wrestling / Video Reviews
Hall’s WWE Backlash 2004 Review
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...WWE Backlash 2004
Date: April 18, 2004
Location: Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Attendance: 13,000
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler
It’s the Wrestlemania XX fallout pay per view and in this case, the main event is a straight up rematch. This time around, Raw World Champion Chris Benoit is defending against HHH and Shawn Michaels. On the other hand though, you have Mick Foley vs. Randy Orton, which you might have seen before. Let’s get to it.
The opening video looks at the main event of Wrestlemania with Chris Benoit winning the title. Now he’s not ready to let go and has lightning in a bottle. Nothing else even gets a mention.
Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Benjamin has beaten HHH a few times and Flair is fighting on his buddy’s behalf. Flair WOOs at him to start and gets taken down by the leg, which has Flair strutting a bit. Benjamin mocks the hair slicking and slaps Flair, who Flops down in quite the reaction. Back up and Flair strikes away in the corner so Benjamin starts leapfrogging him, setting up an AJ Styles style drop down dropkick. They head outside where Flair is backdropped, only to come back with a poke to the eye back inside.
A kick to the knee slows Benjamin back down and Flair starts in on the knee, as he is known to do. The Figure Four goes on for a bit until Benjamin gets out, earning himself a big chop. For some reason Flair goes outside to grab a chair, which is quickly taken away. Flair goes after the leg again and gets enziguried, followed by the Dragon Whip. Benjamin sends him over the top and out to the floor, followed by a suplex back inside. Flair goes up…but hops back down, and loads up some brass knuckles. Benjamin breaks that up with a Stinger Splash and hits a top rope clothesline for the pin at 9:28.
Rating: B-. Pretty standard Raw match but it’s still a big deal for Benjamin to get this kind of a win and see what he can do. It makes a lot of sense for Benjamin to take Flair out after he had already beaten HHH so points for trying someone else. Benjamin certainly had the athleticism and Flair is more than capable of helping boost someone up.
Randy Orton is ready to beat up Mick Foley and earn his respect. He promises to show Foley a side of him that he’s never seen. Foley is like an old dog who has to be put down once and for all. Orton’s voice seems to slip a bit here, which is either a minor mistake or a great bit of selling the fear that Orton is trying to hide.
Jonathan Coachman vs. Tajiri
Coach has been annoying Tajiri in recent weeks and it’s time for some kicking. Coach tries to go after him to start and is quickly kicked back. Some more kicks send him outside, where Tajiri kicks the post by mistake. That’s about the best Coach could hope for and he starts in on the leg back inside. A kneebar has Tajiri in more trouble but he turns it over, which sends Coach over to the ropes. They do the same thing again, with Coach grabbing the rope to cheat as a good heel should do.
Coach kicks him down and goes up, with Tajiri managing a crotching. Tajiri’s leg is fine enough for a running dropkick to the back of the head, followed by the rapid fire strikes in the corner. Coach actually manages a rollup with feet on the ropes for two, only to get caught. The Tarantula goes on (with Coach’s OH NO face as a great visual) but cue Garrison’s Cade (Coach’s lackey, which can’t be a good place in your career) for a cheap shot. Coach gets a rollup for the pin at 6:25.
Rating: D+. The whole point of this was to have Coach work on the leg, as the majority of Tajiri’s offense came from kicking. In other words, it made perfect sense, but it was only so much fun. The best part of Tajiri matches is to see him kick someone really hard, which we only got to see at the end. Not much to see here, other than the second match built around someone working on the leg.
We recap Chris Jericho vs. Trish Stratus/Christian. This is a big step in a long running story, as Christian and Jericho had a bet over whether or not Jericho could sleep with Stratus (Lita was involved as well but dropped out). Eventually Jericho fell for Stratus and tried to fight for her honor, only for Stratus to reveal she was with Christian. Therefore, it’s time for Jericho to fight both of them on his own.
Chris Jericho vs. Christian/Trish Stratus
Jericho jumps Christian to start fast and a suplex into the Arrogant Cover gets two. Christian is sent outside and Jericho knocks him off the apron as a bonus. Back in and Stratus finally gets in a cheap shot from the apron to slow Jericho down and Christian knocks him outside for a change. Now Stratus is willing to come in for some slaps, followed by the Chick Kick. Rather than cover, Stratus….dances? Maybe?
Either way, Jericho grabs her leg, sending her over to Christian for the tag and a chinlock. That’s broken up and Christian kicks him away, only for Jericho to fall down into a low blow ala Sting. The comeback is on but we pause for Lawler to comment on Stratus’ looks. Thankfully this gives us one of the great JR responses as you can tell he is absolutely sick of this stuff. A reverse DDT out of the corner gives Christian two and Jericho sends him outside.
That leaves Jericho to spank Stratus, but the distraction lets Christian hit the Unprettier to give Stratus two. Back up and Jericho clotheslines Stratus before the men knock each other down, leaving everyone on the mat. Jericho is back up with the running bulldog but the Lionsault doesn’t work. Instead Christian grabs a Texas Cloverleaf, which Jericho reverses into the Walls onto Stratus. That’s broken up so Jericho catapults Christian into Stratus. The running enziguri finishes Christian at 11:17.
Rating: C+. This was a way for Jericho to get some revenge after the big turn at Wrestlemania and likely set up another singles match with Christian. Stratus was pretty much perfect in this role, as she knew how to change her look to come off as absolutely evil. That’s what helped make the story work, as Jericho now wants revenge on both of them, which was slightly covered here.
Eugene is looking at the Divas Magazine and wanders into the Divas locker room, where Gail Kim is changing. She screams when asked for an autograph and Molly Holly comes up. Holly freaks out over the bald head (from Wrestlemania) being seen and grabs her wig. William Regal comes in to get Eugene, pauses to hit on Kim, and then leaves.
Women’s Title: Victoria vs. Lita
Victoria is defending and Lawler is rather pleased with the visuals. Feeling out process to start, with Victoria grabbing a headlock takeover to no avail. They lock up and crash out to the floor (with the referee only checking on Victoria and ignoring Lita entirely) as this isn’t off to the fastest start. Back in and they trade rollups until Victoria puts her down for the dancing moonsault.
We hit the double arm crank, followed by a surfboard, which has Lawler happy again. Lita fights up and snaps off the headscissors into a sleeper. That’s broken up with the spinning side slam but Victoria…well she was supposed to miss a moonsault but Lita didn’t roll away in time and Victoria landed on her anyway. The Twist Of Fate is blocked and Victoria small packages her to retain at 7:23.
Rating: D+. This wasn’t great, as there were multiple spots in there which felt like they were on different planets. Lita is remembered for her star power (which was absolutely there) but she had some issues in the ring at times. Victoria was getting a big push around this point and it was starting to turn her into a star, as she really was good at what she did.
Post match Gail Kim and Molly Holly (who have been complaining about the attention Victoria and Lita have been receiving) run in to beat both of them down, with the fans not approving.
We recap Randy Orton defending the Intercontinental Title against Mick Foley. Late last year, Orton started targeting Foley, who seemingly ran away in fear, only to return at the Royal Rumble. Then he brought in the Rock to help fight Orton and Evolution at Wrestlemania, where Orton pinned him in a handicap match. Now it’s time for them to fight one on one, with Foley talking about what it meant to be hardcore. He had always tried to impress the fans, but maybe he loved the violence just a little bit. Therefore, he has a friend named Barbie, which is of course a barbed wire baseball bat.
Intercontinental Title: Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley
Orton is defending and anything goes, so he brings out a trashcan full of weapons. Foley is introduced by his real name but he’s in full Cactus Jack attire, including Barbie. Orton tries to defend himself with a trashcan but Foley knocks it away as we officially get going. The chase is on until Orton manages a drop toehold into the steps. They fight over Barbie until Orton gets in some nasty trashcan shots to the head.
Back in and Foley hits a running knee followed by a legdrop for two as commentary points out that this is the lightest Foley has been in 15 years. Orton is knocked outside where he’s able to roll away before Foley can drop the big elbow. A suplex on the ramp has Foley in trouble but he’s back in with another knockdown. Mr. Socko is loaded up, though that’s not violent enough here.
Foley hits him in the head with Barbie and Orton is busted open. Another shot to the head busts Orton open even more and Foley is all over the cut. Some more shots to the head connect…and it’s time for the gasoline. Foley pours it on Barbie and whips out the lighter but here is GM Eric Bischoff to say if he lights it up, the match and SHOW are over. The threat of disappointing the fans is enough to cut Foley off so he grabs a cookie sheet to knock Orton senseless again.
With Orton down, it’s time for the barbed wire board. Orton is smart enough to ship out some powder and a backdrop sends Foley into the board for two. Back up and Foley is sent into the wire in the corner and his arm is busted open. Orton shoves the board onto Foley and it’s time for the thumbtacks. The RKO is loaded up…and Foley shoves Orton into the tacks, giving us a great visual of Orton looking to be in shock. A rollup gives Foley two and Orton is in trouble.
They stagger up the ramp and Foley sends him flying off the stage and through some tables (with tech cables, so it looks like it serves something of a purpose). The medics come out so Foley drops the big elbow off the stage to crush Orton again for two on the floor (as apparently this is falls count anywhere). Back in and the double arm DDT gives Foley two but Orton finds Barbie for some big shots. Foley gets Socko for the Mandible Claw but a low blow cuts him off. The Claw goes on again and is countered with the RKO…for two. Back up and an RKO onto Barbie finally retains the title at 23:05.
Rating: A. This is where Foley shines like no other, as he knows exactly how to bring people into deep water and make them swim for themselves. That’s what he did for HHH four years earlier and this is just as good if not a bit better. Orton didn’t so much win this as much as he survived his trial by fire, which felt like an absolute war. This was an all timer and Orton was absolutely elevated to another level as a result, which was Foley’s entire assignment out there.
Ric Flair and Batista come out to carry Orton to the back.
Even JR has to praise Orton after the match but Lawler wants more.
HHH congratulates Orton on his win and is asked about his chances in the main event. HHH wouldn’t bet against him and doesn’t care how much praise Benoit is receiving. It might be Benoit’s day in his hometown or whatever but HHH is walking out as champion.
La Resistance vs. Rosey/Hurricane
Welp, enjoy the death slot guys. Hurricane works on Conway’s arm to start as the fans are just not that interested. A hiptoss takes Hurricane down as commentary talks about country music. Conway catches Hurricane on top with a hanging swinging neckbreaker and the double teaming is on. That’s broken up rather quickly and it’s off to Rosey for some side slams. Cue Eugene to walk around ringside for a distraction, allowing Hurricane to hit a dive. Eugene comes in to run the ropes so here is William regal to get rid of him. The Eye Of The Hurricane finishes Conway at 5:20.
Rating: D. I have no idea what this was, but the whole point was to give the fans a breather after the previous match. They had an ice cold match (not their fault) and Eugene was out there for pure comedy relief. It wasn’t good, but they were sent out there to die in the ring and there was no way around that result.
We look back at Edge’s return after a long injury absence, including a big brawl with Kane.
Edge vs. Kane
Edge’s arm is in a cast and he’ll be disqualified if he uses it. Edge slugs away to start but Kane gets smart by going after the arm. The arm is wrapped around the rope and stomped on, followed by the seated armbar. Edge fights up and avoids the top rope clothesline, setting up the Impaler to put Kane down. The referee is sent outside so Edge kicks Kane low. A quick cast shot sets up the spear to give Edge the pin at 6:28.
Rating: C-. This was Edge’s first match in over a year and it showed pretty badly. Edge was doing things rather differently since he returned and he hadn’t figured out how to use his new size yet. That was going to need some time, and he really didn’t get much out of this lame match.
We recap the main event, which is a rematch of the Wrestlemania main event. Chris Benoit beat HHH to win the title and now HHH is telling him to do it again. Shawn Michaels is there because he has to be around HHH at all times.
Raw World Title: HHH vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit
Benoit is defending and gets a monstrous hometown reaction. Benoit and Michaels double team HHH in the corner to start and give him a double backdrop. A clothesline sends HHH to the floor and Michaels gives Benoit a neckbreaker. HHH is back in with the jumping knee to Michaels and Benoit is sent outside. Michaels has to fight out of a Pedigree attempt and it’s Benoit back in with a German suplex apiece. Lawler: “It’s hard to tell who’s doing what to who.” No it isn’t.
Michaels is sent outside so Benoit can crossface HHH, only to have to knock Michaels off the apron. Back in and Michaels takes Benoit down but gets jumped by HHH. Benoit is back up to slug it out with HHH before the referee gets knocked outside. The Sharpshooter has HHH in trouble but Benoit has to let it go to crossface Michaels. That’s broken up and Michaels grabs the Sharpshooter on Benoit…and here is Earl Hebner as the other referee.
As we flash back six and a half years (because we absolutely have to), HHH makes the save and is suddenly a Canadian hero. HHH is knocked down and Benoit crossfaces Michaels again, with HHH making a save. A clothesline gives Michaels two on Benoit but Michaels’ dive to the floor only crashes through the announcers’ table. Back in and HHH hammers on Benoit before grabbing a camel clutch.
That’s broken up so Benoit hammers away in the corner, followed by the rolling German suplexes. The Swan Dive misses though and the Pedigree connects so a delayed two, with Michaels coming back to life for the save. Michaels forearms HHH and superkicks Benoit, only to get low blowed to give HHH two.
HHH is knocked outside as well, where he grabs the sledgehammer. Benoit gets pulled outside but the Pedigree on the steps is countered into a catapult into the post. Back in and Benoit counters the superkick into the Sharpshooter on Michaels. HHH tries to crawl in for the save but Michaels taps to retain Benoit’s title at 30:11.
Rating: A-. Yeah this was great again and that shouldn’t be a surprise. Everyone works well together and the thirty minutes flew by. While I could have absolutely gone without the Montreal reference, the fans were eating this stuff up and that’s what you want to see out of a match like this. Benoit gets to do it all over again for his hometown fans and he did it in another instant classic. These guys work so well together and this was great to see, again.
Benoit yells at both of them and celebrates to end the show.
Results
Shelton Benjamin b. Ric Flair – Top rope clothesline
Jonathan Coachman b. Tajiri – Rollup
Chris Jericho b. Christian/Trish Stratus – Enziguri to Cage
Victoria b. Lita – Small package
Randy Orton b. Mick Foley – RKO onto Barbie
Hurricane/Rosey b. La Resistance – Eye Of The Hurricane to Conway
Edge b. Kane – Spear
Chris Benoit b. Shawn Michaels and HHH – Sharpshooter to Michaels
