Backlash 2005 Review

Match #1 – Intercontinental Championship

Shelton Benjamin (c) vs Chris Jericho

These two had an amazing match at Taboo Tuesday in 2004, which was where Benjamin’s reign started. Now Jericho is a heel and wants his title back. These two outdo themselves, putting on an incredibly good and underrated match. Benjamin shows fantastic athleticism in this match, which isn’t an unusual thing for him. Benjamin hits a T-Bone, however Jericho gets his foot under the rope. Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho but Shelton reaches the ropes. Benjamin reverses a Walls of Jericho attempt into a sunset flip rollup for the win in a fantastic match.

Match #2 – Tag Team Turmoil for the World Tag Team Championships

Tajiri & William Regal (c) vs La Resistance vs Hurricane & Rosey vs Simon Dean & Maven vs The Hearthrobs

Hearthrobs and Tajiri/Regal kick off the match and Tajiri gets the pin on Antonio via sunset flip fairly quick. Simon Dean & Maven are next but Regal/Tajiri eliminate them as well when Regal hits the Knee Trembler on Dean. La Resistance are next. Conway rolls up Regal while holding the tights, eliminating them, meaning there will be new tag team champions. Hurricane and Rosey come out. Rosey stands on the second rope, Hurricane climbs onto Rosey’s shoulders and dives off for the victory. This match was kind of weak. Tajiri and Regal had a decent run but much of the match didn’t feel like it had any rhyme or reason.

Match #3 – Last Man Standing

Edge vs Chris Benoit

Benoit & Edge beat the living hell out of each other in this one. Benoit with a bunch of german suplexes early. Benoit goes for a suicide dive but Edge catches him in the head with a trash can lid. Benoit goes for a diving headbutt off a ladder but Edge rolls out of the way. Benoit locks Edge in the Crossface for a long time, making him pass out, but he still gets up at 9. Edge hits an impaler DDT onto the MITB briefcase. Edge spears Benoit twice but he keeps getting up. Edge pulls a brick out of the briefcase and hits it over Benoit’s head, ending the match. Last Man Standing is my favorite gimmick match and this is objectively good, but for some reason, I’ve never been a huge fan of this one. Wasn’t big on it when I saw it live or rewatching it now.

Jerry Lawler has the Divas in the ring, promoting a new Divas swimsuit magazine. Chris Masters interrupts and makes everyone leave. He challenges anyone in the audience to break the Masterlock and chooses a woman from the crowd. He easily locks it in and knocks her out, then leaves.

Match #4

Kane (w/Lita) vs Viscera (w/Trish Stratus)

I really enjoy Kane but this match wasn’t anything special. Viscera uses a lot of power moves, especially side slams and samoan drops. Trish tries to hit Kane with a chair but Lita swings her crutch into the chair, hitting Trish in the face. Vis hits a sit out two handed chokeslam for two. Kane chokeslams Viscera for the win. Not good but not an abomination or anything either. After the match, Trish yells at Viscera so he gives her a bearhug and then big splashes her.

Match #5

Hulk Hogan & Shawn Michaels vs Muhammad Hassan & Daivari

This whole thing had a very 80s feel to it, which I didn’t mind. Hogan and Michaels work well together until HBK gets isolated. Hassan had been looking very credible going into this and he looks good against Michaels here. HBK makes the hot tag to Hogan and he cleans house. Michaels hits a Sweet Chin Music to Daivari, followed by Hogan making the cover for the win. Fun little match.

Christian comes out and talks about how a draft is coming up. Christian calls himself a main eventer and begins talking trash about other main eventers in the form of a rap.

Match #6 – World Heavyweight Championship

Batista (c) vs Triple H

Before the match, both Triple H and Batista cut great backstage promos. This match was a little similar to their WM match, only with more Triple H offense. Flair distracts the ref while Triple H hits Batista with the title while up for the Batista Bomb. Ref bump and Triple H hits the pedigree. Batista takes out Ric Flair but gets a low blow from Triple H. Triple H does a ten punch in the corner but Batista turns it into a Batista Bomb. After the match, Triple H pedigrees the ref. Nothing special here, I’d consider it the 3^rd best match in their series.

Overall this show was decent. The real standout was the opener, Benjamin vs Jericho. Hogan/HBK vs Hassan/Daivari was fun too. I imagine most people enjoyed the Edge vs Benoit match, so I’d recommend that as well. As a whole, probably the weakest PPV of 2005 so far.