grabbing a TV monitor. Orton blocked with a kick to the gut before running away into the stands. Hunter gave chase and caught Orton on the ground.

Crowd wanted a piece of Orton too as Hunter blasted him on the floor in between the grandstands and front row seats. Hunter tossed Orton back to the ringside area before chasing Orton around the ring again. Orton snuck back into the ring with chair in hand, then Hunter slowly got on the apron and re-entered the ring. Hunter charged and hit a spinebuster. He then measured Orton and blasted him with a chair to the head. Of course. Hunter then hit him repeatedly across the back with a chair to bigfoot Miz. Sure, why not. Hunter with more chair shots to the back and lower body. Hunter then put his foot on Orton’s neck and jammed the chair into Orton’s neck. Hunter went down to the mat and whispered vile sweet nothings to Orton.

Crowd chanted, “Pedigree, Pedigree.” Hunter heard it, then looked down at Orton, who tried to pull himself up. Hunter then put a chair in place and grappled Orton to finish him off. One pedigree coming up and he delivered it into the chair. Orton’s facial expression sold it magnificently. Hunter then stood over Orton’s fallen body and soaked in the moment of adulation from the audience. Hunter did his big muscle pose while standing over Orton like a monster. Announcers said Orton game to Raw tonight with a plan to steal back the title, but he had to play The Game tonight. Hunter delivered a crotch chop over Orton’s fallen body to close the show 15 minutes past the top of the hour.

Closing thoughts: Wasn’t clear what happened to the WWE Title. Apparently Batista is still the titleholder, as ref waved off the ten count on Batista, apparently because the ambulance showed up. Anyone could have been in there, but apparently the slightest hint at Batista returning was enough to cancel the match. Hunter returning was obviously an attempt to re-invigorate the struggling Raw brand. Should be a new champ next week with a guaranteed WWE Title match, but WWE could have been stalling for time with Batista to see how his medical procedure this week turns out and whether he needs extended time off or if he’ll be able to continue as champ. The unclear (and frustratingly not explained) finish tonight gives WWE some wiggle room.