Nov

Just a few comments.....

Solid Smackdown here PatMan. All the matches were class, there weren't any wasted spaces, and the results were all good, quality booking. Everything in the show seemed to happen for a reason, which i'm very big on. The promos were good too, you always nail the superstars characters down to a tee, well done for that. The Main Event for me was Match Of The Night, some nice spots and some intense action, the aftermath for me put the icing on the cake of a great show. Anyway i'm really liking where this thread is going at the moment, it seems to be right where you want it to be. Keep it up.

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PatMan

Will not be nearly as boring as the real life feud ... count on that.

JBL winning isn't enought ... gotta go the extra mile.

Mind explaining what this word means?

Sry Naitch ... show is already done ... and in recap. You won't be disappointed with the progression, imo.

Some news and also a Raw preview for 2morrow.

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AS LONG AS IT MAY TAKE ... NOT REMOVING UNTIL THE
CHICAGO CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES

Legend

Sorry for the lateness, Pat. Been moving out of my room for a while

SmackDown! Feedback

With a hot card tonight, Hardy/Booker is a smart opener, though Main Event spots always work to give the title and victor {Matt} a bit of a push. No real surprise to see Hardy retaining here, though I think the leg drop is a bit lame for a finisher {unless off a ladder *cough* }, and doesn't do wonders for Book's cred. A bit of dissention between him and Sharmell? Split plz. She sucks.

Unless you plan on major pushes for both Regal and Burchill in the singles division, please don't break them up. Best tag team you have to be fair. A feud between them would ... not own, because they are career heels really, and any attempt to do that stupid pirate gimmick with Ripper will result in my death.

Layfield is awesome and had better get some revenge on Rey Rey tonight. Is there anything else really to say?

Hmmm, this whole Hooligan/MNM feud is reeking of the one that went down in reality. Kendrick beats Nitro to make it 2 and 0. I think it really needs something fresh to make it worth your time.

Psycho Booker = serious ratings. Hopefully he goes insane and punks Sharmell out next week, turning him into a bad ass heel in the process. Oh yeah. Bad Ass Book Man.

Kash > those other jobbers that Long is making him face, so without a doubt he will be winning that match. The others are jobbers and jobbers for life. Kash is awesome. 'Nuff said.

Sweet, SWEET way to end the match between JBL and Mysterio. Mid-air Clothesline From Hell reeks of stiffness, and evens the score. JBL > Rey in a bad, BAD way, so this is only right. The clean factor of the win has not gone unnoticed as well. Looks like he's on his way to being 'The Man' once more. World Heavyweight Championship push indeed (Y)

Wow, this was a bit of a filler. The Dick have had far too much TV time in my thread but, hey, every division needs its jobbers , right? Right. Glad to see The Mexicools getting to do something other than jobbing to The Carolina Connection in Mac's thread The more tag teams the better is my way of thinking.

Oh, baby, Kennedy is facing Big Dave??!!! I love ya', 'Tista, but I'm sorry, Kennedy is The Man and he better get the duke tonight. Come on, Pat, I know you love KK too. What a win this could be for him. He's already had good exposure since 'Mania. No jobbing plz.

Thank you, Pat. So you are splitting Regal/Burchill, but at least they're getting U.S title pushes. Regal/Hardy would own big way. Love the pair of 'em and they could work a great match. Has the makings of a nice feud too.

Finlay jobbing does not = ratings That's two weeks and Taker has squashed Regal and Finlay. Stop trying to piss me off just because I'm British, Pat Finlay better step up soon. Taker/Orton won't happen, since it happened a million times in '05, but with Big Dave and JBL hunting Orton too, I can see a multi-man match up at Judgment Day maybe.

Sweet card already for next week. Woah, Hardy/Regal/Burchill??? That seems WAY too fast. How the hell have Regal and Burchill earned those shots? Teddy Long is a face remember? Explanation plz. Should be on a PPV too. That match would blow me away.

Big Dave > Kristal ... but he still needs to job to Double K tonight.

Oh, you big sucka', Pat. I was sure you would at least have a DQ or No Contest finish. Kennedy jobbing cleanly makes me a sad camper. At least he last ... nine minutes. Yay. This ends now plz. BIG, BIG announcement fore next week though. You fucking love these rematches don't you? This is what, number four? JBL or Taker interfere next week in my opinion, or maybe Rey Mysterio or Booker T, setting up a multi-man at JD. That's how I'm seeing it. Orton retains either way though. Stacked show, Pat, can't wait.

Overall, the fact that Kennedy jobbed made me hate this SHOW ... but your awesomeness elsewhere means I still <3 YOU, Pat. Shizzle

PatMan

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AS LONG AS IT MAY TAKE ... NOT REMOVING UNTIL THE
CHICAGO CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES

trips15

preview makes me very excited. I bet any money Edge is going to nag and complain about HHH bein the special ref but who cares lmao. Cena, Michaels match should be good i am hoping that Michaels gets the win because he is better than Cena by a lot. Flair should win let him get number 17. Chavo i am hoping keeps on kciking Helms ass up until Backlash and then at Backlash. Also i hope Carlito gets a big push some how.

PatMan

Monday Night Raw - April 17th, 2006 - St. Louis, Missouri:
We start the show without the usual opening video and pyro, instead, we head straight into the Savvis Center, where the crowd is quiet until…

***Metalingus*** The fans rise to their feet, giving a big mixed reaction, which soon changes to heat, as the WWE Champion ‘The Rated R Superstar’ Edge makes his way onto the stage, accompanied as always by his girlfriend, Lita.

Jim Ross: Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you to the sold-out Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri, with another huge edition of Monday Night Raw just getting started! I am Jim Ross, joined, as always, by Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, and King, we couldn’t get off to a bigger start.

Jerry Lawler: You’re right J.R, Edge certainly can’t be happy after being pinned last week by the number one contender for his WWE Championship, Rob Van Dam. Let’s hear what he has to say.

Edge walks down the ramp, dressed in jeans and a ‘Rated R’ t-shirt, before stepping into the ring and grabbing a mic.

Edge: These past seven days have not been all that great on your WWE Champion.

Crowd cheers.

Edge: Because all that I have been hearing is that the laid-back, pot-smoking ‘ECW Original’…

Heat from the fans, not liking Edge’s feelings towards RVD.

Edge: I have been hearing that my WWE Championship reign is coming to an end at Backlash!!

BIG pop.

Edge: Well I got news for all you idiots out there!! (heat) People told me that my days as WWE Champion were numbered heading into the Royal Rumble. But I beat John Cena then. I was told that there was no way I was walking out of WrestleMania 22 with the belt around my waist. But I beat the same man I am facing at Backlash … Rob Van Dam. ‘The Rated R Superstar’ doesn’t lose title matches … he delivers every time!!

More heat.

Edge: People have been underestimating me since I came into this company and ever since I made the smartest move in WWE history, back at New Year’s Revolution, the only thing people have been telling me is that I am a “transitional champion”. If that’s the case … it’s gonna be a hell of a long transition … because I am not losing this belt anytime soon!!

More heat as Edge cracks a smile.

Edge: Now Rob Van Dam on the other hand…

Pop from the crowd for ‘Mr. Monday Night’.

Edge: Yeah, you people can cheer all you want … that doesn’t change the fact that Rob Van Dam’s career in this business has been the exact opposite of my own. Let’s look back on the “illustrious” career of Rob Van Dam, shall we?? Rob Van Dam came into this business and instantly became a wrestling sensation. He went to a little company owned by Paul Heyman and became a “household name”. And I think you all know what I am talking about.

The fans pop and an “E-C-W” chant gets going, while Edge and Lita just shake their heads.

Edge: You people actually liked that excuse for a wrestling company?? You think that just because Rob Van Dam can beat a bunch of drunks that have no real wrestling talent … you think that makes him a star?? Well he sure as hell isn’t a wrestling star!! Rob Van Dam is one of the most over-rated wrestlers that this business has ever seen!!

More heat.

Edge: Look at the facts people!! Rob Van Dam has been given opportunity, after opportunity, after opportunity in this business. He has been given World Championship matches twice as many times as I have … but he has nothing to show for it. He has wrestled guys like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Batista, Randy Orton, and countless others who have been to the top of this business. And he has never got the job done!!

The crowd continues to pour on the heat, as Edge smiles again.

Edge: But me … I have always taken advantage of my opportunities. After winning Money in the Bank, I was patient, and I waited, until New Year’s Revolution, when John Cena was down and out, and I became WWE Champion.

More heat, not liking how Edge won the title he now wears.

Edge: At WrestleMania 22, I waited nearly the entire match, never letting myself get hurt, never allowing anyone to get a real clean shot at me, and I swooped in and pinned Van Dam to retain my title. In this business … you need to be smart … and that is something that Rob Van Dam is not.

More boos.

Edge: So save yourself the trouble, save yourself the embarrassment (air quotes) “Mr. Monday Night”, and don’t even bother showing up at Backlash. Because if you do, the story will be the same as it has been for you … time after time … you will NOT be leaving with the WWE Championship.

More heat, as Lita rubs the title belt.

Edge: Let the fans have a WWE Champion that they can be proud of. Let them have someone that won’t choke every time he gets an opportunity. Let them have someo-

***One Of A Kind*** The crowd goes into a frenzy, as the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, Rob Van Dam, dressed in his wrestling attire with a t-shirt over the top, steps out onto the stage. Van Dam smiles around the arena before facing the ring, and walking down the ramp. Van Dam walks around the ring and grabs a mic from Lillian, before getting between the ropes and going face to face with the man he will face in just thirteen days.

Rob Van Dam: Y’know Edge…

Van Dam can’t get any further than that, as the crowd cuts him off, getting a big “R-V-D” chant going. Van Dam smiles while Edge and Lita look disgusted. The chant dies down and Van Dam brings the mic back up.

Rob Van Dam: I have been hearin’ the same things that you just said for my entire career, Edge. I have been told that I’m never gonna’ win “the big one”. I have been told that ECW is a “joke of a company”. I have been told to not show up for matches because I’m gonna’ lose. Think I care about that??

Pop from the crowd, as Edge doesn’t say a word.

Rob Van Dam: You talked about me losing all the World Title matches that I have ever been in. Those one-on-one matches were over three years ago, dude!! This is a different Rob Van Dam standing before you!!

Another big pop, as Edge just smirks.

Rob Van Dam: Did I say something funny … champ??

Edge raises an eyebrow before bringing the mic back up.

Edge: A different Rob Van Dam, huh?? You mind tellin’ me what is so different about you?? What has changed the past few years Rob?? Have you won any World Championships since then??

Boos from the crowd, as RVD keeps his eyes locked on Edge.

Edge: What is so different?? I see the same guy that we all saw get pinned in a World Championship match four years ago. I see the same guy that puts his body on the line in every big match … but has nothing to show for it … except a few bumps and bruises.

More heat for that statement, but Edge isn’t done.

Edge: Did I miss something or was it only two weeks ago that I pinned you at WrestleMania 22??

More heat, as RVD still won’t stop staring at Edge.

Edge: I don’t see anything different about you, Rob. I see the same guy who is just like everyone else from the old ECW … a stuntman that is only used by this company to get a little extra bloodshed on the show.

OH~!!! Edge hits a nerve with that last one, as the crowd gives him horrible heat, and Van Dam can be seen getting angrier.

Edge: Face it; you will never be anything more than a stepping-stone in this company. A stepping-stone for guys like me … guys that will become legends by the time their careers are over. That is all you’ll ever be.

Edge brings the mic back down, with the crowd continuing to boo. Van Dam stares at the champion for a moment, before bringing his mic back up.

Rob Van Dam: Are you serious, dude?? A stepping-stone for guys like you?? The only difference between you and me … is that I’ve earned everything in my career.

BIG pop, as Edge is now the one that is fuming.

Rob Van Dam: You have been lucky the past three months as champion. Well that luck is gonna’ run out sooner than you think, dude. Because at Backlash … all my past failures … all the times people have put me down … that is only gonna’ fuel me more … and I will be walking out of Lexington as the WWE Champion!!

RVD throws the mic down and gets right into the face of Edge. The two are nose to nose, with some inaudible trash-talk happening. Things look to be getting a little tense, with physicality possibly being the result … until…

***King of Kings*** The St. Louis crowd gives a big mixed reaction, leaning more towards cheers, as ‘The Game’ Triple H steps out onto the stage. Triple H has his injured wrist in a cast, but is dressed in the usual attire, wearing jeans and a “King of Kings” t-shirt. Triple H stays at the top of the ramp, not getting in between the two men he will be officiating at Backlash.

Triple H: By all means … keep fighting in the ring … I can wait here all night.

Edge and Rob Van Dam both turn to face the ramp.

Triple H: Because the more you two fight … the more energy that you are going to wasting for nothing in return.

Mixed reaction from the crowd, as Edge and RVD both look confused.

Triple H: Now I know that I am going to be the referee at Backlash … and I know that I have a wrist injury that will keep me out of the ring for a few more weeks … but that doesn’t change the fact that the only thing on my mind … is the WWE Championship.

Another mixed reaction, leaning more towards cheers.

Triple H: Because I don’t care which one of you walks out of Backlash holding that belt … whether it is Edge … the biggest bitch of a champion this company has ever seen.

MAJOR pop from the fans, as Edge yells something at Triple H.

Triple H: Or whether it is Rob Van Dam … the guy that will probably invite all the old scumbags from ECW for a little “victory celebration”.

Heat for ‘The Game’ as RVD is now the upset one.

Triple H: The main point is that it doesn’t matter who is the WWE Champion in thirteen days. The only thing that matters is that once this injury is all healed … and it’ll be sooner than you think … I am the one that will be coming for that title.

Mixed reaction again.

Triple H: And you two need to know that it doesn’t matter how good you think you are … it doesn’t matter how good people say you are … at one point or another … they all bow down … to the King.

Another mixed reaction, as Edge and RVD don’t take their eyes off Triple H.

Triple H: Good luck at Backlash, boys.

Triple H turns around and walks back through the curtain, with “King of Kings” playing again, as Edge and Van Dam turn to face each other, with both thinking about what ‘The Game’ just said. J.R. and King continue to hype the Backlash match, as we fade out.

{Commercial Break}
Match One - Victoria vs. Candice Michelle

After interfering in the Women’s Championship match last week, Victoria isn’t the “lady to mess with” this week. Domination is an understatement of what happened in this match, as Vickie has total control from bell to bell. She runs through her entire arsenal against Candice, but never goes for a pin until the end. In the end, she lifts the lifeless Candice back to her feet, hitting the Widow’s Peak for the three count.

Winner: Victoria by pin fall at 3:40.

Victoria gets back up right after the match, yelling at Candice to get out of “her” ring. Vickie doesn’t let the referee raise her hand, snapping it back down, before demanding a mic from Lillian. Victoria gets the mic and then gets down to business.

Victoria: Last week … I proved just how dominant a diva I can be … when I beat down BOTH of the ladies you people call the best in Women’s wrestling.

Heat from the crowd.

Victoria: The way I see it … Trish has had her shot … now I get mine. I want a shot at Mickie James!!

More heat.

Victoria: I have been the most dominant force in this division … and I am tired of being overlooked!!

A “you suck” chant gets going.

Victoria: I want Coachman to come out here right now … and give me the title shot I deserve!! Get out here right n-

***Time To Rock & Roll*** The crowd explodes as Trish Stratus walks out onto the stage. Trish, looking sultry as always, looks around the arena before making a beeline for the ring, sliding in and walking right up to Victoria. Victoria smirks before bringing the mic back up.

Victoria: Can I do something for you Trish??

Stratus doesn’t respond, simply staring at the woman who cost her the Women’s Championship last week.

Victoria: Get a little too excited back there?? Now that you’re out here … you can’t actually do anything?? Well, let me tell you som-

BAM~!! Trish hits a forearm right to the face of Victoria!! Vickie falls to the mat right away, taken by surplice with that huge shot. Trish doesn’t stop there … mounting Victoria and continues to pound away!! Victoria tries to cover up but can’t … with Trish not looking like she is going to stop. Victoria finally slips out from underneath Trish () and tries to get back to her feet … but Trish whips her against the ropes!! Victoria comes back and goes for a clothesline … but Trish ducks … and clotheslines Victoria out of the ring!! Victoria scampers back to her feet, heading out of dodge and up the ramp.

Jim Ross: Victoria got what she had coming to her!! She cost Trish the Women’s Championship last week and now Trish has come back for revenge!!

Jerry Lawler: Trish came out unprovoked tonight J.R!! She had no right to do what she did to Victoria!!

Trish stays in the ring, hands on her hips, looking disappointed that Victoria got away, obviously not doing all she wanted to tonight.

Cut backstage…

We see ‘Caribbean Cool’ Carlito and ‘The Masterpiece’ Chris Masters talking strategy, as they are both dressed to compete. As always, Carlito is the one in charge of setting the stategy out, with Masters always the listener.

Carlito: Chris, you need to put ‘dat loss to Chavo Guerrero outta’ your mind. Because we … we are a team ‘dat is better than the Intercontinental Championship. Don’t let it get you down buddy.

Masters nods his head, although you gotta think he hasn’t really forgotten about the loss.

Carlito: Because tonight … we got ‘dat overweight sumo wannabe Viscera … and ‘dat old naughty film star … and an embarrassment to all former Intercontinental Champions … like Carlito … ‘dat idiot Val Venis.

The crowd pops for both names, just because they are so comical as a tag team.

Carlito: Now those guys … they can’t touch us. We are younger … we are certainly faster … and we don’t nearly eat as many hot dogs … or do other things with hot dogs … like those guys do.

Carlito actually gets a laugh for that last one … he is a comedic genius

Carlito: So put ‘dat loss behind you, Chris … ‘cuz we gotta’ prove to the world ‘dat we are better than those jokes Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas.

Heat from the crowd.

Carlito: And after we beat the fat man and the horny weirdo … we will get back on track to winning the World Tag Team Championships.

Masters nods his head again, as ‘Lito smiles.

Carlito: And ‘dat … ‘das cool.

Carlito pats ‘The Masterpiece’ on the back, who still doesn’t look to be all that into the tag team, but then nods to Carlito, before the two leave the locker room, ready for their match against Vis and Val … and that match is next!!

{Commercial Break}
Match Two - Tag Team Match
Chris Masters & Carlito vs. Viscera & Val Venis

Despite having all the confidence in the world, things don’t get off to the start that Carlito and Masters hoped for. Viscera starts the match for V-Squared and dominates both young superstars, with neither man being able to get in a hart shots on the 500-pounder. But it is only a matter of time before Val Venis, the weaker of the two, gets isolated by ‘Lito and ‘The Masterpiece’, and they do all they can to keep him away from ‘Big Vis’. The ending comes with Carlito and Val in the ring, and after a springboard dropkick from Carly, the young Caribbean superstar makes the tag to Masters … who locks in the MASTERLOCK!!! Val tries to fight the move and just to make sure he doesn’t interfere, Carlito runs around to Viscera’s corner, holding the big man’s foot so that he can’t get into the ring. After a little struggling, Val passes out from the pressure.

Winners: Carlito & Chris Masters by submission at 6:18.

Masters throws Val back down to the mat, as he and Carlito celebrate their victory. Viscera pulls Val to the outside, helping his partner get on his feet. Carlito and Masters taunt the fans, letting them know that the tag titles will be around their waists very soon, with the fans giving them heat until…

***World’s Greatest*** The fans give a big pop, as Shelton Benjamin makes his way onto the stage. Benji is dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, with Haas nowhere to be seen, as he has a match later on. Shelton has the mic and stays at the top of the ramp, wanting to get something off his chest.

Shelton Benjamin: You guys think that you can screw The World’s Greatest Tag Team out of a match last week … and not have to suffer?? You’re damn wrong!!

Big pop from the crowd.

Shelton Benjamin: Me and Charlie had the match won … but Carlito … you had to get your ass involved and now we gotta’ little problem. Y’see, we want a match with you guys … but you don’t seem to wanna’ man up and face us.

Heat for ‘Lito and Masters, as Carlito demands a mic.

Shelton Benjamin: Carlito … you don’t need to give us a big speech because I’m sure these people don’t wanna’ hear you. Just answer one question … The World’s Greatest Tag Team vs. Carlito and Chris Masters … at Backlash.

Big pop from the fans, as they want to see that match.

Shelton Benjamin: Yes … or no??

Carlito and Masters look at each other before ‘Lito brings the mic up.

Carlito: Shelton … you coming out here and ruining our celebration … ‘das not cool.

Heat from the crowd.

Shelton Benjamin: Just answer the damn question Buckwheat!!

BIG pop, as Carlito turns a little red.

Carlito: You want me and ’Da Masterpiece at Backlash?!?! You got it!!

Carlito throws the mic down to the mat, as Shelton nods his head, with him getting what he wanted tonight.

Cut backstage…

For the first time tonight, we go to the interview area, where Todd Grisham is standing by.

Todd Grisham: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, ‘The Doctor’ John Cena.

Heat from the crowd as John Cena steps into the shot.

Todd Grisham: John, last week did not go as you wanted it to. In the main event, your team lost … but more importantly for you, Shawn Michaels hit you with Sweet Chin Music right in the center of the ring. What is your next move?

John Cena: My next move? Well Todd, you need to get your s**t in order before you have me on for an interview. You said my team lost the match … that doesn’t mean that I lost the match. Edge lost the match … you got that?

Grisham nods his head, scared out of his mind.

John Cena: And as for good ol’ H-B-K--

Big pop from the fans but Cena smirks.

John Cena: Shawn Michaels decided to get himself involved in the match when neither of us were the legal men. What is the problem with that? If I ever come into the match when I’m not the legal man … I get the crap booed out of me. But Shawn comes in and almost knocks my head off … and the man gets cheered. Am I missing something?

Cena looks around, wanting an answer.

John Cena: Shawn … your team beat my team in a tag team match. You may have kicked me in the face but it wasn’t to beat me. You have never beat me … so don’t get too excited homeboy.

Heat from the crowd.

John Cena: Now all the news on wwe.com is that ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels is coming down to the ring tonight and calling out ‘The Doctor’ John Cena … right here in St. Louis.

Pop from the crowd, for the showdown and the city.

John Cena: But if Shawn had an ounce of sense in his head … he’d just stay behind that curtain. Because the time for calling people out is over. We have had all the verbal back and forth that we need. It’s all about Backlash … when I make him tap out for the second time … proving that I am the best on Raw!

More heat.

John Cena: So Shawn, it seems like you are gonna want some in the ring … I guess that I will have to COME - GET - SOME!

Cena walks out of the shot, getting more heat.

{Commercial Break}
Smackdown Lowdown
~ Matt Hardy beats Booker T after a Leg Drop to retain the US Championship.
~ John Bradshaw Layfeidl beats Rey Mysterio, with no Cabinet at ringside.
~ Batista beats Ken Kennedy after a Batista Bomb. After the match, Batista informs Randy Orton that he is getting his rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship next week on Smackdown.

**In all honesty … this is my worst show to date. Rest of the show in recap, imo. **

In the third match of the night, The Big Show takes on Rob Conway, with Kenny of the Spirit Squad on commentary. The crowd is very much behind Big Show, and the 500-pounder doesn’t disappoint. He completely runs through his French opponent, with Conway barley getting in a few body shots. The finish comes after a big boot to the face, followed by the Final Cut. Big Show lifts Rob back to his feet, wraps his hand around the throat, and hits a huge Chokeslam for the three count at 5:18.
After the match, Rene Dupree tries to attack the World Tag Team Champion, but is cut off by a big boot from Big Show’s partner, Kane. Dupree rolls from the ring and Kane talks with his tag team partner … before Kenny makes his way from the announce table to the apron. Kenny talks trash to the tag champs, with Big Show trying to bait the cheerleader into the ring … but Kenny has other ideas … as the four other members of the Spirit Squad slide in behind Big Show and Kane!! But to the horror of Kenny, ALL FOUR guys are disposed of, each hit with a Chokeslam and tossed from the ring. Kenny doesn’t dare step into the ring, trying to help his teammates, with Big Show and Kane getting good cheers from the crowd.

Backstage, Edge and Lita turn a corner and approach a door … with the nameplate “Triple H” on it. Edge knocks on the door and is told to come in. Edge and Triple H go face to face, with Edge breaking the silence. Edge says that he knows how Triple H feels about him … and he doesn’t want to be screwed out of the WWE Championship. Triple H cuts him off and says that it doesn’t matter who wins the match at Backlash … because he will beat the WWE Champion. H says that he has no motive to do anything … but call the match down the middle.

{Commercial Break}

In an interview with Maria, the Women’s Champion, Mickie James, talks about what happened earlier between Trish and Victoria. Mickie says that they both want to be what she is … the absolute best women’s wrestler in the company. Mickie says that it doesn’t matter who she faces at Backlash … or even if she faces both divas … she won’t be losing the title she fought so hard to get.

Up next, ‘The Wrestling Machine’ Kurt Angle goes against one of his former protégés, Charlie Haas. The announcers spend the duration of the match putting over Angle’s obsession with becoming WWE Champion, as well as his match with Ric Flair for the MITB contract at Backlash. Even though he is completely on his game, Angle struggles to put Haas away, as the former tag team champion seems to be improving every week, and he even gets a few near falls. The finish comes with Haas in control … and he locks in the HAAS OF PAIN!! Angle struggles in the submission … looking like he is close to tapping … but finally makes the ropes. Haas breaks the hold and tries to put Angle down with a Northern Lights Suplex … but Kurt counters out … ANGLE SLAM!! Angle drops down the straps and locks in the ANKLE LOCK!! Kurt has the signature move locked in, and despite a valiant attempt to make the ropes, Haas has to tap out at 13:09.
Angle actually releases the hold right after the match, knowing that he has done enough damage. Angle has his hand raised, but the announcers talk more about the great effort from Haas. As Angle looks set to exit the ring …

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”

The crowd goes nuts, as ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair enters the arena. Flair goes straight to the ring, and grabs a microphone from Lillian. Flair goes off on Angle, pissed off that Angle somehow got Coachman to agree to make the match at Backlash determine the holder of the MITB briefcase. Flair says that he thought Angle had respect … and wanted to face Flair just to see who the better man was. He says Angle is possessed by his greed for the WWE Championship … but he won’t be getting the title shot, because he can’t beat Flair. Flair says Angle will be nothing until he earns his shots … instead of being Coachman’s BITCH. OH MAN~! ANGLE KNOCKS FLAIR DOWN WITH A RIGHT HAND!! Angle pounds Flair on the mat, with all his rage during the past few months coming out. Angle gets Flair back to his feet and goes for the Angle Slam … BUT FLAIR LANDS ON HIS FEET … AND GRABS ANGLE’S LEGS!! Flair looks set to lock in the FIGURE FOUR but Angle kicks him off, and leaves the ring quickly. The two yell at each other, with Naitch now soaked in sweat, and Angle looking like a man possessed.

{Commercial Break}

In our fifth match, the Intercontinental Champion, Gregory Helms, teams with Matt Striker, to go against Eugene and Chavo Guerrero. The main story of the match is the anticipation building for the match between Chavo and Helms for the IC Title at Backlash. The two have a few exchanges in the ring, but nothing too serious, with Striker trying to do all he can to keep Chavo down. The finish comes with Helms and Eugene in the ring, and Eugene is being his usual goofy self. He tries to get Helms on his shoulders for the Airplane Spin, but Helms counters and nails a huge clothesline. Helms continues to pound Eugene with right hands, and Chavo tries to help his partner, but Striker knocks him off the apron!! Helms finishes the match with a Shining Wizard for the three count at 6:24.

In the GM’s office, Kenny and the four other cheerleaders are bitching to Coach. Kenny says that Big Show and Kane had no right to do what they did to his teammates, and they need to be punished. Coach says that he couldn’t agree more, and he says he will do something about it. He leaves his office and right when he steps outside … BIG SHOW AND KANE ARE WAITING!! They give him a look as if to say “what do you have planned?” Coach gulps and tries not to make eye contact, before heading back into the office, closing the door. He tells the Spirit Squad that Big Show and Kane have already left the arena … probably because they are afraid of the Spirit Squad.

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