Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler
RAW Report
Chris Jericho's music hit in the arena to start the show and he made his way out to the ring to a new entrance video, which was tremendously done by the WWE staff.
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Chris Jericho vs. Christian
Y2J made his way to the ring and this is a one on one match with Chris Jericho against Christian, who was accompanied to the ring by Trish Stratus and just last night at Backlash, Chris Jericho defeated both Christian and Trish Stratus in a Handicap Match and this one on one match right here is a rematch from Wrestlemania XX!
The fans chanted "slut, slut, slut" and Chris Jericho and Christian locked it up in the center of the ring and Chris shoved Christian back and then the two locked it up once again and Chris backed Christian into the corner and the referee called for a break and he got just that but Chris slapped Christian on the stomach to taunt him.
Chris Jericho went to the second rope and came off with a missile drop kick to knock Christian down to the mat. Jericho then covered Christian but only got a two count.
Chris Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho but Trish Stratus got in the ring and Chris Jericho grabbed her and put her on his knee and smacked her ass as the crowd went nuts for Y2J. Christian pulled Trish Stratus out of the ring and then Chris Jericho ran towards the ropes and hit both Christian and Trish Stratus with a springboard cross body to knock both of them down to the ground.
Behind the referee's back, Trish choked Jericho on the bottom rope and then she slapped him across the face. Trish went to slap him again but Jericho grabbed her and then Christian got on Chris Jericho to stop him from doing anything further.
Chris Jericho rolled out of the ring and as Christian had the referee distracted, Trish Stratus hit Chris Jericho with the chick kick to knock him down. Christian then got Chris Jericho back in the ring and he pinned Y2J but only got a two count.
Chris Jericho gave Christian a bulldog down to the mat and Jericho went for the lionsault and Christian rolled out of the way but Chris landed on his feet. Chris then took Christian down to the mat with a sleeper slam and then a pin for a two count.
Christian planted Y2J with a reverse DDT and then he pinned him, using the ropes for a two count. Christian then headed to the top rope and Chris Jericho got up and gave Christian a right hand to slow him down. Chris Jericho then climbed to the very top turnbuckle and he gave Christian a butterfly suplex and it looked as if Chris Jericho hurt his knee on the way down.
Christian planted Jericho with a reverse DDT off the second rope and then he pinned Jericho but only got a two count. Christian then pulled Y2J down to the mat and he went for the Texas Cloverleaf but Chris Jericho reversed it into an inside cradle for a two count.
Christian whipped Jericho off the ropes and Trish hopped to the ring apron and she nailed Y2J. Trish then went to slap Jericho but she missed and hit Christian and then Chris Jericho hit Christian with the Enziguri. Chris then covered Christian but Trish had the referee distracted.
Chris Jericho pulled Trish Stratus into the ring and then he went for the Walls of Jericho on Christian but a very large man got in the ring and kicked Chris Jericho in the face and then he quickly got out of the ring and left as Christian covered Chris Jericho for the three count to get the win.
Winner - Christian
The very large guy stood on the outside of the ring and looked on as Christian and Trish Stratus celebrated their win inside the ring. Christian and Trish got out of the ring and they walked by the guy and then they walked up the ramp and the guy followed behind Christian and Trish as if he was with them.
Christian was shown backstage with Trish Stratus and he introduced Trish to his new problem solver, Tyson Tomko! Trish asked him, problem solver? Christian said that Jericho was the problem and right here, problem solved! Christian and Trish then hugged as Tyson Tomko stood there looking very intimidating.
Chris Benoit's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the World Heavyweight Champion and just last night, he forced Shawn Michaels to tap out to the sharpshooter in the Triple Threat Match also involving Triple H to retain the World's Heavyweight Title! The fans heavily cheered and chanted for Chris Benoit as he stood in the ring and he took the microphone. Chris said that it all started in a place that every wrestler, every wrestling historian and every wrestling fan around the world knows as the Dungeon here in Calgary! The crowd erupted, chanting "Stu, Stu, Stu!" Chris Benoit said that just over 18 years ago, Stu Hart spring boarded Chris Benoit's career into professional wrestling and that got him here today as the World Heavyweight Champion! The fans then gave us a mixed chant; "Benoit, Benoit" mixed with "Stu, Stu, Stu!" Chris said the only sad part about it is that Stu Hart isn't around today because he sure as hell would like to thank him for everything he's done for him and everything he's done for every wrestling fan around the world today. Thank you, Stu. After he left the Dungeon, he heard it all. He heard that Chris Benoit would never do it and that he didn't have what it takes. Chris Benoit, you can't win the big one. Well he proved them wrong at the Royal Rumble this year by defeating 29 other men to get his shot at the World Championship at Wrestlemania XX! And he walked into Wrestlemania XX an underdog but he walked out of Wrestlemania XX as the one and only man in the entire history of this industry to have made Triple H tap out! But he still heard it, "Well Benoit, you got lucky." People have called him a fluke until last night at Backlash in Edmonton when he put the sharpshooter on HBK in the middle of the ring and made the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels tap out. A lot of people said he was a fluke but he proved them wrong; Chris Benoit is for real and he is the World Heavyweight Champion!
The music of Shawn Michaels hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After Shawn got in the ring, the fans heavily chanted "You screwed Bret" and Shawn pranced around the ring. Shawn then took the microphone and he said that he has always believed that Chris Benoit was for real. Never once in all the years that he has known about Chris Benoit did he ever think that he wasn't for real. The fans then started chanting "Asshole, asshole!" directed at the Heartbreak Kid and Shawn said that the only thing he questioned, because he knows that he and Chris Benoit are a lot alike, the only thing he questioned is whether Chris Benoit knows deep within his heart if he is really the very best. Chris Benoit said that he believes deep down in his heart that he is the very very best and he has this World Championship Title here over his shoulder to prove it. Shawn responded by saying that what he's got for Chris to prove is that one on one against the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit has never beaten him and he has got the footage to prove it. Just two months ago, Michaels and Benoit faced off in a one on one match and Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Benoit with the super kick. Shawn then said that he is coming out here knowing that he is the least popular guy in the building but he is coming out here doing his damnedest to show him respect. He knows he's in his home country and he's amped up and feeling it, but man to man, he's giving Chris Benoit the opportunity to find out which one of them is really the best; right here tonight in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Chris Benoit/The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship right here tonight!
Chris Benoit agreed to the match, saying let's get it on but Eric Bischoff's music hit and he made his way out with Johnny Nitro. Eric said right here tonight, Benoit is going to accept Shawn's challenge and give him a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship? Eric Bischoff said that he loves that idea and he loves that idea so much that there's not a chance in hell that he's going to let that match happen in Calgary. Chris Benoit took the mic and said that before Eric goes on, Shawn came out here to talk to Chris Benoit man to man. Now in saying that, Eric Bischoff has no damn business being out here because this is man to man. Eric said with all due respect, he's the General Manager and he has business to conduct and he realizes that a match of this magnitude would need at least two weeks to be promoted properly. Eric asked Johnny where they are in two weeks? Johnny told him and they will be in Phoenix, Arizona. So he'll make the match; Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship in two weeks in Phoenix. Shawn and Chris Benoit then stood face to face in the center of the ring and Chris extended his hand to Shawn Michaels to shake and the two shook hands and Chris pulled Michaels in and the two stared each other down with an intense look on their faces and in two weeks, they will meet in a one on one match in two weeks in Phoenix, Arizona for the World Heavyweight Title!
Women's Championship Match
Molly Holly vs. Victoria (c)
Victoria's music hit in the arena and she made her way out to the ring as the Women's Champion and this is a title match with Victoria defending the Women's Title against the woman she defeated at Wrestlemania to win the title in Molly Holly! As usual, Molly Holly wore a wig out to the ring to cover her bald head.
Molly got right in the ring and attacked Victoria and she slammed her into the corner and gave her a knee to the gut. Molly then took Victoria down to the mat with a snap mare and then she went off the ropes and gave Victoria a drop kick to the face.
Victoria grabbed Molly by the feet and pulled her up off the mat as Molly held onto the ropes and slammed her down to the mat. Victoria then hit Molly with a standing moonsault and a pin for a two count.
Victoria grabbed Molly's wig and ripped it off and the crowd erupted with laughter as Molly looked embarrassed. Molly then aggressively hammered away on Victoria and then she put her in a rear naked choke and the referee was forced to end the match in a disqualification.
Winner by disqualification and still Women's Champion, Victoria
Molly continued to choke Victoria out, despite the fact that the referee called for the bell and referee Jack Doan came out and the two referees attempted to pull Molly off of Victoria but they just couldn't do it. Chad and Jack finally got Molly off of Victoria and Victoria was motionless in the ring as the crowed booed Molly out of the arena.
A limousine was shown pulling up to the arena and the limo driver opened the door and it was none other than the Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton, who was beaten and battered after last night's match and Batista, Ric Flair and Triple H got out of the limo was well. Todd Grisham caught up with Triple H and Todd pointed out that even though Triple H guaranteed a victory, he didn't walk out as the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H ignored Todd and walked off and Todd asked Triple H how he feels about the match that was made tonight? Triple H asked what match? Todd pointed out that Eric Bischoff made a match; Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit in two weeks. Triple H's response was "What? That's my match." Triple H, followed by the rest of Evolution then angrily walked into the arena, seemingly headed for Bischoff's office.
Backstage: A close up of Kane's face was shown and Kane said that there's been a problem, a problem eating away from him at the inside out. He's become weak and he's shown human compassion and it has weakened him, but no more. Tonight, he will once again feast on fear itself. His appetite for agony will be awakened. He will once again taste the pain of others. He will feast on the fear of the innocent, for that is the sweetest taste of all. Tonight, Kane hungers for a sacrifice!
Backstage: Eric Bischoff and Johnny Nitro were shown looking on and Johnny said that can't be good. He asked Eric if he has any idea who Kane is going to sacrifice? Eric said that he knows what Kane is capable of and he's not going to end up in the hospital like Kurt Angle over on Smackdown!. Someone knocked on the door and it was William Regal. Regal said that he's come to talk to Eric about his nephew. He's had him up and down and all over the place. It's too much stress and it's too taxing on his body. He just doesn't need this kind of thing. He's not a babysitter and he's sure he can serve Bischoff in much better ways. Eric said that he thought he made this clear a couple weeks ago, but where's Eugene? Regal said that's a rather funny story because when they arrived here at the arena, Eugene decided to have a game of hide and seek and Regal counted to ten and he was gone and he hasn't seen him since. Regal then told Eric that if he wants to find him, he's it. Eric said this isn't funny at all. Eric then told Regal that this job is not optional. If William Regal does not take care of his nephew, he will never work in this business again! Understand that? And understand this, Kane is looking for a sacrifice and unless Regal finds Eugene real quick, he's going to make sure Kane gets his sacrifice because he'll be booking a match tonight; it'll be Kane vs. William Regal!
In ring promo:
Evolution's music hit in the arena and Randy Orton made his way out to the ring alone as the WWE Intercontinental Champion and just last night, he defeated Cactus Jack to retain that Intercontinental Title in perhaps one of the most brutal No Holds Barred Matches seen in quite some time. Randy stood in the ring and when the camera caught a close up of his face, he had all kinds of scars on his face.
Randy took the mic and he said to tell him, who's the no dues paying, can't hang with the big boys punk kid now? Everyone thought at Backlash that Mick Foley was going to destroy him and he's sure everyone here tonight brought their tickets to RAW in advance so that they could congratulate Mick on shutting up Randy Orton for good. But guess what? It didn't happen. Randy said that his victory last night was the biggest of his career, but as strange as it sounds and as strange as it may seem, he wants to thank Mick Foley. Because he didn't face the retired author of children's book last night like he did at Wrestlemania; he faced a true Hardcore Legend. Randy saw the hatred in Mick's eyes up close, he saw the sadistic side. He saw Cactus Jack up close and personal. Mick did everything he could possibly do to him in and out of the ring and these people loved it. They loved it when Mick bashed him over the back of the head with a trash can. They liked it when Mick threw him off the stage and came crashing down on him, all 275 pounds. And he knows the fans liked it when he took the barbed wire bat and held it to his face and he tore the flesh right off his skull. Randy knows everyone erupted when Mick sent his body crashing down to that island of razor sharp thumbtacks. But that's just fine because Randy Orton took everything that Mick could dish out and Randy beat him with the RKO in the middle of the ring on the barbed wire bat and he beat him at his own game, by his own terms, hardcore rules, Evolution banned from ringside, Intercontinental Title on the line; Randy Orton beat Mick Foley and he did it all by himself. And then something amazing happened; Randy realized that after he beat Mick like he did that he turned into something that he has despised, something that he sought out to destroy. Last night, he entered the ring as Randy Orton, Hardcore Legend, Legend Killer. He entered the ring as a Legend Killer and after all was said and done, he left as Randy Orton, living legend.
Edge's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the stage and the fans popped for Edge as he made his way out to the ring. Edge took the mic and said that was one hell of a victory speech. That might be his best one yet and he would know because he's been watching Randy. You see, for the last 14 months, Edge has been sitting on the sidelines watching Randy run his mouth! And if there's one thing he can say with 100% certainty, it's this; I don't like you! But there's one thing Randy did not too long ago that stuck in his mind. Edge might not be a legend but he's daring Randy Orton right now to spit in his face! Edge told Randy that he beat Mick Foley in a hardcore match, surely he doesn't have a problem spitting in his face. Edge begged and dared him. Randy teased it and said no. He's tired, sore and beat down and if he wasn't, he'd drop Edge right here. But you know what? Edge isn't even worth it. Edge then laid into Randy with a hard right hand to knock him down to the mat and Randy popped back up and then Edge laid into Randy some more until Batista and Flair made their way out to the ring. Edge laid into Flair and Batista until they got the better of him by double teaming him. Batista gave Edge a sit down power bomb and then Chris Benoit came out to the ring and laid into Evolution! Triple H came out and squashed Chris Benoit in the corner and he hammered away on Chris Benoit and beat the hell out of him as the rest of Evolution looked on. Batista nailed Benoit with a hard clothesline and then Triple H gave Chris Benoit the Pedigree in the center of the ring. The four members of Evolution then left the ring together and stood tall on the ramp but Eric Bischoff came out. Eric said that is no way to treat the World Heavyweight Champion and his pal. If they want to beat them senseless, then save it for tonight's main event; a match for the World Tag Team Titles with the Nature Boy Ric Flair and Batista against Edge and Chris Benoit but there didn't look to be anything left of Benoit and Edge as they were down and out in the ring and all four members of Evolution were pleased with Eric Bischoff's decision to make that match.
Garrison Cade vs. Tajiri
The music of The Coach hit in the arena and he made his way out with a microphone in hand. Coach stood on the stage and said ladies and gentlemen, if you would please allow him to introduce to everyone the man who witnessed The Coach's victory one on one over Tajiri last night at Backlash, get up and show some love for Garrison Cade! Garrison Cade then made his way out to the ring as The Coach joined Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler for a bit of commentary.
Garrison Cade locked it up with Tajiri in the center of the ring and Cade backed Tajiri into the corner and the referee called for a clean break and Tajiri got out of the corner and hammered away on Garrison Cade in the corner.
During the match, The Coach credited Garrison Cade for training him for his match against Tajiri and he noted that Shawn Michaels had a hand in training Garrison Cade so now The Coach is destined for greatness.
Tajiri went for the springboard elbow but Garrison Cade stopped it with a big boot to the back of the head to knock Tajiri down to the mat.
Tajiri went for the tarantula on Cade but Cade countered it and Tajiri pulled Cade's head onto the ropes to send him down to the mat. Tajiri went for a springboard moonsault but Cade rolled out of the way.
Garrison Cade went to the top rope and came off with a flying elbow drop on Tajiri and then he covered him for the three count to pick up the win as The Coach put emphasis on Garrison's elbow drop from the top rope, saying that no one has dropped an elbow like that in the history of this business.
Winner - Garrison Cade
Garrison Cade got out of the ring and walked up to the top of the stage where The Coach greeted him and the two celebrated Cade's win.
In the arena, Eugene was seen with Lilian Garcia and he was playing with the t-shirt gun, shooting shirts into the crowd and the crowd popped for Eugene's appearance. William Regal eventually made his way out to the ring and Eugene invited him into the ring. Regal tried to get the t-shirt gun away from Eugene but Eugene didn't want to give it up. Eugene finally put the gun down on the mat and the fans booed as he and Regal started to walk out of the ring. Eugene turned around and grabbed the gun and Regal tried to get Eugene to put the gun down but Eugene wouldn't put it down. Eugene shot the gun and hit William Regal right in the groin with a wrapped t-shirt and that left William Regal in a ton of pain! Eugene tried to check on William Regal and the fans rallied together in chanting "Eugene, Eugene, Eugene!" William Regal eventually got out of the ring and he and Eugene left together as Eugene tried to tend to Regal's groin.
Edge was shown in the locker room and Chris Benoit showed up and asked Edge if he's ready? Edge said last night was his first match in 14 months and he was ready but tonight, nobody gave him a chance in hell. Benoit said why do you think that jackass Bischoff made that match? He wants to see them get beat but he's wrong and they're going to prove him wrong and they're going to put an end to Evolution. They're not only going to take the Tag Team Titles but they are going to stick the final nail into their coffin. Tonight, they walk in together as underdogs and tonight, they will walk out together as World Tag Team Champions!
Mixed Tag Team Match
Lita and Val Venis vs. Gail Kim and Matt Hardy
Lita's music hit in the arena and she made her way out to the ring for a mixed tag team match with Val Venis against Gail Kim and Matt Hardy.
After Matt made his way out, Kane's music hit and he made his way out to the ring and stepped over the top rope to enter the ring where Val Venis and Lita stood. Val charged at Kane but Kane grabbed Val and gave him a choke slam. Lita tried to get out of the ring but Kane grabbed her and tossed her back into the ring. Lita tried to escape again but Kane dragged her back into the ring and Matt Hardy was looking on from outside the ring and he took his jacket off and got in the ring and nailed Kane from behind in an attempt to save Lita. Kane nailed Matt Hardy with a big boot and then Kane decimated Matt Hardy. Kane planted Matt Hardy with a choke slam as Lita covered in the corner and Kane set off his pyro as Lita cowered in fear. Kane eventually got out of the ring and left, pleased at the damage he left in the ring with Matt Hardy and Val Venis.
Winner - No contest
Hirohito, coming soon:
In 1941, Japan went into a war against the United States. In 1945, after four years of brutal and bloody combat, the United States ended the war. In the flash of an eye, the United States devastated the Japanese Military, decimated the nation's culture and vanquished a once great dynasty. And now, two generations later, a new leader has emerged to regain his honor. Mark the return of Hirohito!
World Tag Team Championship Match
Edge and Chris Benoit vs. Ric Flair and Batista (c)
Evolution's music hit in the arena and Ric Flair and Batista made their way out to the ring as the World Tag Team Champions and this match is for the Tag Team Titles with Ric Flair and Batista defending the titles against Edge and Chris Benoit!
Chris Benoit started the match off in the ring against Ric Flair and the two exchanged words and then locked it up in the center of the ring and Benoit backed Ric Flair into the corner and the referee called for a break and he got just that. Flair and Benoit locked it up once again and this time, Flair backed Benoit into the corner and Benoit reversed it and Flair shoved Benoit out of the corner.
Batista backed Edge into the corner and wrenched away on his arm on the rope in an attempt to further injure Edge's broken hand.
Chris Benoit put Ric Flair in the sharpshooter and the fans popped and Batista quickly got in the ring and went for a cheap shot but Benoit gave him a German suplex to get rid of him. Chris Benoit then put Ric Flair in the Crippler Crossface and Triple H made his way out and hopped to the ring apron and Chris Benoit got up and knocked him down with a hard right hand.
Ric Flair raked the eyes of Chris Benoit and then Benoit chopped away on Ric Flair and Batista got in the ring and grabbed Chris Benoit from behind and gave him a spinebuster down to the mat.
Batista hammered away on Chris Benoit and Benoit fired back with a series of headbutts and then he went off the ropes but Batista knocked Chris Benoit down with a hard reverse elbow.
Behind the referee's back, Triple H slid in the ring and grabbed Chris Benoit and choked away on him. The referee sensed something went down with Triple H, so he went over and argued with Triple H and the fans started chanting "We want Bret!"
Chris Benoit gave Ric Flair a German suplex and he held onto it and gave him one more to send Flair crashing down to the mat. Benoit looked as though he wanted to make a tag but Ric Flair stopped him from doing so and the two exchanged knife edge chops in the center of the ring. Ric Flair then made the tag to Batista as Chris Benoit made the tag to Edge.
Batista went for a sit down power bomb on Edge but it looked as if Edge hit Batista with the cast and that stopped Batista from delivering the power bomb.
Chris Benoit went to the top rope and he hit Batista with the flying headbutt and then Triple H pulled Chris Benoit out of the ring and hammered away on him until Shawn Michaels came out and knocked Triple H down with a super kick to a huge pop. Meanwhile, Edge speared Batista down to the mat in the ring and then covered him for the three count to win the Tag Team Titles!
Winners and new Tag Team Champions, Edge and Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit and Edge celebrated their Tag Team Title win to a tremendous ovation from the crowd in Calgary, Alberta, Canada as the show went off the air!
Results by Kevin Gregg of PowerWrestling.com
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com