Raw

Card Information:
 Held in: FREEDOM HALL
Location: KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES
          on July 2005 at 9:00pm

Interview:
Shane O Mac reveals the stipulation...
Click here to see highlights.

Shane reveals that he and Hollywood Hogan will clash in a stretcher match at
Vengeance.


Chris Benoit defeated Steven Richards by disqualification in 0:05:09.
Rating: *** 1/4
[Dean Malenko interfered against Chris Benoit.]
(Christopher Daniels no-showed.)

Richards took over from Christopher Daniels, who was unable to make it to the
building in time.  Dean Malenko's involvement was a ruse set up by Randy Orton.
As Benoit tried to get to Malenko after the match, Orton ran out from the crowd
and attacked his challenger, hitting him with the RKO.


Brian Kendrick pinned Shannon Moore after a side step in 0:09:45.
Rating: *** 1/2

At Vengeance, there will be a six man elimination Cruiserweight Match.  Already
signed up for the match are the Hurricane, Tajiri and Dean Malenko.  By winning
this match, Brian Kendrick has also earned himself a spot.


Interview:
Edge tries to explain...
Click here to see highlights.

Edge claims that he did not attack Val Venis last Thursday.  But if he didn't,
then who did?


Paul London defeated Chavo Guerrero by disqualification in 0:05:43.
Rating: ** 3/4

Chavo's insane actions against the referee got him disqualified.  London will
now partake in the 6-way match at Vengeance.


Number-One-Contenders-Towel Match:
Thug Life (John Cena and Tazz) (w/Cactus Jack) defeated
La Resistance (Rene Dupree and Sylvan Grenier) (w/Shawn Michaels) with the
Tazzmission in 0:15:00.
Rating: *** 3/4

Shawn Michaels through in the towel for La Resistance, thus giving Thug Life
the title shot at Vengeance.  Dupree and Grenier were about ready to take out
their frustration on HBK, when they remembered that they were on the wrong end
of a 4 on 2 disadvantage.  Champions and Challengers shook hands afterwards.


Interview:
Partners are deserted...
Click here to see highlights.

Vader decides not to partake in the next match, turning it from a tag match 
into a handicap match.


Handicap-Match:
Eddie Guerrero and Masahiro Chono defeated William Regal when Chono pinned Regal
 after a power bomb in 0:02:19.
Rating: ***

Regal didn't last very long with the 2 on 1 disadvantage.  However, he'll be
looking to do much better against Guerrero on Sunday, when Hardcore rules will
apply.


Evolution (Ric Flair and Triple H) defeated The Rock and Steve Austin when HHH
 pinned S. Austin with the Pedigree in 0:24:39.
Rating: *** 1/4
Click here to see highlights.

Helmsley managed to pin Austin, although there was definite Sledgehammer
use involved.  Rock seemed unhappy with the loss, but took out his frustration
on Ric Flair instead of the Rattlesnake.



Card rating: *** 1/4


Match observations: 

With just one more show to go before Vengeance, the card is starting to take
its final shape.  We know now that Shawn Michaels and Cactus Jack will defend
their titles against Thug Life, while Shane McMahon vs Hollywood Hogan will be
a stretcher match, as those two look to bring their feud to an end.

Triple H definitely has the advantage going into the triple threat match at
Vengeance.  However, he may find that he loses that advantage on Smackdown,
as he will face Stone Cold Steve Austin one-on-one, with The Rock donning the
stripes as special referee.

Based upon tonight's opening match, a special 3 on 2 handicap match has been
signed for Smackdown as well.  It will be Randy Orton, Christopher Daniels and
Dean Malenko going up against the two title challengers at Vengeance, Chris
Benoit and Chris Jericho.  This should prove to be a very interesting match.

There will be one last qualifying match on Smackdown for the 6 way Cruiser
weight match at Vengeance.  We don't yet know who'll be in it, but it has been
rumoured that one of the participants will be Ultimo Dragon.

Vader and Chono is shaping up to be a big match at Vengeance.  Vader refused
to fight Chono here tonight, but who knows what Chono will have up his sleeve
before the big event?  Or will he simply respect Vader's wishes, and wait for
the PPV to fight?

Next Show: Smackdown