WWE Raw news & notes 4/9

-- The storyline explanation for Brock Lesnar's WWE return is on-air heel authority figure John Laurinaitis hired Lesnar back to WWE. The implication by John Cena in a backstage promo is that Laurinaitis hired Lesnar to take out Cena to become the new top dog and face of WWE.

-- Lesnar vs. Cena was the only match announced for the Extreme Rules PPV on April 29.

-- UFC was referenced in separate segments pertaining to Lesnar. As Lesnar was introduced in the opening segment, Raw announcer Michael Cole quickly summarized that Lesnar left WWE for UFC and has returned to WWE. Later, in a backstage interview, Lesnar said he elevated UFC to new heights as UFC Hvt. champion before returning to WWE.

-- WWE champion C.M. Punk vs. Mark Henry for the WWE Title was announced for next week's Raw. It will be a No DQ, No Count-out match on the third consecutive Raw to feature a WWE Title defense by Punk against Henry.

-- No matches were announced for the live Super Smackdown episode Tuesday night on Syfy. WWE stressed the "Blast from the Past" legends theme and said there will be repercussions for World Hvt. champion Sheamus following his Brogue Kick to referee Chad Patton on last week's Smackdown.

-- WWE ran a new video package on the "End of an Era" match between The Undertaker and Triple H with Shawn Michaels as special referee from WrestleMania 28. There was no follow-up on the future of the three participants.

-- The Miz's only appearance on the show was requesting TV time from Laurinaitis, who blew him off, but promised big things ahead for him.

-- One week after being treated like a top star in the eyes of the fans, Daniel Bryan did not make an official appearance on Raw. Bryan was part of a Cena-Lesnar pullapart brawl in the opening segment along with other wrestlers.

-- The cast members from The Three Stooges movie appeared in multiple segments during the show. Their appearance culminated with Kane chokeslamming Will Sasso.

Will Sasso dressed up as a fat Hulk Hogan for an in-ring bit with the cast members. Sasso did Hogan's mannerisms and cut a standard Hogan promo to a mix of boos and indifference from the Washington, D.C. crowd. There was no mention of Hogan currently in TNA.

-- According to the Washington Post, Washington Redskins fans started up "R-G-3" chants during Raw, referring to Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin, III, who the Redskins are expected to draft with the #2 pick in this month's NFL Draft. The story is at WashingtonPost.com .

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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