WWE 2004: The Hangover

[Beejus]

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Chris Benoit vs. Johnny Nitro © w/Melina

Comment:

 

Jeff Hardy vs. Lance Cade w/Trevor Murdoch

Comment:

 

World Tag Team Championship

Rob Van Dam and Shelton Benjamin © vs. The Aristocracy

Comment: Just don't feel a title change for them at this juncture.

 

Mickie James vs. Gail Kim

Comment:

 

Chris Jericho vs. Batista

Comment: The story with 3H takes precedence over pretty much all things.

 

The Rock vs. Kane

Comment: Rock feels like a non-factor. Have him put Kane over as a monster and move on.

[Kijar]

Aaaaaand I'm back.

 

Nitro

Hardy

RVD/Benjamin

Kim

Jericho

Rocky

[AMarc9-8]

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Chris Benoit vs. Johnny Nitro © w/Melina

Comment: Nitro isn't losing the belt just yet

 

Jeff Hardy vs. Lance Cade w/Trevor Murdoch

Comment: Surely has to be?

 

World Tag Team Championship

Rob Van Dam and Shelton Benjamin © vs. The Aristocracy

Comment: Think they'll win via a DQ/countout finish leading to a feud, would like to see the belt on them at some point

 

Mickie James vs. Gail Kim

Comment:

 

Chris Jericho vs. Batista

Comment: Batista's clearly going to be kept strong for the eventual blowoff feud with Haitch

 

The Rock vs. Kane

Comment: Don't think that he'd lose cleanly on Raw to Kane of all people

 

Comments on Previous Show/Slammy Awards/End of Year Recap: Thought the Slammys were great, liked the inevitable tension between Reigns/Taker and Edge/Christian, some very interesting buildup between HBK and Nitro though, even if it was only for a split second...

[RKOwnage]

WWE Monday Night RAW: Week 1, January 2005

 

http://i.imgur.com/3HPbZ94.jpg

WWE RAW

Monday, Week 1, January 2005

Providence Civic Center; Providence, RI

 

Our broadcast opens with the usual fireworks and an introduction by "Good Ol' JR" Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler! They run down our announced card for the night, including a massive main event as The Rock goes one-on-one with "The Big Red Machine" Kane! Also, for his role in the Battle Royal last week, Chris Jericho has called out "The Animal" Batista to face him tonight! We've also got a contract signing for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels, but first - we'll head to ringside for an Intercontinental Title bout!

 

RATING:

90 (A)

Notes

: This is set to be a jam-packed two hours.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/BuwRTyj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hlmwAWW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/a4MLYkQ.jpg

Chris Benoit

vs.

Johnny Nitro © w/Melina

 

"The Rabid Wolverine" was hungry here, looking to recapture Intercontinental gold which he's held four times in the past. Nitro, in one of his toughest tests yet, seemed to rise to the occasion although he wasn't able to pack that punch to finish Benoit once and for all. His frustration got the best of him as he went to pick up Benoit from the ground, but got taken down and locked in the Sharpshooter! Melina let out an ear-piercing scream from ringside as Johnny scrambled to the ropes; before he could get there, Benoit released the hold, but fell on his back and tried to lock in the Crippler Crossface! Nitro was able to slither out, and he slid under the ropes, backing up the ramp and falling on his behind. He continued to make his way back up the ramp as Melina followed him with the title belt, causing a count out! Benoit was livid at the referee, but there was nothing Mike Chioda could do, as Johnny Nitro retained his title via a count-out loss.

 

RATING:

92 (A)

Notes

: This was Honky Tonk Man-level heel heat on Nitro. Awesome work by both guys and an amazing way to kick off the year.

____________________________________________

 

In the back, Todd Grisham is with

"Y2J" Chris Jericho

. Jericho begins his promo by calling out Batista for helping his boyfriend Randy Orton last week in the Battle Royal. Y2J says he's heard it's nothing personal, but he's not so sure about that because he knows it

is

something personal. Batista, he says,

knew

that Jericho had Orton beat, but it wasn't really about the Heavyweight Title. He looks at Batista and sees the gelled hair, the fake suits, the "landing strip he calls facial hair," his belly button tattoo.....and he knows that Batista is

jealous

of the effect that Y2J has on the ladies! Batista, try hard as he might, has never understood how to appeal to anyone; and tonight, in the battle of "The Animal" versus "The Sexy Beast," Y2J is gonna come through and show him why he shouldn't have stuck his nose in Jericho's business!

 

RATING:

76 (B-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/5PIw1Nu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/CY2xKLI.jpg

Jeff Hardy

vs.

Lance Cade w/Trevor Murdoch

 

Jeff looked to look strong heading into his fourth consecutive Royal Rumble appearance, and he made that happen as he fended off a distraction by Murdoch to finish Cade with the Swanton Bomb.

 

RATING:

65 ©

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

There's a knock at the door of Interim General Manager

Mick Foley

, and it turns out to be

Trish Stratus

. She's dressed quite immodestly, for lack of a better word, and Foley welcomes her. As she leads up to what she's looking for, she bats her eyes in her chair. Foley sits behind his desk (which is much messier than last week; he's clearly settling in) and puts his feet up on it, hearing out what she's here to talk about - the fact that there's no Women's Championship match at the Royal Rumble. In a somewhat-cartoonish 'little girl' voice, Trish says she's worked so hard to get here and all she needs is Mick's help by putting her in the title match. Trish says that she has more

assets

than Melina does, as she not-so-inconspicuously removes the light jacket she entered the room with, and that's why Foley should consider giving her another shot at Lita.

 

Mick responds by remarking how cold it is in his office, reaching over and offering Trish a large coat he has hanging on the wall. He tells her that before she came into the office he was thinking about this and fortunately enough, he's going to be able to give her the title match at the pay-per-view! An arrogant smirk crawls across her lips, but Mick talks about how Christmas has just passed, and "Jolly Old St. Mick" has been in a giving mood after his great time at home with his children. He's decided 'the more, the merrier!' This means that at the Royal Rumble, Trish is going to face not just Lita, but also Melina and Mickie James in a Fatal Four-Way match for the Women's Championship! Trish doesn't seem incredibly happy about that, but Foley tells her to have a nice day regardless!

 

RATING:

67 (C+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

Up next, JR and "The King," let us know, is the World Tag Team Championship match. First, they send us to the back, where Todd Grisham is standing with

The Aristocracy

. They speak of how Van Dam and Benjamin have been defacing the championships with their hoodlum behaviors and how even the ingrates in the WWE crowd deserve better champions. Regal says that he and Damien will restore elegance and class to the World Tag Team Titles, and that will happen right here tonight.

 

http://i.imgur.com/IUMs941.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AEpongn.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ikVn0HT.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gnplgzD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/mMNdi05.jpg

RVD and Benjamin ©

vs.

The Aristocracy

 

These two teams put on an exciting contest as there were quite a few near falls on both sides. Van Dam connected with a Frog Splash to Regal, but Warlock was able to drop an elbow and keep the challengers' hopes alive! A slight miscommunication on a tag between Shelton and RVD allowed Warlock to kick out of a split-legged moonsault as RVD was no longer the legal man. This led to Regal's distracting the referee, and that allowed Damien to slip on a pair of brass knuckles and nail Benjamin in the skull with the weapon before sliding it back into his trunks. A running knee lift from Regal to Van Dam sealed the champions' fates, and Regal and Warlock stole the titles!

 

RATING:

72 (B-) / 77 (B)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

In the back with Todd Grisham is

"The Rabid Wolverine" Chris Benoit

and he's got some short words for the Intercontinental Champion Johnny Nitro. He chides him for running away earlier and says he hopes they cross paths in the Royal Rumble so he can

send

Nitro running and crying to the back when he eliminates him. Benoit spits on the ground in anger and walks off.

 

RATING:

87 (B+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/KpoRc3H.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Zo17PUr.jpg

Mickie James

vs.

Gail Kim

 

Divas action ensued, and Gail Kim looked to make an impression in the division by defeating a top contender. While her unique technical offense had Mickie on her heels for a bit, James was able to use her toughness and athleticism to show some grit heading into the biggest opportunity of her young career at the Royal Rumble. She was able to turn a Hurricanrana into a Powerbomb and then hit a Tornado DDT for the win.

 

RATING:

48 (D+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

In the back,

Melina

watches the end of Mickie's match as she talks about her Women's Title opportunity to

Johnny Nitro

. All of a sudden,

The Hurricane

appears behind the couple along with

Rosey

and the Hollywood pair are startled. "The Green Guardian" says that the Intercontinental Title is not to be held by a dastardly coward, but Nitro fires back by saying that The Hurricane and Rosey don't know anything about being a champion - they're just grown men running around dressed like comic book characters. Mentioning the blockbuster Spider-Man 2 which came out a few months ago, Nitro says that Spider-Man is a real superhero. What power does The Hurricane have?

 

He asks if Nitro's seen his entrance video -

! He has

super strength

, and he can also read minds! And Mr. Nitro's says that the

real

Intercontinental Champion is The Hurricane!

 

RATING:

71 (B-)

Notes

: Stand back..?

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/zOBaMoY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/kNpsmiw.jpg

Chris Jericho

vs.

Batista

 

"The Animal" seemed fired up by Jericho's comments earlier as he took it to his opponent early with knee lifts and punches in the corner. Jericho would use his creativity to get away though, and got the crowd behind him with a springboard dropkick, sending Batista to the floor! Batista found it tough to put Y2J away, and eventually took his eye off the ball as Jericho found a way to roll him up and put his feet on the ropes for the win!

 

Batista can't believe it - he appeals to the referee about Jericho's illegal maneuver, but Chad Patton pays him no mind. On the outside, the brash Jericho laughs and holds the back of his head in pain as he's come out victorious over the larger Batista!

 

RATING:

85 (B+) / 77 (B)

Notes

:

____________________________________________

 

In their locker room,

Trish Stratus

talks to

Tyson Rude

, who's sitting on the couch watching the TV screen intently. Trish complains about being put in a Fatal Four-Way for the Women's Title, thinking she earned her shot. After a few seconds without Tyson even looking at her, Trish gets offended, walking out and slamming the door. This startles Rude, who pulls an iPod earbud out of his ear, looks around, calls "Trish?", and goes back to listening to music and staring at the TV, which is showing the 2004 Royal Rumble...

 

RATING:

68 (C+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/ChwRFa7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/tHC6zCp.jpg

The Rock

vs.

Kane

 

This rivalry has held since shortly after The Rock returned at Survivor Series, and both men looked to end it right here in our main event. However, it was an all-out brawl, and neither man could be satisfied, so Kane took to the outside and blasted "The Great One" with a chair and the match was thrown out!

 

Having busted Rocky open, Kane tried to do some more damage after the bell rang, but The Rock fought back. He landed some punches, ducked a big boot, and the fight spilled around the ring! The Rock had Kane reeling as he landed punch after punch up the ramp. Kane fought back with a throat thrust and looked to get away, but a crimson Rock gave chase! Kane shoved him back into the RAW set, but "The Great One" bounced back with a clothesline! He squatted and beckoned for Kane to get up, and the crowd crescendoed for the Rock Bottom! Kane elbowed out and grabbed his throat - low blow by The Rock! "The Great One" used this opportunity to land the Rock Bottom on the stage! He inaudibly talked trash to Kane and a bloodied Rock raised his hand and celebrated for the crowd as we headed into our final commercial break!

 

RATING:

86 (B+) / 76 (B-)

Notes

: Kane's only lost like three times in the last...how many months? Since Vengeance? Rock's gonna have to work for this one.

____________________________________________

 

Up next is our contract signing, with Interim GM

Mick Foley

presiding over the proceedings. First,

"The Legend Killer" Randy Orton

is introduced to heat from the crowd as he and former rival Foley share a tense moment in the ring. Next, Foley calls out the World Heavyweight Champion

Shawn Michaels

to massive cheering and applause. "The Heartbreak Kid" plays to the crowd as he settles in on the opposite side of the table as Randy Orton.

 

Shawn signs the contract immediately and hands it over to his opponent with that cocky, gum-chewing smile we all know and love - subtly reminding Orton of the Sweet Chin Music he received last week. Randy swipes the contract away from him, but first puts it on the table and picks up the microphone next to it. Randy says that before he signs this, he wants to let Shawn know that he embodies everything he's hated about this business since his legendary father, Cowboy Bob, had him in the back 20 years ago. He says that Shawn is what so many of those guys are - they're phonies. He accuses Michaels' new-found born-again Christian lifestyle as a farce to gain sympathy. Orton says that at the Royal Rumble, he isn't going to kill the legend of Shawn Michaels...that legend is already dead because Shawn is a shell of "The Heartbreak Kid" Orton grew up idolizing. Randy's just going to bring the shovel and bury it for good.

 

The two are face-to-face standing over the table now as Orton drops the mic. Michaels wants him to bring it on, but Orton balks. He picks up the pen and signs the contract...but the millisecond he's done, he spits in Michaels' face and hits the RKO over and through the table! Foley yells at him to stop there, while Randy begins to practice deep breathing exercises with his eyes and veins popping out of his head. Shawn struggles to get up as Orton heads back toward the corner, with obviously evil intentions. Looking for the same punt that has put Triple H out of action, "The Legend Killer" is cut off by Foley! The Interim GM grabs his mic and tells Orton to stop right now. Orton stares him down and Foley looks him in the eye and says that if Randy goes through with this, his match at the Rumble is off and he'll never see a championship opportunity in this company again! If he wants obscurity, then go ahead; but Mick promises that he'll do everything in his power to end Orton's career if he hits Shawn again. Orton walks up to Foley and smirks before slowly heading toward the ropes. As Foley turns to check on "The Heartbreak Kid," Randy spins him around and hits the RKO! The show ends with Randy Orton raising the World Heavyweight Championship over both Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels!

 

RATING:

92 (A)

Notes

:

____________________________________________

 

OVERALL SHOW RATING:

87 (B+)

Notes

: Too many screwy finishes brought this show down just a tad, but overall it was quality. Also, we've found out that Chris Masters has had an interesting new relationship budding backstage - "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair seems to have taken him under his wing as of late.

 

Quick Results

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Chris Benoit

vs. Johnny Nitro © w/Melina; count-out

 

Jeff Hardy

vs. Lance Cade w/Trevor Murdoch

 

World Tag Team Championship

RVD and Benjamin © vs.

The Aristocracy

 

Mickie James

vs. Gail Kim

 

Chris Jericho

vs. Batista

 

The Rock

vs. Kane; DQ

 

 

The current Royal Rumble card is as follows:

 

WWE Royal Rumble 2005 Card

Sunday, Week 2, January

(card subject to change)

 

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

Confirmed:

Chris Masters, Damien Warlock, Jeff Hardy, Kane, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal,

Booker T, Edge, John Cena, Muhammad Hassan

 

WWE Championship

Eddie Guerrero vs. Christian ©

 

World Heavyweight Championship

Shawn Michaels © vs. Randy Orton

 

WWE Women's Championship

Lita © vs. Mickie James vs. Melina vs. Trish Stratus

 

No DQ Tornado Tag Match

The Dudley Boyz vs. The Widow Makers

 

Prediction Contest Leaderboard

jscotty - 5

packerman120 - 5

Ben_Ditch05 - 4

Frootloop - 4

Russelrules44 - 4

Happy0wns - 4

Smasher1311 - 4

The Lloyd - 4

Johnny_Boombatz - 4

AMarc9-8 - 3 (welcome!)

Midnightnick - 3

crackerjack - 3

Kijar - 3 (welcome back!)

Uncrewed - 3

thebest2427 - 3

BHK6 - 3

Beejus - 2

The_CoC - 2

lukess11 - 2

 

Thanks again for the predictions guys, lots of varying results to start off the new year. I'm back from an eight-day vacation to the Pacific Northwest, so things should be back to normal

 

And CoC, I just realized I glossed over your request for developmental champions, so I'll edit my previous post with the developmental roster to include the champions.

 

Next up is the SmackDown preview!

[RKOwnage]

<p>SmackDown Preview: Week 1, January 2005</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36517" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://whatistheexcel.com/wooobooru/_images/b1a8e5a7c6ff60c5582d32d7b7abfdcb/13871%20-%20logo%20smackdown%20wwe.jpg</span><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> </span></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">WWE SmackDown!</span></span></span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="font-size:12px;">Thursday, Week 1, January 2005</span></span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> The new year is finally here, and we've got a special edition of WWE SmackDown for you this week! Our main event has storylines galore; Eddie Guerrero and Edge will team up to take on Brock Lesnar and the WWE Champion, Christian! What will happen when Edge finally gets his hands on the brother who betrayed him? Will there be any tension between Guerrero and Edge based on Eddie's #1 contendership? Will they be too focused on Christian and forget about Brock Lesnar?</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> After last week's embarrassment at Tribute to the Troops, JBL has vowed revenge on Booker T this week - they'll be in one-on-one action! Also, Hardcore Holly defends the Television Title against the former champion, Matt Hardy, in a No-DQ match! And finally, Luther Reigns has let us know that he will call out The Undertaker! What could all of these events mean for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in just ten days?</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Find out what happens at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific this Thursday night on UPN!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><strong>Confirmed Match Preview</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><strong>WWE Television Championship</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><em>No Disqualification Match</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Hardcore Holly © vs. Matt Hardy</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment: </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. Kurt Angle</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment: </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment:</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> The Colons vs. Noble and Nunzio</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment: </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Booker T vs. JBL w/Sable</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment:</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comment: </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Comments on Previous Show:</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div></blockquote><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Good luck!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

[Frootloop]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: One could even say it's a...<em>hardcore</em> match.</p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: Lawl, poor Stevie</p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry</strong> w/Theodore Long</p><p>

Comment: LOL, poor Ultimo.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: *Miz and Morrison voice* We are the colons. *fart noise*</p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment: Always been a big JBL fan</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment: If a champion and his number one contender team up, they lose. First rule of wrestling, right there.</p><p> </p><p>

Comments on Previous Show: Glad to see ya back.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs.<strong> Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Comments on Previous Show:</p>

[The Lloyd]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong> Hardcore Holly © </strong>vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: <em><strong>Hardcore</strong></em> match... Hardcore Holly wins...</p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

The Colons vs. <strong>Noble and Nunzio</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Eddie Guerrero and Edge</strong> vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Comments on Previous Show:</p>

[thebest2427]

<p>Holly</p><p>

Angle</p><p>

Henry</p><p>

:s</p><p>

JBL</p><p>

Draw</p>

[Happy0wns]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly (c</strong>) vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: He Just won the title I don't think he's dropping it already</p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: Stevie Richards has had quite the push here, BUT NO WAY IS ANGLE WILLING TO LOSE TO HIM! Right?</p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment: I want to say "Squash Match much" but Ultimo might actually pull of an upset</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons </strong>vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: Push</p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment: I'm a JBL Fan in this Diary for some odd reason</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment: Christian's gotta look like a legit champion at times</p>

[Beejus]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<em>Hardcore Holly</em> © vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: <em>Matt Fact: Matt slept with the TV title at his side every night while champion.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <em>Kurt Angle</em></p><p>

Comment: <em>Love the spirit Stevie, but no.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <em>Mark Henry</em> w/Theodore Long</p><p>

Comment: <em>Mark is going to eat Yang Time.</em></p><p> </p><p>

The Colons vs. <em>Noble and Nunzio</em></p><p>

Comment: <em>The Battle of Familia</em></p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <em>JBL</em> w/Sable</p><p>

Comment: <em>JBL seems close to World title level worthiness, while Booker is at a US/IC level.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<em>Eddie Guerrero and Edge</em> vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian</p><p>

Comment: <em>This is a hard one. I'm guessing another screwy finish here, like Christian bolting to the back.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Comments on Previous Show: <em>Definitely a lot of screwy finishes! You're killin' me, RKO!</em></p>

[Uncrewed]

WWE Television Championship

No Disqualification Match

Hardcore Holly © vs. Matt Hardy

Comment:

 

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. Kurt Angle

Comment:

 

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

Comment:

 

The Colons vs. Noble and Nunzio

Comment:

 

Booker T vs. JBL w/Sable

Comment:

 

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian

Comment:

[Dawn]

WWE Television Championship

No Disqualification Match

Hardcore Holly © vs. Matt Hardy

Comment:

 

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. Kurt Angle

Comment:

 

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

Comment:

 

The Colons vs. Noble and Nunzio

Comment:

 

Booker T vs. JBL w/Sable

Comment:

 

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian

Comment:

 

Comments on Previous Show:

[Kijar]

<p>Hardcore</p><p>

Angle</p><p>

Henry</p><p>

Colons</p><p>

Booker</p><p>

Eddie & Edge</p>

[packerman120]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Eddie Guerrero and Edge</strong> vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Comments on Previous Show:</p>

[lukess11]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

Hardcore Holly © vs. <strong>Matt Hardy</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p>

[Midnightnick]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons </strong>vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs.<strong> Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p>

[The_CoC]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p>

[jscotty]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly © </strong>vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p>

[BHK6]

<p><strong>Hardcore Holly ©</strong> vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: No DQ is Holly's bread and butter.</p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: Angle all the way.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang</strong> vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</p><p>

Comment: BIG upset here</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: </p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment:</p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment: Gotta keep the Champ and Lesnar strong.</p>

[crackerjack]

<p>WWE Television Championship</p><p>

No Disqualification Match</p><p>

<strong>Hardcore Holly (c</strong>) vs. Matt Hardy</p><p>

Comment: <em>Stip plays into his hand</em></p><p> </p><p>

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. <strong>Kurt Angle</strong></p><p>

Comment: <em>Oh no stevie!</em></p><p> </p><p>

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. <strong>Mark Henry w/Theodore Long</strong></p><p>

Comment: <em>Oh no Ultimo!</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Colons</strong> vs. Noble and Nunzio</p><p>

Comment: <em>Carlito is pretty cool</em></p><p> </p><p>

Booker T vs. <strong>JBL w/Sable</strong></p><p>

Comment: <em>The battle of the Raw Commentators!</em></p><p> </p><p>

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. <strong>Brock Lesnar and Christian</strong></p><p>

Comment: <em>May go to a double dq/countout though</em></p>

[Ben_Ditch05]

Smackdown Predictions

 

WWE Television Championship

No Disqualification Match

Hardcore Holly © vs. Matt Hardy

Comment: I was always a fan of Matt's, not so for Holly

 

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. Kurt Angle

Comment: I like Stevie, but he's not an Olympic Gold Medalist

 

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

Comment: I loved the push you gave Henry earlier in the dynasty.

 

The Colons vs. Noble and Nunzio

Comment: New team on the block needs to look good.

 

Booker T vs. JBL w/Sable

Comment: It's JBL's time, Sable gets involved in this one

 

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian

Comment: I'm thinking a DQ or Countout finish here. Don't want to make any team look weaker.

 

Comments on Previous Show: Dang, Nitro and Benoit got a 92! Any kind of chemistry there?

[AMarc9-8]

WWE Television Championship

No Disqualification Match

Hardcore Holly © vs. Matt Hardy

Comment: Don't think Holly's a transitional champion

 

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs. Kurt Angle

Comment: Angle wouldn't put Stevie over, would he?

 

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs. Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

Comment: Ultimo gonna get his ass kicked

 

The Colons vs. Noble and Nunzio

Comment: Future of the tag division

 

Booker T vs. JBL w/Sable

Comment: I see JBL as a more believable main eventer in this diary than he was IRL

 

Eddie Guerrero and Edge vs. Brock Lesnar and Christian

Comment: Heel win going into Rumble

[RKOwnage]

WWE SmackDown: Week 1, January 2005

 

http://whatistheexcel.com/wooobooru/_images/b1a8e5a7c6ff60c5582d32d7b7abfdcb/13871%20-%20logo%20smackdown%20wwe.jpg

WWE SmackDown!

Thursday, Week 1, January 2005

Providence Civic Center; Providence, RI

 

Michael Cole and Tazz wait for the fireworks to subside before welcoming the live television audience to SmackDown! Tonight, Cole announces, we'll have a major main event match where

Eddie Guerrero and Edge

will team up to take on

Brock Lesnar and Christian

! Tazz says he's known Paul Heyman a long time, and thinks he's got something up his sleeve for that main event. Before they can speculate further, "

" hits and the former WWE Champion is on his way to the ring!

 

RATING:

85 (B+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

Eddie Guerrero

kicks off the year with a brand new custom low-rider which he drives out near the top of the ramp. He plays to the raucous crowd and walks down to the ring, grabbing a microphone. Eddie kicks off the segment by going into his upcoming title match at the Royal Rumble. He talks about last week at Tribute to the Troops when he and Rey-Rey were able to get a win over Christian and Kurt Angle, and he says that he's not gonna need anyone's help to take his title back from Christian at the Rumble! Eddie claims he's gonna do anything it takes - lie, cheat, and steal - to regain what he lost and that he's going to show Christian why he should've stayed with those RAW guys,

holmes

. Eddie Guerrero's redemption is going to let him finish what he started - last year he won the title at WrestleMania, but now he says he will walk into and out of WrestleMania 21 as the WWE Champion. He continues, only to be cut off by "

," signaling the arrival of "Captain Charisma."

 

Christian

has other plans for ten nights from now at the Rumble. Christian says that Eddie likes to spin things his way because he knows he doesn't have what it takes to beat a guy like "The Instant Classic." He didn't pin Christian last week, and he only won the match because "Captain Charisma" wanted to get out of that hellhole in the Middle East before someone took a shot at his handsome Canadian face. Christian says that later on tonight, he's going to embarrass Eddie and his dear brother just like he did at Armageddon, because he's smarter and better than them like he's above the nobodies here in Providence. Guerrero fires back with a smirk, wondering if Christian's been keeping the WWE Title warm for him, because smarter, better doesn't matter - "Latino Heat"

will

win the belt back at the Royal Rumble! Christian says that the closest that Eddie, or Edge will ever get to the WWE Title again is when they look up at him raising it above their lifeless bodies later on tonight. He's cut off by "

" and now, Tazz says, it's a party!

 

Cole addresses the explosive situation developing in the ring, now with the unpredictable

Edge

meeting his brother Christian face-to-face for the first time since the debacle at Armageddon. With Edge coming down the ramp, "Captain Charisma" drops his microphone and high-tails it, preferring to listen to Edge from the comfort of the third row in the audience. Edge says he's sick and tired of Christian running his mouth as if he earned anything. Edge says he scratched and clawed for six years to finally hit the top of the mountain, and just like when they were the Tag Team Champions, Christian piggybacked off of all of Edge's efforts. He says that he doesn't even care that he wasn't able to get a rematch for the title; Edge says that nobody on the WWE roster can stop him from winning the Royal Rumble and main eventing WrestleMania. Not Kane, not Big Show, definitely not Brock Lesnar - and whether it's Christian...or if it's

you

, Eddie, Edge is going to reclaim what is rightfully his. But tonight, Edge says he's going to get a hell of a lot of pleasure out of beating the ever-living hell out of Christian.

 

To the chagrin of the fans,

hits and SmackDown's GM walks out to the top of the ramp. He says that when he authorized the tag team main event tonight, he thought that the competitors could handle it professionally. However, as a businessman, Paul says he has to protect his investment, his champion, and his Royal Rumble title match. And that is why, due to the threat of unnecessary physical and psychological violence, he has gone ahead and placed a restraining order on Edge in regards to Christian! Edge is in shock and Cole questions what this means for the main event! Heyman answers that for him quickly - that means that unless Edge wants to end up in Rhode Island State Prison, tonight's main event is now a Handicap Match. And Eddie has no one but Edge to thank for that! The segment ends with Christian grinning from the crowd as Edge takes some deep breaths to stop from snapping - and Eddie Guerrero just stares over at Heyman as we head to break. Cole says we definitely need a break, but stay tuned - we have a title match up next!

 

RATING:

100 (A*)

Notes

: Great segment to start the new year, really shows the success of the new era of SmackDown.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/SrzzrGQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b36kR0Q.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/E3k1b59.jpg

No Disqualification

Hardcore Holly ©

vs.

Matt Hardy

 

This one was a rematch from Armageddon, as Hardy got his shot at regaining the TV Title. Tazz talked about how there's no one on SmackDown tougher than Hardcore, and he wouldn't want to be Matt Hardy because this match type favors Holly completely. Chairs and a table were brought into play as both sides got some near falls. The longer the match went, the more it seemed to favor Holly, as his hard-nosed style began to wear down the challenger. As he looked for an Alabama Slam through the table in the ring,

a mysterious man

entered the ring and caught him with a huge boot to the face! A Pumphandle Slam through the table later, and the imposing man helped Hardy crawl over to make the cover and regain the Television Title!

 

RATING:

63 ©

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

In the back,

John "Bradshaw" Layfield

is standing by with Amy Weber, who questions him about facing off against Booker T tonight. Bradshaw has a smile on his face as he stands with Sable, seemingly unfazed by his match later on. He keeps it simple - last week, Booker sucker punched him and tonight he's going to pay the price. In the Royal Rumble, JBL guarantees that he'll be the last man standing because he is a wrestling god, and that SmackDown wants him in the WrestleMania main event because just like his book sales, political analysis, and his wrestling career, everything John "Bradshaw" Layfield touches turns to gold.

 

RATING:

78 (B)

Notes

: Is he ready to carry the torch?

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/LrzJpjI.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hxWQRWm.jpg

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie

vs.

Kurt Angle

 

Stevie showed a ton of that grit and heart that led to his improbable TV Title reign earlier this year, but "The Olympic Hero" looked razor sharp. Every time Dawn would will Stevie through to another flurry, Kurt would stomp it out and he ended up on top after an Angle Slam.

 

Kurt grabs a microphone after the match and says that last year was a fluke. He says that nine times out of ten, Kurt Angle beats Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit and walks out of Madison Square Garden the WWE Champion, but clearly luck was not in his favor. He says that he's never been more focused in his entire career and that he's gonna keep drinking his milk and breaking ankles until he walks out of WrestleMania with the championship!

 

RATING:

79 (B) / 71 (B-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

In the back,

Rey Mysterio

,

Billy Kidman

, and

Torrie Wilson

are hanging out together watching the show when

The Chosen Ones

enter the area. The trio quickly overwhelm Kidman and Mysterio, getting in their faces as the two smaller men refuse to back down. Orlando Jordan defuses the situation, just laughing and saying that he and the Chosen Ones aren't there for a fight. They just wanted to put the champs on notice that they're coming for the WWE Tag Team Titles and that whenever they want them, they

will

take them. Kidman tells them to take them right now if that's the case, and Mysterio says to get the hell out if they're not here for a fight. Burke says they'll be back for them soon. Porter calls Mysterio a chump as he shoves his head away and the Chosen Ones walk off before any retaliation can be made.

 

RATING:

56 (C-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/ARR4olN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/S4VnQmH.jpg

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang

vs.

Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

 

With Theodore Long on the outside keeping "The World's Strongest Man" focused on the Royal Rumble, Ultimo Dragon barely stood a chance. The innovative cruiserweight tried his hardest, but an Asai Moonsault turned into the World's Strongest Slam and that was all she wrote.

 

RATING:

58 (C-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

After a quick commercial break, "

" hits and

John Cena

makes his way out to the ring with the United States Title. He slides into the ring wearing a XXL "

Word Life

" t-shirt and grabs a microphone. He gets the crowd hyped up by talking about last week at Tribute to the Troops, where he got to defend this great country against "The Cowardly Frenchman" and guess what ... The Champ is Here! He raises the belt as the crowd cheers, and Cena turns his attention to the future. He knows all about the Royal Rumble coming up in ten days and he says he's gonna win it, but y'all knew that already. What he wants to talk about is his beef with Muhammad Hassan. He asks the fans if they want John Cena to spit some bars on Hassan, and they cheer while Cena clears his throat. Less than one line into his rap,

hits and the crowd's excitement turns to boos.

 

Hassan

appears, rolling his manager

Daivari

out in a wheelchair! They stop at the top of the ramp, where Hassan receives a microphone. He says that the fun and games are over. Last week at Tribute to the Troops, Hassan felt as if he would be unsafe around the prejudiced troops in the United States military, and so he stayed at his home in Syracuse and watched John Cena attack his defenseless friend Daivari just for speaking his mind. Such a despicable act has become commonplace among those who represent the United States, just like those who continue to discriminate against hardworking Arab-Americans in this country. That's why Hassan says he is going to take the United States Championship and turn it into a beacon of hope for minorities like himself who are held down because of his ethnicity.

 

Cena's had enough of his preaching, and says listen, none of these people (he refers to them as the "Chain Gang") came here to listen to you whine and complain. America is the land of opportunity no matter who you are, Muhammad Hassan, and "The Doctor of Thuganomics" is giving you an

opportunity

to come down to this ring right now and get fitted for a wheelchair to match your boyfriend! Hassan is tempted to brawl at first, but eventually decides against it. He says that not everything can be solved with violence, and that's something that John Cena and the United States of America need to learn.

 

RATING:

79 (B)

Notes

: Poor Daivari.

____________________________________________

 

A vignette airs of

Rene Dupree

walking the streets of France as the King of the Ring. As the youngest King of the Ring ever, Rene says, he is immensely respected by his French peers. He walks past a couple of people who ask him (in French, with subtitles) what thrift store he got his king gear at (because it looks great!), and he dismisses them with a flick of the wrist and walks away. Next he's in front of a statue of Louis XIV, the "Sun King," riding a horse, and he talks about how all of France has welcomed him home as a hero. He's spoken to by security near the Palace of Versailles to please step away from the famous statue. Now more agitated, he begrudgingly walks away. Finally, Dupree is in front of the Eiffel Tower, talking about how he will win the Royal Rumble and complete his ascent to the top of the WWE tower. He walks over to the entrance to the lift, where he's stopped by the operator and they ask for his ticket. He claims not to need one because he's Rene Dupree, France's favorite son! The operator says that he still needs to make a reservation in advance and buy a ticket if he wants to go to the top. Dupree causes a commotion, saying that this is why he left this country, but eventually leaves and shoves the cameraman and the camera cuts to black.

 

RATING:

74 (B-)

Notes

: All hail!

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/ilZobtl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lM2aHng.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xN306IY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/O7yFF07.jpg

The Colons

vs.

Noble and Nunzio

 

Noble and Nunzio tried to use the age-old tactic of cutting the ring in half, but The Colons scored a nice win here when Eddie hit Nunzio with a Top-Rope Hurricanrana.

 

RATING:

56 (C-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

We get another view of Northern Ireland, from the outside of The Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast, where the sounds of hollering, joy, and alcohol consumption are heard. The camera pans down the street in an alley, where a man is shadowboxing. A voiceover reveals that it is indeed

Finlay

, the man who will be coming to SmackDown soon. He says that while kids his age played with each other and grew up to be drunkards, Finlay has always had to fight his way through life. Growing up in Belfast was no easy treat for a boy like Finlay, and that's how he became one of the top bare-knuckle fighters in the world - because he loves to fight.

 

RATING:

75 (B-)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

Inside the ring is

Luther Reigns

, and he's holding a microphone. He says that two weeks ago, he put down The Undertaker in a no-DQ match. He thought he put him down for good. But last week at Tribute to the Troops, it seemed like "The Deadman" still had a problem with him. So he wants to call out The Undertaker right now and if he ain't scared, he'll stand face-to-face with Luther in the ring right here, right now.

 

He isn't scared.

 

The lights go out, the familiar funeral bell rings, and before you know it,

The Undertaker

is making his slow crawl to the ring amidst purple lights and smoke. Cole talks about his chilling entrance and Tazz says that Luther doesn't seem to be backing down. 'Taker gets in the ring and stands toe-to-toe with his foe. Reigns says that he sees only one way to settle their differences. He motions to the back for something to be brought out, as six hooded men wheel out an object underneath a black covering, which turns out to be a casket! They open the lid as Reigns smirks in the face of the Undertaker. "Whaddya say, Deadman?" he asks, and he holds the mic up to Undertaker's face. "The Phenom" snatches it out of his hands and offers up a simple "you're on,

boy

," and the crowd goes nuts! Reigns laughs and then audaciously slaps 'Taker across the face! This angers him and the two get into a little scrum.

 

With The Undertaker grabbing Reigns by the throat, two of the masked men at ringside reveal themselves to be

Lance Storm and Charlie Haas

! Storm and Haas attack The Undertaker from behind as he turns toward them. They hold him off just long enough for Reigns to attack from behind and land the Reign of Terror! Reigns slowly pulls "The Phenom" over toward the casket before shoving him into it with his boot! He shuts the lid as he, Storm, and Haas raise their hands inside the ring while we head to commercial.

 

RATING:

83 (B+)

Notes

: These guys actually get pretty solid angle ratings together.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/3YB4tKm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jW6II8U.jpg

Booker T

vs.

JBL w/The Cabinet

 

This grudge match stemmed from last week's incident at Tribute to the Troops, where Booker beat up JBL for making backhanded remarks toward the U.S. military. These two hard-hitting veterans went at it with JBL trying to pick his shots, using Sable and The Chosen Ones as a shield. Booker fought through it, even catching Burke in the head with a kick, looking to teach JBL a lesson while simultaneously procuring some momentum heading into the Rumble. Booker had him set up for the Scissors Kick, but Porter slid in the ring and caught him with an elbow to the face! Jordan and Burke started to stomp on Booker, and the bell rang for a disqualification!

 

All three Chosen Ones put the boots to Booker, but within seconds,

Mysterio and Kidman

hit the ring! Rey lands some kicks, Kidman hits a dropkick to Jordan, and the three men, along with JBL and Sable, flee the ring! The WWE Tag Team Champions help Booker T to his feet as the trio stands tall against the odds!

 

RATING:

73 (B-) / 77 (B)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

In the back,

Big Show

and

Rhyno

are talking when Show gets a phone call. He's heard talking to someone with "an idea" and who wants to "embarrass Heyman and his boys." Show's and Rhyno's interests are piqued and they walk down the hallway without any further details divulged. Tazz is worried about what's gonna happen - the main event is next!

 

RATING:

83 (B+)

Notes

: None.

____________________________________________

 

http://i.imgur.com/Zjlz5Gp.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sv4Vqlt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rN6gkM2.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sdGPCpQ.jpg

Handicap Match

Eddie Guerrero

vs.

Christian and Brock Lesnar

 

Luckily for Eddie, this Handicap Match was of the variety where Christian and Brock had to tag in and out. That was a small consolation prize though, as Brock set the tone early, wearing Guerrero down with his mammoth strength. This allowed Christian to come in and take some potshots while playing to the crowd. When Eddie nearly grabbed a quick three count on a gloating Christian, the match became a bit more serious. "Captain Charisma" was repeatedly scolded by the referee for using a closed fist after this, landing hit after hit on the fatigued #1 contender. With Brock and Christian firmly in control, suddenly the voice of Edge was heard as he appeared in the crowd. He called for Brock and said he had something that might interest him. He directed his attention over to the TitanTron, where a frantic scene was unfolding in Paul Heyman's office. Big Show and Rhyno had locked Luther Reigns out as they physically threatened Paul Heyman! Paul called for Brock to help him, and "The Next Big Thing" beelined for the back! Christian couldn't believe what was happening, yelling at Lesnar for running away! All of a sudden, Guerrero rolled him up - holding the tights - for an improbable pinfall! The WWE Champion had been pinned by Eddie Guerrero!

 

Guerrero rolls right out of the ring, breathing heavily, as he escapes the Handicap Match with a win! Edge smirks in the crowd, seeing his brother squirm as he slams his hands down on the canvas in disgust! Guerrero and Edge celebrate with the fans as Christian is absolutely livid inside the ring. Tazz says there'll be hell to pay for this, and Cole says that hell won't be coming tonight, because we are out of time! He thanks everyone for tuning in and sends it home to fade to black!

 

RATING:

84 (B+) / 84 (B+)

Notes

: No actual Paul Heymans were hurt during the making of this segment.

____________________________________________

 

OVERALL SHOW RATING:

87 (B+)

Notes

: Good effort, SmackDown is flat-out consistent if nothing else. Full steam ahead to the Rumble.

 

Quick Results

 

WWE Television Championship

No Disqualification

Hardcore Holly © vs.

Matt Hardy

 

Stevie Richards w/Dawn Marie vs.

Kurt Angle

 

Ultimo Dragon w/Jimmy Yang vs.

Mark Henry w/Theodore Long

 

The Colons

vs. Noble and Nunzio

 

Booker T

vs. JBL w/The Cabinet; DQ

 

Handicap Match

Eddie Guerrero

vs. Christian and Brock Lesnar

 

The current Royal Rumble card is as follows:

 

WWE Royal Rumble 2005 Card

Sunday, Week 2, January

(card subject to change)

 

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

Confirmed:

Batista, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Chris Masters, Damien Warlock, Jeff Hardy, Johnny Nitro, Kane, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Shelton Benjamin, Tyson Rude, William Regal,

Big Show, Billy Kidman, Booker T, Brock Lesnar, Edge, JBL, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry, Muhammad Hassan, Rene Dupree, Rey Mysterio, Rhyno

 

WWE Championship

Eddie Guerrero vs. Christian ©

 

World Heavyweight Championship

Shawn Michaels © vs. Randy Orton

 

Casket Match

The Undertaker vs. Luther Reigns

 

WWE Women's Championship

Lita © vs. Mickie James vs. Melina vs. Trish Stratus

 

No DQ Tornado Tag Match

The Dudley Boyz vs. The Widow Makers

 

Prediction Contest Leaderboard

jscotty - 8

packerman120 - 8

Ben_Ditch05 - 8

Frootloop - 7

Russelrules44 - 7

Happy0wns - 7

Smasher1311 - 7

Kijar - 7

The Lloyd - 6

AMarc9-8 - 6

Midnightnick - 6

crackerjack - 6

Uncrewed - 6

thebest2427 - 6

BHK6 - 6

lukess11 - 6

The_CoC - 5

Beejus - 4

Johnny_Boombatz - 4

 

The main event didn't count, because it was a different match.

 

Next up is the RAW preview!

[RKOwnage]

WWE RAW Preview: Week 2, January 2005

 

http://i.imgur.com/3HPbZ94.jpg

WWE RAW

Monday, Week 2, January 2005

Joe Louis Arena; Detroit, MI

 

Merely six nights remain until the Royal Rumble, and Interim GM Mick Foley has announced a colossal main event here tonight to decide positioning within the Rumble match itself! We will see a ten-man tag match with the team of Kane, Johnny Nitro, Tyson Rude, and World Tag Team Champions The Aristocracy taking on Rob Van Dam, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and The Rock! The man who makes the fall will be guaranteed a spot between numbers 25 and 30, while the man who is pinned or made to submit will enter between numbers 1 and 5! All parties will be on high alert in this one, who will win the grand prize?

 

Speaking of the grand prize, both men involved in the World Heavyweight Title match at the Rumble will be in action! "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton will take on D-Von Dudley while the champion, Shawn Michaels, takes on "The Animal" Batista! Both men look to gain momentum heading into their title encounter.

 

Another title encounter heats up as we have a rematch from a couple of weeks ago; Trish Stratus and Melina face off against Mickie James and Lita in a women's tag team affair! Can Trish and Melina score a second victory heading into the Fatal Four Way at the Rumble, or will Lita and Mickie get a measure of revenge?

 

Don't miss all the action; tune in to Spike TV at 9pm EST/6pm PST!

 

Confirmed Match Preview

 

D-Von Dudley w/Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Randy Orton

Comment:

 

Lita and Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus and Melina

Comment:

 

The Hurricane w/Rosey vs. Lance Cade w/Trevor Murdoch

Comment:

 

Shawn Michaels vs. Batista w/Randy Orton

Comment:

 

Ten-Man Tag Match

Winner enters Rumble between 25 and 30, loser enters between 1 and 5

The Rock, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Rob Van Dam, and Shelton Benjamin vs. Kane, Tyson Rude, Johnny Nitro, and The Aristocracy

Comment:

 

Comments on Previous Show:

 

Good luck!