WWE Raw In 2004: 10 Best Moments

The World Heavyweight Title situation got fairly muddled in late 2004. To recap: Chris Benoit and Edge simultaneously won a triple threat match, also involving champion Triple H, in the main event of the November 29th episode of Raw.

The programme ended with both men claiming to be the victor, but no true winner was declared. A week later, Vince McMahon declared the title vacant. A week after that, Raw GM Eric Bischoff announced that the champion would be decided a month later, in the third ever Elimination Chamber match.

The following week was a highlight show, but the week after the title scene got even more interesting as Bischoff announced the first ever 'Beat the Clock' challenge. All six Elimination Chamber combatants would be in separate singles matches, and the man who defeated his opponent in the quickest time would enter the Chamber last.

As an added incentive, if the Chamber participant's opponent could win, they would then replace them in the match. It was an interesting concept and lead to a very entertaining edition of Raw.

First, Chris Jericho defeated Christian in 10:47 after a good, competitive match. Then, Randy Orton defeated Maven in 6:14. Edge was next, but couldn't beat Eugene in less time, with it taking the Canadian 8:49 to get the best of Bischoff's nephew.

Chris Benoit set a new best time when he made the massive Viscera tap out to the crossface in 5:43, but that time was bested by Batista, who dropped Rhyno in 3:02. And this is where things got interesting.

See, Batista was still a member of Evolution at the time, and was supposed to take his time in order for Triple H to set the record and enter the Chamber last. When The Man Beast p*ssed him off by hitting a Goar, he saw red and demolished him in tidy fashion.

After admonishing big Dave backstage, it was Triple H's go, but he was matched up with Shelton Benjamin and only got the win after it was too late. The whole show was great, with the stips really adding drama to proceedings.