Raw is War
Richmond, Virginia
June 28, 2004
STACKED DECK
The Rabid Wolverine redefined the phrase “fighting champion” Monday night,
battling through perverse match stipulations and forcing the submission of the
beastly Kane. The lopsided rules demanded that Benoit force Kane to tap, while
the Big Red Monster could win the title by countout, pinfall, submission or
disqualification.
In a dead-even, back and forth bout, The Crippler eventually took control,
hitting a series of German suplexes. After various attempts to end the match
failed because of Kane’s superior strength and size, Benoit seemed to return to
what was working. He began a second sequence of German suplexes, but this time
he shifted suplex No. 2 into the Crippler Crossface — earning the coveted
tap-out.
As a result, the World Heavyweight Champion will play The Game at Vengeance.
Triple H waited idly by on RAW, watching to see who would defend the gold
against him.
Triple H had quite a night. He discovered his Vengeance opponent, won a match
over William Regal by DQ and gained an honorary Evolution member. In a match
designed by Uncle Eric Bischoff, The Game took on Regal with Eugene as the
“special” guest referee. And although Eugene acquitted himself extremely well
during the course of the match — maintaining total professionalism and adhering
strictly to the rules — the Cerebral Assassin outsmarted Eugene in the end.
Triple H set up Regal by bringing brass knuckles into the ring, and when Eugene
saw them later in Regal’s possession, he called for the bell. To make matters
worse, Triple H used misdirection to create the appearance that Regal attacked
Eugene after the conclusion of the match, sending Eugene into a furious rage.
After some more mental massaging by The Game, Eugene firmly believed that Benoit
and Regal were enemies of their Evolution.
The distressing Lita saga continued on RAW. Matt Hardy, overwhelmed with grief
and anger, attacked Kane amid an interview with J.R. And following Kane’s match
with Benoit, Lita came to ringside seemingly to comfort the Monster. But a
low-blow later, it was clear that Lita was there to punish the potential father
of her child. Kane overwhelmed Lita and set her up for a chokeslam, but at the
last minute he reconsidered. It seemed he wouldn’t risk hurting the woman who
could be carrying “his legacy.”
We also learned that Edge will be facing Randy Orton for the Intercontinental
Championship at Vengeance. And add a pay-per-view battle between Batista and
Chris Jericho to the aforementioned Benoit vs. Triple H World Heavyweight
Championship match.
Something special was announced for next week, as well. With Bischoff on a
scheduled vacation, none other than Eugene will play GM for a day. Watch Monday
Night RAW next week (9/8 CT on Spike TV) to learn just what kind of matches
emerge from the mind of Eugene!
Match Results:
Edge and Chris Jericho defeat Randy Orton and Batista
Triple H def. William Regal (DQ) with Eugene as the guest referee
La Resistance def. Sgt. Slaughter and Rhyno (Non-title match)
Chris Benoit def. Kane (submission-only
stipulation)