Backlash (2005)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Backlash (2005)


tagline=
theme="Stronger" by Trust Company
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
date=May 1 2005
venue=Verizon Wireless Arena
city=Manchester, New Hampshire
attendance=14,000cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/backlash.html#2005|title=Backlash 2005 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2008-04-22]
lastevent=WrestleMania 21|nextevent=Judgment Day (2005)
event=Backlash
lastevent2=Backlash (2004)
nextevent2=Backlash (2006)

Backlash (2005) was the seventh annual Backlash professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on May 1 2005 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The main event was Batista versus Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Batista won by pinfall after executing a Batista Bomb.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/mainevent/|title=Batista vs. Triple H World Heavyweight Championship Match|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-22] One of the predominant matches on the undercard was Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels versus Muhammad Hassan and Daivari, which Hogan and Michaels won after Hogan pinned Daivari following Sweet Chin Music from Michaels.cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/backlash.html#2005|title=Backlash 2005 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2008-04-22] cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlashresults/|title=WWE Backlash 2005 results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-22] Another primary match on the card was Edge versus Chris Benoit in a Last Man Standing match, which Edge won after Benoit failed to get to his feet before the referee counted to ten.cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/backlash.html#2005|title=Backlash 2005 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2008-04-22] cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlashresults/|title=WWE Backlash 2005 results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-22]

Most, but not all, of the existing feuds concluded after the event. After Backlash, Batista continued to feud with Triple H over the World Heavyweight Championship, which led to a match at Vengeance for the title.cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance05.html| title=Vengeance 2005 results|accessdate=2008-02-12| publisher=Online World of Wrestling] After Vengeance, Batista was drafted to the SmackDown! brand, thus ending his feud with Triple H.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/smackdown/050630.htm|title=Jackpot|accessdate=2008-02-17|date=2005-06-30|publisher=PWWEW.net] cite web|url= http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050630.html|title=SmackDown! results - June 30, 2005|accessdate=2008-02-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Michaels and Hogan worked as a tag team until they defeated Kurt Angle and Carlito on an episode of "Raw".cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050704.html|title=Raw results - July 4, 2005|accessdate=2008-02-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] During the post-match pose, Michaels superkicked Hogan, which knocked Hogan to the ground. The following week, Michaels challenged Hogan to a match at SummerSlam, [cite web|first=Alex|last=Obal|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30955/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-07.11.05.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 07.11.05|accessdate=2008-02-19|date=2005-07-11|publisher=411mania.com] which Hogan won. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam05.html|title=SummerSlam 2005 results|accessdate= 2008-02-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

Background

The main feud heading into Backlash was between Batista and Triple H, with the two battling over the World Heavyweight Championship. At the Royal Rumble, Batista won the Royal Rumble match by last eliminating John Cena. [cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2005/05/02/1021811.html|first=Dale|last=Plummer| coauthors=Tylwalk, Nick|title=Royal Rumble 2005|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-10-24] The next night on "Raw", Evolution, (Triple H and Ric Flair) congratulated Batista, who was also a member of Evolution, on his Royal Rumble victory. Batista was then interrupted by John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), who appeared up on the TitanTron and told Batista that if he wanted to come to "SmackDown" and face him for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21, then he would be disappointed. Triple H then said that if Batista wanted the WWE Championship he would take it, but Triple H said that it would be Triple H versus Batista at WrestleMania.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050131.html|title=January 31, 2005 Raw results|accessdate=2007-08-27|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Three weeks later on "Raw", Batista had a contract signing to either stay on Raw or go to SmackDown. Batista chose Raw and attacked Triple H and Ric Flair by performing a Batista Bomb on Triple H through a table, and he told Triple H that he was going to take the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1113883992.shtml|title=Raw Results: 2/21 - Penn State University (Batista contract signing)|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] At WrestleMania, Batista defeated Triple H to win the championship by pinning Triple H after executing a Batista Bomb. [cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2005/04/03/981377.html|first=Dale|last=Plummer| coauthors=Tylwalk, Nick|title=WrestleMania 21|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-10-24] Three weeks later on "Raw", Triple H had a No Disqualification match against Jim Ross, which Ross won by pinfall after Batista interfered and hit Triple H in the head with a steel chair. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1113883992.shtml|title=Raw Results: 4/18 - New York City (Triple H/Batista)|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] One week later, Batista defeated Christian in a match after pinning him. After the match, Triple H started to attack Batista, which was then proceeded by Triple H performing a Pedigree on Batista. Triple H then told Batista that he would be taking the World Heavyweight Championship from him at Backlash. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1114488483.shtml|title=Raw Results: 4/25 - Birmingham, UK (Triple H's revenge)|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02]

Another feud heading into Backlash was between Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels against Muhammad Hassan and Daivari. The feud began one night after WrestleMania, when Michaels thanked the fans for their support although losing at WrestleMania. Hassan then come out to taunt Michaels. As a result, Michaels started to attack Hassan and Daivari until Daivari attacked Michaels knee and left Michaels unconscious in the ring. [cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/05/983199.html|first=Dale|last=Plummer| coauthors=Tylwalk, Nick|title=The talk after WrestleMania|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-10-24] One week later on "Raw", Daivari won a match with Michaels after Hassan interfered. The next week on "Raw", Michaels faced Hassan in a one-on-one match. Michaels won the match by disqualification after Daivari interfered. After the match, Hassan and Daivari attacked Michaels until Hogan come out to help Michaels. Hogan and Michaels attacked Hassan and Daivari and celebrated in the ring. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1113883992.shtml|title=Raw Results: 4/18 - New York City (Michaels/Hogan) (Hassan/Daivari)|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02]

Another primary feud heading into Backlash was between Edge and Chris Benoit. The feud started at WrestleMania, were there was a Money in the Bank Ladder match, which featured six performers from the Raw brand. Edge won the match by retrieving the belt after hitting Benoit in the arm with a steel chair. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1112583710.shtml|title=WWE WrestleMania 21 PPV Results - 4/3/05 - Los Angeles, CA|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] The next night on "Raw", Edge signed a contract to face Benoit later on that night. Benoit won the match by pinfall after performing a roll-up. After the match, Edge attacked Benoit by hitting his injured arm twice with a steel chair. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1112670613.shtml|title= Benoit vs. Edge|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] One week later on "Raw", Benoit lost a match to Christian after Tyson Tomko and Edge interfered. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1113279748.shtml|title= Raw results: Benoit vs. Christian|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] The next week on "Raw", Benoit got his rematch against Edge. The match ended in a no-contest after both men started brawling outside of the ring into the backstage area, which was broken up by referees. Eric Bischoff then said to both men that the two would be in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1113883992.shtml|title= Raw results: Benoit vs. Edge (rematch|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02]

Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Tyson Tomko defeated Val Venis on "Sunday Night Heat".cite web|url=http://warned.net/WWEBacklash2005.html|accessdate=2008-04-30|title=WWE Backlash 2005 Results|publisher=Warned.net] cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/bkl05.html|accessdate=2008-04-30|title=WWE Backlash 2005 Results|publisher=Hoff Co, Inc.: CompleteWWE.com]

The first match of the event was Shelton Benjamin versus Chris Jericho for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. The match started out with Benjamin having the upper hand. Benjamin then hit a springboard off the ropes, but Jericho countered it with a huricanrana off the ring apron to the floor. Jericho utilized a chin lock on Benjamin. Jericho then climbed to the top rope, but was stopped by Benjamin when he leaped to the top rope hitting a superplex on Jericho. Jericho then hit a running enzuigiri, but only got a near fall. Benjamin hit the T-Bone Suplex, but Jericho put his foot under the bottom rope to stop the pin. Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho, but Benjamin got to the rope. Jericho then locked in the Walls of Jericho again but Benjamin countered by flipping it into a roll-up to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

The next match was the Tag Team Turmoil match for the World Tag Team Championship. Tajiri and William Regal were the champions heading into the match. The teams come out at random, but it was the champions Tajiri and William Regal who come out first. The Heart Throbs come out second. Tajiri utilized a lot of kicks and then locked in the Tarantula. The Heart Throbs then kept Tajiri isolated, but Tajiri pinned Antonio with a roll-up. Simon Dean and Maven entered into the match next, trying to pick apart the weakened Tajiri. That elimination did not last very long as Regal made the tag and cleaned house, putting Dean away with a shot to the head. La Résistance came in next, but Regal and Tajiri tried to fight back. Regal was then rolled up, with a handful of tights. Rosey and The Hurricane were the last two men to enter the match. Hurricane was then smashed on the turnbuckle post. Hurricane and Rosey got the pin when Hurricane leapt off the shoulders of Rosey, who was perched on the top rope to grab the win.

The third match of the night was a Last Man Standing match between Edge and Chris Benoit. The match started out with Benoit getting the upper hand. Edge then got the upper hand by throwing Benoit sternum first into the turnbuckles. Benoit then applied the Sharpshooter on Edge. Benoit then performed multiple German Suplexes on Edge, which sent Edge outside to the floor. Benoit dived through the ropes, but was met with a trash can lid to the face. Edge hit a superplex on Benoit through a trash can. Edge grabbed a ladder and dragged it into the ring, only to get a German suplex off of the ladder. Benoit missed a diving headbutt off the top of the ladder, Edge grabbed the Money in the Bank briefcase, but was caught in the Crippler Crossface. Edge got out of the Crippler Crossface and performed a Edgecution on Benoit on the briefcase. Benoit reached his feet at nine, only to get speared by Edge. After spearing Benoit again, Edge pulled a brick out of his briefcase and hit Benoit in the back of his head, leaving Benoit unable to answer the ten count.

The next match for the night was Kane, accompanied by Lita, versus Viscera, accompanied by the WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus. Kane's early attempts to take Viscera off his feet resulted in Kane being knocked down. Viscera then was clotheslined out of the ring by Kane. Trish tried to hit Kane with a steel chair, but Lita hit her with a crutch. Viscera then executed a choke-powerbomb on Kane, but only got a two count. Kane then come back and hit a big boot and a chokeslam to get the pinfall. Trish then verbally slammed Viscera, who responded by performing a bear hug and a splash on Trish, who was then taken out on a stretcher. [cite video|year=2005|title=Backlash 2005|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE Home Video]

The fifth match of the night was Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels versus Muhammad Hassan and Daivari. Hogan and Hassan started things off and Hassan was immediately sent into the turnbuckles. Hogan double clotheslined both his opponents and then he and Michaels teamed up with a big double boot to the face of Hassan. Michaels climbed to the top rope but missed an elbow drop. Daivari was tossed outside where Hogan bashed him. Michaels hit Daivari with a flying forearm and a nip up. Michaels was about to hit Daivari with Sweet Chin Music, but instead Hassan hit Michaels with a lead pipe. Hassan then took advantage and locked Michaels in the Camel Clutch. Michaels fought his way to his feet and dropped Hassan with an Electric Chair Drop. Hogan then got tagged in and went for a leg drop to Daivari, but was instead hit with a lead pipe by Hassan. As the referee has his back turned at Hogan, Michaels hit Daivari with Sweet Chin Music allowing Hogan to get the pinfall and win the match for his team.

The main event was for the World Heavyweight Championship between champion Batista and Triple H. In the opening seconds Flair grabbed Batista's leg, providing the distraction necessary for Triple H to attack Batista and gain an early advantage. Both men attempted to hit their finishers early on, but both attempts failed. Triple H went for another Pedigree attempt, but was backdropped over the top rope to the floor. Batista returned to the ring and walked into a spinebuster for a two count. Batista then went for a Batista Bomb, but Triple H hit Batista in the head with the championship belt. Batista performed a spinebuster on Triple H, but their was no referee to make the pin. Jack Doan then run put and made the pin, but only got a two count. A second Batista Bomb attempt was stopped with a low blow by Triple H. Triple H then backed Batista into a corner and punched him ten times. Batista then performed another Batista Bomb to win the match and retain the championship.

Aftermath

The next night on "Raw", General Manager Eric Bischoff held a Gold Rush Tournament to determine who would be the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. The matches were Kane versus Christian, Shawn Michaels versus Shelton Benjamin, Edge versus Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit versus Triple H. Kane, Michaels, Edge and Benoit all advanced to the next round. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1115695780.shtml|title= Raw results:Gold Rush Tournament|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] The next week, Edge faced Michaels and Kane faced Benoit. Edge and Kane advanced to the finals. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1115695780.shtml|title= Raw results:Gold Rush Tournament second round|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] One week later the finals took place between Edge and Kane. Edge won the tournament after Lita helped Edge win. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1116301356.shtml|title= Raw results:Gold Rush Tournament final round|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] One week later, Edge faced Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. Batista won the match by pinfall after executing a Batista Bomb. [cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2007-08-27|url= http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1116301356.shtml|title= Raw results:Batista vs. Edge World Heavyweight Championship match|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-03-02] Edge then started a feud with Kane, which lasted until Kane defeated him at Vengeance.cite news|title=Vengeance 2005 Results|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2005/results/|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-07-29] cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1119840757.shtml|title=Vengeance (Raw brand) PPV Results - 6/26/05 - Las Vegas, Nevada|accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2005-06-26|publisher=WrestleView.com]

The next night on "Raw", Triple H and Batista verbally taunted each other.cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1115092744.shtml|title=Triple H and Batista confrontation|accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2005-06-26|publisher=WrestleView.com] Three weeks later, after Batista's world title match against Edge, Ric Flair attacked Batista. Triple H then came out and hit Batista with a sledgehammer. Afterwards, Triple H told Batista that they were going to have a match in a Hell in a Cell and performed a Pedigree on Batista onto the title.cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1116908158.shtml|title=5/23/05 Raw results |accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2005-06-26|publisher=WrestleView.com] At Vengeance, Batista retained the title against Triple H to end the feud.cite web|first=Larry|last=Csonka|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30979/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-10.03.05.htm|title=411’s WWE Raw Report 10.03.05|accessdate=2008-03-28|date=2005-10-03|publisher=411mania.com] In June, Batista was drafted to SmackDown in the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery.

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/ Official Backlash 2005 website]