Last week we saw Triple H and Big Show do what has never been done in the WWE. They lost a match in a tournament, but they will move on to the finals of the Road to Wrestlemania tournament to see who will face the WWE champion. Will we see anything happen between Mick Foley and Edge based on what happened last week when Mick was the guest referee in Edge’s match with John Cena? Will Mickie James do anything crazy related to Trish Stratus? Will Shelton Benjamin regain the Intercontinental Title from Ric Flair?
Make sure to check out Brian Richey’s Unlimited Report on the site.
We begin tonight’s show with footage from last week’s WWE Title match including comments from Foley that he will be fair as referee. We also hear Edge’s comments that if Foley doesn’t do the right thing, it will be his worst mistake. We see Edge lose to Cena and then Edge spears Foley.
We are live from Trenton, New Jersey and your announcers are Joey ‘Washington’ Styles, Jonathan ‘Lincoln’ Coachman, and Jerry ‘Clinton’ Lawler.
Before the match begins, Trish Stratus comes out to watch the action.
Match Number One: Candice Michelle versus Torrie Wilson versus Ashley Massaro versus Victoria versus Maria versus Mickie James in a Divas Battle Royal for the Number One Contender’s Spot
Torrie goes after Maria while Candice focuses on Ashley and Victoria deals with Mickie. Victoria with a merry go round side slam to Mickie. Victoria sends Ashley to the apron, but Ashley hangs on. Maria tries to knock Victoria out of the ring. Mickie and Maria exchange punches, but Candice goes after Maria. Maria turns the tables on Candice. Victoria picks up Maria and punches her. Ashley tries to eliminate Torrie, but Candice makes the save. However, Candice pushes Torrie off the apron. Victoria pushes Candice down. Maria and Ashley kick Victoria. Mickie kicks Ashley while Victoria punches Maria in the corner. Ashley drops Mickie on the bottom rope while Victoria continues the attack on Maria in the corner. Maria and Ashley send Victoria over the top rope, but Victoria holds on but Ashley and Maria knock Victoria off the ropes. Mickie with a back kick to Ashley and then Maria with the bronco buster to Candice. Mickie kicks Maria and throws her out of the ring to eliminate Maria. Mickie kicks Ashley and then punches her. Mickie with a kick in the corner. Ashley with an Irish whip and then she walks into an elbow. Mickie tries to eliminate Ashley with a head scissors, but Candice comes from behind and eliminates Mickie and Ashley.
Winner: Candice Michelle
After the match, Candice gets on the mic and she says that she is too hot for Raw. It is not because of her Super Bowl commercials, her appearance on The Tonight Show, or her upcoming appearance on the cover of Playboy. Candice says it is because she is going to beat Trish to become the women’s champion.
Edge’s music plays and he comes out with Lita. They enter the ring and Lita takes the mic and gives it to Edge. He says if you want to talk about being the champion, he should be the champion. He tells Candice to get out of his ring and comments that her voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Edge says that it is time to deal with the issue at hand. He had John Cena beat last week and the only reason he is not the champion is because of one man. That man is Mick Foley. Edge tells Mick that he hopes he is comfortable sitting at home because he is going to show him what happens when you mess with the ‘Rated R Superstar’. He has had a bunch of nobodies and idiots come up to him with their best Jim Duggan impersonations, calling his girlfriend a ‘ho’. Tonight he takes care of that because he will be facing Hacksaw Jim Duggan tonight.
Lita gets on the mic and she has a message for Duggan. He tells Duggan to come out right now because he will find out what happens when you mess with her man.
Jim Duggan comes out with his two-by-four and flag as we go to commercial.
On Unlimited, Jim Duggan tells Edge to take it easy and then he ‘hos’ for the crowd. He has a question for Edge. He wants to know what Edge, Santa Claus, and a farmer have in common. They all use ‘hos’. Just because Edge is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Jim Duggan is from Glens Falls, New York in a country where a man can carry a two-by-four. A country where Abe Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays are celebrated. It is the land of the free and the home of the brave. He will continue to carry the flag of the United States. He starts a ‘USA’ chant.
Match Number Two: Edge versus Jim Duggan
Edge punches Duggan, but Duggan responds with a clothesline and he sends Edge out of the ring. Edge gets back on the apron and Duggan punches him. Edge drops Duggan’s throat on the top rope and then he kicks Duggan to the apron. Edge with a boot and Duggan falls to the floor. Edge mocks Duggan and then hits a forearm from the apron. Duggan punches at air, but Edge does not miss and hits Duggan. Edge continues the attack by slamming Duggan’s head into the ring steps. Edge punches Duggan, but Duggan responds with punches of his own and then he sends Edge into the ring post. Duggan ‘hos’ before returning to the ring. Edge with a drop kick followed by a punch. Duggan with a side head lock, but Edge with a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Edge goes up to the second turnbuckle, but he is met with a clothesline from Duggan. Duggan with punches to Edge and then it is time for the punches of ten and Edge goes to one knee. Duggan with a slam to Edge and then he sets up for the running shoulder tackle, but Lita trips Duggan and Edge hits the spear for the three count.
Winner: Edge
After the match, Edge holds Duggan and then gets the two-by-four from Lita and hits Duggan in the lower groin with the two-by-four.
Edge gets on the mic and he asks Foley if he saw that. Edge says that Duggan didn’t do anything like Foley did to him. Foley cost Edge his dream of walking into Wrestlemania as the champion and he calls Foley a son of a bitch. He wants to make it real simple for Foley. Mick Foley versus Edge at Wrestlemania. He gives Foley one week to accept the challenge in the ring or he will come to Long Island and beat his carcass in front of Foley’s family.
Big Show talks about the opportunity to go to the main event of Wrestlemania. He has been in the main event before. Some said that he might have taken it for granted, but he did not take it for granted. He knows what it takes to be the WWE champion and be in the main event. He is focused on Rob Van Dam and Triple H. If he choke slams Triple H and RVD, he will be in the main event. He will stop Triple H from making it to the main event at Wrestlemania. He will stop Triple H’s quest to be the WWE champion. Show does not know which is better as we go to commercial.
On Unlimited, we have a ‘This Day in WWE History’ moment of Bob Backlund defeating Superstar Billy Graham to become the WWWF champion in 1978.
We are back with footage from John Cena’s tour of India. He talked about how big the crowds were and how it could not compare to anything he ever saw before.
Match Number Three: Kane versus Chris Masters (and his amazing Technicolor ring robe)
Masters backs Kane into the corner on the collar and elbow tie up and Masters punches Kane. Masters ducks a clothesline, but Kane blocks a punch and Kane responds with punches of his own. Masters goes outside the ring to regroup and Kane comes after him. Kane grabs Masters between the post and turnbuckle and Masters pulls Kane’s arm into the post. Masters with a clothesline before they return to the ring and Masters punches and kicks Kane. Masters with a crossface to Kane followed by a kick to the ribs. Masters puts Kane on the top turnbuckle and then connects with two forearms. Kane knocks Masters off the turnbuckles and Kane goes up top for the jumping clothesline. Kane follows that with the side slam and uppercut. Kane tries for the big boot, but Masters blocks it and tries to lock in the Master Lock. Kane is able to get Masters up on his shoulders, but Masters escapes. Kane grabs Masters by the throat, but Masters with a knee. Masters tries for the Master Lock, but Kane is able to reverse it and he tries for a full nelson of his own. Kane with a big boot for the three count.
Winner: Kane
After the match, Kane prepares to bring the pyro, but Masters comes from behind and applies the Master Lock. Masters throws Kane out of the ring. Kane sits up and then Masters leaves the ring.
We see footage of the Diva’s lingerie shoot in New York City and we go to commercial.
On Unlimited, we see footage from Mickie accusing Jack of attacking her in Trish’s locker room and Trish believing what Mickie said.
We are back and Wrestlemania is less than six weeks away.
We hear from Rob Van Dam about this match. He talks about how the winner will be in the main event of main events at Wrestlemania. It is the gateway to immortality. He wins tonight and his name will be in the history books in the main event. Nobody will forget Big Show’s name and Triple H has already been there. Tonight is all about Rob Van Dam.
We go to footage from last week’s ‘Retirement Ceremony’ for Shawn Michaels. We see Shawn refuse to sign the papers. We also see Vince explain why he wanted Shawn to sign the papers. We see Vince slap Shawn and then we see Vince comment on how Shawn opened the floodgates to his own personal hell.
We go to the McOffice and the Spirit Squad enters. Vince says that Shawn Michaels disrespected not only himself, but the Spirit Squad. Four of the members of the Spirit Squad will make their debuts tonight against Shawn Michaels. Vince says that four on one is fair, but five on one is overkill. We go to commercial.
On Unlimited, it is time for Todd ‘Hooked on Phonics’ Grisham to come out and read the signs in the crowd.
Shelton asks his mama if she is alright. She says that she will be OK. Shelton says that he is dedicating his victory to his mama.
Match Number Four: Ric Flair versus Shelton Benjamin (with Mama Benjamin) for the Intercontinental Title
Flair woooos and struts before they lock up. Benjamin with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Flair with a hip toss and Benjamin backs into the corner. Flair woooos while Benjamin gets back to his feet. Benjamin backs Flair into the corner and punches Flair instead of the clean break. Benjamin with a punch and Flair goes down. Flair with three chops and Benjamin goes down. Flair with a kick and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Benjamin charges at Flair and Flair chops him. Flair with another chop followed by a back body drop. Flair with two more chops and Benjamin goes over the top rope to the floor. Mama Benjamin gets up as we go to commercial.
On Unlimited, Mama Benjamin checks on Shelton and gives him some advice. Shelton returns to the ring. Flair slaps Benjamin followed by a back elbow and Benjamin goes down. Flair with a knee drop to Benjamin’s head and Flair woooos again. Flair chops Benjamin and then he gestures to Mama Benjamin. Flair backs Benjamin into the corner and wrings his arm on the rope followed by a chop. Flair with a wrist lock, but Benjamin with two kicks. Benjamin escapes the hold with help from the ropes, but Flair with another chop. Flair with an Irish whip followed by a chop out of the corner.
We are back on USA and Benjamin punches Flair in the corner. Benjamin yells at the referee and that allows Flair to chop Benjamin twice. Flair tries for the figure four, but Benjamin sends Flair out of the ring. Benjamin tries for a baseball slide, but Flair moves out of the way and Flair chops Benjamin. Flair with another chop to Benjamin. Benjamin with a Samoan drop on the floor and both men are down on the floor. Benjamin rolls in to break the count. Benjamin punches Flair against the ringside barrier. Benjamin with a knee followed by a punch and they return to the ring. Benjamin suplexes Flair back into the ring from the apron for a two count. Benjamin kicks Flair and chokes the champion. Benjamin with an Irish whip followed by a back body drop for a two count. Benjamin with a kick to Flair’s head and Flair does the Flair Flop and Benjamin gets a two count. Benjamin with a knee to Flair’s back followed by a rear chin lock. Benjamin punches Flair, but Flair responds with a chop. This continues for two more punches and chops. Benjamin with a dragon whip to Flair for a two count. Flair chops Benjamin followed by an Irish whip. Flair charges into an elbow from Benjamin. Benjamin goes up top and hits a clothesline on Flair, but Flair gets his foot on the bottom rope when Benjamin covers Flair. Benjamin works on Flair’s hamstring and Benjamin sets for the figure four, but Flair kicks him off. Benjamin tries for a springboard move, but Flair with a chop and Flair gets a two count. Flair clips Benjamin and then puts Benjamin in the figure four. Benjamin tries to get to the ropes and he is able to reach it and Flair releases the hold. Benjamin rolls outside ring. Mama Benjamin clutches her chest and the referee checks on her. He signals for a medic to help out Mama Benjamin. Benjamin grabs the oxygen tank and he hits Flair in the abdomen with it. Benjamin hits Flair with it one more time. Benjamin with the Exploder for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin (new champion)
After the match, Mama Benjamin dances outside the ring and then the Benjamin family celebrates. She holds the Intercontinental title belt up as Shelton pulls her up the Rawest Ramp in Sports Entertainment.
Flair walks up the ramp and to the back.
Shawn Michaels is walking as we go to commercial.
We go to footage from No Way Out including the return of Batista, Chris Benoit winning the United States Title, Randy Orton getting Rey Mysterio’s main event spot at Wrestlemania, and Kurt Angle defeating Undertaker to retain the title.
We are back with footage from Dancing with the Stars.
Before the match, the Spirit Squad does a cheer about how Shawn Michaels is going down.
Match Number Five: Spirit Squad (Johnny Jeter, Nick Nemeth, Ken Doane, and Mike Mondo [with Nick Mitchell]) versus Shawn Michaels
Michaels with a shoulder tackle to Doane, but Doane with a hip toss and drop kick and Michaels backs into the corner. Jeter tags in and Michaels with a hammer lock and side head lock. Mondo kicks Michaels in the back and Jeter with a jumping spin kick for a two count. Mitchell tags in and he gives Michaels a snap mare and a rear chin lock. Michaels with a punch to Mitchell. Doane pulls down the top rope and Michaels falls to the floor. A trampoline is set up at ringside and Doane with a clothesline off the trampoline to Michaels. Nemeth gets a two count and then he slams Michaels. Mondo gets flipped onto Michaels and he gets a two count. Mondo and Michaels exchange punches, but Michaels with chops to Mondo. Michaels with a swinging neck breaker to Mondo and both men are down. Doane tags in and he goes up top, but he misses a leg drop. Mondo tags back in, but he gets chopped by Michaels. Michaels with a flying forearm followed by the kip up and a reverse atomic drop and punch. Michaels knocks the rest of the Spirit Squad off the apron. Michaels with a slam to Mondo and then he goes up top for the elbow drop and hits it. Michaels hits Mitchell on the apron and then he hits Sweet Chin Music on Mondo, but the Spirit Squad breaks up the cover and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Shawn Michaels (by disqualification)
The Spirit Squad work over Michaels and toss him to the mat. From out of nowhere, Marty Jannetty comes in and he attacks the Spirit Squad. Marty and Shawn fight off the Spirit Squad.
We return to the McOffice where Vince watches Marty and Shawn in the ring. Shawn and Marty hug in the ring as we go to commercial.
On Unlimited, Marty says that he wanted to be there to have Michaels’s back. Shawn says that he has no friends here and Marty tells Shawn that he has one. They walk away.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Carlito’s double jump twisting senton to Rob Van Dam two weeks ago.
Carlito takes the mic from Lillian. Last year at Wrestlemania, he humiliated Roddy Piper and Steve Austin, just like his opponent tonight. He has an idea that will have a much better impact.
Match Number Six: Carlito versus Nick Berk
Carlito throws Berk into the ring post. Carlito with the lung blower to Berk and then he hits the inverted roll the dice for the three count.
Winner: Carlito
Carlito suggests that at Wrestlemania it will be money in the bank. We go to commercial.
On Unlimited, it is time to go to the Classroom for Matt Striker. Matt says that he tries to teach everyone a lesson. This week there is no lesson. He has something special for the crowd. He has homework. He shows them a copy of GQ and on page 225; it is a photo of him. Not only is he ridiculously good looking and brilliant, but he has style. The reason why he was chosen for the magazine is because he is a gentleman. If you want to be as well dressed as him and half as good looking at him, then you will buy the magazine, study it, and live it. The lesson you will learn is that being smart is sexy, just like him.
We are back with footage of Matt Striker’s comments from Unlimited.
Coach talks about Unlimited and how the magazine comes out tomorrow. He congratulates Matt Striker. Coach wants to talk about the WWE Hall of Fame. Joey Styles announces the newest inductee and it is Eddie Guerrero. Coach talks about how Eddie’s career was about emotion and that will be the case at the induction ceremony.
There is NO CHANCE that Vince McMahon wouldn’t come out to address the Michaels/Jannetty situation. He talks about how Marty and Shawn beat the hell out of the Spirit Squad. Vince says that Marty needs to be rewarded. Next week, he will offer a full-time WWE contract for Marty Jannetty. Marty deserves it because he has fallen on hard times over the last few years. Vince says that there is one thing. Prior to presenting Marty with his full-time contract, he will need to do one thing. That is to join an elite club. That is the ‘Kiss my ass’ club.
It is time to hear from Triple H. The word Wrestlemania sends a shiver down your spine. It is the greatest showcase of them all. A night where heroes are made and legends become. The champion will come to Wrestlemania so strong and so prepared, but he will have to look into the eyes of the Game . . . into the eyes of the greatest wrestler in the business. He will know that he is going to lose. Tonight, he will confirm that he will go to Wrestlemania and that he will be wrestling for the title. The king of kings goes back onto his throne. We go to commercial.
On Unlimited, Maria comes out and it is time for the Kiss Cam.
We are back with a Wrestlemania Big Time Moment: Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III.
We find out that Candice will face Trish Stratus next week for the Women’s title.
Match Number Seven: Big Show versus Rob Van Dam versus Triple H (with GameFountain) in the Finals of the Road to Wrestlemania Tournament
Show stands behind Hunter as he does the GameFountain and he biels Hunter into the ring and head butts him. Show with a forearm to Hunter. Hunter with a kick to Show, but Show presses Hunter over his head and slams him. Show with an elbow drop and he covers Hunter. Van Dam with a drop kick to Show, but Show with a head butt and chop to Van Dam. Show with a chop to Hunter and Hunter goes down. Show with another chop to Van Dam in the corner. Show with a head butt to Hunter. Van Dam with a punch to Show, but Show with a knee and punch to Van Dam. Show with another head butt to Hunter and Hunter goes out of the ring. Show with a side slam to Van Dam and then Show goes outside the ring after Hunter. Show with another chop to Hunter as they fight around the ring. Show with another chop and then Show sends Hunter over the ringside barrier into the front row. Show goes after Hunter and Show chops Hunter and that sends Hunter back into the ringside area. Van Dam with a kick to Show’s head. Van Dam tries for a cross body from the apron onto Show, but Show catches Van Dam and slams Rob to the floor. We go to commercial.
On Unlimited, Hunter runs Show into the ring post, but Show reverses and Irish whip and sends Hunter into the ring steps. Show punches Van Dam on the floor and goes after Rob. Show with an Irish whip to Van Dam that sends Rob into the ringside barrier. Show rolls Van Dam back into the ring. Show comes back into the ring and Hunter backs away from Show. Show with a side slam to Hunter, but Van Dam with a drop kick to Show. Van Dam with kicks to Show, but Show with forearms to Van Dam followed by a head butt. Show with an Irish whip and running clothesline to Hunter and Hunter does the Flair Flop.
We are back on USA and Show chokes Van Dam in the ropes. Hunter hits Show from behind and punches Show. Show punches Hunter and then Irish whips Hunter into the corner and he grabs Van Dam by the throat. Show Irish whips Van Dam and then he tries to Irish whip Hunter into Van Dam, but Van Dam flips over Hunter. Van Dam with two spin kicks to Show followed by punches, but Show shakes them off. Hunter and Van Dam with punches to Show followed by kicks from Van Dam and a clothesline from Hunter. Show grabs Hunter by the throat. Van Dam and Hunter finally get Show down to his knees. Hunter punches Show and Van Dam kicks Show to the point where Show is on his knees, but Show grabs both men and hits a double choke slam and all three men are down. Show with clotheslines to Hunter and Van Dam followed by a head butt to Van Dam. Show with a power slam to Hunter, but Van Dam makes the save. Show tosses Van Dam out of the ring and then Show slams Hunter. Van Dam gets back to the apron and Van Dam drops Show on the top rope. Van Dam goes up top and hits a side kick that sends Show out of the ring. Van Dam with a drop kick followed by a clothesline. Van Dam with a jumping back kick followed by the split legged moonsault for a two count. Hunter with a jaw breaker to Van Dam, but Van Dam with the step over heel kick to Hunter. Van Dam with the rolling senton splash to Hunter and then he goes up top and hits the Five Star Frog Splash. Show grabs Van Dam, but Van Dam with a series of kicks and a jumping spin kick that knocks Show down. Van Dam goes up top again, but Hunter pushes Van Dam off the top turnbuckle and Van Dam hits the ringside barrier. Hunter gets a chair and hits Show with it. Hunter hits the Pedigree on Show, but Van Dam makes a diving save. Van Dam with forearms to Hunter. Hunter charges at Van Dam, but Van Dam sends Hunter over the top to the floor. Van Dam hits the Five Star Frog Splash on Show, but Hunter grabs the referee and that allows Show to kick out. Hunter with the Pedigree to Van Dam for the three count.
Winner: Triple H (advances to WWE Title match at Wrestlemania)
Hunter celebrates in the ring, but John Cena’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Cena gets in Hunter’s face and Cena shows Hunter the belt as we go to credits.
