Judgment Day (2005)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Judgment Day (2005)
Details
Promotion	World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand (s)	SmackDown!
Date	May 22, 2005
Venue	Target Center
City	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance	9,500[1]
Pay-per-view chronology
Backlash (2005)	Judgment Day (2005)	ECW One Night Stand (2005)
Judgment Day chronology
Judgment Day (2004)	Judgment Day (2005)	Judgment Day (2006)

Judgment Day (2005) was the seventh annual Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on May 22, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was a SmackDown! brand-exclusive event.^[2]

The main event was an "I Quit" match for the WWE Championship between John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield, which Cena won after Layfield quit.^[3] One of the predominant matches on the card was Rey Mysterio versus Eddie Guerrero, which Mysterio won after Guerrero got himself intentionally disqualified.^[4] Another primary match on the undercard was Kurt Angle versus Booker T, which Booker won with a small package.^[5]

Many of the existing feuds ended following the event. The feud between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, however, did not. After Judgment Day, Mysterio and Guerrero's feud got personal, as Guerrero threatened to reveal a kayfabe secret about Mysterio's son Dominick.^[6] On the June 6 edition of Raw, John Cena was drafted to the Raw brand, thus ending his feud with John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL).^[7] Following the conclusion of his feud with Cena, JBL began an angle with Batista, who was drafted to SmackDown! on June 30, over the World Heavyweight Championship.^[8]

Contents 1 Report 1.1 Background 1.2 Event 1.3 Aftermath 2 Results 3 Notes 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Report

[edit] Background

The main feud heading into the event was between John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) over the WWE Championship. The previous month at WrestleMania 21, Cena defeated JBL to win the WWE Championship.^[9] On the April 7 edition of SmackDown!, General Manager Theodore Long booked a series of number one contenders matches, after JBL, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, The Big Show, Booker T, and Kurt Angle all demanded a WWE Championship match.^[10][11] The first match that Long announced was between JBL and Rey Mysterio.^[10][11] Mysterio controlled most of the match, performing a variety of his signature moves. During the match, Orlando Jordan interfered on JBL's behalf and Eddie Guerrero interfered on Mysterio's behalf. After JBL kicked Guerrero in the back, Guerrero attacked JBL and broke his pinfall attempt. As a result, Mysterio was disqualified and JBL won the match.^[10][11] The following week on SmackDown!, Guerrero and Kurt Angle were scheduled for the second contender's match.^[12][13] Angle advanced to the finals, as he went on to defeat Guerrero.^[12][13] That same night, Cena unveiled a spinner version of the WWE Championship. Before the unveiling, however, JBL came out wearing the original WWE title.^[12][13] On the April 21 edition of SmackDown!, Booker T and Big Show were booked in another contenders match. After the match ended in a double disqualification, Teddy Long booked a Fatal Four-Way match the following week on SmackDown!.^[14][15] JBL won the match and became number one contender to the WWE Championship at Judgment Day for Cena's title.^[16][17] On the May 5 edition of SmackDown!, Cena proposed that he would defend the title against JBL in an "I Quit" match.^[18][19] Two weeks later, on the May 19 edition of SmackDown!, JBL faced Scotty 2 Hotty, which Scotty 2 Hotty won after JBL was disqualified. After the match, however, JBL attacked Scotty and demanded that he say "I quit." As JBL continued the attack, choking him with a leather belt, Scotty said "I quit."^[20][21] That same night, Cena defeated The Basham Brothers (Doug and Danny Basham) in a Handicap match.^[20][21] Throughout the match, JBL, who accompanied the Bashams to the ring, yelled at Cena, telling him to say "I quit."^[20][21]

The second main feud heading into the event was between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. Two months prior to Judgment Day, at WrestleMania 21, Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guerrero.^[22] In the weeks that followed, Guerrero and Mysterio were challenged by MNM (Joey Mercury, Johnny Nitro and Melina) to defend the WWE Tag Team Championship, which Guerrero and Mysterio accepted. MNM defeated Guerrero and Mysterio to win the match and the WWE Tag Team titles after Guerrero walked away in the middle of the match.^[14][15] On the April 28 edition of SmackDown!, Guerrero and Mysterio were given a rematch for the Tag Team titles. During the match, however, Mysterio accidentally performed a flying body press on Guerrero which led to Guerrero abandoning Mysterio, but returned as the fans urged Guerrero to come back.^[16] MNM retained the titles after pinning Mysterio for the win.^[16][17] The following week, Mysterio confronted Guerrero for his action the week before, as Guerrero abandoned Mysterio during both title matches and challenged him to a match. Guerrero, however, informed Mysterio he had nothing to explain to him and declined Mysterio's challenge to a match.^[18][19] That same night, Teddy Long booked a Street Fight match between Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero. Mysterio came out as the winner of the match.^[18][19] After the match, Mercury and Nitro attacked Mysterio, which prompted Guerrero to come out and clear the ring. Guerrero, however, attacked Mysterio and busted him open. The assault led to Guerrero performing a suplex on Mysterio on the outside of the ring steps and thus turning heel.^[18][19] The following week, Long scheduled a match between Guerrero and Mysterio at Judgment Day.^[23][24]

The third main feud heading into the event was between Kurt Angle and Booker T. On an episode of SmackDown!, Angle, Booker, Big Show and JBL took part in a Fatal Four-Way match to determine the number one contender to the WWE Championship, which JBL won.^[16][17] The following week, Angle challenged Booker to a match at Judgment Day, which Booker accepted. Prior to that, Angle had insulted Booker's wife, Sharmell, which led to Booker attacking and accepting Angle's challenge.^[18][19] On the May 12 edition of SmackDown!, Angle admitted he would like to have "perverted sex" with Sharmell.^[23][24] That same night, Angle and Booker were placed in a match, which led to Angle leaving the ring and going backstage to Sharmell. Booker followed and found Sharmell on the floor crying. Angle, however, attacked Booker from behind and slammed him into a pair of steel lockers.^[23][24] The following week, Theodore Long kayfabe suspended Angle for his actions the week before and demanded that Angle apologize for his actions.^[20][21] Angle apologized, but admitted that he actually kissed Sharmell and let her fondle his "private parts" before Booker made his way to the locker room.^[20][21]

[edit] Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Nunzio defeated Akio in a match that aired on Sunday Night HEAT.^[1] The first match of the event was the tag team encounter of MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) (w/Melina) against the team of Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas for the WWE Tag Team Championship. The match started off with Johnny Nitro and Charlie Haas locking up in the ring. Haas took the advantage in the match and was able to tag in Hardcore Holly. There was back and forth action between the two teams, as all of the superstars were able to participate in the match. Mercury pinned Haas after the Snapshot and MNM retained the WWE Tag Team titles.^[3][25]

The next match was the encounter of The Big Show and Carlito (w/Matt Morgan). Big Show gained control over Carlito early into the match, however, Carlito gained control after Morgan distracted Big Show. Big Show bounced Carlito off one corner and splashed him into another. Big Show threw Carlito back to the corner, but this time Carlito took out the referee. As Big Show went for a chokeslam attempt, Carlito was able to hit a low blow. Carlito won the match and gained the successful pinfall after Morgan performed an F-5 on Big Show and Carlito.^[3][25] The third match was for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship between Paul London and Chavo Guerrero. After back and forth action between the two, London was able to perform a 450° splash and pin Guerrero to retain the WWE Cruiserweight title.^[3][25]

The fourth match was between Kurt Angle and Booker T. After Booker backed Angle into the ring ropes and executed a shoulder charge, Angle started bleeding from the mouth. The match came to an end when Booker was able to reverse the Angle Slam into a small package and get the pinfall victory over Angle.^[3][25]

The next match was between Orlando Jordan and Heidenreich for the WWE United States Championship. As the match began, Jordan was able to perform a modified dropkick through the ropes to Heidenreich. Heidenreich, however, would gain the advantage after countering Jordan's attack from the top rope, into a suplex. After performing a DDT, Jordan pinned Heidenreich to retain the United States title.^[3][25]

The proceeding match was between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. In the match, Mysterio tried to counter Guerrero's offense, but Guerrero blocked any attempt Mysterio tried to do. Mysterio gained the advantage when he was able to execute a flying headbutt to Guerrero. One spot saw Mysterio perform a modified 619 on Guerrero, as Guerrero was trying to get back up the ring apron. Mysterio won the match after Guerrero was disqualified for hitting him with a steel chair.^[3][25]

The seventh and final match was between John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the WWE Championship in an "I Quit" match. John Cena came out on the flatbed of a semi truck with a DJ on a turntable mixing his theme song. During the match, both Cena and JBL managed to get the upper hand. A spot in the match saw Cena backdrop JBL through the announce table after telling him to "kiss my ass." Shortly after, JBL hit Cena with a steel chair and caused him to bleed from the head. Later on in the match, up the ramp area, Cena threw JBL face first through a television monitor. The match ended when JBL said "I quit" as Cena prepared to hit him with an exhaust pipe, which came from the semi truck that was at the ramp area. As a result, Cena retained the WWE Championship. After the match ended, Cena hit JBL with the exhaust pipe.^[3][25]

[edit] Aftermath

On the June 6 edition of Raw, John Cena's SmackDown! tenure came to an end when he became the first wrestler selected by the Raw General Manager, Eric Bischoff, in the draft lottery.^[7][26] Cena immediately entered a feud with Eric Bischoff after when he refused to participate in Bischoff's "war" against the upcoming Extreme Championship Wrestling reunion show.^[7][26] Cena went onto resume his feud with Christian,^[7][26] as they had an encounter at the Royal Rumble.^[27] During the feud, Chris Jericho was involved as well, as he protested Bischoff's actions of scheduling a WWE Championship match between Cena and Christian at Vengeance.^[28][29] After defeating Christian and Tyson Tomko in a tag team match, Jericho turned on Cena. Bischoff changed the original match between Christian and Cena to a Triple Threat match involving Jericho for the WWE Championship at Vengeance.^[28][29] At Vengeance, Cena successfully retained the WWE Championship, after he performed an FU on Christian to gain the pinfall win.^[30]

On the June 30 edition of SmackDown!, Batista was revealed to be the last pick in the draft lottery.^[8][6] He made a surprise appearance after John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) celebrated his victory in a six-man elimination match to win the new SmackDown! Championship, after the WWE Championship became a Raw brand-exclusive championship.^[8][6] On the July 7 edition of SmackDown!, a World Heavyweight Championship match between Batista and JBL was announced to take place at The Great American Bash.^[31][32] At the Great American Bash, Batista was disqualified for attacking JBL with a chair. JBL won the match, but did not win the title because a title never changes hands by count out or disqualification.^[33]

On the June 13 edition of Raw, Kurt Angle's tenure with SmackDown! came to an end, as he was also drafted to the Raw brand. There, he immediately continued his feud with Shawn Michaels.^[28][29] At the start of the year, Angle and Michaels both participated in the Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.^[34] During the match, Michaels eliminated Angle. In retaliation, Angle returned to the match and eliminated Michaels and then attacked him outside the ring.^[34] The two engaged in a feud, which led to an Interpromotional match at WrestleMania 21, as Angle was part of the SmackDown! roster and Michaels belonged to the Raw roster. At WrestleMania 21, Angle got the win over Michaels by forcing him to submit to an Ankle Lock.^[35] The same evening Angle was drafted, Michaels challenged Angle to a WrestleMania 21 rematch at Vengeance, in which Angle accepted.^[28][29] At Vengeance, the rematch between Michaels and Angle took place, as Michaels went onto defeat Angle.^[36]

The angle between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio continued. On an episode of SmackDown!, Guerrero threatened to reveal a secret concerning Mysterio's son Dominick.^[8][6] This led the families of both Guerrero and Mysterio pleading with Guerrero not to reveal the secret.^[37][38] At the Great American Bash, Mysterio defeated Guerrero in a match where if Guerrero lost, he could not reveal the secret.^[39] On the July 28 edition of SmackDown!, however, Guerrero revealed the secret, claiming he was Dominick's kayfabe biological father.^[40][41] The storyline also went on that Guerrero knew Mysterio was having trouble starting his own family, so Guerrero left Dominick to be raised by Mysterio's family.^[40][41] In subsequent weeks, Guerrero threatened to take custody of Dominick, drawing up custody papers and having his lawyer present them to Mysterio.^[42][43] This led to a Ladder match between the two for the custody of Dominick at SummerSlam, which Mysterio won, thus ending their near year long feud.^[44][45]

[edit] Results

Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.

• Sunday Night HEAT Match: Nunzio defeated Akio (3:29)^[5]
  • Nunzio pinned Akio with a roll up.^[5]
• MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) (w/Melina) defeated Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship (8:04)^[4][5]
  • Mercury pinned Haas after the Snapshot.^[4][5]
• Carlito (w/Matt Morgan) defeated The Big Show (4:41)^[4][5]
  • Carlito pinned Big Show after Morgan hit Big Show with the F5.^[4][5]
• Paul London defeated Chavo Guerrero to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (10:41)^[4][5]
  • London pinned Guerrero after a 450° splash.^[4][5]
• Booker T defeated Kurt Angle (14:09)^[4][5]
  • Booker pinned Angle after reversing the Angle Slam into a small package.^[4][5]
• Orlando Jordan defeated Heidenreich to retain the WWE United States Championship (4:54)^[4][5]
  • Jordan pinned Heidenreich after a DDT.^[4][5]
• Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guerrero by disqualification (18:31)^[4][5]
  • Guerrero was disqualified after hitting Mysterio with a steel chair.^[4][5]
• John Cena defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield in an "I Quit" match to retain the WWE Championship (22:40)^[5][46]
  • Layfield quit as Cena was about to hit him with a large exhaust pipe.^[5][46]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• (2005). Judgment Day [DVD]. World Wrestling Entertainment.

[edit] External links

• Official Judgment Day 2005 Website