Backlash

Card Information:
 Held in: SALEM CIVIC CENTER
Location: VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
          on April 2005 at 7:30pm

Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty Too Hotty) defeated
The Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) when Grandmaster Sexay
 pinned D-Von with the Hip Hop Drop in 0:09:06.
Rating: ** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

A shock finish for the opener, as Too Cool picked up the win.  The Dudleys
were less than happy about this result, and showed their disgust by putting
both members of Too Cool through tables afterwards.


Billy Kidman pinned Paul London after a spinebuster bomb in 0:02:50.
Rating: ***
(Billy Kidman retained the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

Paul London's undefeated streak came to an end, following a quick victory for
Billy Kidman.


Randy Orton pinned Edge after a powerslam in 0:11:22.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

Orton picks up an impressive victory over Edge.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack defeated Thug Life (John Cena and Tazz) when
Michaels pinned Tazz with the Sweet Chin Music in 0:15:55.
Rating: *** 1/4
(Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack retained the WWE Tag Team Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

It was a gruelling match, and Shawn Michaels bled buckets, but he and Cactus
managed to hold on to the tag team titles.


Vader pinned Sting with the Vader Bomb in 0:16:31.
Rating: ***
Click here to see highlights.

Sting fought hard, but Vader's power proved to be too much for him.  Can any
one stop the big Mastodon?


Chris Jericho defeated Christopher Daniels by countout in 0:07:12.
Rating: *** 1/4
Click here to see highlights.

Jericho won the match, after Daniels cold-cocked himself with a high flying
move.  Although Jericho was victorious, he didn't seem too pleased with the
way the match finished.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Four Corners Match:
Booker T defeated Steven Richards, William Regal and Goldust:
         x Booker T beat Stevie via a powerslam in 0:27:16
         x Booker T beat Goldust via a powerslam in 0:29:37
         x Booker T beat Regal via the Harlem Side Kick in 0:33:03
Rating: *** 3/4
(Booker T retained the WWE Intercontinental Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

A six minute burst from the Booker Man saw him able to retain the IC title
against three very worthy opponents.


No-Time-Limit-No-Countout-No-DQ-Submission Match:
Bret Hart made Ted DiBiase submit to the Sharpshooter in 0:06:24.
Rating: ****
Click here to see highlights.

It didn't last all that long, but it was the Hitman who emerged victorious,
making DiBiase tap out to the Sharpshooter.  The presentation of the money
will be made on Raw tomorrow night.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Number-One-Contenders-Match:
Shane McMahon pinned Triple H with the Shane-O-Mac Terminator in 0:13:12.
Rating: *** 3/4
Click here to see highlights.

In the biggest shock of the night, Shane McMahon defeated Triple H to once
again halt Helmsley's chance of getting a shot at the WWE title.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Steve Austin pinned Chris Benoit with the Stone Cold Stunner in 0:06:56.
Rating: *** 1/4
(Steve Austin won the WWE Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

It took two Stunners, but Stone Cold Steve Austin managed to best Chris Benoit
to become the WWE Champion.  After the match, Austin toasted the crowd, and 
shook hands with the former champ.



Card rating: *** 1/2


Match observations: 

A rather good night of action, capped off by the crowning of a new WWE World
Champion.  Chris Benoit fought hard, but you can't blame him for being pinned
after taking two Stone Cold Stunners within quick succession.  He kicked out
of the first, but the second one proved to be too much.

Of course, we have no idea who Austin's first opponent as Champion will be just
yet, after Triple H was defeated by Shane McMahon tonight.  Helmsley is not
out of the title picture for a while, and therefore the Rattlesnake will have
to wait and see who will get the first crack.  

The other titles on the line tonight were retained, as Booker T won his fatal
four way against Goldust, Regal and Richards, and the team of Shawn Michaels 
and Cactus Jack survived the impressive challenge of Thug Life.  Again, these
guys will have to wait and see who steps up to make the next challenge, which
will most likely take place at Judgment Day.  Billy Kidman also retained his
Cruiserweight title, and will be on the lookout for new challengers soon.

Elsewhere, Chris Jericho earned a count-out victory over Christopher Daniels.
However, Jericho was unhappy at winning in this style, and has apparently gone
looking for a rematch already.  Rumour has it this may take place as early as
tomorrow night on Raw.

Also tomorrow night, Ted DiBiase will be forced to hand over 1 Million Dollars
to Bret Hart, so that he can give it to charity.  Will DiBiase do this, or will
he pull a no-show to further illustrate his evil ways.  We'll find out on Raw.

Sting was disappointed at losing to Vader tonight, but he vowed that he would
not let the defeat get him down.  What does the Stinger have planned next?  And
will he have to deal with another of tonight's victors, Randy Orton?

Next Show: Raw