Story By: Keith Wilcutt
June 27, 2004
Thanks to John Permaul for sending in the following report:
Opening:
Howard Finkel came out and greeted the crowd. He introduced
Lilian Garcia, who sang the “Star Spangled Banner”. Part way
through La Resistance’s theme came on and they made their way
to the ring. They began to sing the Canadian national anthem
before being interrupted by Rhyno.
La Resistance vs. Rhyno & Tajiri:
The crowd chanted “ECW” at the start of the match for Rhyno and
Tajiri. The crowd was really into the match and both Rhyno and
Tajiri made several close pinfalls. In the end La Resistance used
their two man double finisher to pick up the win.
Eugene vs. Anyone Eugene Wants:
After the La Resistance victory, both of them started waving their
native flags and started to sing the Canadian anthem once more. Eugene
then makes his way out to the ring and picked up a flag and waved it.
As Eugene waved, he hit Sylvain Grenier in the head with the flag staff,
and then as Rob Conway pulled the flag from Eugene, he got hit with it too.
Eric Bischoff then makes his way out and makes Eugene an offer. Since this
is Madison Square Garden, Eugene gets to fight anybody he wishes. His choice
of an opponent was none other than Eric Bischoff.
Eugene vs. Eric Bischoff:
This match was very entertaining and funny. Bischoff was dressed in his suit
and Eugene did a lot of counter holds on his. Part way through the Coach comes
out to help uncle Eric, which led Bischoff to change the match to Eugene vs.
The Coach.
Eugene vs. The Coach
This match was similar to the one at Bad Blood. Eugene rolled up into a ball
and played “pe-knuckles” with The Coach and Bischoff. When both of them double
teamed Eugene, William Regal came out to help Eugene. Eugene nailed both the
Rock Bottom and the People’s Elbow to pick up the victory. When Bischoff stepped
into the ring Eugene delivered the Stone Cold Stunner onto him.
Matt Hardy vs. Kane:
Lita comes out and calls out Matt Hardy. As soon as Matt Hardy gets to the ring
Kane’s theme comes on and he makes his way to the ring. Fans backed up both
superstars. Hardy did a lot of high flying moves, but in the end Kane won with
the chokeslam. After Kane leaves Lita goes to check on Matt Hardy, but Matt
shrugs Lita away and leaves her in the ring.
The Hurricane & Maven vs. Test & Garrison Cade:
The fans were fully behind Hurricane and Maven. The match went back and forth
a lot, with Test & Cade having the upperhand for most of the match. In the end
Hurricane and Maven got the victory after Test accidently hit Cade with the big
boot, which left Test vulernable for the defeat.
Chris Jericho vs. Batista:
Many Batista fans were present, but the majority of the fans backed Jericho.
The fans were really into this match and there was a lot of action. Batista
was able to break out of all the Walls of Jericho attempts, and likewise,
Jericho broke out of Batista’s finisher. In the end, Jericho was able to get
the victory after doing a quick rollup on Batista.
Randy Orton vs. Edge:
Randy Orton got a really good reaction from the crowd. Edge got a huge one as
well. Ric Flair did not come out, with worked in favor of Edge. Edge had several
nearfalls. However, at one point Randy Orton took off the top turnbuckle padding.
He then hit Edge’s head into the exposed steel, rolled up Edge, and then put his
feet on the ropes to pick up the victory.
Trish vs. Victoria:
Trish and Tyson Tomko came out and Trish got booed by the majority. She then took
the microphone and said New York City was her favorite city to wrestle in. The fans
started to cheer, but then she said it’s her favorite city to wrestle in since in
two hours she’ll be leaving New York City. Victoria then made her way out to the
ring. Fit Finley was sitting at ringside during this match as well. A lot of back
and forth action, but at times Tyson helped Trish out. Trish was able to pick up
the victory after Victoria missed a moonsault, and then Trish rolled her up and
used the ropes to her advantage.
After the match Tyson went to beat up Victoria, but a mysterious woman came out to
save here.
Chris Benoit vs. Triple H:
This match was billed as the WrestleMania XX Rematch. Triple H came out first to a
huge reaction. Ric Flair accompanied him. Benoit came out to an equally huge fan
reaction. After both got into the ring, all the fans started “You tapped out” chants.
After about five minutes of chanting, Ric Flair took the microphone and said he’ll
count to ten. If he gets to ten Triple H and Ric Flair would both leave and the fans
would get no championship match. Flair actually got up to five, with the fans chanting
louder and louder as he counted. After about fifteen minutes of the fans chanting the match
officially began.
The fans cheered every time Benoit knocked down Triple H. Triple H was able to mount an offense
and take control for part of the match. Every time Benoit was thrown outside Ric Flair attacked
him. Later on Benoit put Triple H in the sharpshooter, which resulted in the fans going crazy.
HHH nearly tapped out, but got to the ropes. At one point Benoit almost nailed the referee,
then as he turned around ducked a clothesline from Triple H and The Game hit down the referee.
This led to Batista coming out and powerbombing Benoit. When the referee got up Triple H almost
got a pinfall. HHH then went to pedigree Benoit, but after positioning Benoit and jumping up to
deliver the move, Benoit escaped mid-move and applied the Crippler Crossface. Soon after Triple
H tapped out.
Other Notes:
The arena was about 70-80 percent full (the entire top two levels were empty, but for house
shows here at the Garden nobody sits in those sections). I was here with my brother, Moses,
and cousin, Mark. This was billed as the last WWE show in New York City for the summer. It
is also the first WWE show at Madison Square Garden since WrestleMania XX. The fans were
into every single match.
The two biggest highlights were the championship match, and the Eugene vs. Eric Bischoff segment.
In the parking lot no superstars signed autographs. Everyone crowded into 33rd Street and the
police had move people since they were blocking traffic. I was able to see Edge, Steven Richards,
and Kane leave. As soon as I got there the fans were chanting Shane McMahon’s name, so he was
probably backstage at the event.
Source: Prowrestling
|
