EDGE & BENOIT ... STILL THE CHAMPS
April 26, 2004

What has been a disastrous eight days for Evolution only got worse on Monday Night RAW when neither Triple H nor former World Tag Team Champions Ric Flair & Batista were able to get any satisfaction. Triple H entered RAW a man on a mission as he sought another opportunity to win the World Heavyweight Championship. One week before the much anticipated World Heavyweight Championship Match between Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels, Triple H sought a reason for his exclusion from the mix … but all he got was a face full of green mist from Tajiri.

Although Triple H ultimately defeated Tajiri in a one on one match, he clearly was not happy. His frustration would later turn to outright anger when fellow Evolution members Flair & Batista lost their rematch for the World Tag Team Championship with Benoit & Edge after Edge speared Flair and pinned him to retain the title.

If RAW was a sign of things to come, Benoit’s recent success may very well continue next week. Not only will he carry two championship belts into Phoenix, but he also sent a message to Michaels. When Triple H came to the ring at the end of the evening to attack Benoit, Michaels followed, seemingly on Benoit’s behalf. However, after Michaels hit Benoit over the head with a chair – and while Michaels explained the “accident” to Edge – Benoit recovered and put Michaels in a Sharpshooter. But will Benoit continue his run next week when he faces HBK with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line? Find out on Monday Night RAW.

Even Randy Orton had a difficult evening. Just when it seemed as if everything was going Orton’s way after his stirring win over Cactus Jack at Backlash, a new challenger entered the fray. While Orton tried to add to his Legend Killer resume by spitting on WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race and challenging Race to a fight, as Race enjoyed the action from ringside, Shelton Benjamin entered the ring and attacked Orton. Fresh off of two consecutive wins over Triple H and a pinfall victory over Ric Flair at Backlash, Benjamin seems to have picked another member of Evolution to chase. Can Benjamin enjoy the same success against Orton? Stay tuned to find out!

RAW also featured a continuation of last week’s hostilities between Kane and Matt Hardy … but with a new twist. After Lita & Victoria defeated Molly Holly & Gail Kim, Kane entered the ring and stalked Lita … but instead of hurting the WWE Diva, he tried to kiss her. After Lita ran from the ring, and into Hardy’s arms, Kane followed with a vicious assault on Hardy. Later, when the two met one on one, as Kane tried to follow up two consecutive Chokeslams with a Tombstone Piledriver, Lita ran to the ring to aid Hardy. Once again Kane stalked Lita … and this time successfully kissed her! Does this mean that the Big Red Monster has a crush? Will Lita be able to fend off a man that nobody seems to be able to stop? Watch RAW next week to find out.

Next week, Monday Night RAW emanates from Phoenix with the much anticipated Showdown in the Desert when Chris Benoit defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Shawn Michaels. Don’t miss this classic rivalry at its best when HBK and Benoit meet one on one for the World Heavyweight Championship for the very first time. What else does RAW have in store? Escape the rules and watch RAW at 9/8 PM CT on Spike TV to find out.

Match Results:
Lita & Victoria defeated Molly Holly & Gail Kim
Rhyno defeated Rob Conway
Christian defeated Grandmaster Sexay
Triple H defeated Tajiri
Kane vs. Matt Hardy ended in no contest
Chris Benoit & Edge defeated Ric Flair & Batista