Vengeance 2005: Batista Finally Buries Triple H on a Raw Supercard That Peaks at the Right Time

Carlito and Benjamin open with a competent title match built around Benjamin's athleticism and Carlito's willingness to cheat whenever the pace becomes uncomfortable. Benjamin creates the best moments through the springboard bulldog, spinning kick, and explosive movement around the ropes. Carlito slows the match with control work and repeatedly looks for a shortcut rather than trying to match the challenger athletically. The finish is completely in character. Carlito removes the turnbuckle pad, Benjamin charges for the Stinger Splash, hits the exposed steel, and Carlito steals the pin while grabbing the tights. The crowd stays involved and the final minutes are lively, but the middle drags enough to keep the match from becoming a memorable championship opener.

Victoria does what she can to give the match structure, but the experience gap is impossible to hide. Hemme works with urgency and sells the feud's anger, yet her offense is limited and several transitions feel tentative. Victoria controls most of the meaningful action with basic power offense and positioning, keeping the match simple rather than asking Hemme to work beyond her comfort level. The finish is appropriately heelish, with Victoria countering a sunset flip and using the ropes for leverage while the referee misses it. Five minutes prevents the match from becoming exhausting, but there is almost no sustained wrestling quality or suspense. The result is logical. The execution is one of the clearest weak points on an otherwise strong pay-per-view.

Kane and Edge have enough storyline hatred to create heat, but the match spends too much time serving Lita and Snitsky interference rather than building a clean grudge fight. Kane's power offense gives him believable control whenever the wrestlers are left alone, while Edge bumps well and searches for openings through speed and opportunism. The final sequence becomes almost entirely about outside factors. Snitsky attacks Kane, Lita distracts the referee, and Edge accidentally strikes Snitsky with the Money in the Bank briefcase before Kane lands the chokeslam for the pin. The crowd enjoys Kane getting revenge after Lita's betrayal, so the finish succeeds emotionally. Bell to bell, however, the constant interference prevents either wrestler from establishing a satisfying rhythm.

Michaels and Angle avoid the obvious mistake of trying to recreate WrestleMania 21 beat for beat. Angle controls far more of this match, attacking the arm, back, and ankle while forcing Michaels to survive rather than wrestle evenly. Michaels' selling makes every escape feel costly, especially when Angle repeatedly drags him back toward the center in the Ankle Lock. The final stretch is excellent. Michaels survives the submission, catches Angle with Sweet Chin Music for a near fall, then waits as Angle climbs to the top rope and catches him with a second superkick for the pin. The finish is slightly contrived because Angle rarely climbs, but the twenty-six minutes before it are superb. It is an outstanding sequel to an all-time classic.

The triple threat works because the pace rarely settles and each wrestler has a clear reason to distrust the other two. Jericho brings the technical control, Christian works as the opportunist looking for the first major title breakthrough of his WWE career, and Cena survives repeated two-on-one stretches while still feeling like the centerpiece. The best sequences involve quick pin attempts and counters rather than elaborate weapons or interference. Jericho traps Cena in the Walls, Christian nearly steals several falls, and Tyson Tomko creates one brief opening before being neutralized. The finish is clever: Cena hoists Christian for the FU, Christian's legs knock Jericho away, and Cena completes the move for the pin. It is fast, logical, and one of Cena's better early championship defenses.

Batista and Triple H finally produce the match their feud has been building toward since WrestleMania. The cell removes Flair and every outside excuse, leaving Triple H to introduce the chain, barbed-wire chair, and sledgehammer while Batista survives each escalation. The violence is heavy without becoming random because every weapon belongs to Triple H's established playbook before Batista turns it back against him. Both men bleed, the steel steps become part of the closing sequence, and Triple H repeatedly looks for the Pedigree on increasingly dangerous surfaces. Batista escapes the final attempt, spinebusters Triple H onto the steps, and lands the Batista Bomb for the decisive pin. It is brutal, dramatic, and the perfect conclusion to Batista's three-match domination of his former mentor.