Randy Orton vs. Chris Benoit (WWE Smackdown 1/27/06)

Match Reviews

This review was commissioned by Ri Ri over on my Ko-fi account.

There’s something real heartwarming about a No Holds Barred match starting with a lock up. In the opening moments, one might even think that it’s a match being fought under the traditional meaning of that stipulation: one focused on holds where the workers are encouraged to do anything they might dream of to each other. This eventually transitions into the more modern idea of No Holds Barred being a weapons match, but I appreciate the patience they demonstrate before getting to that.

Even with the weapons, this feels like a direct sequel to their match from two weeks prior. Much of it is focused on gritty, struggle-filled fighting for holds. Real classical, fundamental pro wrestling done right. Once again, we see how well Orton matches up to Benoit’s real solid approach here. Being foolhardy enough to engage Benoit on his terms, but constantly being proven to be out of his depth despite putting a good fight.

Luckily, the stipulation provides Orton more room to flex his heel act. With no disqualifications to hold him back, Orton’s a lot meaner about how he seizes control. But what distinguishes him as a truly great wrestler though is how well he balances that with heel stooging. Yes, Orton takes control when the fight goes to the floor and he has the hard surfaces of the ringpost, the apron, and the announce desk to play with, but he’s also constantly hoist by his own petard. A great example comes early on when he uses a trash can lid to batter Benoit, but when he gets too cocky and goes for the full trash can, Benoit gets a drop toe hold that sends Orton crashing face first into the metal. Hilarious, classic stooge stuff, done to perfection.

We also get an enrichened view of the dynamic between these two. Orton’s always the first to grab for a weapon or put his feet on the ropes, but Benoit’s just fighting with his own two hands. Every time Benoit grabs a piece of gimmickery, it’s only really ever as a means of retaliation, and even then he prefers to just scrap it out. Benoit’s use of the stipulation comes across more organically such as when he hits a back body drop to Orton onto concrete that the latter exposed himself.

Orton’s sense of nuance for this stipulation comes across in how despite being the one wielding weapons, he never really feels cool doing it. His first big transition has way more too do with a nasty gouging of the eyes than any big weapons bump. Later on in the match too, when he sneaks a trash can lid onto his body to intercept a diving headbutt, it feels sneaky more than anything else. He’s the one making use of all the gimmickery, but he succeeds in making it feel underhanded instead of cathartic.

Structurally too, the construction here is fantastic. Orton constantly stealing his control segments with both sneakiness and viciousness, and Benoit always returning in kind. Even if Orton’s the one slamming a trash can into Benoit’s head, it somehow feels even better when Benoit’s laying in those famous chops of his. The finish too plays off of this idea with Benoit punishing Orton for the trash can lid trick and just whacking him in the head full on before grabbing the Crossface for the submission win. Every time Orton played with tricks, Benoit paid him back with direct violence.

TV stipulation match that functions as it should: with the heel paying for all his sins.

Rating: ****1/4

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