Written by: Adam King
WWF SMACKDOWN
Thursday, July 27th, 2000
Taped (7/25) from the Freeman Colliseum in San Antonio, TX
List of WWF Champions at the time:
● WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (6/25/2000)
● WWF Intercontinental Champion: Val Venis (7/06/2000)
● WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (6/25/2000)
● WWF European Champion: Perry Saturn (7/23/2000)
● WWF Hardcore Champion: Steve Blackman (6/29/2000)
● WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
● WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)
~ Smackdown comes on the air with clips of the Big Show’s return and the formation of Shane McMahon’s superfriends. After the intro Michael Cole welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
- WWF Hardcore Title: Steve Blackman © vs. X-Pac (w/Road Dogg)
Blackman was successful against Road Dogg on Raw, now let’s see how his DX buddy fares in this “friendly rivalry”. Road Dogg joins the commentary while X-Pac shows off a leather strap he’s carrying and leaps over a footsweep but Blackman chops him down. X-Pac whips Blackman with the strap repeatedly and chokes him with it then goes for a hangman but Blackman runs up the turnbuckles and flips over X-Pac to escape it. Blackman ducks a clothesline and hits a powerslam then takes the strap and whips X-Pac with it. X-Pac ducks a roundhouse kick and connects with a spinkick then goes out and throws in a trio of trash can lids in the ring. X-Pac grabs one of the lids and waffles Blackman with it but Blackman kicks it into X-Pac’s face. Blackman grabs a lid and and whips X-Pac into a lid shot then nails him with the lid from behind. Blackman whips X-Pac and drops him to the mat while hitting him with the lid along the way for a two count. Blackman brings is bag of tools and a trash can in the ring then pulls out some nunchucks but tosses them to X-Pac while he pulls out his fighting sticks. X-Pac does a quick deomonstration with the nunchucks while Blackman does the same with the sticks and X-Pac misses his shot allowing Blackman to work him over with the sticks. Blackman hits the stick-assisted slam for a two count then goes out and grabs a kendo stick. X-Pac also rolls out to the floor and Blackman moves in but X-Pac grabs a fire extinguisher and sprays CO2 in Blackman’s face. X-Pac rams Blackman into the announce table and chops him before throwing him back in the ring. X-Pac grabs a trash can and clobbers Blackman down in a corner with it. X-Pac goes for the Bronco Buster but Blackma pulls the trash can in his way and X-Pac staddles it! Blackman grabs the kedno stick and cracks X-Pac in the face with it and that gets the pin. (5:33) Match had its entertaining moments and X-Pac actually jobbed. **
Blackman celebrates but Road Dogg interupts it by going in and nailing him from behind with the kendo stick. Road Dogg works Blackman over with it while X-Pac adds in a trash can then knocks him out with the stick. The DX’ers then celebrate and show that they’re still friends despite their competition.
~ Backstage we find The Rock angrily speaking with Commissioner Mick Foley about something. Maybe we’ll find out what that’s about as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break Mick Foley makes his way to the ring to takes up the next 10 minutes or so on the mic. Foley says he tends to smile a lot but hasn’t felt like smiling after Shane McMahon and Big Show made a fool of him. Foley says Show called him for two weeks asking to be brought back so he can get his hands on Shane and he finally gave Show what he wanted on Raw only for him and Shane to dupe everybody. Foley mentions he spoke to The Rock who wants Chris Benoit, Big Show, Kurt Angle and Shane in any combination so he’s going to level the playing field and give Rock a one-on-one match with Kurt Angle here in San Antonio. Foley says the other conspirators will see special action tonight and books Trish Stratus and Triple H against Lita and Chris Jericho. Foley then makes a six-man tag with Edge & Christian and the Big Show going against the Dudley Boyz and Kane and since this is the birthplace of Dude Love, he’s feeling good enough to make it a tables match. Eventually The Big Show makes his way to the ring along with Shane McMahon for a rebuttal on the mic. Shane brags about turning the tables on Foley last Monday feeling he’s always going to be several steps ahead of him and that Monday was the first lesson in McMahon Master Manipulation. Shane then lets Show speak for his actions and Show talks about his rehab from his knee injury and during that time he though about breaking Shane’s neck. Show says something changed when he looked in a mirror and realized that he himself was responsible for his injury. Show talks about making everyone laugh and making fun of himself but that made him look like a joke and a failure. Show claims Shane and Kurt Angle were just trying to keep him from being a moron but he was too blind to see it. Show says he’s been trying to figure out exactly who he is ever since coming to the WWF and he’s now realized he’s the biggest, nastiest monster to ever set foot in the WWF and he’s proud of it as he leaves the ring with Shane in tow.
- The Hardy Boyz vs. Lo Down
Chaz and D’Lo Brown are still teaming up and even have a tag team name, though they’ve been spending most of thier time on Heat. Also Lita’s not in the Hardys’ corner since she’s preparing for the mixed tag later. Chaz and D’Lo go right to work on the Hardys and beat down Matt while knocking Jeff out to the floor. Both men whip Matt into a double elbow and D’Lo slams Chaz onto Matt. Chaz hits a suplex then pounds on Matt and whips him but lowers the head and Matt hits a spinning DDT. Jeff tags in and trips Chaz into the turnbuckles then pops D’Lo off the apron. The Hardys whip Chaz into a double elbow and follow up with their combo move. Jeff goes for a whip, Chaz reverses him into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Chaz distracts the referee while D’Lo pulls Jeff into the ringpost by the legs and D’Lo and Chaz hit a double suplex. Chaz draws Matt in to distract the referee while he and D’Lo double-team Jeff and Jeff tries to reach his corner but D’Lo cuts off the tag and drops him with a right hand. D’Lo chokes Jeff on the middle rope and distracts the referee while Chaz hits a legdrop on the apron. D’Lo whips Jeff but lowers the head and Jeff kicks the face and starts fighting back. Jeff goes for a whip but D’Lo counters into a side suplex. D’Lo tags Chaz in and sets Jeff up while Chaz climbs to the middle rope and hits an axe handle for a two count. Chaz clotheslines Jeff then brings him into his corner and tags in D’Lo for a double-team. D’Lo pounds Jeff down then climbs to the top rope but misses a moonsault. Both men crawl to their corners and D’Lo tags Chaz while Jeff makes the hot tag to Matt. Matt tees off on Chaz and DDT’s D’Lo then goes to whip Chaz who reverses it but eats an elbow. Matt hops to the middle rope and connects with a clothesline and Chaz and D’Lo each stand in a corner. Matt drops to the mat and Jeff launches off him into the Poetry in Motion on D’Lo, then does the same to Chaz on the other side. Matt hops to the middle rope and hits the guillotine legdrop on Chaz but D’Lo breaks up the pin. Jeff dropkicks D’Lo from behind but ends up knocking him into Matt. D’Lo rolls out to the floor when Jeff launches himself over the ropes into a pescado onto him. Chaz tries to suplex Matt but Matt floats over him and hits the Twist of Fate. Jeff climbs to the top rope and connects with the Swanton Bomb on Chaz and Matt covers for the win. (6:05) Pretty fun tag match. D’Lo comes in and clotheslines Jeff over the ropes then dropkicks Matt before he and Chaz hit him with a double powerbomb. Chaz sets Jeff on the top rope and hits a suplerplex while D’Lo follows up with the Lo Down. Not sure while Chaz and D’Lo needed to get their heat back. **½
~ Backstage Stephanie is talking with Triple H who’s now in a foul mood after Mick Foley just ruined his day by teaming him with Trish. Triple H feels Trish should be in a bar doing wet t-shirt contests and not a wrestling ring because Trish knows nothing about wrestling and technique, just like all the other women in the WWF. Stephanie takes offense to her husband’s comments about not knowing about wrestling, telling him wrestling is her life. Stephanie storms out of the room and Triple H is left stewing as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we find a glum Triple H sitting alone in his lockerroom when Trish Stratus pays him a visit. Trish tells her reluctant partner she knows he isn’t happy about teaming up with her and that it’s Mick Foley’s fault. Trish then asks Triple H to show her some holds and Triple H begrudginly accepts her request. And you just have a feeling this is not going to end well.
- Tazz vs. Grandmaster Sexay
Tazz choked out Scotty 2 Hotty on Raw so tonight Scotty’s Too Cool buddy is his next target. Sexay comes out first and greets Tazz with a baseball slide as he meaks his entrance. Sexay goes out ot the apron and hits another dropkick then suplexes Tazz onto the floor before tossing him in the ring. Sexay climbs to the top rope and leaps off but Tazz belts him in the chest and clotheslines him. Tazz goes for a whip but Sexay slides under him and suplexes him onto his head! Sexay sets up for a piledriver but Tazz counters into a whiplash slams and chokes him on the mat. Tazz whips Sexay into an elbow then snapmares him to the mat and grabs at the face. Tazz tees off on Sexay and whips him but lowers the head and Sexay kicks him in the face. Sexay goes for a suplex but Tazz counters into a Northern Lights Tazplex for a two count. Tazz pops Sexay with a right hand and beats on him in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but eats a boot. Sexay hits a powerslam then whips Tazz and hits an enzuigiri for a two count. Sexay charges at Tazz in a corner but Tazz sidesteps and Sexay hits the turnbuckles. Tazz slaps on the Tazzmission but Scotty 2 Hotty comes in and breaks it up for the DQ. (2:36) Scotty goes to check on his partner when Tazz comes back in and puts the Tazzmission on Scotty. Sexay breaks it up and Scotty comes off the ropes and hits the bulldog on Tazz. Sexay climbs to the top and hits the Hip Hop Drop and Scotty follows up with the Worm. I think this match did more harm than good to Tazz’s fading push. **
~ Backstage we find Triple H teaching Trish some basic wrestling moves and demonstrates a hammerlock on her. Triple H asks Trish to try it out for herself and Trish ends up attempting a hammerlock on his bad arm. Triple H then points out a counter to the hammerlock and moves Trish into position in front of him to show her. The two of them then attempt the counter … when Stephanie comes in and is shocked at this compromising positon. Triple H tries to explain what’s happening but Stephanie flips out and throws the vase of flowers at him then rusn off sobbing. Triple H yells at Trish before storming off himself and it looks like trouble in the Helmsley household.
~ Back from break we get a replay of the misunderstanding between Triple H and Stephanie. We then get footage of Triple H heading out to his limo during the break as Road Dogg tries to calm him down. Road Dogg tries to convince Triple H not to leave like this saying he’ll talk to Stephanie but Triple H isn’t having it and bows off Foley, Stephanie and the match as he climbs in the limo and departs.
- The Dudley Boyz and Kane vs. Edge & Christian and The Big Show (w/Shane McMahon) – Tables Match
E&C come out to the ring wearing oversized foam cowboy hats and Chriatian gets on the mic calling the fans in Texas bug, smelly, tobacco-chewing fattes. Edge takes the mic and says everything’s bigger in Texas before bringing out Show. The Dudleys take it to E&C to start while Kane just watches from the apron. Bubba Ray Dudley chops Christian in a corner and elbows him in the head then whips him into a backdrop. Bubba follows up with a clothesline then tags in D’Von while I again asks why they need tags in a no-DQ match. The Dudleys whip Christian and connect with a double clothesline. D’Von goes for a whip and Christian reverses it but D’Von comes back with a flying shoulderblock. Edge comes in but D’Von drops him with a right hand. Edge distracts the referee while Christian hits a low blow followed by a Slop Drop. Show tags in and hits a clothesline on D’Von before stomping him down in a corner. Show throws D’Von across the ring then whips him and hits a powerslam. Edge tags in and lays the boots to D’Von then sets him on the top rope. Edge goes up for a superplex but D’Von throws him down to the mat then hops down and hits a clothesline. D’Von tries to make a tag while fighting Edge off but Christian comes in and hits a back suplex. Kane then comes in with out a tag and pops E&C with uppercuts then plants Christian with a tilt-o-whirl slam. Kane clotheslines Edge over the ropes and tosses Christian out then then dares Show to come in and face him. Show climbs in and Kane unloads on him with right hands when Shane starts to climb in the ring but Kane spots him so Shane backs off. However that allows Show to come back with a clothesline him and then Show throws Kane over the ropes. Show goes out after Kane while Bubba hits Edge with a backdrop then sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and hits the “Wassup” headbutt. The Dudleys go out and slide a table in the ring while Show rams Kane into the ringsteps. The Dudleys bring out a second table when E&C try to knock the table into them with baseball slides but the Dudleys are wise to this trick and raise the table up, causing E&C to miss. The Dudleys ram the table into them then slide it in the ring and Bubba sets it up while D’Von rolls Edge in. D’Von whips Edge and the Dudleys drive him through the table with a 3D for the win. (4:20) Okay brawl for what it was and thankfully Show’s involvement was minimal because for the short time he was in the ring he looked a little sluggish. **
The Dudleys aren’t done yet as Bubba sets up the other table while D’Von works over Christian. D’Von then whips Christian for another 3D but Christian bails out to the floor. Suddenly Show comes back in and lays out both Dudleys with right hands when Kane comes in and grabs Show by the throat. Shane breaks up the choke so Kane grabs him looking for a chokeslam but Show helps Shane escape before chokeslamming Kane through the table and leaving him laying.
~ Back from break we get a replay of Show chokeslamming Kane through a table, just in case you missed it.
~ Out in the arena Steven Richards and Bull Buchanan make their way to the ring to take up some time on the mic, fresh from their win on Raw that banished the Godfather’s women. Richards tells the fans they may not understand but the two of them have always had the fans’ best interests in mind. Richards claims they’ve received thousands of letters of support after their victory over indecency last Monday. Richards says scantily-clad women and lusting after them are wrong and that pimpin’ is history. Richards adds their efforts to fight the good fight are not in vain then proceeds to introduce us to … The Goodfather? The Godfather then comes out wearing a white shirt and black tie just like Richards and Buchanan as the crowd jeers. The Godfather Goodfather takes the mic and chastises the fans for booing him just because the women are gone. Goodfather says Richards is right, that he spent time ruining what’s good in the WWF and the fans cheered him for it. Goodfather says Richards made him see that he was fighting for filth instead of the fans’ rights like he thought. Goodfather feels he was wrong for parading women around as sex objects, playing off the fans’ lust and pimpn’ just for the cheers when he should have been setting a better example. Goodfather goes on about how love is not for sale but is a gift before he says he’s sorry. Goodfather also says that he couldn’t see what he was doing was wrong and that Steven is right, the WWF will be better off without pimps, ho’s and selective censorship. Goodfather then shakles hands with Richards and Buchanan as they welcome the newest member of their group.
~ Backstage we find Trish Stratus speaking with Mick Foley in his “office” which is set up in a back room. Trish mentions Triple H has left the building before she tries to sweet-talk Foley into canceling the mixed tag match. Foley doesn’t go for it and starts accuses Trish of harrassing him with her sexuality. Foley says the match will go on as scheduled and that Trish will have a substitue partner: Chris Benoit. Foley orders Trish to wrestle to match or be sued for sexual harrassment then bangs his gavel as Trish storms off.
- WWF European Title: Perry Saturn © (w/Terri Runnels) vs. Crash Holly
This match was originally scheduled for Raw and I think Jim Ross mentioned it once but it was cut due to time constraints so here it is tonight. Terri joins the announcers for commentary as Crash rushes the ring and gets in the first shots. Crash goes for a whip, Saturn reverses but Crash counters with the head scissors. Crash comes off the ropes with a clothesline and follows up with a dropkick for a two count. Saturn hits a superkick then suplexes Crash before press slamming him across the ring. Crash whips Saturn but Saturn accidentally runs into the top rope with his head. Crash whips Saturn and attempts a hiptoss but Saturn counters it into a neckbreaker for a near fall. Saturn whips Crash but Crash manages to block his hiptoss and roll him up for a two count. Saturn powerbombs Crash for a near fall then whips him into a corner and charges at him but eats a boot. Crash hits a tornado DDT and covers but Saturn gets his foot on the bottom rope. Crash goes for a whip but Saturn counters into a spinning flapjack. Crash whips Saturn into a backdrop then climbs to the top rope and hits a huricanrana for a two count as Terri walks up to the apron. Crash comes off the ropes but Terri trips him from the floor and distracts the referee while Saturn kicks Crash below the belt and rolls him up for the pin. (2:51) Eh, the match was okay but Saturn still doesn’t have any heat. Saturn and Terri celebrate when Eddie Guerrero comes out to the ring with Chyna and clotheslines Saturn then hammers away at him. The referees try to hold Eddie back but that allows Chyna to clothesline Saturn over the ropes. *½
~ Cole and Lawler start talking about The Big Show’s rampage as of late as they show him, Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon taking out The Undertaker with a cinder block on Raw. Cole reports Taker suffered a dislocated kneecap and ligament damage.
~ Chris Jericho and Lita are shown heading to the ring for the next match as we go to commercial.
- Chris Jericho & Lita vs. Chris Benoit (w/Shane McMahon) & Trish Stratus – Intergender Tag Match
Jericho still has his ribs taped up from the past few weeks. Benoit and Jericho lockup to start before exchanging shots and Jericho gets the advantage. Jericho whips Benoit but Benoit comes back with a shoulderblock. Benoit comes off the ropes and Jericho leapfrogs over him then ducks a chop before hitting his own chops. Jericho whips Benoit into a corner and charges at him but eats a boot. Benoit comes out but Jericho ducks a clothesline and hits an enzuigiri. Benoit bails out to the floor while Trish comes in but Lita knocks her down. Trish rolls out to the floor and Jericho slings Lita into a baseball slide on Trish. Benoit comes back in and Jericho goes for a whip but Benoit reverses it and suplexes him onto the top rope. Shane pulls Jericho down to the floor and stomps away at him before throwing him back in. Benoit hits a gutbuster then climbs to the top rope and hits the diving headbutt on the injured ribs. Benoit covers Jericho but Lita pulls him off so Benoit throws Lita through the ropes and turns into a spinning heel kick from Jericho. Jericho goes for a whip, Benoit reverses it but Jericho connects with a flying forearm. Jericho comes off the ropes with a bulldog but only gets a two count. Jeircho whips Benoit but lowers the head and Benoit kicks the face then decks Lita off the apron. Jericho puts Benoit in the Walls of Jericho but Trish comes in and pulls Jericho off Benoit. Trish goes for a slap but Jericho blocks it and puts Trish in the Walls of Jericho. Benoit breaks it up with a right hand when Lita comes off the top with a huricanrana on Benoit. Trish rolls out to the floor but Lita slings herself over the ropes into a pescado on Trish. Jericho whips Benoit into an elbow then connects wiht the Lionsault and grabs the pin. (3:27) Fun match for the most part and the effort was there, though it seemed to end a little too suddenly. **½
~ Back from break we get a replay of Jericho beating Benoit in the mixed tag match.
~ Backstage Johnathan Coachman interviews Kurt Angle on his match with The Rock, reminding him of the chairshot on Raw. Angle says an Olympic gold medalist who brough honor to his country got chased by a guy on a motorcycle and nothing happens, yet The Rock gets hit with a chair and everyone gest up in arms over it. Angle says Foley is doing him a favor by putting him in this match since Rock and Texas both think they’re special and better than anyone else. Angle dares Rock to put his WWF Championship on the line against the “Real People’s Champion”.
~ Elsewhere Kevin Kelly interviews Chris Jericho about wanting another shot at Triple H. Jericho says Triple H’s wife feels he’s not that good after all then gives him some advice on what he should have done about Trish. Jericho then claims Chris Benoit isn’t the greatest technical wrestler since he beat him, The Rock beat him and even Lita shook him around. Suddenly Benoit jumps Jericho from behind and beats on him around the backstage area while Shane McMahon shouts encouragement from nearby. Benoit throws Jericho into a garage door and lays the boots to him then lets Shane get in a shot before he lowers the door right onto Jericho’s ribs. Benoit then grabs a chair and whacks Jericho in the head with it! Shane calls Benoit off and Jericho is left bleeding from the mouth as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get a replay of Benoit’s sneak attack on Jericho that even shocked Shane.
~ Out in the arena Cole announces Foley has agreed to Rock’s request to put the WWF title on the line so the Rock/Angle match is now for the WWF Championship.
- WWF World Heavyweight Title: The Rock © vs. Kurt Angle
So just like that we have Angle’s first shot at the big title. Rock comes in ready to go but Angle is hesitant to get in the ring with him. Eventually Rock decides to go out and fight with Angle on the floor before throwing him in the ring. Rock goes for a whip, Angle reverses it but lowers the head and Rock kicks the face. Rock hits an elbow then lays the boots to Angle and works him over in a corner. Rock goes for a whip and Angle reverses him into the opposite corner then charges but eats a boot. Rock comes out but runs into a powerslam and Angle gets in his shots. Angle goes for a whip but Rock reverses him hard into a corner and clotheslines him from behind. Rock goes for a whip but Angle reverses it and hits an elbow followed by a back suplex. Angle stomps away at Rock just as we see Shane McMahon and Chris Benoit making their way down the ramp. Angle chokes Rock on the midde rope then distracts the referee while Shane chokes him. Angle tees off on Rock but Rock blocks a right and starts fighting back. Rock comes off the ropes but Angle throws him over the ropes then distracts the referee while Shane clotheslines Rock on the floor. Angle throws Rock back in the ring and covers him but only gets a two count. Angle pounds on Rock and whips him but Rock connects with a flying forearm. Rock goes for a whip but Angle reverses it and Benoit pulls Rock out of the ring then crotches him on the barricade. Angle brings Rock back in and covers him but still only gets a two count so he applies a chinlock. Rock begins to fade as the referee checks the arm and it drops once, twice, but Rock keeps it up the third time. Rock fights out of the hold but Angle rakes the eyes and unloads on him. Angle comes off the ropes but runs into a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down. Angle comes off the ropes but Rock ducks a clothesline and hits his one of his own. Rock goes for the Smackdown and Angle ducks it but Rock comes back with a DDT for a two count. Rock goes for a whip but Angle counters into a belly-to-belly suplex. Angle tries to recover and charges at Rock but runs into a spinebuster. Rock starts to set up for the People’s Elbow but sees Shane on the apron and knocks him off. Rock hits Angle with a Dragon legwhip then goes into the Sharpshooter but Benoit comes in and nails Rock from behind to break the hold. Rock goes out and attack Benoit then throws him into the steps before tossing him in the ring. Rock brings in a chair and whacks Benoit with the chair then whacks Angle and that causes the referee to call for a DQ. (7:38) Good match despite the finish. ***
Rock tees off on Angle when Shane comes in but Rock scares him out of the ring and chases him up the ramp. Benoit comes up but Rock catches him and hits a spinebuster on the ramp. Angle is then announced as the winner and he celebrates with the WWF Championship belt even though he didn’t win it. Rock takes exception to this and charges back in the ring as Angle swings the title belt at him but misses. Rock drops him with a right hand then grabs his belt but Angle bails out to the floor. Rock then poses in the ring and stares down as Shane and his friends as the show fades to black.
Conclusion: This show was better than Raw but at times just seemed kind of ‘there’, like a placeholder while the bookers tried to figure out SummerSlam. Of course the main thing sprouting from this show was Triple H and Stephanie’s developing problems which would quickly become one of the main angles over the next few months. Rock also continued his battle against Shane’s stable which made you think that would be the main focus but history tells us differently. Overall a decent two-hours with some solid in-ring action but not a whole lot happening outside of the stuff I mentioned.