Swwerve

In the main event of the 2005 Backlash PPV, Chris Benoit battled Edge in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Elsewhere, the World and IC Champions fought for supremacy while World Tag Champions William Regal and Tajiri faced former ECW rivals Super Crazy and Kid Kash.

Tag Match: William Regal and Tajiri vs. Kid Kash and Super Crazy

The action started with William Regal and Kid Kash, where Regal used his size to gain an early advantage. Later in the match, Tajiri and Super Crazy were tagged in, with Tajiri showing a lot of fire. Regal tagged back in as the champions took control. That was until Kash and Crazy capitalized on a referee distraction to isolate Regal outside the ring and use the environment (namely the steel ring steps and barricade) to regain control.

Kash put Regal in a sleeper hold to further slow him down, but Regal fought back with a high-angle back slam before successfully tagging in Tajiri. The action intensified, with Tajiri delivering strikes to both Kash and Crazy. Tajiri locked Crazy in the Tarantula hold before landing a running basement dropkick to Crazy while he sat in the corner. Tajiri only got a nearfall as Kash broke up his pin attempt.

All four men got into a chaotic brawl. Crazy tore at a turnbuckle pad, but the referee caught him. As the referee put the turnbuckle pad back on, Tajiri sprayed green mist into the eyes of Crazy. Regal executed a half-nelson suplex on Crazy, and Tajiri landed the Buzzsaw Kick for the pinfall win.

Result: William Regal and Tajiri def. Kid Kash and Super Crazy via pinfall

Tag Match: La Resistance (Rene Dupree & Sylvan Grenier) vs. Simon Dean and Stevie Richards

The match began with chain wrestling, but after several exchanges, the pace picked up a bit after Simon Dean landed a diving splash to the outside of the ring on both members of La Resistance. Rene Dupree halted Dean’s momentum by poking him in the eyes, allowing La Resistance to briefly gain control.

Stevie Richards eventually tagged in and brawled his way back into control, landing effective strikes and a suicide dive onto Dupree. Grenier tried to intervene, but Richards and Dean began to work together, stringing together offense against both Dupree and Grenier. Dean landed a rolling cutter onto Dupree, and Richards followed with a lifting underhook DDT for the pinfall win.

Result: Simon Dean and Stevie Richards def. La Resistance via pinfall

Tag Match: The After Party (Johnny Swinger & Val Venis) vs. The Shane Twins (Mike & Todd Shane)

The Shane Twins bumped shoulders with Richards and Dean while walking to the ring. They then kicked La Resistance out of the ring while calling out their opponents.

The Shane Twins had impressive showings of strength early on and remained on offense from there as they landed various power moves on the After Party. Todd bodyslammed Swinger onto Venis, then the Shane Twins followed with a double crucifix powerbomb on Swinger for the pinfall victory.

Result: The Shane Twins def. The After Party via pinfall

Champion vs. Champion Match: Batista vs. Shelton Benjamin

The match started with a slow pace, with Batista showing off his power by knocking Shelton Benjamin on the mat during mid-ring collisions. A frustrated Benjamin took control with a flying clothesline and quick strikes. However, a straight kick from Batista sent Benjamin outside the ring. Batista followed and took an elbow to the jaw, but another elbow attempt by Benjamin was missed as Benjamin hit the steel ring post.

Batista seized the opportunity by performing some power offense. Despite the injury, Benjamin fought back with a T-bone suplex and a Stinger Splash in the corner. Batista struck back, and the two exchanged blows until Benjamin landed a leaping STO for a nearfall. Batista rolled out to the ringside area where Benjamin went for another leaping STO. However, Batista countered by slamming Benjamin onto the announce table. Batista rolled Benjamin back into the ring and landed a shoulder block for a nearfall.

The battle continued with Batista scoring two clotheslines, but Benjamin countered the third clothesline with a German suplex. Benjamin couldn’t make a quick cover due to elbow pain. Out of desperation, Benjamin went to the top rope and attempted a 450 splash. However, Batista moved and hit a spinebuster on Benjamin. Batista only got a nearfall on the subsequent pin attempt, and he quickly followed with a Batista Bomb on Benjamin for the victory.

After the match, Batista helped Benjamin to his feet and shook his hand before raising his non-injured arm.

Result: Batista def. Shelton Benjamin via pinfall

Falls Count Anywhere Match: Chris Benoit vs. Edge

From the opening bell, Chris Benoit controlled the action, repeatedly taking Edge down to the mat and keeping him grounded. Despite there being no disqualifications, Benoit seemed fine to outwrestle Edge as if it were a traditional match. Benoit landed a German suplex that sent Edge rolling out of the ring. Edge thought about grabbing a chair, but changed his mind.

With the action back in the ring, Benoit attempted another German suplex. Edge got to the ropes, forcing Benoit to break his grip. But as the referee briefly warned Benoit, Edge clubbed Benoit across the back and neck with his forearm, sending Benoit out of the ring.

Edge continued to attack on Benoit, hitting several straight right hands. Benoit eventually recovered after giving Edge a hip toss onto the ringside mat. Benoit continued to fight a relentless Edge off at ringside, but as he stopped to reset and catch his breath, Edge hit a spear for a near fall.

Edge grabbed a chair, but Benoit kicked the chair against Edge’s face. Benoit rolled inside the ring and Edge followed. Benoit responded with a few chops, but a kick to the midsection and an Impaler DDT from Edge resulted in a near fall.

Edge slid a couple of chairs and a table into the ring. Edge then proceeded to use the chair over the back of Benoit. With Benoit down, Edge set up the table in the corner. Benoit attempted a German suplex, but Edge countered and executed the Edge-O-Matic. Benoit crawled toward the table and Edge charged at him, however, Edge crashed through the table.

Benoit grabbed a chair and hit Edge across the back a few times. Benoit thought about swinging at Edge’s head, but instead he dropped the chair and kicked Edge below the belt. Benoit then suplexed Edge onto the chair. After a close near fall, Benoit hit three German suplexes. Benoit then took the turnbuckle pad off and tried to give Edge a German suplex into it, which would send Edge neck-first against the exposed turnbuckle.

Edge countered with a low blow of his own, causing Benoit to let Edge go. But Benoit responded with a hard forearm to the back of Edge’s head. As Edge crashed to the mat, Benoit attempted a diving headbutt, but Edge managed to grab a chair at the last second, causing Benoit to crash onto the chair. Edge immediately rammed Benoit back-first into the turnbuckle. Edge eventually followed with a spear for the win.

Result: Edge def. Chris Benoit

After the match, Edge rested in the corner as officials assisted Benoit. Benoit slowly got to his feet and pushed the officials away. Edge looked concerned that Benoit wanted to continue fighting. Instead, Benoit locked eyes with Edge and nodded his head before slowly leaving the ring.