Monday, January 10th, 2005
Office Depot Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Triple H's music hits and out comes the World Heavyweight Champion along with Ric Flair. Triple H eggs on the crowd with some semi-shoot comments that they are booing him because of favoritism or politics. After ranting and raving, Triple H introduces Batista. As soon as Batista gets to the ring, Randy Orton's music is playing. Orton is complaining that Triple H pinned him only after Batista helped him after he was eliminated. Orton says he has footage that proves that Triple H doesn't have Batista's back. I really didn't remember the set up for this feud being this obvious so early on. Triple H says we don't need to see the footage, but Batista wants to see it. The footage shows that Triple H got up and then sat down. Orton warns Batista that he will turn on him sooner than later and then challenges Triple H tonight. Out comes Bischoff and says he agrees that Orton deserves a shot at Triple H. He also thinks that Batista deserves a shot at Triple H. So instead he books Randy Orton vs. Batista in a #1 contender match. Not the best opener, but it set up a big match for the show.
We now get clips of WWE saying they are going to do shows in Japan. Okey dokey.
Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Maven
Just in case you didn't get enough of this match the night before, they spoil us with yet another Shelton/Maven match tonight. Maven attacks him before the bell and hits him with a low blow when the referee didn't see. Shelton hits a flurry of moves and then eventually hits him with the Exploder for the win. That was really short considering they just tried to sell that matchup to their audience as a pay per view worthy match.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Muhammad Hassan vs. Hurricane
JR makes sure to say that Hassan does not represent Arab Americans, but only their own agenda. As they are rambling on, Hurricane's music plays and we are under way. Hurricane was definitely a character they missed the boat on. There was a window in time where he could have been something more than just a comedy guy. Hassan looks a lot more aggressive tonight. Hurricane actually gets some offense in, but misses the Shining Wizard and Hassan hits his finisher for the pin.
Match Rating: *
They play one of my favorite WrestleMania moments where Pete Rose is making fun of Bill Buckner in Boston and then Kane Tombstones him.
Batista is backstage and in walks Triple H and he tells him he has his back.
Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
Edge vs. Rhyno
Two guys that have a long history with one another both in storyline and in real life. Rhyno is another guy that seemed like he could have maybe had a better run. Edge is selling the injuries from the night before. After some back and forth, Rhyno goes for the Gore, but Edge hits him with a boot. Edge hits the spear and then puts him in an almost Sharpshooter type submission for the victory.
Match Rating: **
After the match, Edge grabs the mic and is still upset about Shawn Michaels ruining his chances last night and calls him out. They actually go to commercial break while he waits for HBK to come out. Edge is channeling his inner Bret Hart and talking about all the ways that Shawn has screwed him over. Finally Michaels comes out. Michaels says his problem with Edge is that he complains about everything. The crowd starts chanting "You screwed Bret" to which Shawn tells them to go back to Canada. This is the off script type stuff that you hardly ever see anymore. HBK tells Edge to win the Royal Rumble (twice) and go to WrestleMania and win himself a title. Edge then attacks Michaels and they are both going at it. Not even Dean Malenko and John Laurinaitis can stop them. After the break, they are still brawling through the arena and into the lobby.
Simon Dean is now in the ring. He says Florida is full of ugly, fat people. He then says that he is going to hand out a free sample of his fat burning pills. He hints that he wants Rosey to come out, but out comes Kane instead. Kane takes the pills and chews them. Kane then makes Dean eat them and attacks. How was this not a WrestleMania feud? Then out of nowhere it's Snitsky with a chair. Snitsky then whips Kane with Dean's weight belt and Kane is bleeding from the mouth.
Backstage with Flair and Triple H. Flair says Batista needs to be motivated. Triple H wants Flair to tell Batista that his record against Orton is poor. Flair has his doubts that will work. God Triple H is on this show a lot, eh?
Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit vs. Christian & Tomko
Two of my all time favorites here with Christian and Jericho. Tomko is trying his best to keep up with 3 guys that are about 20 leagues better than he is. Christian pulls down the top rope causing Benoit to fall to the ground and attacks him. Christian looks a little off tonight, which is still a lot better than most. Benoit finally hits a German suplex and tags in Jericho. Jericho misses a Lionsault, but Benoit makes the save on the pin. Jericho gets Tomko in the Walls of Jericho and Benoit in the Crippler Crossface and they both tap. Solid match.
Match Rating: **1/2
You know what this show is missing? More Triple H. Oh cool, we're backstage with Triple H and Flair again. Batista was not happy with Flair's message.
Lingerie Pillow Fight
Christy Hemme vs. Maria
Candice Michelle is the special guest referee. Talk about something that would never be on Raw in a million years now. Christy was really pretty unlikable. If this doesn't make you thankful for the current women's division, I don't know what will. Lilian Garcia gets involved because why not? They eventually start bouncing on the bed. You can imagine Lawler on commentary here. Christy pins Maria with a bridge. We have come a long way.
Match Rating: 0
We then get a promo for Chris Masters. Next Monday it is announced that we will get to see Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit, who JR says will be one of the best matches in years on Raw. Kane vs. Snitsky will also be next week. JR does not say the same.
It's time to play the Game. Again. Raw is an hour longer in 2019 and no one gets as much camera time as Triple H is getting here.
#1 Contender Match
Randy Orton vs. Batista
This should be kind of interesting because both guys were not at their peaks here in terms of in ring work. I have never been a huge fan of either guy, but I would say 2005 was probably my favorite year for Orton. We are getting a lot of punching and kicking so far. Batista does a pretty cool spot where he pushes Ortons head against the post with his foot. I'm surprised we don't see that more often. Batista has Orton in a pretty weak chinlock. Batista gets him up for the Batista Bomb, but Orton counters with a DDT. Flair is getting involved now. Orton goes for the RKO, but Batista countered. Triple H has a chair for Batista, but Batista says he doesn't need it. Orton then pushes Batista into the chair and gets the pin. Not really a great ending to the show. I was thinking I would like the Batista/Triple H feud better the second time around. So far, not so good.
Match Rating: *1/2
Well, they sure went all in on the Triple H/Batista story this week. I'm sure that will be the case most weeks from now on. I liked that they did a couple of Royal Rumble qualifying matches, which only helps set up the match and make it seem like something you need to earn. The tag team match was the highlight, but it was nothing to write home about. I'm looking forward to seeing Jericho/Benoit next week following this mediocre Raw.
Overall Rating: 42%
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