Backlash (2004)

File:Rexall Place Edmonton Alberta Canada 07A.jpg in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.]]

Backlash is a pay-per-view (PPV) event that was established by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1999. The concept of the pay-per-view was based around the backlash from WWE's flagship event, WrestleMania.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/backlash.htm|title=WWE Backlash|publisher=The History of WWE|access-date=August 23, 2009}} The 2004 event was the sixth Backlash and featured the backlash from WrestleMania XX. It was scheduled to take place on April 18, 2004, at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, being the first Backlash held outside the United States. While the previous two years had featured wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown! brand divisions, the 2004 event was held exclusively for Raw.{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2004/04/19/feature-bouts-save-backlash/|title=Feature bouts save Backlash|first=John|last=Powell|date=April 19, 2004|access-date=February 15, 2008|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}{{cite web|date=April 18, 2004|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2004/results/|title=Backlash 2004 results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219062735/https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2004/results/|archive-date=February 19, 2008|url-status=live}}

The main feud heading into Backlash was between Chris Benoit, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels over the World Heavyweight Championship. Chris Benoit won the title one month prior at WrestleMania XX when he defeated Michaels and then-champion Triple H in a triple threat match. Benoit won the match by forcing Triple H to submit to the Crippler Crossface.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent|title=Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H – World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229070853/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent|archive-date=February 29, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=April 18, 2004|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1079325525.shtml|title=Full WWE WrestleMania XX PPV Results – 3/14/04 from Madison Square Garden|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209201042/https://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1079325525.shtml|archive-date=February 9, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31151/411s-WWE-WrestleMania-XX-Report-03.14.04.htm|title=411's WWE WrestleMania XX Report 03.14.04|date=April 18, 2004|work=411Mania|first=Chris|last=Pankonin|access-date=February 15, 2008}} On the March 15 episode of Raw, Benoit and Michaels defeated Evolution (Randy Orton, Ric Flair, and Batista) in a 3-on-2 handicap tag team match. Benoit and Michaels won the match after Benoit forced Batista to submit to the Sharpshooter.{{cite web|first=Jacob|last=Ziegler|date=March 15, 2004|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30766/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-03.15.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 03.15.04|work=411Mania|access-date=February 23, 2008}}{{cite web|date=March 15, 2004|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040315.html|title=March 15, 2004 Raw results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217074324/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040315.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=live}} On the March 22 episode of Raw, Triple H was drafted to the SmackDown! brand, and Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff announced that Michaels would receive a World Heavyweight Championship match against Benoit at Backlash.{{cite web|date=March 22, 2004|url=https://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/040322.htm|title=March 22, 2004 Raw results|publisher=PWWEW.net|access-date=February 23, 2008}}{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=March 22, 2004 Raw results|date=March 22, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216232751/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|archive-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=live}} On the March 25 episode of SmackDown!, SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle announced that Triple H had been traded back to the Raw brand in exchange for The Dudley Boyz and Booker T.{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Melchor|date=March 25, 2004|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30769/411-WWE-SmackDown-Report-–-03.25.04.htm|title=411 WWE SmackDown! Report – 03.25.04|work=411Mania|access-date=February 25, 2008}}{{cite web|date=March 25, 2004|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040325.html|title=March 25, 2004 SmackDown! results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222003845/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040325.html|archive-date=February 22, 2008|url-status=live}} On the March 29 episode of Raw, Bischoff made the one-on-one World Heavyweight Championship match between Benoit and Michaels a triple threat match also involving Triple H.{{cite web|author=PK|date=March 29, 2004|access-date=February 23, 2008|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30771/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-03.29.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 03.29.04|work=411Mania}}{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040329.html|date=March 29, 2004|title=March 29, 2004 Raw results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220090521/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040329.html|archive-date=February 20, 2008|url-status=live}}

The other main match on the card was a hardcore match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Randy Orton and Cactus Jack. Three months prior at the Royal Rumble, after Mick Foley eliminated Orton and himself from the Royal Rumble match, Orton hit Foley with a steel chair, and the two brawled up the ramp and into the back. At WrestleMania XX, Evolution (Orton, Batista, and Ric Flair) faced off against The Rock 'n' Sock Connection (Foley and The Rock) in a handicap match. Evolution won the match when Orton pinned Foley after an RKO. On the March 29 episode of Raw, Foley challenged Orton to a Hardcore match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Backlash, which Orton accepted that same night. Mick Foley added another stipulation that Evolution would be banned from ringside.{{cite web|author=PK|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wwe-raw-report-03-29-04/|title=411's WWE Raw Report 03.29.04|access-date=November 23, 2019|date=March 29, 2004|work=411Mania}}{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040329.html|title=Raw results – March 29, 2004|access-date=March 10, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306032742/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040329.html|archive-date=March 6, 2008|url-status=live}}

Another feud heading into the event was between Chris Jericho against Christian and Trish Stratus. At WrestleMania XX, Christian defeated Jericho. After the match, Stratus, Jericho's on-screen girlfriend at the time, turned on Jericho and joined Christian. On the April 5 episode of Raw, Christian announced that he would be teaming up with Stratus to take on Jericho in a handicap match at Backlash.{{cite web|date=April 5, 2004|access-date=July 19, 2008|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040405.html|title=April 5, 2004 Raw results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705155443/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040405.html|archive-date=July 5, 2008|url-status=live}}

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Val Venis defeated Matt Hardy in a match taped for Sunday Night Heat. The first match that aired was between Shelton Benjamin and Ric Flair. After back and forth action between the two, Flair attempted to use brass knuckles on Benjamin but Benjamin splashed Flair from behind. Benjamin then performed a diving clothesline on Flair for the win.{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1082342965.shtml|title=Full WWE Backlash (Raw) PPV Results – 4/18/04 from Edmonton, Alberta, CA|access-date=February 15, 2008|date=April 18, 2004|work=WrestleView|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207231011/https://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1082342965.shtml|archive-date=February 7, 2008|url-status=live}}

Next was a match between Jonathan Coachman and Tajiri. During the match, Garrison Cade interfered on Coachman's behalf, allowing Coachman to roll-up Tajiri for the win.

The third match of the event was Chris Jericho versus Christian and Trish Stratus in a handicap match. Jericho won the match by pinning Christian after throwing him onto Stratus and executing an enziguiri.

In the next match, Victoria faced Lita for the WWE Women's Championship. Both women evenly controlled the match. The match ended when Victoria pinned Lita with an Inside Cradle. After the match, Molly Holly and Gail Kim attacked both Lita and Victoria.

File:Orton 05.jpg defended the Intercontinental Championship against Cactus Jack.]]

Next was a hardcore match between Randy Orton and Cactus Jack for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, with the stipulation that Evolution were banned from ringside. One spot in the match saw Cactus lie a barbed wire baseball bat between Orton's legs and perform a leg drop. Cactus continued to use the bat, as he poured gasoline on it and tried to light it on fire. Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff interrupted and informed Cactus that he would be disqualified and the event would end if he lit the bat on fire. In a particularly brutal spot, Orton - wearing only his signature trunks - missed an RKO and was thrown onto thumbtacks. When this spot had been attempted previously, those involved - including Foley himself - had done so fully-clothed. The sight of Orton with thumbtacks embedded into his bare body was, for many, the first major bump of his career.{{Cite web|last=Screen|first=The Greene|date=June 1, 2012|title=Ten Greatest WWE Intercontinental Champions Of All Time|url=https://ringsidelogic.com/2012/06/01/ten-greatest-intercontinental-champions-of-all-time/|access-date=July 23, 2022|website=Ringside Logic}}{{Cite web|title=Columns - Online World of Wrestling|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/fanjam/042004.html|access-date=July 23, 2022|website=www.onlineworldofwrestling.com}} After taking an elbow drop off the entrance stage, Orton executed an RKO on Cactus onto the barbed wire baseball bat to retain the title.

The sixth match was a tag team match in which The Hurricane and Rosey defeated La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier). After a back and forth match, Hurricane pinned Conway after an Eye of the Hurricane.

The match that followed was between Edge and Kane. The match was controlled by Kane, as he focused on Edge's injured left hand. Edge reversed attacks from Kane and attempted a Spear but Kane avoided, causing Edge to perform a Spear on the referee. Edge struck Kane with the cast and performed a spear on Kane for the win.

The main event was a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H. Michaels dove off the top rope but Benoit and Triple H avoided, causing Michaels to fall through an announce table. Triple H attacked Michaels with a sledgehammer. Benoit forced Michaels to submit to the sharpshooter to retain the title.

The following night on Raw, General manager Eric Bischoff scheduled a World Heavyweight Championship match between Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels for the May 3 episode of Raw.{{cite web|access-date=February 21, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040419.html|title=Raw results – April 19, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217074329/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040419.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=February 25, 2008|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31529/The-SmarK-Raw-Rant---April-19-2004.htm|title=The SmarK Raw Rant – April 19, 2004|first=Scott|last=Keith|date=April 19, 2004|work=411Mania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303134538/https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31529/The-SmarK-RAW-Rant---April-19-2004.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2008|url-status=live}} On the same night, an impromptu team of Benoit and Edge defeated Evolution (Ric Flair and Batista) for the World Tag Team Championship, making Benoit a double champion. Two weeks later on Raw, Benoit retained the World Heavyweight title in a scheduled match against Shawn Michaels, after interference by Triple H.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040503.html|title=Raw results – May 3, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020653/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040503.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30786/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-05.03.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 05.03.04|access-date=February 25, 2008|date=May 3, 2004|work=411Mania}} On May 10, a match between Shelton Benjamin and Triple H, resulted in Michaels attacking Triple H.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040510.html|title=Raw results – May 10, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020658/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040510.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30789/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-05.10.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 05.10.04|first=Dave|last=Gagnon|access-date=February 25, 2008|date=May 10, 2004|work=411Mania}} Michaels' actions resulted in a suspension from Eric Bischoff. Prior to Raw that night, Bischoff informed Triple H that he would face Benoit for the World title the following week on Raw. However, the match never happened as during that night, a Battle Royal took place, in which the winner would go on to face Benoit at Bad Blood for the World title.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040517.html|title=Raw results – May 17, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216232801/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040517.html|archive-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=PK|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30792/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-05.17.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 05.17.04|access-date=February 25, 2008|date=May 17, 2004|work=411Mania}} During the match, Triple H, one of the participants in the match, was eliminated by Michaels, who was not a participant in the match.

On the May 24 episode of Raw, Bischoff lifted Michaels' suspension, after Triple H pleaded that Michaels be reinstated.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040524.html|title=Raw results – May 24, 2004|access-date=February 26, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020703/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040524.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Gagnon|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/30794/411s-WWE-Raw-Report-05.24.04.htm|title=411's WWE Raw Report 05.24.04|access-date=February 26, 2008|date=May 24, 2004|work=411Mania}} On the same night, Michaels confronted Bischoff wanting to know if he was scheduled in a match with Triple H at Bad Blood. Bischoff assured Michaels, but Triple H attacked Michaels from behind, after Michaels attacked Triple H outside the arena's parking lot. Bischoff gave orders to Raw superstars to attack Triple H and Michaels, if seen fighting. The roster tried breaking the fight up, but were unsuccessful in doing so. The result of the fight gave Bischoff the authority to schedule a Hell in a Cell match between Triple H and Michaels at Bad Blood. At Bad Blood, Triple H defeated Michaels by pinfall after executing two Pedigrees.{{cite web|work=411Mania|access-date=February 26, 2008|date=June 13, 2004|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/31154/411s-WWE-Bad-Blood-Report-06.13.04.htm|first=Chris|last=Pankonin|title=411's WWE Bad Blood Report 06.13.04}}

Following Backlash, Lita and Kane were put in an angle, which involved Matt Hardy. It saw Hardy attack Kane to an attempt to prevent Kane from harming Lita. In the following weeks on Raw, Kane began repeatedly assaulting Hardy and attempting to seduce Lita.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040426.html|title=Raw results – April 26, 2004|access-date=February 27, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220090526/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040426.html|archive-date=February 20, 2008|url-status=live}} One incident saw Kane kayfabe kidnap Lita and hold her tied up backstage, where he supposedly asked her a "question." Later that night, Kane won a number one contenders Battle Royal match, in which he received a title shot at Bad Blood. At Bad Blood, Benoit was successful in defending the World Heavyweight title, after he pinned Kane with a roll-up.{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Clevett|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/06/14/499219.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160329162402/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/06/14/499219.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2016|title=Bad Blood a total bore|access-date=February 27, 2008|date=June 14, 2004|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}

During a match between Christian and Chris Jericho, Christian defeated Jericho after interference by Tyson Tomko; Tomko was revealed to be the "problem solver" for Christian and Trish Stratus. The following weeks on Raw, Tomko assaulted Jericho, until May 10, when Jericho defeated Christian in a Steel Cage match when he made Christian submit to the Walls of Jericho. As a result of the Steel Cage match, Christian suffered a legitimate back injury. After defeating Randy Orton and Batista in a tag team match, Tomko attacked Jericho, in which he powerbombed Jericho through the announcers table. On the June 7 episode of Raw, Bischoff booked a match at Bad Blood between Tomko and Jericho.{{cite web|url=https://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040607.html|title=Raw results – June 7, 2004|access-date=March 3, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216202002/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040607.html|archive-date=February 16, 2008|url-status=live}} At Bad Blood, Jericho pinned Tomko, after an Enzuigiri.

Mick Foley named his match with Orton the favorite match of his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/04/randy-orton-responds-to-mick-foley-celebrating-their-2004-backlash-match/|title=Randy Orton Responds to Mick Foley Celebrating Their 2004 Backlash Match|date=April 19, 2022|last=Mohan|first=Sai|work=Wrestling Inc.|access-date=April 21, 2022}}

{{Pro wrestling results table

|results =

|times =

|note1 = heat

|match1 = Val Venis defeated Matt Hardy by pinfall{{cite web|date=April 18, 2004|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/backlash04.html|title=Backlash 2004 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217032018/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/backlash04.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=April 18, 2004|url=https://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/bkl04.html|title=Backlash 2004 results|publisher=hoffoco-inc.com|access-date=February 15, 2008}}

|stip1 = Singles match

|time1 = 7:56

|match2 = Shelton Benjamin defeated Ric Flair by pinfall

|stip2 = Singles match

|time2 = 9:29

|match3 = Jonathan Coachman (with Garrison Cade) defeated Tajiri by pinfall

|stip3 = Singles match

|time3 = 6:25

|match4 = Chris Jericho defeated Christian and Trish Stratus by pinfall

|stip4 = Handicap match

|time4 = 11:12

|match5 = Victoria (c) defeated Lita by pinfall

|stip5 = Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship

|time5 = 7:22

|match6 = Randy Orton (c) defeated Cactus Jack by pinfall

|stip6 = Hardcore match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
{{small|Evolution were banned from ringside.}}

|time6 = 23:07

|match7 = Rosey and The Hurricane defeated La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) by pinfall

|stip7 = Tag team match

|time7 = 5:02

|match8 = Edge defeated Kane by pinfall

|stip8 = Singles match

|time8 = 6:25

|match9 = Chris Benoit (c) defeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H by submission

|stip9 = Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2004/mainevent/|title=World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeats Triple H & Shawn Michaels to retain|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 15, 2008|date=April 18, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224053213/https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2004/mainevent/|archive-date=February 24, 2008|url-status=live}}

|time9 = 30:10

}}

{{Portal|Canada}}

• Professional wrestling in Canada

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/2004 Official Backlash 2004 website]

{{2004 WWE pay-per-view events}}

{{WWEPPV|Backlash}}

2004

Category:Events in Edmonton

Category:Professional wrestling shows in Alberta

Category:2004 WWE pay-per-view events

Category:2004 in Alberta

Category:April 2004 in Canada

Category:WWE in Canada

Category:WWE Raw

es:WWE Backlash#2004

ja:WWE・バックラッシュ#第6回大会（2004年）WWE RAW's Backlash 2004

ro:WWE Backlash#2004

ru:Backlash#2004