I actually did enjoy Backlash this past Sunday, even though I was not happy with the way some of the matches ended. I was a little surprised that the Intercontinental Championship was the first match on the card, but it did excite the crowd and I guess that is the idea, huh? I thought this was a great match and I enjoyed it, but I’m really sorry that Chris Jericho did not win the belt away from Shelton Benjamin. As I said last week, I don’t dislike Benjamin, but Y2J is just wasting away, in my opinion. I wouldn’t blame him if he did not want to renew his contract (at least as of now I don’t think he has done so). Nothing is being done to broaden his character, nor is he given the opportunity to really showcase his talents. No matter how good a match he gives us let’s be honest, unless he is the winner when the bell rings most people don’t remember how well he might have wrestled. Regardless, this was one hell of a match to lead us off.
The Tag Team Turmoil was next, and I liked the way this was done. It is easier to follow when there are only two teams in the ring at one time. The Heart Throbs (Antonio and Romeo) and the Tag Team Champions William Regal and Tajiri started things off, with the champs taking control and beating the Heart Throbs. In next were Simon Dean and Maven, and again Regal and Tajiri prevailed. La Resistance were the fourth team, and – oh no! – we will not have William and the Japanese Buzzsaw as the champs, as La Resistance prevailed. The last team out were the under-dogs Hurricane and Rosey, but when the dust cleared, the NEW Tag Team Champions were none other than that particular dynamic duo. Pretty cool, actually.
The Last Man Standing Match was next, pitting Edge against Chris Benoit. Edge had to listen to those now-familiar “We want Matt!” chants, if in fact they hear a lot in the ring, which I really don’t think they do. Anyway, another first rate match here, as these two left all they had in the ring. I thought Edge was strong in this one, and is Chris ever anything but? Benoit took an insane suicide dive out of the ring during this match – wow! In the end Edge was the winner, but this was another really good match.
I might be out of order here, but Kane, accompanied by his ‘wife’ Lita faced off against Viscera, with Trish Stratus at his side. Trish was certain that big Vis would pound Kane and make Lita hers for the taking, but it didn’t go down that way. Kane proved victorious, and this match between two big guys was actually decent. Kane is physically stronger than I ever thought – I was surprised at that. Trish was really ticked off that Viscera couldn’t do the deed, and really read him the riot act. This was funny, until Viscera took offence and did his splash on her, and if I might add, he did a super job with that, too.
Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan teamed up to silence – well, that won’t ever happen, I guess – Muhammad Hassan and Daivari. I didn’t see the match going to Hassan and Daivari, and in the end, HBK and Hogan were the victors. I liked the finish actually, as Michaels hit his Sweet Chin Music and Hogan got the cover. Well done.
Finally, Triple H and Batista had their first in what I’m sure will be a series of re-matches for the World Heavyweight Championship. This was another good match, with the ending being so much more satisfying when Batista retained his title. How long this will go on, who knows, but it is refreshing for HHH to not be the champ again right off the bat. I would love a longer run from Batista, or even have someone else win the belt off him rather than have Trips do it again.
Raw came back with what I thought was a good show. Eric Bischoff decided to have four Gold Rush matches, to begin to narrow down the field and find out who will face Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. The first of those matches had Kane facing off with Christian. This was pretty good actually, and Kane was the first to advance following his victory over Christian. The next pairing was Shawn Michaels against Shelton Benjamin. Another good match here that saw The HeartBreak Kid moving on to the next round. The third Gold Rush Match was between Edge and Chris Jericho. I just knew that Y2J would get the opportunity to advance here after his loss at Backlash, but I was sadly mistaken. Once again, Jericho had to give away to his opponent, Edge this time. This was the only part of the show that I didn’t like, but so be it. They don’t write the shows solely for my pleasure. Finally, Chris Benoit had to face Triple H, and this seemed like a slam-dunk for HHH. Imagine my surprise and delight when The Rabid Wolverine was the winner, and by a tap out, no less! So moving on to the next round are Kane, HBK, Edge, and Benoit. I can’t imagine that a pay-per-view could go by without 3H being in the main event, so I don’t really trust the Benoit victory, but for right now, it’s great.
SmackDown! was a decent show as well, in my opinion. They did have to replay – for the umpteenth time – Eddie Guerrero walking out on Rey Mysterio last week. But those happy “Eddie! Eddie!” chants have quickly gone to “Eddie sucks!.” Guerrero has gone back and forth so many times with his character and is always able to pull it off. Rey-Rey came out and wanted Eddie to say something to him, but no way. Well, OK, how about a fight? Nope, that’s not going to happen either. These lack of events left poor Mysterio frustrated and mad. He would get to have a street fight against Chavo Guerrero later on in the evening.
Before that, though, Booker T was victorious over the United States Champion, Orlando Jordan. But no belt got put around the waist of Booker –this was, or course, a non-title match. I have always liked Booker, but he has been really fun lately. It might be his recent marriage and the fact that his wife is working with him, I don’t know. But he went from being very serious to smiling a lot, and I like seeing that.
OK, street fight time, and Rey is more than ready. After a really good contest that seemed to go on for awhile, Mysterio is the one to walk away the winner here, and the fans were really behind that. Uh oh, out comes MNM, and they try a beat-down on Rey. But Eddie comes down, and MNM, as well as Chavo, flee the scene. Eddie hugs Rey as a prelude to his planned attack, then the real pounding began. Mysterio was bleeding under his mask, and the real question is still, why? Eddie isn’t really talking, and it is impossible to read his mind. If done right, this could be a good story line. I repeat, if done right!
I want to say a very Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there, mine included (hey, Sam!) and a very special Happy Birthday to my Dad on his very special day – HAPPY 90th, Dad – love you!!!!
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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