WWE RAW Report
Aired LIVE! From Chicago, IL
October 18, 2004
Reported by: The Worm, rajah.com RAW reporter
Sorry for about missing last week. I left the network card for my laptop at home and had no other way of going online. Almost wasn't able to do the report tonight because I left my ethernet cable at home....until I realized we already had one that came with our cable modem. :-P I'm running low on sleep, so if it takes quite a while to update, I've either fallen asleep or my connection's crapped out as it has been known to do (Suggestion to readers out there: do NOT get cable internet through Comcast)
With a crisis averted, let's get ready to watch one hell of a RAW show as we're only 24 hours away from Taboo Tuesday.
RAW starts by airing a recap of the six man tag between Edge, Benoit & HBK vs. Evolution where Edge steals a win after HBK delivers a Sweet Chin Music to Triple H as he was going for the Pedigree. The scene ends with Edge eventually spearing both HBK & Benoit.
Bischoff is in the ring with his karate gi on and he is yelling for Eugene to come out and fight. Eugene's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring, but not before doing his Hogan impersonation by cupping his hands to his ears on the stage.
Let Bischoff be blunt...Eugene has been embarassing him his entire life. Guess what? Now it's Bischoff's turn to embarass him. Tomorrow night at Taboo Tuesday, after Eugene is beat, he's either gonna be his servant, wear a dress, or get his head shaved. Bischoff doesn't wanna fight Eugene tonight, but he knows someone who does, and his name is Gene Snitsky!
Gene Snitsky comes down to the ring and it's time for our first match.
Match #1 (Singles) - Eugene vs. Gene Snitsky:
Snitsky smacks Eugene and proceeds to club on his back. Snitsky shoves Eugene into a corner and stomps a mudhole into him. He picks Eugene up and whips him into the corner and delivers a back body drop followed by a couple of elbow drops. Snitsky goes for the pin, but Eugene kicks out.
Snitsky picks Eugene up and connects with a delayed body slam. Snitsky goes for a pin, but Eugene kicks out. Snitsky shoves Eugene into a corner and chokes him out with his hand. Eugene is trying to fight back, but Snitsky rams Eugene's head into the corner. Eugene's "hulking" up and he fires back with his punches. He whips Snitsky, Snitsky reverses, Eugene goes for a sunset flip, Snitsky counters, and Eugene tosses Snitsky out of the ring.
Snitsky picks up Eugene and rams his back into the ring post. Snitsky breaks up te count and throws Eugene b ack into the ring. Eugene goes for the Rock Bottom, but Snitsky counters and clotheslines him.
Snitsky wins this match with the pumphandle slam.
Winner: Gene Snitsky
Post-match, Snitsky grabs a chair, but before he can use it, Regal is there to attack him. His offense is cut short as Snitsky hits a low blow and nails him with the chair. Bischoff gets into the ring and connects with a spinning kick to the head.
Up next will be a Triple Threat Debate between HBK, Benoit, and Edge as we go to commercial.
44 minutes until the polls for Taboo Tuesday open, so get ready to make your picks!
Todd Grisham is in the ring and he introduces the Triple Threat Debate between the three possible contenders for the World title, Edge, Benoit & HBK.
Triple Threat Debate:
Why do you feel you should face Triple H tomorrow night
Edge: It's obvious who the fans should vote for. Benoit and HBK have had their chances at the title, Edge hasn't. He has been waiting his entire career for his entire match. I guarantee that if I face Triple H, I will win the title.
Benoit: You wanna talk about your actions last week? I haven't forgotten about your actions last week and you're gonna find that I haven't forgotten about your actions last week in our match tonight. Since I've been back on RAW, I have not lost a match to Triple H. I've made HBK and Triple H tap out (Edge interrupts...you haven't made me tap out!)
A little hostility builds between Edge & Benoit
HBK: I think it's obvious to everybody here in Chicago and everybody at home that Edge & Chris Benoit are a couple of master debonaires. Now why should you vote for HBK to face Triple H? Because I have a plan, I'm not gonna tell you what it is, but I've got a plan. You guys can watch me kick Triple H from one side of Milwaukee to the other. There's one simple way to figure everything out: Let's have our triple threat match right now.
Edge breaks up the debate by saying that they can both beat Triple H, but they can't beat Edge. Benoit and HBK attack Edge. Benoit delivers a release German Suplex to Edge, but as HBK goes for the SCM, he accidentally hits The Grish as Edge ducks out of the ring and it's time for the next commercial.
Be sure to check out Mick Foley's latest book: Tales From Wrescal Lane when it is released tomorrow.
Match #2 (Six Diva Tag) - Trish Stratus, Gail Kim, & Molly Holly vs. Stacy Keibler, Nidia, & Victoria:
Polls open in a half hour, so make sure your browsers are pointed to WWE.com if you wanna vote.
As Stacy poses for the crowd, Trish kicks her out of the ring and it appears that it's Stacy & Trish kicking things off. Stacy immediately goes for a small package but Trish kicks out. Stacy kicks Trish into her corner and Molly is tagged in.
Molly wraps Stacy's leg around the wraps and I hope that damn thing breaks. Gail Kim gets in a cheap shot and Molly goes for the pin, but Stacy kicks out. Molly cinches in a leg bar and Molly is flipped into Stacy's corner where she is clocked by the faces.
Gail Kim is tagged in and she proceeds to continue working on Stacy's left leg. Gail goes for a pin, but Stacy kicks out. Molly is tagged back in and she slams Stacy's head on the turnbuckle. Trish gets in a cheap shot and she tries to kick out of her corner, but Molly catches her leg. Instead, Molly charges only to run into the turnbuckle.
Victoria is tagged in and clears house. Victoria connects with what appeared to be a Widow's Peak-like facebuster and she goes for the pin, but it is broken up. The match ends when Victoria connects with the Widow's Peak on Gail Kim for the win.
Winner: Victoria, Stacy Keibler, and Nidia
We see a recap from the Eugene vs. Snitsky match
Backstage Action:
Snitsky is seen talking on his cellphone about his recent victory. He turns around and Lita is right there in his face. Lita attacks Snitsky, but he picks her up and slams her into the wall. He continues to insist that what happened wasn't his fault. However, Kane WILL lose his match tomorrow just like Lita lost her baby.
Polls open in 20 minutes.
The announcers take us to Jimmy Kimmel Live, to re-air an appearance made by Randy Orton. Kimmel jokes with Orton about the fact he is facing Ric Flair. (What're you gonna choke him with, a colostomy bag?)
Backstage Action:
It appears that Flair & Batista just saw that clip, and Triple H enters the room to be sure they're ready. Triple H tries to talk to Flair, but Flair is dead silent. Triple H tells Flair to not let the Kimmel thing get to him and that he'll be laughing when he shows Orton what a real legend is like and Batista & Flair leave as we go to commercial.
The WWE Rewind recaps Batista attacking Jericho while he had Christian tapping to the Walls of Jericho.
Match #3 (Tag) - Batista & Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho & Randy Orton:
Polls open in 15 minutes! (Actually, it appears they're open now)
Orton wants the two Evo members, but the ref keeps it from happening.
Jericho & Batista start things off. Jericho dropkicks Batista into a corner and dropkicks him again. He stomps a mudhole into him and calls Flair a motherf**ker. Jericho rams his shoulder into Batista's gut, but Batista comes back with clubs to the back. Batista chokes Jericho with his leg and tags in Flair.
Jericho tags in Orton and Orton is amped up and ready to go. Flair takes Orton down with chops, but Orton fires back with punches. The two continue to exchange blows and Orton is pretty intense as he takes it to Flair. However, Flair hits a thumb and tosses Orton out. Jericho is in the ring and Flair beats the hell out of him. Orton ambushes Flair from behind and clears the ring of Evolution scum as we go to commercial.
Back to RAW, Jericho tries to get Batista in the Walls, but Flair interrupts him and Jericho goes after Flair. Batista capitalizes on this opportunity and proceeds to beat Y2J down. Flair is tagged in and he chops Jericho followed by a punch to Jericho's face.
Batista is tagged in and he goes to work on Y2J's back. Batista suplexes Jericho and he goes for a pin, but Jericho kicks out. Batista puts Jericho in a Camel Clutch (or is it a Steiner Recliner?) Jericho grabs the ropes after a while and the polls are open (though it's actually 3 min. away)
Flair is tagged back in and the two exchange blows. Jericho tries for a backslide, but Flair kicks out. More chops from the two wrestlers and Batista is tagged in. He continues to work on his back as Jericho lies in the ropes. Batista sends Jericho into a corner via a hard irish whip and then picks him up into a bearhug.
Jericho tries to fight his way out, but Batista slams him down. He picks him up and tosses Jericho out of the ring. Flair is on the outside trying to attack Jericho, but he delivers a back drop to Flair.
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1 POLLS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN!!!
Batista is still working on Jericho and as he goes for a back suplex, Jericho flips over and delivers the climbing enziguiri to his head. Both men are down and Jericho finally tags in Randy Orton. He cleans the ring with Flair and delivers a powerslam. Orton goes for a pin, but Batista breaks it up. Jericho is tagged back in and he goes up top. He hits a flying cross body on Batista, but he's not legal.
Flair is hit with a Jericho bulldog and just when you think he's going for a Lionsault, he hits a springboard dropkick on Batista. All hell breaks loose as Orton comes in and goes for the RKO, but the ref is taken out and Flair hits a low blow on Orton. Jericho goes for the Walls on Flair and he taps, but the ref is still out. Batista runs in and clotheslines Jericho.
Flair locks in the Figure Four and Jericho comes to as the ref counts to two, however, Jericho is forced to tap out.
Winner: Ric Flair & Batista
Back at the anounce table, The King casts his vote for the Diva Battle Royal (He voted School Girl...yes!)
Just then, we are treated to a surprise appearance by the WWE Chairman, Vince MacMahon.
Vince starts by promoting Taboo Tuesday and his vision is now a reality and the polls are open at WWE.com but before he can finish, Christian proceeds to interrupt him and Captain Charisma is here!
Christian makes his way down to the ring and Vince isn't looking at all pleased. Christian really wants to say something and he wants to address everyone here in Chi-town. He wants to thank the fans for all of their support and he basically is sucking up to the crowd for votes. His peeps, the Christian Coalition will not be denied! The one thing that can take this over the top will be Vinnie Mac's endorsement. Throw Jericho out the door and vote Captain Charisma 2004!
Just then, Tajiri's music hits and it's his turn to speaks. Tajiri thinks Christian is a liar. Tajiri thinks Vince should pick him because he loves him. Tajiri hugs Vince and Christian follows suit. Vince shoves them off and The Coach interrupts. He explains that Vince should endorse him because he's good looking.
Vince gets pissed by saying he hates to interrupted and Christian tries for more ass-kissing. It's now Rhyno's turn to speak. Vince thinks Rhyno wants his endorsement too, however, he wants to Gore The Coach and Christian instead. Vince thinks everyone is acting like children. Christian interrupts him again, and Vince tells him to shut up.
Vince has a solution and before he can explain, The Hurricane proceeds to come down to the ring and I'm sure Vince is livid by now.
Holy conundrums, citizen McMahon. Do the right thing and vote Hurricane. Next up, Shelton Benjamin.
Vince is about ready to take Shelton's mic and stick it where the sun don't shine. If so many people want his endorsement, a ref is gonna be needed and what's gonna happen is a six man elimination match up and whoever wins will get Vince's endorsement.
Match #4 (Six Man Elimination) - The Hurricane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Tajiri vs. Rhyno vs. Jonathan Coachman:
The Hurricane & Christian kick things off and The Hurricane is taking it to Captain Charisma. The Hurricane whips Christian, but he grabs the ropes and tags Tajiri. They lock up and Tajiri cinches in an arm bar. An acrobatic display by Hurricane and the two men are showcasing their moves.
Tajiri snapmares Hurricane and he kicks him in the back. Tajiri goes for a pin, Hurricane kicks out. Hurricane is back in control and he suplexes Tajiri. Hurricane goes for a pin, but Tajiri kicks out. Hurricane is whipped, but he grabs the ropes and kicks Tajiri. Christian gets in a cheap shot, allowing Tajiri to eliminate Hurricane as we go to commercial
Currently Eliminated: The Hurricane
Back on RAW, it's Christian vs. Rhyno. Christian is talking to the Coach, and Christian shoves him into Rhyno to be Gored and eliminated. Christian comes in and delivers the Unprettier to Rhyno for a quick elimination.
Currently Eliminated: The Hurricane, Rhyno, Jonathan Coachman, and Tajiri
Shelton Benjamin and Christian are left. Shelton hits a cross body and goes for a pin, but Christian kicks out. Shelton hits some mounted punches, but Christian comes back with kicks to the gut. Shelton connects with a unique inverted backbreaker and he goes for a pin, but Christian kicks out.
Christian hangs Shelton on the ropes and then sends him flying out of the ring. Shelton manages to connect with the Dragon Whip and both men are down.
The two exchange blows and Christian kicks Shelton in the gut. Shelton is whipped and he begins to build momentum. He connects with a Russian Leg Sweep and goes for a pin, but Christian kicks out. Shelton goes for a Northern Lights Suplex but Christian kicks out.
More pin attempts from Shelton, but Christian continues to kick out. Shelton goes for a Stinger Splash, but he crashes as Christian moves out of the way. Christian rolls up Shelton with the ropes for leverage, but Shelton kicks out. Christian goes for the Unprettier, but Shelton counters. Christian flips out of the counter and Shelton Benjamin connects with a T-Bone Suplex to gain Vince McMahon's endorsement.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
Vince congrats Shelton and announces he's endorsing Shelton to face Y2J tomorrow night for the IC title. Shelton thanks Vince, but he doesn't give a damn about his endorsement. He's not here to impress Vince, he's here to impress all the fans to cast their vote for him.
Last Word: Christy Hemme vs. Carmella DeCesare:
Each diva will have 30 seconds to tell the fans what type of match they should vote for. Carmella continues to deliver a lackluster *yawns* performance as she tells everyone she wants *snores* to be in the aerobics challenge. She can really make it worth your while. She can come up with a....ZzzzzZzzzZZzZz.... something or other. My, my, I sure do feel rested after that was over.
Carmella can go ahead and dictate what she wants and what Christy wants is what everyone else wants. She's prepared to beat her in all three matches. She is willing to do what it takes in this ring and she's willing to do anything for the fans. (Loud "We Want Puppies" chants ring out). She kissed Eugene, and tonight, she's gonna kiss Lilian Garcia, even though Lilian didn't wanna do it. Christy gives her a quick peck, leaving Lilian wide-eyed.
Carmella attacks Christy from behind and we hear more about Taboo Tuesday from the announcers and then we see a recap from the debate earlier on as we go to commercial.
The WWE Slam of the Week recaps Edge stealing a win for his team last week.
Triple H's music hits and I guess he's gonna watch the match so he knows who to deliver a post-match beatdown to. Triple H will be on AOL Sports' The Show at 12:35 PM tomorrow, so check it out at http://theshow.aol.com
Main Event (Triple Threat) - Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit vs. Edge:
HBK & Benoit double team Edge and they take him out of the ring. Benoit and HBK proceed to go to work on each other with chops and they exchange blows in the corner.
HBK is whipped, Benoit reverses and HBK flips over the turnbuckle. Benoit picks up HBK, but Edge runs in and clotheslines Benoit. Edge spears Benoit off the apron and HBK delivers a baseball slide to Edge's back. HBK hits a springboard crossbody on the outside and it's time for a commercial.
Back on RAW, it's HBK vs. Benoit and Benoit puts HBK in the Crossface. Edge comes in and breaks it up and pounds on Benoit. Edge suplexes Benoit and stomps HBK out of the ring. Edge works on Benoit some more over in a corner and sends Benoit hard into the opposite corner via a hard irish whip.
HBK tries to get back in, but Edge snaps his neck off the rope. Edge delivers a backbreaker to Benoit into a pin cover, but Benoit kicks out. The two being to exchange blows with Benoit regaining the upper hand. He chops Edge in a corner and as he whips Edge, Edge reverses and sends him sternum first into the turnbuckle. Edge goes for a pin, but Benoit kicks out.
Edge crotches HBK on the top rope and as he goes up, Benoit attacks from behind to knock Edge off. An interesting moment happens...HBK goes for a sunset flip from the top on Benoit, and as he flips Benoit over, Benoit delivers a release German Suplex to Edge.
HBK connects with a forearm on Benoit and Edge goes after HBK. HBK takes Edge down and all three men are down. Edge rolls out of the ring and HBK tries to kip up, but his leg collapses from under him. HBK delivers an atomic drop to Benoit, but collapses again. Benoit is down, and HBK goes up top. HBK delivers an awkward looking elbow drop and he struggles to get back up. HBK is ready for the SCM, but Benoit ducks and delivers the rolling Germans.
Benoit signals for the flying headbutt and he just barely connects. Edge is back in the ring and he is ready for the spear. Benoit sidesteps him and sends him into the ring post. Benoit goes for the cover on HBK, buthe kicks out. Benoit decides to put Edge in the Sharpshooter, but Edge refuses to tap. Edge almost grabs the ropes, but Benoit drags him back out. HBK gets back up and connects with the SCM on Benoit, but he can't get back up.
Edge is on the outside and he pulls HBK into the ringpost to crotch him. Edge covers Benoit, Benoit kicks out. Edge signals for the spear again, but Benoit tries to put Edge in the Crossface. Edge grabs the ropes, but Benoit tries for a rolling clutch pin. Edge reverses it into a roll-up of his own with the ropes for leverage to win this outstanding match.
Winner: Edge
END OF SHOW
The fate of Taboo Tuesday lies in the hands of you, the fans, where only you will be able to decide what happens. If you don't vote, don't complain. You forfeit your right to complain by refusing to vote.
I'll see you next week as we experience the aftermath of Taboo Tuesday.
