ADVANTAGE EVOLUTION
April 5, 2004

With less than two weeks to go before Backlash, the power on RAW may have shifted back to Triple H and Evolution. On a night in Houston that began with Triple H discussing what he deemed the remote odds of Chris Benoit leaving Backlash as World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H and Evolution took a major step in insuring that Triple H will regain the Championship. Moments after RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff announced a special Eight Man Tag Team Match next week on RAW with Evolution facing Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin and Chris Benoit, Triple H and company got a head start on next week’s match by pulverizing Benoit, Michaels and Foley.

With Benjamin already hospitalized from an assault earlier in the evening by Evolution, and the rest of his team left knocked out in the center of the ring, it seems as if the final RAW before Backlash could give Evolution an even greater advantage heading into the pay-per-view event. Can Benoit, Benjamin and company find a way to settle the score next week, or will Evolution gain an insurmountable edge heading into the pay-per-view event? Find out on RAW.

Also on RAW, the road to Backlash continued as the events for the evening became clearer. First, thanks to the aid of Chris Jericho, Lita became the No. 1 Contender for the Women’s Championship by winning a Women’s Battle Royal. Lita last eliminated Trish Stratus as Jericho stood at ringside and distracted Stratus. Seeing her opportunity, Lita knocked Stratus out of the ring and will now face Victoria for the Women's Championship at Backlash. Jericho’s actions against Stratus actually changed the face of his upcoming match with Christian, as it was announced that the match will now be a Handicap Match with Stratus joining Christian against Jericho.

Also, it appears as if Edge will have to make his first match in more than a year one of his best. On RAW, Edge thought he had gotten the best of Kane, only to learn that he will need something more. After Kane defeated Rhyno, Edge came to the ring and attacked Kane with a Spear. Only seconds later, Kane rose up from the Spear and went on the offensive. Only by using the cast on his recently broken arm as a weapon was Edge able to fend off Kane. Will Edge be ready for the toughest of opponents in less than two weeks?

RAW also saw the return of William Regal.  Regal was invited back to RAW by Bischoff with a stipulation … he must be a manager to Bischoff’s nephew, Eugene Dinsmore. Regal happily accepted the task until learning that Dinsmore is what Bischoff termed, “special.” Dinsmore’s unique nature seems to have sent Regal for quite a loop. How will he handle his new position?

The final RAW before Backlash comes to you from Chicago with the Eight Man Tag Team Match already in place. Will Evolution get a knockout punch days before the pay-per-view? What other matches will be added for Backlash? Only one way to find out … watch RAW next week at 9/8 CT on Spike TV!

Match Results:
Chris Benoit defeated Rob Conway

Chris Jericho defeated Matt Hardy

Shelton Benjamin defeated Triple H via countout

Lita won the Women's Battle Royal to become the No. 1 Contender for the Women's Championship

Christian defeated Tajiri

Kane defeated Rhyno