- Unforgiven (2004)
Infobox Wrestling event
name=Unforgiven (2004)
tagline=Insane. Pain. Kane.
theme="Survival of the Sickest" (Saliva) [cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfother.htm|title = Wrestling Information Archive - Other WWF Information|accessdate=2008-01-21]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
date=September 12, 2004
venue=Rose Gardencite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2004/venue/|title=Unforgiven 2004 venue|accessdate=2008-01-20|publisher=WWE]
city=Portland, Oregon
attendance=10,000cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/unforgiven.html#2004|title=Unforgiven 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-01-17|publisher=Pro Wrestling History]
lastevent=SummerSlam (2004)
nextevent=No Mercy (2004)
event=Unforgiven
lastevent2=Unforgiven (2003)
nextevent2=Unforgiven (2005) Unforgiven (2004) was a
professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which took place on September 12, 2004 at the Rose Garden inPortland, Oregon . It was the sixth annual (seventh overall) Unforgiven event. Professional wrestling is a type ofsports entertainment in which theatrical events are combined with a competitive sport. The buildup to the matches and the scenarios that took place before, during, and after the event were planned by WWE's script writers. The event starred wrestlers from the Raw brand: storyline expansions of the promotion where employees are assigned to wrestling brands under the WWE banner.The
main event wasRandy Orton versusTriple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Triple H won by pinfall after executing a Pedigree onto a steel chair. [cite web|first=Chris|last=Sokol|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/09/13/788802.html|title=Unforgiven a good night for HHH|accessdate=2008-01-15|date=2004-09-13|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |work=SLAM! Sports] One of the predominant matches on the card wasShawn Michaels versus Kane in a No Disqualification match, which Michaels won after performing Sweet Chin Music. [cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/september/2004.htm|title=Unforgiven 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=PWWEW.net] Another primary match on the undercard wasChris Jericho versus Christian in aLadder match for the vacantWWE Intercontinental Championship , which Jericho won by retrieving the suspended belt. [cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/uf04.html|title=WWE Unforgiven 2004|accessdate=2008-01-15| publisher=Hoffco]Background
The main feud heading into the event was between
Randy Orton andTriple H over the World Heavyweight Championship. The previous month at SummerSlam, Orton defeatedChris Benoit to win the World Heavyweight Championship, [cite web|first=Jason|last= Clevett|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/08/16/585826.html|title=Orton-Benoit, Guerrero-Angle save SummerSlam|accessdate=2008-01-15|date=2004-08-16|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |work=SLAM! Sports] thus making Orton the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/30445414211|title=Randy Orton's first World Heavyweight Title reign|accessdate=2007-07-10|publisher=WWE] On the August 16, 2004 edition of "Raw", Orton successfully retained the title in a rematch with Benoit. After the match, Evolution (Batista,Ric Flair , and Triple H) threw Orton afake celebration, only to reveal that they were not pleased with his new victory. While Batista had Orton propped on his shoulders in elation, Triple H gave him a pleasedthumbs up ; however, Triple H abruptly changed the thumbs up to a thumbs-down and told Batista to drop Orton to the mat. Flair and Batista then began to beat Orton in the ring as Triple H claimed that Orton was nothing without Evolution.cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040816.html|title=RAW results - August 16, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-15| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the August 23 edition of "Raw", after Orton refused to give Triple H the World title, Orton spat in Triple H's face and hit him with the title belt. Raw General ManagerEric Bischoff then booked a match between the two for the World Heavyweight title at Unforgiven.cite web|url= http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040823.htm|title=The wedding bell tolls|accessdate=2008-01-15|date=2004-08-23|publisher=PWWEW.net] On the August 30 edition of "Raw", Eugene defeated Triple H after Orton interfered and gave Triple H an RKO.cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040830.html|title=RAW results - August 30, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040830.html|title=RAW results - August 30, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] On the September 6 edition "Raw", Orton defeated Kane in a Steel Cage match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, which Orton won by escaping the cage.cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040906.htm|title=The Great Escape|accessdate=2008-01-17|date=2004-09-06| publisher=PWWEW.net] Shortly after the match ended, Ric Flair and Batista came out and, along with Triple H, began attacking Orton.The second main feud heading into the event was between Kane and
Shawn Michaels . This feud began the night after Bad Blood, when Michaels lost aHell in a Cell match to Triple H.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/raw2004.htm|title=Bad Blood 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher= PWWEW.net] cite web|first=Jason|last=Clevett|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/06/14/499219.html|title= Badd Blood a total bore|aaccessdate=2008-01-21|date=2004-06-14|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |work=SLAM! Sports]Jim Ross tried making amends between Michaels and Triple H by making them shake hands. Michaels and Triple H extended their hands to shake, but Kane came out and attacked Michaels, which resulted in Kane crushing Michaels throat with a wedged chair.cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040614.htm|title=Evolution Outlasted|accessdate=2008-01-16|date=2004-06-14|publisher=PWWEW.net] Michaels was then taken out in an ambulance for medical attention. On the June 28, 2004 edition of "Raw", Ross interviewed Kane and asked him to explain his actions towards Michaels; Kane explained that he was robbed of the World Heavyweight Championship at Bad Blood against Chris Benoit, as Michaels got in his way, which angered him. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040628.html|title=RAW results - June 28, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the August 30 edition of "Raw", Kane stated that Eric Bischoff's wedding gift to him and Lita, who married the week before, was to name any match he wanted for Unforgiven. Lita then informed Kane that Bischoff's present was for both of them, where they were able to pick Kane's opponent for Unforgiven, which resulted in Michaels being picked. [cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040830.htm|title=Orton becomes the Hunter| accessdate=2008-01-16|date=2004-08-30|publisher=PWWEW.net]The third main feud heading into the event was between
Chris Jericho and Christian over the vacantWWE Intercontinental Championship . On the September 6, 2004 edition of "Raw", Eric Bischoff stripped Edge of the Intercontinental Championship, after Edge suffered a legit injury. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/040828r.html|title=RAW live results - August 28, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-20|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Christian interrupted Bischoff and stated that all his peeps would riot the streets if Bischoff didn't award him the vacant championship. Jericho suggested that he and Christian wrestle in a match on Raw over the vacant championship. Bischoff, however, booked aLadder match at Unforgiven between Christian and Jericho.Event
Before the event aired live on
pay-per-view , Maven and Rodney Mack (w/Jazz) faced off in a dark match, that took place during a taping of "Sunday Night Heat". Maven pinned Mack with a roll-up after Mack collided with Jazz.Preliminary matches
The first match of the event was the
tag team encounter ofChris Benoit and William Regal against the team of Evolution (Ric Flair and Batista). The match started off with Batista and Chris Benoit, who brawled back and forth until Flair was tagged in. Flair and Benoit exchanged knife edge chops. Batista and Regal then spar, but Batista was able to gain control over Regal, until Benoit and Flair tag in to the match. Benoit and Flair spar back and forth, until Flair applied the Figure four lock only for Benoit to reverse it into the Crippler Crossface, in which Flair submitted to, giving the win to Benoit and Regal.cite web|first=J.D.|last=Dunn|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/32472/The-WWE-Unforgiven-2004-Breakdown.htm|title=The WWE Unforgiven 2004 Breakdown|accessdate=2008-01-17|date=2004-09-12|publisher=411.com] cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/uf04.html|title=Unforgiven 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-03-09|publisher=Hoffco]The next match was the encounter of Victoria and
Trish Stratus (w/Tyson Tomko) for theWWE Women's Championship . Victoria gained control over Stratus early into the match, however, Stratus gained control after Tomko interfered on her behalf. After Stratus gained the advantage, she hit a Stratusfaction on Victoria and got a successful pinfall, thus Stratus winning the match and retaining the Women's Championship. After the match, Tomko tried to attack Victoria, until she was saved by an unknown man in a dress. Tomko then challenged the mystery superstar into a match.The third match was between Tyson Tomko and
Stevie Richards , the man dressed in women's clothing. Tomko quickly gained the advantage after stripping off all of the clothes on Richards, leaving Richards left wearing a pair of woman’s underwear. Tomko continued his attack on Richards by hitting a swinging neckbreaker and winning the match via pinfall.The fourth match was for the vacant
WWE Intercontinental Championship between Christian andChris Jericho in aLadder match . The two superstars brawled early into the match, but they then retrieved ladders and used them to their advantage. Christian was then able to gain control over the match after he performed a running enziguri onto Jericho. The two superstars then continued in a back and forth match, until Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho on Christian, on the top of the ladder, which caused Christian to fall down. Jericho failed to retrieve the title on the first attempt, but was able to set up another ladder and successfully retrieved the title on the second attempt, thus Jericho winning the match and the WWE Intercontinental Championship.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322768|title=Chris Jericho's seventh Intercontinental title reign| accessdate=2008-01-17|publisher=WWE]Main event matches
The next match was a No Disqualification match between Kane (w/Lita) and
Shawn Michaels . Kane would gain the early advantage as hesuplex ed Michaels through the announcers table, which resulted in the table breaking. Kane would continue to brawl with Michaels at ringside where he hit Michaels face first onto the ringside steel steps, which resulted in Michaels bleeding from the forehead. As Kane attempted to hit Michaels with a steel chair, Michaels would counter it with Sweet Chin Music, which gained a successful pinfall.The following match was a tag team match with Tajiri and Rhyno taking on Lá Resistance (
Sylvain Grenier and Robért Conway). There was back and forth action between the two teams, as all the superstars were able to participate in the match. Grenier hit Rhyno with aQuebec flag and managed to pin him and La Resistance winning the match.The seventh and final match was between
Randy Orton andTriple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Both Orton and Triple H managed to get the upper hand in the match. During the match, Ric Flair and Batista interfered on behalf of Triple H, as they attacked Orton while the referee was knocked out.Jonathan Coachman also took part in the match as he ran down with a referee shirt and tried to act as a guest referee. Orton managed to get the upper hand over Flair, Batista and Coachman as he hit an RKO on all three of them. Triple H, however, managed to hit Orton with a steel chair, which proceeded with a Pedigree onto the same chair. Batista then rolled the referee into the ring, as Triple H covered Orton for the win via pinfall.cite web |url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/304454143|title=Triple H's fourth World Heavyweight title reign| accessdate=2008-01-18|publisher=WWE]Aftermath
Following Unforgiven,
Triple H had a celebration thrown in his honor, complete with six women, confetti, streamers and a giant cake.Randy Orton , however, sought revenge, as he lashed out at all three Evolution members, as he came out of the giant cake, which was placed in the center of the ring, and humiliated the stable. [cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040913.htm|title=Surprise Party| accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2004-09-13|publisher=PWWEW.net] Orton was however ineligible to face Triple H at Taboo Tuesday for the World Heavyweight Championship, as he was unable to win a match against Batista, which would have given Orton a championship match.cite web|url= http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040927.htm|title=Flair for the Dramatic|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2004-09-27|publisher=PWWEW.net] On the October 4, 2004 edition of "Raw", three candidates were named as potential contenders for Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship at Taboo Tuesday;Chris Benoit and Edge were revealed as two of the candidates.cite web|url= http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/041004.htm|title=Bright Lights, Big Event| accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2004-10-04|publisher=PWWEW.net]Shawn Michaels , however, competed in a qualifying match, which it saw him defeat Christian, to become the third candidate. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041004.html|title=RAW results - October 4, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-18|date= 2004-10-04|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the October 18 edition of "Raw", a Triple Threat match was scheduled between Michaels, Benoit and Edge, in which Edge won after he pinned Benoit by using the ropes for leverage. [cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/041018.htm|title=Get up and Vote|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2004-10-18|publisher=PWWEW.net] During the match, Michaels injured his knee, [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041018.html|title=RAW results - October 18, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-21|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] which was later revealed that he tore his meniscus. [harv|Michaels|Feigenbaum|2005|p=333] At Taboo Tuesday, Michaels won the fans vote and faced Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, however, Michaels was unable to win the match after Edge interfered and speared Michaels, allowing Triple H to pin him.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/raw2004.htm|title=Taboo Tuesday 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-01-18| publisher=PWWEW.net] cite web|first=Chris|last=Sokol|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/10/20/788799.html|title=Nothing Taboo at Tuesday PPV|accessdate=2008-01-19|date=2004-10-20|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer |work=SLAM! Sports]Randy Orton began a feud with
Ric Flair , after Flair was the one responsible for making Orton lose the match against Batista. Orton would comment on every accomplishment Flair has made and criticized him for calling Triple H the greatest wrestler of all. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040927.html|title=RAW results - September 27, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-18|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Flair retaliated Orton's comments, as he stated that individuals like Shawn Michaels andMick Foley are not legends, therefore Orton isn't a Legend Killer,cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041004.html|title=RAW results - October 4, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] as to Orton's previous feuds with Michaels and Foley in a "Legend versus Legend Killer" match. Flair also stated that he and Orton would have a match at Taboo Tuesday and the fans would have the opportunity to choose what type of match they face in. At Taboo Tuesday, Orton and Flair met in a Steel Cage match, which was the fans selection. Orton won the match after delivering an RKO to Flair. After the match, Flair shook Orton's hand. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/tabootuesday04.html|title=Taboo Tuesday 2004 Results|accessdate=2008-01-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]At Taboo Tuesday,
Chris Jericho lost the Intercontinental Championship toShelton Benjamin via pinfall. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322772|title=Shelton Benjamin's first Intercontinental title reign|accessdate=2008-01-21|publisher=WWE] Benjamin won the vote to face Jericho; [cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/taboo.html#2004|title=WWE Taboo Tuesday|accessdate-2008-01-19|publisher=Pro Wrestling History] [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/history/alltimeresults|title=Taboo Tuesday official results |accessdate=2008-01-21|publisher=WWE] he also was voted over Batista,Jonathan Coachman , Christian, Rhyno, Maven, William Regal, The Hurricane, Tyson Tomko, Tajiri, Steven Richards, Val Venis, Rosey,Chuck Palumbo , and Rodney Mack.On the October 11, 2004 edition of "Raw", La Résistance had to defend the World Tag Team Championship in a match with Eugene and William Regal. Regal hit Sylvain Grenier with a pair of brass knuckles and pinned him to the win the World Tag Team titles. Eric Bischoff, however, restarted the match. The match resulted in La Résistance retaining the titles, after Robért Conway jabbed Regal in the side with a flagpole. Bischoff informed La Resistance that at Taboo Tuesday they were booked to defend the World Tag Team titles against the two individuals who were not chosen to face Triple H for the World title.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041011.html|title=RAW results - October 11, 2004|accessdate=2008-01-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Shawn Michaels won the fans choice, in which it gave Edge and Chris Benoit a World Tag Team title match. Edge, however, abandoned Benoit during the match, which forced Benoit to wrestle both members of La Résistance by himself, in which he managed to force Conway to submit to the Crippler Crossface to win the World Tag Team belts.
Results
Notes
References
* (2004). "Unforgiven [DVD] .
World Wrestling Entertainment ."
*External links
* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2004/ Unforgiven Official Website]
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