Rob Van Dam def. Shelton Benjamin to become Intercontinental Champion

Written: April 30, 2006

Not only was this a showcase of arguably the two most athletic Superstars in WWE today, but Rob Van Dam’s Money in the Bank Championship opportunity and Shelton Benjamin’s Intercontinental Championship were both on the line. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this winner-takes-all matchup.

Although Benjamin and RVD are known as fast-paced, high-impact, high-fliers, the match began with a feeling out process. With so much on the line, Benjamin and RVD couldn’t avoid to slip up, so they displayed some caution. Both Superstars clearly did their homework as well, as they seemed to know what was coming before it even happened.

But before long, their undeniable athleticism just took over. Benjamin was able to counter a Rolling Thunder attempt with a Samoan Drop. He followed it up with a jaw-dropping maneuver as he ran across the ring, leapt all the way up to the top rope, and executed a thunderous superplex.

But RVD did not want to be outdone. He endured he pain and came back with the Rolling Thunder and hit a split-legged moonsault, but he couldn’t get the pin. Frustrated, Shelton brought the Money in the Bank briefcase into the ring. Before it came into play, though, the referee was knocked down. RVD tossed the briefcase to Benjamin, and after he caught it, he connected with a vicious Van Daminator. Mr. Money in the Bank followed that up with a picturesque Five Star Frog Splash for the pin to not only retain his Money in the Bank Championship opportunity, but to also win his sixth Intercontinental Championship.

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