New Year's Revolution Recap

The Road to WrestleMania started tonight with a major pothole for the WWE. While it is too early to tell, the preliminary diagnosis is that Triple H suffered a potential quadriceps tear on his right leg. Ironically, five years ago today, Triple H returned to the ring after suffering a tear to his quadriceps on his left leg.

This show featured four title matches that will go a long way in determining what happens at WrestleMania 23. In addition, a new number one contender for the tag team titles was determined by a surprise match added to the show. Speaking of surprises, Vince McMahon made a shocking announcement about the main event for tomorrow night's Monday Night RAW. If you thought that having Kevin Federline in the ring was shocking, wait until you see who he wants to step in the ring. I’ll give you one hint. On Monday night, he compared one of the people to Yokozuna and claimed that the other stole his catch phrase.

Steel Cage Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Champion Jeff Hardy vs Johnny Nitro - I’ve seen many steel cages in my lifetime and this is the first time I have ever seen the cage used in such an innovative way to end the match. While Nitro was on top of the cage and about to drop down, Hardy kicked the door open which caused Nitro to get crotched on top of the cage. This allowed Jeff the opportunity to escape through the door. Winner: Jeff Hardy

Tag Team Turmoil Match: The rules of this bonus match are that it starts out with two tag teams and when a team is defeated another comes out until the match ends. The winner of the match will receive a future tag team title shot. The match started out with the Highlanders losing to the Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas. Hass and Benjamin then beat Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Super Crazy. Haas and Benjamin were unable to make the hat trick and were beaten by Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. Cryme Time were the last team to enter the match and they beat Cade and Murdoch to earn a future title shot. Winners: Cryme Time

- Vince McMahon and Coach discuss the feud between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell. Vince then says that he will present Donald vs Rosie tomorrow night on Monday Night RAW. For those wondering, Vince and Donald have a good relationship dating back many years. WrestleMania IV and WrestleMania V were held at the Trump Plaza and Donald has appeared in the crowd on several other occasions. It is interesting that last week, Vince claimed that Donald stole his you’re fired line. I just hope that Donald doesn’t steal the Vince McMahon Kiss my A** Club as a challenge for the new season of The Apprentice.

Ric Flair vs Kenny Dykstra - Kenny started out this segment by mocking the “Nature Boy” by wearing a cheap Flair type robe and when the match started he mocked several of Flair’s in-ring mannerisms. Kenny used a patented Flair move to get the win. When the ref wasn’t looking, he hit Flair in the groin and then rolled him up in a small package to get the win. Winner: Kenny Dykstra

- Victoria met Melina in the back and offered her the first shot at the Women’s Championship if she helped her win it tonight.

Women’s Title: Champ Mickie James vs Victoria - Melina tried to interfere but Torrie Wilson and Maria stopped her. Mickie then hit the DDT to get the win. Winner: Mickie James

World Tag Team Title Match: Champs Edge & Randy Orton vs D-Generation X (Triple H & Shawn Michaels) - The story of this match is an injury to Triple H’s knee. Close to 20 minutes into the match, Triple H received the hot tag from Shawn. When he hit Randy Orton with a spine buster, he injured his right leg. While Triple H takes a lot of flack from the Internet Wrestling Community, the truth is that no one has shown such guts in the ring while injured. This is the third time that I can remember Triple H suffering a major injury during a match yet he continued to wrestle. The other times were when he tore his quad on RAW in 2001 and when his throat was crushed during the first Elimination Chamber match. This bloody match ended when Shawn hit the referee and then used a chair on Rated RKO. After the match, D-X brutalized Rated RKO and left them a bloody mess. Winners: No Contest

Carlito vs Chris Masters - Carlito reversed the Master Lock attempt but Masters fell on Carlito and grabbed his tights to get the win. Winner: Chris Masters

WWE Championship: Champion John Cena vs Umaga - After hitting the five knuckle shuffle, Cena went for the FU but couldn’t get Umaga up. A few minutes later, Umaga had Cena in trapped in the tree of woe. When Umaga went for his charge into the corner, Cena kicked Umaga in the face and then rolled him up for the win. Winner: John Cena

What does this event mean for future?
From just the results, it would look like nothing has happened. Four titles were successfully defended and no feuds were settled. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Triple H’s injury is a major blow for the WWE and could have some major ramifications for the rest of the roster on all three brands. The results of Triple H’s MRI will go a long way in determining what this event means to the future.

Overall Thoughts
With the exception of Triple H’s injury, there is nothing on this show that anyone will remember in a month.

Match Results

• Steel Cage Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Champion Jeff Hardy beat Johnny Nitro
  
• Tag Team Turmoil: Cryme Time beat Lace Cade & Trevor Murdoch, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, The Highlanders, and Jim Duggan & Super Crazy
  
• Kenny Dykstra beat Ric Flair
  
• Women’s Title: Champion Mickie James beat Victoria
  
• World Tag Team Championship: Champions Edge & Randy Orton vs Triple H & Shawn Michaels ended in a No Contest
  
• Chris Masters beat Carlito
  
• WWE Title: Champion John Cena beat Umaga

_{Photo: © 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and used courtesy of the USA Network. Triple H can be seen every Monday night on the USA Network show Monday Night RAW}