- Starting next week, we'll be looking for a new RAW reporter as Jason is stepping is down to pursue other interests. If you would like to join our team as the new RAW reporter, please send a full report NEXT WEEK as your sample and we will get back to you if you are selected. Please send your emails to positions@rajah.com. Thanks.
WWE RAW report for 04/12/04
Hello again everyone for the last time. My name is Jason and this is YOUR Rajah.com RAW report. Here we go...
We begin with footage from last week of Shelton Benjamin beating Triple H for the second straight week, this time via countout.
In the general manager's office, Shelton Benjamin rants at Eric Bischoff over the beatdown he suffered last week. Evolution beat Shelton within an inch of his life and Bischoff did nothing about it. Chris Benoit, Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels enter and calm Shelton down, saying tonight they have all of Evolution in the ring.
We are LIVE from in the Allstate Center in Chicago, Illinois. Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler will have the call as the hardcore legend makes his way to the ring for a...
Mick Foley Interview
-Be vewy, vewy quiet, Mick is hunting Wandys. Foley knows he has to give Barbie up during tonight's eight-man tag, he knows there are going to be rules he has to follow, and Mick knows he won't be able to get as much of Randy Orton as he'd like to have. Foley also knows he has three of the best partners a guy could have and he intends to do a little romping and stomping Mick Foley style. It seems Foley has become a bit obsessed with what he's going to do to Randy Orton with his barbed wire bat, and it seems Mick loves it. Foley's not sure that's who he wants to be though. Orton may be a horse's ass, but he's also a damn good wrestler, the Intercontinental Champion, and he holds a pinfall victory over Mick at WrestleMania. Foley's not sure he'd be comfortable doing that to one of the sport's brightest stars. Mick Foley may not be able to do such a thing...but Cactus Jack would. Mick Foley might care what he does to Randy Orton, but Cactus Jack sure won't. Bottom line, Mick Foley has a conscience...Cactus Jack just doesn't give a damn. Randy Orton appears in the ring wielding a chair, but (I guess now it's) Cactus Jack wards him off with Barbie.
COMMERCIAL
Kane Vs. Grandmaster Sexay
-The crowd goes pretty nuts when the returning Sexay appears on the stage. Jerry's Kid makes the rounds for high fives from the crowd before settling into the ring for the match. Kane in control from the start, but Sexay dodges an elbow drop and scores a short dropkick for two from referee senior Earl Hebner. Kane shakes off a Sexay inziguri and chokes the Grandmaster on the mat. Clothesline in the corner by Kane, followed by a sideslam. Kane with the choke slam and that's that.
-HERE is YOUR Winner: Kane
In the back, Trish Stratus complains to Jan the makeup lady about being struck in the Backlash match with Chris Jericho and Christian when Eugene Dinsmore toddles up. The slow boy wonder knows who Jan is, but thinks Trish's name is "Slut." William Regal spirits Eugene away as Christian arrives to assure Trish that she's only going to be in their Backlash match to get the 1-2-3 on Jericho.
COMMERCIAL
WWE Rewind: Last week, Jonathan Coachman distracted Tajiri out of a win against Christian.
Jonathan Coachman Interview
-I'm probably the only one alive who loves Coach's theme, but I don't care. Coachman is accompanied to the ring by a masked and hooded ninja looking character. So it seems Tajiri is upset with The Coach, so upset in fact, that he's challenged Coachman to a match at Backlash. But The Coach is not going to accept that challenge until Tajiri proves he's worthy of being in the ring with The Coach. If Tajiri can beat Coach's "five star ninja," Coachman will accept the challenge. Here comes Tajiri and we're into...
The Five Star Ninja w/Jonathan Coachman Vs. Tajiri
-The ninja gets the best of Tajiri at the start with wrestling, and Tajiri returns the favor on the next exchange. The ninja attacks with kicks and chops, but Tajiri comes back with the back handspring elbow. Tajiri goes for the ninja's mask, but the masked man nails him with several chops in the corner. Tajiri goes for the backslide and referee Chad Patton gets poked in the eye. Tajiri locks in the Tarantula in the corner, but The Coach breaks it up with a cheap shot from the floor while the referee is still blinded. The ninja makes the cover, but Tajiri is out at two. The ninja tries to press the advantage, but Tajiri surges back and drills the ninja with the Kick Of Death for the 1-2-3 and a match with Jonathan Coachman at Backlash.
-HERE is YOUR Winner: Tajiri
The Coach retreats up the ramp as Tajiri pulls the mask off the ninja to reveal Al Snow.
COMMERCIAL
WWE Burn of the Night: Two weeks ago, Shelton Benjamin gets a clean win over Triple H.
In the general manager's office, Ric Flair rants to Eric Bischoff about Shelton Benjamin. Flair says Benjamin never beat Triple H, and now The Nature Boy wants Benjamin at Backlash. Bischoff readily grants the match. Flair opens the door to leave, but Shelton bursts in and attacks. Benjamin is all over Flair on the floor. Bischoff tries to pull Benjamin off, but Shelton throws him against the door. Bischoff runs into the hallway, looking for help. Referees and Fit Finley arrive to pull Shelton off a wheezing Flair.
In pre-recorded comments, Triple H sets the stage for Backlash with a promo about his Triple Threat WrestleMania Re-Match for the World Heavyweight Championship against Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels.
COMMERCIAL
Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel
-On Sunday at Backlash, Jericho gets the match he's wanted since WrestleMania. This match won't be the first time Trish has seen action with two men at the same time. Trish said it herself, she likes it rough. Rough. Rough. Why does that sound familiar? Maybe it's because of this...Jericho runs the clip of Mr. McMahon making Trish bark like a dog a few years ago. A female dog is a bitch, so it's once a bitch, always a bitch for Trish. The reason Trish is even in the Backlash match, is because she was thrown out of the women's battle royal by Jericho's guest tonight...Lita. Lita hits the stage, but Trish Stratus quickly ambushes her. Referees storm the stage to break things up with Eric Bischoff in tow. The ladies want to fight? Fine. Bischoff orders the ring cleared of the Highlight Reel set. Trish and Lita will have a match right now!
COMMERCIAL
Lita w/Chris Jericho Vs. Trish Stratus
-We're already underway with Trish in control with kicks. Trish chokes Lita in the corner as CHRISTIAN makes his way down the ramp. Chick Kick to Lita's jaw for two from referee Jack Doan. Monkey flip out of the corner by Lita, but Trish rakes the eyes. Reverse chinlock on the mat by Trish, moving into a sleeper. Lita fights up and elbows her way out, but Trish clotheslines her down and chokes Lita over the middle rope. Lita shoves Trish away and tries to fire up, but Stratus punches her in the belly and re-establishes the sleeper. Crowd chants for Lita and she fights out again. Lita tosses Trish into the corner, but Trish comes back with a kick to the stomach. Trish looks for Stratusfaction, but Lita turns it into a back suplex. 1-2-Trish gets the shoulder up. They rise and slug it out. Lita gets the best of things and monkey flips Trish over. Right hands by Lita followed by a snap suplex for a near fall. Side Russian leg sweep by Lita. 1-2-Trish kicks out. Lita with a clothesline in the corner, but Trish gets the elbow up on the corner charge. Trish charges, but Lita dodges and Trish tumbles to the outside. Lita suicide dives out through the ropes and wipes Trish out on the floor. Lita looks to regain the ring, but Christian gets in her face. Lita delivers the slap and Christian shoves her into the guardrail. Referee Doan calls for the bell and that's that.
-HERE is YOUR Winner as the result of a Disqualification: Lita
Jericho and Christian get into it in the ring. Jericho ousts Christian, then looks for The Walls on the dazed Trish, but Christian returns for the ambush. Christian holds Jericho for the Trish slap, then drops him with a pair of Unprettiers. Crowd chants for Lita to make the save, but nothing doing. A Chick Kick puts Jericho down a third time.
COMMERCIAL
In the back, Todd Grisham gets the word from La Resistance, who have moved to Quebec. Sylvan Grenier says they've moved to Canada to be closer to America, so they can show us the way. As La Resistance rant on, Eugene Dinsmore plays around with the Quebec flag behind them. William Regal arrives to quickly clean up the mess.
Johnny Nitro Interview
-Johnny's now got a logo that very closely resembles the last one for the WCW show to go along with his music, with is an actual old WCW Monday Nitro theme. Johnny calls out Edge, and here Edge comes. Edge does his usual overworking on the stage to get his usual modest pop before joining Nitro in the ring. Johnny accuses Edge of faking his hand injury. Nitro says if the referee catches Edge using his cast as a weapon at Backlash, he will lose the match and be suspended. Edge snatches the mic and says he's waited over a year to get back in the ring, and nothing's going to stop him, least of all a threat from "Johnny Jackass." Edge guarantees a win over Kane this Sunday then spears Johnny Nitro. The Stone Cold Stunner, it's not.
COMMERCIAL
Sylvan Grenier w/Rob Conway Vs. The Hurricane w/Rosey
-Hurricane comes out with an Ultimo Dragon-esque cape and chest piece and will wrestle bare-chested. Hurricane gets the best of Grenier with wrestling at the start before they get tangled in the corner. Hurricane tries to float over in the corner, but Grenier drapes his gut over the top rope. Grenier controls the arm and powers Hurricane into the corner. Lawler makes a Liberace reference on commentary and Ross tells the kids at home to ask their grandfathers whom the King's talking about. Heh. Hmmm, kinda makes me feel old. Meanwhile, Grenier buries the knee in Hurricane's gut and gets a near fall from referee Chad Patton. Gutbuster by Grenier gets two as EUGENE DINSMORE staggers to the ring with a stuffed Easter Bunny for Rob Conway. Eugene gets up on the apron and tries to give the bunny to Grenier, but Sylvan rips the bunny's head off and tosses it to the floor. Eugene cries over the bunny on the floor as Hurricane nails Grenier with the Shining Wizard and gets the 1-2-3.
-HERE is YOUR Winner: The Hurricane
William Regal comes on down to collect the distraught Eugene.
In pre-recorded comments, Shawn Michaels vows to top the match at WrestleMania XX at this Sunday's Backlash Triple Threat.
COMMERCIAL
Ross intros this week's Smackdown Rebound. Following the events of last week, Booker T will battle Rob Van Dam one-on-one.
Ross and Lawler intro a video package detailing some of the brutality Mick Foley has both administered and endured over the years.
In the back, Randy Orton watched the Mick Foley video along with us, and he looks scared.
Chris Benoit completes the pre-recorded trifecta, delivering a promo about this Sunday's Backlash Triple Threat.
COMMERCIAL
Chris Benoit, Shelton Benjamin, Shawn Michaels & Mick Foley Vs. Evolution in an Eight-Man Tag Team Match
-Every RAW champion but Victoria is in this match. Good luck to referee Mike Chioda in this one, by the way. The bell sounds and Michaels has to keep Benjamin from attacking Flair. Flair will start with Michaels. HBK with a shoulder block and a Nature Boy strut. Slap in the corner by Michaels and Flair flops onto his face after a seven second delay. Flair with chops in the opposite corner, and Michaels returns the favor. Backdrop by Michaels and here's the tag to Foley. Foley with a running knee lift and Flair ends up in the wring part of town as Gorilla Monsoon used to say. Tag to Benoit. Chops by Benoit and Flair finally escapes for the tag to Triple H. Benoit and Hunter go at it in the corner. The crowd is extremely hot for everything that's happening. Backdrop by Benoit and Benjamin adds a right hand from the apron. Snap suplex by Benoit. 1-2-Hunter kicks out. Benoit ducks the clothesline, but Triple H scores the high knee. They slug it out. Triple H goes for the Pedigree off the whip, but Benoit falls back to break it. Benoit wraps Hunter up in the Sharpshooter and soon all eight guys are in there. The heels are shown the door and Michaels planchas out onto Triple H, Batista and Flair...
COMMERCIAL
..We return to find Triple H in control of Benoit in the ring. Tag to Flair. Chops in the corner for a near fall. Flair taunts Benjamin into the ring and Evolution gangs up on Benoit as the referee puts Shelton back on the apron. Tag to Batista. Batista shoulders Benoit to the mat. Tag to Flair. Big chops to Benoit's chest, and Chris returns the favor. Benoit with punches against the ropes and a clothesline off the whip. Tag to Foley. Mick pounds Flair down in the corner and nails Orton off the apron. Foley drives the knee into Flair in the corner and tags Benjamin. Shelton comes in off the top and levels Flair with a right hand. Benjamin makes the cover, but lets up when Triple H dives in for the save. Backdrop to Flair, but Hunter low bridges Benjamin to the outside and powers him into the steel steps. Triple H tosses Benjamin back into the ring, where Flair drops the measured knee. Tag to Orton. Nice standing dropkick by Orton. 1-2-kickout by Benjamin. Tag to Triple H. Hunter takes his time with Shelton, and they slug it out in the corner. Spinebuster by Triple H. 1-2-broken up by Benoit. Abdominal stretch by Triple H, with a helping hand from Orton on the apron. Referee Chioda checks in, but Shelton won't give. Orton tries to help Triple H again, but Foley charges into the ring and knocks Randy to the floor. Tag to Flair. Flair hammers away on Benjamin's forehead. Flair looks for the axe handle, but Benjamin lands a right hand to the gut. They chop it out. Shelton floors Flair, but Ric scissors Benjamin's leg from the mat and tags Batista. Batista with a side slam to Shelton, but Benjamin scores the roundhouse heel kick out of the corner. Both men are down. Hot tag to Michaels. Tag to Orton. Backdrop to Orton. Inverted atomic drop to Triple H. Flying forearm to Orton. Batista with a clothesline on Michaels and everyone goes at it again. Flair throws Benjamin out over the top, leaving Michaels and Orton alone in the ring. Michaels lands the elbow off the top and tunes up the band. Flair runs interference and Orton hits the RKO. 1-2-Benoit lands the headbutt off the top. Triple H and Foley in the ring. Hunter looks for the Pedigree, but Mick backdrops him over the top. Foley cinches in the Mandible Claw on Orton, but Batista pulls Mick to the outside. Michaels regains the ring. Orton charges in and gets blasted with Sweet Chin Music for the 1-2-3. Good match.
-HERE are YOUR Winners: Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Shelton Benjamin & Mick Foley
As I said at the top, this has been my last RAW report. I've been writing TV report's for Rajah.com on-and-off for the last four years and it's been my pleasure to serve you in that capacity one last time. Thank you and good night, everybody.
END OF RUN
