Judgment Day

Card Information:
 Held in: GEORGIA DOME
Location: GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
          on May 2005 at 7:30pm

Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack defeated
La Resistance (Rene Dupree and Sylvan Grenier) when Michaels pinned R. Dupree
 after a flying bodypress in 0:02:58.
Rating: ** 3/4
(Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack retained the WWE Tag Team Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

A short and rather uneventful match, as the Champions retain their gold once
again.  It seems that Michaels and Cactus have a knack of getting the job done
on the night, if not during the build-up.


Masahiro Chono pinned John Bradshaw Layfield after a power bomb in 0:04:03.
Rating: ** 1/4
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Of the two come-backs, it was Chono's that was more successful, as he power
bombed JBL into oblivion.


Billy Kidman defeated Brian Kendrick by countout in 0:03:57.
Rating: ** 1/2
(Billy Kidman retained the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.)
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A Shooting Star Press to the outside put Kendrick out for the count, but didn't
exactly do much to further Kidman's reputation as the champion.  Don't expect
things to be over between these two.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
The Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) defeated
Thug Life (John Cena and Tazz) when D-Von pinned Cena after a splash in 0:12:43
.
Rating: **** 1/4
[Spike Dudley interfered against Bubba Ray Dudley.]
[Spike Dudley interfered against D-Von Dudley.]
Click here to see highlights.

Despite the interference of Spike, the Dudley Boys still managed to win this
awesome tag team match, and must now be in contention for the Tag Titles.


Interview:
Taking sides?
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Hollywood Hogan's interview time is interrupted by Shane McMahon.


Match with Special Referee Shane McMahon:
Ted DiBiase defeated Hollywood Hogan when Hollywood Hogan passed out in the
Million Dollar Dream in 0:12:06.
Rating: *** 3/4
Click here to see highlights.

Ted DiBiase won the match when Hogan passed out, but an even bigger shocker
occured afterwards.  DiBiase stalked Shane McMahon after the match, backing
him into the corner.  The Commissioner's response was to smile, and shake
hands with the Million Dollar Man.  The two then shared a hug, and walked to
the back together, much to the chagrin of the fans.


Edge and Val Venis defeated
The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) when Venis
 defeated Haas via pinfall in 0:07:43.
Rating: ***
Click here to see highlights.

Val Venis was able to take advantage of a mistake by Charlie Haas, which left
Shelton vulnerable to being pinned.  After the match, there were clear signs
of trouble for WGTT.


Triangle Match:
Booker T defeated Christopher Daniels and Tajiri:
         x Tajiri beat Daniels via countout in 0:02:09
         x Booker T beat Tajiri via a forearm smash in 0:11:31
Rating: *** 1/2
(Booker T won the WWE Intercontinental Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

Booker T once again became the Intercontinental Champion, outlasting Tajiri
and Daniels to take the title for the third time this year.


Randy Orton pinned Sting with the RKO in 0:17:25.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

Backing up his words once again, Randy Orton killed another legend in Sting.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Terry Funk defeated
Evolution (Ric Flair and Triple H) and Kane when Benoit made Flair submit to
the Crippler Crossface in 0:28:04.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

Some very good tag team wrestling, with Benoit finally doing enough to make
Flair tap out.  A great effort from all six men.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Steve Austin pinned Vader with the Stone Cold Stunner in 0:11:29.
Rating: ***
(Steve Austin retained the WWE Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

Fighting off all the odds, Stone Cold Steve Austin retained the title.  While
celebrating with a post-match beer though, Austin fell victim to a sneak attack
from Randy Orton, who put the champion down with the RKO as Judgment Day went
off the air.



Card rating: *** 1/4


Match observations: 

A rather good PPV with a number of shocking events taking place.  We saw the
apparent union of Ted DiBiase and Shane McMahon, two people who I never thought
would see eye to eye, Randy Orton defeating the legendary Sting, and then Orton
returning to attack the champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin, after the Champ had
only just retained his gold.

Our next PPV offering, Bad Blood, is a lot closer than you may think, as we'll
also be presenting the Great American Bash during the month of June.  Therefore
a number of Bad Blood matches have sprung up due to tonight's results.  We
know now that Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack will defend the tag team titles
against the Dudley Boys, and that Brian Kendrick will get another chance to
take home the Cruiserweight Title from Billy Kidman, this time in a Ladder
Match. 

Is there friction between the World's Greatest Tag Team.  It was an error by
Charlie Haas, as he knocked out Shelton Benjamin, that caused them to lose to
Edge and Val Venis here tonight.  I'm sure Shelton will forgive this mistake
once, but if it happens again, there may well be fireworks.

Masahiro Chono made an impressive return tonight, putting down the loud mouth
John Bradshaw Layfield.  If Chono continues to dominate like he did tonight,
this run in WWE may well prove to be a lot more successful than his last one.

Booker T is Intercontinental Champion again, but word has it that Christopher
Daniels is not yet finished in his run for the title.  He may have been beaten
tonight, but he certainly wasn't pinned, so he could well have a claim for 
another shot at the Booker Man.

Next Show: Raw