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Note: Apologies for the long delay, but I have been flat out at uni and working 4 days a week, so I have barely had time to think. Hopefully I can update a little more regularly.

BACKLASH

Benoit was pumped and ready to go as he sat in the locker room psyching himself up for the match. He had been waiting for this night for several weeks, ever since Benjamin had interfered in his match against Edge, the night after Wrestlemania. At the same time, Benoit kept one eye on the television screen, where it showed Jericho celebrating a hard fought win over Edge. Benoit was confident that he could do the same, although he wasn't going to under estimate Shelton Benjamin.

As Benoit made his way to the gorilla position, he picked up on the sense of uneasiness that had been part of the locker room since the lottery. Vince McMahon had said that the two general managers were free to trade superstars until the deadline, which had been set at tomorrow's RAW, where all trades would be announced. Benoit was confident that Bischoff wasn't going to trade him, as were most of the top guys, although you never knew with Bischoff.

Benoit knew that Benjamin had an advantage in athleticism, but he also knew that Benoit had the advantage over everyone on the roster when it came to stamina. His goal was to ware Benjamin down to the point where he could almost eliminate Benjamin's unique offence. The earliest stages of the match went pretty much how Benoit planned. Benoit spent the most of the time trying to attack the legs of Benjamin, who proved a little more resilient that Benoit had given him credit for.

The match eventually took on more an amateur feel, with Benoit trying to lock in the crossface at every opportunity and Benjamin looking for the surprise roll up. As the referee called yet another two-count on Benoit, Benjamin began arguing with the referee. After it became clear to Benjamin that he wasn't going to go back on his decision, he turned to face Benoit, only to walk straight into the waiting wolverine. Benoit locked his arms around Shelton's waist and delivered two stinging German suplexes, before Benjamin was able to break Benoit's grip. He pushed the wolverine away and swung a right hand in his direction, trying to force him to the mat. However Benoit blocked the punch and delivered a third German suplex, which left Benjamin lying face up on the mat.

Benoit signalled the end and the crowd roared in approval. Despite his heavy legs, Benoit forced himself to the top rope and looked at the mass of people that had crammed into the sold-out stadium. He then looked at Benjamin on the mat, who was beginning to stir, so Benoit dove of the turnbuckle and made contact with the head of Benjamin. Benoit grabbed his head, which was throbbing from the impact, but after a couple of moments he was able to crawl over to Benjamin and drape one arm over the chest of Benjamin. The crowd joined in with the referee, '1…2…' no, Benjamin was able to just get his shoulder off the canvas to break the count.

Benoit got to his knees and gave a glare at the referee in frustration at the fact that Benjamin had managed to stay in the match. Benoit then moved over to Benjamin who was still lying on the canvas and put him in the sharpshooter. Benjamin screamed in pain, desperately trying to make it over to the rope. Little bit at a time, Benjamin was able to crawl in the direction of the rope but the crowd sensed that he wasn't going to be able to hold out much longer. In one last desperate attempt, Benjamin lunged at the rope, but Benoit was able to drag him back into the middle of the ring, to the delighted screams of the fans.

Then a loud jeer rang out through the arena and Benoit, upon looking at the ramp, discovered what it was for. Charlie Haas was sprinting out towards the ring, in an effort to save his mate. Charlie slid into the ring and Benoit released the hold on Benjamin. Haas ran at Benoit, who was able to duck the attempted clothesline and grab Haas around the waist, locking him in for the German suplex. Benoit delivered all three suplexes to Haas and then picked him up and threw him over the top rope to the floor.

The referee was looking in the direction of Haas lying on the floor at ringside and Benoit turned his attention back to Benjamin, but walked straight into a T-Bone Suplex. Benoit hit the canvas and his whole body shook, Benjamin hooked the leg straight away and the referee began the count. Before Benoit knew what was going on, he heard the referee slam his hand to the mat for a second time. Through nothing but sheer reflex, he managed to shoot a shoulder up from the mat and break the count. Benjamin hooked the leg once again, but Benoit had regained most of his senses by then and was able to kick out. Benjamin slammed the mat with both hands in frustration and got right in the referee's face arguing at what he thought was a slow count. Haas slid into the ring again, but was hit by an object flying in from the side to the delight of the crowd. Benoit managed to see Jericho beating Haas at ringside.

Benjamin was still arguing with the referee at ringside, so it gave Benoit a few moments to gather himself. He eventually got into a sitting position and then up to his feet with the help of the ropes. Benoit stood there for a few moments, keeping an eye on Benjamin who was still with the referee.

Benoit started to move in Benjamin's direction, before catching something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see who it was, but before he could identify the person he was hit in the side of the head with something that was very hard. Benoit was out; he lay on the canvas and could barely hear the jeers coming from the crowd. He felt Benjamin hook the leg, but couldn't muster the strength to kick out and in the distance he heard the ring of the bell and Lillian announce, "Here is your winner, and still Intercontinental Champion… Shelton Benjamin!"

Benoit lay there and eventually he saw Chris Jericho standing over him, but glancing at what Benoit guessed was the direction the ramp was in. With the help of Chris Jericho and the referee, Benoit was able to crawl in the direction of the ropes and eventually stand up. As he was being helped up the ramp, Benoit asked Jericho, "Who the hell was that?"

Jericho looked at Benoit and answered with only two words and with a hint of concern in his voice, "Ric Flair."

THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Benoit was seated in the first aid room getting his head stitched up, which had been busted open with what Benoit had learned was Benjamin's title belt. Jericho was seated in a chair across the room, eyes fixated on the television screen which was displaying the early stages of the World Heavyweight Championship re-match between Triple H and Batista, who was pretty much on one leg.

Benoit and Jericho had been discussing why Ric Flair had interfered in the match and were worried that Benjamin and Haas might return the favour in the title match. After a while though, it became clear that Triple H might not need any assistance. Batista was struggling with the bad knee he suffered at the hands of Triple H two weeks ago. While Batista's bad knee was hindering him, he still had a power advantage over Triple H and when he landed a spinebuster on the challenger, Triple H was in trouble.

At that moment, Ric Flair jumped up onto the apron and started trying to jump into the ring, only to be held back by the referee. While the referee's back was turned Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas slid into the ring each armed with a chair. Batista hobbled around to face them, but they were too quick and from each side, swung the chairs and connected with Batista's knee.

Batista collapsed to the mat in agony, holding his damaged knee. Benjamin and Haas helped Triple H up and as the referee turned back to the action, they dived out of the ring and out of sight. Triple H picked up Batista and laid the pedigree on him and before Benoit and Jericho were able to get out there and help rectify matters, Triple H was an eleven time World Champion. Triple H grabbed the belt and paraded around the ring cheered on by Flair, Haas and Benjamin. As the coverage ended, Jericho and Benoit glanced at each other, both very concerned.