The show kicks off with highlights of last week's "Beat the Clock" edition of RAW. That show went a long way toward improving the build to the Elimination Chamber match.
We see a shot of the World Title belt (finally without nameplate) and pan up to Bischoff holding it. He says that this Sunday at New Year's Revolution, RAW will crown a new World Champion. But before that, we have some business to take care of. Last week, all six participants played Beat the Clock. But this week, all six participants will have an opportunity to beat each other. Tonight, we'll see Chris Benoit vs. Batista, Edge vs. Chris Jericho, and (I guess this means this is no longer the WM XX main event) Triple H vs. Randy Orton. And we immediately kick off with Batista, the man who beat the clock, coming to the ring!
1.Batista beat Chris Benoit (7:06) with a sitdown powerbomb.
Rating: **
Thoughts: Well-paced back and forth match with a nice surprise ending, teasing a Benoit Crossface win, but having Batista power out of it, hit Benoit's head into the exposed turnbuckle four times, and hit a sitdown powerbomb. It really felt like Batista was totally pissed after the Crossface, and that's what he needs to bring to the table. Good intense match with some good moves displayed by both men, showcasing Batista's incredible strength and Benoit's tenacity and technical ability.
Flair excitedly talks to HHH about Batista's victory over Benoit. HHH doesn't look so impressed. Batista comes into the locker room, and Flair continues talking about how excited he is. He tells HHH that Batista will come out last, do the dirty work, powerbomb all four of them, and the World Title goes back around HHH's waist. HHH says he knows he can count on Batista. Batista says he can count on HHH to give him the $100 he owes him (from last week's bet over the Beat the Clock match). HHH tells Flair to give Batista $100. Batista says Flair didn't make the bet, so he doesn't want his money. HHH made the bet, and he wants his money. HHH pays up, and Batista says get a sense of humour, he was just kidding. Just awesome stuff by Batista.
Maria looks scared, since she has to interview Snitsky. But first, we go back to Taboo Tuesday, where Snitsky took out Kane. We then go live to Maria asking Snitsky how he feels about his match with Kane. Geez, the generic interview question. Snitsky says he's surprised. After what he did at Taboo Tuesday, he didn't think Kane would ever be back. He asks if Maria likes surprises and says he sure does. He says he bets she'd be surprised to know... and whispers something to her. She drops the mic and walks off, and Snitsky says he guesses she doesn't like surprises. He hopes Kane is watching, because he has a surprise for him too. It's something he's not going to like, something he brought upon himself. So tonight, what happens, it's not his fault!
Edge talks to Bischoff and asks why he's doing this to him. Bischoff says he thought Edge and Jericho would have a competitive match. Edge says that's not what he's talking about, he's talking about naming HBK the special referee. Edge says Bischoff knows he's not going to be objective. He cost HBK the World Title, so this isn't fair to him. Bischoff says when Edge speared HBK and cost him the World Title, he added six weeks to his recovery time, and for that six weeks, Bischoff had to pull HBK off RAW. Edge cost Bischoff revenue, and that's revenue he intended to make up by naming HBK the special referee. Rather than coming and taking his frustration out on Bischoff, Bischoff suggests he take it out on Chris Jericho, because their match is next.
2.Edge beat Chris Jericho (7:21 shown of 10:23) by countering a victory roll attempt.
Rating: **1/2
Note: One commercial break was taken during this match, from 2:14 to 5:16.
Thoughts: Not as classic as some of their previous matches (mainly due to less time), but still a very good TV match, and you've gotta love the classic Bret/Owen WM X ending (with an added grab of the rope)! The match was structured very well, starting with Jericho having the advantage (with Edge playing the Flair-like tactic of getting beat up by the face and then finally taking advantage of a mistake), followed up by some nice armwork from Edge, which continued to be sold by Jericho throughout the match. Good solid competitive match, but I'd expect nothing less from wrestlers as talented as these two. Edge is really getting his heel intensity over in his matches, which adds a new dimension to the athleticism he already has.
Coach says tonight, we've already seen Batista beat Chris Benoit and Edge take out Chris Jericho. The question is will Randy Orton beat HHH? Orton answers by saying tonight is the first chance he's had to face HHH one-on-one since losing the World Title, the same title he will regain this Sunday in the Elimination Chamber. In 2004, HHH took everything Orton had away from him, and now he's going to return the favour. In 2005, he'll take everything HHH has away from him, and it all starts tonight, when he beats HHH 1-2-3 with an RKO. Nice look into the camera by Orton on that last sentence.
Shelton comes to the ring for a singles match with Grenier, but Maven comes out just as Shelton is getting in the ring. Maven distracts Shelton as La Resistance take advantage. Maven takes commentary as the match begins.
3.Non-Title: WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin beat Sylvain Grenier (3:10) with a T-bone suplex.
Rating: 1/2*
Thoughts: Solid short match, but nothing beyond basic going on here. It was pretty funny when Grenier fucked up the kip-up. I thought it was really botched, although I think it ended up just being something to make Grenier have to apologize to Conway so he could be distracted. If he really did fuck it up, they covered for it very well. This was pretty much just a squash though, although Maven's commentary was entertaining. Now that he's finally getting a personality, he should be much more interesting.
Video package detailing the Elimination Chamber.
Hassan and Daivari get ready backstage for their debate with J.R. and King.
It's debate time, so we'll finally see whether WWE is really going to do the right thing with this angle or not. J.R. & King are introduced first, followed by their opponents, Muhammad Hassan & Daivari.
Question #1: Do you feel that Arab-Americans have been unfairly persecuted in this country since 9/11?
Hassan: America... (interrupted by USA chants) As I was trying to say, please. America, at its core, is a racist nation. After all, this country was founded on slavery. And Arab-Americans have not only been discriminated against since 9/11, but before 9/11 as well. This goes way, way, way back. I remember a time in this country where people would at least pretend to be polite, even though, just like now, you can still see the underlying contempt in their eyes. But then 9/11 happened, and everything came out. You people used a national tragedy as an excuse, an excuse to let your real feeling towards Arab-Americans come through. And now you people feel like you have the right to openly express your discrimination without consequence and without reason. Don't deny it, because if we ran right up the road to Times Square for New Year's Eve, we would have been harassed, threatened, or even worse. And for what reason? Because we look differently than you? And it's the arrogance and intolerance of this country that we are the most hated nation in the world, and it is that intolerance and arrogance that is why you deserve it.
King: Look, hey, are there racists in this country? Are there? Absolutely. But I've got news for you, Hassan. There are racists and idiots in every country in the world. Now, if you think you've been treated unfairly, I don't have any problem with you coming out here and expressing that, but a few weeks ago, you came out here on national television, and you called our troops, that are putting their lives on the line every day for us, "gutless cowards". And that, Hassan, is unacceptable. Now I don't think these people hate you because you're Arab-American, because thankfully, most Arab-Americans aren't like you two. I'd be willing to bet that these people hate you two because you're a couple of loud-mouthed obnoxious jackasses!
Daivari: (shouting in Farsi)
King: You know it's true! Oh, you know it's true!
Hassan: Please, hold on, Lawler. You know what, you're right. Most Arab-Americans, they're not like us. In fact, most Arab-Americans make me sick!
Crowd: Asshole! Asshole! Asshole!
Hassan: You see, most Arab-Americans, they sit back quietly, and they take this abuse, and they try to hide their heritage instead of proudly displaying it like I do, because I, for one, will not embrace a racist nation. Ah, you disagree, J.R.? You disagree? For once, you've been quiet all night, and you're exactly the kind of person I've been talking about. You're a member of the media, you lead all these puppets, you tell them what to think, but deep down inside, it sickens you that I'm just as American as you are, that I'm just as American as apple pie, as Mickey Mantle, as your Oklahoma Sooners. Yeah, it pisses you off, doesn't it? It gets you hot, doesn't it, J.R.? But you're not going to do anything about it, because you're just like America. When your back is turned, you're all tough talk, but when we're face to face, you run off just like the coward you are! Isn't that true? Say it! I dare you! Say it!
J.R.: I've got something to say to you there, Muhammad. America's not a perfect place, but what country is? But when you unfairly characterize everyone in this country as being a racist, and when you badmouth our fighting men and women, as far as our country is concerned, you love it, or by God, you leave it!
Hassan throws down his podium and gets in J.R.'s face. He cheapshots J.R., and he and Daivari take out King. They then beat up J.R. some more, choking him with a belt. King takes off his own belt and gets back in the ring. He tries to swing at Hassan, but Hassan and Daivari back up the ramp. Ironic that they're running off when it gets face to face, isn't it?
I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. On the one hand, I'm glad they explicitly stated that all Arab-Americans are not like this, and that they don't all hate America. And on that same hand, it's interesting that they actually made Hassan & Daivari heels to Arab-Americans too, by stating they hate them too. On the other hand, something about all this just doesn't sit right with me. I'm not really offended, but I don't know if this whole thing is having the intended effect. It was pretty obvious that this debate would become physical though, so no surprises here. I think they're probably going the best way they can with this though, painting these two as individual assholes and making sure not to paint all Arab-Americans that way. In that respect, this debate worked. A debate on a wrestling show isn't really the most exciting thing though. But the post-debate attack was great to put them over as cowardly heels. So I guess we'll see what ends up happening when Hassan starts getting in the ring.
Coach takes the commentary table to replace J.R. and King, as we see highlights of the post-debate attack.
4.Trish Stratus beat Victoria (3:10) with a Chick Kick.
Rating: 1/2*
Thoughts: Pretty much a total squash, unlike the more competitive match they had last night on Heat. Not bad, but nowhere near the level of their Heat match, especially since Victoria barely got to do anything. Nice intensity from Trish though, but this was more to set up the post-match angle and PPV buildup than a match on its own. I guess Molly isn't the only women's jobber now! It's a shame when half the women who actually wrestle are just used as jobbers.
Trish tells Lita to take a good look, because that is exactly what she's in for at New Year's Revolution. All her hard work, putting her neck on the line, is going to be all over just like that, when she beats her and breaks yet another recording, becoming the six time Women's Champion. Lita comes out and slaps Trish. They have a brawl that's almost more competitive than the actual match we just saw, but Kane's flames hit. Lita is distracted for a moment but puts Trish in the rare naked choke. And Snitsky is here! Lita slaps him when he grabs her, distracting her for a Chick Kick from Trish. Snitsky grabs a chair and puts it around Lita's neck like he did to Kane. But before he can do anything, Kane returns! They brawl on the ramp, and Snitsky escapes through the crowd.
Highlights of the Elimination Chamber match from SummerSlam 2003. Now that I think about it, I think that video earlier tonight was just from the first match from Survivor Series 2002. I didn't realize that at the time though. This match is notable for being Randy Orton's first ever PPV main event.
Coach announces that Bischoff has booked Jerry Lawler vs. Muhammad Hassan for New Year's Revolution.
Rundown of the New Year's Revolution card:
-Jerry Lawler vs. Muhammad Hassan
-Kane vs. Gene Snitsky
-WWE Intercontinental Title: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Maven
-WWE Women's Title: Lita (c) vs. Trish Stratus
-World Tag Team Title: Eugene & William Regal (c) vs. Christian & Tyson Tomko
-World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match (special referee Shawn Michaels): Batista (entering last) vs. Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge
We get the way-overdone setup of a photographer taking pictures of Christy, as Eugene comes up to her and tells her how pretty her red hair she is. He compares her hair to Lindsay Lohan. Eugene is listening to her CD. Christy asks him to sing her a song. He does! I think the next WWE CD should be entirely sung by Eugene. Regal tells Eugene he has a match against Christian next and that Christian & Tomko are dead set on winning the Tag Title. Christy offers to help motivate Eugene. Regal puts Eugene's headphones on and jams to his music... AND SINGS!!! Christy and Eugene catch him in the act. Okay, I guess Regal can do a guest song or two on Eugene's CD. Hilarious stuff. I wonder if Josh Matthews sings along to Lohan's songs too.
79% of RAW Interactive fans think Orton will defeat HHH. Only 21% think HHH will emerge victorious. What, no option for "double countout"?
Christian's theme is fucking awesome. I simply have to say that. I think Regal and Eugene should sing a new version of it for him though. Gotta love Christian's fucking awesome attire too. I seriously think Christian should win the Royal Rumble in a big upset.
5.Christian beat World Tag Team Champion Eugene (3:45) by reversing a sunset flip attempt.
Rating: *1/4
Thoughts: Fun match, but too short to really amount to much. Gotta love Eugene's Ultimate Warrior impression, as well as busting out the double chickenwing! I haven't seen that move in quite a long time. Good stuff at the end with the rollups, and this type of ending is useful in a match like this to cause question as to who really would win, since this is just setting up the PPV match. Christian is always pretty fun too, though he didn't really have much time to get in any of his stuff after letting Eugene entertain for a while.
Flair pumps HHH up for his match with Orton, and he says he and Batista will be out there tonight to cover his back. HHH says he's cool with Flair, but he'll have Batista hang back. In the Elimination Chamber, he has to beat four guys to become World Champion, so he needs Batista backing him up, but tonight, it's just one guy, and he's going to show the world that Orton was nothing but a tag-along the whole time. Flair has always known HHH is the man, he doesn't need anybody, and he's going to be the World Champion again. Batista says he'll just hang back there and watch HHH do his thing... unless Orton really starts kicking HHH's ass. But we know that's not going to happen! HHH isn't happy about Batista's "joke".
J.R. is back, baby! He's looking forward to being in King's corner on Sunday. But now, it's time for the main event! I guess it's HHH vs. Batista at WM XX! Although I still think Christian should win the Royal Rumble. If the Royal Rumble was a "best entrance" contest, he'd sure win!
In a nice touch, Orton has a different facial expression than usual for his entrance, more serious and looking like he's going to take care of business here, rather than show off. This is one of those things that's really great about Orton and really adds a lot to his matches.
6.Randy Orton beat Triple H (13:41 shown of 16:43) with an RKO.
Rating: ***
Note: One commercial break was taken during this match, from 2:33 to 5:35.
Thoughts: Great match between these two, really reflecting the various emotions surrounding their personal feud as well as the Elimination Chamber. Very good structure, with Orton starting out on fire, but HHH getting the advantage with that brutal toss into the security wall. Great focus by HHH working on Orton's abdomen after that (although I'm surprised he didn't go for the abdominal stretch). Orton had a nice, realistic, adrenaline-powered comeback and still sold the abdomen for a bit after that. The ref bump was done in a unique way too, as I've never seen it done quite like that before. And surprisingly, the brawl between everyone didn't really affect the match itself. Great ending too, with HHH arguing with HBK, leading to a teased RKO, near fall rollup, and finally the RKO for real (after HHH ducked it several times)! Very well done match from these two, as I expected, although they couldn't go all out due to TV limitations and the upcoming PPV match. Nevertheless, great main event to cap off the first RAW of 2005!
Pretty good RAW to start off the year, with three great TV matches, plus some other good stuff, including that hilarious segment with Regal and Eugene. They set up the PPV nicely, and it does indeed look like they're definitely moving toward HHH vs. Batista for WM XX. That should be an interesting feud, and I hope Batista continues to improve in the ring to get ready for that match. Honestly, I don't think he's WrestleMania main event level yet, but he has three months to step up his game, and with HHH and Flair around to help him, I think he can do it. I still prefer Orton to Batista, but I'll give Batista a chance and hope he can pull it off if he does indeed become World Champion within the next few months. At least he should be better than JBL.
Quick Results:
1.Batista def. Chris Benoit (7:06) **
2.Edge def. Chris Jericho (7:21 shown of 10:23) **1/2
3.Non-Title: WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin def. Sylvain Grenier (3:10) 1/2*
4.Trish Stratus def. Victoria (3:10) 1/2*
5.Christian def. World Tag Team Champion Eugene (3:45) *1/4
6.Randy Orton def. Triple H (13:41 shown of 16:43) ***
Average Match Rating: *5/8
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