This Day In Wrestling History - April 18

Date: April 18, 2004 (11 years ago)

Feature: WWE's Backlash PPV featured a WrestleMania 20 re-match - Chris Benoit beating Shawn Michaels and Triple H in a stellar triple threat match to retain the WWE World Title. The show also featured a stand-out IC Title match between Randy Orton and Mick Foley (Cactus Jack), which made Orton a legit star in the eyes of the audience.

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WWE RAW PPV BACKLASH RESULTS
APRIL 18, 2004
EDMONTON, ALB.
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

After a video feature previewing the main event, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show...

(1) Shelton Benjamin pinned Ric Flair at 9:31. A chopfest with Flair getting a big dose of cheers from the crowd. In the end, as Flair turned his back and pulled out a foreign object, Benjamin splashed him from behind and then clotheslined him and scored the pin. Neither Flair's age nor Benjamin's inexperience left either seeming out of place. Both could be happy with their performances. (**1/4)

Todd Grisham interviewed Randy Orton backstage, who said he'd give Mick Foley a beatdown that made him consider permanent retirement.

(2) Jonathan Coachman pinned Tajiri at 6:22. Coachman managed to outmaneuver Tajiri early and apply some sustained leg holds. It was good to keep Coach off his feet, but unwise to make it seem possible he could hang with Tajiri even on the mat. Tajiri hit a series of kicks and the Tarantula, but Garrison Cade KO'd Tajiri from ringside, giving Coach a chance to schoolboy Tajiri for the upset. (*)

(3) Chris Jericho beat Christian & Trish at 11:17. Jericho and Christian fought the majority of the match. Trish got knocked hard off the apron early on. She tagged in when Jericho was down, but never for long. The crowd chanted "slut" loudly at one point. Jericho put the Walls of Jericho on Trish briefly at 10:30. Christian broke it up. Jericho catapulted Christian into Trish, then hit an enziguiri for the three count. Solid action which fit the storyline. Nice match. (**3/4)

Eugene walked in on Gail Kim dressing. She screamed. He screamed back. Molly walked in. She screamed. Eugene screamed back. William Regal entered, then got distracted by Kim's breasts... A video aired of Chris Benoit's upbringing in Edmonton...

(4) Victoria pinned Lita at 7:23 to retain the WWE Women's Title. What you'd expect. Some mistimed moves, but a spirited effort overall. Kim and Molly attacked Victoria and Lita afterward.

(5) Randy Orton pinned Cactus Jack at 23:05 to retain the Intercontinental Title. Foley used trash cans and the barbed wire baseball bat early against Orton. Orton fought back early. They brawled up the ramp. Foley laid the barbed wire baseball bat on Orton's crotch and then legdropped it, drawing a huge pop. Foley poured gas on the barbed wire bat, but Eric Bischoff threatened to shut down the show if Foley lit it. Foley shifted to a huge mattress-sized board with barbed wire all over it. Foley then poured thumb tacks all over the mat. He slammed Orton onto them. Orton sat up in pain with tacks all over his back. Orton fled to the back. Foley chased him down and threw him off the stage onto a platform of boards. Foley then threw an elbow off the stage in the big spot of the match. Orton kicked out of a pin attempt. Back in the ring, Orton made a superman comeback and hit Foley with the bat. Foley returned fire with Mr. Socko. Orton escaped with a low blow and then hit his RKO finisher onto the barbed wire bat for the win. (****1/2)

Hunter congratulated Orton backstage, then vowed to win his match later.

(6) Hurricane & Rosey beat La Resistance after interference from Eugene to retain the Tag Titles. This was mean to be just a "deep breath" match.

(7) Edge pinned Kane at 6:28. Edge used his cast to knock out Kane. Kane dominated offense otherwise. A lumbering, methodical snoozer. (3/4*)

(8) Chris Benoit beat Shawn Michaels and Triple H when he made Michaels submit at 30:14 to retain the WWE Hvt. Title. They nearly topped themselves, including a clever spot with Michaels putting Benoit in the sharpshooter with ref Earl Hebner in charge of the call. The crowd chanted "You screwed Bret" at Michaels, who played a subtle heel. In the end, after a lot of great spots and near falls and near submissions, Benoit put Michaels away with a sharpshooter. All three were equally fine in this match. (****3/4)

[Torch photo credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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