WWF Smackdown 9/28/2000

Written by: Adam King

WWF SMACKDOWN
Thursday, September 28th, 2000

Taped (9/26) from the Melon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (6/25/2000)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Eddie Guerrero (9/04/2000)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (9/24/2000)
●  WWF European Champion: Al Snow (8/31/2000)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: Steve Blackman (9/24/2000)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Lita (8/21/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Smackdown comes on the air with clips of Steve Austin’s investigation on Raw and Unforgiven as well as clips of Rock/Chris Benoit title match including Kurt Angle and Benoit attacking Rock and Triple H. After the intro Michael Cole welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.

~ Things kick off with Commissioner Mick Foley coming out to the ring to a great ovation for our opening monologue. Foley gets on the mic and says many fans in the arena may be too young to remember when he used to wrestle and while he wasn’t always the most physically-gifted athlete in the world he always did his best. Foley also brings up how his career nearly ended here in Pittsburgh when he fought in the Hell in a Cell in 1998. Foley says he’s now trying to be the best ex-wrestler in the world by serving as commissioner and it’s been smooth sailing but now there’s a storm cloud on the horizon named Stone Cold Steve Austin. Foley mentions Austin isn’t here yet and feels he has to realize and accept that Mick Foley has great power. Foley says he respects Austin’s investigation but feels it shouldn’t involve giving everyone a Stone Cold Stunner. Foley adds if Austin wants to commit random acts of violence then he might as well work for the Post Office.then warns Austin there’s his way or the highway. Suddenly Chris Benoit comes out to the ring and gets on the mic, telling Foley he’s been an awful Commissioner. Benoit tells Foley his decisions are unfair, his rulings make no sense, and now he’s lost all control and thus he’s a joke. Foley says there’s more to being commissioner that opening statements, getting interupted and making a main event. Benoit points out he interrupted him after his opening statements and now it’s time for him to make a main event. Benoit talks about having The Rock beaten on Monday because he was the better man but in the WWF it hasn’t been about wrestling ability otherwise Foley would’ve retired a long time ago. Benoit demands another shot at The Rock tonight but says he wants a special stipulation for the match; he wants to fight Rock in a wrestling match, in a wrestling ring with two wrestlers and a referee. Benoit says it should have been one-on-one with nobody else involved and everyone knows Rock can’t beat him straight-up. Benoit warns Foley to give him the match tonight or else but before Foley can answer Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring with a mic to join the discussion.

Angle tells Foley he’s doing a super job as Commissioner since he’s fair minded and an eloquent dresser. Angle says talking about main events, the match that should be made is himself vs. Triple H and it must take place tonight not just for him, but for his hometown fans. Angle calls the Steelerts a disgrace, the Pirates an embarassment, and the Pens aren’t bad but who cares about hockey so he’s the only thing left. Angle says many of the fans are out on bail to watch him so they deserve nothing less. Foley tells Angle he was having a nice conversation with Benoit and Angle gets riled up saying Benoit blew another chance at the title. Angle also mentions Benoit attacking Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley to boot then tells Benoit you don’t do that to the boss’ daughter and demands Benoit be fined and suspended. Benoit responds by calling Angle a clown but Angle replies by asking Benoit if he’s the best wrestler in the business, where are his gold medals. Angle asks Foley to give the people something to live for and give him his match. Foley says if Angle wants Triple H and Benoit wants a piece of The Rock, then both wishes can be filled tonight in a tag match pitting Angle and Benoit vs. The Rock and Triple H tonight. Foley departs when Angle and Benoit start brawling with each other and a squad of referees come out to separate the two as the crowd chants for Angle. Once again another 15-minute talking segment that served little purpose other than setting up the main event.

~ Backstage Steve Austin arrives at the arena and asks a backstage worker where he might find Road Dogg and X-Pac. The man says he saw them in the lockerroom and points him in the right direction with Earl Hebner doing the same.

~ Back from break Austin finds the DX’ers with Road Dogg asking if he heard what Foley said about busting in but Austin says he doesn’t care. Austin then tells him an X-Pac he knows they weren’t the ones that ran him over in November but they did put him in the garage in the first place thus they must have some information on who did it. X-Pac inists they don’t know anything about it while Road Dogg claims they were just following orders but Austin doesn’t believe them and threatens them if he finds out otherwise.

~ In the arena Lita comes out to some new music for a Women’s Title defense but first decides to get on the mic and brings out the new Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz. All three of them proudly show off their gold when Edge & Christian’s music suddenly fires up and Jacqueline makes her way out flanked by the former tag champs. Lawler reminds Cole that Edge and Christian are barred from any more tag title shots against the Hardy so he speculates E&C got Jackie this match just so they could get close to the Hardys.

• WWF Women’s Title: Lita © (w/The Hardy Boyz) vs. Jacqueline (w/Edge & Christian)

Both women lock up to start and Lita hits a couple of armdrags followed by a clothesline for a two count. Lita whips Jackie into a corner but Jackie comes out with a clothesline. Jackie slams Lita and hits a dropkick and Lita bails out to the floor to regroup. Jackie tries to pull Lita back in by the hair but Lita knocks her down then rolls back in and snapmares Jackie to the mat. Lita dropkicks Jackie in the back of the head for a near fall then goes for the Twist of Fate but Jackie shoves her off and drills her with a DDT for a two count. Jackie hops to the middle rope and goes for a flying elbowdrop but misses and Lita hits a Russian legsweep. Lita climbs to the top rope and hits the Moonsault then covers but Christian distracts the referee from counting. The Hardys take care of Christian but Edge goes in and breaks up the pin allowing Jackie to fight back. Jackie chokes Lita with her boot and scoops her up but Lita floats over and hits the Twist of Fate for the win. (2:35) Decent enough match. **

• WWF Hardcore Title: Steve Blackman © vs. Road Dogg

Road Dogg comes out with a trash can and tries to do his speil but gets interupted by Blackman’s entrance so Road Dogg throws the trash can at Blackman. Road Dogg goes out and pounds on Blackman on the floor but Blackman comes back with a couple of martial arts chops and rams Road Dogg into the can. Blackman looks for more weapons under the ring when Road Dogg nails him with the trash can. Road Dogg throws Blackman in the ring along with several trash cans then readies a trash can but Blackman stops him with a kick to the chest. Blackman nails Road Dogg with one of the cans then goes out an fetches his fighting sticks while Road Dogg grabs a kendo stick. Road Dogg takes a swing but Blackman blocks it and clips Road Dogg with his stick then works him over. Blackman hits a stick-assisted suplex but Road Dogg nails him with the kendo stick to break up the pin. Blackman rolls out ot the floor but Road Dogg goes after him and nails him with a trash can. The two fight into the crowd with Road Dogg hitting Blackman over and over with the can. Road Dogg brings Blackman to the area under the entrance set and rams him into a trunk. Blackman comes back and rams Road Dogg into the trunk then fights him up the stands to the top. Blackman takes a swing when Road Dogg hits the juke ‘n’ jive punches then goes for the big right but Blackman throws him into the sign at the railing. Blackman brings Road Dogg backstage to the merchandise stand and rams Road Dogg into it. Blackman attempts a whip but Road Dogg reverses and slings Blackman into a fence. The two continue to exchaneg punches as they make their way down the stairs when Road Dogg lands several chops and slams Blackman’s face into the wall. Blackman goes to ram Road Dogg into a closet door but Road Dogg blocks it and rams him into the door then whips him into another trunk. Road Dogg grabs a chair when Steve Austin appears and takes the chair from him then whacks him in the head. Austin goes into a telephone booth and acts like he’s on the phone while Blackman grabs the pin to retain. (5:27) Not much different from other hardcore matches but still had its moments. **

~ Elsewhere Trish Stratus approaches Kane and asks him to team with T&A for a six-man tag match later feeling he’s the biggest, strongest guy. However Kane responds by telling Trish she doesn’t impress her then adds he has no interest in looking after her boys, tonight or any night. Kane starts to walk off when Trish mentions the opponents are Rikishi and Too Cool and she though Kane would want revenge on Rikishi. Trish claims she heard them trashing him backstage but Kane backs Trish into a garage door and says he knows what she’s trying to do. Kane says he’ll take on Rikishi and accepts the match, promising to finish what he started on Raw.

~ Out in the arena Tazz comes out to the ring much to Lawler’s chagrin and gets on the mic saying he has two matters at hand. Tazz first says has something to say to his broadcast colleague, Michael Cole tells him it’s a shame that he’s stuck next to Lawler referring to him as “that”. Tazz says that this Sunday at WWF New York Cole Cole will be sitting next to him on Sunday Night Heat live on MTV then calls Lawler the B-team while “MC” and himself are the A-team. Tazz then says matter number 2 is he doesn’t have too many friends, but has one tonight and brings out Raven who has some eerie music. Raven takes the mic and says he’s aligned himself with Tazz because he understands his suffering and pain, something a king would know nothing about it. Lawler gets on the mic saying Tazz is part of the A-Team cause he looks like Mr. T’s illegitimate retarted son then asks Raven if the baglady backstage knows where her clothes are. Raven then talks about choices and the luxuries that Lawler has including making fun of people like him and Tazz. Raven says he’s had to live in a box and never had a hot dog before saying “What about me? What about Raven?” Suddenly Chris Jericho comes out the stage with a mic and tells Tazz and “Raisin” to shut up. Jericho mentions he’s had a table to the stomach, nunchuks to the head, and glass shattered on his face but all that was not as painful as hearing their boring speech. Jericho then challenges Tazz and Raven to a tag match against himself and Lawler here tonight and Raven accepts. Tazz wants to do it now as he and Raven go after Lawler at the broadcast booth and Jericho chases them off.

~ Back from break Lillian Garcia interviews Triple H about teaming with the Rock, someone he has quite a history with. Triple H says he knows everyone is wondering whether he and The Rock can co-exist. Triple says he doesn’t like The Rock after they’ve battled all over the world and pushed each other to the limits but he knows Rock can get the job done if he keeps that over-inflated ego of his in check. Triple H adds tonight is not about egos or spotlight-hogging, it’s about getting the job done and if Rock can remember that and work together then no one can stop them. Wow, Triple H saying something nice about The Rock? Whodathunk it?

• Rikishi & Too Cool (w/Mandy & Victoria) vs. T & A (w/Trish Stratus) and Kane

Scotty 2 Hotty starts off with Albert and gets in the first shots before applying a facelock. Albert forces Scotty into a corner but Scotty ducks a right hand and hits a series of rights. Scotty goes for a whip but Albert reverses and hits a butterfuly suplex then comes off the ropes with an elbowdrop but misses. Scotty tags in Grandmaster Sexay and both men whip Albert into a corner then slide under him and trip him from the floor. Scotty climbs to the top rope and leaps off for a crossbody but Albert catches him so Sexay goes up and hits a dropkick that knocks Albert over and Scotty falls on top for a two count. Sexay goes for a whip, Albert reverses but lowers the head and Sexay kicks the face. Albert misses a clothesline but does hit a forearm to the back of the head. Test tags in and he and Albert whip Sexay and drop him to the mat. Test drops Sexay again and follows up with a clothesline then looks at Kane before tagging Albert in. Albert clubs Sexay in the back then whips him into a shoulderblock and slingshots him into the middle rope. Albert then glares at Kane before tagging Test back in and Test whips Scotty into a corner. Test charges but eats a boot and Sexay hops to the middle rope and connects with a flying clothesline. Both men crawl to their corners and Test tags Albert while Sexay makes the tag to Rikishi. Rikishi ducks a clothesline and hits a Samoan Drop when Test comes in but also gets a Samoan Drop. Rikishi hits the running butt splash on Albert before Scotty comes in and hits the bulldog then follows up with the Worm. Albert rolls out and back in the ring and finally tags in Kane by slapping him and Kane and Rikishi exchange punches. Kane gets the advantage with uppercuts and Kane goes for a whip, Rikishi reverses but lowers the head and Kane hits a DDT. Kane hammers Rikishi then goes for another whip but Rikishi reverses him into a corner and Kane staggers into a Samoan Drop. Rikishi goes for the running butt splash on Kane but Kane sidesteps him and grabs Rikishi for a chokeslam. However Kane backs up near his corner and Test tags himself in, even though Kane was about to finish him. Test gives Kane some words and Kane responds by chokeslamming his own partner then leaves the ring and walks out on his team. Rikishi drags Test to a corner then climbs the ropes and hits the Banzai Drop for the win.(5:19) Okay then. Rikishi and his pals then engage in their postmatch dance with the ladies like always. **

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the Mellon Arena followed by footage of a protest the Right To Censor held earlier tonight. Next exclusive footage is shown of Chyna at her Playboy shoot and after the clips Lawler is shown with his eyes wide open looking through the Playboy. Cole has to remind Lawler his match is next as we go to commercial.

• Chris Jericho & Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Tazz & Raven

Tazz and Jericho lockup to start and Jericho gets a headlock, Tazz shoves him away but eats a shoulderblock. Jericho comes off the ropes and slides under Tazz then chops him into a corner and goes for a whip. Tazz reverses Jericho into a corner and charges but eats an elbow and Jericho hops to the middle rope and connects with a missile dropkick. Jericho throws Tazz into his corner then tags in Lawler and both men double-team Tazz. Lawler snapmares Tazz to the mat then hops to the middle rope and hits the fistdrop. Raven tags in and gets in his shots on Lawler then comes off the ropes with a discus punch. Raven whips Lawler but lowers the head and Lawler pops him with an uppercut. Lawler goes for the piledriver but Tazz breaks it up from behind and clotheslines him down. Raven rams Lawler repeatedly into the mat then tags Tazz in to take over. Tazz gets in his shots before tagging Raven back in and both men whip Lalwer into a coenr and throw him back to the mat. Raven whips Lalwer but lowers the head and this time Lawler is able to hit the piledriver. Jericho tags in and connects with a pair of clotheslines then pops Tazz off the apron. Raven whips Jericho but Jericho counters with a flying forearm then comes off the ropes with the bulldog for a two count. Jericho goes for a whip when Raven tries to counter into a DDT but Jericho takes him down. Lawler goes after Tazz and the two start brawling on the floor while Jericho puts Raven in the Walls of Jericho. Suddenly X-Pac runs in and goes for a spinkick but Jericho somehow ducks it and takes X-Pac down. Jericho hits the Lionsault on X-Pac but Raven nails him with the Evenflow DDT and grabs the pin. (3:27) Some nice work there but needed a few more minutes. X-Pac continues to pound on Jericho while Raven and Tazz double-team Lawler when the Dudleys run in and clear out the heels for the save. **½

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock about his feelings on teaming with Triple H in the main event but Rock replies by asking Kevin how would he feel if he kicked him where the sun don’t shine. Kevin says not good and Rock says that’s how he feels because he doesn’t want to team with Triple H who he imagines feels likewise. Rock adds he doesn’t trust Triple H but respects him as a 4-time WWF Champion who gets the job done. Rock shows his hand to the camera and tells Triple H he doesn’t have to like or respect his hand, all he has to do is tag it so he can lay the Smackdown, if ya smell and so on. Why are Rock and Triple H being nice to each other all of a sudden?

• Chyna (w/Eddie Guerrero) vs. Steven Richards (w/Val Venis)

I imagine Richards wasn’t too happy with Chyna removing his trousers on Raw so here we are. Chyna comes out with Eddie who gives her some roses while Richards and Val have a white robe with them which they demand Chyna wear. Chyna responds by shoving Richards down and getting in the first shots then whips him and hits an elbow. Chyna kicks Richards in the ribs and Richards bails out to the floor to regroup when Chyna goes out and throws him into the ringsteps. Chyna tosses Richards back in the ring and comes off the roeps but Val trips her from the floor. Eddie goes after Val and the referee tries to break it up while Richards chokes Chyna with his tie. Richards kicks Chyna down in a corner and chokes her while giving her the business then follows up with a suplex. Richards continues to give Chyna lip service until Chyna grabs Richards below the belt and throws him across the ring. Chyna connects with a pair of clotheslines then whips Richards into a corner and hits the handspring elbow. Chyna begins disrobing when Val throws the robe in the ring and demands Chyna covers herself but Chyna kicks the robe away. and Eddie both hop onto the apron. So Val runs in the ring but Eddie trips him and pulls him out while Chyna nails Richards with a DDT and grabs the pin. (3:16) Richards made this an almost-watchable match. *

~ Backstage Mick Foley is playing a game of checkers with himself when Steve (William) Regal comes into the office. Regal says he’s become a goodwill ambassador to the WWF but Steve Austin assaulted him on Raw so Foley responds by holding up a salt shaker. Foley suggests Regal should have quoted Henry VIII instead of Hamelt but Regal tells Foley Austin doesn’t respect him and that the boys in the back are calling him a joke. Foley’s expression changes as says he’ll show Austin that he’s not a joke by getting more involved and leaves his “office”, slamming his gavel on the checkerboard on the way out.

~ Back form break we get an update on the “Smackdown Your Vote” campagin. Cole announces that 105,000 new voters have been registered on wwf.com.
Lawler says George Bush and Al Gore still haven’t responded to the Smackdown challenge.

~ Mick Foley then comes out to the stage with a chair and takes a seat next to the OvalTron. I guess this is Foley’s way of getting more involved to control Steve Austin.

• WWF European Title: Al Snow © (w/Head) vs. X-Pac

This week Snow is representing France as he comes out dressed as a Frenchman complete with poodle and throws French Fries and French bread to the fans then gives Lawler a picture of Pepe Le Pew. X-Pac comes out next and has words with Foley on his way to the ring then goes over to the announce table and smashes up the picture, prompting Snow to go after him. Snow throws X-back in the ring but X-Pac attacks him as he climbs in. X-Pac goes for a whip and Snow reverses but misses a clothesline and X-Pac hits a spinkick. X-Pac hammers Snow as we see Foley has turned his chair toward the entrace waiting for Austin. X-Pac whips Snow into a corner and charges but Snow sidesteps and X-Pac straddles the turnbuckles. Snow works X-Pac over and whips him into a corner then charges but eats a boot. X-Pac comes out but runs right into a powerslam for a two count. Snow slams X-Pac to the mat then climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault but X-Pac gets the knees up to block it. X-Pac kicks Snow down in a corner and goes for the Bronco Buster … but is interupted when Austin’s music starts playing. Foley picks up his chair and waits for Austin to come out through the entrance. Instead Austin comes out through the crowd and drops X-Pac with the Stunner. Snow gives Austin the thumbs up only to receive a Stunner as well and the referee gets in Austin’s face but also gets taken out with a Stunner so I guess that’s the match. (~2:00)Looked like it was going to be a decent match, too. Foley isn’t too happy with Austin’s latest intrusion as he watches him catching some beer in the ring. Austin then heads up the ramp where Foley has words with him but Austin just walks by him to the back. NR

~ Backstage The Rock is pacing when Triple H comes up and gets in his face. Triple H tells Rock it’s not about his hand or his title and that he doesn’t like any part of him. Triple H tells Rock that for one night only it’s not about which of them is the better man, it’s about the two of them getting in the ring together and kicking @**. Rock says the two of them will never be friends and dares Triple H to prove he is that dang good while Triple H tells Rock to not worry about him, just bring it.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Steve Ausitn interupting the previous match and brushing by Mick Foley, the proverbial slap in the face. Cole mentions that Austin will be onSunday Night Heat‘s MTV debut this Sunday while Lawler mentions Disturbed, who did Austin’s new music, will also be on the show.

• The Rock & Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon) vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit

It really must be a crazy world to see Rock and Triple H as tag team partners. Angle and Benoit start arguing as Triple H comes in and goes right after Benoit, stomping him down in a corner. Angle tries to help his partner but Triple H hammers him as well. Triple H manages to take it to both men at first but Angle kicks Triple Hin his taped-up ribs and that turns the tide. Angle and Benoit double-team Triple H when Rock finally comes out and throws Benoit over the ropes while Triple H does the same to Angle. On the floor Angle orders Benoit to go back in and Benoit responds by throwing Angle in the ring. Triple H tees off on Angle and stomps him down in a corner then goes for a whip, Angle reverses but Triple H comes back with a neckbreaker. Rock tags in and whips Angle into a corner then charges but eats an elbow. Angle comes out but runs into a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Rock lays the boots to Angle and goes for a whip but Angle reverses and hits an elbow then gets in his shots. Benoit tags in to take over on Rock then whips him and hits a knee to the chest for a near fall. Angle tags back in and goes for a whip but Rock reverses and hits a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Triple H tags in and goes for a whip, Angle reverses but Triple H kicks him in the chest. Triple H whips Angle again and hits the high knee. Trple H goes for another whip and Angle reverses but lowers the head and Triple hits the facebuster. Benoit breaks up the count so Triple H goes for a whip but Angle reverses and Benoit kicks him from the apron. Triple H pops Benoit off the apron but turns right into a belly-to-belly suplex. Benoit tags in and stomps Triple H down in a corner then whips him into his corner and distracts the referee while Angle chokes Triple H. Triple H fights Angle off and catches Benoit with a boot then comes out of the corner but Benoit brings him down into the Crossface! Rock comes in for the save but Angle cuts him off and clotheslines him over the ropes. Triple H tries to hang on but Rock makes it back in and saves it. Benoit hits Triple H with a German suplex and holds on for a second but Triple H fights out of it and throws Benoit into Angle knocking him off the apron. Benoit stumbles back into a rollup by Triple H but that only gets a two count.

Benoit yells at Angle and shoves him and Angle responds with a right hand. Triple H sets Benoit up for the Pedigree but Angle stops that with a clothesline. Triple H crawls toward his corner but Benoit prevents the tag with a back suplex then climbs to the top rope and connects with the diving headbutt right to the injured ribs. Benoit covers Triple H but Rock makes the save and Angle comes in and nails Rock from behind. Rock comes back with a clothesline and throws Angle over the ropes then goes out and rams Angle into the apron. Angle rams Rock into the ringsteps then grabs Rock’s WWF Title belt and brings it in the ring. Angle readies for a swing at Triple H but Rock pulls him out to the floor and rams him into the announce table. Triple H takes the belt and waffles Benoit with it then covers him but Earl Hebner is too busy with the fight on the outside to count. Angle grabs the belt and clocks Triple H with it then rolls Benoit on top of him … but only gets two! Both men crawl to their corners and Benoit tags in Angle while Triple H tags in Rock. Rock clotheslines Angle then knocks Benoit over the ropes with the Smackdown. Rock plants Angle with the Spinebuster and follows up with the People’s Elbow then covers but Benoit barely makes it back in for the save. Triple H pops Benoit back over the ropes then goes out and goes for a whip but Benoit reverses him into the ringsteps. Benoit grabs a chair and starts to swing it at Triple H but Stephanie takes it away from him. Benoit starts to move in on Stephanie when Angle goes out to stand in his way. Rock goes out after Angle when Triple H throws Benoit into the steps then rams him into the announce table. Rock does the same to Angle and he and Triple H take turns ramming their respective opponents into the table. Eventually Rock throws Angle back in the ring and brings the chair in then readies a swing when Stephanie takes the chair from him, saving Angle as well. Rock glares at Stephanie when Angle comes up from behind and hits the Olympic Slam for the 1..2..3!! Angle pins the WWF Champion and even does it in his hometown!! (9:27) A little silly in spots but still a good main event. Angle celebrates on the ramp as Rock and Triple H start back in disbelief but they don’t see Stephanie applauding Angle behind them to end the show. ***

Conclusion: Decent enough two hours as the WWF tries to start the build toward No Mercy. The actual wrestling was okay for the most part and we got a good main event with Angle getting the big pinfall in his hometown, which would help his credability a little. The was still a bit too much talking, and this is where you start to see the “Who ran Austin over” storyline taking up more and more of the shows with his run-ins which would escalate over the next week. So overall a nice edition of Smackdown to take us into October.