New Years Revolution 2005 Review

Come to beautiful Puerto Rico, the Shining Star of the Caribbean…where this show was being held!

Match #1 – World Tag Team Championships

Eugene & William Regal (c) vs Christian & Tyson Tomko

The Eugene storyline may have been offensive at times but Eugene as a performer is fantastic at what he does and really understands in ring storytelling. He does a lot of fun old school moves early on. Regal plays the face in peril and does an incredibly good job of building sympathy. Is there anything William Regal can’t do? Eugene makes the hot tag and the crowd erupts as he fights off both Christian and Tomko. Near the end of the match, Eugene legitimately injures his leg but manages to finish the match, rolling up Tomko to retain the tag titles. Honestly a pretty fun match.

Match #2 – Women’s Championship

Lita (c) vs Trish Stratus

This was a pretty intense portion of the Trish/Lita feud. I would actually argue the best part even. Lita disfigured Trish’s face at Survivor Series, forcing her to wear that protective mask. Then they got to have their main event match on Raw, which was probably their best match against each other. Sadly, early into this match, Lita tears her ACL on a Lou Thesz Press from the apron to the outside of the ring. She manages to go another minute or two before Trish Chick Kicks her and wins the title back. A real shame because chemistry was at an all time high between them at the time.

So we’re two matches in and we’ve got two pretty serious injuries so far.

Backstage, Edge is not pleased that Shawn Michaels, who he has been feuding with, is the special guest referee in the chamber.

Match #3 – Intercontinental Championship

Shelton Benjamin (c) vs Maven

Benjamin is pretty damn over and Maven gets great heat. Maven stalls outside the ring and starts cutting a promo, getting massive heat from this fantastic crowd. Maven makes fun of the Puerto Rican crowd. Maven begins to walk out but as the ref gets to the count of 9, he runs into the ring and gets rolled by Benjamin for the win! Maven goads Benjamin into giving him a rematch and Benjamin quickly hits a T-Bone suplex and pins him again! This was all really fun, to be honest. Fantastic crowd that was really into it and it was just fun. All in all there’s only about 20 seconds of wrestling but it’s a pretty enjoyable segment.

Match #4

Muhammad Hassan vs Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler

This was a very interesting storyline. The Hassan and Daivari characters, especially at this time, were very nuanced characters. They were heels but they had certain points that kind of made you think. And both Hassan and Daivari were fantastic on the mic so it really added to it. I still believe Hassan could have been a massive star if they just kept booking him as a deep character. No commentary for this one as JR is at ringside for Lawler. Crowd is extremely hot for Lawler. Lawler gets his ass kicked for a good while but when he pulls down the strap and starts beating up Hassan, the crowd goes bonkers. Jerry Lawler, as a performer, never lost it. Dude was a vicious heel most of his career but turned into a sympathetic face for the latter half of his commentary run. Lawler hits the fist drop for two. Daivari gets involved just enough for Hassan to get up and hit a reverse STO for the win. If you like old school wrestling, I think you’ll like this. I personally enjoyed it.

Randy Orton confronts Batista backstage and asks him, if it comes down to Triple H and Batista, will he kick his ass or kiss it. Batista says he’s not afraid to take a chance at the title.

Match #5

Kane vs Snitsky

We’ve got Coach on commentary with JR now. Snitsky tears up the mat outside the ring and tries to powerbomb Kane onto the hard floor, only to get flipped over onto it. Snitsky takes control after a while and methodically beats down Kane. As Kane makes his comeback, once again, the crowd gets really into it. Snitsky keeps beating down Kane and Kane keeps sitting up. Diving clothesline from Kane! Snitsky breaks out of a chokeslam and bites Kane. Kane hits the Tombstone for the win! This dragged a little but honestly wasn’t too bad at all. Snitsky plays a pretty solid heel and I’m always game for a Kane match.

In a pre-taped segment, Val Venis, Hurricane, Rosey, La Resistance, Simon Dean, Christy Hemme, Candice Michelle (holy shit she was around in early ’05?!), Stacy Keibler and Maria are hanging out a resort pool. Val Venis declares a game of chicken. Lawler says the last time JR touched a breast, it was in a KFC basket. Christy unties Maria’s bikini and shoves her off Conway, giving her and Rosey the win. I’m all for off-site segments like this, I like the idea of the characters still being their characters in the real world.

Match #6 – Elimination Chamber for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship

Triple H vs Randy Orton vs Batista vs Edge vs Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (Shawn Michaels as special guest referee)

One of the most stacked fields they’ve ever had in a chamber match. Benoit and Jericho start it off with some good clean wrestling before Triple H enters. Benoit and Jericho each have separate small fights with HHH until Edge comes out of his pod. Orton is in after Edge and goes right after Triple H. Edge goes for a spear on Orton but misses and hits Edge. Edge spears Orton next, but the ref is out cold. Edge wakes up Michaels, who retaliates with a Sweet Chin Music. Jericho Lionsaults Edge after, eliminating him. Benoit and Jericho lock the Crossface/Walls combo on Triple H as the clock runs down. Batista gets out of his pod and quickly saves Triple H. Batista dominates Benoit & Jericho, Spinebustering Benoit, then Spinebustering Jericho onto him and pinning Benoit. He follows up with a Batista Bomb to Y2J, eliminating him. Batista is ready to destroy Orton but Orton low blows him and hits an RKO. In some incredible storytelling, Triple H is getting up in the corner and has a chance to save Batista, but instead slumps back over, allowing him to be eliminated. Orton RKOs Triple H but Batista is still in the ring and so is Flair. Batista clotheslines Orton and as HBK sends Batista and Flair packing, Triple H hits the pedigree on Orton and wins the match.

Overall
The main event is absolutely must watch. I’d even personally consider it the best elimination chamber match. The rest of the show is kind of average but a really hot crowd definitely helps it.