On December 12, 2005, WWE Raw returned to Boston, Massachusetts, just one week after the dramatic dismissal of General Manager Eric Bischoff. The evening opened with Vince McMahon seizing the microphone—and, by the end, the reins of authority—injecting his signature intensity and unpredictability throughout the show. Promising that Bischoff would stay fired, McMahon took a moment to address the former GM’s family, saying,
“I’d like to wish his family a very Merry Christmas.”
The focus keyword, WWE Raw December 2005, became defined by the turbulence McMahon’s takeover caused, both on camera and behind the scenes.
Elimination Chamber Qualifiers Ignite Rivalries
McMahon wasted no time outlining his plans, using the night to fill the upcoming Elimination Chamber match. He teased possible GM replacements—including his daughter Stephanie and even Ted Turner, offering,
“if he wants to get back into the rasslin’ business.”
But ultimately, McMahon announced he would serve as his own interim replacement, declaring himself the “handsome, virile man” for the job. Qualifying matches immediately followed, setting the stage for high-stakes competition and emotional confrontations among Raw’s top superstars.
Angle vs. Flair: Opening Qualifier Raises Tempers
The first qualifier saw Ric Flair receive a surprising ovation as he faced Kurt Angle. The match featured their signature moves, with Flair focusing on Angle’s leg to set up his famous Figure Four. However, Angle’s frustration led to underhanded tactics—he introduced a chair and, while the referee was distracted, struck Flair with brass knuckles to secure the win. Announcer Coach commented sharply,
“At one time Flair was in Kurt Angle’s league. That time has well passed,”
while Joey Styles retorted, “What a jerk!”
Angle wasted little time turning the audience further against him, boasting of refusing to join the upcoming WWE show in Afghanistan, disparaging the U.S. troops, and stating,
“That’s what I hear. Guess what, I don’t suck. I won a Gold Medal with a broken neck. I did the ultimate thing that anyone in this world can do, and you want to compare? Okay, let’s compare. What have these troops done? Absolutely nothing. I tell you what, if – and it’s a big damn if – if they catch Osama, then maybe I’d go over there and sign a few autographs. Until then, this Olympic boy ain’t going nowhere.”
This inflammatory rhetoric was cut short by John Cena, who confronted Daivari as he desecrated Boston sports legends’ statues. Cena declared,
“You’re bush league. You’re better than that! No you’re not,”
and proceeded to defend the country‘s servicemen, adding,
“I’ve seen the soldiers who aren’t home for the holidays so you can be… So fans say you suck. Newsflash. Half the people out there think I suck. This is America. People have fought and died to earn the right to say what we want, when we want. I don’t care how many Gold Medals you’ve won, that is a privilege that deserves your respect.”
The sequence built to a powerful close:
“Let’s face facts. Without those troops you’re too good for, there’s no America. And with no America, there’s no American heros. If you can’t get that, you can’t see me.”
Backstage Tensions and Personal Encounters
The backstage area thrummed with as much volatile energy as the ring. Edge confronted Flair, referencing Flair’s real-life controversies—
“What are you going to do, go on the Mass Turnpike and beat the crap out of somebody else?”
—while Lita taunted,
“That seems to be the only fight you can win these days.”
The lines between performance and reality blurred as Edge added,
“What would our lawyers think if you were involved in another case of assault, with a woman no less.”
Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels and Shelton Benjamin exchanged strong words about last week’s loss. Benjamin, aiming for a spot in the Chamber, stated,
“I guess old habits died hard. Selfish ’til the end.”
Carlito Steals a Win, WWE Teases New On-Air Talent
In the second qualifying match, Shelton Benjamin and Carlito delivered an athletic contest marked by reversals and rapid pin attempts. Benjamin’s confidence—and a bite from Carlito’s trademark apple—ultimately led to his undoing, and Carlito scored the pin. Reports surfaced that WWE was casting to introduce a new character as Benjamin’s mother, signaling future storyline developments and attempts to deepen Benjamin’s on-screen presentation.
Elsewhere backstage, Trevor Murdoch made a pitch to McMahon for the GM role, only to be dismissed and mocked for his chewing tobacco. Candice Michelle took a suggestively flirtatious approach in her bid for GM, while Kurt Angle and Daivari barged in to demand attention from the new boss. This mix of comic relief and power jockeying underscored the wild, unpredictable tone McMahon brought to the proceedings.
Showdowns and Disqualifications Define Raw’s Midsection
Another high-stakes qualifier featured Shawn Michaels facing a physical mismatch against Big Show. Michaels used agility and strategy, pulling down the top rope to send Show tumbling. Though Show’s strength threatened to overpower him, interference from Triple H led to Michaels’ victory via disqualification. Show’s anger after the technicality played into Triple H’s cunning reputation as WWE’s “Cerebral Assassin.”
The GM’s decisions continued to escalate tensions: Angle demanded a rematch against Cena, but McMahon granted Daivari the opportunity instead, with the twist that Cena would be blindfolded for the match—dubbed WWE’s first-ever “You Can’t See Me” contest. McMahon delivered a stern warning to Angle about respect for authority.
The following Elimination Chamber Qualifier pitted Chris Masters against Viscera, with Masters struggling to apply the Masterlock before finally winning after a second attempt. This match highlighted the continuing push for Masters’s dominance among WWE’s larger competitors, adding intrigue to the upcoming Chamber contest.
Storylines Deepen With New Gimmicks and Returning Legends
WWE continued to blur reality and story as Matt Striker debuted his preachy schoolteacher persona, targeting the crowd’s alleged lack of “family values.” Striker challenged,
“What happened to all the values we once held dear,”
and targeted social issues with biting sarcasm and derision. He pushed further, stating,
“I’m tired of having to pay because your mothers can’t keep their damn legs closed,”
before ranting against same-sex marriage and drug use.
“You people are uneducated. And, you see, that’s where I come in,”
he concluded, before declaring,
“I am Matt Striker, and I’m going to be your teacher.”
Coach responded,
“Wow, he makes a lot of good points,”
adding an extra charge to an already controversial segment.
Chris Nowinski, proud of his Harvard background, lobbied for the GM role, while Dusty Rhodes returned to Raw, giving McMahon a genuine surprise and sparking speculation about his possible future on the show. WWE leveraged the presence of such figures to keep the atmosphere charged with both nostalgia and unpredictability.
Women’s Division Spotlight: Mickie James Outshines Victoria
Mickie James entered her match with Victoria accompanied by Trish Stratus, celebrating her ongoing “fan-girl” attachment to the women’s champion. Despite Victoria’s aggressive offense—including a Boston Crab—Mickie staged a quick comeback and secured victory with a DDT. Their match, though brief, advanced the storyline between Mickie and Trish, earning praise for its month-long buildup and natural chemistry.
Main Event Chaos: Kane vs. Triple H and the Blindfold Challenge
The penultimate match featured Triple H and Kane in a physically intense contest. Kane’s dominance was interrupted by strategic offense from Triple H, who used a sledgehammer as the referee lay incapacitated. Big Show’s interference helped Kane hit a double-chokeslam on Hunter, securing the pin. The slow, punishing match highlighted lingering scores among Raw’s heavyweights and furthered the show’s chaotic motif.
In the night’s finale, John Cena faced Daivari in the “You Can’t See Me” match, blindfolded and targeted by both Daivari and Angle. The crowd played along, guiding Cena, who eventually caught Daivari in the STF for the quick submission win. Afterwards, Angle attacked, but Cena overcame both men, energizing the Boston crowd as he celebrated his victory. The show closed with the enduring sight of Cena staring down his bitter rival, setting up anticipation for their ongoing feud.
A Show of Overwhelming Energy and Controversy
WWE Raw December 2005, marked by Vince McMahon’s dominating presence, delivered non-stop tension, emotional outbursts, and a series of matches and backstage segments that blurred the boundary between scripted drama and real-world issues. With major storylines set in motion—rivalries escalating, the Elimination Chamber field shaping up, and McMahon’s authority looming over all—Raw succeeded in keeping its audience unsettled and eager for next week, when WWE would pay tribute to the troops from Afghanistan. The episode left no doubt that, under McMahon’s guidance, Raw was entering an even more unpredictable and intense era.
