Swwerve

The April 18, 2005, edition of WWE RAW opened with IC Champion Shelton Benjamin looking for a spotlight match. Elsewhere on the show, Edge faced Hardcore Holly, and Tyson Tomko is confronted by Chris Benoit.

Interview: Todd Grisham and Hardcore Holly

Hardcore Holly spoke with Mick Foley over the weekend, and he is getting a match with Edge in the main event. Edge barks about having the Money in the Bank contract, but that won’t matter once the bell rings. Holly knows he has some work to do to beat Edge, but win or lose, Edge will regret ever crossing him.

Shelton Benjamin challenges Batista for Backlash

Shelton Benjamin said he stole the show at WrestleMania 21 with his performance in the Money in the Bank ladder match. He got so much applause for being the highlight of the night, and he heard all the talk of him being a future star in the WWE.

However, since then, he has been overshadowed. He’s taken a backseat to the man who actually won the MITB ladder match, and he’s taken a backseat to the World Champion. It has showed Benjamin that results matter more than anything else.

Benjamin wants to be more than just a highlight reel. Getting a replay is a brief moment compared to the long spotlight wrestlers get for winning big matches. If Benjamin wants the spotlight to shine brighter, he needs to take it. Benjamin issued a challenge to World Champion Batista for a match at Backlash. Benjamin felt he hadn’t done enough to earn a championship match, but when he beats the champion, then a championship opportunity can’t be denied.

World Champion Batista entered the ring. Batista told Benjamin, “It’s about time.” Batista shook Benjamin’s hand and said Benjamin was too good to settle for compliments. However, at Backlash, he will have to accept defeat against the World Champion. Batista said he won’t show Benjamin any love once the bell rings, but when the match is over and Batista has won, he’ll be sure to shake Benjamin’s hand.

Match: Stevie Richards vs. Tyson Tomko

Stevie Richards went on the attack as soon as the bell rang. Richards took any opening he could find, but Tyson Tomko eventually hit a thunderous running big boot. Richards slapped Tomko across the face as Tomko tried to lift Richards to his feet. An enraged Tomko hit hard forearms to the back of Richard’s head and neck, eventually causing Richard to pass out.

Result: Tyson Tomko def. Stevie Richards via referee’s stoppage

Tyson Tomko airs grievances with Chris Benoit

Tomko said he tried to keep his emotions in check against Richards, but it’s hard to do when he keeps thinking about last week. Tomko felt Chris Benoit was to blame for losing his IC Championship match last week. Even more, Benoit disrespected him last week by interrupting what was supposed to be Tomko’s moment.

Tomko isn’t a sidekick or bodyguard anymore. He’s a threat, and Benoit better see him in the ring. Chris Benoit actually walked out to the ring to respond. Benoit gave Tomko credit for standing up to him like a man, but Tomko doesn’t have what it takes to beat him inside the ring. Against his better judgment, Benoit isn’t concerned about preserving himself for Backlash. If Tomko wants a fight, he can get one next week.

Tomko smirked, saying he was looking forward to it. Tomko calmly left the ring while Benoit seemed prepared for a sneak attack by Tomko. Tomko said he didn’t have to attack Benoit. He’ll wait for next week.

Interview: Maria Kanellis and Edge

Edge asked what Benoit was trying to prove by fighting Tomko next week. Why does wanting to preserve himself make Edge less deserving of respect? All of the veterans are mad at Edge for having the MITB briefcase, but Edge was going to make sure that once he cashes in the contract, he ends up with gold around his waist.

Edge then put his attention on Holly, calling him a bully because he’s spent nearly a decade in the WWE watching other wrestlers rise above him. Edge said that after tonight, Holly will regret crossing HIM because Holly will remember that he isn’t the future, present, or past. He just sucks.

Match: Edge vs. Hardcore Holly

Holly hit an early dropkick that sent Edge to the ringside floor. Holly went for another dropkick, but Edge dodged it. Edge immediately sent the back of Holly’s head against the announce table, buying him some time to gather himself.

With the action back in the ring, Edge found himself on the defensive, and despite attempts to counter Holly’s striking offense, Holly wouldn’t let up. Eventually the two got into a series of exchanges. Holly went for an Alabama Slam but let Edge go due to pain in his neck.

Edge tossed Holly out of the ring and threw him against the ringside barricade. Edge rolled Holly back into the ring and hit a spear, but only for a nearfall. Edge then hit the Impaler DDT on Holly and pinned him for the win.

Result: Edge def. Hardcore Holly via pinfall

Immediately after the match, Edge further attacked Holly. Edge went to ringside to grab a chair, but Benoit ran out to the ring to make the save. Benoit told Edge to confront him. Edge got into the ring, but officials and WWE agents were fast to separate the two.

General Manager Mick Foley showed up on stage. He felt like Benoit and Edge have found themselves in a brawl every single week. Foley is tired of having agents and officials control them. At Backlash, if they are so eager to tear each other apart throughout the arena, they can have a Falls Count Anywhere match, where there are no limits to what they can do to each other or where.

Benoit smiled at the stipulation while Edge was livid, yelling at Foley from the ring as the show closed.