By Wade Keller, Torch editor

RAW REPORT
NOVEMBER 29, 2004
LIVE FROM BALTIMORE, MD.

-Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show as they cut to the ring and showed a number of wrestlers already standing in mid-ring for the battle royal. Batista and Chris Jericho got their full ring entrances. Rhyno, Steven Richards, and most surprisingly Coach were among those who did not. Edge and Chris Benoit did not get their entrances, even though they're booked to be co-winners. Vince McMahon then stepped out with a mic in hand. He said Triple H would not be taking part in the battle royal. He said the reason for that is "anyone can win a battle royal, which means anyone could be World Heavyweight Champion." He asked what if Steven Richards won the battle royal? He implied that would disgrace WWE. McMahon said instead, the winner of the battle royal would face Hunter in the main event for the title. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but this qualifies as another "bait and switch." The concept of Hunter being in the battle royal is more intriguing for exactly the reasons McMahon said, so baiting people to tune in to see Hunter in a battle royal only to switch it to a different set of circumstances is another notch against any trust viewers have in anything they hear on WWE TV.

1 -- BATTLE ROYAL FOR A TITLE SHOT

As usual, everyone stood around and punched each other at first. A group ganged up on Viscera to eliminate him first. Tajiri eliminated Rhyno next, prompting Ross to say, "It is indeed every man for himself." Tomko was eliminated third followed by Sylvain. Then Eugene eliminated Maven before they cut to a break at 4:00.

[Commercial Break]

Snitsky went on a streak of eliminating wrestlers including William Regal, Robert Conway, Rosey, and Hurricane. Batista then went on a streak of eliminating wrestlers including Eugene, Tajiri, Val Venis, Christian, and Ric Flair. Flair threw a fit when Batista eliminated him with a clothesline. Batista reacted as if it wasn't intentional and he just didn't know who he turned and hit until it was too late. Flair jumped over the ring barrier and then back to ringside, screaming and ranting. They cut to another break.

[Commercial Break]

After returning from the break, Snitsky was eliminated, leaving a final six of Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Steven Richards, Edge, Batista, and Chris Benoit. Richards got cocky in mid-ring, flaunting that he outlasted Snitsky. Everyone attacked him and easily eliminated him. Jericho eliminated Benjamin. Jericho was eliminated next. Benoit and Edge battled. Batista hit Benoit from behind and set up a Batista Bomb, but Edge dropkicked Batista from behind. Batista flew over the top rope and Benoit landed on the ring apron. The crowd booed Batista's elimination, wanting to see a truly fresh match of Hunter vs. Batista, who is hotter right now by far than Orton was right before his babyface turn. WWE should even consider turning Batista right away and turning Orton back heel and then commit to that for at least a year or two so neither Orton nor Batista end up losing credibility with fans for turning too often (the Lex Luger/Kurt Angle syndrome). Benoit attempted to back suplex Edge off the ring apron. Edge held onto the top rope. Both wrestlers fell to the floor feet-first, resulting in a tie. The two referees disagreed over who hit the ground first, raising each wrestlers' hands.

WINNERS: Edge and Benoit at 18:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4

[Commercial Break]

-After the break, they showed the replay from the original angle where the ring blocked the view. They showed another angle where the ref obscured the view. A third view was shown where again the ref (and, annoyingly, the Raw logo), obscured the view. A fourth still-shot was shown with both feet on the floor, but the fact that they didn't show that footage in motion indicates that it was clear one hit before the other from that unobstructed view, and they didn't want that shown.

-Vince McMahon told guest G.M. Randy Orton that he had a decision to make. Edge stormed into the room and said he won and he deserves the title match. McMahon told him that decision was Orton's. Edge told Orton they've had differences in the past, but if he gives him his title shot, he can have match against him after he wins the belt. He claimed he was screwed at Taboo Tuesday so now is his time. Orton said he had to think about it. Edge didn't like that answer. Orton told him to back off. Edge implored him to do the right thing. He even said "please," then screamed, "I need this." Orton said, "Okay, fine I'll think about it." Edge grabbed his head in frustration.

-Maven told Benjamin backstage that he's had two chances to become WWE Champion the last three weeks and nothing came of it. Eugene walked in with a doll. Maven told him he cost him his shot. He wondered how he even had a belt. Benjamin told him to calm down. Maven said Eugene can't even spell "title," yet he has one. Eugene then spelled "title" correctly, proving Maven wrong, drawing some laughs. When Maven made a move toward Eugene, William Regal stepped in.

-Candice asked Orton if he had a moment. Instinctively, Orton kept walking, but then stopped and said he would make time for Candice. She asked him if she showed too much cleavage. Orton told her that her dress was appropriate and she's believable. Chris Benoit then walked up to Orton and demanded to talk about the title match situation. Benoit said they won at Survivor Series and they should be running the show, but they keep getting shafted. Orton said if he gives Benoit the title shot, he knows he'd win. Orton said he was headed to the ring with a huge announcement and he'd put an end to the controversy.

[Commercial Break]

-Lawler and Ross plugged the WWE.com online poll: Who do you think won the battle royal? Edge or Benoit? How does one even have an informed opinion on that? Lawler said at the WWE website, he was chatting with fans in a live chatroom. "I'm multitasking!" he said. Orton then said an announcer would be wrestling. J.R. got nervous and Lawler chuckled. Orton said it would be Lawler, who was celebrating his birthday, facing Ric Flair in a legends match. Lawler was happy. He took off his headset so he could go change into his wrestling gear. Wait, even though he rarely wrestles on Raw, he always wears his wrestling gear. Orton then shifted to talking about the battle royal controversy. Orton said if one of them faces Hunter, there's a 50 percent chance Hunter will walk out of champion. Orton said in order to reduce Hunter's odds to 33 percent, he was putting all three in the ring at once. Orton still looks like he's forcing his babyface persona.

2 -- LITA & VICTORIA vs. TRISH STRATUS & MOLLY HOLLY

Lita and Victoria came out to Lita's music. Trish and Molly came out to Trish's music. No surprise. If there's a difference between the stature of partners, the bigger name gets the music. If they're even or close to even, rather than bruise egos, they usually have each come out to his or her own music. Coach joined Ross on commentary. You knew that was coming. He said he would be with Ross for the rest of the show. At 5:00 Victoria hot-tagged in Lita, who pounded away at Trish with a flurry of offense, then knocked Molly off the ring apron. Coach complained she was using closed fists. Coach said Lita was way too aggressive for him. Molly broke up a sleeper by Lita on Trish. A minute later Lita DDT'd Trish for a clean pin.

WINNERS: Lita & Victoria at 6:50.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- High-energy match.

[Commercial Break]

-A compilation vignette aired of past vignettes with Hassan and Daivari. It came across as if they were very angry and volatile. Nothing new, but the way it was spliced together shows that they plan to keep going forth with this gimmick which is meant to exploit the fears non-Arab-Americans have of Arab-looking people in America while copping out by saying they're not terrorists, just innocent guys who are bitter and overreacting to discrimination against them.

3 -- RIC FLAIR vs. JERRY LAWLER

Coach talks a lot more than Lawler usually does. Coach and Ross talked about the career accomplishments of Flair and Lawler. Flair did the flop early on. At 3:45 when Flair made a comeback, Lawler pulled his strap down to signal his comeback. Lawler hit the fistdrop off the second rope. He hit a second time. That meant a lot more before those luchadors from Mexico and that damn Mick Foley ruined everything for people like Lawler. Lawler scored a near fall with an inside cradle on Flair. Flair clipped Lawler from behind, then applied the figure-four. Lawler's shoulders were down so the ref counted to two before he lifted his left shoulder. Coach declared that Flair was about to beat Lawler. Lawler was about to reverse it, but Flair grabbed the middle rope to stop it. Then Lawler tapped out.

WINNER: Flair at 6:18.

STAR RATING: * -- Passable action from these two legends. Their bag of tricks isn't quite as effective given their age and the era they're using them in, but they still had enough presence to make it seem like a worthy novelty match.

-Orton showed disappointment backstage that Lawler didn't win. Orton then gave Melina, a Raw Diva Wannabe, a job. She said if there was anything she could do to pay him back, let him know. Maria, another Raw Diva Wannabe, stepped in. He told them both he had a great idea. He was going to have them compete in a lingerie contest. Orton still comes across as a conceited ladies man rather than a likable, entertaining "wanna have a beer with him" type figure like Rock, Mick Foley, and Steve Austin.

-Coach and Lawler plugged the Triple Threat Match. Ross noted that Benoit has never lost a triple threat match against Hunter.

-WrestleMania Recall was Benoit making Hunter tap last year at WrestleMania 20 to win the World Hvt. Title.

[Commercial Break]

-A brief personal profile aired on Shelton Benjamin.

-Randy Orton said as G.M., it's his duty to delivery a hot show, and that includes hot women. He called a gathering of women to the ring including Malena, Maria, and Candice. He announced a lingerie pageant with them along with Christy Hemme, . Orton said he Spike TV wouldn't allow any extra time for the show, so the women wouldn't have time to change. They'd have to disrobe, revealing whatever they were wearing already. All of the women, of course, were more than eager and willing. One at a time, the women stripped down. Coach said everyone in the arena and watching at home wants to be Randy Orton (other than straight women, gay men, men who are into fat women, normal-looking women, ethnic women, older women, or even their woman), getting an up-close look. Ross said, "I have a feeling this is going to be TiVo'd to death. Orton said after each stripped down that it was time for a group hug. Orton came across more like a guy at a feast throwing scraps to the starving peons than a cool guy "just like us." He comes across as patronizing.

[Commercial Break - including a Simon Dean spot]

4 -- EUGENE & WILLIAM REGAL vs. LA RESISTANCE -- World Tag Team Title match

Eugene won with a Stunner on Conway. During the post-match celebration, Maven yanked Eugene out of the ring and rammed him into the ringside stairs. The crowd booed Maven. Coach said he didn't know why Maven did it, but he liked it. Ross said that was going too far.

WINNERS: Eugene & Regal at 3:45 to retain the World Tag Titles.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Too short to amount to much.

[Commercial Break]

-Chris Jericho told Trish that she looks good even with the nose protector. Trish said she doesn't mind losing because she's still champion. Trish then told Jericho it's been so long since he's been champion, he probably doesn't remember what being a champ was like. Jericho said next week when he's G.M., it will be the biggest party ever on Raw. Jericho asked Trish to let him know if she knows any "hot chicks." Jericho told her she is going to defend the Women's Title next week against Lita. "Party on, Trish," said Jericho. "See you next week."

-Flair told Batista they should have master minded a strategy to win the battle royal together in order to protect Hunter. Batista didn't confirm he agreed with Flair. Hunter then walked in. Flair told Hunter he has his back and he's behind him every night. Batista just looked at Hunter and said, "Yeah, I've got your back, too, man." He said so unconvincingly. Batista has something that many wrestlers don't have - a natural sense of how to communicate a point without subtlety rather than overacting. He's not just getting more cheers than Orton these days, he's also already more likable than Orton in terms of his on-air persona. He's the surprising rising star of the year so far as far as camera presence and charisma. Now if his matches keep improving, his weak point won't be as big of a liability as it seemed it would be just six months ago.

[Commercial Break]

-A plug aired for "WWE 24/7." Coach and Ross plugged it. When Ross says he's going to be watching "WWE 24/7," I tend to believe him. I can't think of one of his play-by-play colleagues whom I could say that about. Not Michael Cole or Marc Loyd or Todd Grisham.

5 -- TRIPLE H vs. CHRIS BENOIT vs. EDGE -- World Hvt. Title match

The usual pre-commercial batch of rapid-fire spots with no one gaining the advantage. Benoit knocked Hunter and Edge over the top rope with a clothesline at 2:45, then dove through the ropes onto both. That led to the commercial break, of course.

[Commercial Break]

Coach said the three-way match was completely unfair for Triple H. Yet again, no matter what happens, the goal is to make fans ever-frustrated with Hunter somehow finding a way to escape an odds-against-him situation with the title. When Benoit applied a Crossface, Batista and Flair ran to the ring. Batista yanked Benoit off of Hunter. Orton ran to the ring and ordered Batista and Flair to the back. Batista left willingly with a smile on his face. Flair threw a bit more of a protest. Edge rolled up Hunter from behind for a near fall. Edge followed up with a DDT on Hunter for a near fall. At the top of the hour, Ross reset the scene for the tends of thousands of new viewers who always watch the overrun but not much else. Hunter went for a Pedigree, but Edge countered, then Benoit gave Hunter a German suplex. He followed by snap-suplexing Edge onto Triple H. Hunter rolled out of the ring. Benoit applied the Sharpshooter on Edge. Ross said it was only a matter of time, confirming it was only a matter of time before something happened to break up the hold. Hunter threw Orton head-first into the ringpost at ringside. Then he entered the ring and broke up the submission hold. Benoit threw Edge in a spear-like move into Hunter in the corner. Benoit gave Edge consecutive German suplexes. Hunter set Benoit up for a Pedigree, but Benoit backdropped out of it, sending Hunter to the floor. Benoit climbed to the top rope. Edge caught him up there. Benoit headbutted Edge to the mat. The ref got knocked down. Hunter shoved Benoit to the mat, which in a three-way match is legal. Hunter then grabbed a chair. Orton yanked it away from him, then bashed Hunter across the skull with a chair. Hunter bumped into the front rows of seats. Coach declared, "We are going to have a new champion right here, right now, tonight." Benoit put Edge in a Crossface. Edge came close to tapping. The crowd was standing and cheering. Edge powered Benoit onto his back and the ref counted Benoit's shoulders down as Edge tapped. Edge, who was bleeding from his nose, held the World Title belt in his arms. His music began to play. Benoit protested as two refs argued over what happened. Earl Hebner yanked the belt away from Edge and gave it to Benoit. Benoit's music played. Benoit held the belt over his head in the corner. Mike Keota yanked the belt away from Benoit and gave it back to Edge. Orton entered the ring and talked with the refs. Hunter was shown just coming to at ringside. He screamed, "No!" Ross said history was just made, but they don't know who the champion is. The logical thing to do would be to have Edge and Benoit have a rematch without Hunter involved to crown the champion, but that won't be what happens since somehow Hunter will have to end up keeping the belt by fluke.

WINNER: Edge or Benoit at 14:27.

STAR RATING: *** -- Good TV match. The facial expressions of Benoit and Edge during the post-match controversy were passionate and convincing.

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