This was requested on my Ko-Fi page, presumably in response to Shelton Benjamin’s unfortunate release. He was one of many this week and quickly dominated much of the conversation, reiterating the ardent fan’s remaining interest in his career. That’s an immense credit to him but never fails to amaze me as Hurt Business aside, it’s been a quiet few years for Benjamin. Even still, he obviously connected in some form or fashion, particularly with the Ruthless Aggression era’s fanbase.
That brings us to our requested review, going back to 2005 for Benjamin’s most famous match. It’s May 2nd and WWE is in Boston, Massachusetts for Monday Night RAW. This episode was built around the Gold Rush Tournament, headlined by Chris Benoit vs. Triple H. Elsewhere, Christian met Kane while Chris Jericho wrestled Edge. Benjamin is present for the remaining quarter final, facing Shawn Michaels in a first-time dance.
One year prior, they’d teamed up on four different occasions, battling Evolution both on the road and on television. Beyond that, they’d be limited to at most a single Royal Rumble overlap. 2004 was home to Benjamin’s actual push, famously beating Triple H to kick off a television programme with him. In October, he’d become Intercontinental Champion, carrying that belt all the way into this non-title tournament bout with Michaels.
After a promising start, his reign has slowed quite dramatically, mostly being limited to Gene Snitsky and Maven in 2005. On the other hand, Michaels is just under a month removed from his critically acclaimed epic with Kurt Angle, with further hits ahead of him for the year. it’s a crossroads clash that’s immortalised due to its finish, which is probably why you’ve clicked on this review to begin with. As for the actual match though, I’ve almost certainly only seen it once.
Before the bell rings, I’d like to thank my anonymous (Tony?) supporter on Ko-Fi. If you’d like to request a match review, you can do the same by throwing a buck (or more) my way at Ko-Fi.com/JoeHulbert. If possible, make sure that your match of choice is not already on this demented, shameful list. Thanks.
Anyway, Michaels receives a major league ovation and Jim Ross is very excited as this one gets underway. They hit the mat, which immediately favours Benjamin, “HBK” chants emerging in response. On two occasions, Michaels is forced to grab the ropes, yet those chants remain. Michaels has more success with traditional fake fighting, briefly rolling until a clunky retort from Benjamin. It wasn’t his fault to be clear, Michaels just didn’t sell his initial kick, which rules.
They recover immediately, with Benjamin scoring some beautiful arm drags as Michaels’ frustration increases. He then settles into a hold as Michaels mumbles some, eventually dropping Benjamin via forearm. They aren’t quite on the same page yet which I mean, fair enough, they haven’t wrestled before. Benjamin is a freak of nature physically though, exploding into a clothesline as they head to an ad break.
I will say that psychologically, it’s a slightly weird first act as Michaels seems intent on leaning heel even though the audience is clearly ready to embrace the opposite. Nonetheless, they run a nice high spot out of the break, reaching a double down before brawling upright. Benjamin eventually makes a more complete comeback, which again speaks to that aforementioned disconnect. Thankfully, his offence is good enough to earn some response anyway.
Michaels rallies with his signature forearm and kip up, with Benjamin doing the same as they go into some pin attempts. Now they’re rolling some, finding this up and down rhythm that the people are really enjoying. There are frequent double downs but it fits the babyface match they’re increasingly wrestling, with each explosion building on the last. With Benjamin in there, they really are explosions too, garnering oohs and aahs at every turn.
Ultimately, Benjamin avoids the Sweet Chin Music on two occasions, stringing together near falls before heading to the apron. Then, it happens. Benjamin leaps directly into Michaels’ superkick, instantly creating one of the most iconic finishes in WWE history. Especially in 2023, it’s not the concept that you’re impressed by but the execution. This thing is beautiful, a truly picture perfect conclusion. It looks brutal too, which is easy to lose in those incredibly pretty slow-mos.
The match before that finish is very good in its own right, also. It doesn’t really go beyond that for me but still, a very good match is well, very good. They do take a while to find their footing, with some miscommunication on display early. Once they work a more dynamic babyface bout though, it’s a real treat, especially with Jim Ross on the call. While his offence isn’t as good, the match probably gets over better if Michaels takes more, as he’s mostly just spotlighting Benjamin here.
Fortunately, Benjamin’s offence warrants that spotlight, delivering big with some incredible variety. It’s a match that more than anything, highlights his potential as a prospect, as he’s still only three years or so into wrestling a full-time schedule at this point. In an ideal world, it’s the moment that set the stage for many more triumphs but unfortunately, this remains his career highlight. I don’t say that to knock Benjamin or even comment on creative, that’s just how wrestling goes sometimes.
Certainly, he could’ve done more but ultimately, we’re eighteen years removed from this match and his release is still a headline. That’s an incredible feat, especially considering the sporadic highs and many lows of his usage. Personally, I think that Benjamin probably reached his ceiling in that system, which was an ill-fit to begin with, ironically enough. Not even a year after this match, he was accompanied by Momma Benjamin, implored to show the personality for that setting.
It was never going to be and by the time that Benjamin had left, his work was too stylistically cemented to truly adapt afterwards. That’s noticeable with his work in Japan, which actively improves over time as he almost shakes those habits from his game. It’s a unique career, the kind that under inspection, feels as though it never quite added up. Strangely, Benjamin is probably a case in which if you played his career many times through, this is one of the least glamorous outcomes.
Within that is the ultimate compliment though, as that lesser timeline still produced a career with almost 25 years of success. Benjamin is a beloved veteran, being frequently celebrated by the hardcore fan that clearly cherished his prime. He delivered some iconic moments too, pairing this Michaels finish with a handful of highlights within Money in the Bank. In addition, he was a genuinely superb tag team wrestler, often shining brightest in that domain.
I guess I say all this to say that Shelton Benjamin is a success story, even if his story could’ve included far more success. As for the match that was requested 1200 words ago, it’s very good. Great? I’m not so sure but it doesn’t really matter, as the finish alone ensured that in history, it’s very much associated with that acclaim. That’s pro wrestling and if nothing else, this is worth watching, a glimpse of what could’ve been but more importantly, a celebration of what was.
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