WWF Smackdown 1/6/2000

written by Adam King

WWF SMACKDOWN
Thursday, January 6th, 2000

Taped (1/4) from the Arena in Orlando, FL

List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Co-Champions: Chris Jericho & Chyna (12/30/1999)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: The New Age Outlaws (11/08/1999)
WWF European Champion: Val Venis (12/12/1999)
WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Bossman (10/14/1999)
WWF Women’s Champion: The Kat (12/12/1999)

~ Smackdown comes on the air with clips of Triple H’s title win on Raw. We then find Stephanie McMahon addressing X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws as Triple H watches nearby. Stephanie says Triple H regaining the WWF Championship was a proud moment in WWF history but Monday wasn’t a proud night for all of DX. Stephanie chastises the three of them for failing to defeat The Rock and get him fired and while she does mention Mick Foley’s intrusion, she still points out they couldn’t beat one person anyway. Stephanie says she and Triple H have a warrant out for Foley’s arrest should he trespass tonight before announcing that she and Triple H have decided to show their comrades some tough love. Stephanie tells Road Dogg they don’t have any plans for him right now but will later then gives X-Pac a chance to redeem himself, by facing The Big Show. X-Pac complains but Triple H points out he beat Show all by himself and feels X-Pac is good as he is. Stephanie then turns to Billy Gunn and mentions he and Road Dogg saving the Acolytes for the Royal Rumble but decides to give Billy the chance to soften both of them up tonight, in a handicap match. Billy takes exception but Triple H says they’re not the only ones who are going to sacrifice tonight. Stephanie says tonight Triple H is going to defend the WWF Championship against a random opponent who will be determined by a lottery so it could be anyone, even someone from DX. Stephanie tells Triple H she’s proud of him and Triple H returns those feelings while the Outlaws and X-Pac look less than thrilled.

~ We then finally get the intro, with Michael Cole welcoming us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.

The Big Show vs. X-Pac

I’d mention something about Show going from WWF Champion to opening the show in just three days but wasn’t Show already jerking the curtain even as world champion? Show pulls X-Pac out of the ring during his entrance and headbutts him on the floor before press slamming him back in the ring. Show hits another headbutt and hits a big cho in a corner then whips X-Pac hard into the opposite corner. Show kicks X-Pac repeatedly in a corner then chokebombs him to the mat and chokes X-Pac with his boot. Show refuses to break before the five count and the referee tries to get Show off of X-Pac but Show shoves him away and that’s a DQ right there. (1:09) Show isn’t happy with that and chokeslams the referee. X-Pac nails Show in the back with a chair but Show is unfazed and punches the chair into X-Pac’s face then follows up with a kneedrop. A swarm or referees try to break it up but Show scares all of them away then shoves the referee out of the ring. Fun just the see X-Pac getting thrown around but otherwise nothing to see here. NR

~ Backstage Chris Jericho and Chyna are bickering about having to team up tonight while The Kat watches nearby. Jericho says teaming with Chyna is a fate worse than death but Chyna says she’s not happy about it either and the two continue to argue as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the arena and a police officer patrolling the area just in case Mick Foley shows up.

~ Chris Jericho is shown walking to the ring with Chyna and The Kat still ranting about the tag match. Jericho suggests to Chyna that she stand on the apron while he does all the work. BTW Jericho is wearing the Intercontinental Title belt both he and Chyna have claim to.

Chris Jericho & Chyna (w/The Kat) vs. Crash & Hardcore Holly

Jericho and Chyna enter separately and are both billed as ‘Co-Intercontinental Champion’ on the chyron. The two of them exchange words when Hardcore attacks Jericho from behind to start the match and pounds him down. Hardcore goes for a whip but Jericho comes back with a flying forearm. Jericho goes for a whip but Hardcore reverses and hits a dropkick. Crash tags in and kicks away at Jericho in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but eats a boot. Crash ducks a clothesline and goes for a huricanrana but Jericho counters it into the Walls of Jericho. Hardcore breaks it up and Jericho reaches for a tag but Chyna turns her back to him. Crash tags in Hardcore and the Hollys whip Jericho but both lower the head and Jericho kicks Hardcore’s face then hits a backbreaker on Crash. Jericho clotheslines Hardcore over the ropes then works over Crash and goes for a whip but Crash reverses and Jericho tumbles out to the floor after Hardcore pulls down the top rope. Chyna then walks over and helps Jericho up but Jericho shoves her away so Chyna clotheslines him. Chyan rolls Jericho back in the ring and Hardcore hits the Hollycaust for the win. (2:25) Pretty spirited contest for what we got. The Hollys celebrate while Chyna grabs the Intercontinental Title belt and walks off. **

~ We then find the fake Mankind (Mideon) at Universal Studios, scaring away all the children. A man tells him to stay away from the kids so “Mankind” tells him to have a bad day.

~ Back at the arena The Helmsleys are watching this on a monitor thinking it really is Mick Foley and Triple H says he hopes Foley comes to the building and gets arrested before he steps out. Tori then comes in saying all the bathrooms are occupied and asks Stephanie to use her commode. Stephanie says she has no problem with it and Tori jogs into the restroom.

~ The Acolytes are shown walking to the ring for their handicap match as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Road Dogg is talking to Stephanie wanting to know what his “punishment” is but Stephanie says it’s Triple H’s decision. So Road Dogg asks to speak with him and Stephanie claims Triple H is in the bathroom but when Road Dogg goes in looking for Triple H he instead finds Tori who screams. Road Dogg yells at Stephanie for not telling him and Stephanie claims she forgot. Road Dogg then storms off while Stephanie just smirks.

The Acolytes vs. Billy Gunn – Handicap Match

As the Acolytes come out they show their beatdown by the Dudleys and Mean Street Posse on Raw. Billy looks back as if he’s expecting someone before rushing into the ring. The Acolytes pound on Billy to start the match then whip him but miss a double-clothesline. Billy kicks Bradshaw and DDT’s Faarooq then ducks a clothesline and unloads on Bradshaw. Billy goes for a whip but Bradshaw reverses him into a clothesline form Faarooq. The Acolytes take turns getting their shots in and Bradshaw caps off with a right hand. Both Acolytes whip Billy into a double-shoulderblock then Faarooq whips him into a corner. Faarooq whips Bradshaw into Billy but he eats a boot and Billy clotheslines Faarooq. Bradshaw manages to connect with the Clothesline from Hades and Faarooq follows up with a headbutt. The Acolytes hit a double-neckbreaker when Road Dogg runs in and clips Bradshaw for the DQ. (2:03) Road Dogg hits the juke ‘n jive punches on Faarooq but Faarooq interrupts with a spinebuster. Faarooq then throws Road Dogg to the floor and the Acolytes brawl with the Outlaws through the crowd. Just there to build up the only-announced match for the pay-per-view thus far. DUD

~ Back in the dressing room we find Kane standing over the Helmsleys as they watch the action on a monitor. Triple H and Stephanie talk about having a great tag team title match at the Royal Rumble until Kane gets their attention by shoving a vase of flowers aside. Kane demands a match with Road Dogg and Triple H doesn’t know what’s up but Stephanie is only too happy to give Kane his match. Kane storms off and Triple H still doesn’t know Kane’s issue with Road Dogg.

~ We then see more cops patroling the grounds for Mick Foley as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Road Dogg is conversing with Triple H and Stephanie, having escaped from the Acolytes. Triple H warns Road Dogg that if Billy Gunn interferes in his match he’ll be let go. Road Dogg doesn’t understand he has a match until Triple H informs him he has Kane right now. Road Doog flips out and yells at Stephanie for telling Kane but Triple H tells him to back off. After Road Dogg leaves Triple H asks Stephanie what that was about but Stephanie again plays dumb.

Kane (w/Tori) vs. Road Dogg

Road Dogg comes out doing his spiel but Kane attacks him on the ramp and rams him into the steps. Kane rams Road Dogg into the barricade then beats on him before dropping him onto the barricade. Road Dogg rolls into the ring and attacks Kane as he climbs in but his punches have no effect. Kane throws Road Dogg into a corner and pummels him, capping off with an uppercut, then stomps him down and chokes him on the mat. Kane drapes Road Dogg on the apron and clubs him in the chest twice. Kane rams Road Dogg into another corner and rakes the eyes then beats him down and chokes on the top rope before hitting a suplex. Kane whips Road Dogg into an elbow then slams him to the mat and hits a legdrop. Kane whips Road Dogg but lowers the head and Road Dogg kicks him in the face but Kane shrugs it off. Road Dogg ducks a right hand and gets in some shots then goes for a whip but Kane reverses and hits a boot. Kane climbs to the top rope and connects with the flying clothesline as X-Pac comes out to ringside but Kane goes out and stalks him back up the ramp. However this allows Road Dogg to hit a low blow followed by a DDT on the ramp. Road Dogg rams Kane into the apron then rolls him back into the ring. Road Dogg hits the juke ‘n’ jive punches followed by the big right but Kane doesn’t go down. Road Dogg them comes off the ropes with a forearm and that does take Kane off his feet. Road Dogg goes for the shake, rattle ‘n kneedrop but misses itwhen Kane sits up. Kane hits the chokeslam followed by the Tombstone for the pin. (5:07) Road Dogg got in some offense but this was still a total squash. DUD

~ Backstage The Rock is pacing around in his ring gear apparently ready for action against someone, and the announcers are wondering who will be his opponent tonight. Back in the DX dressing room Stephanie asks Triple H that same question as they watch the monitor. Triple H says the Rock has a special opponent tonight: the (until-now) undefeated Kurt Angle. Stephanie seems less than thrilled while Triple H feels this is where the streak will end.

~ We cut back to Universal Studios and find “Mankind” on a water ride. “Mankind” rants to the tourists that he was hardcore and didn’t fear anything until Triple H fired him. Once the Jaws shark pops up out of the water “Mankind” nearly has a heart attack. After they pass by it “Mankind” says he doesn’t have to be scared about that anymore.

~ A promo is shown hyping the WWF New York restaurant in Times Square which was (at the time) opening soon.

~ Back from break The Rock comes out to the ring and gets on the mic doing his “Finally..” bit. Rock talks about how Triple H threw every member of his crew at him on Raw but he still came out on top and says this is the millenium of the Rock and he is the people’s champion. Rock then finishes with his “If you smell…” line when Kurt Angle comes out to the stage with his own mic. Angle talks about being an Olympic champion, an American hero and a representative of this great nation. Angle mentions how he did battle in the Olympics and came out a winner and how he’s undefeated in the WWF thanks to his three I’s, so he feels he should be the People’s champion. Angle scoffs at the notion that the fans prefer a “GQ, smooth talkin’ smart aleck” over him. As Angle climbs in the ring Rock gets back on the mic to respond to his comments. Rock tells Angle he did something he should never have done, and that’s annoy The Rock. Rock says Angle is an American hero then points out Angle’s gold medals before going into a lengthy diatribe on what Angle should do with his medals (yes it’s that). Angle rushes Rock and we finally get to the match.

The Rock vs. Kurt Angle

I do believe this is the first-ever meeting between these future rivals. Rock sidesteps Angle and tees off on him then whips him into a corner and hits a clothesline. Rock whips Angle but Angle bails out to the floor and starts walking out of the match. Rock goes out and clotheslines Angle on the ramp then goes for a suplex but Angle counters into his own suplex onto the ramp. Angle pops Rock back to ringside and rams his head into the ringsteps then heads back in the ring and taunts the fans while Rock rolls in. Rock goes for a whip but Angle reverses it and hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Angle pops Rock and stomps him down in a corner before choking him with his boot. Rock starts to fight back and goes for a whip, Angle reverses but lowers the head and Rock hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Angle hits a back suplex and goes for a whip but Rock counters into a DDT for a two count. Rock hits the Smackdown in a corner then follows up with a Samoan Drop for another near fall. Steve Blackman runs out to the apron with a kendo stick in hand but Rock pops him back off. Rock sets Angle up for a Rock Bottom when Blackman hops onto the apron again. So Rock brings Blackman into the ring then grabs the kendo stick and clocks Blackman with it. Rock then turns and nails Angle with the stick but causes a DQ and as a result Angle wins again. (3:07) Rock argues with the referee before laying out Blackman with a Rock Bottom. Rock starts to leave when he sees Angle celebrating his apparent victory in the ring. So Rock heads back in and plants Angle with a spinebuster followed by the People’s Elbow. The pre-match promo battle was longer than the match itself. Still a fun match for what we got that sowed the seeds for the more epic battles between these two. **½

~ Backstage we find Triple H and Stephanie still watching the action on the monitor and Stephanie feels Angle is still undefeated since Rock got DQ’ed, much to Triple H’s frustration.

~ We then get a shot of a spinning tumbler containing the names of Triple H’s potential opponents. Outside we also find the cops still patrolling for some sign of Mick Foley as we go to commercial.

Edge, Chrisitan & Jeff Hardy (w/Matt Hary & Terri) vs. The Dudley Boyz & Al Snow (w/Head)

Snow and Jeff still have their issue and now they’ve each recruited a tag team. Matt also has bandages on the fingers Snow broke during the cage match on Raw. As the Dudleys walk out they talk about the bonus DX gave them: having Snow as a partner. D’Von Dudley and Christian lockup to start and D’Von gets the advantage. D’Von whips Christian but lowers the head and Christian kicks the face before throwing him to the mat. Jeff tags in but Snow comes in without a tag and pounds on Jeff before the Dudleys doble-team him. Bubba goes for a delayed vertical suplex but holds Jeff up too long and Jeff lands on his feet. Jeff tries to whip Bubba but can’t budge him and Bubba whips Jeff into his corner. Jeff manages to knock both D’Von and Snow off the apron but Bubba whips him into a corner again. Jeff tries to lift himself up but Bubba catches Jeff and slings him into a spinebuster. Snow comes in and knocks Edge and Christian off the apron then Snow then helps Bubba set Jeff up while D’Von climbs to the top and connects with the headbutt to the groin. Bubba whips Jeff into a backdrop and follows up with a clothesline then whips Jeff again. Bubba lowers the head and Jeff flips over him and goes for an O’Connor roll but Bubba holds onto the rope. Jeff comes off the ropes with a huricanrana then tags in Edge who takes it to both Dudleys. Snow comes in but Christian cuts him off with a dropkick. Edge and Christian each pound on a Dudley in a corner while Snow stalks Terri on the outside. Matt stands between Terri and Snow while Jeff leaps over the ropes catching Snow with a plancha. In the ring Edge comes off the top but Bubba catches him with a clothesline. Bubba then clubs Christian from behind and sets him up while D’Von readies for the 3D but before they can hit their move Edge spears D’Von and Christian flips out of a suplex into a Slop Drop. Edge hits the Downard Spiral on D’Von and gets the pin while Christian keeps Bubba from making the save. (3:08) Quite a bit of action crammed into three minutes but way too short for a six-man tag. After the match Jeff leaves with Matt and Terri while Edge & Christian take off through the crowd. Snow then grabs Head and lays out both Dudleys with it while yelling at them for losing. **

~ Back to Universal Studios where we find “Mankind” trying to get into Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster. “Mankind” walks up to the security guard wanting to get on the ride but he is informed the ride is closed. “Mankind” pleads his case and even offers a bribe of a quarter but the guard radios for backup. “Mankind” then tricks the guard and runs away.

~ We then find the police force still waiting for the real Mick Foley to show up as we go to commercial.

Test vs. The Big Bossman © – Non-Title Non-Hardcore Match

Cole says Stephanie is softening Test up for something after the beatings he’s received at the hands of Bossman and Albert but never says what. Test is also still wearing the faceguard for his broken nose. Bossman promises no run-ins and even offers a hand but Test kicks it away and starts pounding him. Test goes for a whip but Bossman reverses and catches him into a backbreaker. Bossman chokeslams Test but Test fights back and whips him into an elbow. Test goes for a whip, Bossman reverses but misses a right hand and Test hits a clothesline. Bossman pops Test in the face then ties him in the ropes and removes the faceguard. Prince Albert makes his way to ringside as Bossman frees Test from the ropes. Bossman distracts the referee while Albert pulls Test out of the ring and works him over before choking him on the floor. Bossman goes out and hits a knee to the face then drops him onto the barricade. Bossman throws Test back into the ring and hits a kneedrop while Albert trashtalks him. Bossman applies a forearm across the face and Test fights out of it and whips Bossman into a corner. Test charges and eats an elbow but still manages to connect with a big boot and both men are down. Test goes for a whip and Bossman reverses but Test hits a DDT for a two count. Test shoves Bossman in a corner and hits a forearm but runs into a double boot. Bossman comes out but Test powerslams him before knocking Albert off the apron. Bossman holds Test as Albert comes in with a bicycle kick but Albert misses Test and nails Bossman. Test shoves Albert down and covers Bossman for the pin, finally getting a win in this feud. (4:04) Nothing really memorable here but not the worst match either. Test walks away holding his nose while Bossman yells at Albert for his botched interference. You’d think all this abuse would lead to Test eventually getting his shot at Triple H and Stephanie but I don’t think it ever happened. *

~ Back in the DX dressing room, Triple H calls Test’s win an upset and Stephanie hopes Triple H doesn’t get upset in his match but Triple H says that ain’t going to happen.

~ We get another shot at the tumbler to decide Triple H’s challenger as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find the fake Mankind still at Universal Studios, coming across the “Back to the Future” ride. “Mankind” decides he wants to turn the hands of time back to his first WWF Championship win last year. “Mankind” then changes his mind and wants to go back to March 15, 1982, the last time his wife found him attractive.

~ We get another shot of the cops still waiting outside the arena for Mankind to appear and get arrested.

~ Back in the arena the Mean Street Posse are apparently coming out to the ring for a match. We cut to the DX room where Stephanie asks Triple H what the Posse are doing out there and Triple H says he wanted to reward them by giving them possibly their first tag team win.

The Mean Street Posse vs. Kaientai – Handicap Match

The Posse attack Taka Michinoku and Sho Funaki at ringside before throwing them into the ring. However Taka gets on the apron and hits an Asai moonsault on all three men. Funaki throws Joey Abs into the ring and both men whip him into a drop toehold. Funaki applies a camel clutch on Abs while Taka dropkicks him in the face. Funaki goes for a whip, Abs reverses him into a corner and charges but eats a double boot. Funaki hops onto the middle rope and hits a flipover into a bulldog. Funaki goes for a whips but Abs reverses and Rodney nails Funaki from the apron. Abs hits a suplex followed by a gutwrench suplex for a two count. Rodney tags in and slams Funaki to the mat before tagging Abs back in. Rodney whips Funaki and flips him up into a sitdown powerbomb (which Cole claims they call The Stock Exchange) from Abs. Abs starts to go for the cover but Pete Gas demands to be tagged in so Abs obliges. Pete hits an inverted full nelson slam (The Gas Mask) but only gets two and Rodney tags in. Rodney hops to the middle rope and goes for a Buff Blockbuster (The High Society) but misses Funaki and hits Pete with it by by accident. Rodney scoops Funkai up but Funaki floats over as Taka climbs to the top rope. Taka hits a missile dropkick that knocks Rodney into a rollup from Funaki for the three! (3:02) Kaientai celebrate while the Posse can’t believe they lost again. Some fun stuff but not much else. *½

~ Back in the DX dressing room Triple H talks about how he gives people a chance and they blow it. Stephanie brings up Triple H’s lottery and they head out to draw his opponent as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break the entire roster is in a meeting room as Stephanie tries to get their attention but the roster ignores her until she slams down a chair to finally get them to quiet down. Stephanie reminds everyone that one of them will get to challenge Triple H for the WWF Championship tonight then rambles on how the WWF Champion is defending his title against a random opponent for the first time. Stephanie says everyone’s names are in the tumbler and that Triple H will defend against all comers, calling him a champion with spirit and pride and that she’s proud of him. Stephanie then brings Triple H out as about three people applaud him and Triple H talks about taking this opportunity to be a leader and role model to everyone. Triple H also brings up how anyone in the room can take his place after he retires as a leader and reminds everyone how historical this is, that anyone has a chance to be champion. Stephanie pulls out a container and opens it to reveal … Andre the Giant. Triple H complains about this being a real deal while saying he’d beat Andre but he’s not here. Stephanie picks another name out of the tumbler but this one ends up being … The Fabulous Moolah. Triple H says that match would be one for the ages but wants a more serious challenger and decides to have a more impartial person draw a name. Triple H asks Howard Finkel to do the honor and Finkel walks over but trips and accidentally knocks over the tumbler, spilling all the containers. Finkel picks a ball off the floor and after some difficulty opens it to reveal … Rikishi! Triple H acts unhappy and Stephanie glares at Finkel while the rest of the room cheer for Rikishi.

~ We then cut back to Universal Studios to see what the fake Mankind is up to. “Mankind” is getting off a ride a little queasy when he finds the real Mankind waiting for him. Mankind yells at his doppelganger for talking about his wife and family before tearing into him. Mankind throws the imposter around the park and slams him into several objects while ranting about Triple H. Eventually Mankind leaves the fake laying while telling him “Have a nice day.”

~ Back from break we get a replay of Mankind destroying his evil duplicate and also a replay of Rikishi being drawn as Triple H’s challenger.

WWF World Heavyweight Title: Triple H © vs. Rikishi Phatu

I guess you could say this is Rikishi’s first world title shot in seven years since back in March ’93 on Raw Rikishi (as Fatu of the Headshrinkers) challenged Bret Hart and lost. Rikishi comes out with Too Cool but asks them to stay back, wanting to do this himself. Stephanie comes out with Triple H and again joins the announcers for commentary. Triple H attacks Rikishi from behind to start and beats him down in a corner but Rikishi fights out of it and drops Triple H with a right hand. Rikishi connects with two more rights then whips Triple H into a backdrop. Triple H rolls out to the floor but Rikishi goes out and rams him into the ringsteps twice then slams Triple H onto the floor and hits a legdrop. Rikishi goes for a whip but Triple H reverses and sends Rikishi into the steps. Triple H rams Rikishi into the steps then into the announce table twice. Triple H rolls Rikishi back in the ring but Rikishi attacks him as he climbs in. Rikishi goes for a whip but Triple H reverses and belts him in the chest as we get a shot of X-Pac and the Outlaws watching the match from the DX dressing room. Triple H goes for a whip, Rikishi reverses it but Triple H hits the facebuster for a two count. Triple H comes out of a corner with a clothesline for another two count. Triple H throws Rikishi through the ropes then goes out and rams him into the barricade. Triple H goes for a whip but Rikishi reverses and sends Triple H into the barricade. Rikishi follows up with a clothesline before throwing him back in the ring.

Rikishi whips Triple H into a corner then hits the running butt splash followed by a Samoan Drop but only gets two. Rikishi hits a belly-to-belly suplex and drags Triple H toward the corner then climbs up and hits the Banzai Drop … but that only gets two?! Yes you read that right, Triple H kicked out of the Banzai Drop!! Rikishi sets Triple H up for the sitdown piledriver but Triple H escapes from it and sets up for a Pedigree. Before he can hit it Rikishi counters with a backdrop then connects with a superkick but still can’t get the three. Rikishi goes for the sitdown splash but Triple H avoids it as Stephanie slides a chair into the ring. Stephanie hops on the apron the distract the referee while Triple H clocks Rikishi with the chair. Triple H covers Rikishi as the referee turns back but Rikishi still kicks out! Stephanie passes the title belt to Triple H who clocks Rikishi with it in full view of the refere to get himself DQ’ed and save his title. (7:12) Solid main event that had some good drama and at some points had the crowd believing Rikishi might pull it off until the unfortunate finish. After the bell Rikishi starts getting to his feet so Triple H brings another chair into the ring and clocks Rikishi in the back. However Rikishi again starts getting up so Triple H grabs his belt and bails form the ring. Backstage we find the rest of DX saying they weren’t going to help Triple H this time. Triple H yells at Rikishi as he begins his post-match dance with Too Cool. However the fact remains Triple H is still champion as Smackdown goes off the air. **½

Conclusion: Good edition of Smackdown with some solid action and some nice angle advancement, including showing some possible dissension in the DX ranks. The main event was good and showed Rikishi could hang with the top stars which would make him a top player for much of 2000. I could have done without Triple H kicking out of the Banzai Drop, though, when everyone else (even Steve Austin) sold it like death. It’s like Hulk Hogan popping right up after a Vader powerbomb. Anyway, still a nicely-done show but the best stuff is just right around the corner.