WWE SummerSlam Report, 8-15-2004 – Live from the Air Canada Center
Submitted by Steven "Rommel" Schaeffer on Monday, August 16, 2004 at 2:00 AM EST





The show opened as do all WWE PPV’s. We learned that tonight featured four main events, something they might have been smarter to talk about before the Pay-Per-View.

Spike and the Dudley Boyz vs. Rey Mysterio Jr., Paul London and Billy Kidman
This match was a short opener; not an incredibly hot one either. The WWE just doesn’t know how to book the high fliers. Not just the cruiserweights, but any aerial wrestlers at all. Paul London started the match playing Eddie Gilbert, or is it Morton? I can never remember. When he got the hot tag Rey and Kidman were briefly able to go to town – hitting the Hart Attack clothesline into the 619, but a 3D from the Dudleyz ended the match with the same messy finish as every WWE Dudley match up. Spike and The Dudley Boyz defeated Rey Mysterio Rey Mysterio Jr., Paul London and Billy Kidman

A video detailing one of the worst stories’s the World Wrestling Entertainment Company has ever tried to tell aired.

’Till Death Do Us Part match, Kane vs. Matt Hardy
I just… ugh! After about sixty seconds of offense Kane took control. Kane was fairly dominate in the match, but Hardy was not going for a clean victory in any way, shape or form considering the ridiculous stipulation. He was fine with winning with a count out, but Kane was able to make it into the ring on time. So Lita grabbed the ring bell and had Matt knock Kane upside the head with it, but Kane kicked out of a pin fall. Kane was going to the top rope and Matt followed for a DDT or super-plex, but it was not to be. Kane grabbed Matt by the throat and delivered a choke slam for the 1, 2…3. Kane defeated Matt Hardy via pin fall. Oh dear sweet Jesus that means the story line is going to get worse. Kill me now.

Backstage, Todd Grisham stands to interview the number one contender Randy Orton. Randy was in the middle of a promo detailing how great he is when John Cena interrupted. John asked the crowd to cheer for Orton, and they did not. Randy said he did not care about the crowd or John Cena. He promised to make history.

Match #1 in the Best of Five Series for the Us Championship, John Cena vs. Champion, Booker T
Booker T took an early and dominating lead in this match while the announcers played up how Cena never lost the U.S. Championship. The champion was not going for pin falls but instead just beating Cena with slams, leg lariats and a clothesline off the top rope to the outside as well as a number of submissions. Booker T was in one hundred percent control when out of literately no where, Cena hit the F-U for the impromptu three-count. John Cena defeats and takes a 1-0 lead over Booker T in the best of five series via pin fall.

Backstage, Eric Bishoff congratulated Teddy Long on being the GM for Smackdown! Eric mentioned the high turn over rate for Smackdown General Managers. Teddy Long said that he would gladly sign Eugene if he was ever kicked off of Raw, or any Superstars sick of Eric Bishoff.

Three-way Intercontinental Championship match, Batista vs. Chris Jericho vs. Champion, Edge
Edge received a big ovation, but so did Chris Jericho. Before the match even started Edge was knocked outside so Jericho and Batista could fight. Batista outmatched Jericho with his power, using a British Bulldog power slam to take Jericho out of the match for a while. That gave Edge some alone time with Evolution’s monster. Batista was in charge with the Champion as well, and about to hit his running lariat, when Jericho grabbed the big man’s boot from the outside. Edge seized the advantage to throw Batista outside, and now Edge and Jericho were squaring off. Jericho outwrestled Edge, and locked in the walls of Jericho. It seemed as though the crowd was in favor of Jericho winning the match. Before Edge could tap, Batista nailed Jericho from behind to break the hold. Surprisingly, Edge took control over Batista and had the spear set up. Jericho intercepted the spear attempt, and this is when the WWE formula took over. All three men brawled, and Batista was forced to the outside. Jericho and Edge were wrestling back and forth. Batista tried to reenter, and was knocked off the ring apron courtesy of a Jericho springboard dropkick. This distraction allowed Edge to hit the spear on Jericho and pin him cleanly. The announcers played Edge up as a heel, despite his popularity in the country. Edge defeated Batista and Chris Jericho to retain the Intercontinental Championship via pin fall.

An advertisement for the Wrestlemania XX DVD was shown, followed by a rather bland vignette to detail the feud between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle
The match started with mat-based, chain-wrestling. Eddie used his speed and flashier throws to keep pace to the better grips and holds of the Olympic Gold Medalist. In a supremely surprising turn of events, Eddie grabbed Kurt into the ankle lock (With Kurt crawling desperately for the ropes) forcing Angle to cheat with a thumb to the eye to escape. Kurt hit the Angle Slam and locked on his own ankle lock on Guerrero. Eddie used a very good counter, reaching back to lock on his own hold – stereo ankle locks! Kurt muscled out though, and held onto his own submission. Latino Heat made it to the ropes, and when Kurt backed off Luther Reigns delivered a cheap shot. Angle moved back in to continue the punishment, wrapping Guerrero up in an STF and then an extremely tight looking lock toe hold. Eddie must be extremely flexible, because as someone who has been in one of those can attest – that hurts! During the submissions, Kurt was unlacing the boot of Eddie Guerrero. Eddie countered out finally, delivering either a modified Angle Slam or a belly to back suplex, I couldn’t be sure. Both men were down, and when they got up it was Eddie would took charge. A trio and snap suplexes gave Eddie the chance to climb to the top rope, but his injured ankle slowed him long enough for Kurt to pop up and deliver a belly to belly from the top rope. Kurt took charge, with Eddie managing to counter one Angle Slam but not a second. Kurt pulled the boot off of Eddie and wrapped the ankle lock on with now protecting gear in his way. Eddie pulled the perfect counter, grabbing the referee and yanking him into Angle behind him. He seized the moment and knocked both Angle and Luther out with his own boot. The frog splash was hit, and yet when the referee recovered Kurt kicked out. Eddie was pulling his hair out in frustration at his inability to defeat Kurt Angle. Before he can complete another assault, however, Angle was back. He locked on the Ankle lock once more on the exposed leg, and tied it up with his legs on the ground. Eddie was literately bouncing about the mat in agony and an attempt to escape but he finally had to submit for the loss. Kurt Angle defeated Eddie Guerrero via submission.

The Raw announcers hype the next Pay-Per-View, and then the Triple H versus Eugene match. Another vignette detailing a feud is run.

Triple H vs. Eugene
Eugene was all business at the beginning of the match, with Triple H unable to hurt the special young man and forced to retreat outside the ring when Eugene came after him. Triple H threw Lillian Garcia down in front of Eugene, and when Mr. Dinsmore went to help her Hunter took advantage. The Game set up the Spanish announce table to attempt to suplex Eugene from the ring into it. Eugene countered it for his own suplex, bringing Hunter back into the ring rather than fly out of it his self. Hunter faked a knee injury, and seized control back when Eugene turned away. The special young man had a number of hope spots after this, including a Rock bottom, but never had the wherewithal to follow up any advantage he managed. Hunter, however, used every advantage legal or not. He tied Eugene up in the ropes and raked his face until the official was about to hit five with his count and also threw Eugene into the steel ring steps. Hunter had a sleeper hold applied, but the power of the crowd allowed Eugene to escape. He countered a pedigree with a back body drop and then hulked up in the corner. He flipped Hunter off and delivered the stunner. Hunter was in a bad way when the Nature Boy tried to make the save, but he too was thrown outside the ring. Eugene listened for the crowd to prove Hulkamania is (Unfortunately?) alive in Canada, and then landed a pedigree! Hunter was a quarter of a second from suffering a loss to his own finishing move, but Flair put his foot on the ropes. For his interference, Ric Flair was tossed from ringside. He was livid as he left, but things got worse when he backed into one William Regal. Regal knocked Flair out with a pair of brass knuckles, but it all distracted Eugene. From behind Hunter attacked, delivering the pedigree and landing the victory. Triple H defeated Eugene via pin fall.

It was time for Diva Dodge ball. The Diva Contestants were called “Team Deam” in an Olympics reference. In fact, they turned out to be much better than our current basketball team, crushing the Diva’s in a surprisingly enjoyable match of dodge ball. The contestants lost all of one member (Joy) and eliminated the Diva’s in minutes! After the match, Trish Stratus was disappointed in her team and attacked Victoria. I have a rather odd urge to play dodge ball.

WWE Championship match, The Undertaker vs. Champion, JBL with Orlando Jordan
The match started in a back and forth style, with JBL showing little if any fear in the Undertaker. In fact, Bradshaw showed more aggressiveness than he has since prior to taking this new gimmick. JBL even went to the top rope and delivered a flying shoulder block. He was still facing the Undertaker, who did not sell any of the attacks as damaging. Instead, he immediately attacked the left arm of JBL. He locked on an arm bar after having slammed it into the ring steps earlier. ‘Taker sold a move, which was his own. Bradshaw ducked under a big boot from the Undertaker, tying the dead man atop the top rope. JBL capitalized now, attacking the legs of the Undertaker as he was tied in the corner, even using a steel chair on the knee while Jordan distracted the official. The Undertaker was unable to mount a long winded come back, as JBL would repeatedly go after the injured leg of the former American Badass. When JBL had an ankle lock applied to JBL, it seemed like the crowd was in favor of Bradshaw retaining the title! Later in the match the crowd was chanting “Spanish Table,” but their requests were unfulfilled. Justin went to the top again, but this time was taken off with a super-plex. The injured leg was attacked by JBL though, preventing the last ride wedgie-bomb. Still, it was the Undertaker who was coming out of the exchanges in more and more control. The Undertaker hit a number of his trademark holds, including Bradshaw’s own clothesline from hell and a choke slam and yet Bradshaw managed to kick out. Bradshaw hit his own clothesline from hell, following a distraction by Orlando, but the Undertaker too kicked out. The referee was bumped, and both men hit one another with the same move – a big boot. JBL was the first to his feet, and hit a belt shot. Orlando Jordan grabbed the officials hand and attempted to deliver a three count – yet Undertaker kicked out! I am not certain that is how it works. JBL took ‘Taker to the corner for ten old school punches, but the Undertaker grabbed him and hit the last ride. From here, everything fell apart. JBL survived just long enough for the Chief of Staff Virgil… err… Orlando Jordan to reintroduce the belt into the match. This time ‘Taker got it, knocking both the Champion and his assistant out. Unfortunately, the referee had recovered in time to see it and ring the bell. Tazz said it best, “That’s it, after all that?“ JBL defeated the Undertaker to retain the WWE Championship via disqualification. After the match the Undertaker was livid. He beat the champion onto the limousine of JBL. He carried the bloody champion to the roof, and delivered a choke slam. In one of the worst looking spots in WWE history JBL fell through the obviously rigged ceiling of the limo. Seriously, it looked like a piece of paper painted white.

World Heavyweight Championship match, Randy Orton vs. champion, Chris Benoit
Earl Hebner was the referee, so of course the Canadian crowd began chanting “You Screwed Bret!” before the bell even rang. The two competitors circled one another, locking up for holds and maneuvers both chained together nicely. Benoit was clearly the more talented of the two in this area, so Randy broke off. Orton wanted a test of strength, so they locked up into a knuckle lock. At first it seemed as though Orton was the more power, but Benoit curled his stomach muscles and took Randy down to the mat. Orton broke off and tied to land a flying knee drop, only to hit mat. Benoit was atop of him with a headlock and once again Randy ran off. When he hit a shoulder block, he unfortunately decided to pose and was taken down and locked into a Ricky Steamboat arm lock. Finally Orton showed what he was made of, knocking Benoit down and then applying the sharpshooter! Benoit escaped, and tried to lock on the crippler cross face. Rather than get to the ropes, Orton slipped under them completely, throwing Benoit into the ring post with the inertia from pulling him out of the ring. Randy through Benoit into the ring again, and then took him back inside the squared circle to work over the shoulder that hit the steel twice. The champion was no pushover, fighting back with knife edged chops. When the two men were standing outside the ropes on the apron, Chris hit a DDT to impale Orton’s head into the edge of the ring. Chris went to hit a tope, but Orton moved out of the way and the champion sailed like an arrow and shot head first into the guard rail. That was a seriously sick looking bump, as Benoit’s body folded up like an accordion. Randy took control, attacking the damaged neck of the Rabid Wolverine. Still, even Randy’s shoulder mounted neck breaker could not get more than a two count from the champion. As usual, an Irish whip to the ropes was able to turn the tide when both men butted heads by simultaneously attempting cross bodies. Benoit could not hit the three Germans, so instead opted for a Northern Lights Suplex. Benoit wanted to use his mentor’s finisher, the super-plex, but Orton knocked him off the top and hit a flying cross body. Benoit tried to roll through but Orton held on. Orton still thought he had the match won, and called for the RKO. Benoit dodged it, and was able to lock on the sharpshooter after a series of clotheslines and suplexes. Orton nearly passed out from the pain of the hold, but was able to grab the rope at the last moment. Now Benoit was able to land his German suplexes; of which he hit six or seven. Chris Benoit called for the flying head butt, but Orton got his legs up. Benoit hit the head butt, but it was Orton’s feet that Benoit’s head sailed right down upon. Orton tried a pin, but was rolled into the cross face. Orton rolled about madly, managing to get out. Benoit attacked the lower back of Randy Orton for some more suplexes, but out of no where Orton hit the RKO! That’s right… Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit via pin fall to become the World’s Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Randy Orton celebrated while JR talked about how dominate Chris Benoit had been all year on Raw. Chris Benoit recovered and held his hand out to Randy Orton, telling him to “Be a man!” Randy shook his hand, to a great ovation by the crowd as Randy nuzzled the belt that made him the youngest champion in WWE history.








BREAKING: Former WWE Star Arrested After Going Nuts on Comedian Who Makes Bad Owen Hart Joke! MORE DETAILS!

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