WWE Raw Homecoming

Raw Homecoming was a television special that was broadcast live on October 3, 2005 on the USA Network. It was named as such because it was the first edition of WWE's flagship show Monday Night Raw to air on the USA Network since 2000, after airing on Spike TV (currently known as the Paramount Network) for the previous five years.

The card featured six matches (including a dark match) and multiple segments featuring many returning legends and former superstars. The undercard saw a 30-minute Iron Man match between Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels end in a draw, and Edge defeat Matt Hardy in a "loser leaves Raw" Money in the bank ladder match. The main event saw John Cena defeat Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff to retain the WWE Championship.

The episode averaged a viewership of 4.4 million.[2]

Background

The card consisted of seven matches, including one

Matches

Dark match

Before the event officially started, Shelton Benjamin defeated Tyson Tomko in a match taped for Heat.[1]

Preliminary matches

The opening match of the evening was a 30-minute Iron Man match between Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels. Angle delivered a top-rope Angle Slam for a three-count and the first point. Michaels pinned Angle with an inside cradle to make the score 1–1. Angle forced Michaels to tap out to the ankle lock to make the score 2–1. Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to make the score 2–2. In the match's climax, Michaels hit a Sweet Chin Music and was about to pin Angle before time ran out, rendering the match a draw. Michaels offered Angle to go into sudden death overtime, but Angle refused and walked out.[11][12]

Next, Edge (with Lita) took on Matt Hardy in a loser leaves Raw ladder match for Edge's Money in the Bank contract. After a back-and-forth match, Edge tied up Hardy in the ropes and Lita assisted in holding him there. He then scaled the ladder to retrieve the briefcase. Afterwards, Hardy was escorted out of the arena by security guards.[11][12]

The next match was Triple H and Ric Flair taking on Carlito and Chris Masters. In the end, Triple H pinned Masters after hitting the Pedigree to win. While celebrating after the match, Triple H abruptly turned on Flair and hit him with a sledgehammer, marking the end of Evolution after more than two years since 2003.[11][12]

The fifth match was a bra and panties match between Trish Stratus and Ashley vs Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson and Victoria. Stratus removed Wilson's pants to win the match for her team.[11][12]

The penultimate match was a six-man tag team match featuring wrestlers from the SmackDown! brand. Batista, Chris Benoit and Rey Mysterio were due to face Christian, Eddie Guerrero and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), however Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff would appear on stage and cancel the match immediately after it started, rendering it a no contest.[11][12] The match did take place on SmackDown! that week.

Main event

The main event saw John Cena defend the WWE Championship against Eric Bischoff. Despite early offense by Bischoff and interference by Kurt Angle, Cena managed to mount a comeback and quickly defeat Bischoff to retain. Following the match, SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long would send out the entire SmackDown! roster to invade Raw as revenge for Eric Bischoff cancelling their tag team match earlier.[11][12]

attendance	14,837‡R1R‡
date	October 3, 2005
promotion	WWE
venue	American Airlines Center
city	Dallas, Texas
tagline	The Power is Back
event	Raw special episodes
nextevent2	Raw 1000

Background

Matches

Dark match

Preliminary matches

Main event

Results

Iron Man match

See also

External links

References