The Year in PPV- 2005, Part I

The year 2005 can definitely be looked at as one of the most historically important years in WWE history, as it led to the rise of some of the modern-era's biggest stars. Stars like John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Edge and many others were able to come into the forefront of the company, while veterans like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kurt Angle, and the Undertaker were still relevant for use as well. This year also marked the return of Hulk Hogan, the debut of the Money in the Bank match, the resurgence of ECW, and unfortunately, the passing of one of the greatest performers in wrestling history. With so much going on in one year, it felt like a foundational year, serving as a building block for the future of the company.

I know many would say this year hurt the company in the long run (primarily internet crowds), but I still think there is a lot of value in this year. No matter what fans think about Cena and Batista, this was a year where these two were allowed to dominate RAW and SmackDown (both would get a taste of both brands this year), as WWE saw that they had two powerhouse superstars that were ready to be given the proverbial ball to run with.

Let's see how the year 2005 begins...


1. New Year's Revolution

This show will always be remembered as the show with one of the greatest Elimination Chamber matches of all time. However, that's about all when it comes to quality on this show. This is an infamous PPV where multiple superstars get injured during their matches (including Eugene and Lita), but that's about all to be remembered about the midcard. Normally, I would stray away from one-match shows, but when your main event is THIS epic, I'm willing to make an exception.

The Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship took 6 of the greatest wrestlers in history (Triple H, Chris Jericho, Edge, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, and Batista) and made them battle in a war to crown a new champion after the belt had been vacated. To add to the mix, Shawn Michaels was announced as the guest referee. The bloody battle between these six competitors is arguably the greatest Chamber match in history, at least in terms of star power. While the rest of the show is underwhelming, this match is a great way to start the year off on a high note.

Mild Recommendation


2. Royal Rumble

The 2005 Royal Rumble show has some good matches on the undercard, including a fantastic opening match against Edge and Shawn Michaels, and a WWE Championship match between JBL, Kurt Angle and Big Show. The Casket match between Undertaker and Heidenreich is a good example of how a mediocre feud can have a cruddy and boring match, and the World Heavyweight Championship match between Triple H and Randy Orton is a good example of how a great feud can have a cruddy and boring match.

The Royal Rumble match has a lot of great performers involved, including Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, and Chris Jericho among others. There is a great amount of brand warfare between RAW and SmackDown in this match (even the General Managers get involved), culminating in the last two men being RAW's Batista and SmackDown's John Cena (which even at the time commentators were calling a dream match). This was a make or break moment for both men's careers, as the audience knew that one (or both) of these young talents were on their way to the main event of WrestleMania.

Recommended


3. No Way Out

Before going into WrestleMania, it's time for some SmackDown filler courtesy of No Way Out. Looking at this card, there is very little historical significance involved at all. The only real match on the undercard worth mentioning is the WWE Tag Team Championship match between Doug and Danny Basham and Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. There's also way too much time given to the Rookie Diva of the Year competition that takes place throughout the evening (though it is ironic seeing a young Michelle McCool come up short in the competition, since she was the only one to succeed in the WWE).

The biggest question in this PPV was what the WWE Championship match was going to be at WrestleMania. The three deciding factors were in whether or not Batista (the Royal Rumble winner) decided to jump to SmackDown, a number one contender's match between Kurt Angle and John Cena, and a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the WWE Championship between JBL and Big Show. While the question itself is very interesting, you could just skip on over to WrestleMania to see what match took place.

Skip It


4. WrestleMania 21

Regardless of some of the filler (mainly the Women's Championship Match, and Big Show in a Sumo match), this WrestleMania has a LOT going for it. Look at the two in-ring segments: Hulk Hogan returns to save Eugene from Muhammad Hussan and Daivari, and Stone Cold Steve Austin as a guest in Piper's Pit. Either one of these would be worthy of being on a WrestleMania, but both on the same show? Wow. Add onto that a hot opener involving Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, and a solid back and forth match between the Undertaker and Randy Orton (the first time that somebody actually acknowledged the Streak and challenged it), and the foundation for a solid WrestleMania has already been laid.

Most remember WrestleMania 21 as the night that Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels went out and put on a wrestling clinic together, and while it is a very good match, it does have its fair share of slower moments. But by the end of the match, it didn't matter who won, as the real winners were the fans and BOTH men deserved a standing ovation for the match they put on. My favorite match of the night is the first ever Money in the Bank ladder match, which I will argue is one of the greatest ladder matches in history. It was fantastic because it was a great gimmick to add to the already exciting ladder match, and a way to get six talent RAW superstars a slot at WrestleMania. I also think they had the PERFECT six men to be in the match, with Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Edge, Christian, Kane and Chris Benoit all going out and putting all they had on the line for a contract for a future World Heavyweight Championship match.

Historically, this night will also be remembered as the night that John Cena and Batista won their first World Championships. For John Cena, he defeated JBL for the WWE Championship in a culture clash of fortune (JBL) vs. the streets (Cena). in all honesty, this match really sucks and can only be remembered for the last minute of the match where Cena makes his trademark "Superman" comeback and wins the title. Batista's victory was against his former Evolution teammate, Triple H. While a lot of fans dislike this match as well, there is AMAZING storytelling told (just watch the hype video before the match to see what I'm talking about) in their clash for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Highly Recommended


5. Backlash

Backlash was very surprising in how it did NOT feel like a carbon copy PPV full of WrestleMania rematches. The show gets kicked off the right way with a great Intercontinental Championship match between Shelton Benjamin and Chris Jericho. The two have fantastic chemistry together, and the match has so much back and forth action that the finish comes completely out of nowhere. Chris Benoit and Edge completely steal the show in terms of match quality, however, with a very entertaining Last Man Standing match.

The biggest pop of the night deservedly goes to Hulk Hogan, who returned for "one more match" to team with Shawn Michaels to fight Muhammad Hussan and Daivari in a match that is solely watchable for the moment of watching the Hall of Famer compete in another battle of patriotism. The final match of the night was Batista vs. Triple H in a WrestleMania rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship. The main story being told in this match was Triple H's Pedigree against Batista's Powerbomb, as whoever hit their finisher first would (logically) seal the victory.

Recommended


Initial Thoughts: Looking at the first handful of 2005 PPVs, it is clear that they used this batch of shows to develop Batista as "the man." From his performance in the Elimination Chamber, winning the Royal Rumble match, making his presence felt at No Way Out, winning the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, and defending it at Backlash, it is a constant wave of momentum that develops one of the key wrestlers of the 21st century. Batista was not the only new main eventer on the block however, as John Cena would come into his own within the next few months of the year, which we will look at next time.

Continued in Part II...


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