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Triple H vs. Randy Orton
Triple H’s ring entrance came before Orton’s. Lawler talked about the Triple Threat match with the Legacy members. Early in the match Lawler compared Sheamus beating Triple H at WrestleMania to a scenario in “another sport” such as in baseball if a rookie were to hit a homerun at his first at bat against a star pitcher. They cut to a break as Orton beat on Triple H at ringside. [c] (Impact was also at a break at this time.) Orton had Hunter in his obligatory mid-match chinlock. At 7:00 Hunter showed signs of life. They went into sequences countering each other’s moves.

Triple H snapped Orton’s head over the top rope and then he executed the Pedigree mid-ring. Rhodes and DiBiase attacked Hunter, shoved him out of the ring, and then attacked Orton two-on-one. Hunter re-entered the ring to go after DiBiase and Rhodes, but Sheamus appeared almost out of nowhere and gave Hunter a boot to the face. As Sheamus stood over Hunter in the ring, Rhodes and DiBiase stood over Orton at ringside.

Winner: Orton via DQ in 9:00.

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Randy Orton vs. Legacy (Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase)
Orton dominated early on as Lawler played with Cole about Orton’s strategy of not telling Legacy everything he knows. Legacy then used the numbers advantage with the ref distracted to begin double-teaming Orton to build sympathy on Orton. Orton then regained control and Legacy bailed to opposite ends of the ring as they cut to break. Back from break, Orton was going to town on Cody and Ted in the ring. I can’t believe they’re going with this match – with the awful storyline progression and no heat on Legacy – heading into the top of the hour. Anyways, Orton found himself on the floor and DiBiase landed a dropkick that put Orton on the floor. Back in the ring, DiBiase worked on Orton with a headlock before scoring a nearfall.

The match continued with Cody scoring a nearfall on Orton. Legacy continued to tag in and out working over Orton, who then ducked a clothesline and fired up a comeback using clotheslines and powerslams. Big pop for Orton’s babyface comeback. That was a weird sentence to write. Orton pounded on DiBiase, who then ran into a fallaway back snap. Orton then peered up at the WrestleMania banner and Cole filled in the blank that Legacy cost him his ticket to WrestleMania. Cody then distracted Orton as he was setting up the RKO and DiBiase dropped Orton with Dream Street for the pin and the win. Lawler sold shock, but reasoned the odds were stacked against Orton here. Cody then dropped Orton with Cross Rhodes to add insult to injury. They mocked Orton with his old-school ballerina pose before Legacy’s music hit. The announcers sold Legacy accomplishing their goals tonight.

Winners: Legacy at 11:45. Good heat at the end of the match to give Legacy a credible victory when they desperately needed a win, even if it was with a two-on-one advantage. Still no word on where this goes toward WrestleMania, but the announcers sold it as Legacy officially severing their ties with Orton. Interesting development.

Gallery Links:
- Fan Candids > Houseshows > WWE Supershow – February 19th 2010 – Chicago, Ill
- Fan Candids > Houseshows > WWE Supershow – February 20th 2010 – Springfield, Ill
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Elimination Chamber 2010

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Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase
The bell sounded and they circled around the ring before DiBiase landed a kick to the gut, but Orton fired back with right hands. Lawler equated this to NXT with Orton mentoring DiBiase to where DiBiase thought he knew more than his mentor. Cole, defending the “Rookie” in the equation, said perhaps DiBiase got tired of Orton’s methods. So weird with Cole defending a “Rookie” on Monday nights and ripping them on Tuesdays. At 1:30, DiBiase chucked Orton to the floor and they brawled until Orton bounced DiBiase’s head off the ringpost. Orton returned to the ring and glared down at DiBiase as they cut to break.

Back from break, DiBiase was pounding on Orton in the ring. DiBiase landed right hand blows before ramming Orton head-first into the corner turnbuckle. Unfortunately, DiBiase hasn’t been built up as a heel, so the audience is silent for DiBiase’s heel work. They came to life when Orton kicked out of a close nearfall before DiBiase applied a modified Cobra Clutch. Orton fought out of the hold, then clotheslined Orton for a two count. They traded haymakers from a standing position, then Orton hit a powerslam off the ropes. Orton then began to stomp away on DiBiase before landing a big knee drop.

Orton began stalking DiBiase for the RKO as the crowd rallied behind him. The crowd popped for Cody Rhodes running down to the ring to distract Orton. Orton and DiBiase exchanged pin attempts, then Cody stormed the ring and attacked Orton, with the match thrown out. Both Ted and Cody beat down Orton, then Orton suddenly fought back against both of them. Orton landed a dropkick that cleared DiBiase, then Rhodes ate a fallaway backbreaker. Orton then tried a snap DDT, but DiBiase pulled Rhodes out of the way. Cue up Orton’s theme music with Orton standing tall in the ring.

Winner: No Contest at 9:01

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In-ring: Up next was the six-man tag match. Out first was the mid-card babyface trio of Yoshi Tatsu making his Raw debut coming over from the ECW brand, Evan Bourne, and Kofi Kingston, who was in a WWE Title match last night. Legacy then came out and the announcers talked up the Elimination Chamber damage. Lawler said Triple H is not here and Sheamus is out with a concussion.

Legacy (Randy Orton & Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes) vs. Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne & Yoshi Tatsu
Yoshi started things off and the announcers talked up Yoshi signing as a free agent. Bourne then tagged in and worked over Cody before setting up the Air Bourne. Cody crotched Bourne, though, and took Bourne off the top rope with the Alabama Slam for a two count. They cut to break with the action in the ring rather than on the floor.

Back from break, DiBiase was working over Bourne, who came back with a double knee smash on DiBiase to cut off Ted. Bourne sold crawling across the desert to his corner and he tagged in Kofi, who came in hot with flying offense on DiBiase. Kofi then tried to warm up the Boom Drop, but Orton distracted the ref and Cody smashed Kofi from behind on the ring apron.

The match continued with Orton entering the match and scoop-slamming Kofi three straight times. The dreaded scoop slam! Kofi battled back, but Orton cut him off with an uppercut. Orton then dropped a knee across the throat before settling in a classic reverse chinlock. Getting back to the basics here. Orton just started walking around the ring, then Cody blind-tagged himself into the match. Orton stared at Cody, then grabbed Cody as he was trying to enter the ring and hooked him for the classic horizontal spike DDT. Orton bailed from the ring, then DiBiase got in his face. “What was that all about? What’s your problem?! Tell me right now!” Orton then snapped and dropped Ted on the floor padding with the RKO. The crowd was hot for the latest from Orton. Back in the ring, Yoshi tagged in for Kofi and gave Cody a rolling snapmare into a kick. He then tagged in Bourne, who went up top and nailed Air Bourne on Cody, who folded his legs like a dead insect as Bourne pinned him for the win.

Post-match: They cut to a shot of Orton standing on the entranceramp glaring down into the ring as the announcers talked up Orton beating Legacy to the punch. They showed DiBiase collecting himself on the floor and Cody writhing in pain on the mat before plugging Batista vs. Cena tonight. Also, HBK explains himself tonight.

Winners: Bourne & Tatsu & Kofi at 9:50. Fine match for the storyline purpose of setting up the latest split tease with Legacy.

Gallery Links:
- Superstar of the Day: 02-22-2010

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The bell sounded and Matt Striker gave us the first piece of history on the night that the WWE Title last changed hands in St. Louis in 1998. Fact check: correct, as it was Survivor Series 1998 when The Rock won the title from Mankind. Sheamus dominated Kofi early on in the match as Randy Orton’s hometown crowd chanted, “RKO,” while Orton watched from inside a pod. Sheamus continued to hit a move, then play to the crowd. Kofi then came back with an enziguiri kick and a springboard splash for a two count. Sheamus shook off Kofi’s offense and regained control as they closed in on the five-minute mark.

At 5:00, the screen bounced from pod to pod before stopping on…Triple H. The spotlight focused on Hunter’s pod and he had a big smile on his face before turning serious and entering the Chamber to go nose-to-nose with Sheamus center ring. They picked up from the end of Raw, where Sheamus gave Hunter the running Outsider’s Edge, with Hunter in control giving Sheamus a beating using the cage as a weapon. Sheamus then tried to come back with the running Edge, but Hunter blocked and hit a DDT for a two count. Kofi, who was MIA for a few minutes, then came off the top with a splash that Hunter ducked and Sheamus ate. Kofi then stacked up Hunter and Sheamus in the corner before cat jumping Sheamus for some weak-looking right hand blows out of a corner mount before hitting a leaping clothesline. Kofi then followed with an innovative Boom Drop over the top rope onto Hunter, who was on the platform on the other side of the ring. Both men sold the effects here.

At 10:00, the spotlight went to Randy Orton, who exploded out of his pod and went right after Sheamus to take the fight to the champ. Orton then played pinball with Sheamus’s head to send him face-first into the structure walls over and over. Same with Triple H. Kofi then took out Orton, Hunter, and Sheamus on the platform before trying a springboard move onto Orton, only to have Orton counter in mid-air with a textbook dropkick. Hunter re-entered the action and Orton knocked him down before stalking him for the RKO. Orton wanted it, but Hunter shoved him away. Kofi, Hunter, and Orton danced before Orton back dropped Hunter over the top rope to the wire platform. Orton is the focal point here thus far. Suddenly, Sheamus rammed Orton into the ringpost and everyone was down and out.

At 15:00, the spotlight focused on DiBiase to bring in the fifth man of the match. DiBiase immediately started cleaning house as Cena waited for the final entry in the match. DiBiase then walked over to Orton and stared him down before extending a hand. DiBiase helped up Orton, then Legacy talked strategy. They targeted Hunter with kicks and stomps before targeting Sheamus to ram him shoulder-first into the ringpost. Legacy then took Kofi’s head and tried to ram him through one of the square bars. They eventually squeezed his head through the chamber wall and DiBiase put him in a Boston Crab. That was sick. Orton and DiBiase then took apart Hunter including the horizonal DDT off the middle rope onto the platform. Nice. This happened right in front of Cena’s pod. Orton and DiBiase stared down Cena as the countdown went on.

At 21:00, the door opened for Cena as the final entrant in the match. Cena came out fighting with right hands for both DiBiase and Cena to run wild on Legacy. Cena then hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Orton before teasing the Attitude Adjustment on DiBiase. DiBiase tried to hook the ropes to block, so Cena dumped him over the top rope onto the platform to hit the AA. Cena then applied the STF on DiBiase, but Orton broke it up. Remember that. Cody Rhodes then stormed the ringside area and slipped a pipe into the ring. He was yelling for Orton, but DiBiase took the pipe as Cena had Orton up in the air for the AA. DiBiase then blasted Orton with the pipe, followed by Cena. Cena and Orton were KO’ed on the mat, then DiBiase had to make a choice. He opted to cover Orton and score the pin for the first elimination.

Randy Orton eliminated at 24:00

After the elimination, Orton was escorted out of the Chamber, but he looked back to shoot DiBiase a look.

Gallery Link:
- Magazines/Publications > WWE Magazines > March 2010

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WWE champion Sheamus vs. Randy Orton — non-title match
Orton was the default babyface here with the audience firmly behind him. Sheamus cut off Orton’s early advantage as they set a slow pace. Sheamus teased the bicycle kick, but Orton ducked and teased the RKO, but Sheamus ducked and rolled to the floor. Orton stood tall in the ring as they cut to a break.

They returned from break with Orton stomping on Sheamus’s body. Mild pop for the Orton Stomp. Ted DiBiase then walked out down the entranceramp. Cody Rhodes followed from a distance. Meanwhile, Sheamus attacked Orton from behind and executed a backbreaker to take control of the match. Orton quickly regained control with a textbook standing dropkick followed by multiple stomps to the mid-section. Orton then pounded the mat looking to set up the RKO, but Sheamus awkwardly blocked before awkwardly rolling to the outside. Orton then shoved Sheamus shoulder-first into the ringpost and rolled back into the ring. DiBiase tried to grab Sheamus, but Sheamus smashed him to the floor. Cody then grabbed Sheamus, which the ref saw and called for a DQ on Orton.

Post-match: DiBiase entered the ring and played the blame game pointing his finger at Cody. The fans chanted, “RKO,” as the pupils continued to argue with each other. Orton then dropped Cody with the RKO out of nowhere. Before DiBiase could react, Sheamus suddenly re-entered and dropped DiBiase with the bicycle kick. Seconds later, Orton dropped Sheamus with the RKO. The crowd popped big for Orton being the last man standing in the ring. Orton sold the crazed lunatic character as he contemplated what happened in the ring. Cue up his music as the announcers replayed the finish with the crowd still cheering Orton.

Winner: Sheamus via DQ at 8:34. Sheamus is officially a lameduck champion at this point, which puts his title in jeopardy on Sunday at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Orton’s teased babyface turn built some momentum this week. We’ll see where all this is going leading to the PPV with DiBiase also involved in the Chamber match.

Gallery Links:
- WWE Event Program > 2010 Souvenir Program

Gallery Links:
- Appearances / Fan Candids > 01/28/2010 – Washington Auto Show (Set #003).

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Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
The bell sounded and they came face-to-face. Orton teased Cody by slapping him. Cody then slapped back and followed with a high dropkick. They proceeded to engage in a standard wrestling match after deciding to find out who the better man is in the ring. Cody then missed with a top rope splash and Orton teased the RKO by going into his snake-like crouch. Suddenly, WWE champ Sheamus teased entering the ring, only to back off. Cody then took advantage of the distraction by hitting Cross Rhodes on Orton. Cody made the pin for the win and shouted toward Orton that he won the match.

Post-match: Sheamus hit his big bicycle kick to the face on Orton. He then wanted another impact move, but Cody shooed Sheamus away with a chair. Cody stood over Orton to protect him, which seemed to be a tease for Cody to turn on Orton, but they didn’t book that development. Sheamus then slowly walked away before they cut to the announcers. Lawler said the whole situation just has a weird smell.

Winner: Cody Rhodes at 2:45. Fine match with focus on the story to set up Orton for revenge on Sheamus at the Chamber. More Legacy tension potential with Cody scoring a win, then allowing Sheamus to get in a shot on Orton before making the save.

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Orton slowed things down with a focused attack as the announcers talked about both men being in a fragile state of mind. Orton then took Michaels up top, but Michaels knocked Orton off the top with forearm strikes before hitting a flying elbow drop. Michaels then went to the corner to tune up the band at 6:00, but Orton ducked and teased the RKO, only to have Michaels hit an atomic drop and chop combo twice. Michaels then flew off the ropes with a trademark flying elbow smash. He was about to do the classic kip up, but Orton grabbed him in mid-air and rolled up Michaels for the surprise pin and the win.

Post-match: Orton walked out of the ring pleased with himself in his own way while Michaels fought himself on screwing up again. Orton’s music stopped and Michaels walked around the ring in frustration. Michaels ripped off his wrist bands and stomped out of the ring muttering to himself. The announcers talked about it being a frustrating 24 hours as Michaels disappeared in the back.

Winner: Orton at 6:37 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. Only went seven minutes, but it felt like a longer match. Great storytelling from both men and a great finish with the flurry at the end before Orton made the big counter. If only someone would roll up Cena on the “You Can’t See Me” hand wave. Michaels’s post-match storytelling was well done to hook viewers on what’s next.

Backstage: Ted DiBiase stopped Randy Orton and congratulated him on the win before apologizing for what happened last night. He said he can’t speak for Cody, but he’s sorry. Orton then got in his face and simply glared at him without saying a word. Orton as the silent assassin is great. Orton walked off, then DiBiase made a pouty face to sell his confusion.

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Backstage: Randy Orton was walking down the hallway, then Ted DiBiase walked up to him and said he has his back. DiBiase said he can’t even talk to Cody right now. He said Cody’s been talking about winning the Rumble and facing Sheamus at Mania, even counting Orton out. Orton had enough of their games and said he’s going to win against Sheamus and he doesn’t want their help.

In-ring: WWE champ Sheamus came to the ring to near-unanimous boos. Randy Orton then came out to a smattering of cheers, but mainly boos as Cole made sure Orton was presented as a heel too. Lawler said it’s a battle of un-likeable wrestlers. Justin Roberts then handled the formal ring intros. Orton was about 90 percent cheered. He didn’t acknowledge, though. Sheamus was the clear heel with the crowd.

WWE champion SHEAMUS vs. RANDY ORTON — WWE Title match
The bell sounded and they faced off without locking up. A chant of “Randy, Randy” started the action before they came together and blocked each other’s shoulder tackle attempts. Orton then hit a standing dropkick and teased the RKO before slithering backward from a defensive Sheamus. Orton then nailed a standing uppercut and Sheamus came right back with a big Polish hammer blow to the face. Sheamus knocked Orton to the floor with a shoulder attack and followed on the floor with uppercuts. Orton returned to the ring holding his shoulder before luring Sheamus into an attack on the left knee. Orton dissected Sheamus’s leg and continued his attack with methodical work in the ring and on the ring apron. Striker explained to the audience the pro-Orton crowd by saying there is a certain respect and familiarity with Orton. Sheamus then found an opening in Orton’s methodical attack to go back to working the left shoulder looking for a submission. They came to their feet and began an exchange of standing right hand blows. After they threw bombs, Sheamus caught Orton off the ropes for a big swinging backbreaker across his knee for a close two count.

Just before 10:00, Sheamus pounded his chest and measured Orton for his finishing move. Sheamus wanted the running Outsider’s Edge, but Orton slipped out and kicked Sheamus out of the ring to the floor. Orton then grappled Sheamus back in the ring and held him across the middle rope for a spike DDT that the crowd popped for. Orton made a cover, but Sheamus grabbed the bottom rope for a two count. The crowd came to life as Orton stalked Sheamus before slowly backing away. He measured the champ for The Punt, but Sheamus rolled to the outside. Orton gave chase and landed a European uppercut. Sheamus then ran him into the ringpost, though, and smashed his shoulder into the post. Suddenly, Cody Rhodes jumped the security rail and blasted Sheamus from behind. The ref reprimanded Cody, but the match continued. Back in the ring, Orton hit the RKO on Sheamus. Ref Armstrong then casually walked over to the ring announcer and called for a DQ as Orton was making a cover.

Post-match: Sheamus was announced as the winner via DQ as Cody freaked out ringside afterhis mistake. Cody then entered the ring and tried to explain himself to Orton, who slowly, slowly, slowly absorbed the situation and stared down Cody. Orton then reached back and popped Cody in the face, which drew a crowd pop. Orton then punched Cody multiple times until Ted DiBiase stormed the ring. DiBiase tried to intervene, but Orton punched Ted down to the mat to another pop. Orton shouted, “You’re done, you screwed it up!” at both of them. Orton then got up and the crowd was yelling as Sheamus stood in the background. Orton then turned around and ate a running bicycle kick to the head from Sheamus. Smack. Sheamus picked up his WWE Title belt and walked out of the ring as Cody and Ted simply looked at Orton from the corner. Orton was KO’ed in the ring as Ted and Cody walked out unsure what to do or how to handle the situation. After the announcers narrated replays, they showed Orton checking his jaw in pain on the mat.

WINNER: Sheamus via DQ at 12:27.

Gallery Links:
- Appearances / Fan Candids > 01/28/2010 – Arriving in Washington D.C.
- Appearances / Fan Candids > 01/28/2010 – Washington Auto Show (Set #002)

Gallery Link:
- Meet & Greets / Signings > January 28th, 2010 – Washington Auto Show

Gallery Link:
- Appearances / Fan Candids > Washington Auto Show – January 28th 2010

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WWE champion SHEAMUS vs. JOHN CENA — non-title match
Cena hit a traditional Fisherman suplex at the top of the hour, but Sheamus cut him off with a clothesline mid-ring. Sheamus then slowly worked over Cena as the announcers talked about Sheamus backing up every word he’s said about taking out Cena. Sheamus knocked Cena off the ring apron with a big strike, then Cena slowly pulled himself back in the ring. He nearly tricked Sheamus into the Attitude Adjustment, but Sheamus slipped out and hit a nice DDT for a two count. Sheamus then hit a standing powerslam for a two count. Sheamus then took Cena to the outside and rammed her into the guardrail. He returned to the ring and told the ref to start counting out Cena. The kids ringside screamed in horror as Cena remained motionless before storming the ring just before ten. Sheamus then missed with an elbow drop and Cena fired off his big comeback. The crowd popped as Cena did his Shuffle routine. He wanted the AA, but Sheamus slipped under Cena and hit a backbreaker across his knee for a two count. Sheamus then stood over Cena and eyeballed Cena for something painful. He wanted the Bicycle Kick, but Cena ducked and rolled into an STF. Sheamus was too close to the ropes, though, and Sheamus escaped. Sheamus rolled to the outside and Cena followed, but Cena ate an emphatic bicycle kick on the floor that took the air out of the building.

Sheamus rolled back into the ring and demanded a count from the ref. Cena sold being KO’ed again, then out of nowhere, Randy Orton stormed the ring and hit the RKO on Sheamus from behind for a DQ. The crowd did a “shocked” reaction here. They didn’t buy Orton as a babyface with their reaction. Orton then pounded the mat and stared a hole into Sheamus, who remained out cold on the mat. Cena then tried to get into the ring, but Orton grabbed him and wanted the elevated DDT. Orton took too long, though, and Cena popped to his feet and dropped Orton with the AA. Cena’s music hit as both Sheamus and Orton were out cold on the mat with Cena celebrating. How often do both wrestlers in a WWE Title match end up face-down on the mat leading to a PPV title match? After they replayed the ending moments, Cena was shown standing tall in the ring looking down at the fallen Sheamus and Orton to close the show ten minutes past the top of the hour.

WINNER: Sheamus via DQ at 9:50. Strong TV main event to conclude the Rumble hype. Sheamus was presented very well here, as the only reason why he was face-down to close Raw was due to Orton’s sneak attack. Cena gave Sheamus a good amount of offense and Sheamus came across like a barbaric, effective heel capable of delivering a beating. Good piece of TV, although it was odd seeing both Orton and Sheamus face-down before their title match at the PPV. The one thing WWE didn’t establish was who to root for between Sheamus and Orton on Sunday, which will be rather interesting on the PPV.

I also want to say that we now have a NEW website design (obviously) along with a NEW gallery design as well. We would love to hear your opinion so feel free to leave a comment.

Gallery Link:
- Magazines/Publications > WWE Magazines > February 2010