Reported by Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
On Monday, February 20, 2006 at 11:29 PM EST

WWE RAW
February 20, 2006
Trenton, NJ
Commentators: Jonathon Coachman, Joey Styles & Jerry “The King" Lawler
Reported By: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com

A video package highlighting the Edge-Foley dispute from last week aired. The opening pyro hit and here we go.

Divas Battle Royal (Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson, Maria, Ashley, Victoria, & Mickie James)

Victoria took control early on hitting a tilt a whirl side slam on Mickie James. Victoria immediately picked up Ashley and went to dump her over the top rope but Maria broke it up.

Mickie James went at Torrie Wilson while Maria and Candice Michelle tussled in the corner. Ashley worked over Torrie Wilson who, with a thumb to the eye, stayed on the apron. Candice however, came over an eliminated her friend.

Mickie swatted Ashley to the Mat while Victoria worked over Maria in the corner. Victoria was double teamed by Maria and Ashley and tossed over the top rope. She tried to skin the cat but had her hands knocked off the ropes by Ashley.

Maria hit a never-ending broncobuster on Candice Michelle in the corner before getting tossed by Mickie. Mickie worked over Ashley and went to eliminate her but got snagged in a head scissors. Candice Michelle sneaked up out of nowhere and dumped both to win the match and the #1 contendership.

Winner: Candice Michelle

Candice cut a promo on Trish saying she’d win the title from her.

Edge’s music hit the ring and he came out to the ring with Lita. Edge told her that if anyone should be talking about being champion it should be him. He told her to get the hell out of his ring and her voice was like nails on a chalkboard.

He said that last week he had John Cena beat. He said the only reason he wasn’t Champion this week was because of one man, and that was Mick Foley. He said he was going to show Mick what happened when one messes with him.

He said over the past few weeks he had met a lot of fans who were doing their Hacksaw Jim Duggan impressions and called his girlfriend a ‘ho’. He said he challenged Duggan to a match and it would be on for later tonight. Lita grabbed the stick (surprise, surprise) and called Duggan out.

Duggan’s music hit and he came down to the ring.

****Commercial****

Hacksaw Jim Duggan v. Edge

We came back to the match in progress. Duggan hit three clotheslines in succession before tossing Edge out to the floor. Edge crawled back into the ring but Duggan caught him with some rights before being snap maired on the top rope. Edge stomped away at Duggan before booting him to the floor.

Edge flew off the apron and hit a clubbing blow to Duggan’s back on the outside. He slammed Duggan’s head off the ring steps and continued the assault before Duggan caught him with a left hand and sent Edge into the ring post.

Back in the ring, Edge caught Duggan with a drop kick to regain control. The two exchanged blows briefly before Edge suplexed him and got a two count on the cover attempt. Edge ascended the ropes but got clotheslined coming off. Duggan landed some rights and lefts before hitting ten mounted punches in the corner to put the youngster on the mat.

Duggan whipped Edge into the ropes and hit a scoop slam. Duggan got in the three-point stance but Lita distracted him. Edge came running in and nailed a spear followed by a cover to get the win.

Winner: Edge via pin fall

After the match, Edge hit Duggan in the privates with his 2 X 4. He taunted the crowd before grabbing the mic. He asked Mick Foley if he saw that. He said Duggan didn’t do anything to him on the level that Foley did. He said Foley cost him his dream of walking into Wrestlemania as champion. Edge said he would give Foley a week to respond to his challenge or he’d come search him out on Long Island.

The commentators put over the triple threat match later on for the #1 contender’s spot to face John Cena at Wrestlemania for the WWE Championship.

Big Show cut a promo about being in the main event. He said he had been in the main event before and he knew what it took to become Champion. He said we was focused on RVD and Triple H and stopping Triple H from becoming Champion. He didn’t know what was sweeter, him winning the main event slot or stopping Triple H.

****Commercial****

A video package aired of John Cena’s visit to Bombay, India.

Kane v. Chris Masters

The two locked up in the middle of the ring and Masters was backed into the corner but reversed it and hit some punches. Kane reversed a whip and hit some punches and upper cuts that floored Masters. Kane followed Masters to the outside but was run into the ring post.

Masters rebounded quickly and practically took Kane’s head off with a clothesline. Masters tossed him back in the ring and hit some elbows and some stomps on the big man. Masters choked Kane on the mat before landing a brutal kick to the ribs.

Masters propped Kane up on the top turnbuckle but Kane fought him off. Kane came flying off with a clothesline and then a side walk slam. Masters popped up quickly but got caught on the business end of a Kane upper cut. Masters ducked under a big boot and couldn’t quite clamp on the master lock. Kane fought out and landed some more punches but Masters went right back at him.

Kane reversed the hold and went for the Master lock himself. Masters wiggled out but turned around and got planted with a big boot. Kane got the cover for the win.

Winner: Kane via pin fall

After the match Masters popped up and went right at Kane and clamped on the master lock. He tossed Kane from the ring but Kane sat up and the two traded insults to end the segment.

The commentators put over the Intercontinental Championship match later tonight.

****Commercial****

RVD cut a video promo about the main event at Wrestlemania 22. He called it the gateway to immortality. He said if he wins, his name goes in the history books. He said no one will forget Triple H or Big Show because they’ve been there. He said tonight belonged to him.

Joey Styles recapped the Mandatory Retirement Ceremony with Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon. A video package put over the segment.

McMahon was in the back watching the package. All of a sudden horns blared and the Spirit Squad stormed the office. McMahon said HBK disrespected them as much as him last week. He said it would be four members of the spirit squad against HBK. The cheered and McMahon admired their enthusiasm.

****Commercial****

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ric Flair v. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton dedicated the match to his Mom.

The two locked up and Shelton sent Flair to the mat with a shoulder block but got caught with a hip toss.

Shelton landed some punches in the corner and finally floored Flair with a right cross. Flair fought back with some chops the third of which floored Shelton. Flair landed a kick to the gut and floored Shelton with a shoulder block. He chopped Shelton to the mat again before sending Shelton into the ropes and back body dropping him to the mat. He chopped Shelton over the top rope to the floor to send us to commercial.

****Commercial****

Shelton was in control pounding away on Flair in the corner. Flair hit a shin breaker before going for the figure four leg lock. Shelton kicked him off however and knocked him to the floor. Flair followed him to the outside and hit another hard chop. Flair gathered him against and chopped him but got caught in a Samoan drop on the floor.

Shelton punched away on Flair on the floor before gathering him up and hitting some knees. Back in the ring, Shelton suplexed Flair off the apron into the ring. Shelton went for a cover but only got a two count. Shelton stomped on Flair a little more before choking away at him on the mat. Shelton whipped Flair into the buckles and hit a back body drop on the rebound. He only got a two count on the cover but from there planted Flair with a big kick to the side of the head. Shelton went for another cover and again Flair kicked out.

Shelton stomped on Flair on the mat before clamping on a rear chin lock on the Champion. Flair escaped to the corner where the two exchanged chops and punches. Flair reversed a whip attempt and caught a Shelton boot, but Shelton countered that with a wheel kick and a very close near fall. Flair chopped Shelton again but got caught chasing him with a back elbow. Shelton scaled the top rope and hit a hooking clothesline for yet another near fall.

Shelton worked over Flair’s leg on the mat and went for a figure four, but Flair kicked him off. Shelton springboarded off the top rope but Flair met him with a big chop and got a near fall out of it. Flair chop blocked Shelton and went for the figure four and cinched it in right in the center of the ring.

Shelton fought over to the bottom rope and broke the hold before rolling to the outside of the ring. Mama began gripping her chest again and leaned up against the guardrail. While the referee tended to Mama, Shelton grabbed the oxygen tank and planted Flair twice, once in the groin then in the mid section. Shelton nailed the T-bone suplex and scored the pin fall victory.

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Shelton Benjamin

Shelton and Mama celebrated after the match.

Shawn Michaels was in the back getting ready for his match, which is next!

****Commercial****

Spirit Squad v. HBK

HBK started off shoulder blocked Kenny to the mat before being hip tossed by Kenny. Johnny Tagged in and got caught in a headlock. HBK came off the ropes but got nailed from behind then got nailed with a spinning wheel kick, which was followed by a near fall. John kicked HBK in the corner and tagged in Nick. Nick snap maired HBK over and then hit a kick to the back.

One of the Spirit Squad members brought out a trampoline and Kenny came flying off with a clothesline. HBK struggled back into the ring and nearly was pinned. Kenny hit a scoop slam before they hit a phoenix splash on HBK. HBK fought back with some chops and punches. HBK nailed Nick with a swinging neck breaker. Kenny came in and got major air in a missed leg drop attempt from the top rope.

HBK hit an inverted atomic drop and scoop slammed Kenny after knocking the entire spirit squad to the floor. He came flying off the ropes with his elbow and then began to tune up the band. HBK nailed the sweet chin music but got jumped by the entire Spirit squad.

Winner: HBK via DQ

The Spirit Squad went to town on HBK before MARTY JANNETTY ran in to make the big save. McMahon was watching in the back and wasn’t to impressed.

****Commercial****

Carlito came down to the ring and basically beat the hell out of Nick Burke and pinned him. He talked throughout the match about his ‘cool idea’. He said it was money in the bank after he scored the pin.

****Commercial****

Lawler Company announced some of the WWE Hall of Fame inductees. Bret Hart was put over and the second inductee was announced. The second inductee will be Eddie Guererro.

Mr. McMahon’s music hit the arena and he came out to the arena with a mic. He said he wasn’t down about the stuff with Marty Jannetty. He said Jannetty needed to be rewarded with a full time WWE contract next week. He said Marty really needs this contract because he had fallen on some hard times. He said there was just one thing.

If he wants the contract he’d have to join the McMahon “Kiss my ass" club.

The Triple Threat is Next!

****Commercial****

WrestleMania 22 Tournament FINALS - Triple Threat Match
Triple H v. Big Show v. Rob Van Dam

Big Show jumped Triple H right off the bat and went to town on him. He chopped and head butted the Game while RVD looked on. Show military press slammed Triple H and went for the pin fall but RVD broke it up. The two locked eyes and Show tossed RVD around like a baby. Show continued to club away on both of his opponents and eventually sent Triple H reeling to the outside.

Show connected with a big side slam before going to the outside to chop away at Triple H. He pursued the Game and landed some more chops eventually sending him into the crowd. Van Dam came out of nowhere and landed a big kick before getting caught trying to hit a flying body press. Show tossed Van Dam to the mat like a sack of potatoes.

****Commercial****

We came back to Show choking out RVD on the ropes which was broken up by Triple H. Show kept on dominating sending Triple H into the corner and then grabbed RVD and sent him into the corner. He went to whip the Game into RVD but RVD flipped over and hit two spinning heel kicks on Show’s head. Triple H helped out and the two started chopping down the big man.

Eventually Show began to fade a bit but the two got caught in a double choke slam, which left all three laid out in the middle of the ring. Show got to his feet first and clotheslined both down to the mat. Show hit a running powerslam but RVD broke up the pin fall attempt.

Show hit a scoop slam before getting snap marred on the top rope. Triple H hit his face crusher and RVD came off the top rope with the sidekick and connected, sending Show to the mat. RVD went to work on Triple H hitting an Irish whip and a spinning back kick. RVD hit his springboard moon sault for a near fall.

Triple H countered a kick but then got caught with a spinning heel kick. RVD connected with rolling thunder and then went to the top rope for the frog splash. RVD hit the splash but when he got up he got caught by Big Show. The two exchanged blows and RVD gained the advantage with some kicks. He went for a five star splash but was tossed off by Triple H to the outside.

Triple H nailed Big Show with a huge chair shot and followed it with a pedigree but RVD broke up the three count just in the nick of time. Van Dam attacked the game and dumped him to the outside. Van Dam hit another frog splash, this time on Big Show but Triple H held on to the referee just long enough to delay the count. Triple H pounced into the ring and delivered a quick pedigree for the win.

Winner: Triple H via pin fall

Triple H celebrated his win before John Cena’s music hit the arena. Cena came out to the ring looking all business. The two stared each other down in the middle of the ring to end the show.

---

RAW THOUGHTS
The Good-- Another well laid out show tonight. The Candice Michelle thing is a tad odd but I’m sure we’ll get James-Stratus at Mania to blow off the feud.

Chris Masters looked very good and when he and Kane pick up the pace, it comes off well. Good mini-heat builder between the two.

Jannetty was a good and a bad thing. Great to see him back and I’ll get into the bad in the next section..

Shelton winning the IC title is a good thing as well. He’s finally becoming a heel instead of relying on Mama to do the heelish stuff for him instead. Hopefully they’ll give him some programs this time around.

The Triple Threat was done for the most part but the end was a tad out of nowhere. Good action from all three and dare I say Big Show has never wrestled this well over any period of time in his career.

The Bad-- Now to that Jannetty thing. I’m wary of this based solely on the fact that it really shows how little legs the McMahon-HBK feud has. Now they’re dragging guys out from the past all over again in hopes that this’ll get over. Blah.

The Ugly-- Nothing super ugly tonight, other then having to listen to Candice Michelle cut probably the worst promo I’ve ever heard out of anyone ever.

Overall- B- -- Another solid show for the most part. Nothing was particularly outstanding, but everything served a purpose and we actually got more wrestling then segment stuff this week. Truly shocking.

Quick Results

Candice Michelle won a Divas Battle Royal
Edge def. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Kane def. Chris Masters
Shelton Benjamin def. Ric Flair to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion
HBK def. The Spirit Squad
Carlito def. Nick Burke
Triple H def. RVD and Big Show

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Biggest Pops
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Rob Van Dam
3. John Cena
4. Big Show

Most Heat
1. Edge
2. Chris Masters
3. Triple H
4. Shelton Benjamin

Match of the Night: Ric Flair v. Shelton Benjamin **1/2

Power Rankings:

WWE Champion: John Cena (Last Week: WWE Champion)—Calm before the storm for Cena this week. Triple H looms.

Intercontinental Champion: Shelton Benjamin(Last Week: 9)—Shelton wins the belt tonight in what I thought was a solid night. It’ll be very interesting to see where he goes from here. Shelton’s finally beginning to show some signs of being a decent heel after pretty much relying on Mama for the negative heat. This is a good move and hopefully we’ll get some good stuff out of it.

1. Triple H (Last Week: 2)—Trips ended up on the business end of the Triple threat tonight and eked out the win as usual. I’m a little apprehensive about the Cena feud, not because it’s bad business, but I question who’s really going to be the face in this feud given the pops Triple H has been getting. Trips should and probably will put some gas back in the Cena tank.

2. Edge (Last Week: 1)—Edge is really beginning to slowly come into his own as a heel and I’m enjoying it. The Foley thing will do for now, although I DO wish he was still champion. He’s a total heat machine at the moment.

3. Shawn Michaels (Last Week: 4)—The McMahon feud really isn’t going anywhere we haven’t been before, but Jannetty was a nice surprise. Still, having to drag old legends back out of the closet to get this feud over shows just how little legs it has.

4. Big Show (Last Week: 5)—Big Show looked downright great tonight and the recent upswing in his work should be duly noted. In fact, I’d argue he’s doing the best stuff he’s ever done. Great showing in the triple threat tonight.

5. Carlito (Last Week: 7)—Here comes money in the bank part deux. Nice little squash for Carlito keeps us from forgetting about him.

6. Rob Van Dam (Last Week: 6)—Ridiculously over, but WWE doesn’t seem to have the confidence in him right now for a big push. Expect to see him injected into the Money in the Bank Ladder match at Wrestlemania.

7. Kane (Last Week: 8)—Still floating around aimlessly around the mid card. Either a feud with Show is what we’ll get or he’ll be big nasty in the Money in the Bank Ladder match again this year.

8. Chris Masters (Last Week: 3)—Masters drops big time this week but it’s purely for a lack of wins. He looked very good this week.

9.Ric Flair (Last Week: Intercontinental Champion)—After a five month reign, Flair finally drops off the top of the IC division although his reign was fairly unspectacular. Flair, for my money, has been the most consistent player on the brand of late outside of Triple H, proving he still has some legs.

10. Matt Striker (Last Week: 9)—Umm, I dunno he was on TV.

Dropping Out: Chavo Guererro (last week: 10)

Any Questions, comments, or feedback send email me at Raw@wrestleview.com.