On July 11, 2005, WWE Monday Night Raw delivered a night filled with unexpected twists at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Shawn Michaels shocked the WWE Universe by officially challenging Hulk Hogan to a match at Summerslam, setting the stage for one of the most intense confrontations of the year. This challenge came following Michaels’ surprising attack on Hogan the previous week, becoming a central focus of the WWE Raw Summerslam 2005 Highlights.
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the wrestling icons gathered, while multiple storylines intertwined throughout the night, showcasing rivalries, title defenses, and divisive personalities battling for control and respect inside and outside the ring.
Opening Segment: Carlito’s Cabana Sparks Talk Show Rivalry between Jericho and Carlito
Jim Ross, Coach, and Jerry Lawler introduced the show which started with Carlito hosting his talk show, Carlito’s Cabana, where he claimed to have made Raw more compelling. Carlito promised a major guest, the man accused of superkicking Hulk Hogan last week—Shawn Michaels. Surprisingly, it was Chris Jericho who appeared instead, indicating the rivalry extending to their talk show pursuits.
Jericho taunted Carlito and tried to steal the spotlight by boasting about his controversial interview with WWE Champion John Cena. The crowd showed mixed reactions, highlighting Cena’s immense fan support despite Jericho’s attempt to diminish him. Their playful insults escalated into Jericho calling Carlito “Sideshow Bob,” which drew cheers from the audience. The segment ended unpredictably when Roddy Piper entered, asserting that Michaels would appear on his legendary Piper’s Pit rather than Carlito’s Cabana or Jericho’s show.
Roddy Piper criticized Jericho’s claim to talk show originality and insisted he himself was the true pioneer. He promised to help the fans understand Michaels’ motivations behind his shocking attack on Hogan earlier, heightening the emotional tension surrounding Michaels’ actions.
Preliminary Matches and Storyline Development Build Momentum for Summerslam
The in-ring action began with Tajiri facing off against Chris Masters. Masters dominated the opening moments but Tajiri’s quick kicks received a decent crowd response. The match ended with Masters victorious after 3 minutes and 17 seconds, providing a solid opener though not a standout moment.
Backstage, fans saw Edge and Lita with Gene Snitsky plotting against Kane, further fueling the heated Kane-Edge rivalry. Edge manipulated Snitsky into a bizarre mission to attack Kane, using unsettling tactics that amplified their villainous personas. Meanwhile, Triple H was shown injured and absent following his notoriously brutal Hell in a Cell match, with speculation mounting about the reason for his disappearance from the spotlight and what his eventual return might mean for the WWE hierarchy.
Intense Intercontinental Championship Battle Ends in Controversy
The evening’s first title contest showcased Carlito defending the Intercontinental (IC) Championship against Shelton Benjamin. The match was a competitive back-and-forth with Carlito initially gaining an advantage but showing uncharacteristic cockiness, which Shelton capitalized on. The bout displayed strategic sequences, including chinlocks and reversals, keeping fans engaged throughout the 14-minute match.
Carlito’s retention was secured through a countout after pulling the championship belt into the ring, only for Shelton to disarm the advantage and assault him. Despite the frustrating finish, both wrestlers’ performances elevated the feud, enhancing anticipation for upcoming encounters. Shelton’s persistence and Carlito’s cunning retention tactics reflected their characters’ intensity and set the stage for the continuing rivalry.
Backstage Conflict Ignites Between John Cena and Eric Bischoff
A heated backstage exchange between WWE Champion John Cena and General Manager Eric Bischoff escalated tensions ahead of their Summerslam collision course. Cena expressed frustration toward Bischoff’s controlling behavior and Chris Jericho’s recent taunts. Their argument, captured with a voyeuristic camera angle to simulate eavesdropping, added realism and immediacy to the power struggle brewing behind the scenes.
When Bischoff appeared in the ring to officially announce Cena’s title defense against Jericho at Summerslam, the electric crowd reacted strongly. Jericho quickly demonstrated loyalty to Bischoff while repeatedly insulting Cena, branding him as a “disgrace” and mocking the champion’s style and attitude. Cena responded with witty retorts emphasizing loyalty and authenticity, culminating in a direct confrontation where he implied a potential conflict with Bischoff himself, ending with the sharp line:
Welcome to the new Raw, bitch!
—John Cena.
The verbal showdown was widely praised for showcasing Cena’s growing charisma and command of the audience, reinvigorating the WWE title scene with fresh energy.
Raw Diva Search Talent Display Electrifies Crowd Amidst On-Screen Drama
Coach introduced the Raw Divas, announcing a fierce talent competition. Alexis was revealed to have been cut, a moment dramatized with fake tears and a triumphant wave to fans. The Divas then each performed their 60-second “special talent” segments, ranging from acrobatic flips and chair dancing to provocative performances that prompted mixed reactions from commentators and fans alike.
Christy Hemme’s hosting drew attention as one contestant handcuffed her to the ropes, infusing tension. Attempts at sexual innuendos and dancing brought both amusement and controversy, particularly with one Diva’s borderline suggestive performance involving Coach that provoked boos. The segment closed with a call for fans to vote on WWE.com, emphasizing the interactive nature of the contest and driving audience engagement.
Kurt Angle Invitational Brings Education and Entertainment to WWE Raw
Kurt Angle announced a challenge on Raw after dominating competitors on Smackdown. Matt Striker emerged as a determined underdog, despite being a schoolteacher who previously lied to attend wrestling events. Angle quickly exposed Striker’s true identity, adding an educational layer to the storyline as commentators debated the implications of lying as a bad example for kids.
The match itself was brief but intense, lasting just under three minutes, ending with Angle forcing Striker to submit. While the contest was straightforward, it highlighted Angle’s competitive dominance and Striker’s passion for wrestling despite his flaws, providing an entertaining diversion within the night’s programming.
Edge and Kane’s Feud Escalates with Unexpected Intervention
In the scheduled match between Edge (accompanied by Lita) and Kane, tension mounted as fans erupted in calls for Matt Hardy’s return. Amid the chaotic match, Kane grabbed Lita by the throat, leading to Gene Snitsky’s interference and the match ending in disqualification. Following the DQ, a physical altercation broke out between Kane and Snitsky, suggesting their rivalry would intensify further.
Matt Hardy then unexpectedly appeared, launching an attack on Edge and delivering a scathing promo calling both Edge and Lita derogatory names. His disruptive behavior culminated in security and law enforcement escorting him out, generating a huge crowd reaction. Hardy’s parting remarks hinted at a shift toward independent wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor, adding a rebellious edge to his character storyline.
Shawn Michaels Faces Roddy Piper in Emotional Confrontation
After recapping Michaels’ controversial attack on Hulk Hogan, the night’s climax featured Michaels entering Roddy Piper’s Pit for a charged dialogue. Michaels reflected on his 20-year career, emphasizing his dedication to leaving lasting memories for fans and his sacrifices for the industry. He acknowledged the crowd’s “one more match” chants from the Hall of Fame and confirmed the promise that his Summerslam match would be against Hogan.
Despite Michaels’ declaration, Piper challenged him directly, demanding to know the reason behind his betrayal of Hogan. Piper’s impassioned speech denounced Michaels as a “two-bit punk” and accused him of cowardice for the attack. The exchange became increasingly intense until Michaels abruptly delivered a superkick to Piper, who collapsed amidst a chorus of boos and angry chants from the audience.
Michaels left the ring without explanation, leaving the mystery of his motives unresolved and marking a dramatic conclusion to the tumultuous episode that set the stage for the impending Summerslam showdown.
Overall Impact: Tensions Mount Ahead of Summerslam 2005
This edition of WWE Raw significantly heightened anticipation for Summerslam by intertwining high-stakes rivalries, title defenses, and unexpected challenges. The confrontation between Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan commanded attention, while backstage disputes involving John Cena, Eric Bischoff, and Chris Jericho added layers of complexity to the WWE championship narrative.
The event skillfully balanced in-ring competition with compelling character-driven storytelling, maintaining audience engagement despite the underlying tension reflected in the shows’ anxious and conflicted tone. The unpredictable developments, such as Matt Hardy’s disruptive comeback and Roddy Piper’s emotional confrontation with Michaels, ensured that the road to Summerslam remained fraught with uncertainty and excitement.
As the WWE Raw Summerslam 2005 Highlights unfolded, fans were left eager to witness how these explosive storylines would culminate at Summerslam, promising a memorable event shaped by betrayal, loyalty, and fierce competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WWE Raw kid friendly?
A. In 2023, ComicBook.com noted that WWE’s weekly programs continue to have a TV-PG rating. These shows aim to be enjoyed by all age groups instead of just focusing on children. However, Ian Carey from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter comments that the content is less graphic and somewhat more mature.
