Raw is War

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 10, 2006

Cena answers with an STFU
April 10, 2006

Now both of John Cena’s Backlash opponents know what it feels like to tap out to the STFU.

One week after Triple H dropped John Cena with the Pedigree, The Champ returned the favor. A Handicap Match pitting Edge against both Cena and Triple H seemed all but over when The Game hit a Pedigree on Edge. But before the “King of Kings” could attempt a cover, tag team partner Cena blasted Triple H with the FU. The Champ then followed with an STFU to the Rated-R Superstar, who was forced to tap out. A furious Triple H looked on from outside the ring as this week on RAW, it was Cena standing over a fallen adversary in victory. At Backlash, this combustible battle for the WWE Championship will come to a head when Cena, Triple H and Edge clash in a Triple Threat Match.

In a highly unusual match at the pay-per-view on April 30, the McMahons will square off against Shawn Michaels & God. This week on RAW, Mr. and Shane McMahon went looking for HBK’s tag team partner at a local church. There, Mr. McMahon read his version of the 10 Commandments before declaring that at Backlash, he’d unleash the apocalypse on Michaels.

Also at Backlash, Carlito will take on former tag team partner Chris Masters. On RAW, Carlito requested a Master Lock Challenge. Then, he distracted “The Masterpiece” with an apple and smashed him with a chair rather than taking the submission challenge. Will Masters get payback at the pay-per-view, or will it be another “cool” result for Carlito?

In a rivalry that’s heating up, “Mr. Money in the Bank” Rob Van Dam exchanged challenges with Shelton Benjamin after a resounding, Five-Star victory over Rob Conway. Shelton wanted a match with the coveted briefcase on the line. RVD wanted a match for the Intercontinental Championship. What will happen next?

In a surprise twist, Trish Stratus gave Mickie James a taste of her own medicine on RAW. Mickie came out looking and acting exactly like Stratus yet again. But after Mickie defeated Maria with a Mick Kick, Trish ran to ringside dressed and acting exactly like Mickie James! Trish took her turn being an “obsessed fan,” who was so excited to be in the ring with Mickie. And the psycho Women’s Champion seemed totally perplexed by the turn of events.

History was also made on RAW as all five members of the Spirit Squad were deemed interchangeable World Tag Team Champions. In their first-ever championship defense, Nicky & Johnny battled Big Show & Kane in a rematch of sorts from RAW last week. But during the match, Kane completely snapped, tossing chairs in the ring and causing a disqualification. Kane then chokeslammed multiple members of the Spirit Squad and then the referee, as well. Big Show tried to calm him down, but he fell victim to a 500-pound chokeslam. Seeing the deranged Kane unleashed was almost as ominous as the exclusive footage shown from his upcoming film, “See No Evil,” in theaters everywhere on May 19.

Also, Armando Alejandro Estrada turned Umaga loose again. Umaga destroyed his opponent, finishing him with a scary-looking spike submission.

Matches

Rob Van Dam def. Rob Conway

World Tag Team Champions Spirit Squad (Johnny & Nicky) def. Big Show & Kane (DQ)

Umaga wins via submission

Women’s Champion Mickie James def. Maria

John Cena & Triple H def. Edge (Handicap Match)