Written by Adam King
WWF SMACKDOWN
Thursday, April 6th, 2000
Taped (4/04) from the Arena in San Jose, CA
List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit (4/02/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (4/02/2000)
WWF European Champion: Eddie Guerrero (4/03/2000)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Crash Holly (4/03/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (3/13/2000)
~ Smackdown comes on the air with footage of then Rock pinning Triple H in his match with Shane McMahon on Raw. We then find Shane talking to Vince McMahon on the phone backstage, asking him to arrive as soon as possible so they can clear up this controversy with the Rock.
~ We then get the intro, with Michael Cole welcoming us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler. The announcers are buzzing on what’s up with the WWF Championship following what happened on Raw.
WWF Intercontinental Title: Chris Benoit © vs. Rikishi Phatu
Both men stand nose-to-nose to start and Rikishi gets in the first shots then whips him but lowers the head and Benoit kicks the face but it has no effect. Rikishi clotheslines Benoit down then when whips him again and Benoit goes for a Sunset Flip but can’t get Rikishi over. Rikishi go for the sit-down splash but Benoit avoids it and dropkicks Rikishi from behind. Benoit stomps Rikishi down in a corner and hammers away on him with chops but Rikishi just shrugs them off so Benoit comes off the ropes but runs right into a modified Diamond Cutter. Rikishi whips Benoit into a corner and super kicks him in the back of the head. Rikishi then goes for the running butt charge but Benoit sidesteps him then hits a Northern Lights suplex into a bridge and gets the three. (1:55) Looked like it was going to be a fun match when it suddenly ended. Benoit decides he’s not done yet and charges at Rikishi with the belt but Rikishi plants him with a Samoan Drop then gives Benoit the Stink face. Benoit again rushes at Rikishi but runs into a belly-to-belly suplex. Maybe he should just grab his title and depart. Rikishi drags Benoit to a corner then climbs up the ropes and hits a Banzai Drop on him then poses with the IC belt even though he’s not the champion. *½
~ We then get a shot of Vince McMahon arriving to the building in a limo when Shane comes out to greet him informing him they’re the only ones there. The two McMahons then head somewhere as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we find members of the Oakland Raiders in the crowd tonight.
Vince and Shane McMahon make their way to the ring because we forgot to start the show with a promo segment. Vince gets on the mic and asks the fans in “Sacramento” to not get upset even though they’re in San Jose tonight, but then says it doesn’t matter what city it is since all of California will soon sink to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Vince mentions rumors of DX not appearing tonight by saying they will be here after finishing their autograph session. Vince then addresses the controversy resulting from Raw’s main event claiming the inmates were running the asylum. Vince shows the closing moments from the Rock/Shane match on the OvalTron that ended with Rock pinning Triple H and Vince claims Rock was frustrated he couldn’t beat Shane one-on-one so he took it out on Triple H. Vince also mentions Earl Hebner making the three count for Rock, Lillian Garcia announcing him as the winner, and Rock posing with the belt at the end of the show. Vince decides to get to the bottom of this and starts off by summoning Earl Hebner to the ring. Once Hebner arrives Vince asks about him making a count in an unsanctioned match and Hebner says Rock told him to count it. Vince tells Hebner his bias has compromised the integrity of the WWF referees and threatens to knock Hebner on his rear if he ever pulls such a stunt again before sending him out on his way. Vince then brings Lillian Garcia out to the ring to get her explanation but first asks her to sing a song for him. Once Lillian starts singing, Vince interrupts saying that proves she’s a dime-a-dozen and can be replaced in an instant. Vince tells Lillian she’ll be singing the blues if she makes another mistake like on Monday and dismisses her as well while saying it’s not easy to be the boss when he’s surrounded by incompetent employees. Vince then proceeds to announce that The Rock is NOT WWF Champion, nor will he likely ever be champion again. Vince then brings up what Jim Ross’ said about him and Shane not having the intestinal courage to stand up to Rock. Vince decides to show the fortitude he and Shane have by booking them in a handicap match with Rock tonight! Shane acts like Vince has lost his mind but then acts like it’s a good idea when Vince looks at him.
~ Trish Stratus is shown leading Test and Albert to the ring as we go to commercial.
The Dudley Boyz vs. T & A (w/Trish Stratus)
D’Von Dudley pounds on Test to start and goes for a whip but Test counters it into a gut wrench suplex for a two count. Test whips D’Von but misses a clothesline and D’Von whips him into a spinning elbow. Bubba Ray tags in and chops Test in a corner then goes for a whip, Test reverses him into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Bubba hops to the middle rope and hits a flying clothesline for a two count then goes for a whip but Test reverses it and hits a backdrop. Albert tags in and T&A whip Bubba into a corner then Test whips Albert into an Avalanche on Bubba then Albert rams Bubba into a big boot from Test but only gets a two count. Albert head butts Bubba then whips him into the ropes but lowers the head and Bubba kicks him in the face and follows up with a clothesline. Bubba draws Test to distract the referee then sets Albert up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the head butt to the groin. D’Von snap mares Albert to the mat and hits a jumping elbow drop then goes for a whip but Albert reverses it. Test nails D’von from the apron and D’von staggers into a bicycle kick but only gets a two count. Albert slingshots D’Von into the middle rope then draws Bubba in when D’Von whips him into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Albert whips D’Von into a corner and charges but D’Von sidesteps him and comes off the ropes with a clothesline. Both sides tag but Bubba catches Test with a pair of clotheslines. Bubba goes for a whip, Test reverses it but Bubba ducks a clothesline and hits a Diamond Cutter. Albert breaks up the pin but D’Von comes in and all four men are going at it. Bubba chops Test while Albert clotheslines D’von over the ropes. Bubba goes for a whip but Test reverses him right into the choke bomb from Albert. Test climbs to the top and connects with the flying elbow drop but D’Von barely makes the save. Albert sets Bubba up for a power bomb but Bubba backdrops him over the ropes to the floor and the Dudley’s whip Test into a 3D that gets the pin. (5:08) Decent enough match. Trish comes in to check on Test but Bubba sees her and gets that look in his eyes again. Bubba grabs Trish by the hair and calls for a table from D’Von, intending to make her their next table victim. However Albert attacks D’Von from behind distracting Bubba long enough for Test, Albert and Trish to make their escape. Suddenly the Hardy Boys come out looking to get a piece of the Dudley’s. The two teams brawl with each other as a group of referees try to separate them. **
~ Backstage Scotty 2 Hotty is styling his hair when Kurt Angle walks up saying he has a tag team title shot tonight and needs a partner. Angle asks Scotty if he’s interested but Scotty declines, not wanting to disrespect Grandmaster Sexay. Scotty says once Sexay comes back from his injury they’re going to win the gold together then leaves Angle behind as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we find The Rock pacing around backstage.
Tazz vs. Perry Saturn
As Tazz is making his entrance Saturn runs out and attacks him from behind then drops him onto the barricade. Saturn goes for a whip but Tazz reverses him into the ring steps and unloads on him as they fight to the back so basically this match never takes place. NR
~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock for his feeling on facing the McMahons tonight. Rock starts by suggesting what Shane and Vince can do then asks if he’s supposed to be afraid of their challenge. Rock tells Vince that whether he or his family likes it or not, he still reigns supreme at the top of this company. Rock accepts their challenge, promising to lay the Smackdown on both of them saying it’ll be a beautiful thing and once the dust has settled, Vince and Shane will smell as one what he’s cooking.
~ Back from break we see the DX Express arriving at the building and Triple H and the rest filing out of it.
Al Snow & Steve Blackman vs. The Big Bossman & Bull Buchanan
Blackman starts off with Bossman who avoids his shots and the referee reprimands Blackman, giving Bossman an opening to attack and choke him. Blackman ducks a right hand and kicks Bossman over the ropes and Snow then follows up with an Asai moonsault on Bossman before throwing him back in the ring. Blackman lays the boots to Bossman then tags in Snow who comes off the top with a body block. Snow pops Buchanan on the apron but Bossman slams him to the mat. Buchanan tags in but Snow connects with a crescent kick then hits an enzuigiri for a two count. Snow goes for a whip, Buchanan reverses but Snow slides under him. Buchanan hits an axe kick for a near fall then goes for a whip but Snow reverses it and Blackman kicks Buchanan from the apron. Snow belts Buchanan in the chest and throws him back to the mat and Blackman tags in and rams Buchanan into a turnbuckle. Blackman whips Buchanan into a corner but Buchanan springs off the top rope into a flying clothesline. Buchanan works Blackman over then tags Bossman in and the two whip Blackman into a double clothesline. Bossman chokes Blackman with his boot then rams him into a turnbuckle. Bossman whips Blackman into a corner and hits a splash then follows up with a knee drop. Buchanan tags in and whips Blackman but Blackman slides under him and misses a roundhouse kick but connects with another kick. Blackman comes off the ropes but runs into a boot and Buchanan rams him into Bossman’s boot before tagging him in. Bossman slams Blackman to the mat then hops to the middle rope then leaps off but Blackman gets a boot up to block him. Snow gets the tag and takes it to both men then tees off on Bossman while Blackman throws Buchanan through the ropes. Blackman goes out after Buchanan but Buchanan whips him into the ring steps. Snow whips Bossman into a heel kick but doesn’t see Buchanan making a blind tag. Snow comes off the ropes but runs into the Bossman Slam while Buchanan climbs to the top and hits the guillotine leg drop for the pin. (4:43) Blackman comes in and clear out both men with a series of kicks. Some nice moments but pretty dull otherwise. *
~ Backstage Eddie Guerrero and Chyna pull up to the building in a low rider then climb out and head somewhere as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break Eddie Guerrero comes out with Chyna and the European Title belt and debuts his separate entrance theme. As they head to the ring Eddie hands some roses to Chyna who smells them and tosses them away. Eddie gets on the mic and asks Chyna why she helped him win the European Title belt last Monday and Chyna claims she couldn’t resist his Latino Heat. Chyna says Chris Jericho was always intimidated that a woman would steal his glory, which she did. Eddie calls Chyna the 9th Wonder of the World and that’s why he’s European Champion. Eddie claims his ancestors such as Cortez, Columbus, Pancho Villa and Don Quixote are all proud of him before he starts mumbling something in Spanish. Suddenly Chris Jericho’s intro comes on and sure enough Jericho charges in the ring and takes it to both Eddie and Chyna. Jericho hammers Chyna in a corner but Eddie makes the save allowing Chyna to escape from the ring. Eddie goes for a whip but Jericho counters and whips Eddie into a power bomb. Jericho stomps away at Eddie until a pair of referees come out to break it up. Chyna then helps Eddie out of the ring and walk off with Jericho glaring at them.
~ Backstage Kurt Angle now tries to recruit Essa Rios as his partner for the title match but runs into the language barrier and Rios doesn’t understand what Angle is saying. Lita walks into the picture so Angle asks her to translate for him and tells Rios once they win the belts he can sell his half of the gold for money and feed his family in his poor country. Lita passes along the message but Rios gets angered and storms off and Angle gets denied a partner again.
~ Elsewhere Vince is talking to Shane when Triple H and the rest of DX storm into the room. Triple H yells at Vince for DX being booked in an autograph session that runs past the start of the show just so he and Shane can book themselves against the Rock tonight. Triple H says he wants the Rock tonight and even offers to put his title on the line in a match but Vince turns down his suggestion, saying the Rock doesn’t deserve a title shot. Road Dogg and X-Pac say they’re ready to go against Rock but Vince declines that option as well and asks DX to let them have their night. Vince sends the DX’ers on their way but Stephanie stays behind to try and talks some sense into her father.
~ Back from break Stephanie is still talking to Vince about tonight, saying Triple H is just upset. Stephanie agrees the Rock shouldn’t get a title shot tonight but mentions Road Dogg and X-Pac are willing to go and suggests they deserve a shot at Rock. Stephanie tells Vince he owns the WWF and can destroy Rock anytime he wants then asks Vince to let Road Dogg and X-Pac have this match tonight. Eventually Vince caves in and allows the DX’ers to replace himself and Shane in the main event.
WWF Light Heavyweight Title: Dean Malenko © vs. Taka Michinoku
Cole gets continuity points for mentioning that Taka was the first Light Heavyweight Champion. Malenko pounds on Taka to start and goes for a whip but Taka reverses into a roll up for a two count. Malenko whips Taka into an inverted Torture Rack but Taka counters it with an arm drag. Taka dropkicks Malenko through the ropes then follows up with an Asai moonsault on the floor. Taka rolls Malenko back in the ring then snap mares him to the mat and dropkicks him in the head. Taka hits another dropkick to the face then comes off the ropes but Malenko counters into a wheelbarrow suplex. Malenko stomps Taka down in a corner and chokes him with his boot then hits a back suplex and puts him in a Camel Clutch. Taka doesn’t submit so Malenko shoves him into the mat and stomps him. Malenko whips Taka but lowers the head and Taka gets a Sunset Flip for a two count. Malenko clotheslines Taka then hits a backbreaker but holds on and bends Taka over his knee. Malenko stomps away on Taka then whips him in to a corner and hits a clothesline followed by a suplex but only gets a two count. Malenko whips Taka into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Malenko charges again but Taka sidesteps him and hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Taka hops to the middle rope and hits a tornado DDT but only gets a two count. Taka climbs to the top rope and connects with a missile dropkick then goes for the Michinoku Driver but Malenko floats over into a belly-to-back suplex. Taka flips out of it and goes for a huricanrana but Malenko counters it into a power bomb for a two count. Malenko goes for a whip; Taka reverses him into a corner and charges at him when Malenko backdrops Taka over the ropes but Taka lands on his feet on the apron. Taka climbs to the top rope but Malenko cuts him off then goes up and hits a gut buster from the top rope! Malenko then slaps on the Texas Cloverleaf and Taka is forced to tap. (5:05) Pretty good match though I wouldn’t have minded a few more minutes. ***
~ Backstage Shane shows the Big Show some highlights he’s put together from Raw and puts over Show’s dancing and splashing Grandmaster Sexay through a table. Show (who’s off-screen) says he hasn’t seen anything yet and shows off his latest style and Shane seems impressed as the two head to the ring when we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the building.
~ Backstage Mae Young as trying to convince Kurt Angle they should team up and become tag team champions and Angle seems ready to resign himself to it. However Angle sees Hardcore Holly walking by and begs him to be his partner and Hardcore says it might be fun to beat up Edge and Christian so he accepts Angle’s offer. Angle happily walks off with Hardcore while Mae is disappointed she got kicked to the curb.
The Big Show vs. The Godfather (w/the ladies)
Godfather comes out first and does his usual spiel on the mic when Show makes his way out dressed as a pimp and doing his own rap on the mic. Godfather attacks Show as he’s removing his bling and goes for a whip but Show reverses it and hits a dropkick. Show elbows Godfather in the head and chokes him on the middle rope then head butts Godfather into a corner and hits a pair of giant chops. Godfather reverses positions and tees off on Show but Show comes back with a head butt and slams him to the mat. Show climbs to the middle rope but misses an elbow drop and Godfather hammers away at Show and hits a crescent kick but Show doesn’t go down. Godfather comes off the ropes with a bulldog then hits the Ho Train in a corner when one of the Godfather’s women distracts the referee. The Godfather walks over to her when Show nails him in the back with his cane and covers for the pin. (2:26) Show then kisses the woman who helped him and carries her over his shoulder to the back. The crowd was into it at first but still nothing to see here. DUD
~ Edge and Christian are shown walking to the ring for their title defense as we go to commercial.
WWF World Tag Team Titles: Edge & Christian © vs. Kurt Angle & Hardcore Holly
Hardcore tells Angle to let him start then locks up with Christian and applies a headlock and Christian shoves Hardcore into the ropes. Hardcore comes back with a shoulder block then comes off the ropes and Christian leapfrogs him but lowers the head and Hardcore kicks the face. Hardcore whips Christian but Christian floats over him and hits a backdrop. Christian hits an arm drag then applies an arm wringer before he tags in Edge and whips Hardcore into a double hip toss for a two count. Edge wrenches Hardcore’s arm but Hardcore reverses and works over Edge’s arm. Angle tags in and unloads on Edge in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but eats a boot. Christian clotheslines Angle from the apron and Edge goes for a whip, Angle reverses but Edge ducks a clothesline and hits a crescent kick. Edge hops to the middle rope and leaps off but Angle catches him into a belly-to-belly suplex. Hardcore tags in and lays the boots to Edge before clubbing him in the back. Hardcore whips Edge into an elbow for a near fall then hits a delayed vertical suplex for another two count. Angle tags in and beats Edge down in a corner then hits a suplex for a two count. Angle wails on Edge some more then covers him for another two count. Angle whips Edge but lowers the head and Edge gets a Sunset Flip for a near fall. Angle clotheslines Edge for a quick two count before tagging Hardcore in and Hardcore and Edge exchange shots before Hardcore stomps Edge down in a corner. Hardcore whips Edge into the opposite corner and hits a power slam for a two count then hits a backbreaker and stomps Edge in the chest. Angle tags in and works over Edge in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but Edge trips him into the turnbuckles and hits a clothesline. Both men crawl to their corners and Angle tags in Hardcore while Edge makes the hot tag to Christian. Christian takes it to Hardcore with a pair of forearms then hits Angle with an Atomic drop. E&C whip Hardcore into a double flapjack but Angle breaks up the pin. Edge spears Angle but Hardcore boots Edge through the ropes to the floor. Hardcore whips Christian into a corner and hits a clothesline followed by a backbreaker. Edge whips Angle into the ring post while Hardcore climbs to the top rope but Edge pulls him onto the turnbuckle. Christian climbs up as Edge sets him on his shoulders and Christian hits Hardcore with a double superplex for the three. (6:36) Surprisingly good match. Angle worked well with Edge and Christian and Hardcore put forth a solid effort as well. Edge and Christian walk off with the belts while Angle is frustrated that he lost out on more gold and gets on the mic to blame Hardcore for the loss, especially since he’s the big shot. Angle says this is Hardcore’s loss and not his and that he should have gone with Mae Young as his partner. Hardcore responds by slapping Angle and whipping him into a dropkick then laying him out with the Hollycaust. ***
~ The Rock is shown pacing around the back waiting for the main event as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break Tony Chimel starts announcing the main event when Shane McMahon comes out and tells Chimel he’s going to be the guest ring announcer and takes over for him. Shane tells Earl Hebner his services are not needed for this match and sends him to the back before he brings out the special guest referee for this match, Triple H. After Triple H comes out with Stephanie, Shane then brings out Road Dogg and X-Pac while The Rock appears without an intro.
The Rock vs. Road Dogg & X-Pac (w/Tori) – Handicap Match
Stephanie joins the announcers for her annoying commentary on this match. Rock starts off X-Pac and the two have a stare down when Road Dogg tries a sneak attack but Rock catches him with a right hand. Rock goes for a whip, X-Pac reverses it but Rock comes back with a shot. Rock throws Road Dogg over the ropes then plants X-Pac with a Samoan Drop and covers him but gets a very slow two count from Triple H. Road Dogg nails Rock with a forearm then he and X-Pac double-team Rock and choke him. Road Dogg beats on Rock in a corner then takes a moment to taunt the fans. Rock comes out with a clothesline but Road Dogg ducks it and Road Dogg hits the juke ‘n’ jive punches but Rock blocks the big right and fights back. Rock goes for a whip but Road Dogg reverses and X-Pac kicks Rock from behind allowing Road Dogg to drop him with a right. Road Dogg follows up with the shake, rattle ‘n knee drop and covers him as Triple H tries a fast count but only gets two. X-Pac comes in without a tag and lays the boots to Rock before applying a chin lock and Triple H asks Rock if he wants to give up. Rock takes a swing at Triple H but begins to fade and Triple H checks the arm and it drops once, twice but Rock keeps it up the third time. Rock fights out of the hold and comes off the ropes but runs into a spinning heel kick. X-Pac chokes Rock in a corner then Triple H reprimands him, while choking Rock himself. X-Pac hits the Bronco Buster then celebrates, not seeing Rock get to his feet. Rock throws X-Pac into the corner and wails on him, capping off with the Smackdown. Rock Dogg comes in but Rock DDT’s him then whips X-Pac into a gut wrench suplex. Rock covers but Road Dogg breaks it up before Triple H can count. Road Dogg goes for a whip but Rock reverses and hits a spine buster then knocks X-Pac off the apron right into Shane McMahon on the floor. Triple H goes for a clothesline but Rock ducks it and throws Road Dogg into Triple H knocking him through the ropes. Rock then plants Road Dogg with the Rock Bottom and covers but there’s no referee to count. Earl Hebner comes out to count but Vince McMahon pulls him out of the ring and socks him and that’s pretty much the match right there. (~5:00) Rock glares at Vince then goes out and chases him up the ramp, catching him on the stage. Rock drops Vince with a right hand then heads to the back as Stephanie and the others go over to check on Vince. However Rock comes back out with a chair and holds everyone at bay and Shane and Triple H try to warn Vince but Vince turns and Rock whacks him with the chair. Rock holds the DX’ers back with the chair while putting a foot on Vince’s chest and that’s how we end this week. **
Conclusion: Pretty uneventful episode as the WWF was still trying to sort things out for Backlash and beyond. There wasn’t much in the way of angle progression other than the Rock/DX stuff and while there were two good matches the rest of the in-ring action was pretty forgettable. Plus for the second show the main event ended up going nowhere. So nothing to really see here, but things would pick up starting with the next show.