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Justin Roberts growled out an introduction to the guest host, Jesse Ventura. Instead, Randy Orton’s music played. He entered the ring and said his father told him all about Ventura, which is he considers himself to be a revolutionary, a radical, and someone who speaks his own and breaks his own rules. He said he wanted Ventura to prove that to him personally. He said Ventura has the power to lift the ban on his title shots against Cena. Ventura walked out in wrestling tights, a snake skin jacket, sunglasses, and his hair pulled back into a braid. “The body is back and, as you can see, I ain’t dressed like no governor tonight, I’m dressed like pro wrestling,” he said with his classic delivery. He said he’s in charge now, so what he says goes. He turned to orton and said he respects him and likes his style. “You remind me of me,” he said, adding that he stands for revolution in this country. He said he doesn’t belong to the Republicans or Democrats. He said being the Governor of Revolution, he is also the one who will bring something completely new to WWE tonight.
Ventura turned and told Orton he won’t get a title shot. He said too many of the same people day in, day out, week after week have gotten the shot at the title. He said it’s time to change that. Orton interrupted and asked if Triple H would get a shot. Or Shawn Michaels or Chris Jericho. Ventura ruled them all out. He said there will be a series of matches to earn a title shot and the qualification is none can be former champions. Then the winners will participate in a Breakthrough Battle Royal, and the winner will be the no. 1 contender. Orton told Ventura he’s making a very, very big mistake. Ventura said he’s make plenty of mistakes before. “You can’t govern and not make mistakes,” he said, but then reiterated that what he says goes.
Ventura announced Cena would face Punk. He said they’ve never wrestled before. He announced DX vs. The Hart Dynasty, adding that they’ve never faces each other before. He then introduced the first match in the one-night top contender tournament. Kingston walked out to his ring intro as Orton walked toward the back. They exchanged a tense stare as they passed one another.
Orton approached Ventura backstage. He told Jesse that he’s the victim of a conspiracy as they don’t want him to be champion. Ventura seemed to sympathize with him, but he said he set the rules tonight and can’t make special exceptions for him. He said he’s all about revolution, and that means new, not old. He said he likes that he retires old guys who ought to be retired. Orton didn’t like what he heard, but didn’t protest any further.
Evan Bourne came out to face Primo Colon. Then Primo stepped onto the stage. Orton ambushed Primo and beat him down near the stage. Then he walked to the ring and told the ref he’s in the match now and ring the bell. Ventura appeared on the big screen and told them to shut things down out there. He addressed Orton and said he’s been on his case since he arrived tonight. He said because he’s been persistence, rules are made to be broken. He said he broke every rule when he wrestled and when he announced, and he can break his own rules. He said he’ll break a rule just for him. He said if he can beat Bourne, he will put him in the battle royal and get a chance at the World Title. “Persistency pays off,” he said. “I like your style.”
EVAN BOURNE vs.RANDY ORTON — Qualifying Match
Orton threw Bourne into the ringpost and scored an early two count. He quickly catapulted him into the bottom rope for another two count. Bourne made a brief comeback and hit a double flying knee drop onto Orton for a near fall. Orton turned a springboard bodyblock attempt by Bourne into a powerslam. Bourne then gave Orton an RKO for the win.
WINNER: Orton in 2:00.
BREAKTHROUGH BATTLE ROYAL — #1 contender match
Back from break, everyone was in the ring except for Randy Orton, who slowly walked out to the ring to get the match started. Sheamus stood out early on for just waiting back in the corner looking to pick his spot. McMahon with a quick unintentional plug for the new “Blind Side” movie, saying the key to a battle royal is to protect your blindside. Meanwhile, Orton slipped to the outside and waited for his moment. McMahon and Ventura traded barbs while the action slowed to a crawl. They followed with a debate on the WWE refs allowing Orton to stay on the outside. Ventura told McMahon to hire new refs, while McMahon shot back that Ventura has power. And so the dilemma of absolute power in the Raw storylines continues. And out went R-Truth via Sheamus at 2:55 for the first elimination. Batista doesn’t have to worry about anything tonight. Ventura said the only problem he has with Sheamus is he needs a suntan. MVP was then knocked out of the match. Henry teased eliminating Sheamus, but Legacy saved Sheamus.
At 4:00, Henry eliminated both members of Legacy. Sheamus then snuck up behind Henry to dump him out. So now it’s Orton, Sheamus, and Kofi. A graphic flashed “Voices of: Jesse Ventura, Vince McMahon.” Thanks for the heads up, WWE. Kofi and Orton paired off against each other, then Sheamus tried to get involved, but Orton dropped Sheamus with the fallaway backbreaker. Orton then tried to eliminate Kofi, but Kofi skinned the cat and eliminated Orton. Orton did the big bug eyes after being eliminated. WWE stayed with a camera shot of Kofi and Orton, then Sheamus came up from behind Kofi and eliminated him for the win.
WINNER: Sheamus at 6:23 to become #1 contender.
