October 6, 2004 WWE RAW: Live & Loaded in Helsinki, Finland
By: Miika Kuikka, rajah.com reader
Intercontinental Championship:
Chris Jericho def. Edge & Christian
A good opener with a lot of heat on Christian and a good face response to
both Edge and Jericho. Christian hit the crowd where it hurts; by reminding
about the final of The World Cup of Hockey. The funny bit was that
eventhough all the wrestlers were from Canada, Jericho & Edge didn't seem to
agree with Christian. The match itself contained all the usual spots and in
the end Jericho made Christian tap out with the Walls of Jericho.
Chuck Palumbo def. Maven
A decent brawl. Palumbo reversed Mavens cross-body into a roll-up and got
the win by grabbing the tights. Some Tough Enough chants from the crowd
which I think Maven clearly recognised.
Shelton Benjamin def. Tyson Tomko
A pretty decent pop on Benjamin, who eventually got the win after a Shell
Shocka.
Kane def. Gene Snitsky
Snitsky cut a promo on how he wasn't the one to blame on the whole
Lita-Kane-Snitsky situation. Kane then came to the ring with a huge pop and
practically squashed Snitsky. He eventually got the win with The Chokeslam.
If this was a test on how Kane would work as a face, I think we'll be seeing
the turn real soon.
Molly Holly & Trish Stratus def. Victoria & Nidia
Special Guest Referee: Val Venis
A good women's match. Nidia in particular was in awesome form. Trish got the
win with The Chick Kick.
Eugene & William Regal def. Hurricane & Rosey
A huge pop for Eugene (how does he do it?), and some "Let's go
Regal/Blackpool" chants. The match itself was the comedy bit of the night
involving many of Eugene's trademark moves (an aeroplane spin on Rosey got a
good reaction from the crowd) . Eugene got the win with The Rock Bottom on
The Hurricane. After the match The Coach came to the ring only to be greeted
by The Stunner. Stacy then came and danced with Eugene.
World Tag Team Championship:
La Resistance def. Rhyno & Tajiri
The usual promo (the canadian national anthem) by La Resistance with the
usual run-in interruption. Some USA- (WHY?!?!) and Suomi(Finland)-chants
from the crowd. La Resistance got the win after a decent match.
Shawn Michaels def. Ric Flair
Simply amazing. I didn't think that Vince would ever treat a non-PPV
audience (especially in Finland) with a match like this. A HUGE pop for
Michaels and lots of WOO-signs in the audience. Ric greeted the crowd with
the full moon after Michaels had pulled his pants down. Let's just say that
this wasn't for the weaker hearted. Michaels got the win after a botched
Sweet Chin Music, seemed to me that he hurt his knee also while doing it.
The knee certainly wasn't in the healthiest of positions while performing
the SCM.
Chris Benoit & Randy Orton def. Triple H & Batista
Every wrestler got a huge reaction on their entrances. Triple H received a
lot of heat as well as Batista. Orton & Benoit were awesome throuhout the
whole match. Randy got the win after an RKO on Batista.
All in all, a great show; the best we've had so far here in Finland. A few
empty seats but clearly over 10000 spectators. The crowd was on a roll here,
lots of great chants with lots of noise.
Top 3 Pops:
1. Shawn Michaels/Ric Flair
2. Randy Orton/Chris Benoit
3. Chris Jericho
Top 3 Heat:
1. Triple H
2. Christian
3. Batista
