Judgment is coming

Judgment is coming

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The entire landscape of WWE changed at Backlash, with three new World Champions, including Raw's Randy Orton, who won the WWE Championship in a Six-Man Tag Team Match. Though Batista was on the losing end of that conflict, he earned the right to challenge The Legend Killer for the WWE Title at Judgment Day after defeating Big Show on Raw, courtesy of a distraction by John Cena.

Batista def. Big Show by count-out in a No. 1 Contender's Match (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Prior to the night's final match, General Manager Vickie Guerrero announced that on the following Raw, WWE Champion Randy Orton would face Shane McMahon. Next, the main event began with two massive competitors squaring off for the right to face WWE Champion Randy Orton at Judgment Day. Batista, eager to exact revenge on The Legend Killer for putting him out of commission for months courtesy of a brutal punt, took on Big Show, who had gained esteem in the eyes of Raw's General Manager, Vickie Guerrero, by attacking John Cena as part of their newfound professional relationship, allowing her husband Edge to secure the World Heavyweight Title at Backlash.

Batista might be used to overpowering his opponents in the ring, but he didn't have that option against his opponent, The World's Largest Athlete. However, during the match another advantage for The Animal reared its head as an injured Cena staggered out to the stage. The former World Heavyweight Champion's presence was enough to distract Big Show, luring him from the ring and causing The World's Largest Athlete to get counted out. When Big Show made it back to the ring, he was on the receiving end of a spear, delivered by the victorious Batista.

Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo def. Jamie Noble & Chavo Guerrero (PHOTOS)
As holders of the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship, brothers Carlito & Primo can defend their titles on any WWE brand. However, as of the 2009 WWE Draft, both Superstars are officially members of the Raw brand. On Monday Night the Puerto Rican Superstars took on Jamie Noble & Chavo Guerrero, two athletes with considerable in-ring experience between them. But that experience wasn't enough to overwhelm the sibling synergy exhibited by Carlito & Primo, who soundly defeated their opponents.

The Miz def. John Cena by forfeit (PHOTOS)
The Miz, a recent Draftee, also had his first match as a Raw Superstar. Proclaiming himself a "television icon," the pompous Superstar announced to the WWE Universe that he planned to make an impact by challenging one of the brand's most dominant ring warriors, John Cena. As the former World Heavyweight Champion's music played, the fans in attendance waited in anticipation, but Cena was nowhere to be seen -- presumably a result of the brutal Last Man Standing Match he took part in at Backlash. The self-proclaimed "future World Champion" announced that he had won the match as a result of a forfeit, and demanded that Lilian Garcia verify that fact. When she refused, The Miz made the formal announcement himself.

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. United States Champion MVP ended in a no-contest
(PHOTOS | WATCH)
If he hoped to prove himself as a top player on Raw, U.S. Champion MVP certainly succeeded as he went toe-to-toe with WWE Champion Randy Orton in a hard-fought match, retaliating "The Viper's" every strike. As The Ballin' Superstar and The Legend Killer continued to fight back and forth, each struggling to gain the upper hand, Shane McMahon rushed to the ring and assaulted "The Viper" with a kendo stick. As Orton's Legacy, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, rushed to their leader's aid, Shane O'Mac dropped a flying elbow on his nemesis, and then escaped into the crowd, leaving the outcome of the match in question.

Matt Hardy def. Goldust (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Just one day after one of the most brutal matches of his career, Matt Hardy had to face Goldust in the ring on Raw. Suffering from a broken hand sustained during an "I Quit" Match against his brother Jeff, Hardy entered the ring sporting a hard cast. Prior to the match, Hardy reasoned that with his injury, he had no choice but to quit during his Backlash match against his brother, but that didn't make him a quitter. When the match began, the two competitors circled one another cautiously before Hardy slid out of the ring in an attempt to avoid the bizarre Goldust. The bitter Superstar then re-entered the ring, clobbering his opponent with his cast and covering him for a quick pin.

Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Brie Bella & "Santina" Marella def. Divas Champion Maryse, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes & Jillian Hall (PHOTOS | WATCH)
Raw was also host to an Eight-Diva Tag Team Match that saw Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Brie Bella & Miss WrestleMania "Santina" Marella take on the team of Divas Champion Maryse, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes & Jillian Hall. During the match, Brie attempted to utilize a trick she had used to great success while on SmackDown, going underneath the ring to switch places with her twin sister Nikki. Soon after disappearing, however, both of the Bellas emerged, along with a grinning Hornswoggle. The mischievous leprechaun sprang out and chased Rosa Mendes from ringside, giving "Santina" just the opening she needed to roll-up Jillian, securing a victory for her team. As the winning Divas and Hornswoggle celebrated, the diminutive Superstar was subjected to a horrifying glance up Santina's skirt.

Kofi Kingston def. The Brian Kendrick (PHOTOS)
In the first match of the night, the highly athletic Kofi Kingston was to face off against one of the exciting new Superstars Raw received in the Draft: The Brian Kendrick. After being introduced by Lilian Garcia, the leather jacket-bedecked Superstar cornered the announcer and clarified that he should be referred to as "The Brian Kendrick." Though Kendrick held his own, it was the controlled frenzy of Kingston that proved dominant, allowing The Jamaican Superstar to pick up the win.

Two matches for Raw set by Vickie Guerrero: Batista vs. Big Show to determine the No. 1 contender to the WWE Title and WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. MVP (PHOTOS)
Raw's General Manager Vickie Guerrero opened the night's show by celebrating two of WWE's newest champions: Her husband, World Heavyweight Champion Edge, and WWE Champion Randy Orton, both of whom won their titles the night before at Backlash. Raw's World Champion, "The Viper" then emerged, flanked by his Legacy, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase. In the midst of congratulating Orton, the Raw GM then announced that his first title defense would take place at Judgment Day against the winner of a No. 1 Contender's Match between Batista and Big Show, to take place later in the evening.

As Orton finished berating the WWE Universe, he turned his sights on the Raw locker room, declaring that every Superstar, regardless of tenure, answers to him. But before he could finish his rant, The Legend Killer was interrupted by United States Champion MVP. Eager to make a name for himself on his new brand, The Ballin' Superstar announced that as U.S. Champion, he doesn't answer to anyone. After being put on notice by MVP, Orton had a brief word with Vickie Guerrero, who went on to make a second huge Raw match, pitting The Franchise Playa against "The Viper" in a non-title contest.

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