Summerslam 2004 Review

The Orton Era begins.

• The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray, D-Von and Spike) defeated Rey Mysterio, Billy Kidman and Paul London (8:07)
o Spike pinned Kidman after a 3D from Bubba Ray and D-Von.
o **1/2
Just a generic 6 man tag.

• Kane defeated Matt Hardy (w/Lita) in a "Till Death Do Us Part" match (6:08)
o Kane pinned Hardy after a chokeslam from the top rope.
o As a result, Lita had to marry Kane.
o *1/4
Like anyone didn't know who was gonna win this.

• John Cena defeated Booker T in match 1 of a "Best of 5" series for the WWE United States Championship(6:26)
o Cena pinned Booker after a F-U.
o *1/2
Not the best way to start off a "classic" series.

• Edge defeated Chris Jericho and Batista in a Triple Threat match to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship (8:26)
o Edge pinned Jericho after a Spear.
o **1/4
Edge got booed in his own hometown. That's about all there is to note here.

• Kurt Angle (w/Luther Reigns) defeated Eddie Guerrero (13:37)
o Angle forced Guerrero to submit with a Ankle Lock on Guerreros's injured ankle.
o ***1/2
Not as good as WM. Kind of like a strong Smackdown main event.

• Triple H (w/Ric Flair) defeated Eugene (14:06)
o Triple H pinned Eugene after a Pedigree.
o Eugene had become distracted when William Regal came to ringside and hit Flair with brass knuckles.
o **
Solid.

• Team Dream (Joy Giovanni, Amy Weber, Tracie Wright, Maria Kanellis, Christy Hemme and Michelle McCool) defeated Team Diva (Victoria, Gail Kim, Jazz, Stacy Keibler, Molly Holly and Nidia) in a game of "Diva Dodgeball" (1:24)
o Carmella DeCesare didn't show up for Team Dream, so Trish Stratus of Team Diva sat out to make it even.

• John "Bradshaw" Layfield (w/Orlando Jordan) defeated The Undertaker by disqualification to retain the WWE Championship (17:37)
o Undertaker was disqualified after hitting JBL with the WWE Title belt.
o After the match, Undertaker chokeslammed JBL through the roof of his limousine.
o *1/2
Too long to matter. The crowd did the wave out of sheer boredom.

• Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit to win the World Heavyweight Championship (20:08)
o Orton pinned Benoit after a RKO.
o ***1/2
MOTN, which isn't saying much.

~ Pretty bad show overall.