Swwerve

In the April 25, 2005, edition of WWE Raw, Chris Benoit faces Tyson Tomko. Elsewhere, the World Tag Champions are in action, and General Manager Mick Foley explains his decision for Backlash.

GM Mick Foley explains the decision for the Last Man Standing Match

General Manager Mick Foley reiterated that Edge’s match with Chris Benoit at Backlash will now be a Falls Count Anywhere match. Last week showed Foley that he can’t control the hatred between the two men. Most GMs would book a lumberjack match or a steel cage match to keep opponents bottled inside the ring. However, he’d rather Benoit and Edge brawl without any limits to see who the better man truly is.

Edge was livid and stormed to the ring. Edge asked why Foley was getting in his way and putting him in dangerous matches. Edge said Foley was creating an unsafe environment—which Foley rolled his eyes at. Edge claimed Foley knew Benoit was out to sabotage his career and well-being. Edge said he is the future of Foley’s show, but before he could continue, Foley cut him off.

Foley said simply walking around with a briefcase doesn’t make Edge “the future.” Foley isn’t trying to stop Edge’s progress. He’s trying to get Edge ready for the mantle he thinks he deserves. If Edge thinks guys like Benoit are standing in his way, Edge should beat him so thoroughly that Benoit steps aside and no longer questions if Edge is next.

Foley said Edge can either prove he is the future or prove he’s just not ready yet. Edge only gets one chance to use his MITB contract, and Foley agrees that Edge shouldn’t waste it. However, catchphrases or contract language doesn’t prove that Edge is ready to beat the best in the WWE. Only the results inside the ring will prove Edge’s future. The final step up a ladder is always the scariest, and Foley implored Edge to take that final step firmly.

Backstage: Tyson Tomko and Edge

Tyson Tomko was warming up for his match with Chris Benoit. Edge approached Tomko and asked if Tomko was ready. Tomko didn’t understand why Edge was asking him. Edge said he respects Tomko’s hunger and determination, but he needed a favor: he needed Tomko to soften up Benoit before Backlash.

Tomko said that was always the plan. He can’t defeat Benoit without beating his ass. But Edge’s brother Christian is gone, and Tomko isn’t going back to being someone’s enforcer. Whatever Edge does at Backlash is on him. But tonight, Tomko isn’t fighting for Edge—he’s fighting for himself.

Edge said that was fair. However, it would be a shame if Tomko talked his way into such a huge match only for the night to end with Benoit standing tall and Tomko flat on his back.

Interview: Todd Grisham and Stevie Richards

Stevie Richards was happy to get a match last week but was equally disappointed with his loss. With ECW: One Night Stand announced and happening in roughly a month, Richards has been thinking about his past. He now has more experience than most people in the WWE, and he doesn’t want to feel like a loser all the time.

Simon Dean approached Richards and asked what he proved last week. Richards said he proved he’s a fighter. Richards asked what Dean was proving with his low Simon System sales and said it doesn’t seem to pay the bills. Dean took a deep breath and asked why Richards wants to relive the past and team together again. Richards said he isn’t interested in reliving the past or their days in ECW. He wants to prove he still belongs. Richards admits he’s struggling as a singles star. Dean isn’t even being featured. But together, maybe they have something. Dean thought about it before saying he’ll give it one chance, one match.

Non-Title Tag Match: William Regal and Tajiri vs. La Resistance (Rene Dupree & Sylvan Grenier)

World Tag Champions William Regal and Tajiri attempted stereo baseball slides to La Resistance, who were standing at ringside. However, La Resistance moved and went on the attack, including Rene Dupree landing a DDT on Tajiri on the floor. After Dupree got a nearfall on a pin attempt, Regal and Tajiri fought back. In the end, Regal made Sylvan Grenier submit to the Regal Stretch for the win.

Result: William Regal and Tajiri def. La Resistance via submission

After the match, Regal made a huge announcement: Tajiri will be leaving the WWE after ECW: One Night Stand. Mick Foley has known about the announcement for a couple of weeks, but Regal wanted to make sure fans heard the news from the World Tag Champions themselves. Until ECW: ONS, Monday Night Raw will be a celebration and showcase of Tajiri.

That’s why on Sunday, they will battle against Smackdown stars and former ECW rivals Super Crazy and Kid Kash, reliving one of Tajiri’s final battles in ECW.

Interview: Todd Grisham and GM Mick Foley

Foley said he and Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long have a lot of respect for Tajiri. Foley reminded fans that Tajiri truly established himself in the WWE as a cruiserweight on the Smackdown brand. That’s why they got together and put together an interpromotional match for one night only.

Foley also clarified that the match between World Champion Batista and IC Champion Shelton Benjamin will be a non-title affair. Neither man is in a position to defend two championships. We will simply see who the better champion is. Finally, Foley was barring Edge from ringside for tonight’s main event.

Match: Chris Benoit vs. Tyson Tomko

Chris Benoit was dominant from the start and took all the momentum after connecting with a suicide dive onto Tomko on the ringside floor. Benoit rolled Tomko back into the ring and furthered his offense.

Tomko got an opening after landing a spinning side slam on Benoit. Tomko wouldn’t let up from there, following up with a clothesline in the corner and a powerful lariat to the back of Benoit’s neck. Tomko targeted the neck and back of Benoit, but Benoit wouldn’t stay down. Tomko got a bit desperate and attempted a diving double axe handle, but Benoit kicked Tomko in the midsection and executed a snap suplex.

Benoit connected on a diving headbutt but only got a two-count on the pin attempt. Benoit didn’t slow down, and after hitting a release German suplex, Benoit made Tomko submit to the Crippler Crossface.

Result: Chris Benoit def. Tyson Tomko via submission

Immediately after the match, Edge showed up at the top of the stage. Benoit leaned against the ropes and dared Edge to enter the ring. Mick Foley stopped Edge from doing anything, but inside the ring, Tomko hit a big boot to the back of Benoit’s head, sending Benoit out of the ring and to the floor.

Tomko threw Benoit against the steel ring steps. WWE agents stopped the attack as Edge could only laugh from the stage. Tomko left to the back. Foley confronted Tomko, asking why Tomko would be a sore loser. Tomko walked past him.