On Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 2:30 AM EST WWE Raw
May 15, 2006
Texas Tech University
Commentators: Joey Styles, Jerry “The King” Lawler, & Jonathan Coachman
Reported By: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
Triple H came out to the ring for his championship match. Lillian went to introduce Cena and Vince McMahon’s music hit the arena and he came out to the ring. He said he had great news for everyone and that he’d be changing tonight’s main event and for the better. He said the match would be a championship match and two titles would be defended in the same match. Rob Van Dam would be teaming up with John Cena and Triple H would team up with Shelton Benjamin and Chris masters with everyone in the ring at the same time. Both the Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Championship will be up for grabs.
WWE Championship
John Cena & Rob Van Dam v. Triple H, Shelton Benjamin, & Chris Masters
Cena and Triple H went right at it exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Cena worked Triple H over in the corner while the rest of the wrestlers came down to the ring. Van Dam attempted to clean house but got cut off by Masters and Shelton.
Triple H worked Cena over on the outside while RVD and Masters went at it in the middle of the ring. Triple H whipped Cena into the ring steps while the other two worked RVD over in the corner. Cena came back at Triple H on the outside while RVD dumped Masters to the floor. RVD hit a hurricanranna on Benjamin before vaulting out over the top rope and clattering into Triple H, Cena, and Masters.
****Commercial****
We came back just as Triple H murdered Cena with a spine buster. The Game whipped Cena off the ropes but got caught with a shoulder block and a power slam which only got him a two count. Triple H dumped Cena to the outside after the cover attempt and then went to work on RVD on the outside.
Cena came back at Triple H but was cut off by Shelton Benjamin who hit a wheel kick that sent Cena over the guard rail. In the ring, Chris Masters was beating on RVD with some leg drops. The heel team worked over RVD, planting him with some hard knees. Masters hit a vertical suplex before Triple H hit a running knee drop. Shelton cold cocked RVD with a kick to the head but Triple H broke up the cover and the two began to argue. Chris Masters took advantage clamping RVD in the Masterlock before Shelton and the Game realized what was happening and broke up the hold. All three heels began arguing in the ring before RVD interrupted and jumped Triple H. He cleaned house on all three before hitting rolling thunder and a drop kick on Shelton and Masters in succession. He slammed Benjamin before going to the top rope, but was shoved to the floor by Triple H. John Cena came in and began to clean house himself before hitting a five knuckle shuffle on Shelton. Just as he was celebrating Triple H tried to hit a pedigree but was back dropped to the floor. He booted Masters out of the ring and clamped on the STFU on Shelton. Masters broke up the hold just in time, but didn’t have the energy to follow up. He hit a huge five star frog splash but Triple H scooted in and nailed RVD with a pedigree. Cena hit the FU on Masters but Triple H jumped him with his own pedigree. Shelton and Triple H made covers at the same time, and got the three count, but only Shelton was awarded the Intercontinental title.
Triple H pedigreed the referee in a rage and left without a title.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Shelton Benjamin
****Commercial****
Todd Grisham tried to get a word from Triple H but he walked off angrily.
Trish Stratus’ music hit the arena and she came out to the ring with her arm in a sling. She said that Mickey and her had some unfinished business. She said it wasn’t about a match or the championship. It was about her and Mickey. She told her to come down to the ring right now.
Mickey’s music hit and she came out to the ring. Mickey made fun of her arm as the two circled in the ring. She charged Trish but a mystery blonde who turned out to be Beth who chased her off. Beth Skyfire told her she wouldn’t let her get away with what she did to her. Mickey tweaked a little and spent some time jaw jacking with the two ladies from the ramp.
A video aired of Kane’s special debut of his new movie “See No Evil”.
****Commercial****
Shane confronted Triple H in the back and asked him for his payment for his favor. He said it was time for Triple H to scratch Vince’s back. Triple H said he wouldn’t be a referee again. Shane said not to worry because HE was the special guest referee. He wanted Triple H in Kenny’s corner to make sure HBK was taken care of. He thanked the champ... and then apologized.
World Tag Team Championship
The Spirit Squad v. The Odd Squad (Goldust and Snitsky)
Snitsky gave Goldust a massage in the ring. Priceless.
Snitsky started off with Johnny in the middle of the ring. Johnny clamped on a side headlock but Snitsky tossed him off and planted him with a shoulder block and followed with a hip toss. Snitsky dropped an elbow but only got a two count. Goldust tagged in and hit a bump-butt to the face before scaring off the youngster. Goldust clamped on an arm wringer on Nickey and caught him with an inverted atomic drop. One of the members tripped him up under the ropes though and Goldust rolled to the outside where he was mugged by the Squad.
Nickey went for the pin, but Goldust kicked out. He distracted the referee while Johnny choked him out on the ropes. Another cover attempt but to no avail. Nickey clamed on a front face lock while the crowd tried to get behind the babyface. Goldust back dropped out of the hold, but Snitsky was distracted and couldn’t make the tag.
Goldust fought out of the corner but was caught by the Squad and pummeled some more before kicking out of a cover attempt. Johnny clamped on a rear chin lock on the challenger and bore down on the mat. The crowd cheered on Goldust who fought out of the hold with some elbows before getting caught in a hip lock take over and Johnny got yet another near fall.
Nickey tagged in and whipped Goldust off the ropes but got caught in a backslide. He followed up with a high torque powerslam, leaving both laid out in the middle of the ring. Snitsky got the hot tag and the big man cleaned out both champions. He ducked under a double clothesline and followed up with one of his own. He hit a monster side slam and went for a cover but it was broken up. Goldust came in to help, but Mikey bounced in off the trampoline and planted Snitsky with a huge bulldog. He draped his friend over Snitsky’s body and got the three count and the win.
Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: The Spirit Squad
Mick Foley was on his way to the ring and we’ll hear from him next.
****Commercial****
Clips from the hardcore match last week aired. Foley’s music hit and he came down to the ring.
Foley said he wanted to answer the question on ‘everyone’s mind’, what was he doing hanging out with Melina at Kane’s movie premier. He said that other thing, the unfortunate incident involving Tommy Dreamer, he said it was unbelievable because he couldn’t believe he bludgeoned a guy who was a friend of his for years. He said more unbelievable, it seemed like he was in cahoots with Edge. He said he could offer a lot of excuses but he said the people deserved better than excuses, that they deserved a full blown apology and said he was sorry.
He said Dreamer couldn’t be here so he was going to bring another guy out here who berated him on his answering machine, Terry Funk. Foley said it was great to see him, but Funker cut him off. He said that he knew the reason why he humiliated Tommy Dreamer. He asked him why. Foley said he didn’t want to know, but Funk insisted.
Foley said at Wrestlemania, he and Edge made history and had the greatest hardcore match ever. Foley said he’d be damned if some second rate ECW scumbag was going to come in and portray themselves as being the shining beacon of hardcore wrestling. He said he would defend certain things in life, his wife, children, and hardcore wrestling. Funk said he didn’t get it. He said Foley was ECW. He said they were family. He said he was family too. He said they had fought and battled many times over the years but still maintained their friendship and respect.
He said he wanted to go one step further and said he was like a son to him. He hugged Foley told him that “Dad I want to tell you something”. He said it had been forever since they stood in a WWE ring, since 1998. He said many men stood in attendance for his honorary ceremony but Funk wasn’t there. Foley was told he wanted too much money to be at the ceremony. He asked him how that made him feel. He said he shouldn’t have the nerve to call him a son. Foley told him to shut his mouth, that this was his ring, his fans, and that one day he’d get that phone call, that we’re sorry, but the Funker is gone and that he should come out to his service. He told him it’d cost them a pretty penny.
Foley said he’d show up and spit on his grave for free. Funk said he was going to kick the crap out of him. Funk slapped him repeatedly goading him to hit him. He said if he had a head Foley’s size, he’d get it circumcised. Funk called Foley’s wife a whore. He said his kids were bastards. Funk said the WWE sucked.
Foley hit him and went right after him. Funk fought back before Edge showed up and Funk cut him off but was low blowed by Lita. The two worked Funk over before Edge got the barbed wire bat and hit Funk in the stomach. He followed up with a shot to the back. Foley pulled out soko and planted Funker with the mandible claw. Edge followed with a big spear. Foley, Edge, and Lita all celebrated in the middle of the ring.
HBK v. Kenny is up later tonight.
****Commercial****
Matt Striker was in the ring and berating the Texas Tech students. He said it applied to the entire country. He said if you weren’t Matt Striker, you settled for a regular 9-5 existence. He said he’d teach Eugene a lesson.
Matt Striker v. Eugene
Striker hit Eugene with a boot to the face and followed up with some elbows in the corner. He raked his boot across Eugene’s face before hitting his own version of an ‘ole kick’ on the challenged wrestler. He clamped on a top key lock but Eugene rolled out. Striker hit a hard knee to the head before whaling away on Eugene’s head.
Eugene ‘hulked’ up and hit three big shots to the face of Striker, flooring him. He followed with an airplane spin that left Striker dazed. He went for a stunner but Striker pushed him off before getting nailed with a big boot and leg drop in succession. Striker however, kicked out before Striker hit an inverted neck breaker and another neck breaker variation to give him the victory.
Winner: Matt Striker via pinfall
A video package aired recapping Kane’s entire career.
****Commercial****
A recap of the double title match aired.
Maria was in the back with Carlito. She said Carlito didn’t defeat Striker and that he took out Eugene and Striker. She asked him if he liked Eugene. He said he liked him fine until he got involved in his match. Maria said she thought his T-Shirt was cool. She asked him if he spit or swallow. Carlito asked her the same question. She said she swallowed. Funny segment.
McMahon was in the back with Candice. Triple H walked in. Vince said he came close to winning the championship, but it was close but no cigar. He said he scratched his back, but it was now time for Triple H to scratch his. He said since he was going to be in Kenny’s corner, he wanted to give him a little present. He handed the Game a sledgehammer and told him that he wanted him to bash Shawn Michaels’ head in. He said there’d be a new era dawning here in the WWE. Triple H took the sledge without saying a word.
****Commercial****
Alejandro Estrada was in the middle of the ring. He introduced Chris Whelman.
Umaga v. Chris Whelman
Umaga went right at Whelman with a big splash. He brought Whelman out of the corner and hit a huge inverted slam. He tossed him hard out of the ring. He perched Whelman on the steps and flung him over his head to the floor. Umaga hung him upside down in the corner before hitting a monster running head-butt. Umaga hit a huge running ass-splash before nailing his ‘thumb of death’ or whatever and got the cover for the win.
Winner: Umaga via pinfall
The Smackdown rebound aired.
Kenny and Shane were mobbed by the rest of the Spirit Squad who gave Shane a cheer.
****Commercial****
Another video aired of Kane’s movie preview. Triple H and Kenny made their way down to the ring for the coming match.
****Commercial****
Shawn Michaels v. Kenny w/Triple H
Special Guest Referee: Shane McMahon
The two went right at it from the opening bell. HBK back dropped Kenny and dumped him out of the ring. HBK chased Shane all around the ring. Shane and Kenny regrouped before Kenny came running in the ring, but got caught with some chops and punches. Shane cut him off however claiming a closed fist, leaving the door open for Kenny. Shawn reversed a Kenny punch and landed a chop, but Kenny blocked the second and whipped HBK into the buckle, over the top rope and down to the floor.
Triple H slowly moved towards Michaels, but Kenny came in and HBK nailed him. HBK went for his flying elbow, but Shane interfered, shoving him off the top rope. Kenny hit a DDT but HBK kicked out of a very fast two count. Kenny hit a leg drop and again, HBK kicked out of a fast two count. Shane removed his belt and handed it to Kenny.
Kenny whipped the hell out of HBK with the belt and HBK kicked out of yet another fast count. Kenny began choking HBK with the belt while Shane let it go. HBK tried to fight back, but Kenny cut him off.
Shane called Triple H into the ring with the hammer, but HBK broke out of the hold before the Game could get into the ring. HBK hit his flying forearm and went into his victory sequence, hitting his three punches and atomic drop. HBK grabbed his belt and went after Shane. He climbed to the top rope and dropped the elbow.
Michaels tuned up the band and absolutely murdered Kenny with Sweet Chin Music. Shane dove in the ring though and began working over HBK. He hit an inverted back breaker and held HBK for Triple H. He motioned to Triple H to bring in the hammer.
Triple H came into the ring. Triple H lined him up but HBK ducked and he nailed Shane. Triple H looked down at Shane and went to tend to McMahon and noticed Vince coming into the ring. Vince tended to his son while Triple H walked up the ramp looking a little remorseless. Vince pretended to moan and grieve his son and looked on at Triple H with a vengeance.RAW THOUGHTSThe Good— One of the many things that made WWE so successful at the end of the last century and the beginning of the present was the attention to the characters the company portrayed. Let’s face it, WWE has never, and likely never will be, a bastion of excellent technical action. While it has, indeed, provided us with it’s fair share of outstanding workers and excellent matches, it has never delivered as consistently as the NWA in the 1980s nor ROH present day. Characters drive the product.
What has stuck out especially in the past few weeks has been the excellent plot developments as well as the emphasis on the characters within the show. Hats off to the WWE in this regard. The Spirit Squad, Triple H, The Odd Squad, Matt Striker, Carlito, and others have become far more complex and entertaining characters since Wrestlemania came and went. The product seems to be moving in a character driven direction now, as the company apparently is beginning to cease its relentless milking of what they didn’t create, and moving in a direction of cultivating their own home-grown personas. Again, hats off in this regard.
The Bad— The in ring action could, although it shouldn’t be regularly demanded, be better. We have been getting cookie cutter matches, despite the excellent plot line developments. This could use improvement.
Also, several characters seem to be in total limbo right now and lack direction. We’re in a transitional point in the storylines right now but I can’t remember this many guys lacking anything resembling direction.
The Ugly— I, as I’m sure many others, was very disappointed to be jiped on the title match tonight. It turned into a completely confusing cluster-you know what that was not only difficult to follow, but completely killed an insanely hot crowd from the get-go.
Overall B- – While Raw has been the best it’s been in years the past few weeks, WWE can’t help but trip over itself at times and has prevented these episodes from really jumping to the next level. Following through on advertised matches and providing some more substantive action would better right the ship.
Quick Results
Shelton Benjamin def. RVD, Chris Masters, Triple H & John Cena to WIN the IC Championship
The Spirit Squad def. The Odd Squad
Matt Striker def. Eugene
Umaga def. Chris Whelman
HBK v. Kenny went to a No contest
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?
Biggest pops
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Triple H
3. John Cena
4. Mick Foley
Most Heat
1. Edge
2. The Spirit Squad
3. Vince McMahon
4. Mickey James
Match of the night: HBK v. Kenny *3/4
Power Rankings:
WWE Champion: John Cena (Last Week: WWE Champion) —No one quite takes a pedigree quite like John Cena. He’s looked increasingly better over the weeks and is taking more of a background role. It’ll be interesting to see how they push him in the coming weeks with the pending ECW angle coming up.
Intercontinental Champion: Shelton Benjamin (Last Week: 8)—Shelton is wearing IC gold for a third time, yet the way he won kills any heat he could have. His winning the title could have been at least used in an angle or something. A title is a title, but a lot of the success of a title reign hinges on how you win it. Not a good start for Benji and makes RVD’s beating him at Backlash utterly pointless.
1.Triple H (Last Week: 1)—Triple H is easily one of the most intriguing players on the brand right now, but the title picture may not be where he’s at right now. Again, I’m sitting on my hands right now, waiting to see where this all goes.
2. Edge (Last Week: 2)—The Foley alliance is not only intriguing, but I have a feeling we’ll see some sort of Hardcore dream match at the ECW show between himself and Foley against Funk and Dreamer. Great rub for Edge.
3. Shawn Michaels (Last Week: 3) —HBK looked outstanding this week. He remains direction-less however. It appears we may see a reunion between HBK and Triple H, but the verdict is still out. Again, we hold on this one.
4. Carlito (Last Week: 4) —Carlito was great in his promo segment tonight. He’s being pushed as a smarmy face and it comes off well.
5. Rob Van Dam (Last Week: Intercontinental Champion) —Mindlessly thrown into the Championship tonight and jobs off a title he probably never should have held to begin with. This is definitely not the way you want to push your MITB man and potentially a future Champion. Seems caught in the doldrums right now.
6. Kane (Last Week: 5) —Kane, despite getting a ton of attention because of his new movie, was nowhere to be seen this week. It looks like he’s heading to Smackdown.
7. Umaga (Last Week: 7) —I hate this character but he looked absolutely awesome tonight. He needs work yet, as we’ve yet to see any serious ring time, but he was done well tonight. Kudos to that jobber for taking some of the bumps he did.
8. Chris Masters (Last Week: 9) —Another guy who lacks direction right now. It couldn’t come at a worse time for the youngster either. He was hot not three weeks ago and now appears lost in the shuffle. Not every guy can get pushed, but WWE may have missed an opportunity here.
9. Big Show (Last Week: 6) —No appearance from Show tonight causes him to take the plunge down the rankings.
10. Mick Foley (Last Week: NR)—An absolutely searing promo tonight with Terry Funk gets him a spot in the top 10.
Dropping Out: Charlie Haas (Last Week: 10)