2005 was a banner year for WWE RAW. The red brand gave fans plenty of great matches featuring the likes of Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, and other superstars. The Olympic Hero and the Heartbreak Kid had an (almost) five-star classic at WrestleMania 21.
Edge and Matt Hardy also left fans wanting more with their intense rivalry in 2005. The former friends brought their real-life issue over Lita to the television screen. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the best WWE RAW matches of 2005 (in no particular order):
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels (Street Fight – February 28)
Edge accidentally speared Shawn Michaels during the world title Elimination Chamber main event at No Way Out 2005. The two superstars brawled all over the arena on the following WWE RAW. The Rated R Superstar also tried to take out the Showstopper with a Conchairto.
The bitter rivals met in a Street Fight on the final RAW of February 2005. This was a violent affair where both men bled buckets. They would have another fantastic Street Fight just two years later on the red brand.
Chris Benoit vs Triple H (WWE RAW – March 14)
Chris Benoit and Triple H had some fantastic matches back in the day. The pair showed their incredible chemistry in this brutal match on WWE RAW several weeks before The Game’s world title defense at WrestleMania 21.
The Rapid Wolverine beat the tar out of the then-world champion in this non-title affair. This match is noted for the 10 German suplexes Benoit hit Triple H with as well as a series of skin-piercing chops.
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (30-Minute Iron Man Match – WWE RAW Homecoming)
Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels stole the show with their performance at WrestleMania 21. They had their incredible rematch at Vengeance 2005. The third match saw the two bona fide stars square off against each other at WWE RAW’s homecoming.
This was a 30-minute Iron Man Match where the most pinfalls or submissions mattered. Iron Man matches are among the most physically demanding matches in pro wrestling. Angle and Michaels, however, enthralled the crowd with their own spin on the stipulation.
Edge vs. Matt Hardy (Loser Leaves RAW Ladder Match – October 3)
Edge and Matt Hardy had arguably the most tense rivalry on the WWE roster in 2005. The best friends turned bitter enemies after Hardy came to know about Lita’s affair with Edge. The Hardy brother went vocal about it on the internet and was fired from WWE as a consequence.
However, Vince McMahon brought him back because he wanted to capitalize on the real-life heat. The duo worked a series of matches on weekly shows and pay-per-view events. One of their meetings took place under a stipulation where using the ladder to grab the briefcase was the only way to win.
The emotional factor really came to play in this high-risk match-up. This bout featured plenty of cool spots. Jim Ross added so much to the match with his raw emotions. Jerry “The King” Lawler also delivered some pretty good one-liners.
Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin (May 2)
Shelton Benjamin was a freak of an athlete prior to his match. He just took his athleticism to a whole new level in this iconic bout. The former amateur wrestler had the perfect dancing partner in Shawn Michaels.
Both men deserve the credit for giving fans one of the most talked about moments to this day. The mid-air superkick spot has been recreated by so many superstars in both WWE and on the independent circuit countless times
That’s called influence.
Also read: Best WWE RAW Matches Of 2006
