{{short description|World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}} {{Infobox Wrestling event |name = Vengeance |image = Vengeance2004.jpg |alt = |caption = Promotional poster featuring Randy Orton |promotion = World Wrestling Entertainment |brand = Raw |date = July 11, 2004 |venue = Hartford Civic Center |city = Hartford, Connecticut |attendance = 7,000<ref name="pwh 2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2004|title=Vengeance 2004 Results|access-date=February 2, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128040458/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2004|archive-date=November 28, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |buyrate = 240,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|work=Wrestlenomics|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref> |lastevent = The Great American Bash |nextevent = SummerSlam |event = Vengeance |lastevent2 = 2003 |nextevent2 = 2005 }}
The 2004 '''Vengeance''' was the fourth annual Vengeance professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw brand division. The event took place on July 11, 2004, from the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
The main event was Chris Benoit versus Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Benoit won by pinning Triple H with a roll-up. The predominant match on the card was Randy Orton versus Edge for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, which Edge won by pinfall after executing a Spear. The primary matches on the undercard included Matt Hardy versus Kane in a No Disqualification match, which Hardy won after he hit Kane with a steel chair to get the pin, and Batista versus Chris Jericho, which Batista won by pinfall after executing a Batista Bomb.
The event grossed US$370,000 with 7,000 ticket sales and had a 0.43 buyrate. Following the event, Benoit began a feud with Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. The two would have a match at SummerSlam, where Orton would win the World Heavyweight Championship, and become the youngest world champion in WWE history. Edge went on to defend the Intercontinental Championship against Batista and Chris Jericho in a Triple Threat match at SummerSlam. Kane and Matt Hardy continued their feud at SummerSlam in a "Till Death Do Us Part" match, where the winner would get to marry Lita. Kane was the victor, and as a result, Lita had to marry Kane.
==Production==
===Background=== Vengeance was an annual pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/|access-date=2018-08-03|title=WWE Vengeance history|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804014421/https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the 2003 event was a SmackDown!-exclusive PPV,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/vengeance2003/venue|title=Vengeance (2003) Venue|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2008-10-14|archive-date=July 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709215757/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/vengeance2003/venue/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the 2004 event, however, was promoted as a Raw-exclusive show, only featuring wrestlers from that brand. The 2004 event was the fourth event in the Vengeance chronology and was held on July 11 from the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2004|title=Vengeance 2004 Results|access-date=February 2, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128040458/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2004|archive-date=November 28, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Storylines=== [[Image:Triple H Relaxed Melbourne 10.11.2007.jpg|thumb|left|Triple H, who challenged Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship]] The main feud heading into Vengeance was between Chris Benoit and Triple H, with the two battling over the World Heavyweight Championship. At the Royal Rumble, Benoit won the Royal Rumble match which earned him a World Heavyweight Championship match against Triple H at WrestleMania XX.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/2004.htm|title=Royal Rumble 2004 Results|access-date=February 2, 2008|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=February 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203074644/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/2004.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=December 2012}} At WrestleMania, Benoit defeated Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a Triple Threat match to win the World Heavyweight Championship by forcing Triple H to submit to the Crippler Crossface.<ref name="WrestleMania - Benoit vs HHH vs Michaels">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/mainevent|title=Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H – World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 1, 2008}}</ref> At Backlash, Benoit successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship in another Triple Threat match against Triple H and Michaels, after he forced Michaels to submit to the Sharpshooter.<ref name="Backlash - Benoit vs. Michaels vs. Triple H">{{cite web|date=April 18, 2004|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2004/mainevent/|title=World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeats Triple H & Shawn Michaels to retain|access-date=February 15, 2008|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Following Backlash, Benoit had a small feud with Kane, while Michaels and Triple H would finish their feud at Bad Blood. On the June 14 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H demanded another World Heavyweight title shot. It would later be granted to him by Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff to fight against Benoit at Vengeance for the championship, but Bischoff asked for Triple H to defeat his nephew, Eugene. Triple H tried to befriend Eugene, who was a fan of him. On the June 21 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H faced Eugene in a match and tried to hit him with a chair, per Bischoff's orders, only for Benoit to run in for the save. Benoit, however, accidentally hit Eugene with the chair, making Triple H hit Benoit with a Pedigree. On the June 28 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H offered Eugene to be an honorary member of Evolution, making William Regal confront Triple H. Later on, Triple H defeated Regal by disqualification as Eugene was the guest referee, making Eugene attack Regal. On the July 5 episode of ''Raw'', Benoit teamed up with Edge and fought against Ric Flair, Eugene and Triple H. Triple H, Flair and Eugene won after Eugene hit Benoit with a chair.
Another primary feud heading into the event was between Edge and Randy Orton over the WWE Intercontinental Championship. After Edge came back from his injury, he vowed to take Evolution out. He started it by facing them, together with Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit, in a six men tag team elimination match on the June 14 episode of ''Raw'', which Edge, Jericho and Benoit won. On the June 21 episode of ''Raw'', Edge speared Orton, but then he and Jericho lost to him and Batista in a tag team match later on. On the June 28 episode of ''Raw'', Edge and Jericho defeated Batista and Orton in a rematch. On the July 5 episode of ''Raw'', Edge confronted Evolution, attacking them.
One of the main matches on the undercard was a No Disqualification match between Matt Hardy and Kane. On the May 17 episode of ''Raw'', Kane attacked Hardy, and Lita promised him something for him to stop. On the June 21 episode of ''Raw'', as Hardy proposed to Lita, Kane revealed that Lita was pregnant with his child, and not with Matt's child, as she slept with Kane in order to protect Hardy. On the June 28 episode of ''Raw'', Hardy attacked Kane and was banned from ringside for the main event, which featured Kane challenging Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship. Kane lost, and then Lita attacked Kane in order to make him chokeslam her and losing the child. Kane, however, refused to do so. On the July 5 episode of ''Raw'', Hardy attacked Kane again, and then was booked in a No Disqualification match against him at Vengeance.
Another one of the main matches on the undercard was a singles match between Chris Jericho and Batista. The feud started on the June 14 episode of ''Raw'' where Jericho eliminated Batista from a six man tag team elimination match. On the June 21 episode of ''Raw'', during a tag team match pitting Jericho and Edge against Batista and Randy Orton, Batista knocked Jericho out before he and Orton won the match. On the June 28 episode of ''Raw'', Jericho pinned Batista in a tag team rematch. On the July 5 episode of ''Raw'', Batista cost Jericho a match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Orton.
==Event== {| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:90%; margin:0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float:right; clear:right;" |+ '''Other on-screen personnel''' !|Role: !|Name: |- |rowspan=2|English commentators |Jim Ross |- |Jerry Lawler |- |rowspan=2|Spanish commentators |Carlos Cabrera |- |Hugo Savinovich |- |rowspan=2|Interviewers |Jonathan Coachman |- |Todd Grisham |- |Ring announcer |Lilian Garcia |- |rowspan=4|Referees |Mike Chioda |- |Chad Patton |- |Jack Doan |- |Earl Hebner |}
Before the pay-per-view went on live. Tyson Tomko defeated Val Venis in a match on ''Sunday Night Heat'', by pinfall after performing a Kick to the face.
=== Preliminary matches === The first match saw Tajiri and Rhyno face Garrison Cade and Jonathan Coachman. Rhyno performed a Gore on Cade and Tajiri performed a Roundhouse Kick on Coachman for the win.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/vengeance2004/results/|title=Vengeance 2004 Results|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 29, 2007}}</ref>
The second match saw Batista face Chris Jericho. Batista gained the advantage early on, and put Jericho in a choke hold. Jericho countered the move into the Walls of Jericho. Batista won the match after a Batista Bomb. Jericho did put his foot on the ropes, but the referee failed to see it.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/>
The next match was Eugene and Ric Flair facing La Résistance (Róbert Conway and Sylvain Grenier) for the World Tag Team Championship. The match started with Eugene using Flair's signature taunts to anger La Résistance, but La Résistance gained the advantage. Eugene was disqualified after he pushed the referee, meaning La Resistance retained the title. After the match ended, Eugene attacked both members of La Résistance.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/>
[[Image:Matt Hardy.jpg|right|thumb|Matt Hardy, who faced Kane in a No Disqualification match]] The next match was a No Disqualification match between Matt Hardy and Kane. The match started on the outside with Kane getting the upper hand but Hardy hit him with a television monitor. Hardy attempted a Twist of Fate through a broadcast table but Kane countered by pushing Hardy into the security wall. Kane retrieved the steel steps but Lita distracted him, allowing Hardy to hit Kane with a steel chair to win the match.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/july/2004.htm|title=Vengeance 2004 Results|access-date=February 2, 2008|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=January 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129045909/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/july/2004.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=December 2012}}
Next was a match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Randy Orton and Edge. The match started off with Edge getting the advantage. Orton attempted an RKO but Edge countered by pushing Orton into the ropes and attempted a Spear but Orton avoided the move. Orton attempted an RKO but Edge countered into a backslide pin and executed a spear to win the title.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/>
The sixth match was between Victoria and Molly Holly to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship. Victoria executed a Superkick to win the match.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/>
===Main event=== The main event was between Chris Benoit and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/> During the match, Benoit inadvertently knocked down the referee. Triple H executed the Pedigree but the referee was incapacitated. Triple H then called out Eugene, and told him to get a steel chair. Benoit attacked Triple H and knocked Eugene off the ring apron. Triple H then hit Benoit with a low blow and retrieved the chair. Triple H tried to hit Benoit with the chair but Eugene stopped him, causing Triple H to attack him. Eugene fought with Benoit over the chair and Eugene inadvertently hit Triple H with chair. Benoit pinned Triple H with a roll-up to retain the title.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 29, 2007|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/vengeance2004/mainevent/|title=World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeats Triple H to retain}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/07/12/537080.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310030615/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/07/12/537080.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2016|title=Canadians have Edge at Vengeance|access-date=February 2, 2008|first=Chris|last=Sokol|date=July 12, 2004|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports}}</ref>
==Aftermath== The next night on ''Raw'', Eugene apologized to Evolution (Batista, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Triple H), and Triple H told Eugene to go see Eric Bischoff. Bischoff booked a match between Chris Benoit and Eugene later that night for the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=August 27, 2007|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2004/1089703900.shtml|title=Raw results: Benoit vs. Eugene World Championship match|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> At the end of the match, Evolution then come out and attacked Eugene and Benoit. William Regal attempted to help Eugene, but was stopped by Evolution.<ref>{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=August 27, 2007|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2004/1089703900.shtml|title=Raw results: Benoit vs. Eugene World Championship match (aftermath)|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> The feud between Triple H and Eugene lasted until SummerSlam, where they had a match, which Triple H won by pinfall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/08/16/585826.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712192437/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/08/16/585826.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2015|title=SummerSlam 2004 results|first=Dale|last=Plummer|author2=Tylwalk, Nick |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=SLAM! Sports|date=August 27, 2007|access-date=October 24, 2007}}</ref>
On the July 26 episode of ''Raw'', 20 men competed in an over the top rope Battle Royal to determine the number one contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Randy Orton won the match by last eliminating Chris Jericho.<ref>{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=August 27, 2007|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2004/1090899174.shtml|title=Raw results: July 26 Battle Royal|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> At SummerSlam, Orton faced Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Orton won by pinfall after performing an RKO.<ref name=main_events>{{cite web|date=August 15, 2004|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2004/mainevent/|title=SummerSlam main events|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213161139/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2004/mainevent/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=December 13, 2007}}</ref> On the August 16 episode of ''Raw'', Orton defeated Chris Benoit in a rematch to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=raw-0816>{{cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040816.html|title=Raw results – August 16, 2004|access-date=January 15, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=December 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224121853/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040816.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the match, Batista, Ric Flair, and Triple H, threw Orton a mock celebration, only to turn on him. Flair and Batista attacked Orton as Triple H told him that he was nothing without Evolution.<ref name=raw-0816/> On the August 23 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H told Orton to give him the title or pay the price.<ref name=raw-0823>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040823.htm|title=The Wedding Bell Tolls|access-date=January 15, 2008|date=August 23, 2004|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203202/http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/040823.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=December 2012}} Orton refused, spat in Triple H's face and hit him with the title belt.<ref name=raw-0823/> General manager Eric Bischoff scheduled a match between Orton and Triple H for the title at Unforgiven.<ref name=raw-0823/> At Unforgiven, Orton lost the title when he was pinned by Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/september/2004.htm|title=WWE Unforgiven 2004|access-date=February 16, 2008|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104252/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/september/2004.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=December 2012}}
==Results== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results = <ref name="Vengeance2004Results"/> |note1 = heat |match1 = Tyson Tomko (with Trish Stratus) defeated Val Venis (with Nidia) |stip1 = Singles match |time1 = 2:52 |match2 = Tajiri and Rhyno defeated Garrison Cade and Jonathan Coachman |stip2 = Tag team match |time2 = 7:30 |match3 = Batista defeated Chris Jericho |stip3 = Singles match |time3 = 12:11 |match4 = La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and Robért Conway) (c) defeated Ric Flair and Eugene by disqualification |stip4 = Tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship |time4 = 12:30 |match5 = Matt Hardy defeated Kane |stip5 = No Disqualification match |time5 = 10:34 |match6 = Edge defeated Randy Orton (c) |stip6 = Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship |time6 = 26:36 |match7 = Victoria defeated Molly Holly |stip7 = Singles match to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship |time7 = 6:22 |match8 = Chris Benoit (c) defeated Triple H |stip8 = Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship |time8 = 29:06 }}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/vengeance2004/ Vengeance 2004 Official website]
{{2004 WWE pay-per-view events}} {{WWEPPV|Vengeance}}
Category:2004 in Connecticut 2004 Category:Professional wrestling shows in Hartford, Connecticut Category:2004 WWE pay-per-view events Category:July 2004 in the United States Category:WWE Raw