Professional Wrestling's Monday Night Raw featured Shawn Michaels vs. JBL, John Cena vs. Chris Benoit, a Battle Royal, and Bobby Lashley breaking the Masterlock.
Road to WrestleMania Continues
A decade and a half ago, WrestleMania VIII took place in Indianapolis, Indiana, so it is fitting that the WWE stops their on the Road to WrestleMania 23. The superstars of Raw invaded Conseco Field House for a special WrestleMania Reversal Night. What is WrestleMania Reversal Night? Well, the two men fighting it out for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 23 must compete in singles competition against a superstar from their opponents WrestleMania past. Retired wrestler and Smackdown announcer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) was announced as the man to face Shawn Michales, while the Canadian Crippler Christ Benoit squared off against John Cena.
Shawn Michaels vs. JBL
As previously stated, JBL was announced as the man to face Shawn Michaels on Raw, but lucky for Michaels, Bradshaw clearly did not appear ready to come out of retirement. With Shawn standing in the middle of the ring awaiting his opponent, the famed limousine pulled into the arena and Bradshaw did climb out. He climbed out, but he climbed out wearing a full suit instead of wrestling gear. Now over the past few months, Bradshaw has become known as a man that could make heated conversation with a mime, so it came as no surprise when Bradshaw did nothing but run his mouth about how Shawn Michaels made him sick. Citing Michaels’ unwillingness to take a shot at Cena, his unwillingness to stoop down and play a little dirty, and his unwillingness to do anything that might cause the WWE fans a little displeasure, Bradshaw belittled Michaels for several minutes. Hearing enough, Shawn took the microphone, went on a tirade himself, and then kicked JBL right in the chin. Although JBL made some very impressive and good points, Shawn really lucked out not having to face a wrestler of JBL’s caliber just 13 days away from WrestleMania. Would John Cena be so lucky facing the Chris Benoit
Edge and Orton
The saga continues with the latest installment of Rated RKO drama – this episode titled “Return of the Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.” Obviously a little annoyed about Edge’s actions on ECW last week, Orton came at Edge furious . . . again. The shouting match didn’t last long though because Orton dropped a bombshell when he told Edge that if he wanted to keep his spot at WrestleMania, he would have to defeat nine other men in a special Money in the Bank Qualifying Battle Royal Match. As one of the premier stars in professional wrestling today and perhaps the best bad man in wrestling, Edge would have to be a favorite no matter what. A favorite he might be, but when one has to face ten superstars, the odds just aren’t all that favorable.
Battle Royal
Moving on, Edge joined 16 time World’s Champion Ric Flair; the 500 plus pound Viscera; former Intercontinental Champions Carlito, Val Venis, and Johnny Nitro; the insane luchadore Super Crazy; former tag team champion Charlie Haas; and a man with no claim to fame at all: Kenny. How could Edge escape with his WrestleMania match? Well, he did what any superstar that watched 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Jerry “the King” Lawler compete in the Royal Rumble several years ago. Edge faked an injury and rolled out of the ring, so to make it appear as though he could not compete. Unfortunately for WWE fans, we all saw it coming. When Ric Flair tossed Carlito out of the ring and the bell rang – everyone knew that Edge would suddenly become 100% better, jump in the ring, and win the match. In the opinion of some wrestling fans, the ending would have been better if the referee told Edge that the match officially ended when the bell rang because it did ring when Carlito’s feet hit the floor. The problem with this match is simple: it was predictable! Everyone knew from the announcement forward who the winner would be. The match took a turn for the worse when the Edge scandal fooled absolutely nobody. The unpredictable and more fun thing for the fans to witness would have been the referee telling Edge that he was too late and the match was indeed OVER. The next couple of weeks could have been entertaining watching Edge scramble for a spot at WrestleMania.
Bobby Lashley and the Masterlock Challenge
Speaking of predictable, Bobby Lashley took the Masterlock Challenge and won. If there were anything else to write about this topic, it would be written here. The end of the two year Masterlock undbroken streak set up the announcement of ECW’s main event: Chris Masters vs. ECW Champion Bobby Lashley
Eugene Gets a New Look and faces Umaga
After Eugene mistakenly spills his drink all over Mr. McMahon, Vinnie Mac gives Eugene the last bit of good news he’ll receive for sometime when he tells Eugene that he could have a match. Having just made this announcement, Umaga and Mr. McMahon joined Eugene in the ring and began the beatdown. Of course Umaga beat up a defenseless and mentally handicapped wrestler definitely prepares him for Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania. In fact, speaking of preparing for WrestleMania, Mr. McMahon continued to take liberties with Eugene as he made an example out of him by cutting his hair. On the bright side Eugene needed a haircut anyway.
Jerry Lawler, the Great Khali, Melina, Candice Michelle, Ashley
The Candice Michelle and Melina evening gown match was highlighted by a Candice Michelle loss, but just in case WWE fans felt like they missed out by not getting a look at Melina, the challenger for the WWE Women’s Championship, Ashley saved the day. Don’t feel cheated by Ashley being the only girl to remain modest: just go out and buy this months Playboy Magazine and get a better look. A better look might be exactly what the Great Khali was looking for when he came to the ring. With Ashley cowering in the ring, the Great Khali readied himself to give her the Giant chokeslam. Where is Kane? Jerry “the King” Lawler saved the day, but paid the price for his courage. Why did Kane not come out and demolish this guy?
Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton
What a match to highlight the evening, but unfortunately WWE fans didn’t get to see a complete show. With Todd Grisham at ringside calling the action, Edge stormed the ring, tossed a ladder in the ring, and stood by to enjoy the action. Obviously forgetting about the legal standing of ladders in singles competition, Orton used the ladder as a weapon against Jeff Hardy. Not only would Orton pay for the cheap shot by losing the match via disqualification, but he would also get attacked by Jeff who delivered a Matt Hardy-like legdrop from the top of the ladder. Is this a sign of things to come for the upcoming ladder match at WrestleMania?
Chris Benoit vs. John Cena
WrestleMania Reversal night continues with part two of the special night’s festivities. With Shawn Michaels joining the commentators in Batista-like fashion and Eugene crying in the back, Chris Benoit took on John Cena. Having not seen Benoit in competition that frequently in recent weeks, seeing the intensity from the Canadian Crippler caused remembrance of what pure wrestling looked like. Watching Benoit compete is like getting a professional wrestling history lesson. No other wrestler can show you the Hart dungeon, the Japanese style of wrestling, the original ECW technique, and solid technical wrestling. As a dungeon alumnus, Benoit applied the sharpshooter. In recognition of his time in Japan, the Rabid Wolverine hit the trifecta of three consecutive German suplexes. Utilizing his ECW roots, the former World Champion attempted and missed the flying headbutt. The match wouldn’t have been complete without a Crippler Crossface, but it only lasted for a couple seconds before Cena had the Crippler tapping out to the STFU. Has Benoit ever tapped out before? Will Benoit be able to rebound when he faces MVP at WrestleMania for the United States Champion? Will Cena make Shawn Michaels tap at WrestleMania? One thing we know for sure is that Shawn Michaels and John Cena continue to taunt the other by giving wrestling fans teases of Sweet Chin Music and the FU.
Would somebody please hit somebody?
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Also See: WrestleMania's Past,
