RAW Spoilers

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In the Evolution locker room the stable was complaining about their losses last night and about Eugene. Hunter says that no one lost more than he did. He tells his stable to follow his lead when Eugene walked in. In he walked, and Hunter reassured him that friends were friends, and that he wasn’t mad as the special young man. Uncle Eric was, however, and he wanted to see him in the GM’s office immediately. Orton was flabbergasted that they did not simply take care of matters then and there, but Hunter told him not to worry as they would all understand soon. The opening followed, with Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel announced as having Lita and Kane as the special guests. The new Intercontinental Champion Edge had a non-title match against Batista next. Edge played early that the power of Batista did not intimidate him, but the big man had little problem displaying it. He dominated the match with his strength until Edge hit a drop toe hold into the middle turn buckle. Edge used a drop kick to take the stunned monster outside, and speared him off the apron when he tried to return. Randy Orton was shown walking angrily down the ramp when we went to break.

During the break Batista caught a dive from the apron from Edge, and rammed his back into a ring post. Also during the break, Randy Orton interfered to knock Edge down and the official tossed him from ringside. In the ring, Batista was in control. After a number of hits and slams, Batista locked on a camel clutch to continue the punishment. Edge started making a come back, dodging Batista’s lariats and hitting a jumping DDT for a two count. Batista was not done yet, though. He side stepped a spear (Causing Edge to run face first into the middle turnbuckle) and hit a spine buster. Edge would not release the ropes when the Batista Bomb was readied, and used a stun gun to climb the ropes. Batista followed up for a superplex attempt, but was shoulder blocked down and received a missile dropkick for his trouble. Edge called for the spear, but Batista countered it into a spine buster position. This too was countered into a roll up, which saw Edge hold the top rope to get the victory. Edge defeated Batista via pin fall. Eugene went to see Uncle Eric as per orders to see if he was angry at him. Bishoff revealed he was mad as hell that everyone was blaming Eugene for Triple H losing to Benoit last night. He told Eugene he was proud of him, especially for the job he did as General Manager last week. Eric had a present for his nephew, a match versus Chris Benoit – for the Heavyweight Championship! Uncle Eric assured Eugene it would be a very special night for a very special man.

The King was at the stage to announce the WWE Diva’s search this Thursday on Spike TV. He had a few of the finalists to interview. First was Candice Michelle, wearing a little black dress with a split front. She showed an above-average amount of charisma score of 17, complimented by her phenomenal good looks. Todd Grisham interviewed Ric Flair. Evolution was on record in wishing Eugene good-luck in his World Title hunt. He spoke about his bestselling book, and about being the man. The Hurricane showed up, asking for an autograph. Flair revealed his secret identity to kill his character, and called him a joke. Hurricane laughed it off and commented that Rock’s, Hogan and Chyna had better books. When he mentioned that Mick Foley’s tome hit number one (Ric’s has not), Flair grew livid and knocked Hurricane down and promised to take him to school.

Rob Conway of La Résistance took on Rhyno of the newly formed team of Rhyno and Tajiri. We were thankfully spared Grenier’s singing tonight. The announcers debated the legitimacy of Rhyno and Tajiri as a valid tag-team. Rhyno dominated Conway from the get-go. When Sylvain went to interfere, Tajiri knocked him out allowing Rhyno to land the Gore and get the pin. Rhyno defeated Rob Conway via pin fall.

The problem-solver, with the Women’s Champion Trish Stratus, took on Maven. Nidia was with him, and together they form the Wonder Twins. Wonder Twins powers… activate! Tomko made Batista look like Jushin Liger. Nidia and Trish had a brief altercation outside the ring during the match. Maven out wrestled him for most the entirety of the match, until running into Tomko’s boot. Tyson Tomko defeated Maven via pin fall. Backstage, William Regal went to see Benoit about his match with Eugene. He pleaded with the champion that he did not want to see his friend get hurt. Benoit sympathized with him, but promised to do whatever it takes to retain his Heavyweight Title.

It was time for the Highlight Reel. Jericho was on fire, detailing his accomplishments in musical chairs last week. He goes on to say he was even better at “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Jericho detailed that in the WWE you do not deal with your personal issues in the back, you deal with them in the ring on the Highlight Reel. Very astute statement, that. Kane came down to call out Lita for costing him his match last night. Lita came down with her bigger breasts in tow and Kane threatened her, but she was having none of it. She got right in his face in a way that only an angry woman can, and told him there was not a damn thing he could do to her. He agreed, so he threatened Matt instead. She was not scared though. She said that last night she saw that Matt could fight his own battles, and she knew who the real father of her baby was. Having been with both of them, she said that Matt was more of a man than Kane could ever be. She waltzed past him, and Kane went nuts. He threw Jericho out of the ring after destroying the luckless Highlight Reel set and went to leave, but was interrupted. Jericho took the microphone and started to insult the Big Red Machine, saying that he was the winner of the Diva Search. Everyone in this segment was phenomenal in showing their emotions.

The match had gotten underway during the commercial break. When the show returned Kane was in command, but Jericho was fighting back with speed and determination. Still, Kane maintained control with power moves. Watching this match after Tyson Tomko made me appreciate how good Kane is in comparison. Seriously, he makes Kane look like the Blue Panther. Jericho had a hope spot, but was wrapped tightly into a bear hug. Kane went for the top rope, but Jericho used a spring board drop kick to knock the monster onto a precarious position. Kane went for the flying clothesline anyway, but was caught mid air in one of Jericho’s dropkicks. Both men were down briefly, but Kane sat up and went to hit the choke slam. Jericho escaped out the back door and chop blocked Kane down. He went for the walls but Kane muscled out. He tried again and Kane made it to the ropes. A third attempt also failed so Jericho used his excellent running enziguri. Numerous near falls followed by Jericho. Kane had enough, and delivered a low blow onto Jericho in front of the referee. Chris Jericho defeated Kane via disqualification. I called Kane a luchadore, so they had a Mexican finish. After the match, Kane delivered a choke slam to the official and Jericho at the same time.

The King was back again to introduce another Raw Diva hopeful, Nina Harden. Nina appeared to be of mixed race, Asian and African American most likely, and wore a gold belly shirt and stretch pants. She had a poor speaking voice and delivery, and when she danced for the crowd the silence was deafening. She needs a cloak of Charisma if she wants to turn undead. The Smackdown! Rebound aired next, with Eddie Guerrero and JBL continuing to be the only thing on the show I regret seeing every week.

Hurricane had his match with the greatest of all time. Hurricane was in control of the match immediately, but Ric took control right back and began to school the young Mr. Helms (Kayfabe. Kayfabe!) with all his usual maneuvers. Helms had a comeback, making Ric beg before tossing him upside down and outside the ring with an Irish whip. Flair’s old cauliflower ear was busted open and bleeding as Hurricane was on assault. When Hurricane went to the top, however, he was knocked off and Ric was back in charge of the action. The Figure Four was applied, and the Hurricane was forced to tap out. Ric Flair defeated The Hurricane via submission.

A Smackdown! Your Vote vignette The King was back to interview Carmella DeCesare, who looked lovely in a pink spaghetti strap bodice and jeans. She talked about her puppies and being the 2004 Playmate of the Year. I looked it up, and must say that she looks just as good with her clothes on. That girl is definite Sorcerer material, but I still prefer my ballerina. Backstage, Benoit and Eugene talked about their match. Eugene was sorry, but said he wanted to win the title. Benoit understood, and said he wanted a clean wrestling match with no chairs or interference. They wished each other luck.

Benoit faced Eugene for the title. Benoit was in control, with Eugene having to counter and dodge to get in some offense. The three Germans were hit, but the flying head butt missed. Eugene attempted some of his imitation offense, but Benoit turned the People’s Elbow into a sharpshooter. When Eugene was knocked from the ring Eugene went into retardo rage and had control of champion. He out wrestled Benoit, and reversed a suplex counter into the cross face. Chris Benoit had to crawl to the ropes on his own finisher. Benoit attempted his own cross face, and Eugene countered it to drive Benoit into the ring post. Eugene hit the Rock bottom and had a very, very close two count when Chris got his foot on the bottom rope. Eugene thought he had the match won and did a victory lap with the title. Evolution interrupted and delivered an NWO beat down on Benoit and Eugene, and added William Regal to the list of broken bodies when he went to try and make the save.

cruiserweight

Just what was not shown on raw in the states, from prowrestling.com

DARK MATCHES

(1) Carly Colon defeated Arch Kincaid.

(2) John Walters defeated Antonio Thomas.

SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT

(1) Victoria defeated Molly Holly. After the match, Holly was going to hit Victoria with a chair but Steven Richards (dressed as a woman) saved the day.

(2) Randy Orton defeated Rosey.

(3) Val Venis defeated Chuck Palumbo.

AFTER RAW

A bloody Eugene was stretchered out of the arena after the show went off of the air. The entire top section of the arena was blocked off.