Wrestling Forum banner

WWE 2004: The Road to WrestleMania 21

167K views 264 replies 32 participants last post by  TyBerns 
#1 · (Edited)




WRESTLEMANIA XX Results
John Cena defeated The Big Show to win the US Title
2 Falls: 4 Way Tag: Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin defeated RVD and Booker T, The Dudleys and 2 Cool to win the 1st Fall(Raw Tag Titles)
RVD and Booker T defeated 2 Cool, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin and The Dudleys to win the 2nd Fall (Smackdown Tag Titles)
Christian defeated Chris Jericho
Evolution defeated The Rock & Sock Connection
No Holds Barred Match: Loser Leaves WWE: JBL vs Farooq
Cruiserweight Open: Tajiri defeated The Ultimo Dragon, Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero, Jamie Noble, The Hurricane, Nunzio, Kidman, Paul London and Akio to win the Cruiserweight Title.
Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar
Victoria defeated Molly Holly to retain the womens title
Eddie Guerrero defeated Kurt Angle to retain the WWE Title
The Undertaker defeated Kane
Chris Benoit defeated HHH and Shawn Michaels to win the World Title
The WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Divas Sable and Miss Jackie as well as Superstars Farooq, Scott Steiner, Test, The Ultimo Dragon, Rodney Mack, Orlando Jordan, Billy Gunn, Hardcore Holly, Sakoda and Matt Morgan. We wish them the best in all future endeavors.

Current WWE Roster as of September 20 2004

RAW ROSTER
General Manager: Eric Bischoff
World Heavyweight Champion: Randy Orton
WWE Intercontinental Champion: Tajiri
World Tag Team Champions: William Regal and Eugene
Womens Champion: Trish Stratus

Batista | Charlie Haas | Chris Benoit | Christian | Chuck Palumbo | Danny Basham | Doug Basham | Edge | Eugene | Jamie Noble | Jeff Hardy | Kane | Khosrow Daivari | Kurt Angle | Mark Jindrak | Masato Tanaka | Muhammed Hassan | Nova | Randy Orton | Rhyno | Ric Flair | Rob Conway | Rosey | Scotty 2 Hotty | Shawn Michaels | Shelton Benjamin | Sylvan Grenier | Tajiri | William Regal

Divas/GM/Managers/Announcers
Candice Michelle | Eric Bischoff | Gail Kim | Jazz | Jerry Lawler | Jim Ross | Jonathan Coachman | Lillian Garcia | Maria | Molly Holly | Todd Grisham | Trish Stratus | Victoria


SMACKDOWN ROSTER
General Manager: Paul Heyman
WWE Champion: Eddie Guerrero
WWE United States Champion: Rene Dupree
WWE Tag Team Champions: Billy Kidman and Paul London
WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Shannon Moore

Akio | Big Show | Booker T | Billy Kidman | Bubba Ray Dudley | Carlito Caribbean Cool | Chavo Guerrero | Chris Jericho | D-Von Dudley | Eddie Guerrero | Funaki | The Hurricane | John Bradshaw Layfield | John Cena | Johnny the Bull Stamboli | Matt Hardy | Maven | Mike Awesome | Nunzio | Paul London | Rene Dupree | Rey Mysterio | Rob Van Dam | Shannon Moore | Spike Dudley | Steven Richards | Triple H | The Undertaker | Val Venis

Divas/GM/Managers/Announcers
Christy Hemme | Dawn Marie | Josh Mathews | Joy Giovanni | Lita | Michael Cole | Paul Heyman | Stacy Keibler | Tazz | Theodore Long | Torrie Wilson


OVW Development Talent
Chris Masters
Johnny Nitro
Joey Mercury
Melina Perez
Michelle McCool

2004 PPV Calendar

Backlash - April 18 - Edmonton, Alberta
Judgment Day - May 16 - Los Angeles, California
King of the Ring- June 13 - Columbus, Ohio
The Great American Bash - June 27 - Norfolk, Virginia
Vengeance - July 11 - Hartford, Connecticut
SummerSlam - August 15 - Toronto, ON
Unforgiven - September 12 - Portland, Oregon
No Mercy - October 3 - East Rutherford, New Jersey
Taboo Tuesday - October 19 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Survivor Series - November 14 - Cleveland, Ohio
Armageddon - December 12 - Duluth, Georgia

 
See less See more
1
#27 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Smackdown
April 1, 2004

The announcers welcome us to the show as tonight for the first time ever Smackdown brings to you the Lethal Lottery. Tazz and Cole discuss the rules. There will be 6 matches. Each match has a 10 minute time limit. A time limit draw would eliminate both teams. Plus both teams can be eliminated if the match ends in a double dq or double count out. Time is very critical for each match. The stars are in two separate dressing rooms(heel and faces) awaiting their name to be called. When they are called they will find out who their partner will be and then with their partners they will compete in a tag match. The winners will advance to a battle royal next week. Not many backstage segments tonight.

Lets take you to the man who will be drawing the names, the General Manager Paul Heyman. He will be assisted by Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie. Heyman, Torrie and Dawn are on the stage to draw the names for the tag matches. Paul Heyman who is still in a neck brace welcomes the fans to the show. First of all before we get underway he wants to make an announcement. Edge was going to be included in the tournament but APRIL FOOLS, he's decided to suspend Edge for two weeks for his actions last week therefore he has been removed from the lethal lottery tournament. Big Show is replacing Edge in the tournament. Big Show had his opportunity last week and lost but as Edge is suspended, Big Show is getting another chance. Heyman does not want Big Show coming after him again so that’s why he’s giving him another chance and to be honest he doesn’t like it at all. Heyman asks the ladies to do the drawings and he will call out the names of the stars.

They draw John Cena’s name first as he makes his way out. His partner is Johnny Nitro and they will take on Rikishi and A-Train.

Match 1
John Cena and Johnny Nitro vs Rikishi and A-Train
So here we go and the first match gets underway. Tazz explained that we could possibly get a lot of strange pairings tonight. All the stars can do is be in shape and hope they get the luck of the draw because you can’t do any preparation. That’s because they have no idea who their partner’s gonna be whether they like em or dislike em. Nitro taunts Cena and wants to start. A-Train and Rikishi start arguing over who should start and Rikishi decides to step in. Nitro kicks away at Rikishi but Rikishi shoves him down. Rikishi outpowered Nitro and Nitro ends up tagging Cena. Cena and Rikishi shake hands and they go at it. Rikishi catches Cena with a samoan drop and tags in A-Train. Cena was dominated for the first few minutes in which A-Train hit some pretty offensive moves on Cena like the gorilla press slam, hard clothesline and a derailer and Cena kicked out at two. Rikishi wanted to tag in but Train told him he’s got this. A-Train and Rikishi started arguing which allowed Cena to take over and he tagged in Nitro. Nitro tried to slam A-Train but he blocked it and body slammed Nitro. A-Train finally tagged Rikishi who comes in and legdrops Nitro. Rikishi went for the banzai drop. Cena runs in and pulls Nitro out the way and Rikishi falls down. Nitro tagged Cena and Cena cleans house. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle on A-Train. Near the end A-Train and Rikishi started arguing again Rikishi ended up nailing his own partner with a superkick and Cena finished A-Train off with the FU. Cena made the cover and got the 3 count to advance.
Winners: John Cena and Johnny Nitro

Heyman explained that for the past three week's he’s been attacked but on Raw Bischoff has managed to keep his roster under control. He hoped that tonight he gets away with it because it’s about time he was respected. He demands respect. He is giving everyone on the roster even the ones who turned on him an opportunity to become the #1 contender. He wants Smackdown to be the best brand and wants to show Eric Bischoff that Smackdown puts on better matches and produces better ppvs. He is looking to trade some stars from Smackdown over to Raw to bring in frustrated performers from Raw. He hopes that he can work out a deal with Bischoff soon.

Now moving on to the next match, the ladies draw out the next names. This is interesting as we have tag team partners on opposite sides as Paul London and Shannon Moore take on Kidman and The Hurricane. London and Kidman have been teaming up recently and now they are on opposing teams and Helms and Moore have been teaming up ever since Helms came to Smackdown.

Match 2
Paul London and Shannon Moore vs Kidman and The Hurricane



Both teams are fan favourites. Kidman and Helms start it off as they trade holds. Kidman tags in London. London was quick on the offense, hitting some quick arm drags and leg sweeps to get Helms off his feet. This was a great fast paced match with lots of near falls. Moore flips out of a back suplex and dropkicks Kidman who tags in The Hurricane. Partners going at it. Helms dominates but Moore comes back with dropkick followed by a head scissors. Moore and Helms end up tagging London and Kidman and now London and Kidman go at it. London takes Kidman down with a snapmare and Kidman comes back with an bulldog. London comes back with a forearm and a spinning wheel kick. London leaps over Kidman and hits him with a jumping thrust kick. Kidman tags in Helms and Helms takes London down with a chokeslam. Helms hits the eye of the hurricane and goes for the pin but Kidman ends up making the save and breaks up the pin. Hurricane’s upset about the save and starts arguing with Kidman. Hurricane shoves Kidman, Kidman shoves him back and Helms hits the shining wizard on Kidman. London gets in and now it’s breaking loose and they start hammering away at each other. Moore comes in and hits a spinning kick on Kidman, London takes down Hurricane. This causes the whole thing to break down out to the floor. Moore sends Kidman out and springboard backflips onto him and the ref makes the count. All four men get counted out and both teams are eliminated.
Result: DOUBLE COUNT OUT, BOTH TEAMS ARE ELIMINATED

Both teams demand sudden death over time but with the teams being switched around so they can team with their actual partners. Heyman tells them too bad, he’s not going to give them sudden time overtime. They knew the rules, they should have co-existed as a team, they had their chance and they blew it. They can settle this next week when they can team with their actual partners but not tonight. He tells them both to get the hell out of here. Heyman said he is not changing the rules, nor is he adding any NO dq stipulations. If you are dq’ed, counted out, or the time limit expires then you are eliminated. If anyone is not satisfied with their partner and they decide to threaten him then he will remove them from the tournament.

Up next in the draw, the ladies do the draw and we get a match between Val Venis and Jamie Noble vs Scotty 2 Hotty and Nunzio. This will be Val’s first match on Smackdown since moving from Raw.

Match 3
Val Venis & Jamie Noble vs Scotty 2 Hotty & Nunzio
Val cut a promo in the ring and said from now on he's going to make a huge impact on Smackdown. This was a quick match but a good contest. Cole points out that Stamboli and Chuck are injured and that's the reason why they are not participating in this tournament. Both teams worked well together. Near the end of the match Scotty went for the worm on Noble but Val comes in and hits a Russian leg sweep on Scotty. Noble made the tag to Val and Val finished off Scotty with the money shot to win the match. Impressive win for Val and Noble. Val is back to winning ways and this is a great start for him on Smackdown.
Winners: Val Venis and Jamie Noble

The announcers update us on Kurt Angle’s status and he is having neck surgery. They are not sure when he will be back.

Josh Matthews interviews RVD and Booker T. Matthews asks them that they have yet to be drawn and there could be a possibility that they could end up avoiding each other. Or they could end up on the same team or even face each other. RVD hoped that they would either be on the same team or avoid each other because recently they’ve had their problems but now that they’ve solved it, they don’t want to be on opposing sides to increase their problems. So he hoped that the draw favours them. Booker T said it’s a slim chance that they would be in the same match and he thinks they will avoid each other. Booker points out that he’s the most decorated star in the WWE and he’s never been WWE Champion. In the next three weeks he will become the #1 contender and go on to win the title at Judgment Day. Now can you dig that suckaaaaaa. RVD looks at Josh and says Whatever!!!


The draw continues on and The Big Show’s name has been drawn out. He makes his way down to the stage and laughs at Heyman and then walks off to the ring. Big Show's partner is Rhyno. Then we find out who their opponents are. It’s KANE. Kane makes his way down and he’s smiling as he waits to find out who his partner is. Dawn draws out the next name and she is shocked. Torrie goes over to Dawn and checks and Torrie is also shocked. Heyman finds out who it is and Heyman announces that Kane’s partner is .... THE UNDERTAKER. Heyman is terrified.

Match 4
The Big Show and Rhyno vs The Undertaker & Kane
A dong strikes the arena as the lights go out. Kane, Big Show and Rhyno are all furious and they are shitting it. Taker makes his long entrance but it’s cut short by Kane as he does not like the idea of teaming up by Taker. Kane meets Taker halfway down the ramp and starts brawling with Taker. Big Show orders the ref to start the bell so they win by count out but the ref is not going to count because Taker has not come inside the ring yet so he can’t begin the match, he hasn’t even rung the bell yet. Taker nails Kane with some right hands and Kane goes back in the ring. Paul Bearer stops Taker and show’s Taker the urn and instructs Taker to get along with his brother for just this match. They have to co-exist to get that shot at the WWE Title.

Taker is now inside the ring and the bell rings and Rhyno and Kane start this off. This was a decent power match. Kane used his strength to overpower Rhyno but Rhyno got in some good offense and tagged in Big Show. Big Show and Kane go at it. Kane refused to tag Taker but Taker ended up tagging himself in and took it to Rhyno and Big Show. Clothesline followed by snake eyes to Rhyno and then a big boot gets a two count only. Kane ended up tagging himself in and Taker gives Kane an evil look. Kane and Show hammer away at each other and Show backdrops Kane over the top rope. Kane gets back in and Kane and Big Show end up knocking each other out with a clothesline. Kane got back up first and was going to signal for a chokeslam but Taker tagged himself in, Show ends up tagging Rhyno. Kane nails Taker from behind. They start brawling and Taker sends up Kane over the top rope. Rhyno and Show double team Taker. Rhyno goes for the gore and ends up getting Big Show instead. Taker chokeslams Rhyno and pins him for the 3 count.
Winners: The Undertaker and Kane

Immediately Kane gets back in the ring and attacks Taker and chokeslams him. Kane quickly exits the ring before Undertaker can get to his feet. Taker sits up and Kane backs up the ramp grinning while Taker looks on angrily in the ring. Taker gets up and goes after Kane but Kane has managed to escape. Meanwhile, Rhyno is pissed that he lost and blames it on Big Show and he stomps away at Big Show. He goes for the gore but walks into a chokeslam. Show leaves the ring and goes to the stage and taunts Heyman and walks off.

A promo is aired for Judgment Day which takes place in May. The announcers discuss which team has worked well together. Well they’ve all had problems at some point during the match. Val Venis & Noble worked well and so did Cena and Nitro. The obvious team that didn’t work were the two teams that were eliminated by count out. They explain who’s advanced so far and the guys that didn’t make it. Now we have two more matches to go.

Torrie pulls out the next name and it is Funaki. Funaki is very excited and waits to see who his partner is. He finds out that his partner is Akio and Funaki was quite pleased with this. Akio comes out with Funaki to Funaki’s music. They will be facing Tajiri. Well this is interesting because Akio will be facing Tajiri here and they are a team. Tajiri makes his way down to the ring and the three Japanese wrestlers are in the ring. Tajiri shakes hands with Akio. Tajiri looks on to find out who his partner will be. Booker T is hoping that it’s him, he ends up getting up before the name is announced and it’s ............ JBL. JBL is laughing and he loves this. Booker and RVD look at each other and hope now that they don’t end up facing each other in the final match.

Match 5
Akio and Funaki vs Tajiri and JBL
JBL’s music hit’s as he comes down to the ring with a mic and briefcase. JBL wants his music to be stopped. JBL got some good heat on his way out. JBL says he's been out campaining all week and he's tired. Now he’s out here to prove a point and will prove why he is the smartest man on Smackdown. He’s grown up in this country and made a fortune. What greater success stories are there in America than him? He insults the fans telling them that they should look up to him and not boo him, he is their role model. He deserves a Great American award because he will show the fans why he cares about people will different cultures. JBL gets inside the ring and looks at the three Japanese stars.


He mocks them and asks them if they speak English and they just stare at him. He tries to get their attention by asking them if they can understand the English language or is he talking to three uneducated guys who have come to this country by taking advantage of this country. He orders them to bow at him and they bow at him. Last week he told the fans that he can buy his way to victory but there was no need for it because he wants to show everyone how much of a great wrestler he is. However the luck of the draw has shown that there is a need for money in this match. JBL continues to mock Tajiri, Akio and Funaki and told them that they are in need of money and in this briefcase he has $100,000. They’ve never seen as much money as this in their entire lives and tonight is their chance to become rich. JBL wants them to take the money and become rich only if Akio or Funaki lay down for him so he can pin them. JBL asks them if they understand what he means or does he have to repeat himself or demonstrate what he means. JBL lays down and points at Funaki that all he has to do is lay down so JBL will pin him and then Funaki can split the money with his Japanese friends. Paul Heyman cuts in and says that’s one of the most smartest ideas ever. JBL thanked Heyman and continued on talking and asked Funaki, the no 1 announcer if he can co-operate with him. Is Funaki going to work out a deal with JBL. All of them are in pure silence and JBL gets angry and continues to mock them. Then he says it’s people like them who come here to this country and don’t pay much tax. You guys have taken advantage of our country, you send all the money you earn back to Japan and look to people like him to have to support people like them. JBL says he can make their careers. JBL turns to his partner for the night Tajiri and asks him if he can instruct the other two to negotiate a deal here.Tajiri didn’t say anything but tells the ref to ring the bell and has a discussion in the corner with Funaki and Akio. They bow to JBL and JBL is smiling and looks like JBL has struck a deal. JBL says like he always does, what he says he does and what he wants he gets. Funaki drops down. JBL pins Funaki and the ref makes the count. 1...2....3... It is over JBL has advanced to the battle royal with Tajiri. This got JBL some real heat.
Winners: JBL and Tajiri

JBL grabs the mic and gets his briefcase and gets back in the ring and tells them that he lied and he fooled them. They do not deserve this money, he’s worked hard for this to earn this money and he just outsmarted them all. Funaki takes the mic and calls JBL a jackass. Huge pop from the crowd and Tajiri sprays mist in JBL’s eyes. Funaki grabs the briefcase and they all split the money and exit the ring and decide to give the fans some money. Huge pop from the crowd. JBL is furious. For all that time the Japanese stars were silent, JBL may have outsmarted them but in the end the Japanese stars got one over JBL.


Paul Heyman sets up a Hardcore match between Big Show and Rhyno for next week. Eddie Guerrero’s music hits as he comes out onto the stage and tells Heyman it doesn’t matter what Heyman does because he’s the champion. Heyman could do whatever he wants but one way or another Eddie will lie cheat or steal his way to victory. Since he’s the champion he would like to draw out the last four names, Heyman nods his head and leaves and lets Eddie draw out the names for the last match.

The draw is made and they draw out Rey Mysterio’s name. Rey waits to see who his partner is. His partner is RVD. Rey gives RVD a high five but RVD then looks at Booker. This means the tag team champs are going to face each other. RVD and Rey leave and Booker destroys a tv in the locker room. Booker is very angry. The last two names left are Chavo Guerrero and Booker T. Heyman thanks the divas for helping him pick the names as they all leave. Rey’s music hits as he comes down and goes and meets Eddie on the stage. They hug and Eddie makes his way to the back and leaves with the divas. RVD then comes out to the ring. Chavo comes out next accompanied by Chavo Classic. Booker T then comes out.

Main Event
Rey Mysterio and RVD vs Chavo Guerrero and Booker T


This was a good contest, Rey and Chavo start it off. They have a lot of chemistry and a lot of history. They trade holds, good back and forth action with lots of near falls and they hit some pretty big spots. Chavo goes for a powerbomb and Rey counters into a hurracarana pin and Chavo kicks out. Rey tags in RVD who goes after Chavo and hits him with some kicks. A rolling thunder gets two. He tags Rey back in and Rey dropkicks Chavo. Chavo came back and nailed a hurricanrana from the top, that almost got the three. Rey hit a springboard moonsault, while Chavo was still standing and Chavo kicked out at two. Eventually both men ended up tagging their partners and now it’s a showdown between the tag team champions.

The tag champs have a big staredown and they shake hands and go at it. They fight for two minutes and RVD tags Rey in and Booker and Rey fight it out. Booker stomps away at Rey and then picks him up and whips him into the ropes and goes for a kick and Rey ducks and rolls Booker up and gets a two count only. Booker takes Rey down with a spinebuster and gets a two only. Rey came back and took Booker off his feet following a hurricarana before scaling to the top rope and gets a flying body press. He covers and Chavo breaks it up. Near the end RVD is in the ring with Chavo but Chavo Classic ends up pulling down the ropes to knock RVD outside. Rey gets in and argues and Chavo attacks Rey. Rey is not the legal man but Chavo ends up tagging Booker who ends up hitting the axe kick on Rey. Booker does the spinaroonie. He’s wasting time taking too long celebrating and RVD gets inside the ring and rolls Booker up for the 3 count. Booker is shocked and he is livid. RVD and Rey advance.
Winners: Rey Mysterio and RVD


Booker gets back up and shoves RVD. He berates RVD. RVD was about to snap and Rey steps in to stop anything from going down between RVD and Booker. Rey wants them to shake hands and RVD extends his hand. Booker walks off without his tag title and shouts “I don’t need you sucka, I’m better than you.” Crowd boos Booker as he walks off. Booker walks out onto the ramp and nods his head and stares angrily at RVD as Smackdown comes to a close.

So the field has been set for the battle royal next week. The stars that have advanced to the battle royal are: John Cena, The Undertaker, RVD, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Val Venis, JBL, Tajiri, Jamie Noble and Johnny Nitro.
 
#28 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Smackdown Review:
Lethal Lottery is a great concept for the tournament I really like this idea and think you are going to do great things with it.

Match 1: Great opening contest for the Lethal Lottery. I am happy that Cena and Nitro picked up the win over Rikishi and A-Train

Match 2: This would definitely be great to watch with 4 highflying superstars. I am quite happy to see that the match ends up on the floor with the Double Count Out. I see this continuing as a feud over the next little while.

Match 3: Nothing special, but glad to see Val and Noble get the win.

Match 4: This is a blockbuster match between 4 super heavyweights. Of course you have to have the Brother s of Destruction win. I love the aftermath with Kane beating down his brother. I also like the tension between Rhyno and Big Show. This is heating up to be good.

Match 5: It makes sense that JBL and Tajiri get the win over Funaki and Akio.

Looking forward to the Hardcore Match next week with Rhyno and the Big Show

Main Event: Great win for Mysterio and RVD which leads to a pretty good conclusion for the Lethal Lottery. I like the Battle Royal coming up next week and hope that Kane would pick up the win, but it will probably be JBL.

Really great show you have this week for both RAW and Smackdown. You have a lot of great storylines developing.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Thanks for the review. :)



WWE Raw Preview
April 5, 2004

With less than two weeks to go before Backlash, the road to Backlash continues as The Rock will be making his return tonight on Raw. The Rock is here tonight to accept HHH’s challenge for Backlash. Will The Rock suffer the same fate as Mick Foley and fall victim to Evolution? Speaking of Mick Foley, will the hardcore legend return tonight to get his revenge on Evolution?

Last month Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit teamed up to face Randy Orton and Batista. Benoit and Michaels couldn’t co-exist which lead to Orton and Batista winning the match. Now tonight they will team again as they will meet HHH and Ric Flair. Will Flair and HHH be victorious just like Orton and Batista or will Michaels and Benoit finally get along and defeat The Nature Boy and The Game.

Christian and Trish Stratus want payback from last week as Chris Jericho ruined their sex celebration. Tonight Christian and Trish team up to face Chris Jericho and a diva of his choice in a mixed tag match. Also Eugene will be making his WWE debut. All this and plenty more on Monday Night Raw.

Confirmed Matches
HHH and Ric Flair vs Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels
Mixed Tag Team Match: Christian and Trish Stratus vs Chris Jericho and a partner of his choice.
Shelton Benjamin vs D-Von Dudley
Molly Holly vs Victoria
 
#30 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Raw
April 5, 2004


Raw opens with Eric Bischoff backstage and just when Bischoff is about to talk, Eugene appears. Eric just looks at him. Eugene has an action figure of the Ugandan Giant Kamala. Eugene introduces himself, repeating himself by saying “Hi, I’m Eugene.” Eric tells Eugene he’s not supposed to do that, he is going to introduce him. Bischoff introduces his nephew Eugene, he is a new special talent. Bischoff runs down the matches for tonight. Eugene is jumping around on the sofa and jumps on the table by doing a funny Kamala impression. Eric tries to get Eugene off the table and Eugene runs away and disappears. Eric nods his head. The Raw video package plays and the announcers welcome us to the show.

Match 1
Shelton Benjamin vs D-Von Dudley
Jim Ross informs us that next week Buh Buh will take on Charlie Haas. The Match starts off with D-Von getting the early advantage. Shelton comes back with a drop toe hold and then hits a crossbody which gets a two count only. Shelton goes for a sleeper and D-Von manages to escape. D-Von hits Shelton with a clothesline followed by a body slam. D-Von goes for a pin but Haas is distracting the referee. Buh Buh goes over and starts fighting with Haas. D-Von misses a charge and Shelton hits a T-bone suplex to pick up the win. Following the match Haas and Benjamin double team Buh Buh and mock The Dudleys by hitting the Dudleys 3D on Buh Buh. This is now the second week in a row that Haas and Benjamin have got one over the Dudleys.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Eric Bischoff is on the phone with Paul Heyman as they are discussing which stars should be involved in the trade and hopefully by the end of the week he will have new stars on Raw. Coach comes in and Bischoff hangs up. Coach wants to meet Eugene. Eugene is hiding somewhere so he tells Coach to go and look for him. Coach has never seen him so how will he recognise him? Eugene shows up and starts licking Coach, Bushwhacker style and Coach is like get the hell off me. Eugene runs away again and Coach looks at Eric and says “Boss, that is Eugene?” Eric isn't too pleased and nods his head.


Randy Orton’s music hits and the Intercontinental champ makes his way down to the ring. Orton requests a mic. Orton told the crowd that Foley is in for the biggest beating of his life at Backlash. Foley can never beat him one on one. Orton points out that Foley has never won a Hell in a Cell match and shows footage of Foley’s record in Hell in a Cell matches. Now at Backlash for the first time ever the Intercontinental title will be defended in a hell in a cell match. Since December he’s been the champ and he’s going to be champion for a very long time. He’s 24 years old, a third generation superstar. His accomplishments are endless. Orton continued to go on and on about how he is the best Intercontinental champion Raw has ever seen, when Dude Love appeared on the screen. The love shack segment returns for One Night Only. He talks about how he has his way with the ladies and he’s better looking than Orton but he doesn’t want his pretty face to be touched at Backlash. He’s not going to step in the ring with Orton at Backlash. Dude has a special guest. Mankind shows up and joins Dude. Mankind tells Dude that he would love to beat the hell out of Randy Orton but he knows someone else who is more sadistic than him and would love to tear Orton apart. HHH knows him really well. He’s wrestled around all over the world in the most violent matches ever, barbed wire match and many other violent matches. He is going to ruin Orton's face. Dude Love wants to know who this guy is and where is he. Mankind starts screaming and warns Randy Orton that at Backlash, he's not going to face Dude Love or Mankind. He's going to face Cactus Jack, bang bang!!!!

Cactus appears on the screen with a trash can and sends a message to Orton. Mankind, Dude and Cactus start laughing and Orton freaks out and flips out in the ring.

Matt Hardy was shown in Bischoff’s office as the two were talking. Matt simply can not take this assignment and would do anything else. He is a big star and he does not want to take someone under his wing. Bischoff yells at Hardy and does not classify Hardy as a big star at all. Has he ever been world champion, never. He’s not even won the Intercontinental title, King of the Ring, Royal Rumble or headlined a WrestleMania. Who the hell does he think he is. Does he think he’s bigger than the entire roster? He was also going to give Hardy a match at Backlash but now Hardy will not get a match at Backlash. Whatever plans he has tonight, they’re cancelled because he will be taking on Evolution’s Batista and that match is next.

Match 2
Batista vs Matt Hardy
Total Squash, Batista destroyed Hardy. Hardy doesn’t really get any offence at all. Hardy goes for a clothesline but Batista catches him and hits a big spinebuster. Batista lifts Hardy up on his shoulders and drops him down hard with the Batista Bomb. He goes for the cover and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Batista

Post-Match, Eric Bischoff comes out on the stage and tells Matt Hardy that he just wrestled his last match on Raw because he's just been traded to Smackdown.

In the back Bischoff tells Coach that he was going to ask Coach to take care of Eugene but Coach would not be able to control Eugene. William Regal shows up. Regal’s back. Coach and Bischoff are thinking why is Regal here. Regal explains why he is here. He can not compete in the ring till June as he’s not cleared to wrestle yet. He has experience as a commissioner but Raw doesn't need a commissioner because Eric is the GM and he's doing a great job. He also can’t be an announcer because there are plenty of announcers on Raw. So he is asking Bischoff to give him his job back so he can manage a star. Coach looks at Bischoff and smiles and says “You’ve got this boss” and walks away. Eric thanks Regal for solving his problem and Regal is wondering what problem. Eric explains to Regal that he has signed his nephew Eugene and he’s a special unique talent. He’s around here somewhere and he wants Regal to take him under his wing and guide him to the top. Regal doesn’t have a problem with it and would love to do it, as long as he’s got his job back. Bischoff warns Regal not to go to Smackdown because Heyman would ruin his career and would make his life miserable. He is losing control of his roster and over here on Raw, Eric values talent. He can make Regal a big fan favourite if he takes care of Eugene. Bischoff quickly explains the Matt Hardy situation and how he refused to accept this assignment and a few minutes ago he forced Hardy to go out there and compete against Batista. Batista destroyed him. Now Regal can’t compete in the ring till June and if Regal decides to be like Hardy then Regal will be going back in the ring very early, early as in tonight. Regal was like oh no.... he’s definitely taking this job, how difficult could it be. Eric is like, it’s easy and Regal can’t back out of it. They shaked hands and Eric asked Regal to go and look for Eugene, go and ask around and he will find him.

Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels are shown heading to the ring in a split screen video. They team together against Ric Flair and HHH and that's next!


Match 3
Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit vs Ric Flair and HHH



Jim Ross recaps the events leading up the the tag match. Since WrestleMania, Benoit and Michaels have got the upper hand over Evolution. A few weeks ago Michaels defeated HHH and Benoit defeated Flair. Then the big 8 man tag victory over Evolution. They also point out that the last time Benoit and HBK teamed up as a team was a month ago when they faced Batista and Orton and they lost. So now they are teaming again to face the other two members of Evolution. They simply couldn’t co exist the last time they teamed up but tonight they have to. This was a great match, good back and forth action with plenty of near falls. Michaels and Benoit worked well as a team at the start getting the early advantage but then Flair and HHH take over and gain control of the match making quick tags as they stopped Michaels from making a tag to Benoit. Finally Michaels made the hot tag and Benoit cleans house, chopping away at Flair. Then HHH gets in and the heels are back in control again. HBK then spends the majority of the match on the apron, leaving Benoit to fight HHH and Flair by himself with HHH and Flair picking Benoit apart. Benoit puts up a great fight but Michaels is not showing any signs of helping his partner out. Finally Michaels went to save Benoit but HHH takes Michaels down with a clothesline. The ref sends Michaels back to his corner. Benoit is in real trouble, he looks for a tag and Evolution stop Benoit from making the tag. HBK gets frustrated and starts brawling with Flair. We get a big brawl in the ring and Michaels accidently superkicks Benoit in the face. Flair clotheslines Michaels on the floor. HHH pins Benoit for the three count.
Winners: HHH and Ric Flair

Todd Grisham was standing backstage with Shawn Michaels. Michaels says it's not his fault, it was an accident. Benoit shows up and he’s furious. He wants an explanation why Michaels kicked him in the face. They argue for a bit and then Benoit shoves HBK. HBK shoves him back and Benoit tackles HBK. Benoit gets Michaels in the crossface and Michaels taps. Referees and officials get Benoit off Michaels. Michaels is back up and charges at Benoit and they are pulled apart by refs and officials. Eric Bischoff shows up and tells them to stop it. He’s giving them the rest of the night off and next week they will not be competing in a match. They need the rest, he wants them to be in top condition for the Iron Man Match. They will be there on Raw next week for one more face to face confrontation but Bischoff issues a ruling that they can’t touch each other before Backlash.

Match 4
Non title match
Victoria vs Molly
This is a rematch from WrestleMania. Jazz and Teddy Long came out to the stage and watched the match. Good back and forth match between these two ladies. Victoria goes for the widows peak, Jazz runs down and distracts Victoria. Molly slips out and rolls Victoria up for the three count. Post –Match Jazz gets inside the ring and stomps away at Victoria. Victoria comes back and clotheslines Jazz and throws her over the top rope. Jazz just stares at Victoria while she walks up the ramp.
Winner: Molly Holly

Backstage Regal is looking for Eugene, he can’t find him and bumps into Stacey Keibler and asks her if she’s seen Eugene and if she knows where he is. She has no idea where he is because she has also yet to meet him. Regal continues his search as we go to our next match.

Match 5
Lance Storm vs Rene Dupree
Rene comes out alone. Rene cuts a promo at the start of the match and mocks Lance Storm. He thinks Storm is so easy to beat that he doesn’t need Conway and Grenier to be out here at ringside with him. Quick match with Storm getting the early advantage only for Dupree to come back and gain control. During the match Eugene comes out to ringside and starts running around outside the ring. Dupree is distracted and Storm rolls him up. Storm celebrates as if he’s won the world title. It’s Storm first win in many months. Eugene runs away all the way to the back.
Winner: Lance Storm

In the back Lance Storm is being interviewed and he feels good. He can now retire in style but still hopes to be part of Backlash. Ric Flair shows up and confront Storm telling him that still wasn’t good enough. Look at what the nature boy did tonight, he also won but his team defeated a former world champion and the current champion. Storm challenges Flair to a match next week on Raw and will prove that this win tonight is not a fluke. He’s very confident that he will defeat Ric Flair. Flair laughs and does not consider Storm in his league. Now if Storm wasn’t retiring he would have asked Storm to pick up more wins so that he can be on that level to face Flair, however as Storm is retiring soon, Flair accepts the challenge. Storm talks about Backlash and how Flair also doesn’t have a match. If Storm beats him next week then they should go at it again at Backlash. Flair agrees but promises to beat Storm next week on Raw and then he will humiliate Storm in his country at Backlash. Whooo!!!

Match 6
Mixed Tag Match
Christian and Trish Stratus vs Chris Jericho and Gail Kim



Jericho comes out with a mic in his hand. He enjoyed what he did last week and he will continue to humiliate Trish and Christian. Jericho introduces his partner for one night only, she’s also from Canada and she’s making her return and his partner is Gail Kim. Jericho and Christian to start things off in this mixed tag team match. Finally Jericho can get his hands on Christian. After some back and forth action, Christian tags in Trish and Jericho tags in Gail Kim. Trish gains the early advantage by taking Gail down with a clothesline. Gail comes back with a dropkick. Trish regains control and tags in Christian so Jericho has to automatically go in and he can not fight Trish. Jericho has the match won as he goes for the walls of Jericho and Trish steps in and slaps Jericho in the face. Jericho chases Trish around the ring and Gail Kim takes care of Trish and Christian stomps away at Jericho. Trish is tagged back in and now Gail has to go in. Back and forth action again which ended with Gail catching Trish with a hurricarana and pins her for the three count. Jericho and Gail celebrate in the ring.
Winners: Chris Jericho and Gail Kim


Regal is shown in search of Eugene and finally finds him and realises what mess he’s gotten himself into. He looks at Eugene and Regal is appauled to learn that Eugene is retarded. Eugene starts acting like Kamala and then acts like The Bushwhackers by licking Regal. Regal knows this isn’t going to be easy but he can’t back out of it. If he wants to keep his job he has to take care of Eugene.

Trish and Christian storm into Bischoff’s office and Trish complains that she was not prepared for Gail Kim. She expected Lita or Stacey Keibler, yet Bischoff still hasn’t taken any action on Jericho. Bischoff tells her to calm down. He has an idea for next week just to soften up Jericho for Backlash. Next week Jericho will be running the gauntlet against La Resistance. Christian and Trish had a big smile on their face and thanked Bischoff.


HHH comes down to the ring without Evolution. HHH has a big smile on his face and cuts a promo where he talked about how he was the greatest wrestler on the planet. Tonight he pinned Chris Benoit and that shows that he is better than him, he deserves his rematch and he will get it once he is done with The Rock at Backlash. The main reason he’s out here because Rock has still not showed up and HHH doesn’t know whether he will even have a match at Backlash because Rock has yet to accept. Maybe Rock is too scared to show up, he’s packed his bags for Hollywood because he didn’t want to suffer the same fate as his friend Mick Foley. That’s why Foley was also not man enough to show up tonight, he tried to threaten Orton by appearing on the screen but Randy will take care of Cactus Jack. HHH encouraged Orton to finish Cactus off once and for all. Orton has been watching video tapes of Foley’s matches and he knows what to do. Foley has a horrible record in Hell in a Cell matches and at Backlash Orton is going to put Foley out of the WWE for good.


HHH started insulting the fans and asked where is their saviour. Rock promised to show up tonight but HHH has been waiting all night and Rock is still not here. Suddenly Rock’s music hits and The Rock is finally here and comes out to a great ovation. Rock gets a mic and starts running down HHH with his usual insults. Rock accepts HHH’s challenge at Backlash.


HHH fires back and tells Rock that he(HHH) was always a bigger star and was better than him. He’s won more titles than him and every year he’s winning the big one. When was the last time Rock won it? 2 years ago and then Rock decided to pack his bags and go to Hollywood. Then he came back and left and then came back again for his friend Mick Foley. HHH blames Rock for costing him the opportunity of getting back his world title. HHH believes he should be in the main event at Backlash, he should be wrestling in the Iron Man Match. Speaking of Iron Man Matches, the last iron man match was four years ago and HHH kicked Rock’s ass to win back his title. Rock fires back and tells HHH that if you want to go back and discuss history then let the Rock tell you about how he first won the IC Title. He beat HHH to win the title. Rock became bigger than HHH in 1998 and The Nation was kicking DX’s ass all over in 1998. Rock went on to become a main eventer before HHH, he won the WWE Title before HHH. He headlined WrestleMania before HHH. While Rock was always the bigger star in the Corporation, HHH was just a simple sidekick to the great one in the Corporation. Rock was already a 3 time WWE Champion when HHH first ended up winning the WWE Title. It took Rock two years to win the WWE Title and it took HHH four. The last time they went at it on ppv, he whooped HHH’s ass at SummerSlam in a triple threat match and retained his title but now enough of the past. Rock talks about the present and Rock guarantees to whoop HHH’s ass at Backlash. HHH kicks Rock in the gut and they start brawling. Rock sends HHH over the top rope.

Evolution come down and corner the Rock. Rock charges at them and knocks down Flair and Orton but the numbers game plays up and Evolution beat down The Rock. Evolution continue the assault as HHH is signalling for the pedigree when suddenly Cactus Jack’s music hits. Cactus has a baseball bat on him wrapped up in barbed wire. Cactus storms in the ring and nails Flair with it. Rock is back up and Rock and Sock clean house. It ends with Foley nailing Orton with the barbed wire and sends him over the top rope. Rock hits HHH with a rock bottom. Rock goes for the Rock Bottom but Batista manages to pull HHH out. Evolution retreat to the ramp as Rock and Cactus Jack celebrate in the ring and Raw comes to a close.

 
#31 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Smackdown Preview
April 8, 2004



Tonight on Smackdown, the lethal lottery tournament continues as ten superstars compete in an over the top battle royal. The winners of last week’s tag team matches have now advanced to a battle royal with the final 2 going on to compete in a #1 contenders match on next week’s Smackdown. The ten stars that are competing in the battle royal are John Cena, The Undertaker, RVD, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Val Venis, JBL, Tajiri, Jamie Noble and Johnny Nitro. Which two stars will win the battle royal tonight?

As for the stars that are not competing in the battle royal tonight, we will see Big Show taking on Rhyno in a hardcore match. Last week Rhyno and Big Show were on the same team but could not co-exist and were eliminated from the tournament. Will Rhyno be able to stop The Big Show or will Show continue to prove his dominance on Smackdown?

Also last week two teams ended up not teaming together as they were on opposing teams. Tonight Paul London will be teaming with his tag team partner Billy Kidman as they take on The Hurricane and his tag team partner Shannon Moore.

Matt Hardy has been traded to Smackdown and he will be making an appearance on Smackdown tonight. Hardy isn't the only Raw superstar that was traded to Smackdown, this week we will find out who else has joined the Smackdown roster.

Booker T was very upset last week when he was pinned by his tag team partner RVD. What will Booker T have to say tonight? To find out tune in to Smackdown

Confirmed Matches
2nd Round of the Lethal Lottery Tournament: 10 Man Battle Royal
Hardcore Match: The Big Show vs Rhyno
The Hurricane and Shannon Moore vs Paul London and Billy Kidman
 
#33 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Smackdown
April 8, 2004


Smackdown opens with Paul Heyman backstage in his office with Dawn Marie. Paul welcomes us to Smackdown and tonight is Round 2 of the lethal lottery tournament. The fans can’t have their champion not in action again so he is going give the stars who were eliminated from the tournament last week a second chance. Dawn Marie will pull a name out from the tumbler and that star will face Eddie Guerrero tonight for the WWE Title. Heyman makes sure to note that Big Show’s name will not be in the tumbler because Show already had his opportunity against Eddie and lost. Last week he blew it again by losing in the tournament. Dawn reaches into the tumbler and pulls out a ball and we find out that Chavo Guerrero will receive the title shot against Eddie later on. Paul then explained that has signed some stars from Raw and we will see them tonight on Smackdown and one of them will be in action right now. The Smackdown video package plays and the announcers welcome us to the show.

Match 1
Nunzio vs Spike Dudley
Nunzio comes out to the ring for his match and requests a mic. He points out that his partners Chuck and Johnny the Bull have been traded to Raw and now he’s by himself. He could have gone to Raw but he wants to stay here on Smackdown so he can win the cruiserweight title. He’s never won it but he hopes this year he will win the belt. He doesn’t know who his opponent is that has been traded from Raw and waits to find out who it is. Spike Dudley’s music hits and it’s Spike who has been traded to Smackdown. This was a nice opening contest. Nunzio dominates the match but Spike makes a comeback and hits the Dudley Dog to win the match.
Winner: Spike Dudley


Booker T is walking in the building and bumps into 2 Cool. 2 Cool explain that they lost the belts at WrestleMania to RVD and Booker T but you don’t see them complaining. Despite losing at WM and also losing on Smackdown against RVD and Booker they are still together. They have each others backs and both of them are eliminated from the tournament. Even tonight their name was not drawn out for another opportunity but they’re not complaining. They want Booker to support RVD tonight in the battle royal and not be mad at RVD for what occurred last week. Booker starts talking trash to 2 Cool and told them not to interfere in their business. A year ago at WM19, Booker T was challenging for the world title. Now teaming with RVD has hurt his career, he is clearly the bigger star of the team, Being a tag team champion is a step down for him when he should clearly be challenging for the belt. This was one of the main reasons why he was held down in WCW. He was winning tag team belts and when he moved away from that, he found more success as a singles star. It should have been him who should be competing in the battle royal tonight, not RVD. Now he’s even more pissed off that his name did not come out in the draw to face Eddie. He mocks Rikishi and talked about how Rikishi was once important when he left 2 Cool and became a bad man. He was in main events but then Rikishi went back to being a dancing fool again and never saw the main event scene again.So he doesn’t want wrong advice from a fat man. This really pissed Rikishi off and Rikishi told Booker that he will back his ass up in the ring in Booker’s face lol. Rikishi challenged Booker to a match later on and Booker accepted Rikishi’s challenge.

Match 2
The Hurricane and Shannon Moore vs Paul London and Billy Kidman
This was a good back and fourth tag team match, which was full of tons of quick tags and cool spots with many near falls. In the end London rolls Moore up with an inside cradle for the three count to win the match.
Winners: Paul London and Billy Kidman


Backstage Mark Jindrak is in Paul Heyman’s office. Jindrak has been traded to Smackdown. Paul welcomes Mark to Smackdown. Jindrak talks about his run on Raw as a tag team performer but now has the opportunity to shine on Smackdown as a singles star.

Cena is in the back standing by with Josh Matthews. Cena said tonight he's going out there to co-win that battle royal and next week he will become the #1 contender for the WWE Title. Val Venis shows up. He looks at Cena and says that Cena is nothing more than an Eminem wannabe and that he is definitely not what a WWE United States Champion should be. He just hates everything Cena stands for. Val believes that he was held back while guys like Cena and other young guys got everything handed to them. It is because of guys like Cena that women lost interest in him, they didn’t think he had what it takes to be a star. With that sort of attitude he had, it was time for a change in attitude and a change of scenery. His run on Raw was disastrous but now that he’s come to Smackdown, he’s not going to wait around. He despises guys like Cena, If guys like Cena are the future of the WWE then the WWE is in major trouble. He believes that he can defeat Cena. Val vows to throw Cena over the top rope tonight and then next week he will become the #1contender.

Cena responds back and mocks Val. First of all he mocks Val’s name and says Val doesn’t have a penis. He points out that Val’s career has gone south ever since his ladies left him, and his ladies have gone in Cena's direction. He continues to mock Val and reminds us that Val hasn't won a singles title since the Attitude Era. What makes him think that he can beat Cena? Cena says Val is nothing more than a failure. Cena said it’s not his fault that Val’s lost his looks and isn’t a ladies man anymore. He has a problem with the way how Cena looks, he thinks Cena is not fit to wear the United States Title? Cena said he worked hard to win this title and it’s his first championship in the WWE. If Val wasn’t anything important in 2003 it’s not his problem. It’s now John Cena’s time and tonight he's gonna make sure Val gets thrown over the top rope. Cena raises the US belt in Val's face and leaves.


Match 3
Booker T vs Rikishi
This match was decent but not too long. Near the end, Rikishi goes for a stinkface but Booker escapes and rolls out of the ring. Rikishi goes after him and they fight outside. Rikishi throws Booker back in and pounds away on Booker. Rikishi misses a corner splash. Booker hits the axe kick and puts his feet on the ropes to win the match.
Winner: Booker T

Backstage JBL arrives and he’s not in a good mood tonight. He insults Kyo Dai and guarantees that he will get his money back soon. Tonight he will get even with Tajiri in the battle royal by throwing him out and then he will co-win the battle royal. Now it’s JBL’s time to deliver. He’s on a roll, coming off a big win at WrestleMania. He’s been tag champion but he’s never won the US or WWE Title. JBL predicts that he will change the landscape of Smackdown.


Paul Heyman comes out to the ring and announced that he’s traded A-Train, Chuck Palumbo and Johnny the Bull to Raw. In return he has received Spike Dudley, Mark Jindrak and Matt Hardy. Paul introduces Matt Hardy and Heyman welcomes him back to Smackdown. Heyman told Hardy it was a mistake for him to leave Smackdown in the first place and look at how his run on Raw went. Bischoff did not treat him right, he didn’t even have a match for the Raw ppv. This week on Raw, he had to face that monster Batista and Batista destroyed him. Heyman promised to give him a ppv match at Judgment Day. Smackdown is the land of opportunity and if he stays on good terms with him then Hardy will achieve success on Smackdown. He points out that Val Venis is a great example. A great wrestler who was held down on Raw by Bischoff but as soon as he jumped to Smackdown, he revived his career. Hardy can also do the same on Smackdown as Smackdown changes the careers of stars, it is clearly the number 1 show. Hardy admits it was a mistake that he went to Raw a few months ago but now he’s glad to be back on Smackdown. On Smackdown he wrestled on almost every ppv but on Raw he did not get that opportunity. He was left off WrestleMania. Now it all begins again for Matt Hardy.


Tazz and Cole show pre-recorded comments from some of the stars competing in the battle royal – comments from The Undertaker and Tajiri. Tajiri was shown with Kyo Dai and they were mocking JBL in their own language.

Backstage Josh Matthews asks Eddie who he thinks will win the battle royal tonight and who would he prefer to face at Judgment Day. From the 10 stars competing in the battle royal, 5 of them he’s faced before in the past(Rey, RVD, Val, Tajiri and Cena) and the other 5 he’s never had a match against them. He’s a fighting champion and he will take on all comers. He’s there to lead the Smackdown brand to the top and as Champion he will be holding this belt for a very long time. Josh then asked Eddie if he will be champion going into Judgment Day because up next he will take on his nephew Chavo. Eddie said tonight is Chavo’s lucky night because he’s getting a second chance but he won’t be so lucky after Eddie is done beating the hell out of him and Chavo Sr. Eddie starts walking down for his match and runs into Kane. Kane looked at Eddie and said Eddie has what he wants and that's the WWE Title. Eddie tells Kane if he wants the title then he has to co-win that battle royal and then win his match next week to earn that opportunity. He doesn't back down from any challenge. Kane gets angry and says It is people like Eddie Guerrero who make him angry and after he wins the battle royal tonight, Eddie's days as champion are over. Kane laughs and walks off.


Match 4
WWE Title Match
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs Chavo Guerrero
At the start of the match the referee sends Chavo Sr to the back to make sure it is a fair match. Eddie and Chavo put on a fast paced match with a lot of counters and lock ups. In the end Chavo goes for a suplex from the top rope but Eddie pushes Chavo off and hits a frog splash to win the match.
Winner: Eddie Guerrero

In the back RVD was warming up backstage and Booker came in and sarcastically congratulated for pulling one over him last week. He started laughing but then got serious and told RVD that if he was in RVD’s position then he wouldn’t have done the same. RVD beat him when he had his back turned and Booker should be the one who should be competing in tonight’s match. He wants to know why RVD did that. RVD simply told Booker that the rules were told in advance that it was everyman for himself in this concept. It was the luck of the draw and Booker would have definitely done the same if he was in his position. He should be wishing him luck tonight for getting the opportunity of getting a WWE Title shot. Booker told RVD that he will be out there to ensure RVD gets that opportunity. RVD said he can do this by himself. Booker cut him off and said exactly. If RVD wants to do things alone then they should stop teaming up together because ever since coming to Smackdown, RVD is the one who’s been screwing things up. If they stopped teaming then they would find better success on Smackdown. Booker said RVD is like his ex partners Stevie Ray and Goldust, they held him down. Tonight he had a match and he won. RVD said that is not what he meant and he needs Booker. Booker then said alright we will see how you do by yourself.


Cole and Tazz speak to Edge via satellite. Edge is at home and Edge said he returned from injury 3 weeks ago and last week he was suspended for the attack on Angle. He had enough sitting at home and when he returned, he got what he wanted by putting Kurt Angle out of action. However he had to sit home again because he’s suspended. Well no one took action on Kurt, so Edge had to do it his way. Did he go too far? Absolutely not. Edge felt that he owned no one an explanation, not even his friend Rey Mysterio. Edge says that Rey had no business coming out when Edge was going to inflict more pain on Kurt. Even though Rey is his friend, he decided not to listen to him and bashed Kurt with a conchairto shot. Edge says he loved every bit of it.

Cole asked what is next for Edge? Edge said he had two goals when he returned and he’s achieved one of them. He could have achieved the other goal but Paul Heyman screwed him over by removing him from the lethal lottery tournament. He will see Heyman next week and Edge will add to Heyman’s on going problems on Smackdown. Edge’s goal was to become champion but now he has to wait. Edge called it a conspiracy but his wait to be champion won’t be long. Some day he will get his chance because he believes he is more than ready to compete at the top level. Next week he will pick up from where he left off a year ago and that is to continue being Smackdown’s fastest rising star.


In the back Paul Heyman fires up Rhyno. He wants Rhyno to get back to winning ways. Two weeks ago he couldn’t even beat Rey Mysterio and last week he was pinned in the lethal lottery match. Heyman pleads with Rhyno to destroy Big Show, he wants the Rhyno who he knew before he had his neck surgery. Ever since Rhyno returned from his surgery last year he hasn’t been the same. Right now Big Show is one of his biggest problems and he wants Rhyno to destroy Big Show. Heyman is going to be out there at ringside to motivate Rhyno.

Match 5
Hardcore Match
The Big Show vs Rhyno
Rhyno brings a shopping cart full of weapons. This match was very entertaining. Big Show levels Rhyno with a stop sign and dominates the match. Heyman slips in a chair and Rhyno whacks Show across the back with a chair. They fight outside and Big Show goes after Heyman who manages to get away from Big Show. Near the end Rhyno gores Big Show and Big Show ends up getting tied in the ropes(Andre the Giant style)
Rhyno pounds away on Big Show. Rhyno calls Heyman in the ring and Heyman repeatedly slaps Big Show. Heyman grabs the mic and starts taunting Big Show as the match continues on. Rhyno pounds away at Big Show. Show gets mad and breaks out and Heyman bails out of the ring. Rhyno goes for the gore but Big Show dodges and sends him into the turnbuckle. Big Show chokeslams Rhyno through a chair to win the match. Big Show taunts Heyman to get in the ring right now and Heyman gets a mic and tells Show that no way is he going to step in the ring. Big Show gets a mic and demands Heyman to get in the ring right now. If Heyman’s not going to get in the ring then he’s coming right after him. He drops the mic and chases Heyman all the way backstage and into the parking lot. Heyman gets in a car and escapes.
Winner: The Big Show


Backstage Josh interviews Big Show. Big Show is fuming mad and he’s fed up of Heyman playing games. He wants to get rid of him and challenges him to a match next week on Smackdown. He doesn’t care if Heyman teams with Rhyno to face him in a handicap match, he just wants Heyman in the ring next week. If Heyman is a coward and decides not to go ahead with this then Big Show has another idea. If he beats any guy that represents Heyman next week then he gets Heyman in the ring for 5 minutes. If he fails to win next week then he promises not to lay a hand on Heyman ever again.

Tazz and Cole show more pre-recorded comments from some of the stars competing in the battle royal – comments from Rey Mysterio and Kane.


Main Event
10 Man Battle Royal- John Cena, The Undertaker, RVD, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Val Venis, JBL, Tajiri, Jamie Noble and Johnny Nitro.
At the start of the match everyone teams up against Kane and The Undertaker, they try to put them out but they fight them off. Cena FU’s Noble over the top rope and Noble is out. Mysterio and Nitro fight away in the corner. Mysterio dropkicks Nitro over the top rope to send him out. Booker T comes down to do commentary. RVD then notices that Booker is out there and Booker starts shouting come on RVD. JBL pounds away at Tajiri, Tajiri comes back with a kick to the face on JBL. Tajiri locks in the tarantula but JBL powers out and throws Tajiri out. Cena clotheslines Val out. Val comes back in the ring and throws Cena out. Val starts laughing up the ramp.

Back in the ring RVD and Kane begin to slug away and are near the ropes. Booker gets up on the apron and tries to help RVD eliminate Kane. Kane grabs Booker and rams his head onto RVD which sends Booker to the ground. Kane lifts RVD up and throws him out on top of Booker. RVD and Booker just stare at each other and RVD is very upset. Booker tries to calm him down and RVD argues with his partner down the ramp for showing up. RVD then walks off and Booker just looks on and walks to the back. In the ring Kane eliminates Rey Mysterio. It comes down to JBL, Taker and Kane. Take and Kane are fighting trying to get each other out as JBL looks on. JBL throws both, but they hang on. JBL thinks he’s won it. He turns around as Taker and Kane are standing right behind him. JBL tries to work out a deal with Kane and they double team Taker. JBL turns on Kane and hits the clothesline from hell on Kane. JBL goes for the clothesline from hell but Taker catches JBL and hits the chokeslam. Taker throws JBL out and Taker and Kane win the match. Eddie Guerrero comes out on the stage for a minute and looks at The Undertaker. He will face either Taker or Kane at Judgment Day. Next week it is The Undertaker vs Kane and the winner of the match will face Eddie Guerrero at Judgment Day. Eddie has never faced Undertaker or Kane in a one on one match. Eddie walks off. As soon as Taker turns around he walks into a chokeslam from Kane. Kane continues the assault and hits a tombstone on Taker. Kane leaves the ring and starts laughing up the ramp. Taker sits up and stares at Kane as Smackdown comes to a close.
Winners: The Undertaker and Kane.

The main event for next week is The Undertaker vs Kane and the winner of the match will face Eddie Guerrero at Judgment Day.
 
#34 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Wow I am loving this BTB so much,
Can’t wait until Backlash with Triple H and The Rock, Foley and Orton Hiac, and Benoit and HBK in an Iron man match.
Also Judgment day with maybe an Eddie Kane and Taker triple threat and a possible Booker T and RVD match
 
#35 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

I'll pop you feedback for this Smackdown. But, really. Don't PM me asking for feedback again please. If you ask me for it, I wont give you it.

Smackdown Feedback

Your writing style & presentation is certainly unique in a way. Not too often you see threads posting pictures as they go along. I've not been following this thread too much so have no idea what this Lethal Lottery thing is, I'll assume it's something designed to try and get the title off of Eddie Guerrero.

Half assed review of the match tbh. I would have preferred some sort of recap of it, not just 'Nunzio dominates, Spike makes a comeback and wins' Some sort of detail would have been a nice touch to it.

I'm assuming RVD & Booker have had some tension in recent weeks? though, Booker kind of buried the tag team division here but it got the job done with Booker dissing Rikishi. A decent segment here, hopefully you do something good with Booker because he should have had a good ME push in 2003, never mind 2004.

Again, another half assed recap of a match, something I don't really like to read because it doesn't give me any picture of what is going on at all and doesn't do anything for the imagination. Kidman heel turn please.

Mark Jindrak FTW. Loved him and have some plans for him in my own thread. Do something good with him please, just don't job him out. His left hook was fucking amazing.

I really can't comment on these matches much tbh, hence the small sentences I'm giving for them. Booker coming out on top was expected, though.

Did JBL's money get stolen or something? You have a lot of talent on Smackdown and JBL is one you should also give a decent ME push and possibly even a WWE title reign, just not in the same fashion he won it from Eddie IRL, though. JBL vs. Tajiri? Wonder who will win that one... 8*D

Was there any need for Heyman to go to the ring to announce Hardy had been traded to Smackdown? A backstage segment would have been suffice imo. Hardy was gold in 2003/204 with the V.1 Gimmick, hopefully you can develop it further without him growing stale.

Comments from The Undertaker? Did dead Undertaker even talk during this time period, after all he only just came back and I don't really remember him saying a word.

Eddie's segment was alright, got the job done but following that was the match again, a WWE title match should at least be written in extended recap form if not that, then full. That's just the way I see it anyway. Obviously Chavo was going to lose but a full match for something that has the main title on the line deserves more detail.

Booker/RVD backstage segment was good. I liked it. RVD being the cool, high on weed dude he is and Booker twisting RVD's 'I can do it by myself' words worked well. I expect Booker to come out and eliminate RVD.

Edge heel turn please. He sucks as a face, he got stale and boring as a face and he needs to new life breathed into him, just try not to go the same way WWE did with his character though. If you can make his face character work, then props to you, because he blows as a face.

Detail for Rhyno vs. Big Show but not for Eddie vs. Chavo? ..... Okay? Is Rhyno's losing streak going to evolve into some sort of storyline? Don't job Rhyno out, he had potential, especially in 2002-2004. Big Show chasing Heyman? I laughed at that thought. Big Show vs. Heyman? That will be a barrel of laughs. Especially if you give it detail. :no:

Main event time, some detail?!?! :O Was a decent Battle Royal but I'm not sure about the winners. I suppose it furthers Kane vs. Undertaker, hopefully... Undertaker wins because the idea of Eddie vs. Undertaker is amazing, a dream match I wanted to see in 2004/2005.

Overall, I sounded harsh but that's only to help you. More detail is something you need to work on but the show itself in terms of storylines etc was good. Was an enjoyable show if you miss out the lack of detail for the matches.
 
#36 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Hey,
Your Lethal Lottery was good once again, I really enjoyed the matches you've produced this week. More detail show be given to the matches though so we get a better understanding. Love the feud between the Big Show and Paul Heyman, and the tension between Booker T and RVD. I can't wait to see the Undertaker and Kane next week for. Add some more details to the matches, and it will be great! Good Job
***.5/5*
 
#37 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Thanks for the reviews guys. :) I will give more detail for my matches in my next show. Hollywood Hogan thanks - During that time period Paul Bearer did most of the talking in promos and Taker didn't talk much, just a few lines that's all. Glad you liked the show.

WWE Raw Preview
April 12, 2004



FINAL STOP BEFORE BACKLASH

The final RAW before Backlash comes to you from Chicago, and Eric Bischoff has set up a huge main event match for Raw. The Game HHH will team with Randy Orton to take on The Rock and Cactus Jack. Is it going to be Evolution’s night tonight?

Also tonight Jim Ross will conduct an interview with Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit. Not only does Shawn Michaels hold a victory over Chris Benoit, Shawn was also the winner of the first ever Iron Man Match in the WWE at WrestleMania 12. What will Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels do to gain an edge before their Iron Man Match encounter at Backlash?

Christian looks to get the advantage going into Backlash as Eric Bischoff has forced Chris Jericho to compete in a gauntlet match against La Resistance. Will Jericho be able to overcome the odds or will Christian gain the upper hand over Jericho?

We saw Eugene’s debut last week and William Regal’s return but what will Eugene get up to this week?

Plus Lance Storm wants to prove to Ric Flair that last week was not a fluke, tonight Storm will take on the legendary Ric Flair. Will Storm upset Flair or will Flair prove that Lance Storm is indeed a joke.

What other developments will take place during the final RAW before the pay-per-view event? Only one way to find out ... watch RAW

Confirmed Matches
HHH and Randy Orton vs The Rock and Cactus Jack
Gaunlet Match: Chris Jericho vs La Resistance
Ric Flair vs Lance Storm
Buh Buh Ray Dudley vs Charlie Haas
Victoria and Gail Kim vs Jazz and Molly

WWE News and Notes
Big Show has been talking about taking time off due to a multitude of injuries. He is banged up and needs time off badly. Over the past couple of months The Big Show has told WWE management that he will continue to work through his many injuries. Show decided to stay around to help WWE recover from not only the loss of Brock Lesnar, but also Kurt Angle who won't be wrestling for awhile. Now that Edge is back and new stars that have arrived on the show, Big Show will now take time off. Big Show is set to wrestle one more match on Smackdown this week. An injury angle may take place this week on Smackdown as Big Show is scheduled to undergo knee surgery soon.

Edge has been medically cleared to return to in ring action.

Lance Storm is expected to finish up his WWE commitments next week on Raw in his hometown in Calgary.

At Backlash Jazz vs Victoria will be bumped to Heat to make way for Ric Flair vs Lance Storm.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Raw
April 12, 2004​


Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show. The Hell in a Cell Cage is hanging ominously over the ring. HHH’s music hits as he makes his way down with Randy Orton. HHH calls himself the best in the business. He’s held more world titles, headlined more ppvs and sold out more arenas than the Rock could ever hope to do on his best damn day. Once he’s done beating the Rock he’s going to win back the world heavyweight title. He doesn't give a damn who wins the Iron Man Match. Now the reason they came out here and had the hell in a cell structure tonight so they get a sneak preview for what’s in store for Mick Foley this Sunday at Backlash. HHH calls Orton the future of the WWE and the best Intercontinental Champion ever. HHH wants Orton to be prepared for the match of his life. HHH fires up Orton and talks about Foley's past. Foley’s taken a lot of beating in the past and he wants Orton to give Foley the biggest beating of his life. At Royal Rumble 1999 two enemies who later on became best friends beat the hell out of each other in an I Quit Match. In the front row Foley’s wife and children were watching Foley get beat up. Foley’s kids started crying, they saw what a loser their father is. Then in 2000 HHH retired Foley in a hell in a cell match. If he can do it then so can Orton. The last hell in a cell match that was held, Foley was the referee and HHH won that match. He has never lost a one on one Hell in a Cell match. HHH calls himself the master of the Hell in a Cell match and Orton needs to follow in HHH's footsteps because Foley has never won a Hell in a Cell Match. He wants Orton to beat and bloody Foley worse than he’s ever been and he wants Orton to love every second of it.


Orton takes the mic and states that this Sunday he will settle his score with Foley in the most unforgiving match ever composed, a hell in a cell match. Orton didn’t give a damn if Foley wrestled in the most violent matches ever, he doesn’t give a damn how sick and crazy Foley is. Orton is the legend killer and he put Mick Foley out of the WWE. Now since Mick decided to come back as Cactus Jack, he wants to see how tough Mankind and Dude Love are. The fake Dude Love and fake Mankind come out. HHH asks Dude he’s the only one from Foley’s personas not to compete in a cell match. Is he scared? The Fake Dude Love states he is afraid of HHH and calls HHH is the greatest wrestler alive. HHH starts smiling. Orton asks the fake Mankind how it was like suffering so much pain when he fell from the top of the cell six years ago. The fake Mankind called it a painful experience and he’s worried for Mick Foley. Mick got his ass kicked by HHH four years ago and he’s stupid to make another comeback in a Hell in a Cell Match.

The Rock’s music hits and he comes out near the ramp. Rock doesn’t find this funny and insults HHH. Rock said tonight they’re in for a big brahma bull ass whopping. This Sunday HHH is going to get his ass whooped by the great one. The Rock is going to stick his boot, turn it sideways and shove it straight up HHH’s ass. HHH responds back and tells Rock that he is just like everybody else, an obstacle and at Backlash he’s going to run him down. HHH continues to ramble on and Rock cuts him off with his “It doesn’t matter line.” Rock said why wait till later on when he can whoop their ass right now. Rock heads to the ring. Cactus Jack’s music hits and he comes out with a baseball bat wrapped around in barbed wire. Orton and HHH bail out the ring. Rock attacks the fake Mankind and Cactus nails the fake Dude Love with the barbedwire bat. Orton sneaks back in and hits a low blow on Cactus and follows up with an RKO. HHH hits the pedigree on Rock in attempt to soften him up for the tag match tonight. Orton takes Foley’s bat with him as HHH and Orton head up the ramp.

Backstage Eric Bischoff meets Johnny the Bull and Chuck Palumbo and he is delighted to have them on Raw. Garrison Cade then shows up and Eric tells Cade that he shouldn’t be upset that split up the Cade/Jindrak team. Now that Jindrak has gone to Smackdown, this is an opportunity for Cade to shine in singles competition. Cade promised to make an impact on Raw.

Elsewhere Shelton Benjmamin fires up Charlie Haas to get the advantage for their team going into Backlash because Haas needs to win tonight. They have had the upperhand over The Dudleys in recent weeks and they need to continue the momentum going into Backlash. La Resistance approach TWGTT and remind them that they teamed up a few weeks ago and they were victorious. However it is The Dudleys that are receiving a title shot and not them. Rene complains about them not having a match at Backlash. If Haas and Benjamin manage to defeat the Dudleys then they want to be next in line for a title shot. Haas and Benjamin agreed to give them a title shot.


Match 1
Victoria and Gail Kim vs Jazz and Molly​


We get ready for our first match but Eugene runs down to the ring impersonating the Ultimate Warrior. He shakes the ropes and runs over to the announce table. He takes off JR’s hat and starts wearing it. He then takes off King’s crown and wears it. William Regal runs down to get Eugene away from them. Gail Kim and Victoria make their way down for their tag match. Eugene goes over and starts licking Gail and Victoria. They freak out and Regal gets him away and takes him all the way to the back. Once Eugene and Regal are gone, the heel divas come out and the match begins. Gail and Molly lock up and Molly takes Gail down with an arm drag. She works on the arm and tags in Jazz. Jazz clotheslines Gail but Gail comes back with a dropkick followed by a spinning head scissors take down. She tags in Victoria who hammers away at Jazz. Victoria gets a Lou Thesz Press and does a handspring back splash and a bulldog for a near fall. Teddy Long gets on the apron and distracts Victoria and Jazz hits a neckbreaker and pins Victoria for the 3 count.
Winners: Jazz and Molly

Backstage Regal scolds Eugene and tell him not to do that again. Regal knocks on Bischoff’s door and Coach is inside with Eric. Regal asks Coach if he can have a word with Eric and wants Coach to stand outside to supervise Eugene while he talks with Eric. Regal pleads with Eric that he doesn’t want to manage an idiot like Eugene. He did not come back for this, he deserves better. In the past he’s done a lot of stupid things but this really takes the cake. Regal suggests that Eugene needs a female manager and Stacey Keibler would be perfect for this job. Bischoff tells Regal if he doesn’t want to take this job then he will put him in a match against Batista tonight. Regal had no other choice but to listen to Eric. Outside the office Coach is screaming, Eugene is licking Coach’s head. Bischoff and Regal go and see what is going on. Eugene is delighted to see his Uncle Eric and starts hugging him. Eric asks Eugene if he wants to become a wrestler. Eugene starts getting excited and he would love to become a wrestler. Eugene starts impersonating Hulk Hogan. Eric looks at Regal and tells him that Eugene can learn so much him. Regal is definitely the right man for this job. He can make Eugene a star so Regal’s task is to train Eugene to become a wrestler. Regal can select two wrestlers to help him train Eugene. Regal was shocked and Coach started laughing. Eric wants Regal to take Eugene away from here and he will see them next week. He wants to see progress, he wants to know how Eugene is getting on


Match 2
Ric Flair vs Lance Storm​
Collar and elbow tie up to open, with Lance Storm gaining the upper hand with a wrist lock. Flair gets an arm bar followed by another wristlock. Flair starts chopping away at Storm in the corner, Storm counters and chops away Flair. Flair rolls out of the ring and back in Storm takes control. Storm takes Flair down with a back body drop and then hits a drop kick. Storm whips Flair into the corner and goes for a charge but eats boot. Flair drops Storm with a suplex. Flair gets a knee drop and then gets a sleeper on Storm. Storm powers out and takes Flair down with a clothesline. Storm goes for an enziguri but Flair ducks the hold. Flair chops away again and whips Storm to the ropes and takes him down with a clothesline. Flair attempts to go to the top but this always fails as Storm is able to recover in time and throws Flair down. Storm picks Flair up and hits a bulldog. Flair rakes Storm’s eye Flair then yelled out whoo and started strutting. He goes for the figure four and Storm rolls Flair up for the three count to win the match. Storm pulls off the upset win. Flair is furious and rolls out and grabs a mic. Flair challenges Storm to a re-match this Sunday at Backlash. He called Storm’s win a fluke and wanted a submissions only match. Flair promised to humiliate Storm in Canada. Storm accepted the challenge.
Winner: Lance Storm


The announcers show a taped promo of HBK training for the Iron Man Match at Backlash. This also included footage of how Michaels prepared for the 1st ever Iron Man Match at WrestleMania 12.

Backstage Chris Jericho cuts a promo on his match which is next. The odds are stacked against him but he’s a fighter and only Trish, Christian and Eric could think of a cunning idea like this to soften him up However he’s not going to back down from this, he’s waited till WrestleMania to get his hands on Christian and Trish. He’s counting down the days and this Sunday, Christian and Trish will never everrrrrrrrrr be the same again.


Match 3
Gaunlet Match
Chris Jericho vs La Resistance​
Jericho comes down. Bischoff comes out near the stage and informs Jericho that he has named a special time keeper and ring announcer for this match and that’s Trish and Christian. La Resistance come out near the stage and it looks like Sylvan is going first as Rene and Conway are standing near the stage looking on.

Chris Jericho vs Sylvan Grenier


Match starts off with Jericho and Sylvan. They lock up and Jericho takes Sylvan down with an armdrag. They lock up again and Grenier gets a few punches on Jericho. Sylvan has Jericho in a headlock, and Jericho slowly gets out of it with some punches, and hits a flying arm bar takedown. A back suplex followed by a few chops by Jericho. Sylvan rakes Jericho’s eyes and gets a bodyslam on Jericho and starts stomping away on Y2J. Sylvan goes for a suplex but Jericho slips out and rolls Sylvan up for a 2 count. Jericho hit a flying elbow to knock Sylvan out of the ring. Back in Jericho takes Sylvan down with a bulldog and follows up with a lionsault and pins Sylvan for the 3 count.

Chris Jericho vs Rob Conway

Conway is in next and goes at it with Jericho. They lock up and Conway knees Jericho in the mid section and starts hammering away at Jericho. Conway went on the offensive hitting some stomps and kicks. Conway sent Jericho to the floor and goes outside and beat him down a bit on the outside before tossing him in the ring. He went for a clothesline but Jericho ducked and followed up with a flying elbow. Jericho started throwing some chops and hit a superplex from the top rope. Conway just kicked out at two. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho but Conway wiggled out of it. Jericho misses a charge and Conway hit a back breaker. Conway goes for a piledriver but gets backdropped by Jericho. Conway got caught with a springboard drop kick. Jericho immediately clamped on the Walls of Jericho and Conway tapped out.

Chris Jericho vs Rene Dupree

That leaves Rene. A fresh Dupree is standing outside the ring and jumps Jericho from behind. Dupree connects with a standing drop kick and then does the French tickler. Dupree drops an elbow drop and does the French tickler again but Jericho rolls Dupree up for a two count. Eventually Jericho gained the advantage again and mocks Dupree by hitting a dance like stomp on Dupree before hitting a flying elbow out of the corner. Jericho nails Dupree with an enziguri. Jericho attempted the lionsault but met the knees of Dupree on the way down. Dupree sends Jericho outside the ring and they fight outside. Trish gets up from her seat and starts taunting Jericho and Dupree nails Jericho from behind and sends Jericho back in. Rene stomps away at Jericho and then hits a running kneedrop which gets a two count. Dupree gets a spinebuster and does the French tickler once again and goes up from the top rope for an elbow drop. Jericho moves out of the way. Jericho goes for the walls of Jericho but the rest of the La Resistance members run in and attack Jericho. The ref calls for the bell, Trish is not ringing the bell. Finally she rings the bell. We get a 3 on 1 beatdown.

Christian the ring announcer announces that he is not going to let Jericho get away with it so easy. He did not pin Rene or made him submit. He just won the match by DQ but Eric Bischoff forgot to tell him that he has one more opponent. He has hired a bodyguard. Trish has managed him in the past and he’s been traded to Raw. His final opponent is A-TRAIN.

Chris Jericho vs A-Train

Jericho can barely stand and A-Train runs in and destroys Jericho. He hits his power moves but refuses to pin Jericho. Trish gets up and wants A-Train to inflict more pain on Jericho. A-Train puts Jericho in a stretch that is hurting his ribs and follows up with a sit down powerbomb. A-Train misses a charge and Jericho makes a comeback. A-Train hits the bicycle kick out of no where. A-Train finishes Jericho off with the trainwreck and puts his foot on Jericho’s chest for the 3 count. A-Train wins. Jericho put up a great fight tonight but four men was just too much. Post-Match Trish taunts Jericho and Christian and A-Train grab Jericho as Trish slaps Jericho repeatedly. Christian and Trish then stand over Jericho with arms raised and embrance one another. They taunt Jericho as Christian yells that this Sunday, he’s going to beat Jericho again.
Winner: A-Train​


Backstage Trish, Christian, A-Train celebrate with Eric. Trish welcomes A-Train to Raw and Bischoff is impressed with A-Train’s performance tonight. Now this is how you make an impact on Raw, Eric states that Heyman didn’t treat A-Train right and on Raw he can make it to the top.

Then we go to Todd Grisham who is standing by with Victoria. Victoria points out that over the recent weeks Jazz has been getting the upperhand but this Sunday she is going to defeat Jazz.


Match 4
Charlie Haas vs Buh Buh Ray​
Both men lockup to start and Buh Buh shoves Haas down to the mat. Haas gets in some shots and takes Buh Buh down with a german suplex. Haas goes for a whip but Buh Buh reverses and hits an elbow then clotheslines him over the ropes. Haas hops on the apron and taunts Buh Buh prompting Buh Buh to go out after him. Buh Buh chases after Haas but Shelton gets in Buh Buh’s face. This allows Haas to throw Buh Buh into the steel post. D-Von gets involved and Haas throws Buh Buh back in. Haas takes control of the match. He works on Buh Buh’s arm and then lays the boots to Buh Buh. Haas misses a splash from the top and Buh Buh gets the advantage and whips Haas into the ropes and gets a sidewalk slam for a two count. Buh Buh misses a headbutt from the top rope and Haas rolls Buh Buh up for a 2 count. Haas misses a charge and Buh Buh rolls Haas up for a 3 count to win the match. Post- Match The Dudleys celebrate and motion for the belts.
Winner: Buh Buh Ray

Taped Promo for Benoit. Footage is shown of Benoit training for the Iron Man Match.

Backstage HHH gives his evolution members a pep talk and they see Foley on the tv screen getting ready for his match. Foley is not in a good mood. Evolution start laughing and HHH looks at Batista and Flair and says to them, you know what to do right. Come on Orton lets finish them off.




Match 5
Randy Orton & HHH vs The Rock and Cactus Jack
The match never starts. Orton and HHH come out first and Orton brings the barbed wire bat along with him. HHH wants the cell lowered and the cell comes down. The ref wants the cell to be raised because this is not a HIAC match. HHH lays out the ref with a punch. Cactus and Rock come down and HHH and Orton stop them from coming in. Flair and Batista run down and attack Rock and Cactus. HHH and Orton come outside the cell and assault Rock and Cactus. Flair and Orton double team Cactus and Batista holds on to Rock as HHH punches away at Rock. Cactus fights back against Orton and Flair and backdrops Orton on the floor. Cactus whips Flair into the steel post and Flair is out cold. Cactus opens the cell door and throws Orton inside the cell. The ref is back up on his feet and does not lock the cell. The match hasn’t even started yet and the ref gets out of the cell. Cactus is pounding the hell out of Orton in the cell. Cactus rams Orton’s into the cell and Orton is busted wide open. HHH continues to assault Rock as Batista and Flair see Orton in trouble and get inside the cell and save Orton. Rock fights back against HHH and they fight up the ramp. Rock gets the barbed wire bat and chases HHH away and HHH retreats to the back. Rock runs inside the cell with the bat and nails the rest of the Evolution members with a bat. The cell is raised. Cactus pile drivers Orton in the ring and Batista gets Orton out of there as Evolution retreat back at the ramp. Rock and Cactus celebrates in the ring and Cactus gets his baseball bat back.
No Contest as the match never started.


Backstage Eric Bischoff and Coach just watched what went down on a TV monitor. It has been a crazy night and Eric lays down some rules. For Rock vs HHH at Backlash, outside interference will not be tolerated. If HBK and Benoit lay a hand on each other before Backlash then they will be fined and suspended.

The announcers run down the card for Backlash.


Jim Ross interviews Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels
HBK makes his way down to the ring first followed by World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit. JR mentioned that we’ve had a wild night so far. Eric Bischoff issued a ruling that both men can’t touch each other before their match at Backlash. JR first brings up Benoit’s rise to the top. WrestleMania 20 was definitely the biggest night of his career and now he goes into Backlash to make his first ppv title defence in his home town. Not only does Shawn Michaels have a good record in Canada, he was also the winner of the first Iron Man Match when he defeated the legendary Bret the Hitman Hart. Does Benoit feel the pressure? Is he nervous? Benoit cuts a good intense promo about his match at Backlash. Chris said he was nervous going into WrestleMania realising that if he blew this opportunity then it would be a long time till he would get that chance to main event a WrestleMania and to be champion. He seized the opportunity and proved everyone wrong by becoming champion at WrestleMania. For him failure is not an option. Now he is pretty confident going into Edmonton, having the home crowd support. He’s been training hard for this match and he can go the distance. He may not have wrestled in an Iron Man Match but he’s been involved in several long matches. He may not ever be the same again after this match but he will walk into Edmonton as champion and he will walk out as champion.


JR asked Shawn if he fails at Backlash then it will be a long time till he ever gets that opportunity at the gold again. JR says in his opinion HBK is the greatest performer of all time. JR brings up Michaels big matches in the past and this could very well be the greatest match of all time. Michaels walked into WrestleMania 12 as challenger and walked out as champion. Will HBK make history at Backlash by becoming the first man to win two Iron Man Matches? Michaels talked about some of his biggest achievements in the WWE and then looks at Benoit and tells him that in this ring no one can touch him, not even HHH, not even Hulk Hogan and certainly not your hero Bret the Hitman Hart. Till Benoit don’t go through him in this business he’s done nothing. Until Benoit goes through him, he can not claim anything to be in this business other than a step below him. When you get in that ring HBK can do what nobody else did, he can do it longer and he can do it better.

Benoit took offence to this and cuts HBK off and counters with what HBK achieved at the Royal Rumble 95 as the #1 participant, he achieved it this year as the #1 participant and certainly did it way better by going all the way and winning the Rumble. That was his first attempt in a Rumble match and he won and went on to win the title at WM. HBK responds back with the impressive list of stars he’s defeated in one on one competition such as Bret Hart, The Undertaker, HHH and many more and most of these guys Benoit has never beaten them. What makes him think that he can beat HBK. Benoit has become an obstacle in his path and he’s going to walk into Calgary next week on Raw as the new world heavyweight champion and he’s going to stick it to the fans in Canada. Chris finished off the segment by saying Michaels has never ever had somebody take him to a level where he’s never been and he will be in for the fight of his life at Backlash. HBK wished Benoit good luck because he’s going to need it. HBK’s music hits. They shake hands and Benoit raises the world title in the air as Raw comes to a close.



Final Card for Backlash
April 18, 2004


World Heavyweight Title Iron Man Match: Chris Benoit (c) vs Shawn Michaels

The Rock vs HHH

Intercontinental Title Hell in a Cell Match: Randy Orton (c) vs Mick Foley

Chris Jericho vs Christian

Tag Team Championship Title Match: The World's Greatest Tag Team (c) vs The Dudleys

Ric Flair vs Lance Storm

Womens Title Match (c)Victoria vs Jazz​
 
#39 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Raw Feedback

Opening up with Triple H & Randy Orton made sense, giving them a one last chance to hype up their respective matches at Backlash by way of promo. What Triple H said was really well written, enjoyed it to be honest and couldn't really fault it. Randy Orton putting himself over but I think it's obvious he fears Foley/Cactus/Whatever. The Cell match between these two should be interesting, just don't for the love of god throw Cactus off the top of the Cell. Out comes Rocky and he's in typical Rocky fashion, I felt sorry for the fake Mankind & Dude Love here :p Triple H & Orton take both Rock & Cactus out here so I expect to see Cactus/Rock gaining the win/upper hand in the match later on tonight. Overall, a good opening segment.

Garrison Cade in 2004 = Not interested. Didn't like him at all, especially under that God awful name Garrison, he needs to be repackaged imo before you even think about using him. Palumbo & The Bull could be a nice addition to the tag team division I think. Decent little Haas & Benjamin segment, got the job done tbh.

Not much to say about match one, when I saw the paragraph, I thought it was a match with a good length of etail but it just turned out to be Eugene fucking about. I'm hoping you don't use him too much tbh, granted he had an epic match with Triple H @ SummerSlam '04. Maybe you can eventually get a good storyline out of Eugene, maybe that he was on Retard Pills or something and he has been took off them and he turns into a normal character. The backstage segment sort of reminded me of real life, didn't Eric force Regal to train Eugene or something similar? Anyway, it got the job done I suppose.

Some detail! FTW! Bravo! :p A nice little match here but you didn't give away too much which was good since they are now going to face at Backlash. Storm was so underrated and underused, I hope you can make him somewhat relevant and a proper Submission win over Ric Flair would do the job nicely I think because lets be honest, Flair doesn't need it.

Christian & Trish pulling out all the stops to dismantle Jericho, eh? Jericho kind of easily beat La Resistance, he didn't have much of a challenge tbh until he got his ass handed to him by all 3 of them but when A-Train came out, I'll be honest, I loved it. New Problem Solver for Christian? A-Train destroyed Jericho here. I can't see Jericho losing at Backlash now tbh, unless A-Train gets involved again so you can really get him over.

This has been annoying me for a while in this thread, it's Bubbah Ray not Buh Buh, he was Buh Buh in ECW but when he came to WWE he was renamed Bubbah. Just annoys me and felt I should point it out. :p Bubbah getting the win was expected tbh but I'm not expecting the Dudleys to win at Backlash. Make the oldies put over the Young ones.

Evolution have a plan it seems? Interesting.

BRUTAL. Jesus Christ, the Cell coming down was expected because lets be honest, why else would it be in attendance? It was just a brawl here, Foley & Rock coming out on top was a nice touch, makes it less obvious who is going to win at Backlash now both sides have successful attacks in one night.

Eric laying down the law was a nice touch, hopefully a guarantee that we will have an epic Triple H/Rock encounter without Triple H needing his buddies to score a win.

Nice ending to Raw imo. Benoit's promo was very in character so it worked for me, failure not being an option showed some intensity to him. HBK's accomplishments hyped up by JR. I'm unsure about this but is HBK supposed to be a tweener/heel? Because that's what he came across as to me here. I honestly have no idea who will win this one, I actually think it could go either way but, having Benoit win would be the only option that makes sense, puts him over big time and makes him look like a legit main eventer. (As if beating HBK & HHH at WrestleMania wasn't enough. :p)

Overall, it was a good show, not much in terms of matches but the promo's delivered on what they intended to do, hype for Backlash certainly looks good and I'll definitely be reading and popping a review in for that. Hoping for it to be in full too please. :)
 
#40 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Smackdown Preview
April 15, 2004



Tonight the lethal lottery tournament comes to an end as The Undertaker and Kane will compete in the final to determine the number one contender for the WWE Title. The winner will face Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Title at Judgment Day. Who will be victorious tonight?

At No Way Out 2003 Edge was supposed to compete in a 6 man tag match however he did not compete due to injury which resulted in Edge being out of action for over a year. When Edge returned he got his revenge on his attacker Kurt Angle and Edge was suspended for his actions. Now Edge is back tonight from suspension and he will be returning to action tonight in a 6 man tag team match. Edge will team up with Rey Mysterio and John Cena to face Matt Hardy, Rhyno and Johnny Nitro.

For the first time in Smackdown history a stretcher match will take place tonight. Paul Heyman has guaranteed that Big Show will be leaving on a stretcher tonight. The Big Show has requested a match with Paul Heyman but Paul Heyman has turned it down and has chosen Val Venis to face Big Show tonight in a stretcher match. Paul Heyman has promised Val Venis a US Title shot if he can beat The Big Show. However if Val does not beat Big Show then Big Show gets 5 minutes in the ring with Paul Heyman. Is Paul that confident that Val will be able to defeat the Big Show? Has Paul Heyman made a mistake to agree to such stipulations? What if Big Show defeats Val then what will be the fate of Paul Heyman?

JBL wants his money back and guaranteed that he will make Kyo Dai pay for their actions. Tonight JBL will be stepping in the ring with the leader of Kyo Dai, Tajiri. Will JBL get his money back or will Kyo Dai continue to live the rich life. :D

Finally Paul Heyman has set up a huge tag team turmoil pitting 6 tag teams. Paul Heyman has assured that RVD and Booker T will not be having an advantage by coming out last. The order of entry will be determined by a random drawing. Will RVD and Booker be successful tonight or will we have new tag team champions crowned? Could The Guerreros make history by becoming the first father and son team to win the tag team titles? To find out tune in to Smackdown.

Confirmed Matches
Lethal Lottery Tournament Finals: The Undertaker vs Kane
6 Man Tag: Edge, Rey Mysterio and John Cena vs Matt Hardy, Johnny Nitro and Rhyno
Stretcher Match: Val Venis vs The Big Show
JBL vs Tajiri
Tag Team Turmoil (c)RVD and Booker T vs 2 Cool vs Paul London and Billy Kidman vs The Hurricane and Shannon Moore vs Akio and Funaki vs The Guerreros(Chavo Sr and Chavo Jr)
 
#41 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

WWE Smackdown
April 15, 2004​
The announcers welcome us to the show. Edge’s music hit’s as he makes his return from suspension. Edge comes out to a mixed reaction. He requests a mic. Edge says whether you love him or hate him.... he’s back. Edge starts by talking about one goal he accomplished and that was to take Kurt Angle out and now Angle is sitting on the sidelines. A lot of people thought he went far but he missed out on two WrestleManias because of Kurt Angle. He was Smackdown’s fastest rising star and he would have been champion by now. Edge reminds the fans of what Rikishi did when he ran down Austin and put him out of action for a year. Then suddenly Rikishi became a changed man and people started loving him again. If they can accept Rikishi’s actions then they should certainly accept his. He’s also become a changed man now and he’s become bitter, more hungry and now the other goal is to become WWE Champion. Edge goes over his list of accomplishments, he’s been IC/US/Tag Team Champion, King of the Ring but he’s never been WWE Champion. He’s never headlined a WrestleMania.

When he put Kurt on the sidelines, an opportunity for the title came up and that was the lethal lottery tournament. He was ready to compete as he was medically cleared to return to action. However Paul Heyman suspended him for two weeks and he missed out on an opportunity to compete in the lethal lottery tournament. Paul Heyman robbed him of an opportunity to become champion. Now he has to wait for his opportunity but when another opportunity comes up for the title, he won’t let this one go. He’s not like the other guys that were eliminated from the tournament, at least they had their chance but he didn’t have a chance at all. They failed but when he gets his chance he won't fail at all. Tonight is the #1 contenders match and if Heyman didn’t suspend him then it would have been him who would be involved in the main event tonight. Tonight he’s back in action in a 6 man tag match and you will see a new and improved Edge.


Paul Heyman comes out on the stage and mocks Edge by asking him how did his suspension go. Was it fun? Did he enjoy his time off just like it was when Edge sat at home for over a year. He suspended Edge because he had to take action. He didn't know that Edge would take his hatred for Kurt Angle to a whole new level. He appreciates what Edge did by trying to save him for Angle but he didn’t do it for Paul, he did it for himself because he wanted to hurt Kurt. Heyman states that Smackdown is the land of opportunity and Edge will someday get his chance at the title but not now. Edge promised to make a statement tonight.

Backstage RVD is warming up and Booker T shows up and apologises to RVD for last week. RVD says whatever Book, that was not an accident. Booker did it on purpose. He wanted to get one over RVD because he pinned Booker in the lethal lottery tournament to advance to the battle royal. Booker did not want to see RVD getting that opportunity so he had to come and ruin it. Booker denied this, he wanted to help RVD win but it just backfired. RVD says whatever Book, up next is the tag title match and they need to focus on retaining the titles. Does Book have his back? Book says damn right he does. RVD reveals that they will be up first so they have to go through every team to retain their titles. Now can Book dig that? Book looks at RVD and said tell me you didn’t just say that. RVD tells Booker lets go.

Eddie Guerrero is shown on the screen as he's in the back to give his comments on the main event. Michael Cole is talking to him. Cole asks Eddie he has never faced Taker or Kane. Who does he think will win this match. Eddie has no idea who will win but It will certainly be his most toughest challenge ever. Cole mentioned that if Taker or Kane were not involved in this match then he would have thought Eddie had a good chance of retaining the belt. Now against Taker or Kane, Eddie’s chances don’t look good at all. An official informs Eddie that his lowrider has been smashed, someone has damaged it. Eddie runs to the back.

Elsewhere Tajiri and Funaki are watching a video of how they pulled one over JBL two weeks ago. They start laughing and impersonate JBL. Tajiri wants Kyo Dai to have more gold and once Funaki and Akio win the tag belts they will all go out and celebrate. Akio shows up and informs Funaki to get ready as they are up first in the tag turmoil which is NEXT.



Match 1
Tag Team Championship Tag Team Turmoil
RVD and Booker T (c) vs 2 Cool vs The Guerreros vs Akio and Funaki vs The Hurricane and Shannon Moore vs Kidman and London​

RVD & Booker T vs Akio & Funaki
RVD and Booker’s music hits and they make their way down. To retain the tag titles they would have to go through every team. Their opponents are Akio and Funaki. RVD and Akio start off and Akio starts with a sharp kick to RVD’s chin and lays him out. He throws RVD into the corner and kicks away. He goes for a kick again and RVD ducks and nails Akio with a spinning heel kick. RVD slams Akio and scores with the rolling thunder. Akio tags in Funaki and RVD makes the tag to Booker. Booker pounds away on Funaki and takes Funaki down with a spinebuster. Booker hits the axe kick and gets the 3 count to eliminate Funaki and Akio. RVD and Booker make quick work of Akio and Funaki.
Akio and Funaki have been eliminated

RVD and Booker T vs The Guerreros (Chavo Jr and Chavo Sr)
The Guerreros come out next and Booker tags in RVD. RVD and Chavo lock up and RVD gets Chavo down with an arm drag and follows up with a spinning heel kick. Chavo comes back with a clothesline followed by a dropkick. Chavo gets a suplex and tags in his father Chavo Classic. Chavo Sr starts stomping away on RVD and The Guerreros double team RVD. The ref tries to restrain Booker while the Guerreros continue the double teaming. Chavo Sr tags in Chavo Jr. Chavo hits a brainbuster and RVD kicks out at two. Chavo whips RVD into the corner and goes for a charge and RVD moves out the way. RVD rolls Chavo up for a 2 count. RVD tags in Booker and Booker takes Chavo down with a back body drop. Booker gets a hiptoss and a scoop slam on Chavo. Booker tags in RVD and RVD kicks away at Chavo knocking him down. Chavo comes back and whips RVD into the turnbuckle. He lifts RVD up and takes him to the top and goes for a suplex. RVD shoves Chavo down and hits the five star frog splash and pins Chavo for the 3 count.
The Guerreros have been eliminated

RVD & Booker T vs Kidman and London
Out come Kidman and London. RVD makes a tag to Booker as Booker starts this one off with London. Booker locks up with London and Booker knocks down London quickly but London fights back by hitting some quick kicks to the gut. London works on Booker’s shoulder and tags in Kidman. He gets a quick arm drag followed by a dropkick. Kidman goes for a clothesline but walks into a Book End. We haven’t seen that from Booker in a long time. Booker goes for a cover and London makes the save. RVD runs in and clotheslines London to the floor. RVD executes a moonsault off the top rope onto London on the floor, and both men lie motionless. Booker and Kidman continue fighting in the ring and London and RVD get back in. Booker is in control and tags RVD back. RVD gets a spinning heel kick on Kidman followed by a rolling thunder. RVD whips Kidman into Kidman’s corner and misses a charge. London gets tagged in and goes for a roll up and RVD kicks out at two. London gets a bulldog and then goes up to the top for a 450 splash. He hits it but RVD moves out the way. RVD is back in control. Things are going well for the tag champs as they start to double team London. London ducks a spinning heel kick from Van Dam and Booker takes it and gets knocked out of the ring. RVD looks on and from behind London dropkicks RVD into the turnbuckle. London hit a wicked neck breaker and makes the cover as Booker looks on and does nothing about it. 1..2...3. RVD and Booker have just lost the tag team titles and they have been eliminated. Now we are guaranteed to have new tag team champions. London and Kidman have pulled off a big upset here. As RVD stumbles back up, he is shocked and Booker is outside the ring holding his face. RVD can’t believe it. Booker flips out on RVD and walks away.


RVD and Booker T have been eliminated

Kidman and London vs 2 Cool
2 Cool enter next and Rikishi starts off against London. Rikishi uses his power moves to get the advantage. London manages to tag Kidman who charges into Rikishi and Rikishi catches him and hits a samoan drop. Rikishi lifts Kidman up and goes for a slam but Kidman slips up and tries to roll Rikishi up and he sits on Kidman. He drags Kidman to the corner and gives Kidman the stink face. Rikishi goes over to tag Scotty and Kidman does not want to get back in and tags London. Scotty and London go at it. Scotty tries to slingshot London off the ropes however London reverses it into a dropkick. Scotty comes back and hits a superkick, setting up for the WORM. Scotty hits the worm and goes for the cover. Kidman breaks it up. London tags Kidman in and they start double teaming Scotty. All four men are in the ring and Kidman pulls the ropes down and Rikishi gets knocked outside the ring. Kidman goes to the top as London scores with a DDT on Scotty. Kidman hits the shooting star press and pins Scotty for the three count.
2 Cool have been eliminated

Kidman and London vs The Hurricane and Shannon Moore
One more team left to go and it’s The Hurricane and Shannon Moore. This is the team that Kidman and London beat last week on Smackdown. This was the best part of the tag turmoil. A great fast paced match with plenty of near falls. Kidman and Shannon Moore start it off. They exchange headlocks and armbars early on. Kidman takes control with a few European uppercuts and stomps in the corner. Moore rolls out of a sunset flip and drop kicks Kidman and goes for a cover and Kidman kicks out at two. At ringside, Hurricane gets the crowd behind Moore. Moore then attempts a springboard, but misses, and Kidman seizes the opportunity and goes for a roll-up but only get a two. Kidman hits a facebuster and Moore kicked out at two. Kidman and London make quick tags and each time Moore went for a tag, London and Kidman stop him from making the tag. London whips Moore to the ropes and Moore comes back with a hurracanrana. Moore tags in Hurricane and Hurricane takes London down with a clothesline. He follows up with an hiptoss and then a dropkick. Hurricane executes the Hurrislam and goes for the cover and Kidman breaks it up. All hell breaks loose in the ring and the action spills to the floor. Moore comes across the ropes and gets a suicide dive on London and Kidman on the floor. Back in Kidman goes for a running powerbomb on Hurricane but Hurricane counters into a Hurricanrana pinfall and Kidman kicks out at two. The match ends when Kidman misses the shooting star press and Hurricane hits the eye of the Hurricane. London tries making the save but Moore stops him and Hurricane pins Kidman for the 3 count to win the tag team titles. Hurricane and Shannon Moore celebrate in the ring.
Winners & New Tag Team Champions: The Hurricane and Shannon Moore


Backstage Booker T and RVD are yelling at each other. They start blaming each other. Booker is mad at RVD for making another stupid mistake, they were doing so well until RVD kicked him in the face. RVD responds back and tells Booker again it was a mistake. He is mad at Booker for not getting in the ring to save him as he walked away. He calls Booker selfish for not making the save. Booker thinks it’s about time they go separate ways because now they are no longer tag team champions. This is simply not working out. RVD persuades Booker to give this one last try as they can rectify their mistakes and capture the belts again. Booker is not too keen on this idea and tells him he needs to think about this, he needs to see what is best for his career. RVD apologises and extends his hand and Booker shakes RVD’s hand as Booker leaves.

In the back Akio and Funaki are upset that they didn’t win the belts. Funaki says they are still rich so they should go out and have fun. Someone attacks them and takes their money and it’s JBL. He yells that no one steals from JBL. He smiles and JBL opens the briefcase and finds half of the money missing. He is furious and knocks Akio out with a devastating clothesline. JBL grabs Funaki and demands the rest of his money. Funaki said they have spent it. JBL is livid and powerbombs Funaki on the floor. JBL yells he’s going to get his money back from Tajiri.

Hurricane and Shannon Moore are celebrating their victory with Spike Dudley, Torrie Wilson(yes Torrie lol) and others. The Guerreros show up. They are upset that they couldn't make history tonight so they challenge the new tag team champions to a match next week on Smackdown.

Eddie is in the back asking a few stars who damaged his car. They don't know so Eddie is still looking for that person.



Match 2
Tajiri vs JBL​
JBL comes out and walks to the ring with a mic in his hand. JBL makes up an excuse on why he didn’t win the battle royal last week. His excuse was that he couldn’t focus last week because he was also concerned about his money. It is people like Kyo Dai and guys like Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio that can’t be trusted here. They are all con artists who would love to have the rich and fame that JBL has. He’s a self made man and the only way how Kyo Dai have money now is because they stole his money. It is people like them that would stoop so low. They could never earn that sort of money the legitimate way but he has thought of an idea to get his money back. He waits for Tajiri to come out, Tajiri comes out. He looks at Tajiri and calls him a disgrace. JBL said he doesn’t need that money but he would never let guys like Tajiri have his money for free. Tajiri would have to earn it and he certainly didn’t earn it two weeks ago. JBL made Tajiri an offer Tajiri couldn’t refuse. JBL explained to Tajiri that just a while ago he beat the hell out of Tajiri’s buddies and he can spare Tajiri an even bigger beating if he listens to him. He wants Tajiri to hand him the cruiserweight title. Tajiri was confused. JBL proceeded and told Tajiri that he had no desire to become the cruiserweight champ. It is beneath him to defend the title. He is a main event guy. However since Tajiri can not pay him back, he has a way to get his money back. He wants Tajiri to put his belt on the line. The referee explains to JBL he can not do this because JBL is not a cruiserweight. JBL said he has no interest in competing in the cruiserweight division. If Tajiri puts his belt on the line and does not use the green mist and manages to beat JBL then JBL will let Tajiri keep the money. If Tajiri can not beat him then he must hand him the cruiserweight title. We don’t know why JBL wants the cruiserweight title so bad but Tajiri ended up agreeing to it and the match begins.

The match starts with JBL pushing Tajiri around and talking smack to him. JBL works aggressively on Tajiri, and it looked like Tajiri wasn’t going to have much of a chance from the beginning. JBL continues to maul Tajiri with power moves and goes for a cover and stops. He hits a fallaway slam and lifts Tajiri up and goes for a powerbomb and Tajiri slips out and nails JBL with a hard kick to the face. Tajiri goes for the cover and JBL kicks out at two. JBL gets back up and goes after Tajiri who rolls out of the ring and JBL starts chasing him outside the ring. Tajiri gets back in first and starts kicking away at JBL. JBL is back up again and he makes a comeback and hits a few right hands on Tajiri in the corner. He whips Tajiri to the other corner and eats boot. Tajiri gets the tarantula and he has to break it up. Tajiri attempts his elbow flip off the ropes, but JBL catches him and nails the backbreaker. JBL has had enough and sets Tajiri up for the clothesline from hell and nails Tajiri with the clothesline from hell. 1..2...3. It’s over. JBL has won the cruiserweight title.


JBL demands the ref to hand him the belt and a mic right now. JBL gets on the mic and now has possession of the cruiserweight title. JBL tries to start a JBL chant but it doesn't catch on. He announced that he is going to sell the cruiserweight title and now he is going to beat the hell out of Tajiri. JBL assaults Tajiri. The ref orders JBL to stop, JBL shoves the ref out the way. The referee reverses the decision and awards the match to Tajiri as a result of a disqualification. Tajiri gets to keep the title and the money. JBL is livid and he clotheslines the ref. JBL powerbombs Tajiri and shoves a dollar bill down the throat of Tajiri.
Winner by Disqualification: Tajiri

In the back Cena and Rey talk about the tournament and how they failed to win. Cena vows to get payback on Val for costing him the opportunity of co-winning the battle royal. Rey says it could have been them two going at it tonight in the main event. Edge shows up. Rey is glad that Edge is back, he’s glad to team with Edge in Edge’s return match. Cena believed that Edge has still got it and the three of them are the future of Smackdown. Edge agrees with Cena that they are the future of Smackdown but he was Smackdown’s fastest rising star. He feels that he was robbed of a great opportunity. He never had a chance but if he did he would have been in the main event tonight. Cena asks Edge how can he be so sure? Edge looks at Cena and states that he’s never had a title match at a ppv and Cena has. He’s been in the company longer than both of them and he never had that opportunity. Paul Heyman took him out the tournament because he injured Kurt Angle. Edge asks Cena was he wrong to do that? What if Cena was in his position and missed action for a year, would he let it go for come back for revenge. Cena responds back and says of course he would come back for revenge but there is a fine line but Edge crossed the line. Edge looks at Rey and appreciates what Rey has done for him because he was the guy that visited Edge the most in hospital. However it does annoy him that Rey came out and pleaded with Edge to put a stop to this attack. He asks Rey since when did he become Kurt’s friend?

Rey explains his reason why he came out to stop Edge from inflicting more damage. He’s never been Kurt’s friend but Edge taught Kurt a lesson but enough was enough. It’s about time he moved on and they focused on their goals. Rey had some new years resolutions this year and one of them was to move away from the cruiser division and capture a title he’s never held before. Currently the titles he’s never won are held by two of his friends. That’s right the US Title and WWE Title. At some point this year he will win a title. Edge has been US Champion before but he’s never been the WWE Champion. Rey told Edge what Paul Heyman did to him was indeed unfair but Smackdown in the land of opportunity and Edge will some day be WWE Champion. He’s also never had a title shot on a ppv but some day his turn will also come. Edge just needs to be a bit patient. Edge mentions the last title he held was with Rey and they were tag team champions. He’s not keen on going for the tag team titles, he’s past that level now. His priority from now is to become champion and if the opportunity comes he will take it. From now on you will see a new and improved Edge. Edge said this is his and Matt Hardy’s return to action on Smackdown. When he was sitting on the sidelines he watched the Smackdown episode after No Way Out 2003. He saw what Matt Hardy had to say about him. Hardy was running his mouth and said if Edge would have been a Mattitude follower instead of the so called leader of the Edge army then he probably wouldn’t have suffered such an unfortunate twist of fate. Then Hardy started laughing and on the same night Rhyno returned and took his spot. He will show Rhyno and Hardy a new and ruthless side of his and tonight they will be suffering a twist of fate.


Paul Heyman is in the back with Val Venis. He gives Val some encouraging words. He points out that in 2002, Big Show was struggling on Raw and he was traded to Smackdown for four stars and Val was part of the trade. Big Show ended up having major success on Smackdown and Val struggled on Raw. Now that Val is back on Smackdown he’s already made an impact and tonight this is his chance to prove that he can be a major star on Smackdown. What Big Show achieved on Smackdown, Val can do it better. Last week Rhyno did not get the job done and he does not want Val to fail him. He reminds Val that if Val wins he will give him a US Title shot at Judgment Day. Val blames Cena for costing him the opportunity to get a WWE title shot but now he will focus on taking away Cena’s United States Championship. The only way to get that shot is to go through Big Show. He’s not afraid of Big Show and he’s sick and tired of seeing guys stealing his spot. He’s sick and tired of seeing young guys like John Cena in the spotlight. Val may not be a ladies man anymore but now he’s going to show a ruthless side no one has even seen before. What he will do to Big Show next is a message that he’s sending to John Cena. He promises Heyman that Big Show will not get his hands on Heyman, he assures Heyman that this will be Big Show’s last night on Smackdown.



Match 3
Stretcher Match
The Big Show vs Val Venis​
Big Show dominates Val at the start by hitting some vicious chops across Val’s chest and then throws him around the ring. Val rolls out the ring and refuses to go back in and waits for Big Show to meet him outside the ring. Big Show goes after Val and chases him outside the ring and Val gets in first and starts stomping away on Big Show. Val drops some elbows and tries to keep Big Show down. Val goes to the top rope and Big Show catches him and slams him down. Big Show throws Val out and tosses him out on the stretcher. Val rolls off and gets back in the ring. Val kicks Show to the gut and began to work on Show’s knee. He rolled outside and grabbed the stretcher and uses it as a weapon by damaging Big Show’s knee. Show stumbles back up and taunts Val to come and hit him. Val charges at Big Show and Big Show blocks and takes Val down with a big headbutt. Big Show picks Val up and press slams him over the top rope. Show places Val on the stretcher but Val manages to escape. Val tries for a slam but can’t slam Show so Show whips Val to the corner. He goes for a charge and goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle and falls down. Val goes outside, grabs a cable and ties Show’s ankle around the post. He takes a chair and demolishes Big Show’s knee with it.

The ref asks Big Show if he is able to continue and Show wants to continue. Val tries to roll Big Show onto the stretcher but is struggling to move Show. Suddenly Big Show grabs Val by the throat and manages to chokeslam Val but Big Show also falls down. He is hurt bad. Big Show is stumbling back up but falls down on one knee. He rolls out the ring and places Val on the stretcher. They are at the top of the ramp and Big Show’s about to win this as he tries to roll Val across the finish line but suddenly Matt Hardy, Johnny Nitro and Rhyno show up and make the save for Val and stop him from going over the line. They attack Big Show, Show fights them off but they attack him again. They manage to place Show on the stretcher and Val pulls Show across the finish line to win the match. Val has won the match but he is not done yet. Val orders the rest of the guys to help him finish the job. They push the stretcher off the stage and Big Show is hurt bad. Officials come down and attend to Big Show. Heyman comes out and he is glad to see the end of The Big Show.
Winner: Val Venis


A vignette is aired of a mysterious man who is not shown. He is talking about coming to Smackdown to punish people. He vows to change the landscape of Smackdown.

Backstage many officials are attending to Big Show. Big Show gets carried away in a stretcher and then gets taken away in an ambulance.

Heyman is celebrating with Val, Hardy, Nitro, Rhyno and Dawn Marie. Heyman is very lucky as he made sure that Big Show would not get 5 minutes in the ring with him. Heyman awards Val a US Title match against Cena at Judgment Day. Matt Hardy and Nitro start hitting on Dawn and Matt starts talking trash about Edge. Matt thinks it is stupid for Edge to step back in the ring and tonight he will put Edge back on the sidelines.

Kane cuts a promo in the back and reveals that he was the one who damaged Eddie's car. Kane starts laughing. Why did Kane do this?



Match 4
6 Man Tag Match
Edge, Rey Mysterio and John Cena vs Matt Hardy, Johnny Nitro and Rhyno​
This is Matt Hardy and Edge’s first match back on Smackdown. This was a fun 6 man tag team match. Rey started off against Johnny Nitro and Rey took it to Nitro in the early going. Rey gets a high cross body and Nitro kicks out at one. Rey hits a drop kick and makes a tag to Cena. Cena takes Nitro down with a facebuster. Five knuckle shuffle gets a two. Tag back in to Rey. Rey saw most of the action in this match with most of it having him on the receiving end of 2 or 3 on 1 situations. The heels take control of the match and once Hardy has Rey beat down pretty good, Nitro wants in to stomp on him. Rey makes a comeback and makes the hot tag to Edge and this is the first time in over a year Edge has stepped in the ring for a match. Edge cleans house and takes Nitro down with a clothesline. Hardy runs in and gets a backdrop from Edge. Rhyno runs in and Edge takes Rhyno down with a drop toe hold. Edge is on fire. The ref sends back Nitro and Rhyno back on the apron and Edge and Hardy exchange holds with Edge getting the advantage. Hardy went for the twist of fate but Edge countered and scores with the Edge O Matic. Hardy kicked out at two. Edge tags Cena in and Cena hits a bulldog on Hardy. Hardy tags Nitro and Cena punches away at Nitro. Edge is tagged back in and Hardy is in. They continue brawling and Edge hits the downward spiral, a move we haven't seen in a long time. Nitro breaks it up at two.

Edge grabs a chair from outside and attempts to hit Hardy’s twist of fate on Hardy on a chair but Rey gets in and stops Edge. Rey hands ths chair over to the referee and the ref gets rid of the chair. Edge is thinking what the hell Rey is doing. Hardy rolls Edge up from behind and Edge just kicked out at two. The action continues with back and forth action until it breaks down into a brawl. Cena and Hardy brawl on the floor and inside the ring Rhyno goes for the gore and nails his own partner Nitro. Edge clotheslines Nitro to the floor. Rey hits the 619 on Nitro and Edge finishes Nitro off with the spear and pins him for the 3 count to win the match. Edge, Rey and Cena celebrated in the ring. Edge just looks at Rey and he's not pleased with Rey for what he did earlier on. Following the match Hardy and Nitro blame Rhyno for the defeat and they double team Rhyno. Hardy hits the twist of fate on Rhyno. Hardy was very angry to lose in his return match on Smackdown. Hardy walks off with Nitro.
Winners: Edge, Rey Mysterio and John Cena

Rikishi is in the back. Rikishi is disappointed that he didn’t win the tag team titles but he didn’t like what JBL did to Tajiri earlier on. Rikishi calls JBL a bully and should pick on someone his own size. JBL likes to shove money in peoples throats, well next week he will shove his ass in JBL’s face. Rikishi issues a challenge to JBL for a match next week.

Backstage Josh Matthews congratulates Edge on winning his first match back since returning to action. Edge says a while ago Big Show was pushed off the stage and Paul Heyman loved every bit of it. Now when he put Kurt out of action, he was suspended for his actions. Just because Paul is the GM he feels he can do anything he wants. Well tonight Edge will show that he can also do what he wants. He did say he will make a statement and he’s not done yet. As for what Rey did earlier, again Rey's stopped him from attacking a guy who deserved a beating. The next time he gets his hands on Matt Hardy, no one will be able to stop him and that even includes his friend Rey Mysterio. He doesn't know what Rey's problem is but he hoped that Rey does not get involved the next time he assaults someone.

Eddie is in the back and he said he's going to make Kane pay for what he did. Paul Heyman stops Eddie and lets him know that he can't let Eddie ruin his main event. If Eddie gets involved tonight then he will strip him of the WWE Title. So he has a choice either go and make Kane pay for what he did or just wait till next week. Eddie is very angry and leaves.

The announcers show a video package of Taker and Kane’s match at WrestleMania 20 and the events leading up to this match.


Main Event
#1 Contenders Match
The Undertaker vs Kane
Kane comes out first and gets a mic. He explains why he damaged Eddie's car. He wanted to send a message to Eddie, he wanted to strike fear in Eddie. He wanted to make a statement and made Eddie mad. First he damaged Eddie's car, next he will hurt Eddie and then he will take his title. Once he gets done beating The Undertaker, he's coming to take Eddie Guerrero's title. Eddie Guerrero's days as champion is coming to an end and his reign will end at Judgment Day. The Undertaker’s music hits as he makes his way down with Paul Bearer. Kane wastes no time and goes right after Taker during his entrance. The match hasn’t started yet. They fight outside and Kane throws Taker inside the ring and stomps away at Taker. Kane comes across the ropes and Taker boots him out the ring. The bell rings and the referee starts the match. Kane is back in and Taker hammers away at Kane. Taker gets the early advantage until Kane rakes Taker’s eyes and hits a ddt. Kane stomps away at Taker and goes for a chin lock. Taker punches out but Kane clotheslines him down for two. Kane gets a sidewalk slam and Taker sits up and starts no selling everything.

They trade punches and kicks until Kane hits a clothesline and starts punching away at Taker. Taker grabs Kane by the throat and but Kane punches away at Taker to keep Taker down. Kane goes to the top rope for a clothesline and Taker catches Kane with a right hand to the gut. Taker hits a big ddt and follows up with a legdrop and Kane kicks out at two. Taker goes old school and walks the ropes and nails Kane with a big right hand across the back of the neck.


Taker lifts Kane up and hits the snake eyes and follows up with another legdrop. Taker signals for a chokeslam and Kane fights out throws Taker over the top rope. Taker and Kane battle outside the ring near the announce table. Kane sends Taker into the steel post. Back in Kane continues to assault the Undertaker and hits the chokeslam on Taker. Kane goes for the cover and Taker kicks out at two. Kane whips Taker into the corner and goes for a charge and eats boot. Taker hits a jumping clothesline, followed by a chokeslam. Taker goes for a tombstone and hits it. He goes for the cover but Kane has his foot on the ropes at two. Taker signals for another tombstone but Kane reverses and hits the tombstone instead. He goes for the cover and Taker kicks out at two. Kane can’t believe it. Kane goes outside the ring and grabs the urn off Paul Bearer and gets back in. Edge runs down and grabs the urn off Kane and levels Kane across the back of the head. Taker is back up on his feet and Edge suddenly spears The Undertaker and the ref calls for the bell. Edge looks at them and yells if he can’t have it then neither can they. The ref calls for the bell and declares this match a double disqualification.
Result: Double Disqualification

Taker and Kane sit up at the same time. They trade punches and Taker hits a flying clothesline to knock Kane outside the ring. Paul Heyman comes out on the stage and makes an announcement. Since Edge ruined the main event, he’s going to let the officials decision stand and will not continue the match. If Edge thinks that if he can’t be the number one contender then no one can then he is definitely wrong. Edge would have to earn his opportunity to get a title shot and he will not be receiving a title shot until he earns it. Edge may have ruined the match but since we didn’t have a winner and now there is no number one contender we now have two number one contenders. Paul states that he won’t let Eddie Guerrero off that easy because now Eddie won’t be facing one opponent, he will be defending his title against two opponents in a triple threat match at Judgment Day. He will be facing The Undertaker and Kane. Kane did not like this. The odds are stacked against Eddie Guerrero. Taker looks at Kane and taunts him as Smackdown comes to a close.
WWE Judgment Day
May 16, 2004



Current Card

WWE Title Triple Threat Match
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs Kane vs The Undertaker

US Title Match
John Cena (c) vs Val Venis
 
#42 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Hyper Blast's Review:



Hey first time I've seen your thread, we're both doing the same time period as well too! Your style of writing is unique with the pictures and what not. Its a different way of writing a show out which is good.


First Segment:
So Edge kicks of the show with a promo, great way to start the show. I see that you are hoping to push Edge after the Angle/Edge rivalry, good comparison to Rikishi/Austin. Overall good way to start off the show.

Backstage Segment
I see that you are braking up Rob Van Dam and Booker T, a good mid card feud with a lot of potential but maybe you should pan this storyline a bit further. Instead of pulling the trigger fairly quickly, just a suggestion thrown out there :hmm:

Match 1
I see your matches are fairly simple and not that entertaining,perhaps your saving the interesting matches for PPV or your more of a promo man. I don't mean to offend you but its just like Wrestler A hits a spinebuster and goes for the 3 count. Otherwise very easy to read :). My hunch of heat between Rob Van Dam and Booker T was correct, an entertaining feud for Smackdown. Nice to see The Hurricane and Shannon Moore win


Backstage Segment
I hope to tune in the next Smackdown to see this angle between Booker T and Rob Van Dam as their are so many ways you can go with this angle, possibly giving them both main event pushes early on

Match 2
The ending made me laugh for some reason, your making JBL sound like a complete jerk and your doing it well, Wow JBL selling the title sounds like when Andre sold it to Ted Dibiase I think..... :confused:......Anyway onto the match its great you made JBL dominant throughout the match and Tajiri the obvious underdog, Glad JBL won in the end.

Segment
For a second I was going to think you were re-uniting Edge and Rey Mysterio that really would add a spark to an already good tag team division. I like the intensity that you show in Edge's character, btw is Cena Heel? But if he is a face he is doing a great job of it. Good segment overall, establishing Edge's flare in making a point tonight. If you are going to move Rey up to the US title picture it would be a great idea.

Match 3
Very realistic in bringing out 3 men to help Venis take out the 500 pounder. I think Big Show might not participate next week, good to see Venis win here and earn a shot at the United States Championship against Cena. Overall the match was put out good Big Show dominating with those chops and headbutt, Great storytelling with Big Show unable to chokeslam Venis.

]Match 4
I don't see Edge, Cena, and Rey losing here, quite a good main event. Flashy finish with a 619 into a spear,

Main Event
Good back and forth action, A very unexpected idea of a triple threat. Eddie is a huge underdog in this match but I see him retaining. I see your very high on Edge as you made him interfere by spearing The Undertaker.This is the point in time where Kane turn into The Big red Machine into well....not so scary. I hope you keep Kane as an intimidating figure. A possible Fatal 4 way with Edge being added next week but we'l see overall good show why don't you try to build up Judgement Day more have like a video package :)
I hope I didn't disappoint you with my review as this is my first review :p
 
#43 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Hey, thanks for the review and suggestions. Nice to see another 2004 thread. I will check out your thread and review will be returned. Yep the RVD/Booker angle has it’s interesting moments so I’m giving it a slow build by having RVD and Booker going through some problems. Kidman and London who were faces have now had a change of attitude since the lethal lottery and they are pretty much heels now. In real life Big Show was written off Smackdown on this date so i had to write him off but in a different way of course. Cena is a face. As for Edge and many others, just wait and see. :D I’m slowly building up Judgment Day and it will be a much better card than the actual card.

WWE News and Notes
Big Show is scheduled to undergo knee surgery this week. This is why Val Venis went over against Big Show and following the match the injury angle took place. Big Show is expected to miss 5 months of action.

Maven will be back in action in next month.

The creative team are planning to turn Rhyno face and officials are planning a feud between Rhyno and Matt Hardy.

Expect a few matches to be short at Backlash due to time constraints. As Backlash has 6 matches including an Iron Man Match, it is likely that the tag team title match and Ric Flair vs Lance Storm will be kept short. Also the womens title match has been bumped to Heat.

For ppvs i will be recapping the pre show Sunday Night Heat show to hype up the ppv but for Raw and Smackdown shows i won’t be including Heat/Velocity results. If a star is not injured and not booked on Smackdown or Raw, just assume they wrestled on Heat/Velocity lol. Chuck, Cade, Stamboli, Jindrak, Rosey etc etc. I really have no plans for them but they may show up on the regular shows if i need to use them for a battle royal, segment or a squash.

The pics that i use for the year 2004, for example for Backlash for Orton/Foley you obviously won't be seeing hell in a cell pics because they did not compete in a HIAC match. Also for example if i use a pic of Kane's then it is a pic of him on Raw for my Smackdown show because he was on Raw during that time period. If i include a pic of Kane, Edge, Val Venis for my Smackdown show then i will try not to show the red ropes of Raw but if i do end up including a pic of Kane or other stars with red ropes then please just accept it. The same goes for Haas and Benjamin for Raw, you may see a Smackdown pic of theirs for my Raw show. I'm just doing the best i can with pics. It's hard to get a pic of Rock vs HHH for 2004 as they did not clash that year so i will use a pic for 2000.

Still welcoming more reviews for Smackdown. Backlash Predictions Contest will be up tomorrow. I've written half the review for Backlash, the full show should hopefully be up next week.
 
#44 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

SmackDown! Review
April 15th, 2004

This was the first show I have read of yours good sir, and, I've been browsing and I was really looking forward to sitting down and reading this show. So here goes my humble review.

Segment 1
I loved how the importance was put on Edge returning and how you could feel this turn of heart for Edge in the process.

Segments 2 + 3
Two nice little backstage prep segments to promote the show's events, looking forward to the tag team turmoil match. Kudos on making RVD something more than a cool surfer pothead dude and to having teamed up the 3 japanese exports and giving them an original crew name. (What does Kyo Dai mean?)

Match 1 - Tag Team Turmoil
Happy to see a healthy tag team division. I love those kind of matches in real life because they're fast paced and you never know what to expect. You delivered in all those aspects. The action sound, not crisp though, some tweaking here and there, but, after all, this is a medium recapped form of writing so, understandable in the utmost. Everything as far as story goes was great, giving RVD/Book some quick wins and then, the miscommunication allowing Kidman/London to eliminate them. I'm curious to see, surely, if this win from Hurricane/Moore will lead to a match at Judgment Day with Kidman/London, because I'm pretty sure you'll give the rematch to RVD/Book on next week's SD! and do the official breakup/leadup to Judgment Day PPV match for them.

Segments 4+5+6
Nice follow-up on the tag turmoil with RVD & Booker. The JBL attacking Kyo Dai bit brought me back to some Sid Vicious destroying some luchadores circa WCW 1999. Great stuff, especially since it's kind of pushing the enveloppe and that's something we missed during those years in WWE. Random group of people to have a celebration with... still, who wouldn't be happy for them considering.

Match 2 - Tajiri Vs JBL
The tried and tested David vs Goliath formula. I liked how the match evolved and finished, but, I really don't see the point of JBL continuing this battle with Kyo Dai. Even if he had taken posession of the Cruserweight Belt, I for one don't know how much money there was in the briefcase but, there'll never be enough of that particular belt to repay JBL in full. At least, Tajiri and his friends get to keep everything, makes it more fun that way.

Segment 7
I really liked this whole interaction. I really like Cena back then and it's good to see him as something else than a WWE Puppet and as the Doc of Thuganomics again.

Segment 8
I kind of spoiled this whole thing for myself by reading your post after the actual show, still, I like how Heyman has sort of a group he can send after his enemies, kind of like Immortal in TNA for Hogan & Bischoff. Just, don't give them a name.

Match 3 - Stretcher Match
I was really looking forward as to just how you would pull this off, considering Val hasn't looked and hasn't be booked at the best of his abilities, I was hard pressed to see him topple the Big Show, no less, in a Stretcher match. And I must say, great job. With all that help, there was no way Big Show could have made it out alive, and he didn't, literally (or almost). I'm not too keen on big men, although Big Show is actually entertaining so, I'm kind of a happy in a way he'll be off our screens for the time being.

Segments 9+10
Good follow up on the Big Show. And good follow up on the heels celebrating their bad deed. I like this ecclectic group Heyman has watching his back. I really, especially, undoubtedly like that Dawn Marie is there as well... is she an assistant to Heyman or managing one of those guys?!

Match 4 - 6-Men Tag Team Match
I liked this match but, I kind of lost track in the end, one minute Nitro is clotheslined outside the ring, the next, he's already back in getting a 619. Especially since that particular set of moves was what lead to the actual finish, it felt kind of thrown out there. Still, the whole point of this 6-Men was to put Edge over and it did just that.

Segments 11+12
I can't wait for Rikishi Vs JBL, now that is someone JBL needs to be booked against. Rikishi was on point. This show is really all about Edge, over exposure sometimes gets to be a bit much. Especially since his teammates weren't around to cause an actual situation.

Main Event - Kane Vs Undertaker
Okay match between the two of them, but a real nice and Main Event quality ending with the nice series of Tombstone and the interference from Edge. I liked how Kane & Undertaker kept battling after the fact Edge had ruined their chance at the Title. But, lo and behold Paul Heyman's announcement about Judgment Day. That was nicely done and I can't wait to see how Eddie handles it all.

Overall
I really liked everything I read. I like your format for tv shows, sort of recapped but with great detail. Fast paced matches, like tv matches should be. As far as the actual storylines you've got going, it is a period that I didn't all that much enjoy on the SmackDown! side during those years, but I can see how you're really improving everything and come SummerSlam, you should have a tremendous WWE product. Kudos on your layout and providing us with pictures. There's nothing better for the brain than some imagery when reading long texts such as those in the BTB Section.

I give this show 7.5 Lex Flexors out of 10.
 
#45 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

My Backlash Predictions

For the World Heavyweight Championship in an 1-hour Iron Man Match, I see Benoit pulling it out and beating HBK just narrowly, as I think it will go to an overtime period with Benoit pulling out the victory

Rock will beat Triple H, and he will disappear into the sunlight only to come back at SummerSlam, I see a Rock/Orton match at SummerSlam 2004, but for now I see Rock beating Triple H

Orton will beat Foley inside Hell In A Cell and retain the IC Title, by going to that "other place" with Orton becoming more ruthless and dangerous than he ever has been, more emotionless, remorseless, almost like a Viper and he will take Foley out for good and "kill the legend of Mick Foley" by ending his career once and for all

Jericho will beat Christian this time around

Flair will beat Lance Storm no problem, just because he is Ric Flair, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, and Batista will be there to help him should Flair need it

Dudleys I see them winning the Tag Team Titles only for them to turn heel, I just like the Dudleys more as a heel tag team

Victoria will beat Jazz to retain her Women's Title

And those are my predictions for Backlash
 
#47 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Thanks a lot for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed my show and i hope to entertain you with a much better Smackdown show than the actual product in 2004.

Thanks Terry for your predictions. Backlash will hopefully be up by next week.

Final Card for Backlash
April 18, 2004
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada






World Heavyweight Title
Iron Man Match
Chris Benoit (c) vs Shawn Michaels


The Rock vs HHH



Intercontinental Title vs Career Match
Hell in a Cell Match
Randy Orton (c) vs Cactus Jack


Chris Jericho vs Christian

Tag Team Championship Title Match
The World's Greatest Tag Team (c) vs The Dudleys

Ric Flair vs Lance Storm

Sunday Night Heat: Womens Title Match (c)Victoria vs Jazz


Predictions Contest

1)Predict the Match order for Backlash? (5 points) - Do not include the womens match.
2)Predict the Winners? (2 points)-Here you can include the womens match
3)What will be the final score in the Iron Man Match? (5 points)
3)Which match will have the shortest time? (2 points) - Do not include the womens match.
4)How many championships will change hands? (2 points)- Here you can include the womens match
6)Will anyone return/debut at Backlash? (2 points)
7)Will Cactus Jack or Orton be thrown off the top of the cell? If Yes, who? (2 points)
 
#48 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX





BACKLASH PREVIEW

World Heavyweight Title Iron Man Match
Chris Benoit (c) vs Shawn Michaels



At WrestleMania XX Chris Benoit achieved his dream by finally winning the world heavyweight title in a triple threat match. Tonight he will go into his hometown against the man who he’s never beaten. A man who’s beaten Benoit a month before Benoit went on to become champion. A man who knows everything about the Iron Man Match. Tonight Chris Benoit will be up against The Icon, The Headliner, The Showstopper, The Main Event, The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. Shawn Michaels has a great record in Canada and tonight he vows to become champion again. He believes that he is still the icon. Chris Benoit wants to prove that he is not a one hit wonder and promises to not let down his fans. Will this be the night where Benoit is for real? Will Shawn prove that he is still the best today?

The Rock vs HHH


A classic rivalry will be revisited tonight as old foes The Rock and HHH battle it out and Eric Bischoff has issued a ruling that no one can interfere in this match. HHH wants his title shot but first he must go through The Rock. Will it be game over for The Rock or will Rock lay the Smackdown on the game. It’s been a long time since Rock had a title shot but if he beats HHH tonight, will The Rock be in line for a title shot? Will it be a perfect night for Evolution?

Intercontinental Title vs Career Hell in a Cell Match
Randy Orton (c) vs Cactus Jack



This match has over 10 months in the making and tonight Randy Orton and Cactus Jack will finally go at it one on one in the most barbaric match composed, the hell in a cell match. Randy puts the Intercontinental title on the line and Mick Foley puts his career on the line. Mick Foley has promised to give Orton the biggest beating of his life and Randy has vowed to put Foley out the WWE for good. With Evolution barred from ringside, can Randy prove that he can beat Mick Foley by himself? Is this night where Randy kills the legend of Mick Foley? Will Mick Foley win his first ever Hell in a Cell Match or will this be the last we see of Mick Foley?

Chris Jericho vs Christian


At WrestleMania XX, Christian and Trish Stratus humiliated Chris Jericho and tonight Jericho gets his chance to get revenge on Trish and Christian. For weeks, Jericho has been humiliated by Trish and Christian but Jericho embarrassed the couple when they had the live sex celebration on Raw. Now Christian has A-Train by his side, will Jericho be able to overcome these odds? Will Trish and Christian get one over Jericho again?

Also Ric Flair will meet Lance Storm in action tonight in Storm’s final ppv match. Plus the tag team champions The World’s Greatest Tag Team defend their titles against The Dudleys. Victoria will also be in action as she defends her womens title against Jazz.

Predictions would be more than welcome and all feedback for the PPV will be returned. The show will be up tomorrow.​
 
#49 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

1)Predict the Match order for Backlash? (5 points) - Do not include the womens match.

1. Storm vs Flair
2. Jericho vs Christian
3. Orton vs Foley
4. Tag team Match
5. Rock vs HHH
6. Benoit vs HBK

2)Predict the Winners? (2 points)-Here you can include the womens match

1. Victoria
2. Storm
3. Jericho
4. Foley
5. WGTT
6. HHH
7. Benoit

3)What will be the final score in the Iron Man Match? (5 points)

2-1

3)Which match will have the shortest time? (2 points) - Do not include the womens match.

Tag Team Match

4)How many championships will change hands? (2 points)- Here you can include the womens match

1

6)Will anyone return/debut at Backlash? (2 points)

No

7)Will Cactus Jack or Orton be thrown off the top of the cell? If Yes, who? (2 points)

Yes. Both, after an RKO off of the top of the Cell.
 
#50 · (Edited)
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX


Sunday Night Heat Recap
18/4/04


Backstage Lance Storm cuts a promo. He’s proud to wrestle in his country, he’s glad to have a match on ppv and he will not disappoint his fans. Storm also mentioned that his last night in the WWE is on Raw tomorrow night in his hometown in Calgary. Storm vowed to retire in style.

Chris Benoit is shown arriving in the arena. A video package is played of Chris Benoit’s journey to the WWE.

Eugene is backstage playing with his action figure of Bret Hart. He runs into A-Train who snaps Eugene’s action figure in half. A-Train starts laughing and Eugene is upset.

Mick Foley arrives with his family.

A video package for Christian/Jericho feud is shown.

Backstage Interview with Christian, Trish and A-Train. Christian believes Jericho has no chance in winning tonight. He humiliated Jericho at WrestleMania. Then on Raw, Jericho ran the gauntlet and A-Train finished him off. A-Train starts talking about his time on Smackdown and started to talk trash about Paul Heyman. A-Train is glad to be here on Raw and vowed to make a big impact on Raw. Christian said once he’s done with Jericho, it’s about time Christian got what he wanted and that’s a world title shot.

Backstage La Resistance are in Bischoff's office. They complain about being left off the card but they want a tag title shot against the winners of the tag title match tomorrow night on Raw. Eric tells them that they will get a tag title shot but not tomorrow night. He's thought of another match for them tomorrow and they will find out tomorrow. La Resistance are not too pleased to hear this.

Coach shows up and tells Todd Grisham to beat it because he will be conducting the backstage interviews tonight.

Backstage Eugene is shouting in Eric Bischoff’s office. Eric asks Regal what is up with Eugene. Regal explains that A-Train broke his action figure. Eric tells Regal to go get him a new action figure. He asks Regal how is he getting on with training Eugene. Is it going well? Regal says it will take a bit of time, he’s asked road agent Fit Finlay to help him out in training Eugene. Give him two weeks and Eugene will hopefully learn how to wrestle. Eric wants Regal to make Eugene as good as Regal in the ring. Eric tells Regal to get going now. He doesn’t want anyone to bother him tonight because he wants to sit back and enjoy this ppv.

Womens Title Match
Victoria (c) vs Jazz


Jazz jumps Victoria before the bell rings. The bell rings and Jazz takes Victoria down with a clothesline. Jazz throws Victoria head first into the ring and then delivers a backbreaker. Jazz sends Victoria to the ropes and Victoria comes back with a reverse neckbreaker. Victoria nails Jazz with a spinning heel kick and gets a nearfall. She gets a back body drop followed by a tornado DDT and Jazz kicks out at two. Victoria tosses Jazz into the ropes and dropkicks Jazz over the top rope and onto the floor. Jazz gets frustrated and Teddy Long encourages Jazz with a few words. Jazz gets back in and she ducks a clothesline from Victoria as Jazz gets the advantage again. Jazz goes to the top rope and gets a crossbody and gets a nearfall. Jazz delivers a neckbreaker and Victoria kicks out. Jazz rolls up Victoria putting her feet on the ropes for leverage but Victoria kicks out. Jazz locks in the STF and Victoria makes it to the ropes. Jazz goes for a powerbomb but Victoria blocks and takes Jazz down with a clothesline. Victoria hits the Widows Peak and goes for a cover. Teddy Long gets on the apron and distracts the referee. Victoria gets up and slaps Long. Long is down on the apron. He get back up and Jazz is up and tries to jump Victoria from behind but she moves out the way and Jazz hits Teddy instead. Victoria rolls Jazz up for the three count to win the match and retain the title.
Match Result: Victoria defeated Jazz to retain the womens title.
Match Time: 3:50


JR mentioned that Backlash gets underway in just over a few minutes on ppv from here in Edmonton.

WWE Backlash
April 18, 2004
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada



Backlash opened with a video package highlighting the main feuds for tonight’s matches. Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels, HHH, The Rock, Mick Foley and Randy Orton all were featured in the video package. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show and JR points out that today is Chris Benoit day in Edmonton. Lawler goes over the matches we will be seeing tonight and now we are underway with our first match.

Chris Jericho vs Christian

Christian’s music hits as we are ready for our opening contest. Christian makes his way down to the ring with Trish and A-Train. Trish and Christian come out to a pretty good pop since they are from Canada. Chris Jericho's music hits and Jericho comes out to a big pop. Jericho is not out alone as he brings out William Regal and Eugene with him. Eugene starts waving to the fans and they will be in Jericho’s corner to ensure that Trish and A-Train don’t get involved. Maybe in return Jericho can assist Regal in training Eugene to become a wrestler. The bell rings. We get a big staredown at the start, with Trish getting in the ring and plants a kiss on Christian’s cheek. Trish starts to mock Jericho. Christian and Jericho taunt each other and get into a shoving match and Jericho starts hammering away at Christian and Trish gets out of there. Jericho gives Christian a few right hands and takes him down with a clothesline. Jericho scores with a great snap suplex. Jericho whips Christian to the ropes and gets a back body drop. He goes for a cocky pin and Christian kicks out. Jericho clotheslines Christian to the floor. Trish goes to check on Christian. He’s ok and Christian gets on the apron and Jericho hits a standing dropkick and Christian lands on Trish knocking her down. Trish is furious and starts yelling at Jericho. EUGENE goes over and starts staring at Trish but A-Train stands in his way and Eugene rushes back to his corner. Regal instructs Eugene to stay there next to him and not move. Back in Jericho chops away at Christian and goes for a whip and it is reversed and Christian catches Jericho with a kneelift. Christian lays the boots on Jericho stomping away at him. Christian gets a slam and hits an elbow drop. He lifts Jericho up and delivers a neckbreaker and gets a near fall. Christian delivers a reverse ddt. He puts Jericho on the ropes and stands on his back holding the top rope, the ref starts counting and Christian breaks it up at three. Christian grabs Jericho by the hair and starts taunting him and yells "You will never be as good as me." He whips Jericho into the turnbuckle and goes to the top and delivers a spinning corner ddt and gets a near fall. Christian gets a snapmare and gets a reverse chinlock. Fans start a Y2J chant by getting behind Jericho and Jericho fights out of it and takes Christian down with a clothesline. Jericho tosses Christian over the top rope.

Eugene is getting excited again and wants to go over to the other corner but Regal tells him to stay still. Trish looks over and she seems freaked out. Jericho runs across the ropes and goes for a dive and Christian moves out the way and Jericho hits the floor. Christian gets in and distracts the ref and outside A-Train and Trish stomp on Jericho. Trish slaps Jericho. Regal starts complaining to the ref and A-Train throws Jericho back in. Christian whips Jericho the corner and then takes Jericho to the top turnbuckle and delivers a suplex from the top rope. Christian goes for the cover and gets a near fall. Christian hits the ropes and runs into a spinning heel kick from Jericho. Jericho hits the ropes and gets a flying forearm. He goes over to his corner and gives Eugene a high five. Jericho tells Eugene he will give him some of Trish tonight. Eugene starts jumping around and Regal tells him to calm down. Jericho hits the breakdown and goes for the cover. One, two but A-Train puts Christian’s foot on the bottom rope. The ref sees this and decides to eject A-Train from ringside. A-Train is furious but he has to go. Jericho had his back turned and Christian goes for a roll up and gets a near fall. Christian kicks Jericho to the gut and attempts a piledriver but Jericho backdrops Christian. Jericho picks Christian up and hits a modified Bulldog. He goes for a lionsault but Christian gets his knees up. Christian gets the boston crab and Jericho tries to make it to the ropoes as he crawls over and makes the ropes.


Christian sets up for the unprettier but Jericho rolls him up for a two count. Jericho hits a running enziguri and Christian just kicks out at two. Jericho goes for a suplex and Christian slips out and finally hits the unprettier. One, two and Jericho kicks out. Christian can’t believe it. Christian gets frustrated and gets a bodyslam. He goes up to the top rope for a splash and Jericho has his boot up and lays Christian out. Both men are down. Jericho is the first to be up and goes for a clothesline, Christian ducks and backdrops Jericho to the floor. Jericho gets back in at seven and Christian delivers a back breaker. Trish points at Christian and instructs him to humiliate Jericho with his own move. Christian goes for the walls of Jericho and Jericho reverses into an inside cradle and Christian kicks out at two. Jericho chops away at Christian again and whips him to the ropes and hits a dropkick. Trish gets on the apron and starts distracting Jericho. Jericho grabs her by the hair and throws her in the ring and the ref restrains Jericho so Trish can get out the ring. Christian sneaks up from behind and rolls Jericho up and has his hand on the ropes. The ref sees it kicks Christian’s arm and warns him not to do that again. Jericho rolls Christian up for a two count. They go to the top and Jericho goes for a superplex, Christian counters and throws Jericho down face first. Christian goes to the top and Jericho slowly gets back up and Christian gets a high cross body and gets a two only. Christian hits an implant DDT and gets another near fall. What a match up. Christian gets a scoop slam and goes to the top and hits a missile dropkick and gets another near fall.

Eugene goes over to Trish’s corner again and points at her and he wants a kiss. He starts jumping around and gets excited. Regal goes over and holds Eugene back. Eugene escapes and starts licking her face. Trish freaks out and Eugene starts freaking out. Trish runs away to the back and Eugene runs away to the back. Regal can’t leave Eugene alone so he runs to the back. Christian goes for a neckbreaker but Jericho gets a backslide for a two. Jericho puts Christian on the bottom rope and runs across the ropes and jumps on Christian. Jericho locks in the walls of Jericho near the ropes and Christian gets to the bottom rope. Jericho refuses to let go and the ref starts a count and Jericho lets go. Jericho delivers triple powerbomb a move he hasn’t done in years but decides not to go for the cover. He waits for Christian to get back up and he runs into Christian and hits a double knee facebreaker into Christian’s face which knocked Christian out cold. We haven’t seen that maneuver from Jericho before. It’s the codebreaker btw. He makes the cover...1...2...3. It’s over. Chris Jericho wins. Christian has a tantrum in the ring as Jericho celebrates on the ramp.



Match Result: Chris Jericho defeated Christian
Match Time: 10:18


Backstage Coach interviews Randy Orton and asks Orton what does he plan to do to Foley tonight in the cell? Orton says he’s pretty confident, he isn’t afraid of Mick Foley. A lot of people think he can not beat Foley one on one but tonight he will prove he is more hardcore than Mick Foley. He’s studied tapes of Foley’s violent matches and he’s more than ready. Foley had his ear ripped off, he was thrown off the cell by The Undertaker. He got smashed in the face with chair shots by The Rock years ago, yeah big deal he’s tough, he’s sick and twisted but Randy Orton will show Mick’s family a side of Orton that they have never seen before. He will go to extreme lengths tonight to get the job done. Orton makes reference to the legendary feud between The Macho Man and Jake the Snake Roberts. Orton said he is a lot like Jake and Foley and his wife are a lot like Macho and Elizabeth. Infact he can see it now...Mick’s kids will start crying. They plead with him to stop the brutal assault on their daddy but he will not stop. He will continue to beat Mick up. Luck is on his side because Mick has never won a Hell in a Cell Match. Orton believes that tonight he will finally get the respect he deserves. This is a big night for Evolution and he will put Mick Foley out the WWE and become a legend. Whether it is Mick Foley, Cactus Jack, Mankind or Dude Love, he doesn’t care who shows up because when he’s done with Foley, people are likely to be afraid of Randy Orton. This started in June and it’s gone on far too long now. After this match even legends will start to bow down to him, this match will make him an early contender for next year’s Hall of Fame induction and even his father hasn’t even been inducted yet. This shows how far Randy Orton has come, he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. He is truly greatness. Tonight he promises to kill the legend of Mick Foley by ending his career once and for all.

Submission Match
Lance Storm vs Ric Flair

Our next contest is a submission match between Ric Flair and Lance Storm. Ric Flair makes his way down to the ring with Batista is in his corner. This is the only match where an Evolution member can be at ringside. Storm comes out to a great ovation. He stands to the top of the turnbuckle posing. Flair wastes no time and jumps Storm from behind and the bell rings. Flair drops a knee drop on Storm’s face and then stomps away on Storm’s leg. Ric tangles Storm’s leg in the ropes and jumps on it. Flair gets Storm up and delivers a suplex. Flair starts chopping away on Storm. He comes across the ropes for a right hand but Storm blocks and fights back. Storm gets a flying forearm and then takes Flair down with a high back body drop. Storm teases a boston crab but decides to drive his knee in Flair’s midsection and Flair is screaming in pain. Storm backs Flair into the corner but gets kicked in the gut. Flair chops away on Storm and goes for a suplex but Storm slips out and knocks Flair down with a spinning heel kick. Storm applies his own figure-four but Flair gets a thumb to to the eyes to escape. Flair stomps away on Storm’s leg. He picks Storm up and whips him hard into the turnbuckle. Flair chops away at Storm and gets a scoop slam. Flair attempts a cross body from the top but this never works and Storm throws Flair down. Storm hits a standing dropkick. Storm goes to the top and gets a flying body press. Storm connects with a german suplex. Storm comes across the ropes and gets a flying shoulder block. Lance drops Flair with an inverted atomic drop and then starts stomping away at Flair’s leg. He goes to the ropes for a knee drop but Flair rolls out the way. Flair gets a scoop slam and slaps in the figure four early but Lance turns it around a sharpshooter. Flair manages to make it to the ropes. Batista gets on the apron and tries to distract Storm. Flair’s gets a chop block as he clips Storm to get back in control and goes to work on Storm’s knee.

Flair starts strutting and gets a knee drop on Storm’s leg. Flair tries the figure four but Storm shoves him off. Storm is back up and hits Flair with a clothesline. Storm connects with a suplex. Storm starts working on Flair’s leg to soften him up by going for a spinning toe hold which gets a big pop from the crowd. Flair pokes Storm in the eyes to escape and Storm wastes no time by going for Flair’s legs again by locking in a half boston crab hold. Flair’s trying to reach the ropes. Batista puts Flair’s arm on the ropes and Storm has to break it up. The ref can’t disqualify Batista because a submission match can only end in submission. Storm gets outside the ring and argues with Batista. Flair gets on the apron and hits a double axe handle on Storm. Flair rams Storm’s knee on the ring post and the dirtiest player in the game rolls Storm back in. Flair locks in the figure four. Storm tries to reach the ropes but Flair pulls him back into the center of the ring. Flair’s applying a lot of pressure. Storm has no choice but to tap. Flair wins. Flair and Batista celebrate inside the ring. Flair looks at Storm and yells whooo. Storm gets a standing ovation from the crowd. Tomorrow is his last night in the WWE and Storm will hope to go out in style. A good effort from Storm but Flair managed to finish Storm off quick by working on Storm’s knee. A good start for Evolution.

Match Result: Ric Flair defeated Lance Storm
Match Time: 5:05



Coach interviews Shawn Michaels. HBK gets a mixed reaction. Coach mentions HBK’s great record in Canada. Will the show stopper stop Chris Benoit’s show tonight on Chris Benoit day at Backlash? Michaels explains that the fans here still haven’t forgiven him but hopefully after tonight he will get the Canadian fans to jump on the HBK bandwagon. Chris Benoit’s journey to the top has just started but when he steps in the ring with HBK tonight, his world will come crashing down. Michaels believed that he was not under any pressure at all, it is Benoit who will be under the most pressure. Benoit may have many fans behind him but the last time they met one on one it was HBK that came out on top. Whether the fans love him or still hate him he will go out there and perform 100% like he always does and he will once again become world heavyweight champion.

Up next is the title vs career Hell in a Cell Match. A video package is played highlighting the feud between Mick Foley and Randy Orton.

Hell in a Cell
Title vs Career Match
WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton (c) vs Cactus Jack


Randy Orton comes out first and brings out a shopping kart full of weapons. He looks over at Mick Foley’s family who are in the front row. Orton goes over to Mick’s kids and starts taunting them, making crying gestures. Crowd boos Orton heavily. Orton opens the cell door and starts placing all the weapons outside and inside the ring. Out comes Cactus Jack to an amazing ovation and brings along his baseball bat with him covered in barbedwire.


Cactus goes over to ringside and hugs his family. Cactus gets inside the cell. Cactus looks around the ring to see loads of weapons. Cactus grabs the barbed wire bat and the bell rings. Orton quickly grabs a chair and Cactus and Orton immediately charge at each other. They swing at each other and Cactus knocks Orton’s chair down with the barbed wire bat. Orton bails out the ring and Cactus goes after him. He swings the bat at Orton, Orton ducks. Orton gets inside the ring and Cactus throws the bat outside the ring and gets back in. Orton starts stomping away at Cactus. Orton strikes Cactus with a few right hands. He whips him to the ropes and Cactus takes him down with a clothesline. They start brawling. Cactus whips Orton from one corner and then to another. He starts stomping him down and chokes away with his boot. Cactus sets Orton up for the knee lift and rams his knees right into the face of the Intercontinental Champion. He follows up with a leg drop. He drags Orton into a corner and starts stomping away on him. Cactus goes for a piledriver but gets backdropped. Now Orton takes over and starts punching away on Cactus. Orton comes across the ropes and hits a knee drop. Orton lays the boots on Cactus and throws Cactus over the ropes. Outside the ring Orton whips Cactus into the steel post. Orton gets a chair and levels Foley with a chair in the gut and follows up with a ddt on a chair. Orton rams Cactus’s head on the cage. He then sends Cactus into the steel steps. Orton starts posing. He lifts Cactus up and goes for a piledriver on the steps but Cactus backdrops Orton on the floor. Cactus rams Orton into the cage a couple of times and hits a double arm ddt on the floor. He slingshots Orton into the cage and busts Orton wide open. He starts raking Orton’s face on the cage. Cactus did say he is going to ruin Orton's face, he did say he will ruin those looks.

Cactus goes for a whip and it is reversed and Orton sends Cactus into the steel steps. Orton rams Cactus Jack’s head into the steel post and starts posing. Orton charges into Cactus but Jack moves out the way and Orton hits the post. Cactus gets the bat again and starts swinging away at Orton like a mad man and finally levels Orton with the bat across his back. Orton is screaming with pain. Cactus attempts to piledriver Orton on the bat but Orton counters with a backdrop. Orton rolls back in and when Cactus gets back in, Orton starts stomps away at him. Orton places Cactus on the ropes and hits a devastating rope-hung DDT but decides not to go for a cover.

Orton nails Cactus with the bat and Cactus is busted wide open. Orton tries to choke Cactus with the bat but Cactus counters with a low blow. Cactus puts the barbed wire bat between Orton’s leg and leg drops it. Ouch that must have hurt. Orton is screaming and shouting with pain. Cactus whips Orton to the ropes and Orton counters with a dropkick. Orton grabs the bat and levels Cactus across the back. Orton slams Cactus on the bat and starts choking Cactus out with the bat. Orton swings at Cactus and busts Cactus wide open. He tries to ram Cactus’s face across the cell but Cactus blocks and rams Orton’s face into the cell. Cactus charges into Orton and Orton drop toeholds him into the steps. Orton grabs a chair and swings at Cactus who ducks. Cactus kicks Orton to the gut and takes the chair off Orton and levels Orton with a chairshot. Cactus goes to the top turnbuckle and drops an elbow on Orton to the floor. Bang Bang. Cactus grabs the steps and launches the steps at Orton but Orton ducks out the way and the steps crashed through the cage. Cactus has busted the cell open, giving Orton a way out to escape. Cactus follows Orton outside as they brawl outside the cell. Cactus whips Orton into the barricade and they take the fight into the crowd. Cactus pounds the hell out of Orton and Orton kicks Cactus in the balls and manages to escape and gets back over the barricade. Orton catches a breather and Cactus follows him. They fight on the ramp and Orton connects with a neckbreaker. Orton sets Cactus up for a piledriver but Cactus manages to backdrop Orton. Cactus executes a devastating piledriver on the ramp. They continue brawling near the Spanish announce table and Cactus chokes Orton with a cord. Cactus continues to beat the hell out of Orton. Orton ducked a punch and hit an RKO on the floor as both men are laid out on the floor. This is a bit too much to watch for Mick's kids so his wife ends up taking Mick's kids backstage. Orton is up first and Cactus tries to grab Orton’s leg but Orton kicks him in the face. He tries to escape from Cactus by going right to the top of the cell. Oh no this is not a good move. Orton may be making a huge mistake. Mick Foley tried this at King of the Ring 98 and it did not work out for him. Cactus likes this and grabs the bat from inside the cell and throws it at the top of the cell.


Not a wise decision from Cactus because Orton now has the bat but Cactus decides to follow Orton up to the top of the cell. He couldn’t get up there with the bat so he had to throw it at the top of the cell. Cactus gets up the top of the cell and Orton starts stomping away on Cactus. Orton gets the bat and nails Cactus with the bat across his back. He grabs him by the face and starts mocking him. Cactus ends up kicking Orton to the gut and hit a double arm ddt. Cactus gets the bat and nails Orton with the bat across the back. Cactus goes for the mandible claw and Orton is fading down to his knees but Cactus decides to let go. He signalled to the crowd whether he should throw Orton off the top of the cell, and the crowd popped huge. He picks Orton up and Orton hit a lowblow on Cactus and escaped and climbed down the cell. Orton takes a rest. Cactus is back up on his feet. He decides not to throw the bat down and follows Orton by also climbing down. Orton waited for Cactus to get down and levelled him with a clothesline. Orton delivers a suplex on the floor. Orton grabs the timekeeper’s bell and whacks Cactus across the head with the bell. Cactus gets his bell rung. Orton dumps Cactus throat first on top of the railing. Orton is relentless as he keeps on dishing out punishment on Cactus. They get back inside the cell again and Orton rakes Cactus’s face in the cell. Orton pulls out a table from underneath the ring but Cactus takes Orton down with a clothesline. He rolls Orton back in the ring and whips Orton into the turnbuckle and hits a double arm ddt. Cactus starts hitting a few headbutts on Orton.

Cactus gets a ladder from underneath the ring and levels Orton in the face with a ladder. Cactus attempts a piledriver on Orton on the ladder but Orton counters and backdrops Cactus on the ladder. Orton grabs the ladder and waits for Cactus to rise to his feet and Orton charges into Cactus and levels him in the face with a ladder. Orton attempts an RKO on the ladder but Cactus counters by throwing him off and clotheslines Orton over the top rope. Cactus sets the ladder up and Orton is back on the apron and Cactus suplexes him back in. They end up fighting on top of the ladder. Orton manages to shove Cactus down and goes to the top of the ladder and hits a flying clothesline but Cactus catches him with a punch to the gut. Cactus hits a reverse neckbreaker. Cactus goes outside the ring and brings the table inside the ring. He sets the table up in the middle and places Orton on a table. Cactus goes to the top of the ladder and goes for a big splash off the top off the ladder and comes crashing down on Orton through the table. He goes for a cover and Orton gets his arm up at two. JR can’t believe it. He didn’t think Orton would be that tough enough to kick out of that. Cactus delivers a swinging neckbreaker and gets another near fall. Cactus misses a charge and Orton is back in control. Orton slingshots Cactus onto a ladder knocking Cactus out. He grabs a chair and whacks Cactus with the chair and starts posing.

Cactus tries to pull himself up and Orton hits Cactus with another sickening chair shot. He can’t keep Foley down and he yells at him to stay down, “stay down you son of a bitch.” Shades of Rock vs Mick Foley at the Royal Rumble 1999. Orton has been studying these tapes and he knows what Mick is capable of and he knows what it takes to soften up Mick Foley. Cactus staggers back on his feet and gets smacked around again with a chair shot. Cactus begs Orton for more but punches him on a charge. Cactus is a bloody mess. Cactus delivers a piledriver on Orton onto the steel chair. As Orton pulls himself up Cactus grabs the ladder and charges into Orton by nailing him with the ladder. Cactus goes to the top rope and connects with an elbow drop. He starts choking Orton out and hits a double arm DDT. He finally goes for a cover but Orton just manages to kick out at two. Cactus can’t believe it. He goes up to the top rope for a clothesline but Orton suddenly gets up and hits an RKO out of nowhere. Both men are down and Orton is back up first. They exchange punches and Cactus drops Orton with a big right hand. Cactus steps outside the ring again and grabs a wood wrapped in barbed wire and sets it up in the corner. He goes for a whip on Orton who reverses and sends Cactus into the board of barbed wire. Cactus rolls around in the ring with pain.


Orton goes over to his corner and waits for Cactus to get back up to his feet. Orton is going kick Mick in the head. Mick's wife rushes down to ringside and gets inside the cell(where it was busted wide open) He goes over to his corner ready to kick Cactus in the head. Mick's wife pleads with Orton that enough is enough and just pin Mick to end this. Orton doesn't listen and charges with a running punt kick to Cactus’s head. That’s it, he is out. This is how the feud started when Orton kicked Mick Foley down the steps in Madison Square Garden and now Orton has done it again. Mick's wife begs the official to stop the match. The ref asks Foley if he wants to continue but Foley does not want to give up. Orton smiles and gets out the ring and steps outside the cell. Why is Orton not pinning Cactus? Orton gets a mic and gets back in and starts calling Mick a coward and that he has to hide behind a woman. Orton said he is NOT going to take a win like this. He won’t let Mick go down as a hero. He will not win by knockout or the ref stopping the match. If Foley wants to carry on but the ref feels he can not continue then he won’t accept it this way. He guaranteed to beat Mick but he’s not done with him yet. There is more to come and this is going to be painful for Mick. He wants Mick to get up and fight him. He rubs Mick’s blood on his hands. Mick's wife starts crying. Cactus is back on his feet and fights back against Orton and Cactus dumps Orton to the floor. He gets his wife out the cell and Orton nails Cactus from behind and rolls him back in. Orton pulls out a bag and it’s THUMBTACKS. This is going to be painful. Orton is certainly going to extreme lengths to beat Foley inside the cell. He is totally a different persona tonight because he is showing a different side against Mick Foley. Earlier on he said he is a lot like Jake the Snake Roberts. Orton is like a viper inside the cell. Orton dumps the bag of thumbtacks on the mat. We’ve seen this before in the 2nd Hell in a Cell match and it was very very painful.

He attempts an RKO but Cactus throws Orton off and Orton lands into the thumbtacks. Orton is finished, that has to be it. He is screaming in pain, the tacks are stuck on his hand and back. Orton rolls out the ring and he tries to escape the cell but Cactus goes after him and rams Orton into the ring post. Cactus rolls Orton back in and backs Orton into the corner and goes to the other corner and nails Orton with a knee lift to the face. Cactus places the board of barbwire in the middle of the ring. He goes for the mandible claw near the ropes but Orton holds on to the ropes and counters into an RKO. He goes for a cover and Cactus kicks out at two. Orton is stunned, he can’t believe it. Orton whips Cactus to the ropes and backdrops Cactus on to the tacks. How much punishment can Cactus Jack take. What does Orton have to do to keep Cactus down. Orton doesn’t make an attempt to cover Cactus but waits for him to get up. Cactus stumbles back up and Orton hits the RKO onto the board of barbwire and this has to be it. Orton crawls over on Cactus and gets his arm over for a 3 count 1...2...3. That’s it it’s over.

Match Result: Randy Orton defeated Cactus Jack to retain the Intercontinental title
Match Time: 23:08



This is finally over, what a brutal HIAC match. Foley is done, and Orton has won the match. Orton had ended the career of Cactus Jack. Both men are motionless. Flair and Batista make their way down and help Orton up and get him out of the cell and raise his hand in the air. Foley is a bloody mess. Mick’s wife gets in the ring to check on Mick. Officials come down to help Mick up who gets a standing ovation. Mick raises his arm in the air and waves goodbye to his fans. Fans start a "Thankyou Mick" chant. Mick Foley has nothing to be ashamed of, that was one hell of a performance. We saw a different side of Randy Orton, a side perhaps of things to come.


Backstage Evolution help Orton to the back and meet HHH in the back. HHH is very proud of Orton as he went from being a legend killer to a legend. He tore Mick apart, he gave Mick the biggest beating of his life. HHH said what Orton is more sick and twisted than him and he loves it. Batista said they call him the animal but Orton is also an animal. Flair called Orton the future dirtiest player in the game. HHH says now that Foley’s gone, now it’s the Rock’s turn to go. It’s going to be a great night for Evolution. Orton says go and get him and HHH gives Orton a high five and leaves.



World Tag Title Match
The World's Greatest Tag Team vs The Dudleys


The challengers come out first. The tag champs come out next. Bubba and Haas start this match off and Bubba gets the early advantage by hitting Haas with a few left and right punches. Bubba gets a back body drop and tags in D-Von. D-Von levels Haas with a clothesline. D-Von gets a backdrop suplex and Haas kicks out at two. D-Von whips Haas into the corner and misses a charge. Haas gets a clothesline, followed by a dropkick. Haas tags in Shelton. TWGTT start double teaming The Dudleys. Bubba gets in but the ref holds him back as TWGTT continue to double team D-Von. Shelton lifts D-Von up and sends him head first into the knee off Haas. Shelton whips D-Von into the corner and connects with a stinger splash. He tags Haas back in and Haas goes for an abdominal stretch. D-Von fights out of it and hits Haas with a clothesline. Haas ducks a punch and executes a half nelson suplex. Haas goes for the Haas of Pain and Bubba gets in and boots Haas in the face for the save. D-Von makes the tag to Bubba. Bubba gets a crossbody and gets a near fall. Shelton runs in and Bubba takes him out with a clothesline. Bubba hits the Bubba bomb on Haas and makes the cover but Shelton breaks it up. Bubba clotheslines Shelton over the top rope. D-Von is tagged back in and The Dudleys get a flapjack on Haas and follow up with the Wazzup Drop. D-Von pounds away on Haas and whips Haas into the ropes and Haas comes back with a clothesline. Haas tags in Shelton and they isolate D-Von and take control of this match up. Shelton goes to the top rope and gets a missile drop kick and D-Von kicks out at two. Shelton misses another stinger splash and D-Von tags in Bubba. Bubba cleans house. Haas and Shelton send D-Von over the top rope. Haas lifts Bubba on his shoulders and Shelton goes to the top for a doomsday device but Bubba counters with a powerslam on Shelton. What a move.

All three men are down as Haas manages to get back on the apron as Shelton tags Haas. Bubba makes the tag to D-Von. Haas charges into D-Von who hits a spinebuster. The Dudleys hit the 3D and Shelton makes the save at two. We get a big brawl in the ring. Bubba misses a charge and gets knocked out the ring. Shelton and Haas hit the superkick German suplex combination move. Haas goes for the cover..1...2...3. Haas and Benjamin retain the tag titles. They celebrate outside the ring. This was a rather quick match with most of the action involving all four competitors in the ring at once.

Match Result: The World's Greatest Tag Team defeated The Dudleys to retain the tag team titles.
Match Time: 4:15


Backstage Coach interviews The Rock. The Rock is not in a good mood and Coach tries to wind Rock up. Evolution are up 2-0 and it’s looking like a great night for Evolution. Mick Foley is out of the WWE. Coach believes HHH is better than The Rock and Rock simply stands no chance against The Game tonight. The Rock stops Coach from rambling on and starts insulting the Coach. He tells him to beat it before he whoops his ass. Rock praises Mick for putting on a great performance tonight, he’s sad to see Mick go but he guarantees that he will lay the Smackdown on HHH’s candy ass. Rock vs HHH one more time and he guaranteed to whoop HHH’s ass all over Edmonton. Rock dedicated his match to Mick Foley.

A video package is played, recapping the history of this feud leading up this grudge match.

The Rock vs HHH



HHH's music hits as he makes his way down to the ring. HHH wants to make it a perfect night for Evolution. The Rock's music hits as he makes his way out to an amazing ovation. Lawler mentioned that Rock and HHH were involved in the last Iron Man Match at Judgment Day 2000 and later on it will be Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit in an Iron Man Match. The bell rings. Rock and HHH have a staredown, HHH starts talking trash, Rock taunts HHH by telling him to just bring it. HHH responds with the DX crotch chop reminding the Rock of their rivalry in the past. Rock brings it and gives HHH a few right hands at the start, and hits a series of clotheslines on HHH. Rock lays HHH with a hard right hand and sends him over the top rope. Rock follows HHH outside and lays him out with a clothesline. Rock and HHH fight outside and the ref starts the count. Rock sends HHH back in at seven. Rock gets in and goes across the ropes for a clothesline but HHH sidesteps The Rock and buries his knee right into the abdomen of The Rock. HHH is now in control and kicks Rock right in the ribs. HHH gets a backbreaker and comes across the ropes and hits an elbow. HHH whips Rock into the corner and kicks away at Rock in the ribs. HHH gets a suplex and gets a near fall. HHH hits the backbreaker and then goes for an abdominal stretch. He holds on to the ropes and the ref sees HHH holding on to the ropes and HHH has to break it up. HHH whips Rock into the corner and headbutts Rock into the mid section. Rock comes back by nailing HHH with some right hands and follows up with a dragon screw and then gets a Greco Roman upper body throw and gets a near fall. Rock hits a ddt and gets a two count only. He hits a neckbreaker and HHH kicks out at two. Rock goes for a charge, HHH sidesteps Rock and sends him into the ring post. HHH gets to rest and The Rock is down.

Rock is back in and HHH goes to work on Rock’s arm as he takes Rock down with the armbar takedown. HHH drops some elbows on Rock’s shoulder. HHH goes for a pedigree and Rock counters into a side Russian leg sweep. Rock goes to the top and gets a flying clothesline and HHH kicks out at two. Rock takes HHH up to the top rope and connects with a superplex. HHH kicks out at two. Rock comes across the ropes for a clothesline and HHH kicks him to the gut and hits a reverse neckbreaker. HHH gets an inverted Indian death lock. HHH holds on to the ropes for more leverage and the ref sees it and HHH has to break the hold. HHH gets a spinebuster and gets a near fall as Rock kicks out. HHH goes for the pedigree near the ropes and Rock backdrops HHH to the floor. The ref starts counting and HHH gets on the apron at seven and Rock suplexes HHH back in. Rock goes for a cover and HHH kicks out at two. Rock goes for a backslide and gets another near fall. Rock charges into HHH but runs into a boot and HHH takes Rock down with a bulldog. HHH picks Rock up and connects with a neckbreaker. HHH then applies a sleeper and Rock fights his way out of it and whips HHH to the ropes and hits a samoan drop. Rock goes for a sharpshooter and he turns HHH around and locks in the sharpshooter. HHH is desperately trying to hang in there. He’s trying to make it to the ropes and he finally makes the ropes. HHH uses the ropes to pull himself up. Rock goes for a clothesline but HHH ducks and pulls the ropes down and sends Rock to the floor.

HHH catches a breather and is back in control again. Rock is back in and HHH gets Rock into the corner and punches away at him. He whips Rock to the ropes and hits the high knee right into the sternum. HHH mocks Rock and goes for his version of the peoples elbow. Rock kips up and throws HHH over the top rope. Rock goes outside and brawls with HHH. The ref gets outside and tells them to get back in. Rock goes for the sharpshooter but HHH kicks Rock into the ref and the ref is knocked out. They fight near the Spanish announcers table. HHH slammed Rock’s head repeatedly into the Spanish announce table. HHH charges into the Rock and Rock backdrops HHH on the floor. Rock kicks HHH on the floor and bashes his head into the table. Rock takes the headset and starts talking in Spanish and talks trash about HHH. He goes back to work and he gets HHH on the announce table. He set up for a Rock Bottom and HHH elbows out of it and lowblows Rock and pedigrees Rock through the table. Both men are down. HHH gets up first and goes for a right hand but Rock blocks but HHH knees him to the gut and delivers a ddt on the floor. HHH then catapults The Rock into the ring post. HHH throws Rock back in and revives the ref. The ref stumbles back up and crawls over to make a count. One, two and Rock kicks out. HHH sends Rock to the ropes and gets a facebuster. He goes to the second rope and connects with a standing fist drop. HHH backs Rock into the corner and starts choking out Rock with his boot in the corner. He lifts Rock up and places him in a corner and stands on the turnbuckle and attempts to punch Rock ten times but Rock picks HHH up and gets an inverted atomic drop.

Rock hits a flying clothesline. Rock grabs HHH and bashes his head on the turnbuckle ten times and HHH does the Flair flop. Rock waits for HHH to get back to his feet and Rock delivers a spinebuster. Here we go. The Rock sets up for THE MOST ELECTRIFYING MOVE IN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT TODAY, THE PEOPLES ELBOW Rock comes across the ropes and hits the peoples elbow and HHH kicks out at two. HHH staggers back up and Rock is ready to finish HHH off. Rock goes for a Rock Bottom which HHH counters and kicks Rock to the gut and hits a pedigree. That was amazing and HHH will finally put Rock away. He goes for the cover and Rock just kicks out at two. HHH can’t believe it. He goes over to the ref and starts arguing with the ref. HHH sets up for another pedigree again but Rock counters and backdrops HHH on the mat. Rock goes for the sharpshooter, trying to turn HHH around. Rock turns HHH around and he locks in the sharpshooter. HHH tries to hold on and he makes the ropes. Rock releases the hold and gets HHH up and sends him to the ropes and both men knock each other out with a clothesline. Both men had the same idea as both men are laid out on the mat. The ref makes the count. Rock is back up by seven and HHH is up by eight . They exchange strikes and Rock blocks a right hand from HHH and Rock sends HHH face first into the top turnbuckle. Rock sends HHH to the ropes and HHH counters with a reverse neckbreaker. HHH gets a shoulder breaker for a near fall. HHH goes outside the ring and pulls out a sledgehammer from underneath the ring. The ref is not going to allow this and warns HHH that he will be disqualified and he takes the sledgehammer off HHH. HHH then decides to expose the steel turnbuckle. He tried to take the turnbuckle pad off but the referee stopped him. HHH starts arguing with the ref again. Rock ends up taking the turnbuckle pad off. HHH charges at Rock but Rock stops HHH and lays the Smackdown on HHH with a few right hands. The Rock catapults HHH into the exposed turnbuckle pad and hits the Rock Bottom. Rock makes the cover..1....2....3... He got him. Rock wins. Rock celebrates in the ring and HHH just furious. It started out as a good night for Evolution but just like WrestleMania, HHH lost again.

Match Result: The Rock defeated HHH
Match Time: 12:13



The Rock has stopped HHH from making it 3-0 for Evolution. JR points out that Eric Bischoff awarded HHH a title shot against the winner of the Iron Man Match. However now that HHH has lost tonight, will HHH still be getting a title shot, or will the Rock be receiving a title shot? Should be an interesting night tomorrow on Raw. Up next is the Iron Man Match. Officials repair the turnbuckle pad and up next is the main event.

World Heavyweight Title 60 Minute Iron Man Match
Chris Benoit (c) vs Shawn Michaels



The 60 Minute Iron Man Match for the world heavyweight title. An awesome video package is played featuring the events leading up to this match and also featured HBK’s win at WrestleMania 12 and Benoit’s win at WrestleMania 20. It truly gives the match the epic feel that it deserved. The announcers explained that Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit competed in a one on one match in February and HBK was the winner. Then at WrestleMania Chris Benoit defeated Shawn and HHH in a triple threat match to win the world title, however it was HHH who tapped and not Shawn. So will Chris Benoit finally be able to defeat HBK tonight or will HBK’s luck in Iron Man Matches continue.

They show the Benoit family who are in attendance in the front row. Lets hope Chris has better luck than Mick Foley. Lilian Garcia goes over the rules.

1. The Superstar with the most falls at the end of 60 Minutes will be the WWE Champion.
2.Falls are scored by Pinfall, Submission, Disqualification and Count Out.
3. After each fall, there will be a 15 second designated rest period.
4. At the end of 60 minutes if the match is tied then the match will go into sudden death over time.


Here we go HBK’s music hits. Michaels comes out to a mixed reaction. Some people have still not forgiven HBK and some people have. When HBK’s music stops playing, he doesn’t get a great reception from the fans. Chris Benoit’s music hits and here comes the world heavyweight champion to an amazing ovation. What a homecoming for Benoit. It is Chris Benoit day and it is a special night for Chris’s family. They were there to see Chris win the world heavyweight title at WrestleMania and they are here again to see Chris defend the world title. Benoit goes over to ringside to embrace his family.


The referee goes over the rules. Benoit and Michaels shake hands. The bell rings and here we go 60 minutes long, we are underway with the Iron Man Match. The man with the most decisions at the end of the match will leave as world heavyweight champion.


The 1st 15 mins was quite slow as both men attempted headlocks, takedowns and several restholds. When the bell rang, both men locked up and Benoit takes HBK down with a side headlock. HBK gets back up to his feet and takes Benoit down with a hip toss. Benoit comes back with a takedown. Lock up again and Benoit takes HBK down again but this time gets a headlock as they go to the mat. He has HBK down on the mat, HBK tries to turn Benoit over for a cover but Benoit holds on. HBK turns Benoit over and gets a cover and Benoit kicks out. Both men back up, lock up again and Michaels gets a front face lock and holds on by keeping Benoit down on the mat. Benoit manages to get out of it and they go for a test of strength battle. Benoit wins the battle here and takes Michaels down and with a hip toss. The two locked up again and HBK grabbed a head lock. They trade near falls with Shawn holding the headlock. Michaels skated around Benoit’s body and grabbed a hammer lock before Benoit threw him off. Michaels was frustrated. HBK grabbed another side headlock and Benoit sends HBK off the ropes and attempts the crossface but Michaels frantically escaped. Michaels is really starting to get frustrated. Benoit started smiling and the crowd is loving this. Michaels was looking almost helplessly over matched. Benoit is outwrestling HBK in the early going. Benoit gets another headlock, Shawn comes to his feet and tries to elbow out, but Benoit holds on and goes back the mat. Michaels again gets to his feet, and armdrags out of the headlock and goes for an early superkick and Benoit ducks.

They get into a shoving match and both men exchange strikes and Benoit whips Michaels to the ropes and hits a clothesline. Benoit gets a double leg takedown and starts to hit Michaels with a flurry of punches as Michaels tries to block. Benoit gets HBK up and whips him to the ropes and hits a back elbow. Benoit and HBK exchange knife edge chops. Michaels rolls out the ring to buy some time and rolls back in. They exchange strikes before Benoit dumped Michaels to the mat with a back body drop. Benoit whips HBK to the other side and Michaels jumps to the second rope and connects with a crossbody which gets a two. Atomic drop from Michaels followed by a clothesline. HBK began showing a little attitude and tried to keep Benoit down by kicking him in the face. The crowd didn’t like this. Michaels goes to the ropes and attempts an elbow but Benoit rolls out the way and gets a one count on HBK. Benoit tosses HBK over the top rope but HBK skins the cat and headscissors Benoit to the floor. Back in Michaels goes for a whip but Benoit reverses as Michaels gets whipped into the corner. He leapfrogs out of the corner and gives Benoit a hurracanrana sending him to the floor. Again Benoit goes to the floor and now Benoit gets frustrated. Michaels goes to the top and goes for a double axe handle but Benoit punches him in the gut. Benoit locks in the crossface. HBK is trying to get to the ropes, he’s almost near but Benoit turns HBK over and rolls him up for a 3 count. Benoit has won the 1st fall here and he’s up 1-0. Michaels rolls outside the ring and he’s pissed off. He gets back in as the match continues. They lock up as Benoit whips Michaels, Michaels gets a baseball slide and tosses Benoit over the top rope. Michaels goes to the ropes and gets a dive on Benoit.

WINNER OF THE FIRST FALL CHRIS BENOIT 1-0 (13:48)

15-30 Minutes
Michaels starts to work on the shoulder of Benoit and tossed Benoit into the ring steps. Michaels gets back in and Benoit just makes it in by the 8 count. He whips Benoit into the ropes and Benoit counters by going for a crossface but he can’t lock it in as Michaels escapes. Michaels buys some time outside the ring and makes it back in before the ten count. Michaels gets back inside and Benoit starts stomping away at Michaels. He hits some vicious chops in the corner but Michaels comes back and gets a sunset flip for a two count. Michaels continued to work on Benoit’s arm and he stomps away on Benoit’s arm. Michaels gets a suplex and then stands on the ring apron and holds onto Benoit’s arm and jumps down the apron. Twisting Benoit’s arm. This is good strategy from Michaels as he wants to ensure that Benoit does not lock the crossface. This is how Benoit went 1-0 up in the first fall. Michaels goes for a cover and Benoit kicks out at two. Michaels attempted a whip which was reversed and it sent Michaels into the turnbuckles. HBK flipping upside down and rebounded out. This gave Benoit time to catch a breather as the ref started the count. Michaels gets back in by 7. Now it is Benoit’s turn to do damage to HBK. Benoit starts focusing on HBK’s back as he hit a backbreaker. Benoit fires off a snap suplex for two and starts going after the back. Benoit whips Michaels into the turnbuckle and follows up with a clothesline over the top rope. He rams Michaels back into the ring apron and throws Michaels back in the ring. Benoit gets a backdrop suplex which gets a two count only.

Benoit goes for an abdominal stretch by putting pressure on Michaels back. Michaels tries his very best to get to the ropes but Benoit puts more pressure. Michaels holds onto Benoit’s leg to move forward and then holds on to the ropes and throws Benoit over the top rope. Michaels goes for a dive and lands on Benoit. Both men are laid out on the floor as the ref starts the count. They get back in by 7. Michaels sets Benoit up for a suplex but Benoit punches him off. Benoit attempts a flying clothesline but Michaels catches him with a superkick on the way down. SWEET CHIN MUSIC IN MID-AIR. Unbelievable, what a move. Michaels goes for the cover. 1...2...3. He got him. Michaels has tied it.

WINNER OF THE SECOND FALL SHAWN MICHAELS 1-1 (22:27)


15 second rest period and Benoit is still down and now that the rest period is over, Michaels goes for another cover but Benoit kicks out at two. Michaels gets a scoop slam. He’s the showstopper and he loves taking risks as he goes to the top for an elbow drop and misses as Benoit moves out the way. Benoit goes for a german suplex but Michaels blocks and elbows out of it. Michaels goes for a piledriver but Benoit counters into a back body drop. Benoit whips Michaels hard into the turnbuckle and fires a snap suplex and gets a near fall. He delivers some hard right hand shots to the lower back of Michaels and follows up with a back suplex. Benoit goes up to the top and attempts a suplex on Michaels but Shawn counters by sending him face first to the mat. Michaels gets a crossbody but Benoit rolls him over and gets a near fall. Benoit clotheslines Michaels to the floor. Benoit goes to the ropes and hits a dive on HBK and knocks himself out on the railing. They both make it back on the apron and Benoit tries for a suplex to the floor. Michaels knocks Benoit off and jumps off the top rope but gets caught with a right hand to the gut. Benoit hit a german suplex on HBK on the floor and gets back in. The ref starts counting and Michaels just gets back in by nine.

Benoit nails Michaels in the midsection with a kneelift. He rocks HBK with some forearms into the corner. Michaels counters another knee lift by Benoit into a schoolboy pin for a two count. Benoit immediately gets up and levels Michaels with a clothesline. Benoit gets a sleeper hold on Michaels, Michaels manages to counter with a jawbreaker to break out of it. Great counter. Michaels gets frustrated and rolls out the ring and grabs a chair. He brings it inside the ring and he's about to swing but the ref warns Michaels that he will lose a fall if he uses the chair. The fans start booing HBK and HBK has a change of heart and drops the chair down. Suddenly the crowd starts cheering Michaels for not using the chair. Maybe HBK can win his fans back in Canada. The ref gets the chair and takes it back outside the ring. Michaels decides to go for a sleeper of his own but Benoit is starting to fade to his knees but manages to get back to his feet and delivers a big back suplex and both men are down. Both men get to their feet and literally run into each other.

30-45 Minutes
Both men get back to their feet and Benoit charges into HBK but he runs into the boot. Michaels goes up to the second ropes and executes a hurracarana and gets a near fall. Michaels gets a scoop slam and goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a splash to get a two count only. Michaels catches Benoit with a knee lift and then rolls out the ring and rams Benoit’s leg into the ring post. Back in Michaels goes to the ropes and hits a knee drop on Benoit’s leg. Benoit limps around in the ring and he ducks a punch from Michaels and Benoit gets the sleeper hold again. HBK is trying to break out of it but Benoit applies more pressure. HBK positions Benoit so that they’re facing the corner and Michaels gets close enough and jumps up and manages to push off the top turnbuckle with his feet by flipping backwards to get on top of Benoit. The ref makes the count...1...2..3.. Benoit was unable to kick out and Michaels has won another decision, as he goes into the lead two decisions to one.
WINNER OF THE 3RD FALL SHAWN MICHAELS 2-1 (33:52)


The action continues as Michaels suplexed Benoit from the ring to the floor. Michaels gets to the top turnbuckle and delivers a moonsault to the floor. Both men get up and get back on the apron by 7 and Michaels attempts another suplex on the floor but Benoit counters and suplexed Michaels back in the ring. Benoit hit the five german suplexes and does the cut throat gesture and climbs the ropes. He goes up and hits the swan dive headbutt. He covers and gets a near fall. Benoit rams Michaels head into the turnbuckle and Michaels is starting to bleed. Benoit starts delivering some vicious knife edge chops on Michaels and starts to work on Michaels leg. He goes for an Indian deathlock and Michaels escapes so Benoit goes for a figure-four leg lock instead. Michaels just gets to the ropes. Benoit is desperate to get back into this, he promised that he will make Michaels tap and he’s pulling out all stops to make sure Michaels taps but Michaels has not tapped. Benoit locks the crossface on Michaels but Michaels puts his foot on the rope. Benoit is not releasing and the ref starts to count and Benoit breaks it up at 4. Benoit locks in the crossface again in the middle of the ring, Michaels tries to get to the ropes but Benoit pulls him back and this time Michaels taps out. It's all tied up now at 2-2.
WINNER OF THE 4TH FALL CHRIS BENOIT 2-2 (41:38)


The action continues as Michaels makes a comeback by going for a whip but Benoit reverses and HBK crashed into the turnbuckle getting dumped upside down over the top rope and on to the floor. Benoit goes right to the top turn buckle and hits a swan dive on Michaels on to the floor. Back in Benoit is in control as he whips Michaels to the ropes and Michaels comes back with a flying forearm. HBK kips up and scoop slams Benoit. HBK goes up to the top and hits a diving elbow and gets a near fall. Michaels tunes up for the superkick. He goes for the superkick and Benoit blocks with his hands and gets Michaels down with an ankle lock. Great counter. Michaels just makes the ropes. Benoit goes for an inside cradle and Michaels kicks out. He goes for a roll up and Michaels kicks out again. Benoit goes for a clothesline and Michaels ducks and nails Benoit with the superkick which knocks Benoit over the top rope. Benoit is out cold. The ref makes the count and Benoit just makes it in at 9. Michaels falls down on the floor as he’s also hurt his knee but it gives him time to catch a breather. However with 15 minutes to go and the scores tied, Michaels needs to gain another fall to go ahead.

45-60 Mins
With back and forth action by two exhausted combatants we are now into the final 15 minutes of this match with the scores tied at 2-2. As soon as Benoit rolled back in, Michaels started to work on Benoit’s knee and attempted a figure four but Benoit turned it over and Michaels immediately gets to the bottom rope and Benoit had to release the hold. Benoit waited for Michaels to rise to hit feet as he was ready to strike. Michaels limps around in the ring and Benoit hits the ropes and gets met with a back elbow. Both men are exhausted as they exchanged some strikes. Benoit goes for a suplex but Michaels blocks, he tries again but Michaels blocks and rolls Benoit up for a near fall. Michaels kicks Benoit to the gut and sends Benoit into the turnbuckle. He perched Benoit on the top rope as he attempts a back suplex but Benoit counters and falls on top of Michaels and gets a near fall. Great counter by Benoit in mid-air. Benoit attempts a german suplex but Michaels rolls out and gets a near fall on Benoit. Michaels dropkicks Benoit into the corner and charges on Benoit but Benoit gets his boot up and gets Michaels in the face. He goes to the top rope and climbs on Michaels shoulders and goes for a victory roll but Michaels stops the momentum and slams Benoit and goes for a cover. One, two and Benoit just kicks out. Michaels goes for the superkick but Benoit blocks with his hands and hits a german suplex and follows up with four more german suplexes.

Michaels is lying motionless in the ring and Benoit signals for a sharpshooter, he tries to go for the sharpshooter but HBK kicks Benoit in the face. Michaels rises to his feet first and comes flying off the ropes with a flying forearm. He is in so much pain with those legs that he couldn’t follow up with a cover. Michaels is back on his feet and connects with a body slam. He goes up to the top rope and hits the flying elbow resulting in another near fall. HBK began to tune up the band in the corner by stomping his foot on the canvas four times. Benoit stumbled to his feet and Michaels planted Benoit right in the face with SWEET CHIN MUSIC. Michaels makes an exhausted cover and gets the 3 count to take the fall. Michaels is now up 3-2 and with seven minutes to go it looks like Michaels has this wrapped up.
WINNER OF THE 5TH FALL SHAWN MICHAELS 3-2 (52:17)


We get a 15 second rest period. All Michaels has to do now is hang in there for the next 8 minutes to become champion, he shouldn’t do anything risky which could allow Benoit back into the match. Michaels knee is hurt bad and he has to hang in and ensure that Benoit does not get another leg submission hold on him. As for Benoit, he desperately needs a fall to tie this because if somehow Michaels gets another fall then he will be certainly leaving Edmonton as world heavyweight champion. Michaels is on the offensive most of this fall, as Benoit needs to to get back into the match. Time is flying and the rest period is over and Benoit is still down on the mat and Michaels wastes no time and attempted to apply the sharpshooter. Michaels is smiling and the crowd is booing Shawn Michaels. Michaels grabs the leg but Benoit hold onto Shawn’s arm and it’s countered to a crossface. Michaels just reaches the ropes and he has to break it up. Michaels uses the ropes to pull himself up and Benoit starts stomping away on Michaels to keep him down. Benoit attempts a sharpshooter but Michaels rolls Benoit up for a near fall. Benoit goes for a body slam but Michaels catches him in a small package and goes for a pin and Benoit just kicks out at two. Benoit ducks a right hand and a roll up gets two. Benoit goes for a whip but Michaels reverses and sends Benoit into the buckle face first. Four minutes to go and both men are exhausted as Michaels rolls Benoit up and gets another near fall. Michaels sends Benoit to the ropes and scores with a running elbow. Michaels goes to the top rope as Benoit staggers to his feet, Michaels hits a moonsault and Benoit kicks out at two. Benoit staggers up and Michaels hit the superkick. Michaels covers Benoit. One, two and no Benoit gets his feet on the ropes. Michaels whips Benoit to the ropes and delivers a back body drop. Two minutes to go and Michaels is going to win the title. He goes up to the top and attempts a missile dropkick but Benoit catches the legs and locks in the sharpshooter right in the middle, drawing a huge pop from the crowd. Shades of WrestleMania 12. Benoit has it locked in and with 1 minute and 30 seconds to go Michaels needs to hang in there and Benoit needs to make Michaels tap if this match is to go to sudden death over time. Michaels is desperately trying to hang in. He bites his fingers to fight the pain and the official asks Michaels if he gives up but Michaels isn’t giving up. Michaels back has to be screaming with pain. Benoit has it locked in the middle of the ring and Michaels simply does not have the energy left to even attempt to get near the ropes. He just has to endure this pain and hang in there with 50 seconds to go. He is trying to hang on. Michaels tries to move but Benoit doesn’t let him and yes finally he taps with 35 seconds to go.
WINNER OF THE 6TH FALL: CHRIS BENOIT 3-3 (59:25)

Chris Benoit has tied the match 3-3. They are supposed to have a 15 second rest period with only 35 seconds remaining There is really no point of a rest period now but Benoit is down on the mat resting and HBK rolls out the ring and he’s down on the floor. We are not even sure if these guys have the energy to continue on because when this match was made, Eric Bischoff did state if the match ends in a tie it will go to sudden death and we will have a winner. However both men are down and simply can not take much more punishment. The rest period is over and the countdown starts and Benoit goes outside the ring and rolls Michaels back in with 25 seconds to go. He attempts another sharpshooter but Michaels is blocking it. 10 seconds to go and Benoit has it locked in and the countdown begins. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The time limit has expired and Michaels did not tap. Benoit thinks Michaels tapped but the referee tells him that Michaels did not tap. The fans are booing the hell out of this, they want to see a winner. Eric Bischoff’s music hits and he comes out on the ramp with a mic. Eric announces that he didn’t come here not to be disappointed and neither did the fans. He did state that we must have a winner and we will, he doesn’t give a damn if they can barely stand, we will get a winner. Just like the first Iron Man Match we will go into overtime. He orders this match to continue because this match will continue under sudden death rules. Whoever wins the next fall will leave as champion. Mega pop from the crowd for this announcement.

Michaels is back up on his feet and he is hurt. Bischoff goes over to ringside and orders the ref to ring the bell and the ref rings the bell. Michaels and Benoit exchange punches. Benoit whips Michaels to the ropes and they end up knocking each other out with a double clothesline. Michaels kips up at 8 but he’s limping around in the ring. Michaels gets a few right hands on Benoit. Michaels comes off the ropes with a sunset flip but Benoit blocks it by sitting down and hooks both of HBK’s legs for leverage into a pinning position and score the 3 count for the victory. Benoit wins, Chris Benoit has retained the world heavyweight title.

Match Result: Chris Benoit defeated Shawn Michaels 4-3 in sudden death overtime to retain the world heavyweight title.
Match Time: 62:07


Absolutely humongous pop from the crowd as Benoit’s music hits. What a match. HBK can not believe it. He almost had it, he was 2 minutes away from becoming champion and it showed that what he did in the past at WrestleMania couldn’t be duplicated again. Benoit is celebrating in the ring as the ref hands Benoit the world title. Benoit goes over to Michaels and extends a hand and gets Michaels up and Michaels shakes his hand. The two of them embrace in the ring as HBK leaves to let Benoit have his moment. Benoit calls his family in the ring as they celebrate with him in the ring. Tonight Chris Benoit proved that he is no one hit wonder, what a marvellous comeback from the rabid wolverine. Benoit goes up to the top rope and raises the world title belt in the air as Backlash comes to a close.

 
#51 ·
Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX

Backlash Feedback

Victoria beating Jazz was one hell of a contest to start off the PPV before the actual PPV, and for Victoria to retain against Jazz, that much I even have praise for

Jericho beating Christian with his new finisher The Codebreaker, I must say I love that move, not even Christian saw it coming. That Codebreaker can come from absolutely nowhere and the fact that Jericho used that move on Christian instead of making him submit to the Walls of Jericho is what made the match even more exciting and also because since Christian won at WrestleMania, it was only right that Jericho won the rubber match at Backlash. Since Jericho beat Christian, doesn't that make him a front runner to also be #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship down the road? If it does, then I am glad that this feud is over and both of them can move on from each other.

Storm losing to Flair in his final PPV match, I must say that is definitely the way to go for Lance Storm since he is retiring anyway, and what better person for him to retire against than "The Dirtiest Player in the Game" Ric Flair and the submission match was probably one of my favorite matches on this card as it set the tone for Evolution

Hell in A Cell Title vs Career IC Title Match, Orton vs Foley my match of the night as far as I am concerned as this is the most brutal Hell In A Cell match that I have read in a while and I liked it. Especially the thumbtacks, the barbed wire, the blood, everything as far as I am concerned. Orton was a Viper inside that Cell against Foley giving him the biggest beating he has ever received, but Foley also gave it right back to Orton too beating the holy hell out of him in the Cell but still in a losing effort. As this match was definitely the way for Mick Foley to go out especially now that his career is over and Orton has killed yet another legend, now the push of Randy Orton can begin.

The Rock beating Triple H, I am a huge fan of that, really I am. Rock ends Evolution's streak of wins at Backlash by beating Triple H, as he layeth the Smackethdown straight on HHH's candy ass. Rock can now sail off into the sunset especially now that he has beaten Triple H, so that means HHH's title shot goes up in smoke since he lost to The People's Champ, The Brahma Bull The Rock which I love. But I see a Rock/Orton feud especially now that Orton just retired one of Rock's best friends Mick Foley, and I for one cannot wait for that feud.

Benoit retaining his World Heavyweight Championship against HBK in an Iron Man Match beating him in overtime, this match also is a candidate not just for Match of the Night but also for Match of the Year, a classic in my opinion. Now this match up just proves that Benoit is for real and that he is not a fluke, and that whoever does come up against him will definitely have to be ready.

Overall great Backlash PPV and I cannot wait until RAW to see what you have in store!!!!!!!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top