WWE Chairman Vince McMahon opened the broadcast by announcing that Donald Trump had orchestrated a 15-wrestler trade between Raw, SmackDown, and ECW during his short tenure as owner of the red brand (the results of which can be viewed at this link). Vince then stated that Trump’s idea to institute a “guest host” for Raw each week would stand, and proceeded to introduce Batista as boss for the night. The Animal booked a four-man Night of Champions tournament, with the winner advancing to the PPV to face WWE Champion Randy Orton. The Legend Killer appeared along with Legacy and threatened to re-injure Batista’s arm, but the powerhouse warned his former Evolution stablemate that he would fire all three men if they even looked at him the wrong way. Batista then placed Orton into a Gauntlet Match later in the program against a trio of Raw’s newest draftees.

Triple H over MVP via pinfall in a Night of Champions tournament match.

Unified Tag Team Champions Edge and Chris Jericho over Carlito and Primo via Edge’s pinfall on Carlito. This was a great bout, which ended with Primo accidentally tripping his brother, setting up the three-count for Edge. The Colons argued afterward.

John Cena over The Miz via submission in a Night of Champions tournament match. This is the bout that should have taken place at the PPV, with Miz receiving the majority of the offense before finally falling to Cena’s STF.

Mickie James over Rosa Mendes, Beth Phoenix, and Kelly Kelly in a Fatal Four Way Match via pinfall on Mendes to earn a Divas Title shot at Night of Champions.

U.S. Champion Kofi Kingston wrestled The Big Show to a double-countout in a non-title match.

Mark Henry over WWE Champion Randy Orton via pinfall in a non-title Gauntlet Match. Orton defeated Evan Bourne in the first fall using a beautiful RKO after crotching the young high-flyer on the top rope. Jack Swagger arrived next, but chose to take a voluntary countout loss by simply standing on the ring apron (Swagger explained his actions by stating that he respected Orton and wished to make an impact during his first night on Raw. Uh … wouldn’t defeating the Champion be a much better way to accomplish that?). Henry appeared as Orton’s third opponent and also teased a deliberate countout before re-entering the ring to cleanly pin the Legacy leader following the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry played to the crowd afterward and exchanged smiles with Batista, apparently indicating a babyface turn.

This was an entertaining episode of Raw, although I find it ridiculous that WWE is once again reshuffling the brand rosters less than three months after the annual Draft. It is also ironic that on the same night Mark Henry - who fans have never accepted as a main-event talent - was given a huge victory over the WWE Champion, two of the company’s brightest rising stars (The Miz and MVP) fell to a pair of the same stale headliners.
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