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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.

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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.

Like a rough Irish whiskey, WWE Champion Sheamus has proven that, when trifled with, he’s more than capable of leaving even the toughest man flat on his back. At the Royal Rumble, however, The Celtic Warrior must face a particularly sobering prospect: Defending his title against five-time WWE Champion Randy Orton.

While The Viper’s inclusion in the WWE Title Match may seem unexpected, it should come as no surprise to those familiar with his methods. Orton recognized an opportunity during a Triple Threat Match on Raw to determine the No. 1 contender and, as usual, he quickly seized it. As he battled with his opponents, John Cena and Kofi Kingston, his henchmen from The Legacy, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, caused enough of a distraction to allow the scheming Superstar the victory.

While Orton has never seemed interested in clothing his naked ambition, he should be careful what he’s gotten himself into. Sheamus’ rabid aggression and overwhelming strength promise to be a powerful antidote to the cold calculation and athletic agility of The Viper.

Will The Celtic Warrior be able to prevent Orton – with a possible assist by Legacy – from regaining the precious WWE Championship? Or will the pipes, the pipes be calling for the insistent Irishman?

To find out, be sure to catch all the action live on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 8 PM/5 PM PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.

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RANDY ORTON vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Orton got his obligatory side headlock out of the way very early, going to it immediately at the start of the match. After a powerslam at 1:00, he applied his obligatory chinlock. Kingston surprised Orton with a roll-up at 2:00. Kingston ran in place, drawing some boos, and signaled for his “Boom Boom” sequence. Orton rolled out of the ring. Kingston leaped off the top rope at Orton, but Orton caught him with a dropkick. Orton dominated offense methodically for several minutes in the ring. At 8:00 Kingston clotheslined Orton over the top rope to the floor and then dove at him at ringside, knocking him down with a shoulder tackle. Back in the ring Kingston scored a two count after a flying bodyblock. Orton fired back with a backbreaker. At 9:00 Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise for a near fall, stopped when Orton grabbed the bottom rope. Orton then gave Kingston an implant DDT off the second rope. Orton waited for Kingston to rise onto his knees. Orton went for the punt kick. Kingston blocked it with his arm, but then sold serious arm pain. Orton drove his arm into the mat DDT-style, then licked his lips and rolled his eyes back as if he really enjoyed that moment. He then pounded the mat and set up his RKO. Kingston went for Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere, but Orton ducked and hit the RKO for the clean win. There was a significant minority pop for Orton’s win.

WINNER: Orton in 13:00.

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In-ring: C.M. Punk came out first, followed by William Regal for Randy Orton’s heel team. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase came out together next, followed by Randy Orton as the announcers talked about the problems for Orton’s team members as of late. Announcers then plugged the TLC PPV in three weeks from San Antonio. Reversing the intro pattern from the opening match, Kofi Kingston came out first for the babyface team. WWE cut to a video package from Raw of the Kingston-Orton brawl that led to Kofi’s “MSG moment” Boom Drop. After the video aired, MVP, then Mark Henry came to the ring. Out next was “the white guy” ECW champion Christian, followed by R-Truth. This announcing trio is not a good combination, by the way. It’s rather annoying Striker has to explain every multiple-syllable sentence.

TEAM KOFI (KOFI KINGSTON & MVP & MARK HENRY & R-TRUTH & ECW champion CHRISTIAN) vs. TEAM ORTON (RANDY ORTON & TED DIBIASE & CODY RHODES & WILLIAM REGAL & C.M. PUNK)
Henry and Orton started things off and Team Orton ran interference to distract the ref allowing Cody and Ted to take the knees out from under Henry. Orton then dropped Henry mid-ring with the RKO for an early pin before the first minute was up. After a pause to collect themselves, Team Kofi sent MVP into the ring, but MVP took a beating in the heel corner. Truth then tagged in and Team Orton also ran a distraction to set up Punk for the Go 2 Sleep on Truth. Punk with the pin on his new rival, Truth for another early pin. Christian entered for Team Kofi, but Team Orton went to work on him as well. Christian then blocked a corner attack by DiBiase and executed a sunset flip for a pin out of nowhere on DiBiase. After a few exchanges by multiple participants, Kofi scored a pin on Regal to even the sides at three apiece.

At 7:00, Christian and Cody battled before Cody locked his legs around Christian with a leg scissors to slow down the pace. MVP then tagged in and dropped a Ballin’ elbow drop on Rhodes with the announcers noting the local Wizards NBA team needing some help. Orton then distracted MVP, which gave Cody just the slightest opening to hit Cross Rhodes for the pin. Down to Kofi and Christian for the babyfaces. About a minute later, Christian entered and nailed the Killswitch on Cody for the pin.

At 12:00, it was two-on-two with Orton beginning an attack on Christian. Orton bumped Kofi off the apron for good measure, then walked over to Christian, who tried a surprise small package, but only scored a two count. Orton tried to follow with the RKO with a Punk distraction, but Christian hit the Killswitch. Crowd was hot for an apparent pin, but Punk broke up the pin. Christian cleared out Punk, but then Orton sprung with an RKO for the pin. So, we’re down to Kofi vs. Orton and Punk. Crowd hot for Kofi, who squared off with Orton, only to have Orton bail and tag in Punk. Announcers noted that Punk and Kofi are former tag champs. Boy, that seemed like a really, really long time ago. Kofi and Punk took their time talking out things, then they came to blows. Punk teased the G2S, but Kofi slipped out and missed the Trouble in Paradise. Both men squared off after the exchange and the crowd applauded.

At 16:00, Punk went to work on Kofi with a mat hold while the camera focused on Orton pacing ringside watching Punk do his dirty work. Kofi then broke free of the mat hold and went for a splash, only to have Punk knee him in the gut. Punk then measured Kofi for a running knee strike and he connected, but Kofi blocked the running bulldog part two. Kofi slowly went up top, but Punk crotched him and they battled up top. Kofi finally dropped Punk to the mat and came off the top with a high crossbody splash for a close two count.

At 20:00, Kofi made his fired-up comeback, but Orton distracted Kofi. Punk tried to roll up Kofi from behind, but Kofi rolled through into a pin for a three count. Orton tried to storm into the ring to follow up, but Kofi nailed him with the Trouble in Paradise kick for the pin and the win. Cole quickly drew attention to Kofi pinning two former World champs in a matter of six seconds. Eliminations: Henry by Orton at 0:51, Truth by Punk at 3:13, DiBiase by Christian at 5:10, Regal by Kofi at 6:50, MVP by Rhodes at 10:10, Cody by Christian at 11:34, Christian by Orton at 13:25, Punk by Kofi at 20:43, Orton by Kofi at 20:50.

WINNERS: Team Kofi

Though Orton may be more experienced than Kingston, the athletic Superstar has shown in recent weeks that he has exactly what it takes to hit The Viper where it hurts. As retaliation for Orton viciously attacking him after a match, Kingston sought out his nemesis’ personalized NASCAR racer and defaced it while The Legend Killer looked on, helpless to stop the automotive carnage. The two’s rivalry then expanded during a Six-Man Tag Team Match on Raw when Kingston and Orton were joined by fellow Survivor Series combatants, MVP & Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, respectively.

In addition to R-Truth on the side of Kingston and the devious CM Punk teaming up with Orton, two of the top competitors in the Land of the Extreme, ECW Champion Christian and William Regal are also joining the fray. For months, The British Brawler has struggled to get the upperhand against Captain Charisma, and he might just have that chance when he joins up with Team Orton to face the ECW Champion and the rest of Team Kingston in a 10-Man Tag Team Match.

Don’t miss the epic confrontation between Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, MVP, Mark Henry, ECW Champion Christian & R-Truth) and Team Orton (Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & William Regal) at the 23rd annual Survivor Series on Nov. 22, at 8/7 CT, live on pay-per-view.

source: wwe.com

Gallery Links:
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #001
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #002

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WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. JOHN CENA — 60-minute Iron Man match — WWE Title match — Anything goes
Cole asked Lawler to offer some insight into going 60 minutes. Lawler said he’s never been in an Iron Man match, but he’s been in some hour-long matches where conserving energy is key. Cena and Orton started with an early lock-up, then Cena hit the turnbuckles hard on a whip to the corner. Orton whipped Cena to the opposite corner and Cena came out looking for a bulldog, but Orton blocked and went back to work on Cena. Out of nowhere, Cena slapped on the STF and Orton quickly tapped out. Crowd popped for Cena’s quick win. Orton popped up and glared at Cena, who took a deep breath and understood the strategy of Orton trying to conserve and not take too much damage in the STF.

***Cena 1, Orton 0 at 3:55***

Orton gained the advantage after the first fall as the announcers discussed the Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart classic Iron Man match from WrestleMania 12. Meanwhile, Orton slapped on a reverse chinlock as Cena faded. Cena fought back to his feet and hit the running blockbuster before going up top. Cena wanted the top rope guillotine and connected. He then set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Orton suddenly snapped to his feet and nailed the RKO as Cena bounced off the ropes. Orton with the pin for the second fall at 9:00. And now a 30-second wait.

*** Cena 1, Orton 1 at 9:00***

After the pause, Orton rammed Cena off the apron into the guardrail on the floor. Orton followed to the floor and stared at the announce table. He turned his head and started clearing the table before grabbing a TV monitor. Orton blasted Cena over the top of the head with the point of the gimmicked monitor, then made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Apparently it’s Falls Count Anywhere too. Orton rolled Cena into the ring, then took a wireless mic and bopped Cena over the head with it. Orton made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Refs and medics then wanted to check on Cena, who sold injury. Cena suddenly stormed Orton in the corner with an explosion of energy before chucking Orton clear over the top rope to the floor. And we have blood with Cena bleeding from the head. Really does mean something since we haven’t seen blood on WWE TV in a while.

At the top of the third hour, Orton put a boot to Cena as Cena was face-first on the ring steps. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. Back in the ring, Orton methodically began an attack on Cena with right hands to the source of blood. Orton then went down to the mat and pounded the mat with his fists before teasing the RKO. Cena ducked, though, and started his comeback routine. Cena then did the You Can’t See Me and connected with the Shuffle drop this time. Cena then wanted the FU and he connected. No wait, Orton apparently countered in mid-air with a reverse RKO. Both men were down and both men had an arm over each other. Ref counted a three count for each man at 17:00.

***Cena 2, Orton 2 at 17:00***

Medics hit the ring during the 30-second pause and checked on Cena. The 30-second interval expired and Orton missed with a running shoulder tackle when Cena moved. Medics apparently glued Cena’s head shut to close the wound and stop the bleeding. Cena then took Orton to the corner and wanted an FU from the second rope. He connected in a nice spot, but couldn’t make a cover. Cena then made a cover and scored the pin for another fall at 19:40.

***Cena 3, Orton 2 at 19:40***

During the 30-second pause, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes stormed the ring to beat up on Cena. Apparently DiBiase is on Orton’s side tonight…thus far. DiBiase gave Cena the Dream Street finisher. They put Orton on top of Cena and Orton scored a pin at 20:55.

***Cena 3, Orton 3 at 20:55***

After the fall, Kofi Kingston stormed the ring with chair in hand to chase away DiBiase and Rhodes. Crowd was hot for Kofi. Good incorporation of Kofi to give him a main event spotlight. After the next 30-second interval, both men came to their feet and started brawling. The brawl spilled to the floor and Cena rammed Orton into the guardrail. Kids were screaming as Cena continued to beat on Orton. Ref told one of the thousands of fans wearing Steelers jerseys in the arena to back off. Orton then reversed a whip into the rail and smashed Cena into the structure. He made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Announcers talked about the equipment being dangerous as they approached the stage area. High Voltage given a name-drop. Orton then smashed Cena’s head into the pyro machine and some pyro went off. Orton freaked out, then caught his breath. He threw Cena through the HD lighting grid and Cena ended up in the backstage area. Orton then dragged Cena back to the arena-side of the Titantron and made a cover for the pin.

***Orton 4, Cena 3 at 25:35***

Orton looked around contemplating his next move during the 30-second interval. He went over the pyro machine and started playing with the buttons like a crazy kid with a new set of toys. Orton figured out how the pyro works, then smashed Cena across the back with a chair. Orton then dragged Cena to the stage area where the pyro shoots off. Orton ran over to the pyro machine and shoved the man in charge away. Ref admonished Orton, who had his finger on the trigger as Cena went motionless. Orton punched the button, but it wouldn’t work. Suddenly, the pyro went off and Cena had enough time to roll out of the way. Cena still alive. Orton then checked on Cena and was so pissed that Cena was still alive. Orton went into a rage beating and pounding on Cena before taking him down to ringside. Announcers called Orton a psycho pyromaniac. They hit the 30-minute mark with Cena out cold on the floor as Orton contemplated his next move.

Orton began a methodical attack on Cena, including ring steps to the face and a chair to the back as Cena leaned against the ringpost. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. “What more can Orton do, he already tried to blow the man up?” Lawler asked rhetorically. Back in the ring, Orton slowly lifted Cena to his feet and Cena suddenly executed a small package after playing opossum. Cena scored the pinfall at 33:00, then Orton went nuts until the ref pulled him away for the 30 seconds. “F—” Orton shouted twice on the floor.

***Orton 4, Cena 4 at 33:00***

The 30 seconds expired, but Orton waited before re-entering the ring. He then dragged Cena across the ring apron and stared a hole into Cena’s soul. He wanted the horizontal DDT from across the ring apron to the floor and he executed it with Cena going face-first into the floor padding. Orton then rolled Cena over and made the cover for the pin at 35:20.

***Orton 5, Cena 4 at 35:20***

Crowd was quiet as WWE replayed the DDT into the floor. Orton was shown slapping the mat on the way down to create the sound of Cena’s face hitting the floor. After the 30 second rest period, Orton rolled Cena back into the ring as the crowd came to life with a dueling chant of “Let’s go Cena” vs. “Let’s go Orton.” Orton began his Orton Stomp trying to take apart Cena’s entire body. Cena slowly made his way to his feet, but Orton knocked him right back down with a straight right hand to the face. Orton with a cover, but Cena kicked out. They zoomed in on an evil look on Orton’s face as Grisham said he could be the face of Raw for many months or years to come. He said it appears Cena is headed for Smackdown. Well, that means Cena is winning.

Orton continued to slowly stalk and attack Cena, who finally ducked a clothesline and staggered Orton to the floor. Cena then staggered around in the ring as the cut on top of his head started to bleed again. Orton collected himself on the floor and checked the scoreboard with 20 minutes left in the match. Announcers speculated whether he’ll play prevent defense with a fall advantage. Lawler said it might be too long to stall. Cena then jelly-legged walked up the ramp to Orton, who met him with kicks and stomps. Back in the ring, Orton wanted the horizontal DDT, but Cena countered with an FU tease. Orton escaped, though, with elbow strikes and ran right out of the ring to the floor. Orton tried to take off through the stands up into the arena seats, but Cena met him and blasted him with right hands. Orton started rolling down the arena steps with a one-fall advantage trying to run away from Cena, who chased him down in-between the floor seats and 100-level seats. And we hit the 45-minute mark with Cena measuring Orton for right hand blows on the floor.

Back on the floor outside of the ring, Cena continued to chase down Orton before blasting him into the ring steps. Cena made a cover, but Orton kicked out. Cena then whipped Cena hard through the barricade near the timekeeper’s table and Orton crashed hard through the gimmicked barrier. Cena then calmly picked up the ring steps and blasted Orton in the face with the steps. Cena triumphantly lifted the steps in the ring, then looked over some potential options for his next move. After his review, Cena scooped up Orton’s dead weight and slowly carried him up the ring steps to position him for an FU through the announce table. Orton did the Abyss Shake as if he took a bump through the tacks, then Cena dropped down and covered Orton to score a pinfall at 51:00 to even it up.

***Orton 5, Cena 5 at 51:00***

Cena waited for the 30-second interval, then he tried pinning Orton again, but Orton kicked out. Cena then went under the ring and grabbed a table. He set up the table in the ring while Orton slowly started to stir on the floor. After setting up the table in the ring, Cena carried Orton back into the ring. They approached the five-minute mark and Cole reminded us there will be overtime if this is tied. Cena placed Orton on the table and Orton sold near-death. Cena then went up top and thought about this move. He tried a top rope leg drop, but Orton rolled off the table and Cena ate wood. And they hit 55:00 with both men down and out on the mat.

Orton landed the first right hand from his knees. Cena responded in kind. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right hand. Cena with a haymaker. Orton with an uppercut. Cena with a punch. Orton with a punch. Now both men on their feet. Cena with a shot to the gut. Orton with a right to the face. Cena likewise. Orton with a haymaker. Cena staggered, then another to the gut. Orton to the top of the head. Again. Cena with two, then three, and four. Cena ducked a clothesline and hit a shoulder tackle. He then tried a second, but airballed and the ref ate the shoulder tackle. Orton then dropped Cena in mid-ring with the RKO, but the ref was out cold. Another ref stormed the ring and Cena kicked out before three. Nice sequence.

At 58:00, Orton was PO’ed and shoved down the replacement referee. Two refs down. Orton slowly walked around the ring as Cole talked overtime. Lawler said he wants to see OT. Orton’s eyes bulged out of his head as he thought things over. Orton was on the verge of a nervous break down, but then stopped when he had an idea. He then backed up and teased The Punt, but Cena moved and dropped Orton with the STF in center ring. Orton had nowhere to go. Crowd ready to explode like a fourth down play on the goalline. Cena twisted Orton’s neck with the STF as Orton tried to hang on for 20 more seconds. Orton wouldn’t tap, though. Fans counted it down. Nine, eight, seven… and Orton tapped out at 59:54 with the crowd exploding. The time then expired and Cena won back the WWE Title.

Post-match: Cena grabbed his title belt and held it up high in the air. Cole called it one of the greatest matches he’s ever seen. Announcers recapped the high points of the match, then they cut back to show Cena on the stage sweating and holding the title belt. Orton was selling mass pain to his shoulder back in the ring. Announcers then showed Orton’s visible three count with the score 5-5 around 58:00. Back live, Orton was shown collecting himself. Cole said it’s the end of the war between Orton and Cena. Orton grimaced to close the PPV.

WINNER: Cena 6, Orton 5 with a submission at 59:54; Cena wins the WWE Title at 60:00. Quite the war. Nothing else on this show was replay-worthy, but this was replay-worthy. WWE pulled out all the tricks, gimmicks, and other assorted items to tell a 60-minute story. Orton was the star of the match with his crazy facial expressions and psychotic behavior staying true to his character. Story at the end we’ll probably see play out on Raw was Orton unable to hold on for those last six seconds or Orton complaining that he had Cena pinned at 58:00. Hard to rate this on a traditional scale, but I believe this was one of the best stories WWE has told on PPV this year. HBK vs. Taker is another level and in its own category, but this was a different type of four-to-five-star level match.

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By the time he got around to a follow-up move, a leaping kneedrop, Cena recovered enough to move. Cena applied an STF mid-ring. Orton crawled to the bottom rope. Cena dragged him back to the middle. Orton kicked Cena off of him, knocking Cena into the ref. Cena applied the STF again, but the ref was down as Orton tapped. Cena released the hold, apparently assuming Orton gave up and the match was over. He realized there was no ref in the ring and went to ringside to roll him back in. Orton recovered and surprised Cena with an RKO for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Lawler said Orton looked like he was going to cry. Cole said that may have been Orton’s last chance, although there’s no apparently reason why it would be (but it’s presumably what McMahon wanted Cole to say, so he said it).

Orton tied Cena up into the ropes and then applied a sleeper from behind. Cena appeared to be out cold. Orton released the hold and sat in the corner and pulled himself to his feet. He waited for the ref to release Cena. Cena fell face-first to the mat. Orton then waited for Cena to raise his head and then kicked him. And then he scored the three count.

WINNER: Orton in 21:00 to win the WWE Title.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 — They tell a good story and have chemistry with one another. No doubt about that. It’s just so familiar at this point that it’s like reading the same great book over and over, or a slightly different book with the same two main characters over and over. Fans are also expecting some blood in this type of intense rivalry. The Cell didn’t come much into play, either.

Backstage: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase tried to celebrate with Orton, telling them that after they win, they’ll have a great night on the town. Orton said they are going to be in the Cell and win or lose they won’t just walk away. DiBiase said they’ve studied the Cell and spent time in it. He said they’re younger, stronger, and faster and have every right to be confident. Cody told Orton he’s starting to sound like his “old man.” Orton said they have no idea what they’re getting into. Orton stood and told Cody, “By the way, I’m not your old man. I’m the WWE Champion, and if I were you two, if I had something to say, I’d listen.” DiBiase said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate us.” The crowd oohhhed.

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Randy Orton vs. John Cena — I Quit match for the WWE Championship
No contact in the first minute, then Cena took it to Orton with a forearm and fisherman suplex out of the corner. Cena landed a fist strike, then airballed with a flying shoulder tackle when Orton ducked down to the mat. Orton then bumped Cena off the apron into the Raw announce table on the floor. Ringside, Orton grabbed a TV monitor and directed a shot toward Cena, who got his hands up to absorb the blow. Cena sold it like a direct shot to the head, though. Back in the ring, Orton set up Cena across the middle rope for his patented Jake Roberts DDT. Announcers reminded us Cena suffered a head injury on Raw, which could affect him tonight. Nice piece of storytelling to stack the deck just a little bit more. Orton then grabbed a chair and set it up in the ring. He wanted to repeat the end of Raw with an RKO into the chair, but Cena blocked and made a classic comeback. He paused for the crowd to reach its peak before he delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then wanted an FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope and landed on the apron. He then yanked Cena’s shoulder/neck down hard across the top rope.

At 5:00, Orton saw Cena prone for The Punt, but Cena ducked and teased the STF. Orton slipped out of the ring, through, and lured Cena into a whip to the ring steps. Orton then grabbed the ring steps and blasted Cena in the face. Orton demanded Cena give it up, but Cena sternly said “no” a few times. Orton was angered by this development, so he lifted Cena and rolled him into the ring. He then grabbed a bag out from under the ring. Thumbtacks? No, it was a chain with a key on it and handcuffs. Orton put the chain around his neck, then put Cena in a handcuff. Orton stomped Cena down to the mat, then cuffed Cena to the top rope. Orton symbolically “held the key” to the match with it around his neck. Orton began attacking Cena, who refused to quit.

At 10:00, Orton took the mic and jammed it into Cena’s head. Orton then unhooked Cena and cuffed Cena’s hands together. Orton then dragged Cena up the ring steps and hung Cena over the top turnbuckle. Orton began assaulting Cena’s stomach with body blows, then he landed fist smashes one after another. Orton screamed at Cena that he’s not passing out on him, so he threw water at Cena, who then spit it back in Orton’s face. Orton was not pleased, so he grabbed the Singapore canes from the bowling shoe ugly match early. Orton then “tortured” Cena with multiple cane shots to the body. Orton then smashed him across the wrist as he continued to be hung up in the corner. Cena refused to quit. Orton then put the cane into Cena’s throat and Cena kicked him in the crotch. They didn’t show it, but Cena pulled himself down to the ground. Camera zoomed in on Cena having cut marks across his stomach. Cena slowly walked over to Orton, who had a chair in hand to surprise Cena with a chair shot to the head.

At 15:00, Orton uncuffed Cena, then he re-cuffed Cena around the ringpost with Cena on the ground facing the post. Lawler did the “babyface is about to lose, which means he’s not going to” line about Cena needing to think about living to fight another day. Cena then blasted Orton across the back with a chair shot and Cena shrieked. Cena refused to quit. Orton was about to lose it. At this point, you’re wondering where the gun is to shoot him. How much further can you go before the heel loses credibility for not killing the other guy? Anyways, Cena back dropped Orton to the mat, then he stole the key from Orton and uncuffed himself before cuffing them together. They transferred all the heat onto Cena, who then cuffed Orton and started going nuts on Orton. Cena exploded with body shots before taking Orton into the ring to land more body shots. Cena teased the FU, but Orton slipped out and nailed the RKO in center ring. Orton then tried to drag both of them toward the key across the ring, but Cena tugged him back to center ring and applied the STF. Cena wrapped the cuff around Orton’s throat, then Orton fought the hold before shouting “I quit, I quit” to give Cena the win.

After the post-match happenings for replays, recovery, etc., Cena took the mic and declared, “I did not quit.” They stayed with Cena’s post-match celebration for a while as Orton sold a shoulder injury on the way out. Cena then stood on the stage and lifted up the title belt to salute the crowd.

Winner: Cena at 19:45 to win the WWE Title.

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Orton then stalked Cena for The Punt at 11:00, but Cena moved and did the full comeback. Cena with a facebuster, then he went up top and hit a guillotine leg drop clear across the ring for a two count. Cena then teased the FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope to block. Double clothesline. Both men on the mat. Crowd took a deep breath, then started dueling chants. They came to their feet and did a right hand blow exchange. Mixed Yeahs/boos for Cena, Yeahs for Orton. Suddenly, Orton walked over to the ref and shoved the ref, causing a DQ. Cena sold shock. Orton took his belt and left. Lilian Garcia then took the mic and said she just received word that Randy Orton is the new WWE champion. Um… She corrected herself that she received word from Mr. McMahon that the match must re-start and if Orton gets DQ’ed, he loses the title.

Match re-started with an exchange that led to both men brawling to the outside. Back in the ring, Orton made a cover for a two count. He then went to the outside and demanded the WWE Title belt. He then took his belt and started to walk away as the ref started a ten count. Orton high-tailed it up the ramp and took the ten count to lose. Lilian Garcia then re-introduced Mr. McMahon’s word that if Orton gets counted again, he loses the WWE Title. When did McMahon get involved in storylines again, by the way? Orton stormed back into the ring, avoided the FU, then rolled up Cena and put his feet on the ropes to score a pin and the win.

Lilian announced Orton as the winner, his music hit, and Cena sat in the corner stunned. A second ref then hit the ring and told Scott Armstrong that Orton used the ropes. Armstrong called for a re-start. Cena instantly put Orton in the STF. He pulled Orton back into center ring and re-applied, but a fan suddenly ran into the ring and attacked the ref. WWE head of security jumped on the dude and hauled him out of the ring, but everyone just stood there like what the heck? If that was a planted fan, it was a crazy spot. They cut to a second shot of the fan being hauled away. Cena acted stunned. Crowd didn’t know how to react. Ref tried to get everyone back into the match, then Orton caught Cena with an RKO across the middle rope and one in center ring to score the pin for the win.

WINNER: Randy Orton at 17:40 to retain the WWE Title. If that was a legit fan who hit the ring, it gives new meaning to “If Cena Wins, We Riot” since Cena was about to score a tap out win. Crowd was into the match, but WWE over-booked the crap out of this match. Fan interference – legit or not – was the icing on the cake. For the record – first stop at 13:31, second stop at 15:34, third stop at 15:50, and finish at 17:40. Looks like an Orton vs. Cena re-match at Breaking Point where only way to win is by submission. (**1/2)

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WWE champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Triple H
Bell sounded and Orton slithered to the outside. He wanted Hunter and Cena to battle, but they stared at each other and slipped to the outside to put Orton in the middle. Orton slithered back into the ring, then Cena and Hunter followed him. Orton, upset with playing monkey in the middle, tried to punch Hunter, but Hunter knocked him to the outside where Cena clotheslined him to the floor. Baby oil went flying and Orton left a big skid mark on the padding. Orton eventually made the challengers run circles to where Cena was bumped off the apron into Hunter’s forehead. Back in the ring, Cena worked over Orton and dropped the Five Knuckle Shuffle on the champ. Cena wanted the FU on Orton, but Hunter slipped into the ring and gave him a boot to the gut before tossing him to the floor. Orton then snuck up behind Hunter with a clothesline to begin working over Hunter. Cena then re-entered the picture to boos, but he was quickly removed with a neckbreaker from Orton. Hunter wanted a Pedigree on Orton, but Orton back-dropped him over the top rope to the floor. Orton then teased a double horizontal DDT across the middle rope, but Cena and Hunter blocked and dumped him to the floor.

Now left in the ring: Cena vs. Hunter. They slowly approached each other and Hunter did the “You Can’t See Me” hand wave that set up a round of punch exchanges with the boos for Cena and yays for Hunter from the crowd. They countered each other’s signature moves, then Hunter nailed a Double A spinebuster center ring. Hunter then wanted to finish Cena, but Orton grabbed Hunter from the outside and dragged him to the floor. Orton blasted Hunter into the announce table, then Cena became involved. Three-way brawl on the announce table led to Orton eating the front row. Cena then slapped on the STF on the announce table. Orton broke it up, then dragged Cena back into the ring. Boo / yay punch exchange commenced. Two rounds of boos for Cena tonight.

At 15:00, Orton knocked Cena to the mat and teased the RKO, but Cena shoved him high and hard down to the mat. Orton sold it with a major arch back. Nice. Cena put Orton up top for a superplex attempt, but Hunter slid into the ring. Cena came down, then slingshot Hunter across the ring into Orton, who was perched up top. Cena then slapped on the STF in center ring. Orton helpless. Hunter fought the hold, teased, a tap out, then Cena re-applied the move center ring. Orton then came to life and his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning to Punt the crap out of Cena, but Cena moved and Orton airballed. Cena tried a quick pin, but Orton kicked out and clotheslined Cena. Hunter and Cena were down on the mat and Orton began the Orton Stomp on both men. Some pockets of fans with a “Cena” chant that pumped up Orton to continue attacking.

At 20:00, Orton missed with a knee drop and Cena took out Orton’s left knee from behind. Cena then gave Orton a sit-out slam to set up the Shuffle again, but Hunter dumped Cena to the floor. Hunter then slapped on the Sharpshooter in center ring. A little love tap to Bret Hart in defense of Flair defense during Hart-Flair week? Suddenly, Cena slid into the ring and applied the Crossface on Orton at the same time Hunter had the Sharpshooter on. Orton tapped out and the ref looked like he had no idea what to do. Cena maintained the hold and the crowd didn’t know how to react. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase then stormed the ring and attacked Cena and Hunter. Apparently that’s allowed. Cena wanted the FU on Cody, but Orton hit the RKO on Cena. Orton then pinned Cena to apparently retain the title. On the replay, they didn’t even show Orton tapping out, just the ref confused. After showing post-match disappointment from Hunter and Cena, they replayed Orton tapping out. Announcers just as confused post-match.

Winner: Orton in 23:00 to retain the WWE Title.

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Backstage: Randy Orton dialed a number, then placed a call. No answer. Just ringing. He got Cody Rhodes’s voice mail. Orton told him to call back. Did Cody pay his phone bill?

WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H — WWE Title match — Three Stages of Hell match
Orton quickly went for the left knee and wanted to wrap it around the ringpost, but Hunter slipped out and sent Orton’s momentum into the ringpost with Orton eating the post. Hunter teased the Pedigree, but Orton dropped down to one knee and punched the injured knee. Orton then began his focused attack on the knee. Orton teased the RKO, but Hunter shoved off and hit a spinebuster. Match moved to the floor. Poor Matt Striker in the background has been a spectator by himself for two hours with Josh Mathews backstage. Suddenly, Triple H pulled out a chair and blasted Orton with a chair shot to cause a DQ. *** Orton 1, Hunter 0 at 4:55*** Hunter, down one fall, started blasting away on Orton with the chair. Now it’s a Falls Count Anywhere in Fall Two. Lawler followed the logic of Hunter sacrificing one fall in order to beat the crap out of Orton to get the second fall. On cue, Hunter hit the Pedigree on the floor and pinned Orton to earn the second fall. *** Orton 1, Hunter 1 at 6:20***

A stretcher was brought down to ringside. Hunter easily placed Orton’s limp body on the stretcher and he wheeled Orton up the entrance ramp. He came close to the yellow line, but Orton came to life and jumped off the stretcher to blast Hunter in the knee. Orton then took out the left knee as Hunter gingerly walked down the entrance ramp. Match moved to the ringside area where Orton crotched Hunter across the guardrail. Security held back front row fans from interfering. Would have helped at the Astros game today where a fan cost the Astros a run and the game. Got that off my chest… match turned into a TNA-style brawl through the crowd. Hunter then clotheslined Orton over the guardrail to the ringside area. Hunter landed a straight right hand and Orton fell hard to the ground, but he pulled back the guardrail while on the floor and whipped Hunter into the exposed railing. A non-PG-friendly “Holy S—” whisper from a fan on the front row made air as Orton beat on Hunter. Orton put Hunter on the stretcher, but Hunter came to life. Orton cut him off, though, with a whip into the ring steps.

At 13:00, the match returned to the ring with Orton introducing ring steps into the ring. Classic “Roadrunner circumvents the Coyote” spot with Hunter turned a ring step smash into a drop toe hold sending Orton face-first into the steps. Hunter then bashed (get it?) the steps into Orton’s face. He tried to drag Orton onto the stretcher and succeeded. Hunter tried to wheel Orton up the ramp to the yellow line, but Orton kicked Hunter in the head. Hunter then hopped on the stretcher and punched him several times as they wheeled backward down the ramp together. Eventually, the stretcher fell off the ramp and they both fell to the ground in an unintentional comedy spot. Pretty cool ride. Orton sold mass pain to the back, but he got up and gave Hunter the classic Orton horizontal DDT off the stretcher into the ground. That was just not right.

Orton wanted The Punt, but Hunter moved and Orton airballed Hunter’s head. Hunter then wanted the Pedigree on the floor, but Orton back body dropped Hunter onto the stretcher. Orton slowly tried to wheel Hunter up the ramp, but Hunter got up about ten feet before the line. Orton then stalked Hunter for the RKO, but Hunter shoved Orton into the HD video scoreboard. Hunter followed with a Pedigree onto the stage. Yellow line marks the spot. Hunter crawled over the stretcher, which was just a few feet from the line. He put Orton’s dead weight on the stretcher, then tried to push it across, but Cody Rhodes showed up at the last second to block Hunter. Cody then attacked Hunter, but Hunter chucked him into the HD lights. Orton was still on the stretcher, but DiBiase suddenly made the save one foot away from the yellow line.

Cody and Ted then jumped Hunter and stomped away on him. They picked up Hunter and put him on the stretcher with a ton of effort while Orton was KO’ed, but Hunter fought back. The pack of wild dogs tried to subdue Hunter, who kept putting up a fight. Suddenly, Hunter had a sledgehammer. He stared blasting folks left and right, but he didn’t see a Punt to the gut from Orton. Orton then smashed Hunter with a piece from the stage. He flung Hunter onto the stretcher, then spun Hunter across the yellow line to win the match and retain the WWE Title.

Post-match: Orton celebrated on stage with the WWE Title, but Triple H snuck up behind him with sledgehammer behind. Orton sold cluelessness that Hunter was right behind him, then his music stopped and he turned around to accept a sledgehammer blow to the head. Orton KO’ed, Hunter standing tall to send ‘em home happy. After several replays, they closed with Orton clutching his WWE Title shot and finally making it to his feet with a look of pain written on his face to close the PPV.

WINNER: Orton at 21:30 to retain the WWE Title. First two falls were quick to get to the final fall, which wasn’t a traditional title match, but featured some good drama, action, and body blows to give fans their money’s worth. Felt just like the match they had on free TV six days ago, so you didn’t miss anything if you watched the free show on Raw. WWE booking the red herrings during the show with Cody and Ted worked well to create more drama on whether they would eventually help Orton retain the title. Sure hope this is the end of Orton vs. Hunter, but I highly doubt it since Hunter didn’t lose clean and he stood tall post-match. Solid gimmick match overall.

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WINNER: Batista at 7:10 to capture the WWE Title. Seems like forever since Batista won World Title gold. You also wouldn’t think they would put the WWE Title on an injured wrestler, so we’ll have to see where this is going, especially when Orton gets his re-match. Nice match, albeit short for Raw’s title match. Quick pace made for a good story. (**)

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Randy Orton vs. Batista — WWE Championship match
Bell sounded and the announcers said Batista was involved in an altercation earlier this weekend. Lawler said he had eight stitches in his eye as a result. Also, Orton dipped to the floor when the bell sounded to make Batista wait a bit longer for initial contact. Orton took a rest on the floor again, then Batista ran out of the corner with a clothesline. He kicked Orton in the back before sitting down on his lower back. Orton gained control at 4:00, then stood over Batista and did the old-school arms-extended pose from 2005. Crowd booed that heavily. Orton grabbed a basic chinlock and Batista escaped with elbow strikes before Orton nailed the fallaway backbreaker for a two count. Orton went back to the chinlock, then Batista escaped, and Orton re-applied. Batista escaped and Orton snapped off a nice dropkick. He then picked up the crowd intensity with that trademark horizontal DDT from the second rope.

At 8:30, Orton stalked cough-and-wheeze Batista for the RKO like a snake, but Batista remained on the ground. Orton then re-thought his plan to nail The Punt, but Batista was playing opossum and nailed a spear as Orton charged. Both men then came to their feet and they traded punches with crowd doing yeah/boo. Batista then scooped up Orton for a standing powerslam and a two count only at 10:00. Orton then rolled to the floor told the ref to start his ten count. Batista was not going to stand for Orton trying to get counted out, so he chased Orton around the ring. Orton tried to hug the ringpost, but Batista broke him off and tossed him into the ring for a clothesline and a two count.

Tree-hugging Orton then tried to grab a steel chair ringside, but Batista blocked. Batista then went up top (wha?) and nailed a nice-looking flying shoulder tackle for a two count. Batista teased the Batistabomb, but Orton blocked and rolled to the floor once again. He then grabbed his WWE Title belt and tried to run away clutching the belt, but Batista pursued him and tossed him back into the ring. Batista ducked a belt shot and nailed a spinebuster. Orton freaked as Batista grappled him for the Batistabomb, but Orton punched out. Batista blocked the RKO, then Orton moved out of the way of a spear in the corner. Orton, enraged, wanted the RKO, but Batista shoved him away into the ref. Orton and ref had a stop-and-collect-themselves moment, then Orton reared back and slapped ref Chioda. Ref called for the bell for a DQ and Batista put his hands on his head in disgust that he won, but Orton kept the belt. Classic Orton storyline.

Post-match: Legacy stormed the ring to help Orton with a three-on-one beating on Batista. Suddenly, Ric Flair’s music hit. Oh snap. Flair stormed the ring in dress clothes as the announcers freaked about Flair being here. Flair looked to be in great shape as he fought off Legacy. Batista then dropped Orton with the Batistabomb before Flair ripped off a round of chops on folks. Flair then helped Batista up and they had a stare down with Legacy with Batista smiling. Six-man tag with Triple H next month?
Winner: Batista via DQ at 14:45

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SHANE MCMAHON & BATISTA & TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON & CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE
Shane came out first, then Batista, then Triple H, then Legacy. Six-way chaos broke out before the bell rang. Triple H went after Orton at ringside and all the way to the back. Triple H returned to the ring and Orton was nowhere in sight. The ref ordered the bell to start the match, even without Orton at ringside. Batista opened against Cody. Triple H and Shane took turns beating on him. At 3:00 Cody raked Batista’s eyes and tagged in DiBiase. They double-teamed Batista in the corner. Ross said Rhodes and DiBiase are two building blocks in the future of WWE in his estimation. Batista came back at 4:00 wth a spinebuster on DiBiase. He set up a Batista Bomb, but DiBiase slid out of the ring. Batista went after him at ringside. Orton charged Batista from behind and shoved him into the ringpost. The ref didn’t see it. Back in the ring, Orton stomped away at a stunned Batista. Orton DDT’d Batista off the second rope. Batista tried to tag out a minute later, but Orton stopped him just in time at 8:00. Ross said that may be looked back on as a key moment in the match.

At 10:00 Batista came back with a spearing headbutt. Batista hot-tagged Shane who went to work on a fresh Rhodes with a barrage of punches. He hit a neckbreaker for a two count, then threw him to the floor. Shane began disassembling the announcer table. DiBiase went after him. Shane tackled him. Rhodes returned to the ring. Shane snapped his neck over the top rope, then climbed to the top rope and leaped of with a flying elbow. He rolled Rhodes over twice to get closer to the ropes, which looked ridiculous, and then predictably DiBiase yanked him out of the ring during his pin attempt. Orton whipped Shane into the ringside steps, but the ref was distracted by Triple H who left his corner. Orton went to work on Shane, suplexing him into the ring. Shane scurried toward his corner for a potential tag. Orton stopped him and then stared down Triple H.

The heels isolated Shane for several long minutes. Shane finally hot-tagged Triple H at 18:00. Triple H went to work on Orton with a barrage of punches. It was relentless. Orton reversed Triple H into the ropes, but Triple H came back with a kneelift. When DiBiase and Rhodes charged at him, he tossed them out of the ring, then gave Orton a spinebuster for a near fall, broken up by DiBiase who a split second later than ideal. Triple H set up a Pedigree, but Rhodes broke it up and DDT’d him. Shane dove at Rhodes and clotheslined him over the top rope. He did the same to DiBiase, knocking him over the ringside barrier into the crowd. Cody fired back at Shane with a chairshot to the shoulder. When Batista went after Rhodes, Rhodes jabbed him in the throat with a chair.

Both Orton and Triple H were down for an eight count in the ring. Both got up. As Batista was about to hit DiBiase with a chair at ringside, Triple H pulled the chair from him. Orton then gave Triple H an RKO for a convincing near fall. So convincing the bell ringing rang the bell mistakenly. Orton then gave Triple H a punt kick for the pin. The bell ringing must’ve known the finish, but rang the bell too early. He’s in trouble tonight. Orton then grabbed the WWE Title and left with DiBiase and Rhodes.

WINNERS: Orton & DiBiase & Rhodes in 22:00 so Orton becomes the WWE Champion.

STAR RATING: *** — They gave it time to be an epic match, but the early-match long selling by Batista and the mid-match long selling by Shane got a little tedious. Other than the early bell ring, though, the final minutes hit a great crescendo. Good to see a title change in this match take place with the new champion scoring the pin on the incumbent.

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Winner: HHH in about 25 minutes.