Full Credit: PWInsider.com
Raw Report for May 2, 2005
by Richard Trionfo
Last night, Batista and Shelton Benjamin were fortunate enough to retain their titles at Backlash while William Regal and Tajiri were not as lucky. We also saw Viscera fall short of getting a payoff from Trish Stratus when he lost to Kane last night. What will happen with the Super Team of Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels? Who will be the next person to try to escape the Master Lock? Which failed 80s star will Christian compare John Cena to? Will Batista get to speak in the first hour?
We start off with Batista talking to Christy in the back. Batista comments on Christy’s Playboy cover while Christy says that she enjoyed watching Batista last night. From out of nowhere, Eric Bischoff says that he needs to talk to Batista. Eric congratulates Batista on his victory. Eric says that he will announce an 8 man tournament to determine the number one contender. The title is called ‘The Gold Rush’. The eight men will be known, but they will not know their opponents. The first match of the tournament will be the first match tonight. Eric says that he is giving Batista the night off. Batista likes the idea, but he is going to hang around tonight. Batista says that he would like to have a match tonight. Against someone brave and powerful enough to take on Vince McMahon in the Monday Night Wars. Since Hunter got to face Jim Ross, why can’t he face Eric Bischoff . . . right now? Eric screams in horror, but Batista laughs and tells Eric that he might need the night off.
We are live from Boston, Massachusetts and your announcers are Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
It is time for the first match in the Gold Rush tournament. Out first is the leader of the Christian Coalition, Captain Charisma . . . Christian (with Tyson Tomko). His opponent is Kane (with Lita). Christian has some words for Kane as the bell rings. Kane has a confused look on his face. Kane throws Christian out of the ring on a collar and elbow tie up. Christian punches Kane, but Kane responds with a big boot. Kane with a clothesline that sends Christian over the top rope to the floor. Kane goes outside the ring too. Christian with a drop toe hold that sends Kane into the ring steps. Tomko comes over and slams Kane on the apron. Christian with a springboard cross body to Kane on the floor. Christian punches Kane in the back. Tomko punches Kane when the ref was distracted by the ref. Christian with an open hand slap to Kane, but Kane responds with punches of his own. Christian sends Kane into the corner and chokes him with his boot. Christian chokes Kane on the ropes by standing on Kane’s back. Christian with an inverted DDT to Kane and then he tries to expose the turnbuckle. Kane sits up and Christian punches Kane. Kane punches a charging Christian and then tosses Christian into the air. Kane with a Nash clothesline. Kane charges into a boot from Christian. Kane tries for a choke slam, but Christian counters with a sleeper. Kane counters with a side slam. Kane goes up top, but Christian distracts the ref allowing Tomko to push Kane off the top turnbuckle. Christian tries for an Unprettier, but Kane pushes him off. Kane sends Christian into Tomko on the apron and hits a choke slam for the three count. Kane advances in the tournament. After the match, Tomko attacks Kane, but Kane with a big boot followed by a choke slam.
We go to the back where Christian is walking. He walks into Ric Flair. Flair wants to know if Christian lost his match. Christian asks if he rapped about Ric Flair and Triple H. Flair has a rap for Christian. Flair raps that the winner of the tournament will be Triple H. Flair woooos and walks away. Christian says that he hates Flair and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see the Hulk Hogan video package that aired at the beginning of Backlash. In case you missed the pay per view, we are reminded that Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels won last night at Backlash.
It is time for Muhammad Hassan and Khosrow Daivari to come to the ring and they probably have something to say since they are in suits. The crowd with chants of “USA” before Daivari gets on the mic and talks Farsi. Hassan reminds the crowd that he is undefeated on Raw, but he is excluded from the Gold Rush Tournament. This is just like when he was kept off Wrestlemania. He calls the WWE prejudiced. Hassan says that last night at Backlash it was a travesty and he blames Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan. He also blames each and every person in the arena. However, there is one more person who needs to be held accountable for their actions. That person is . . . Khosrow. Hassan says that he had Michaels and Hogan on their knees, but Daivari blew it. Hassan tells Daivari that he blew Hassan’s chance to become a legend. Hassan slaps Daivari twice. Hassan with a kick to Daivari’s head. Hassan leaves the ring and Daivari follows behind him. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Trish Stratus being attacked by Viscera at Backlash.
It is time for our next match and out comes Viscera. Viscera takes the mic and he has something to say. Last night he proved just how physical he can be. He also proved his hunger for love. Viscera has a few words for Lillian Garcia. Viscera says that he loves to eat ‘spicy’ and since Lillian is a spicy Latina, he would like to go South of the Border tonight. From out of nowhere, Simon Dean comes out. He tells Viscera that he is going about this all wrong. He says that women don’t like men out of shape, like Viscera or David Wells. He says that with the Simon System, he would not cause a solar eclipse. Simon tells Viscera ‘from one badass to another’ that he would offer him the Simon System. Viscera refuses the offer and he connects with an open hand slap. Dean with forearms to Viscera, but Viscera pushes him off. Viscera slams Dean. Viscera puts Dean in the Tree of Woe and hits the Running Ass Splash into Dean in the corner. Viscera misses an elbow drop. Dean punches Viscera and then goes up to the second turnbuckle, but Viscera throws Dean down and then he hits the Vader Splash for the three count. After the match, Viscera goes over to Lillian Garcia and he tells Lillian and every woman in the world that Big Vis is back on the market . . . the black market.
We look at the brackets for the Gold Rush Tournament and JR and Lawler talk about how they don’t know who is in the tournament; and neither do the wrestlers. We go to commercial.
We are back and the one of the Divas is with Stacy and they are talking about Stacy’s work in Stuff magazine. Eric takes a look and he is impressed. Stacy says that the magazine comes out next week. Eric continues to walk in the back and he sees Hunter in the Bischoffice. Eric wants to know what Hunter is doing in there. Hunter says that he wants some questions answered. First, he wants to know what Eric is doing with a friggin tournament. Hunter says that he should be the champion. Hunter says that he did what he said he would do. He Pedigreed Batista, but Eric’s incompetent referees did not do their jobs. He was screwed. Hunter says that Eric owes him a rematch right now. Eric says that he owes Hunter nothing and says that Hunter is lucky to be in the tournament since Hunter Pedigreed a referee. Eric says that they will do things his way. Hunter tells Eric to tell Batista that he is on borrowed time. Hunter says that he does not care who he goes through because he will get his rematch and become champion again.
Maria is in the interview area with Shelton Benjamin who will be in the next tournament match. Maria asks Shelton if he is nervous about not knowing who his opponent is. He says that he is not nervous. He needs to be on his toes to face anyone. From out of nowhere, Chris Jericho enters the area. Shelton asks Chris where his guitarist is tonight. Chris says that he respects Shelton for what happened last night in the ring. Chris says that Shelton is nobody’s bitch. Shelton says that it means a lot from him. Shelton asks Chris if he is in the tournament and Chris says that he is. Chris says that he needs to win the tournament because he has not had a one-on-one title match in three years. Chris says that he would give up Fozzy and the Highlight Reel for another title run. Shelton and Chris shake hands. We see a graphic ‘In Memory of Chris Candido 1972-2005’ as we go to commercial.
We are back and we are still in Boston. We have an Earlier tonight moment when Kane defeated Christian in the first Gold Rush Tournament match. We see the brackets with Triple H’s name included.
It is time for the next Gold Rush Tournament match. Out first is Shelton Benjamin. His opponent is Shawn Michaels. Michaels with a go behind and waist lock take down. Michaels with a reversal and Michaels gets to the ropes. Michaels with a side head lock and hammer lock. Benjamin with a reversal followed by another reversal from Michaels. Michaels with a take down and Benjamin with a reversal and Michaels makes his way to the ropes. Michaels with a side head lock take down. Michaels with a shoulder tackle followed by a hip toss. Benjamin with a kick to Michaels followed by two arm drags. Michaels backs up into the corner. Benjamin with a side head lock and take down. Michaels with a rollup on Benjamin, but he gets up to his feet. Michaels with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Michaels with a rollup followed by a forearm. Michaels with a chop. Benjamin tries for a rollup, but Michaels holds on to the ropes. Benjamin with a clothesline that sends both of them outside the ring and Michaels is still down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Michaels with a belly-to-back superplex from the top, but Benjamin countered with a cross body in mid air. We see Batista watching in the locker room. Michaels with a chop, but Benjamin with a Samoan Drop. Both men exchange punches with Benjamin getting the advantage. Benjamin with a flying forearm and clotheslines. Benjamin with a modified back breaker for a two count. Michaels with a kick followed by a chop. Michaels with a flying forearm and a kip up. Benjamin kips up too. Benjamin with a rollup followed by a Michaels reversal. Michaels with a chop to Benjamin and both men are down. Michaels chops Benjamin in the corner. Benjamin with a Stinger Splash and then he tries for the Exploder, but Michaels blocks it and hits a back body drop and both men are down again. Michaels tries for a super kick, but Benjamin ducks. Benjamin with a Dragon Whip for a two count. Benjamin puts Michaels on the top turnbuckle and goes up. Michaels with forearms that knock Benjamin to the mat. Michaels with the flying elbow drop. Michaels sets up for Sweet Chin Music. Benjamin blocks Sweet Chin Music and hits a kick to Michaels for a two count. Benjamin with an elbow followed by a springboard twisting clothesline from the top turnbuckle for a two count. Michaels sends Benjamin over the top rope, but he lands on the apron. Benjamin with a springboard move into Sweet Chin Music for the three count and Shawn Michaels advances. After the match, the ref checks on Shelton as we go to the brackets.
We go to the interview area where Edge is with Todd Grisham. Todd wants to know why Edge is in the tournament. Edge wants to talk about how he beat Chris Benoit last night. Everyone says that Chris Benoit is the toughest man in the WWE, but Edge thinks that he is the toughest man now. Edge says that nobody can withstand two title matches against Batista. What if Edge is drafted to Smackdown? Edge wonders why Todd would say something like that. Edge says that he will be champion so it does not matter. Edge says the interview is over. Edge walks up to Lita and Victoria. Edge asks what they are looking at and Victoria says that they are looking at absolutely nothing. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Stack of the Night: La Résistance eliminating the former Tag champions and Hurricane and Rosey’s victory.
It is time for the tag champions to come out as Hurricane and Rosey come to the ring for their first title defense. Their opponents are La Résistance. Jim Ross talks about how the tag match was an extra match on the pay per view. Grenier and Rosey start things off. Rosey throws Grenier down. Grenier with a kick and punch. Grenier tries for a sunset flip, but Rosey drops down. Rosey with a side head lock. Hurricane distracts the ref and that allows Conway to pull down the ropes and Rosey goes to the floor. Conway sends Rosey into the ring post. Grenier attacks Hurricane from the apron. Conway tags in and he punches Rosey. Conway with a snap elbow. Grenier tags back in and he punches Rosey. Grenier knocks Hurricane off the apron. Conway tags in and they hit the Hart Attack on Rosey, but they only get a two count. Conway sends Rosey into the corner and tags in Grenier. Rosey fights out of the corner and he tags in Hurricane. Hurricane with clotheslines to Grenier followed by a neck breaker to Conway. Hurricane with an Irish whip, but he runs into a Grenier elbow. Hurricane with a Hurricanrana to Grenier, but Conway makes the save. Hurricane sends Conway over the top rope to the floor. Hurricane and Rosey hit a Spike Eye of the Hurricane for the three count.
It is time for the Smackdown Rebound and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look at photos of some of the women who have entered the Raw Diva Contest II: Thank God for DVRs (and TiVo) [or Saline Away].
It is time for our next Gold Rush Tournament match and I think you know who is coming out first as Edge (with briefcase) comes to the ring. His opponent is Chris Jericho. Jericho with a clean break. Edge with a go behind, but Jericho with an arm bar and a hammer lock. Edge reverses and has Jericho in a side head lock. Jericho with a top wrist lock, but Edge pulls Jericho’s hair. Edge pushes Jericho, but Jericho slaps Edge. Jericho chops Edge and slams him into the turnbuckle ten times. Jericho kicks Edge in the head and then chops him again. Jericho gets on the second turnbuckle, but Edge pushes Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Edge throws Jericho into the ringside barrier and then rolls Jericho back inside the ring. Edge with an elbow drop. Edge slaps Jericho and then hits a back breaker. Edge with a knee to Jericho’s back followed by a bow and arrow. We see Batista in the locker room watching the match. Jericho with a knee, punch and chop to Edge. Edge chokes Jericho on the ropes. Edge mocks Jericho and Jericho with a hot shot and clothesline. Jericho chops Edge and hits a flying forearm and shoulder tackle. Jericho stomps on Edge’s back. Jericho with a drop toe hold and it is time for the Big Bossman Memorial splash. Jericho with a hurricanrana and enzuigiri. Edge with a kick to Jericho, but Jericho with a running clothesline. Jericho punches Edge. Jericho goes for a bulldog off the Irish whip, but Edge with a boot to Jericho. Edge gets his briefcase, but Jericho with a springboard drop kick that knocks Edge to the floor. Jericho with a pescado to Edge and he exposes the top of the ringside barrier. Jericho slams Edge’s head on the ringside barrier. Jericho goes up top and Edge moves out of the way. Edge with a modified breakdown on Jericho. Edge sets up for a Spear, but Jericho with a leap frog and Jericho puts Edge in the Walls of Jericho. Edge gets to the ropes and he rolls outside the ring. While the ref tries to restrain Jericho, Edge hits Jericho with the briefcase. Edge goes up top and he hits a missile drop kick on Jericho, but Edge only gets a two count. Edge sets up for the spear again and he hits the Spear for the three count.
Time to look at the brackets and the only unknown participant is Hunter’s opponent. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to wish the Rock a happy birthday, and Jim Ross says that the Rock is looking forward to coming back to electrify the fans.
It is time for the man with the Grand, Chris Masters to come out. Masters says that this has been a lot easier because there has not been a man or woman who has come close to breaking the Master Lock. Chris even thought about canceling it tonight because if someone in New York could not do it, so nobody in Boston could do it. Masters has raised the ante to $4,000 plus a Kurt Schilling jersey and a Tom Brady autographed football. Chris sees a man in a Backlash shirt and tells security to let him in. Tonight’s victim is James DeFalco. James assumes the position and he goes down and he goes down hard.
We go to the back where Triple H and Ric Flair are walking into a commercial.
We are back and it is time for the final Gold Rush Tournament first round match. It is Game Time as the first participant in the match comes out. It is Triple H (with GameFountain and Ric Flair). His opponent is Chris Benoit. Hunter misses a punch in the corner and Benoit with a chop. Benoit with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Hunter with a kick and he tries for the Pedigree. Benoit counters and tries for the Crossface. Hunter with an elbow. Benoit flips out of a belly-to-back suplex attempt and tries for a Sharpshooter and then he pulls Hunter off the ropes. Benoit with a snap suplex and he tries to put Hunter in the Crossface. Hunter rolls outside and Benoit follows after him. Benoit chops Hunter in the corner. Hunter with a hard Irish whip followed by a clothesline to the back of the neck and Benoit falls outside the ring. Benoit’s eyes glaze over and we go to commercial.
We are back and Hunter punches Benoit in the ring. Hunter with a forearm to the back of Benoit’s neck. Hunter punches Benoit. Benoit chops Hunter, but Hunter with a sleeper to Benoit. Benoit runs Hunter into the turnbuckles and both men are down. Hunter tries for another sleeper, but Benoit with a belly-to-back suplex. Benoit with a German suplex. Hunter tries for a Pedigree, but Benoit counters with a Hat Trick German suplex combo. Benoit with the throat slash and he goes up top and hits the flying headbutt. Benoit tries for the Sharpshooter, but Flair gets on the apron. Benoit pulls Flair into the ring and he chops Flair. The ref pulls Benoit out of the way and Hunter hits Benoit from behind and the ref goes down. Flair and Hunter double team Benoit. Hunter punches Benoit while Batista’s music plays. Batista comes to the ring and he punches Flair. Batista exchanges punches with Hunter and hits a side slam on Hunter and a back body drop and clothesline on Flair. Hunter tries for a Pedigree, but Batista with a spinebuster on Hunter. Batista goes outside the ring and tries to encourage Benoit. Benoit puts Hunter in the Sharpshooter. Batista pulls the ropes from Hunter when he was about to get to the ropes. Hunter taps to the Sharpshooter. Batista laughs at Hunter and taps the mat in front of Hunter as we go to credits.
