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Legacy was on the way to the ring, but Randy Orton jumped them from behind on the entrance ramp. Orton then slid into the ring and drew a mixed reaction. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase gathered themselves on the floor as the show cut to break.

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.

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Randy Orton’s music hit to bring out Orton after they replayed Orton taking out Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes last week on Raw. Orton wasn’t done completing his ring entrance when Legacy’s music hit to bring out Ted DiBiase.

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.

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Backstage: They showed Randy Orton staring off in deep thought. Cody Rhodes then walked in and said the entire purpose of the group was to ensure Orton would be headlining WrestleMania. Cody talked about Ted DiBiase going to Mania because he’s inducting his old man into the Hall of Fame. He questioned how they’re going to function tonight in a tag match. Orton cut off Cody and said if there’s anyone to blame, it should be him. Orton said he’s screwed up lately and he asked for a six-man tag to show they’re still a unit. Cody didn’t know what to make of Orton taking the blame. He told Cody to tell Ted… “I’m sorry.” Orton walked off, then Ted walked in to ask how it went. Cody said it went really well. “Almost too well,” Cody said. Ted asked if they’re sticking to the plan. “Absolutely,” Cody said. They stared off camera where Orton disappeared to.

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.

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Randy Orton’s music hit to bring out Orton. Orton looking much more tanned with shorter hair. The announcers plugged the “WrestleMania worthy” Cena vs. Hunter match to come tonight.

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.

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Backstage, They randomly cut to Ted DiBiase standing at his locker. Cody Rhodes then walked in asked if he’s feeling good about himself after qualifying for the Elimination Chamber. Rhodes said he got Cena while DiBiase got Henry. Cody said he beat Henry once before and he could have done it again. DiBiase told Cody to stop complaining. Cody asked DiBiase if he really could have beaten Cena. DiBiase said this is an example of him being better than Cody. Randy Orton then walked in and asked DiBiase if he thinks he’s better than him. “Well, are you?” Orton asked. DiBiase said they’ll find out at the Chamber. Orton then told DiBiase he’s facing Cena tonight. Orton asked Cody what he’s so happy about when he got him DQ’ed at the Rumble. Orton said he knows Cody was trying to help and his heart was in the right place, so he appreciates the effort. Orton being very calculating and cerebral here. “By the way, Cody, you’re facing me tonight,” Orton said. Nice segment.

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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Rhodes talked to DiBiase, thanking him for sparing him that kick. Randy Orton jumped into the mix and addressed the tension between all of them. He said by some miracle all three of them were able to get on the same page, yet they go out and lose to DX. He then complained about them not having his back when he got jumped by Sheamus. He said they have to get it in their heads that only one man can win, so they should accept that. He said he will beat Sheamus and be WWE Champion again. He said he’ll do that with or without them.

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.

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