Smackdown

Card Information:
 Held in: METRODOME
Location: MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES
          on March 2005 at 8:00pm

Interview:
Money talks...
Click here to see highlights.

Ted DiBiase takes Jamie Noble's place at Wrestlemania, and then offers the Dead
Man a sacrifice.


The Undertaker pinned Jamie Noble with the Tombstone in 0:08:57.
Rating: ****

Despite the best efforts of Jamie Noble, he could not stop the power of the
dark side.


Edge and Val Venis defeated Lance Storm and Rhyno when Edge pinned Rhyno
 with the Edgeacution in 0:20:26.
Rating: *** 1/2

Hard-fought tag match, which saw Edge and Venis prevail.  Can Edge defeat the
big monster Rhyno again at Wrestlemania?


Interview:
Former Evolution members face-off...
Click here to see highlights.

Triple H and Randy Orton go face to face, discussing tonight's main event with
The Game and Chris Benoit.


The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and Danny Basham) defeated
Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack when Doug pinned Michaels with the
Diving Headbutt in 0:20:33.
Rating: **** 3/4
[Shaniqua interfered against Cactus Jack.]

Former tag champs The Bashams proved too much for HBK and Cactus Jack, as their
spot as No. 1 contenders to the tag titles started to look a little less than
secure.


Goldberg defeated X-Pac by countout in 0:03:52.
Rating: ** 1/2

X-Pac was left hurt on the outside, giving Goldberg a victory.  After the 
match, Goldberg was left the victim of a vicious steel chair attack from Scott
Steiner, who was clearly still angry about Goldberg injuring him at No Way Out.


Interview:
Booker and Benoit meet up...
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Much like Orton and Helmsley earlier, Booker T and Chris Benoit discuss the 
possible effects of the evening's main event.


The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated
Kaientai (Taka Michinoku and Funaki) when S. Benjamin pinned Michinoku with the
Money Clip in 0:16:08.
Rating: *****

An amazing 5-star debut for Haas and Benjamin, as they emerged victorious.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
Triple H pinned Chris Benoit after a powerslam in 0:10:22.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

Triple H managed to pin the WWE Champion, but Benoit's feet were on the ropes
at the time of the 3-count.



Card rating: ****


Match observations: 

A fantastic night of action, despite the very controversial ending.  Triple H,
the Intercontinental Champion, pinned WWE Champion Chris Benoit, after referee
Nick Patrick failed to acknowledge that Benoit's foot was on the ropes.  This
is the last thing Benoit needs, especially with his upcoming Wrestlemania main
event against Randy Orton.  On Raw this week, he'll aim for revenge, as Benoit
teams with Booker T to face Triple H and Orton.  Can Orton co-exist with his
partner, considering the recent history between them.

The World's Greatest Tag Team lived up to their name here tonight, as they 
took part in a fantastic five star match against Kaientai.  They'll aim to do
the same at Wrestlemania, when they face Kaientai, the Dudleys and the Basham
Brothers in a four-way elimination match.

It has now become apparent that the Undertaker will face Ted DiBiase at the Pay
Per View, with DiBiase now being the man that holds the fate of the nWo in his
hands.  However, in order for DiBiase to get this shot, Jamie Noble had to take
a severe beating from the Dead Man, not that DiBiase particularly cared much.
He now has to find a way to avoid taking such a beating at Wrestlemania.

Goldberg and Scott Steiner will face off one more time at Mania, after Steiner
attempted to injure Goldberg here tonight.  Hopefully this match will finally
bring their simpering feud to an end.

Next Show: Raw