Monday night was not a regular episode of Raw, it was a tribute to a man who inspired and touched the lives of many. It was for Eddie Guerrero.
Throughout the night, wrestlers took the time to share their thoughts in
pre-taped interviews. Everyone from Chris Benoit to Rey Mysterio to Batista to
Triple H took a turn, explaining just how much Guerrero meant to the wrestling
business and to his family. Guerrero was a true asset to the business.
Those tributes were accompanied by many classic Guerrero clips as well as a
music video, displaying both the "Wrestling" side of him, as well as the "Family
Man." Guerrero spraying The Big Show with sewage was shown, followed by some of
his classic vignettes with Chavo Guerrero, as well as his Championship win and
moments with Chris Benoit, Triple H and others.
To open the show, Vince McMahon and the entire WWE roster stood by for a ten-bell salute, as
well as a commemorative music video, scored to Johnny Cash's version of Hurt, highlighting Guerrero's illustrious career.
*NOTE* (All storylines were pushed to the wayside and
rightfully so, making this night a series of mostly Inter-Promotional
matches.)
Match Results:
Match One - The Big Show and Kane vs MNM w/ Melina
Glorified squash match here. The Big Show and Kane just demolished the
SmackDown! Tag champs. Show even got a little action from the lovely Melina. A
Double Chokeslam to Nitro finished things off, earning the Raw champs a big
victory.
Winners Via Pinfall - The Big Show and Kane
Match Two - Kurt Angle vs Shelton Benjamin
A more mat-based match between two men who know each other very well.
Angle used the German belly to-belly suplex to great success, while Benjamin
tried to use his speed to his advantage. The Angle Slam only garnered a two
count, but when Angle shifted in midair during a suplex attempt, the Ankle Lock
was locked in, forcing Benjamin to submit.
Winner Via Submission - Kurt Angle
Match Three - Rey Mysterio vs "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn
Michaels
Match got off to a slow pace, but quickly elevated in intensity. Mysterio
showed his inner Guerrero a little bit during the match, doing a little salsa
dance. Mysterio was able to dodge the bullet on Sweet Chin Music, allowing him
to take down Michaels and execute the 6-1-9, followed by a drop of the dime for
the one-two-three. Post match, both men hugged.
Winner Via Pinfall - Rey Mysterio
Match Four - Divas Battle Royal - Melina vs Maria vs Ashley vs
Victoria vs Christy Hemme vs Jillian Hall vs Candice Michelle vs Trish Stratus
vs Mickie James
All the divas came out wearing Eddie Guerrero T-shirts that they threw to
the crowd before the match got underway. Typical divas battle royal, with Trish
Stratus and Melina outlasting the other seven combatants. Stratus went to hit
Stratusfaction, but was thrown over the top rope and to the floor by
Melina.
Winner - Melina
Match Five - Eugene vs Simon Dean
Comedy match for the crowd. Eugene mocked a few wrestlers, paying homage to
Guerrero, The Rock and The Junkyard Dog. Dean worked himself into a frenzy and
was met with a Rock Bottom for the three count. In a Guerrero-inspired move, Eugene
took off on Dean's scooter after the match.
Winner Via Pinfall - Eugene
Match Six - "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs William
Regal
This was a pro Flair match, in which Flair went to town on the legs of
Regal, tearing them apart. After applying many submission holds, Flair went to
his bread and butter, applying in the Figure Four Leg Lock for the submission
win.
Winner Via Submission - "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Match Seven - WWE Championship Match - John Cena (C) vs "The
Legend Killer" Randy Orton w/ "Cowboy" Bob Orton
Back and forth start to the match, Cena got the better of Orton, hitting
him with his Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the F-U, but "Cowboy" Bob got
involved, leading to a disqualification. The Ortons double teamed Cena, but he
fought back, getting an F-U into the mix and clearing ring.
Winner Via DQ and STILL WWE Champion - John Cena
RELATED LINKS
Our Eddie Guerrero biography
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Best of Eddy Guerrero in Japan VHS
Chris Sokol is from Long Island, NY and would like to send his
heartfelt condolences to the entire Guerrero family.
