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WWE champion Randy Orton came out on stage to a big reaction. One of those reactions where people react to some drama going down to start the show. Orton slowly walked out alone with the WWE Title belt over his shoulder as the announcers talked about Orton trying to do everything possible to get himself DQ’ed or counted out to retain the WWE Title.
After WWE replayed practically the entire WWE Title match since Orton takes forever to enter the ring, he started by reminding everyone he is still WWE champion. Huge heat in the arena. Lights were still dimmed for Orton’s speech. He said he wasn’t just looking to retain the title, but take Batista out for good. Just when he was about to accomplish that, he was stopped …pause…Whoos…by Ric Flair. He should have expected it since Flair wasn’t too fond of him back in the Evolution days because he was a threat to surpass Triple H and him.
Orton said he didn’t mind all that much when he Punted Flair hard in the head back in 2007. Maybe just maybe Flair would have had enough to beat Shawn Michaels at WM24 if he didn’t Punt Flair and be forced into retirement. Still, though, he’s proud to say he’s kicked every member of Evolution in the skull and they’ll never get the retribution they want. He dared Flair to get in his business again. If he does, he won’t hesitate… Flair’s music interrupted right on cue.
Flair strutted out on stage in a dark suit looking very happy. He took his time strutting down the entrance ramp flashing the ice on his wrist to the crowd and Orton. Flair popped into the ring and Whooed right in Orton’s face before telling him to look right in his eyes. He said Orton might still be the champion, but he did not beat Batista. As a matter of fact, the way he sees it, Orton was “this close” to losing the match so he slapped the ref to get intentionally DQ’ed. Flair asked Orton what makes him a big man. Hanging onto the ringpost sure isn’t. He said Orton was supposed to be the heir apparent in Evolution, but Batista blew by Orton and never looked back. Flair said Batista became the man.
Flair re-established eye contact and said Orton might have his little group, might kick people in the head, and kept the title, but he’s never accomplished anything. Orton shot back that this title belt means he is the man. Orton said he can beat Batista anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Flair: “Whoo!” Flair said it’s so perfect Orton just said that. He said GM Vickie Guerrero is really wrecked about the DQ to her title match last night. She made a match official. Ready, Randy? In three weeks, there’s an Extreme Rules PPV. Orton is defending the title one more time against Batista. But, don’t worry about DQs or count-outs. Don’t worry about Cody or Ted. Know why? Cause it’s going to be inside a steel cage. Fans popped. Orton turned around and paced.
Orton said he has a message to deliver to Batista for him. Orton punched Flair in the face before stomping down on him. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr. then slowly came to the ring ready to help, but Batista stormed the ring. He tried to make the save, but Legacy stomped him down. Orton kept working on Flair, then John Cena suddenly stormed the ring and the crowd exploded. Cena helped Batista clear Legacy, then he checked on Flair. Loud “Cena, Cena” chant as Batista, Cena, and Flair recovered in the ring. Legacy retreated on the floor, then Flair’s music hit.
Backstage, Vickie asked Chavo what he was thinking booking her in a match. Chavo freaked and said he was embarrassed and just wasn’t thinking out there. Chavo claimed to have a plan. Randy Orton stormed in and said he’s the WWE champion and she can’t just book steel cage matches without consulting him first. She needed a match that ensures a winner and that’s why she booked it. She told him to worry about his match later tonight. Orton threatened Vickie to make sure she stays on his good side.
Backstage, They showed Orton, Cody, and Ted slowly walking down the hallway in preparation for the main event. It’s getting Extreme…next.
Randy Orton and Legacy came to the ring first for the TV main event. After a pause, Batista’s music hit to a strong reception. John Cena came out to a similarly hot reception running out very amped up. He took his time playing to the crowd since they have a good 15 minutes of TV time counting standard over-run time. Orton took his time getting the troops back in the ring to officially start things off.
WWE Champion Randy Orton & Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes vs. Batista & John Cena
Cena started with a collar-and-elbow tie-up with Cody, then Orton tagged in. Cena tried to make a quick tag to Batista, but Orton went right over to his corner to make a tag to DiBiase. Nice heel move. Batista and Cena then double-clotheslined Legacy over the top rope. Orton slithered into the ring from behind as the audience screamed in horror, but Cena and Batista turned around to slowly scare Orton out of the ring. Orton did his snake-like glare toward the babyfaces as they cut to break. Hot main event.
Back from break, Orton was working on Batista on the floor before he rolled him back into the ring. Orton did the Orton Stomp as crowd was red-hot with a “Batista” chant. DiBiase cut Batista off with a drop toehold before landing a series of elbow drops for another two count. Cole and Ross talked up Rhodes & DiBiase improving week by week as they hang around Orton. DiBiase and Batista then butted heads leading to the tease of a hot tag. Cena took the hot tag at 8:00 and exploded on Cody, who was the legal man. Cena did the You Can’t See Me in Orton’s direction before dropping the Shuffle on Cody. Cena wanted the FU and he delivered it, but Cody made a blind tag to Orton while on Cena’s shoulders. Orton came in and hammered away on Cena, who teetered on the middle rope before DiBiase kicked him in the head. Apparently didn’t quite have the Orton finesse to KO Cena for five weeks. He’ll learn.
Match continued with Legacy cornering Cena and cutting him off from the hot tag. Fans did a “Let’s Go Cena” chant, but there was no dueling “Cena Sucks” echo this week. DiBiase kept working on Cena before bringing Cody back in. Soccer Dad Orton shouted instructions to Cody to maintain control. “Don’t let him breathe!” Cody tried a top rope moonsault and he connected. Whoa. He made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Orton then took a tag and kicked Cena in the gut to work him over. Cena tried to make a comeback, but Orton cut him right off with a clothesline.
At 13:00, Orton slapped on a standing headlock to wear down Cena. Cena tried to drag himself over to Batista and he finally reached out and touched Batista to get Batista his target of Orton for revenge from last night. Crowd exploded as Batista went after Orton. Meanwhile, Cena cut off Big Show on the entrance ramp and knocked him to the back with a chair. Batista cleared Cody and Ted. Suddenly, Ric Flair showed up off camera and shoved Cody off the top turnbuckle. It looked like Cody just kind of fell down. They cut to a shot of Flair to show why Cody fell off the top. Batista then found Orton and gave him a mid-ring spear. Batista made the cover for the win.
Post-match: Batista and Flair celebrated while they replayed what the heck happened. Apparently Flair ran a chair down to Cena, who bashed Show and then Flair went to ringside to KO Cody. Flair and Batista celebrated one more time in the ring while Legacy regrouped on the stage, not pleased with the finish.
Winners: Batista & Cena at 14:45
Opened: July 16th, 2004
