Raw makes its 2nd annual appearance on Sci-Fi, and unlike last year, there are no reception issues to hamper the broadcast as the evening begins.

We start with a recap of the WWE title match at Summerslam. To the surprise of many, John Cena remains the champion. The beaten challenger, Randy Orton, makes his way out to start the live show, as there is no theme music for the 2nd straight week. Orton claims he went to church earlier today, believing that what happened last night was a miracle. He experienced an epiphany, and believes that he had the title in the palms of his hands, only to have it snatched away when Cena kicked out of the RKO. The champ makes his way out to a phat pop from the homies, and picks up the discussion on the match, admitting that Orton did have his number, but that despite the advantage, Orton failed in his quest.

Cena, though, recognizing the potential ratings, proposes that Triple H be the next opponent, with Orton moving to the side. William Regal, however, declares that it will be King Booker, a loser last night, facing Da Champ. Orton tried to ambush Cena, only to get bum-rushed.

Match 1: Mr. Kennedy vs. Jeff Hardy Yes, the "rainbow-haired warrior" has been activated from the suspended list. Man alive, Cena & Booker---and everyone else---will have a tough act to follow. Hardy was on target early, hitting a suicide dive on Kennedy before the commercial. However, as so often happens, after the break, Kennedy took over and looked like he had things well in hand. However, back comes Hardy, who hits the Whisper in the Wind, but can't follow up. After the swinging dropkick in the corner, Hardy sets for the Swanton, but Kennedy, who's used that move himself (Kenton Bomb), got the knees up to protect himself. Just as Kennedy moved in for the cover, Umaga came out. Kennedy got a near fall, then fled as Umaga hit the ring. They locked eyes on each other while a weary Hardy was getting his bearings. Umaga turned back heel and destroyed Hardy, first with the savate kick, then the butt splash and the Samoan Spike. Winner: Jeff Hardy via DQ.

Now, they're back to where they were last month before Hardy was suspended, so figure Umaga vs. Hardy for the IC title no later than Unforgiven.

Clips are shown of last night's King Booker-HHH match. Backstage, Vince McMahon & Jonathan Coachman are walking, apparently toward the arena. Coach wonders about some big announcement Vince is about to make in Carlito's Cabana, coming up next. The chairman congratulates Mr. Kennedy, and says the Green Bay native is "on the bubble". Kennedy copies the boss' distinctive walk as he heads for the locker room, and Vince pokes fun at it himself.

Carlito is making his way out to prepare to interview McMahon. He wastes little time bringing out the Chairman, who declares that he will give the mother of his "bastard son" 2 weeks to ID the kid, or he'll sue her for "emotional distress". Carlito takes up the cause, and Vince claims he can't be intimidated. He does the intimidating. Oh, really? Well, here comes Triple H to disprove the point. The "King of Kings" is still the merry prankster he was when he was put on the shelf in January. Vince claimed he was 50 (actually 62), and Hunter cracked that Vince was 75. Hunter brought out 4 people who might be the mother. A one eyed blonde. A rather stout African American. A woman announced as Carlito's sister, with the requisite stereotyped jokes that haven't been heard since those old Speedy Gonzales cartoons back in the day. A transvestite. Vince throws them all out, tired of being humiliated. Vince storms out. Carlito gets up in HHH's grill and spits some apple. Hunter grins and wipes out Carlito with the spinebuster, a DX crotch chop, and the pedigree. The crowd was rocking.

Match 2: Cody Rhodes, Brian Kendrick, & Paul London vs. Daivari and the World's Greatest Tag Team Shelton Benjamin has gone to the bleach bottle, now sporting blond hair. Didn't exactly do wonders for Butch Reed 20 years ago, so I don't see how this will help Benjamin. I digress. Way too short in terms of time. If you blinked, it was over. They got heat on Kendrick, as usual. Daivari got in a cheap shot on London, but Kendrick hot-tagged to Rhodes. Cody hit the snap powerslam for 2 before WGTT broke it up. London & Kendrick cleared out Charlie Haas & Benjamin with a double suicide dive, and Rhodes finished Daivari with a cross-body off the top. Winners: Cody Rhodes, Brian Kendrick, & Paul London.

Back from commercial, and Daivari is still in the ring, ranting in Farsi. Enter Cryme Tyme. JTG lays it out for everyone, telling Daivari that no one understands what he's saying. I thought he was going to do a mimic of Chris Tucker from the "Rush Hour" movies. Anyway, JTG grabs the turban, and Shad Gaspard KOs Daivari with a rear clothesline. The turban is sold "for $5". Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch come down, looking for a piece of Cryme Tyme, who make like they'll fight, but rather take Cade's hat off the timekeeper's table, go back into the crowd, and give it away. Another phat pop.

Meanwhile, Vince complains to Coach about being humiliated. Coach, the Waylon Smithers of the WWE, suggests that Triple H needs to be punished. Enter Randy Orton, demanding a rematch with Cena, overruling the already announced main event. Vince turns him down, and Orton storms out.

Match 3: Beth Phoenix vs. Maria I would say this was a squash, except the bell never rang to start the match. While the camera was focused on Jerry Lawler reading the Divas magazine, Phoenix attacked Maria from behind. The action spilled into the ring, but the ref never called for the bell. Maria was left lying after a fisherman buster. Winner: None. Match never officially began.

Todd Grisham interviews Candice Michelle. The women's champion puts over Phoenix's performance last night as "dominating", but she isn't intimidated by the new #1 contender. Snitsky interrupts. He says it's a challenge controlling the rage that causes him to inflict pain on his opponents, pain that gives him pleasure.

Back in the office, Vince believes the identity of his "bastard son" will be revealed as soon as maybe tomorrow, Friday, or next week. William Regal comes in and reports that "Vince's attorney" has called. Linda, Shane, & Stephanie are bringing their lawyers next week. Uh-oh!

Match 4: John Cena vs. King Booker (w/Queen Sharmell) Once again, the house explodes as Cena makes his way out. His family is at ringside, showing their support. Cena presses the advantage, and twice ducks Booker's roundhouse kick. They're moving, though, like they're in slow motion. Cena hit a fisherman's released suplex for 2, then went for the STFU, but Booker forced a rope break as we went to commercial. Booker got heat on Cena by working on the head. However, he couldn't put the champion away. He couldn't even connect with the axe kick. Cena rallied with clotheslines, but who should show up to throw cold water on the match but, of course, Randy Orton. Orton and Booker doubled on Cena, leading to Book hitting the axe kick after the match ended. Booker then took his leave. Orton set up for a kick to the head, but then stopped. He went out and pulled Cena's dad out of his seat and hit the kick on the elder Cena. How heinous can one man be? Winner: John Cena via DQ.