Monday, March 7th, 2005
RBC Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
Shawn Michaels is here to kick off the show. He talks about how he showed up on SmackDown to attack Kurt Angle. Shawn says that Angle has never faced him at the biggest stage. Angle then shows up on the Titan Tron. Angle says that he's going to accomplish everything Shawn has in his career in the next 4 weeks.
Triple H vs. Rosey
Triple H goes right after Rosey, but Rosey counters and gets some right hands in. He then hits a big splash to the corner followed by a body slam. Rosey goes to the second rope and attempts a moonsault, but Triple H is able to move. Triple H knees Rosey out of the ring and then slams him into the steel steps. I always liked Rosey and he was fun in this role, even if it never really went anywhere. Spinebuster by Triple H followed up by the Pedigree and that's all. As far as 3 minute squash matches go, that was an above average one.
Match Rating: * (out of 5)
After the match, Triple H grabs his sledgehammer and clubs Rosey in the ribs. Out comes the medical team with a stretcher as Triple H celebrates.
They hype up Christy Hemme's Playboy photo shoot.
Flair is sitting alone backstage and in walks Triple H celebrating his win over Rosey. Flair says he is overwhelmed by his match with Batista. Triple H talks him up and tells Flair that he and the sledgehammer will be at ringside.
Edge, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin and Christian are all backstage and Eric Bischoff tells them about the Money In The Bank match they are going to have at WrestleMania. Christian thinks he won't have to face anyone, but Bischoff says that he does have a match and that it is next.
Christian vs. Kane
Christian goes right after Kane, but it doesn't last long. On a side note, Christian's story of crumpling up Kane's vending machine snack was one of the funnier stories I have heard (it was featured on the Kane episode of the E&C Pod of Awesomeness). Christian does actually end up getting a little bit of awesomeness, but man watching these old Raw episodes is just a reminder of how big of a jobber they treated him at times. Big boot by Kane and followed up with a chokeslam for the victory. For what it was, it was spirited. However, there's no reason they had to make Christian look this weak before a big match.
Match Rating: *1/4
After the match, Tomko attacks Kane with a ladder, but Kane almost immediately sits up.
Randy Orton is talking to Stacy Keibler and tells her that tonight he is officially going to make his challenge for WrestleMania.
JR and Jerry Lawler do a lame Subway promotional spot. I forgot about these.
Chris Jericho vs. Edge
No arguments from me on this matchup. Jericho starts off with some mat work, working on Edge's arms. Step up enzaguri and then a springboard dropkick knocks Edge to the outside. After the commercial break, Edge hits a superplex and both men are down. Edge continues to dominate until he mocks Jericho and is given a big clothesline in return. Jericho continues to work on the arm and follows it up with a missile dropkick and a bulldog. Edge regains control and we get a ref bump. Edge goes for a spear, but Jericho shoves him out of the ring. Edge grabs the ladder at ringside, but Jericho hits a drop toe hold into the ladder. There is still no ref and while Jericho is looking for him, Edge hits Jericho south of the border with the ladder. Edge hits the Edgecution as the ref is getting up and gets the victory. This was good action, although Jericho's arm work didn't lead to anything.
Match Rating: **3/4
Coach and Bischoff are backstage. Bischoff announces Pick Your Poison Monday. Batista and Triple H will pick each others opponent for the next two weeks.
Randy Orton is in the ring talking about his dad and moves on to how he is a legend killer. Orton says he will do what no one else has ever done, beat the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Bischoff is out and congratulates him on his challenge. Orton then starts complimenting Bischoff and tells him that his accolades make him a bit of a legend. Bischoff knows what coming, but it's too late as he is hit with an RKO.
Chris Benoit vs. Shelton Benjamin
Both guys start with a little legit wrestling that earns them a light applause. They then start nailing each other with right hands and chops. Benoit dumps Shelton outside the ring and goes for a suicide dive. Benjamin moves and Benoit drills the ladder in a scary spot. Benoit eventually hits the 3 Germans. We get a lot of nice little sequences that lead to Benoit putting on the Crippler Crossface for the hard earned victory. That was a really good match for as short as it was. I'm a little surprised Benoit went over that quickly, since it's Shelton who is the least established of the six Money In The Bank competitors.
Match Rating: **1/2
Bischoff and Coachman are interrupted by Muhammad Hassan and Daivari. Hassan is upset about not being in the Money In The Bank match. In all honesty, he probably should have, but I'm glad he wasn't.
Christy Hemme comes down and calls out Trish Stratus. Trish reminds us that Christy's Playboy is coming out Friday and we get more of this horrible storyline. Christy then challenges Trish to a match at WrestleMania to little applause. Trish tells her if she gets into the ring with her, she will end her career, as it won't be a lingerie pillow fight. Christy then reveals that she has been getting trained by Lita as she makes her way down to the ring. Lita distracts Trish and Christy hits her with a Twist Of Fate. Let's hope she continues training.
Bischoff confronts Triple H and Ric Flair and he tells Triple H that he can't be at ringside with the sledgehammer for Flair's match against Batista. Bischoff takes it away and they all act as if that's the only sledgehammer in existence.
They announce that Batista has chosen Chris Benoit as Triple H's opponent for next week's Raw.
Ric Flair vs. Batista
Batista shows off his strength early by shoving Flair to the ground. Flair reaches into his bag of tricks for a poke in the eye and then chops Batista, who is no selling them. Back body drop by Batista and then goes right to the corner for some right hands. Flair is able to pull off a chop block and finally slows down Batista. Flair puts on the Figure Four while holding onto Triple H, but Batista still quickly reverses. Flair goes up top and we all know how that one ends. Batista then hits a powerslam and yells over to Triple H. Batista goes for the Batista Bomb, but Triple H runs in and Batista throws him out quickly and hits the Batista Bomb anyways for the victory. That was pretty short and not particularly exciting.
Match Rating: *1/2
After the match, Triple H goes after the knee of Batista. He goes under the ring and you'll never guess what he found? Another sledgehammer. Well I'll be. Batista steals it from him and cracks it over his knee and Triple H backpedals up the ramp.
Overall, that was a pretty good show. Edge/Jericho and Benoit/Benjamin were both good matches and the Triple H squash was spirited. I'm still not into the Batista/Triple H story and the Christy Playboy stuff is just barf. Mild thumbs up this week.
Overall Rating: 60%
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