Power Plays & Championship Shocks: July to December 2004
The second half of 2004 brought an unforgettable mix of thrilling matches, shocking betrayals, and rising stars that helped redefine WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era. During these six months, the balance of power in WWE shifted rapidly. Legends like Triple H, JBL, and The Undertaker fought to maintain control, while emerging talents such as Randy Orton, John Cena, Batista, and Edge began carving out their own legacies. Across RAW and SmackDown, championships changed hands, alliances broke down, and rivalries intensified. Here’s a look back at the critical matches and storylines that defined this dynamic period.
📅 July – The Great American Bash: A Controversial Champion 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero (WWE Championship – Texas Bullrope Match)
- The Undertaker vs. The Dudley Boyz (Concrete Crypt Match)
- John Cena vs. Booker T vs. Rene Dupree vs. Rob Van Dam (United States Championship – Fatal 4-Way)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
JBL pulled off a shocking upset, defeating Eddie Guerrero in a controversial finish involving the bullrope and a questionable referee call. This victory marked the beginning of his long and polarizing run as WWE Champion. Meanwhile, The Undertaker made a disturbing decision, appearing to bury Paul Bearer in cement to free himself from emotional manipulation. On the mid-card scene, John Cena retained his U.S. Championship, displaying his resilience and reinforcing his path toward the main event.
📅 August – SummerSlam: The Legend Killer Strikes 🎉
🔥 Key Matches:
- Randy Orton vs. Chris Benoit (World Heavyweight Championship)
- JBL vs. The Undertaker (WWE Championship)
- Edge vs. Batista vs. Chris Jericho (Intercontinental Championship – Triple Threat)
- Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Randy Orton shocked the WWE Universe by defeating Chris Benoit to become the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. This win marked his arrival as a top star, though it also created tension within Evolution. JBL escaped with the WWE Championship once again, narrowly avoiding defeat against The Undertaker via disqualification. Over on RAW, Edge successfully defended his Intercontinental Title, showing grit and star power. Meanwhile, Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle renewed their heated rivalry, delivering another technical masterpiece.
📅 September – Unforgiven: Evolution’s Reign Begins 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- Randy Orton vs. Triple H (World Heavyweight Championship)
- Shawn Michaels vs. Kane (No Disqualification)
- Chris Jericho vs. Christian (Intercontinental Championship – Ladder Match)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Orton’s first title reign ended abruptly, as his Evolution stablemates turned on him, leading to a brutal match where Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship. This moment solidified Evolution’s control over RAW. In a separate storyline, Shawn Michaels and Kane’s feud came to a head in a chaotic No DQ match filled with emotion and brutality. Elsewhere, Jericho and Christian clashed in a stunning ladder match, mixing their bitter personal feud with high-risk action.
📅 October – No Mercy: The Deadman’s Revenge 🔥
🔥 Key Matches:
- JBL vs. The Undertaker (WWE Championship – Last Ride Match)
- John Cena vs. Booker T (United States Championship – Best of Five Final)
- Kurt Angle vs. Big Show
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
In a grueling Last Ride Match, JBL managed to survive The Undertaker, once again relying on outside interference to retain his title. Over in the mid-card, John Cena triumphed in his Best-of-Five series against Booker T, claiming the undisputed title of U.S. Champion. Meanwhile, Kurt Angle and Big Show’s feud boiled over, featuring sneak attacks, backstage chaos, and power struggles on SmackDown.
📅 November – Survivor Series: Power Struggles ⚔️
🔥 Key Matches:
- Team Orton vs. Team Triple H (Traditional Survivor Series Match)
- JBL vs. Booker T (WWE Championship)
- The Undertaker vs. Heidenreich
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Team Orton earned a major victory, granting each member control of RAW for one week. This twist led to creative chaos and unexpected matchups across the brand. JBL continued his controversial title reign, defeating Booker T with help from his Cabinet. Over on SmackDown, The Undertaker’s eerie rivalry with Heidenreich began to deepen, showcasing more bizarre behavior and psychological mind games.
📅 December – Armageddon: The Rise of the Future 🎇
🔥 Key Matches:
- JBL vs. The Undertaker vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Booker T (WWE Championship – Fatal 4-Way)
- John Cena vs. Jesús (United States Championship – Street Fight)
- Randy Orton vs. Edge
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
JBL narrowly retained the WWE Championship in a chaotic and dramatic Fatal 4-Way, thanks once again to outside interference from his Cabinet. John Cena clashed with Jesús in a brutal Street Fight, motivated by revenge after a sneak attack earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Randy Orton and Edge squared off in a clash of two rising stars, previewing a rivalry that would define future main events.
🔥 2004 Summary – The Second Half in Review
The final six months of 2004 saw massive changes in WWE’s roster, champions, and rivalries. Veterans clung to their legacies, while the next generation pushed forward.
- Randy Orton’s rapid rise and exile from Evolution 🏆
- JBL’s long, controversial reign as WWE Champion 🔥
- John Cena’s continued growth into a future face of WWE 🎭
- The Undertaker’s mind games and dark battles against rising threats 👑
As the curtain closed on 2004, WWE had clearly begun its next chapter. The Ruthless Aggression Era was thriving, and stars like Cena, Batista, Orton, and Edge stood on the brink of rewriting the company’s history. With WrestleMania 21 on the horizon, the foundation had been laid for a new era of main-event superstars.
