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Randy Orton started us off tonight. Orton was breathing heavily and selling a face/neck injury from facing Triple H last night in the PPV main event. He didn’t look particularly pleased. Orton’s music stopped and the camera zoomed in tight on a big red mark on the left side of Orton’s head. Looked like a Hollywood-enhanced burn mark. Orton said he’s not sure what sickens him more: Triple H illegally using a sledgehammer last night or the people enjoying it during the match so much. I was bored, actually. Orton said the fact is that last night proved nothing. He said Hunter knows he can’t beat him on his own and he will get his re-match.
Orton turned his attention to the McMahon family. He has a sense of entitlement. Orton said the McMahon family, this company, and the fans owe him a re-match. Orton said the McMahon family better call on a higher power if they get in his way again. Orton lowered his head as a brief “R-K-O” chant broke out. He said he bashed the old man and his son in the head, DDT’ed Steph, so perhaps up next is him attending a McMahon Family outing. He hasn’t seen Linda in a while. He dryly said he hasn’t her in a while. Or, perhaps, the McMahon family grandchildren. Uh-oh.
Orton got what he wanted: a reaction from the McMahons, as Vince’s music hit and he stormed down to the ring. Orton bailed when Vince hit the ring in a huff, then circled around ringside. Vince then took the mic and said Orton wants to run his mouth and threaten his family, but he’s standing right here in the ring. “I’ll give you what you want!” McMahon shouted. He’s not giving him something, though. And that’s another title match. Orton didn’t like that. McMahon said Orton doesn’t deserve it. He’s going to get some Backlash though. A whole tidal wave.
McMahon sold the next PPV: Orton, Cody, and Teddy vs. his son-in-law, his son, and himself. Orton shot back that McMahon it’s typical of Vince to hide behind his son and Triple H to avoid him. McMahon’s eyes bugged out, but he said Orton is terrified because Cody and Ted aren’t out there to help him. McMahon called Orton a failure without them tonight. Orton shot back with a challenge for a one-on-one challenge tonight. Would he be a failure then? Orton said he doesn’t need Ted and Cody to beat McMahon, just like he didn’t need them to crush McMahon’s skull. He vowed to permanently put McMahon down tonight. “What do you say…sir?” Orton asked sarcastically.
McMahon did the big gulp for the camera, then said Orton might permanently put him down or put him in a coma, but … Randy. McMahon paused to wipe his brow in contemplation and said maybe Orton will do all that, but maybe he won’t. “You’re on!” McMahon shouted in the “You’re Fired!” voice. Orton smirked and McMahon shook his head in an attempt to show confidence. Solid opening segment.
Backstage: Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase were shown pacing around. Orton pumped himself up to face Vince McMahon. Very frenetic segment. Live TV the night after WrestleMania.
RANDY ORTON vs. VINCE MCMAHON
The bell sounded and McMahon stepped up to Orton for a big open-hand slap. Orton sold like he was shot in the face, then McMahon landed some more blows. He kicked Orton in the gut and the fight spilled to the floor where McMahon continued to dominate. Back in the ring, Orton slipped in a fallaway backbreaker to cut off McMahon. Orton waited for McMahon to slowly get up, then he grappled McMahon and gave him the RKO in center ring. Orton didn’t make a cover, though. He waited for McMahon to slowly reach his knees, then Orton lined up McMahon for a Punt, but Shane stormed into the ring and pummeled Orton. Apparently it’s No DQ, as the ref let it all go. Cody and Ted then jumped into the ring to attack Shane. Suddenly, Triple H stormed ringside and took out the Two Stooges on the floor. Hunter fought with Orton back in the ring until Cody and Ted jumped Hunter. Match still going on, apparently.
Suddenly, Batista’s music hit. Oh snap! Batista came out on stage dressed to wrestle and he stormed the ring to tackle Orton. He cleared the heels, then shook the ropes, as the announcers screamed that “Batista is back!” Cody bailed before he could take a beating, but Hunter threw Cody back into the ring and Shane shoved Cody into Batista for a Batistabomb. Orton and Ted high-tailed it up the stage. Vince then talked from ringside that Batista will be taking his place at Backlash. Batista was pumped up as Orton and Ted bailed to the backstage area. They recapped the ending of the segment to close the show.
WINNER: Who knows in who knows when. Run-in came around 4:30, so we’ll go with that, although the match never officially ended. Big surprise for Batista’s return, but they’re back on the same path of killing Randy Orton’s heat. Orton being scripted to sell for McMahon was just as sad as him ridiculously selling SuperShane’s punches the night after the Rumble. McMahon Family’s over-inflated sense of self on TV defies logic.
Opened: July 16th, 2004
