Nicole's Wonderful World

The Master Lock claims another victim

September 5, 2005

Week after week, month after month, no WWE Superstar that has taken the Master Lock Challenge has been able to break the hold. This Monday on RAW, Shawn Michaels was added to that list of unsuccessful challengers.

Immediately after Masters locked in the hold, Michaels aggressively attempted to break the hold, whipping the Nashville, TN, crowd into a frenzy. With thousands of fans behind him, Michaels backed Masters into a corner, but The Masterpiece kept his hands locked. HBK then used another corner for leverage and flipped over, sending both Superstars to the mat. But once again, Masters kept his hands locked. HBK then managed to smash Masters’ head into a turnbuckle but to no avail. Michaels then rammed Masters into a corner four times and once again flipped over onto to the mat, but Masters persevered.

After trying to power out of the move, the Showstopper pulled out the equalizer, delivering a crushing low blow with his leg. The low blow appeared to be enough to get HBK out of the hold, as Masters’ hands began to separate. In an act of desperation, Masters threw HBK to the mat. He then grabbed a steel chair and swung for the fences, connecting with Michaels’ head, busting him wide open in the process. Masters then reapplied the hold, and HBK was unable to break free. After more than five months, no one has been able to win the Master Lock Challenge.

Earlier in the evening, Kurt Angle faced off against Eugene in a rematch from SummerSlam. Angle was out to not only defeat Eugene, but he wanted to send a message to WWE Champion John Cena in the process. Angle was as vicious as ever in this one, starting off with a series of punches, kicks, uppercuts and face-rakes. Eugene tried to mount a comeback, channeling Hacksaw Jim Duggan in the process, but he missed the three-point stance tackle and Angle pounced on him, working over his left knee. Angle then hooked in the Ankle Lock and the rest was history. After the match, Angle mercilessly reapplied the hold. Cena stormed the ring to make the save, but then Tyson Tomko came from out of nowhere and leveled the WWE Champion with a crushing kick to the head.

Tomko was rewarded for his deeds by General Manager Eric Bischoff with a match against Cena later in the evening. With Cena suffering a concussion from Tomko’s kick earlier in the evening, the WWE Champion was on the defensive almost from the outset. Tomko utilized his size and strength and delivered several crushing blows. Cena was able to come back with a shoulder block and an offensive flurry. After connecting with the Five Knuckle Shuffle, Cena pumped up his shoes and hit an FU for the win. After getting to the top of the ramp, Cena turned around and acknowledged his fans, but with his back turned, Angle appeared form out of nowhere and beat down the Champ for the third week in a row. After laying out Cena, Angle posed with the WWE Championship. Could this be a sign of things to come at Unforgiven?

Carlito was back with another edition of the Cabana, and this week his guest was RAW’s newest Diva, Ashley. After commenting on Ashley’s “initiation” last week at the hands of Victoria, Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle, Carlito said that she had to go through another initiation on the Cabana. Before Carlito could spit his signature apple into Ashley’s face, Ric Flair’s music hit the arena loudspeakers. The Dirtiest Player in the Game ran to the ring and hit a series of low blows, causing Carlito to flee the scene. After Carlito retreated, Flair said that at Unforgiven he would do something he’s never done before – defeat Carlito and become Intercontinental Champion.

Matt Hardy and Edge were both on RAW this week, but neither were in good shape. Last week they took each other to the limit – not to mention to the hospital. After Hardy sent himself and Edge off the stage with a Side Effect into some electrical equipment, both Superstars were rushed away in ambulances. Bischoff, realizing this rivalry could not be settled with a traditional match, signed them for a Steel Cage Match at Unforgiven. But after Hardy signed the contract, Bischoff said that even though he was in no condition to compete, he would be facing Snitsky. Lita and Edge, who was sporting a neck brace, went to the broadcast booth for some guest commentary.

Hardy gave it a valiant effort, but Snitsky was too much to handle, given Hardy’s physical condition. After being thrown into the steel steps, Snitsky hit a crushing Sidewalk Slam for the 1-2-3. After the match, Snitsky grabbed the ring bell, prompting Big Show to come to the ring and try and make the save. Before he could get to the ring, though, Snitsky nailed Hardy in the back of the head with the bell and retreated into the crowd. There will be nowhere for Snitsky to retreat to at Unforgiven, though, when he goes one on one with Big Show. But after the shot to the head, will Hardy recover in time for his Steel Cage Match?

For the past couple of weeks Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch have been sending messages that they were on their way to RAW to make an impact in the tag team division, and this week was their big chance. They had a non-title match against The Hurricane and Rosey, and they certainly made the most of their debut. After showing off a dazzling display of tag team maneuvers, The Hurricane and Rosey started to come back. But with Cade and Rosey on the outside, Murdoch was able to hit a top-rope bulldog for the upset win.

Plus, Shelton Benjamin squared off against the red-hot Rob Conway. Kerwin White, who has made questionable remarks about Benjamin as of late, even rode out on his golf cart to get an up-close look at this one. Benjamin looked to have things going his way, but White tripped him up with one of his golf clubs, allowing Conway to roll him up for the win.

Ashley tried to get revenge on Torrie Wilson in a match, but even though it was a one-on-one contest, Candice Michelle and Victoria got involved and helped Torrie pick up the win. Viscera and Val Venis were also in tag team action as they picked up a win over The Heart Throbs.

Matches

WWE Champion John Cena def. Tyson Tomko

Kurt Angle def. Eugene

Snitsky def. Matt Hardy

Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. World Tag Team Champions Rosey & The Hurricane

Rob Conway def. Shelton Benjamin

Torrie Wilson def. Ashley

Val Venis & Viscera def. The Heart Throbs

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