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View Full Version : Rachel's 50 Cents: Backlash Preview and Predictions



wwechick1982
04-14-2004, 07:53 PM
With less than just a few days before Backlash, the card is stacked from top to bottom. You have the legend, Flair, Benoit, Michaels, the young bloods like Orton, Jericho and Christian, the ladies, Victoria, Lita and Trish and the Raw newcomers, Tajiri and Shelton Benjamin. So, here is Rachel's Backlash preview that runs down the matches and my predictions, which may change, if any thing. So enjoy!
~Rachel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raw Heavyweight World Title: Triple Threat Match

Chris Benoit (c) vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

This past week on Raw, all three participants were involved in a beatdown, which clearly Triple H won. This week on Raw, all three were involved in the main event, an eight-man tag match. Shelton Benjamin, Benoit, Michaels and Mick Foley took on all four members of Evolution; when it looked like all was lost for the faces, Michaels hit a surprised Randy Orton with some Sweet Chin Music. Triple H has also been putting down Benoit’s title reign, saying that it was all a fluke, but when he tapped to the Crippler Crossface, that spoke volumes that it wasn’t. Wrestlemania XX was their first encounter and Backlash will be the last, but will Benoit walk out still the champ? Will either Michaels or Triple H regain the title they both held? To see the answer to these questions and to see if Chris Benoit’s title reign is a fluke, watch Backlash to find out.
Winner: Chris Benoit


WWE Intercontinental Championship: No Holds Barred

Randy Orton (c) vs. Cactus Jack

This is the continuing saga of words between the so-called Legend Killer, Randy Orton and the Hardcore legend, Mick Foley. Foley, who reunited with his former tag team partner, the Rock at Wrestlemania XX, got hit the Orton’s RKO as Evolution picked up the win at that so very special PPV. This past week on Raw, Foley returned to Raw with a long time friend, Barbie: a baseball bat wrapped in barbwire. He said that he was going to shut Orton up once and for all; he and his trusty friend were going to bring Orton down. However, by the end of last week’s Raw, Foley’s physical status was at an odd as he lay face down in the ring, resulted from an Evolution ambush. Before Raw ended, Mick Foley played face by telling Orton that even though Foley himself wouldn’t be able to take him on at Backlash Foley’s old friend, Cactus Jack will take his place. Will Cactus Jack be able to punish Orton enough for the win or will Orton be able to “ kill” another legend?
Winner: Randy Orton

WWE Women's Championship


Victoria (c) vs. Lita

Victoria beat Molly Holly at Wrestlemania XX, which resulted in Molly losing her dark locks. Just a few weeks before that, Victoria beat Molly, Lita, and Jazz to become a two time women’s champion. Lita was trying for a moonsault when Victoria picked her up and hit her with her finishing move, the Widow’s Peak and the win. This past week on Raw, Lita was involved in a 10 woman Battle Royal to determine who would face Victoria at Backlash. The end saw Lita coming face to face with newly turned, Trish Stratus, who extended her hand, but Lita wanted nothing to do with her. Trish, after being distracted by her former flame, Chris Jericho, was dropkicked out of the ring by Lita, thus making her the woman to face the former psycho in the ring. This past week, Lita took on her former friend, Trish Stratus, which turned out to be a two-on-one match as Christian got involved thus getting Lita the win by DQ. Will Trish be a deciding factor in this match or will the women’s champion, who hasn’t been seen in over two weeks, keep her precious belt? We’ll have to find out a Backlash!
Winner: Victoria

Beauty vs. the Beast

Edge vs. Kane

Edge made his return to Raw during the night of the infamous lottery and speared Raw general manager, Eric Bischoff. Kane saw the return of the man he thought he buried, his brother the Undertaker, at Wrestlemania XX. The week after Edge returned, Bischoff, who was pissed about being humiliated set up Edge at Backlash: by putting him in a match with Kane! This past week on Raw, Edge came and let it be known, that he wasn’t afraid of the challenge that faces him at Backlash. Edge speared the giant down and Kane didn’t take too lightly to this and was going to shatter Edge’s hand with a steel chair, but Edge wouldn’t allow it. Edge left the ring as the Big Red Machine fumed in the ring; this week on Raw, Edge speared Kane again after his win over the returning Grand Master Sexay! If this is any indication of how things will happen at Backlash, then Edge has the psychological advantage over his much bigger opponent.
Winner: Edge

Wrestlemania XX Rematch: 2-on-1 Handicap Match


Chris Jericho vs. Christian and Trish Stratus

Chris Jericho left Wrestlemania XX heartbroken and pissed, as Trish Stratus turned on him, allowing his former best friend, Christian to pick up the win over the Highlight of the Night. The next night, Jericho took his frustrations out on Matt Hardy, choking Version 1 with a cable cord; Jericho left the arena later after his match, tires squealing. Christian and Trish made their way to the ring later that night as Trish explained why she turned on Jericho; Jericho wasn’t there to defend himself. Jericho, having time to think everything over, invited Trish to be his guest on the Highlight Reel, where he something to get off his chest. The words that he used have always been reserved for Stephanie McMahon, but Trish Stratus, much to her dismay was the recipient. She ran off crying as Christian consoled her with the news that “they” were getting a match at Backlash; this past week, as Trish fumed over her loss to Lita, found out that when Christian said, “they” he meant both he and Trish will face Jericho at Backlash. This past week as Lita took Trish on in a one-on-one match Jericho and Christian found themselves involved as Lita won by DQ after being attacked by Christian. Jericho, always the knight in shining armor, came to her rescue, but was attacked by both Christian and Trish before he could. It looks like the twosome has Y2J at a disadvantage, but at Backlash Y2J’s revenge will show more than ever.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Grudge Match:

Coach vs. Tajiri

The Raw after the big lottery happened, Garrison Cade and La Resistance initiated Tajiri by telling him to green mist whoever came into the room next. That unlucky person turned out to be Coach, who was pissed and tattle tailed to Bischoff. That unfortunate accident wasn’t all that happened to Tajiri as Bischoff put him in a match with Kane; Tajiri was saved from another chokeslam by Edge! This week on Raw, however, Tajiri had to face a person of Coach’s choice, which turned out to be a masked ninja, that turned out to be Coach’s Heat announcing partner, Al Snow. Tajiri won the match much to Coach’s dismay, but Coach got one up on the Japanese Buzzsaw as he said at Backlash it would be Tajiri going up against the man he green misted: the Coach! Will Coach, who has been very unlucky in matches pull off a win? If he wants to, he’ll have to beware of the quick and educated feet of Tajiri!
Winner: Tajiri

Legend vs. Rookie

Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin

Pulling out two wins against Triple H, the “Self Proclaimed Game”, Shelton Benjamin seems to be getting the most out of his roster change. At the end of Raw last week, Evolution attacked Benjamin after his second win over the Game and left him bloody and out cold. He still was able to compete in the 8-man tag match and didn’t take lightly to his attack this week on Raw. He found himself face-to-face with Ric Flair, the 16-time World champion, who told him he hoped no bad feelings were in order. Shelton had no intentions to forget what Evolution did last week and challenged Flair to a match at Backlash! Shelton Benjamin can pull off a win but even he won’t be able to forget his attack; can he put those feelings aside and concentrate on the task at hand? Or will Flair and his sneaky tactics be too much for the young rookie and Evolution have the last laugh?
Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Epitaph
04-14-2004, 08:21 PM
This is scary , I Yet again agree with every word you've said. Any way for me ,

I Quite like the idea of Benoit retaining over HBK and HHH , For me i would have to say Benoit NEED's his Win over Shawn , That Way it can go about by Attempting to set Up a HBK Vs Benoit feud Whilst in a way not totally finishing Benoit Vs HHH Which IMO Could easily set up a return match between them for Summer Slam! But if Triple H Win's i REALLY Won't be a Happy Fan , Seeing as he is off to make a film soon.

Then , Cactus Jack Vs Randy Orton , The Whole point of the feud was to Get Orton over with the fans. IMO I Think it has Worked , Orton is one of the most HATED Heel's on the RAW Brand and Foley has done Wonder's in helping gettin him over, So this Leave's me to eagerly await the IC Title match. I imagine its going to be One Extreme encounter and for this to work i have to say Orton has to go over Cleanly or Foley takes the win , and set's up a Rematch on RAW. But i think the WWE Could have held off with this match untill Bad Blood , But i think this will be the end of the feud. Either way i have seriously enjoyed it.

The Womans title match i am seriously not botherd about...Put it this way , Lita SHOULD'NT be the one in this Match , it would have made sense if Molly and Victoria had a rematch....Yet the WWE Dont do the Logical Approach do they?! I Wont be a Happy boy if Lita win's though.

Edge Vs Kane , Doesnt hold my interest either :confused: I Mean Both guy's need the win in this one! its going to be a MAJOR Downer for Kane if he Happens to lose on PPV 2 month's in a Row. Whilst Edge has been out for a year and NEED's this PPV Win ...Its going to be interesting

Then there's Jericho Vs Trish/Christian , this match minus Trish had potential to be a excellent match , With Trish it's standards sudenly drop. I'm expecting a good match , Should be Entertaining Though , Im rooting for a Jericho win , But where he goes from hear leaves me confused!

Tajiri Vs Coach has no place on a PPV , Its gunna be bad! Coach is a Phenomanal Manager , Whilst Tajiri is a Excellent Worker , Shame on RAW I Cant see him getting any where.

Flair Vs Benjamin is something im Looking forward too and this is exactly what Benjamin need's , He seriously need's a Win over Flair Which could just make him a Key Player on RAW Also MAY get to be the FIRST Black WWE Champion! I For one am Rooting to see Benjamin go over.

Looks like a pretty good PPV Card , Especially comeing of the Momentum of Wrestlemania.

By the way , I Liked the Preview and The Predictions. Keep up the Good Work!

:winkok:

The Stig
04-14-2004, 09:28 PM
Hey Rachel, this was another great column. It's great you pointed the ups and downs of Backlash. I'm not sure if I will order it this week-end.

The matches that I'm interested in are:

-World Championship Match - The rematch of WrestleMania sounds like it will have a lot to offer. Chris Benoit will be performing in his home town and it would be a great, first PPV title defense for him.

-Intercontinental Championship Match - I am also looking forward to this match. Not for the belt on the line, but for the WrestleMania match we never got to see. We wanted a one on one match with Foley and Orton, not a Tag Team match with Batista and The Rock.

-Chris Jericho vs. Christian and Trish Stratus - I am looking forward to this match so the WWE can put an end to this angle. Have Jericho win and get Christian on his own again. But if that would happen, Christian would have nothing to do on Raw, unless he starts a feud with someone else, or he's off to heat.

The rest of the matches on the card don't mean much for me. I just hope Victoria regains her Women's Title against Lita.

Great Column Rachel, I'm looking forward to your next one!!!
K-Dogg

Duff
04-14-2004, 09:55 PM
Who need's Molly when we've got Rachel?

I think my opinion is pretty clear

Gravedigger
04-15-2004, 01:53 PM
Awesome column, Rachel. However, the only thing I disagree on is your prediction for Edge-Kane. I think Kane will win due to Johnny Nitro interfering and costing Edge the match. Last Monday, I just had this feeling that Johnny would be getting his revenge on Edge for what he did and they both just seem like they're going to feud soon.

And no wait, I also disagree on your prediction for Trish/Christian-Jericho. I think the heels will win so the feud can be continued. And even though they've beat up Jericho a couple of times, it seems as though Jericho has always ended up looking better than Trish/Christian. Not in a face-heel sorta way but just in a general way.

Chazz
04-15-2004, 04:14 PM
Benoit vs. HBK vs. HHH- It is gonna be hard to live up to the expectations fans will set for this match. The triple threat match at WM20 was a classic, so this one will have to "one-up" its' predecessor. However, given that Benoit and HBK are involved gives us hope that this one can be better. Benoit will be performing in his hometown, so the fans will be on his side. If HBK or HHH wins, you could expect a riot in the streets of Edmonton.
Winner: Benoit makes HBK tap out.

Foley vs. Orton: This one will be bloody, especially since we know that Cactus Jack will be in Edmonton. The question is, can Orton deliver in a high profile match with Foley? Using Mick to get Orton over as a heel has worked, but I'm still not sold on him. This is his chance to show why the WWE has decided to push him. Honestly though, this will be Mick's match because I imagine he will take some serious bumps. Seeing as how Foley is known for not caring if he wins, Orton will probably win. And I'm sure he will still use his "legend killer" gimmick afterwards, but will it be enough to elevate him? I just don't know.
Winner: Orton pins Foley, but Orton will get his ass handed to him by the Hardcore legend.

Jericho vs. Christian & Trish: Well, Jericho has become the top face on Raw and it looks like he is headed for bigger and brighter things after Backlash. Jericho has been on his game this year, and he has tried to elevate Christian as a heel. That has worked, and to top it off, pairing him and Trish together made them the most hated couple since Stephanie and HHH. But, for some reason, Christian has got lost in this fued. The focus has shifted to Chris and Trish, leaving Christian as the odd man out. Don't get me wrong, Chris and Trish work well together, especially since she turned heel. It doesn't look good for Christian though, because where will he go after this? It is time for this angle to end, so it shall. Jericho will get his revenge and will move onto the Heavyweight title scene.
Winner: Jericho slaps the walls on Trish and makes her tap out. Come on. You know you want to see that happen.

Kane vs. Edge: Why do I get the feeling that Edge is about to get screwed at Backlash? Well, that would be because it is gonna happen. If Edge were to win, then Kane would be relegated to being a jobber again. Wasn't it just a few months ago he was billed as a monster? Look, Edge does not have to win in his return. The guy is over and he is going to get his shot at the title soon.
Winner: Kane, with help from maybe Johnny Jackass.

Lita vs. Victoria: Why has Victoria not been on Raw the past couple of weeks? I really do not understand why Lita is getting the title shot and not Molly. I mean, Molly and Victoria had a good thing going. But, the WWE has shown yet again that it does not care about the Women's title. I like Lita, but she does not deserve the title right now.
Winner: Victoria wins with interference from Trish. This one could end up in a dq, but I feel Trish will cost Lita the title.

Tajiri vs. Coach: This makes no sense to me. Why put this match on the Backlash card? And when will the WWE realize that people just do not care about coach? Poor Tajiri. He comes to Raw and is forced into a fued with coach.
Winner: Somehow, Coach will win. But, I really don't care.

Benjamin vs. Flair: Shelton has got to be on an all time high right now. He has faced HHH twice and won both matches, and now he gets to go one on one with the best: Ric Flair. I feel this one will surprise folks and be a very good match. Flair, even at 53, can still hang with anyone. Benjamin made Hunter look good in their matches. Should be a good one.
Winner: Flair wins with help from Batista.

Well, that's how I see it. I probably won't order this one but it does have the potential to be a good show. Anywho, good read Rachel.

Peoples King
04-15-2004, 04:33 PM
I actually didnt like it, sorry. It felt more like I was reading the WWE's Backlash preview then an article on predictions. Just didnt do anything for me. You just told me what I already knew and then plugged the PPV before posting your winner. Sorry, I just didnt like it.

wwechick1982
04-15-2004, 09:07 PM
I actually didnt like it, sorry. It felt more like I was reading the WWE's Backlash preview then an article on predictions. Just didnt do anything for me. You just told me what I already knew and then plugged the PPV before posting your winner. Sorry, I just didnt like it.

Oh really? Well, can't win them all! ;)

~Rachel

Peoples King
04-15-2004, 09:18 PM
Course if you show a little leg........ I met give it a :winkok: