Monday, November 14th, 2005
Target Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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We start off the show with a 10 bell salute to Eddie Guerrero, which is still just as heartbreaking today as it was 15 years ago. Vince says that tonight they will be paying tribute to the life of Eddie Guerrero. After the salute, we get a video package of memories and highlights. Sadly, the WWE Network version did not get the rights to the Johnny Cash version of "Hurt" and instead we get just some generic instrumental.
John Cena gets the first chance to talk and says that Eddie was a great man. We then get a a highlight of Eddie spraying Big Show with sewage. I have to say that I have no recollection of that one.
Big Show & Kane vs. MNM
Big Show immediately picks up Nitro and throws him into the corner and gives him the big slap to the chest. Has a Big Show match started any other way all year? Kane comes in and goes up top, but a distraction allows them to knock him off the top rope. Nitro sort of hits Kane in the face with one of the title belts. Back in the ring Nitro hits a neckbreaker. MNM goes for a double suplex, but Kane reverses it and hits the tag to Big Show. He splashes both in the corner and hits a double clothesline. Melina tries to distract, so Big Show decides to kiss her because why not? They hit the double chokeslam on Nitro and completely squash the blue brand champions. This was probably what you would expect from these two.
Match Rating: *1/4 (out of 5)
Lilian Garcia says that her favorite memory was being in the same group with him in Iraq and how humble he was to all of the soldiers. They then show a highlight of Eddie putting Kurt Angle's stuff up for auction.
Kurt Angle vs. Shelton Benjamin
Shelton uses the ropes to backflip out of an armlock because he can. Angle catches Shelton and hits a belly-to-belly overhead suplex because he can. Angle knees him in the midsection and then hits a backbreaker for a 2 count. Shelton is able to pull out a DDT and both men are down. They begin trading right hands, with Shelton getting the better of Angle. Angle gets a boot to the face, but Shelton hits the Samoan drop. Angle tries to go for the Ankle Lock, but Shelton gets out and then hits a spinning kick for a nearfall. Shelton goes up top. Angle tries to catch him, but Shelton is ready for it, knocks Angle off and hits a flying clothesline. He misses the splash in the corner and Angle is able to pull off two German suplexes. Shelton counters the third one into a pin attempt, but Angle kicks out. Angle hits the Angle Slam, but Shelton this time is able to kick out. The straps are down and he goes for a moonsault, but Shelton gets there first. Shelton then hits a German suplex off the second rope, with Angle landing pretty awkwardly. Shelton rolls him over and gets a close call. Angle trips him up and gets the Ankle Lock on and Shelton has no choice but to tap. That was a sprint of a match and I enjoyed every second of it.
Match Rating: ***
Shawn Michael's memories with Eddie are their talks about their faith. We then get some highlights of the vignettes of Los Guerreros. Chavo talks about how much it meant for him to be a tag team with Eddie.
Shawn Michaels vs. Rey Mysterio
An absolute dream match that comes to us under the absolute worst circumstances. As you would expect, we get some nice wrestling to start. Mysterio hits a springboard seated senton, but Michaels catches Mysterio on a headscissor attempt and slams him face first. Mysterio hits a dive over the top rope and we head to a commercial break. Mysterio hits a flying headscissors and then a sprinboard crossbody. Mysterio hits a dropkick to the knees and then one to the face of Michaels and gets a close call. Michaels is able to avoid the 619 and hits a clothesline. Michaels hits a top rope elbow drop and signals for Sweet Chin Music. Mysterio rolls under and sets up Michaels for the 619. He hits it and then the springboard leg drop and Mysterio gets the big victory over Michaels here. This was a nice little match and a nice tribute to Eddie.
Match Rating: ***
Batista is torn to pieces over Eddie and talks about how much Eddie helped him out.
Diva's Battle Royal
All of the competitors are wearing the "I'm Your Papi" t-shirts. Jillian Hall is wearing a guard that covers the "growth" on her face. Candice uses her wand in one of the weakest weapon shots I have ever seen. Victoria and Candice hit a double slingshot on Ashley and she just rams right into the ropes instead of over them. They send her over after. Maria surprises everyone by kicking Victoria out and we are down to Trish, Melina and Maria. Trish and Melina team up to take Maria out. Trish goes for Stratusfaction, but Melina counters it and the knocks her off the apron for the victory. This wasn't very good.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show the WrestleMania XX celebration with Eddie and Chris Benoit.
Eugene vs. Simon Dean
Simon gives Eugene a Simon System bar and then tries to roll him up. They both then begin to do push ups and Simon misses with an elbow drop. Eugene then pulls out his Junkyard Dog imitation with the headbutts and bites Simon's butt. Eugene goes on the Dean Machine, but Simon attacks him from behind. Simon hits a big clothesline and gets a 2 count. Eugene fights back and hits the Rock Bottom for the victory. Eugene then drives the Dean Machine to the back. This was here only to lighten the mood.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Chris Benoit says that Eddie was his best friend. We then see Eddie winning the championship at No Way Out from Brock Lesnar. Triple H then talks about how inspirational Eddie was for overcoming his demons.
Ric Flair vs. William Regal
Here's our traditional wrestling match for the night. Regal breaks an abdominal stretch by unlacing Flair's boot. That's some heel work I can get behind. Flair fights back with some chops and then goes to work on the knee. Flair slaps on the Figure Four and that's all she wrote.
Match Rating: *1/2
We get the highlight of Eddie "accidentally" pinning Chyna.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton
Cena starts off hot, but a distraction from Bob Orton allows Randy to take control. I wonder how many matches these two ended up having with one another? Cena fights back and gives Orton the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena has Orton up for the FU, but in comes Cowboy Bob to interfere and they double team Cena. Cena fights back and blocks the RKO. He hits the FU instead, as Cena stands tall at the end of the show. This one never really got a chance to get going. Cena lays down his Eddie shirt on the mat and then puts the WWE Championship on top of it before heading to the back.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Well, these types of shows are tough to grade. Eddie is without a doubt one of the greatest performers of my lifetime. This was such a tough loss and it still hurts. The performers did a nice job of trying to put on a good show for their friend and I commend them for that.
Overall Rating: 60%
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