Written by: Adam King
WWF SMACKDOWN
Thursday, December 28th, 2000
Taped (12/23) from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, TN
List of WWF Champions at the time:
● WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle (10/22/2000)
● WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit (12/10/2000)
● WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (12/21/2000)
● WWF European Champion: William Regal (12/04/2000)
● WWF Hardcore Champion: Raven (12/25/2000)
● WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
● WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)
~ Smackdown comes on the air with footage of Jim Ross meeting with Stephanie McMahon earlier today. Stephanie tells JR he’s here to witness her mission statement since he has a big mouth and will spread the word. Stephanie says she wants her name synonomous with greatness and the WWF wrestlers will treat her with respect. Stephanie mentions Chris Jericho calling her nasty names and pits him against Edge & Christian in a handicap match. Stephanie next decides to book Kurt Angle in a WWF Championship defense against Bubba Ray Dudley. Say what? Stephanie then books a second handicap match, this one featuring The Rock and The Undertaker against Rikishi. Stephanie next says that she just may make some New Years’ resolutions but feels nobody deserves to hear them because tonight is all about her (no argument here) and everyone will see why she’s Daddy’s Little Girl.
~ We then get to the intro with Michael Cole welcoming us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
- Chris Jericho vs. Edge & Christian – Handicap Match
Jericho gets on the mic and decides to make a New Year’s resolution to never make fun of Stephanie again, but then decides that since he’s already screwed he calls her a dirty, brutal, bottom feeder and so on. E&C make their way out but Jericho knocks Edge off the apron then attacks Christian as he climbs in the ring. Jericho then goes for a whip and Christian reverses it but Jericho rolls him up for a quick two count. Jericho takes Christian down by the legs looking for the Walls of Jericho already but Edge is in and breaks it up. Edge gets in his shots then heads out to the corner while Christian stomps away at Jericho and chokes him. Edge tags in for a double-team and chokes Jericho on the middle rope. E&C whip Jericho into a corner then Edge drops down while Christian goes for the crossbody but Jericho dodges it and clotheslines Edge down. E&C whip Jericho looking for a double spinebuster but Jericho counters and hits a double DDT. Jericho bulldogs Edge and connects with the Lionsault then covers him but Christian is able to make the save. Christian heads to the apron when Jerihco nails him with the springboard dropkick. Jericho chops away at Edge and goes for a whip, Edge reverses it but Jericho takes him down and puts him in the Walls of Jericho. Christian tries to make the save and the referee orders him back to the corner but misses Edge tapping out. We then see Stephanie heading out and climbing in the ring but Jericho lets go of Edge to confront her. The referee steps in between them and gets Stephanie out but Christian nails Jericho with the Tomikaze. Stephane finally leaves the ring while Edge covers Jericho and grabs the cheap pin. (2:37) I guess The Rock and Steve Austin can overcome the odds but not Jericho. Okay stuff but way too short for who was in there. **
After the bell Christian drills Jericho with another Tomikaze then E&C proceed with a double-team beatdown before holding him for a slap from Stephanie. Jericho lunges at her but E&C quickly put him down then finish him off with a double sitdown powerbomb and Stephanie gives him some parting words.
~ Back from break we get a replay of Jericho getting beaten by Edge & Christian and embarassed by Stephanie. We then find Stephanie congradulating E&C who tell her what a pleasure and privelage it is to do her bidding.
- WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Benoit © vs. Matt Hardy
Matt is out for revenge after Benoit put Lita in the Crossface on Raw. Matt rushes the ring and gets in the first shots and goes for a whip, Benoit reverses but eats a clothesline. Benoit rolls out to the floor for a breather but Matt climbs to the top rope and connects with a plancha. Matt tosses Benoit back in the ring and slams him then follows up with a fistdrop to the face for a near fall. Matt goes for a whip, Benoit reverses him into a corner but eats an elbow. Matt hops to the middle rope and hits a flying clothesline for a two count but Benoit comes back and hammers Matt with chops in a corner. Benoit goes for a whip, Matt reverses him into the opposite corner then wails on him with chops of his own. Matt then goes for a suplex but Benoit suplexes him onto the ropes. Benoit whips Matt and hits a knee to the chest then follows up with a snap suplex for a two. Benoit whips Matt into a corner and drops him with a right hand. Benoit whips Matt again and hits an elbow for a near fall then moves in when Matt rolls him up but only gets two. Benoit chops Matt down then plants him with a back suplex and follows up with an elbowdrop for a two count. Benoit hits Matt with a backbreaker then climbs to the top rope and goes for the diving headbutt but misses it. Matt starts fighting back and comes off the ropes with a swinging DDT but that only gets a two count. Matt slams Benoit then climbs to the middle rope and lands the guillotine legdrop but ends up hurting himself. Matt manages to cover Benoit and the referee counts 1..2..but Benoit is able to get his foot on the bottom rope. Matt goes for the Twist of Fate when Benoit counters it into the Crossface but Matt grabs the bottom rope. Benoit undoes a turnbuckle pad and goes for a whip but Matt throws Benoit shoulder-first into the ringpost then rolls him up but only gets two. Matt goes for a whip when Benoit tries to go for the Crossface again but Matt fights out of it. Matt goes for a whip again, Benoit reverses him into a corner and charges at him but eats a boot. Matt goes for a tornado DDT but Benoit counters it right into the Crossface and Matt is forced to tap out. (6:14) Benoit hesitates before releasing the crossface then grins at his fallen challenger as he departs. Pretty good match there with a nice counter at the end.***
~ Backstage we find The Undertaker just now arriving at the building when Johnathan Coachman catches up to him and informs him about the handicap matcn. Taker just says ‘Cool’ and that payback is going to be a (*bleep*).
~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the building as Cole buzzes about tonight’s handicap main event. Cole and Lawler then talk about the interview Jim Ross had with the recently injured Chyna on Christmas morning and shows clips of it. Cole then mentions they’ve received some disturbing footage from the Right to Censor and decides to show it to us. We then see Val Venis dressed up like Jim Ross and Ivory dressed up like Chyna as they re-enact the interview almost word for word. That is, until “JR” suggests that “Chyna” deserved being injured since her Playboy shoot corrupted young minds and her upcoming book details her disgraceful lifestyle. “JR” wants “Chyna” to be grateful that her career-ending injuries will keep her perverse presence out of the WWF and “Chyna” says all the steps she’s taken are wrong and that the RTC have helped her see that she can fight the good fight. “Chyna” finishes by saying she hated who she was and that it took one simple piledriver to wake her up from all that. As if this angle wasn’t bad enough we have to put up with this.
~ Back at the arena Cole and Lawler express their disgust over that they just witnessed.
~ Backstage we find Kurt Angle and Stephanie reviewing the footage Eric Angle geting put through the table on Raw. Angle says Eric didn’t deserve to be put through the table when all he tried to do was celebrate Christmas with him. Angle promises to embarass Bubba Ray Dudley tonight in the only shot he’ll ever get at the WWF Championship.
~ Elsewhere D’Von Dudley is getting Bubba Ray pumped up for his big title shot as we go to commercial.
- WWF World Heavyweight Title: Kurt Angle © vs. Bubba Ray Dudley
So Bubba puts Angle’s brother through a table on Raw and his ‘punishment’ is a world title shot? Bubba is out first followed by Angle who first gets on the mic and talks about Bubba being know for putting people through tables while he rose to prominence by winning an Olympic gold medal as well as the WWF Championship. Angle says Bubba broke his number one rule by putting his hands on his family and dares Bubba to try him. Bubba knocks Angle off the apron to start things off then nails him with the mic before rolling him in the ring. We see D’Von watching the match from the interview set backstage as Angle works Bubba over in a corner. Abngle goes for a whip and Bubba counters it but Angle comes back with a German suplex and stomps him. Angle elbows Bubba in the head when Bubba starts to fight back then whips him but Angle hits a neckbreaker. Angle stomps Bubba down in a corner but the referee backs him off allowing Bubba to come back with a chop. Bubba whips Angle into a corner goes for a splash but Angle sidesteps it and clotheslines Bubba from behind. We get a shot of Stephanie watching as Angle climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault but misses it. Bubba again fights back with punches and chops then whips Angle then clotheslines him down but only gets two. Bubba whips Angle and hits a sidewalk slam for a near fall then whips Angle again and hits a backdrop for two. Bubba goes for a another whips but this time Angle reverses it and plants Bubba with a belly-to-belly suplex. Angle goes out and brings his championship belt the ring then readies a swing but Bubba is able to cut him off amd follow it up with a DDT. Bubba drapes an arm over Angle as the referee counts …but only gets two! Bubba then starts getting a strange look on his face as he grabs the belt but the referee takes it away from him. However that allows Angle to nail Bubba below the belt and roll him up for the pin to retain. (4:37) Fun match there as Angle did his best to make Bubba look like a real threat. Would have liked to see him get a more convincing win, though. **½
Angle celebrates the win when Bubba nails him from behind then plants him with the Full Nelson bomb. Bubba continues pounding on Angle when Edge and Christian run out to svae their pal and double-team Bubba. D’Von comes to his brother’s aid and tosses Christian over the ropes while Bubba hits Edge with a Stun Gun. Bubba then slams Angle and sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. Bubba sends D’Von to fetch a table for him then sets it up while D’Von dukes it out with Christian on the floor. Bubba attacks Edge on the apron but Angle recovers and plants Bubba through the table with the Olympic Slam.
~ We then see Stephanie making her way somewhere, possibly to the ring as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we see The Rock arriving at the building, probably unaware of the main event he’s booked in.
~ Out in the arena Stephanie makes her way to the ring becasue apparently we just can’t get enough of her, dang it! Stephanie gets on the mic and says she’s changed her mind and will share her New Year’s resolution for all to hear. Stephanie tells everyone that her resolution will affect everyone in the WWF and it’s to get what she deserves. Stephanie feels she deserves respect since her father owns the WWF and her husband is the greatest wrestler ever. Stephanie says her resolution is already coming true after Chris Jericho and Bubba Ray Dudley got what they deserved. Stephanie then says the night is just getting started when Steve Austin makes his way out to no doubt offer a rebuttal. Austin gets on the mic and calls it great how Stephanie is sharing her New Year’s resoultions even though nobody cares. Austin tells Stephanie he’s to not going to play her games week after week then demands a WWF Championship match but Stephanie scoffs at it. Austin warns her that he can find ways to keep her busy until she grants him his title shot but Stephanie tells Austin that he doesn’t deserve a shot in her view. So Austin asks the fans if they think he deserves one and once the fans respond in the affirmitive Stephanie tells Austin her voice overrides the fans’ so no dice on the title shot. Can’t Austin just go to Lt. Commissioner Debra and have her book a title match for him? She is his wife and all that.
Anyway Austin replies if that’s what Stephanie has to say then she won’t mind if he drowns his sorrows with a couple of beers. Austin starts getting some beer cans tossed his way and chugs them down as Stephanie looks on disgusted. Eventually Austin tells Stephanie that he may hate her father but there’s no reason they can’t share a beer together. Stephanie reluctantly accepts a beer from Austin as he toasts her but hits the can hard and spills beer all over her dress. Austin then notices that Stephanie isn’t drinking the can accuses her of feeling it’s okay to waste a pefectly good beer. Austin teels Stephanie he doesn’t like to waste beer but will make an acception and pours a can of beer over her head. Stephanie is drenched in beer as Austin tells her that she got what she really deserved and that’s the bottom line. Austin then heads out leaving the embarassed and furious Stephanie in the ring as we go to commercial. That’s 10 minutes I’ll never get back.
~ Back from break we get a repaly of Austin confronting Stephanie and giving her a beer bath in the ring. We then find Stephanie ranting to the makeup lady about smelling like a brewery after Austin humiliated her.
- The Acolytes & Jacqueline vs. Bull Buchanan, The Goodfather & Ivory – Intergender Match
The Right To Censor crew stole a win on Raw so Bradshaw and Faarooq are hoping to even the score with Jackie’s help. Once the good guys come out the men pair off to start before Faarooq tosses Goodfather through the ropes and heads to the corner. Buchanan goes to whip Bradshaw but Bradshaw reverses and hits an elbow. Bradshaw whips Buchanan into a corner but Buchanan comes out with a clothesline. Buchanan whips Bradshaw but lowers the head and Bradshaw clubs him in the back. Bradshaw goes for another whip, Buchanan reverses it but Bradshaw comes back with a shouldertackle. Faarooq tags in and whips Buchanan into a clothesline then whips him into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Buchanan follows up with a big boot then tags Goodfather in and the RTC’ers whip Faarooq into a double kick and throw him to the mat. Goodfather whips Faarooq but lowers the head and Faarooq rams him into the mat. Faarooq clotheslines Goodfather when Ivory tags herself in while Jackie comes in and makes a blind tag as well. And I mean she came all the way in the ring and slapped Faarooq’s back as the referee allowed it. Jackie spears Ivory and tees off on her while the Acolytes come in and this match has really broken down now. The men spill out to the floor to duke it out leaving the ladies in the ring as Jackie hits Ivory with a backdrop. We then find Richards hiding behind the announce table as Val Venis comes out to run interference as usual but this time the referee sees him and tries to keep him out. Jackie wails away on Ivory with right hands then goes over and stomps on Val’s hand but Ivory rolls her up and it’s another win for the RTC. (2:16) Yeah, whatever. The men start fighting back in the ring when Billy Gunn runs out and helps the Acolytes clear out the heels. DUD
~ Backstage we find Steve Austin calling it a night as he leaves the arena while drinking beer. Hope he’s not driving.
~ Back from break we find Test arguing with Albert about his sucking up to the boss’ daughter on Monday. Albert insists that he’s doing the right thing for their careers and that making Stephanie angry is always a bad idea. Test feels it’s Trish who made Stephaine angry then asks where Trish is. Albert says she’s home for the holdiays and Test has an idea which home it is, wondering if it gets lonely at the McMahon mansion with Linda hopsitalized. Albert warns Test to not cross the boss like Vince always said but Test doesn’t agree as they start to head out.
- WWF Hardcore Title: Raven © vs. Jeff Hardy
Raven brings his shopping cart of plunder out and throws it in the ring then decides to get on the mic and brag about destroying Steve Blackman and Hardcore Holly on Raw, courtesy of The Raven Effect. Raven then laughs at facing a “mere Hardy Boy” in his first defense and declares 2001 the year of the Raven. Jeff comes out and does his posing on the turnbuckles while Raven tries to sneak attack him with a trash can but Jeff catches him coming and missile dropkicks the can in his face. Jeff bulldogs Raven into the can then grabs a broom and stuff it in his face. Jeff throws Raven to the mat then climbs to the top rope and tries to rid the broom down but misses Raven and ends up hurting himself. Raven nails Jeff with a road sign then tosses him through the ropes and hits a Russian legsweep into the barrier. Raven covers Jeff for a two count on the floor before tossing him in the ring and hitting him with the trash can. Raven sets the can upright then whips Jeff and trips him into the can with a drop toehold for a near fall. Jeff crotches Raven with the mop handle and bounces him a few times then hits the double legdrop to the chest. Jeff goes out and slides a ladder in the ring then jabs Raven with it. Jeff places the ladder on Raven then climbs to the middle rope and hits a double legdrop but only gets two. Jeff sets the ladder up then climbs to near the top and set up for something but Raven bails out to the floor. Raven tries to regroup but Jeff walks off the ladder onto the top rope and connects with a flying clothesline. Jeff tosses Raven in the ring then climbs the ladder again but Raven sprays him with a fire extingusher. Jeff is blinded as Raven drills him with the Evenflow for the pin to retain. (4:41) Entertaining enough match and a welcome change of pace from Steve Blackman’s run. **
~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Rikishi on facing The Rock and Undertaker after everything he’s been through and Rikishi says Armageddon should have ended his career but didn’t. Rikishi scoffs at Taker trying to “make him famous” since he’s already famous for running Steve Ausitn down and hitting Rock in the chest with a sledgehammer. Rikishi says everything that happens to Rock and Taker is on Stephanie’s head and we’ll see who becomes famous.
- T & A vs. Too Cool
I could have sworn we already had this match on Raw, with the Too Cool guys winning thanks to Stephanie’s interference. All four men pair off when Albert tosses Scotty 2 Hotty through the ropes then goes after him on the floor. Albert goes for the Avalanche but misses Scotty and runs into the ringpost. In the ring Test chokes Grandmaster Sexay with his boot then goes for a whip but Sexay reverses into a corner and charges at him. Test gets his feet up but Sexay slides under him then he and Scotty pull him into the post. Scotty heads out wile Sexay climbs to the top rope and hits a crossbody but Test powers out of the cover. Scotty tags in but Test catches him with a knee to the chest then tags Albert in to get in his shots. Albert whips Scotty when Scotty comes back and goes for a DDT but Albert muscles him up and into a corner and follows up with a shoulderblock. Scotty slips out of there and starts to hit the count-along punches when Albert sets him on the top rope and pops him off to the floor. Sexay helps Scotty back in the ring but Albert slingshots him into the middle rope then tags Test to take over. Test charges at Scotty but eats a boot and Scotty goes for a whip but Test reverses into a tilt-o-whirl slam. Test covers Scotty and Sexay saves it but Test pounds on Scotty in a corner then chokes him with his boot. Albert tags in and helps Test whip Scotty and hit a double elbow. Albert whips Scotty himself into a corner and goes for the Avalanche but eats an elbow then Scotty goes for the bulldog but he eats an elbow as well. Albert goes for a splash but misses and Scotty manages to crawl to his corner and make the tag to Sexay. Sexay wails on Albert and goes for a whip, Albert reverses but Sexay slides under him and hits an enzuigiri. Test comes in but Scotty helps Sexay plant him with a double suplex before clotheslining him over the ropes. Albert goes for a double clothesline but misses both guys and Sexay sets him up for a bulldog from Scotty. Scotty then follows up with Worm but Test pulls Sexay out to the floor then goes in tosses Scotty out as well. Test charges at Sexay on the apron but tumbles out after Sexay pulls down the rope. Sexay climbs to the top rope and connects with the Hip Hop Drop on Albert then covers but the referee is too busy with Scotty to count. The referee also doesn’t see Test climbing to the top rope and hitting the elbowdrop on Sexay for the save. Test goes over to knock Scotty off the apron while Albert covers Sexay and T & A get their win back. (4:44) Slighter better match then on Raw, but not by much. *
Scotty tries to get some of Test and Test tosses him over the ropes … then gets nailed by Albert’s bicycle kick! Is Albert turning on his partner? Albert decks Test and kicks him in the ribs then scares the referee away and countines his assault on Test as we see Stephanie watching this from the back with a smile on her face. Albert kicks Test down and Test is bleeding from the mouth as Albert hits the Avalance for good measure. Test is down as Albert screams that he’s done carrying him and leaves his now-former partner laying in the ring.
~ Backstage we find Kevin Kelly waiting to be humiliated by The Rock in a few minutes as we go to commercial.
~ Today’s Royal Rumble replay is Vince McMahon eliminating Steve Austin to win the 1999 Rumble. Yes, the McMahons’ egos even seep into the replay clips.
~ Back from break Cole and Lawler remind us how Austin gave Stephanie a beer bath earlier tonight.
~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock on teaming with The Undertaker to take on Rikishi in the main event and of course Rock cuts him off and does his usual intro. Rock talks about Stephanie making New Year’s resolutions saying he has some resolutions of his own to share. Rock says his resolutions is to once again become WWF Champion in 2001, to remain the greatest sports-entertainer and the third is yet another joke at Kevin’s expense. Rock then talks about going back to his roots, mentioning how he used to live and go to school right here in Nashville. Rock says he’s going to go to school on Rikishi here tonight then finishes with the usual stuff and heads out.
~ The Undertaker and Rikishi are also shown heading to the ring for the main event as we go to commercial.
- The Rock & The Undertaker vs. Rikishi – Handicap Match
Doesn’t anybody find it weird how Stephanie would book a match with stipulations that favor the faces? Rock and Taker make their way out first followed by Rikishi … when Stephanie comes out to the stage. Ah, here’s the twist in this. Stephanie gets on the mic and mentions what Rikishi said earlier is true, that what happens here is on her head. Stephanie mentions what Steve Austin did to her earlier before bringing out Rikishi’s partner … William Regal. Stephanie then mentions she booked this to be a handicap before bringing out Rikishi’s other partner … Kane. Stephanie heads to the back while Rikishi and his buddies make their way down the ramp and we now have…
- The Rock & The Undertaker vs. Rikishi, William Regal & Kane – 3-on-2 Handicap Match
Kane and Regal head in first and Rock and Taker duke it out with them while Rikishi watches from the floor. Rock clotheslines Kane over the ropes then takes his spot in the corner while Taker hammers away on Regal. Taker whips Regal into a corner and clotheslines him then whips him the other way and hits a sidewalk slam. Taker whips Regal but lowers the head and Regal kicks the face then works him over with European forearms. Regal goes for a whip and Taker reverses him into a corner but eats an elbow and Regal makes the tag to Kane. Rock also gets the tag and gets in his shots on Kane then comes off the ropes but Kane clotheslines him down. Kane pounds away on Rock in a corner when Rock fights back but Kane stops that with a knee to the chest. Kane whips Rock but Rock comes back with a flying clothesline. Taker tags back in and grabs Kane’s arm then walks the top rope then hits the shot to to the back. Taker decks Regal off the apron but Kane regains control with a boot then Rikishi tags in and Regal helps out with a double team in their corner. Kane adds in an elbow from the apron before Regal tags in and works Taker over in a corner with forearms. Regal htis the kneelifts to the face then tags Kane in and Kane decks Rock to prevent Taker from tagging out. Taker starts to fight back and caps it off with a boot but Kane hits a boot as well and both men are down. Both men start crawling toward their corners and Kane tags in Regal but Taker makes the hot tag to Rock. Rock hammers away on Regal in a corner and caps it off with the Smackdown then hits a belly-to-belly throw. Rock decks both Rikishi and Kane then plants Regal with the spinebuster but eats a clothesline from Kane. Taker clotheslines Kane over the ropes while Rikishi decides he’s had enough and starts to walk up the ramp. However Rock goes out after Rikishi and clotheslines him on the ramp then nails him with a shot below the belt. Rock then brings Rikishi back in the ring and Rikish finds himself surounded as Rock and Taker attack him. Taker grabs Rikishi and manages to chokeslam him but Kane and Regal keep him and Rock from covering him. Kane pounds away on Taker in a corner and Regal does the same to Rock while Rikishi brings a chair in the ring. Regal holds Rock for Rikishi as he swings the chair but as usual Rock ducks it and Regal takes the shot instead. Taker then works Rikishi over while Rock drills Regal with a DDT and that actually gets the pin! (7:26) Okay main event but of course Rock and Taker are able to overcome the odds unlike everyone else (i.e. Jericho). **
Kane comes back in and doesn’t give them a chance to celebrate but Taker punches away at him in a corner. Rock works Rikishi over but Regal nails him from behind and takes him out with the inverted neckbreaker. Rikishi superkicks Taker then stands over him and has some parting words before hitting the sitdown splash. Kane chokeslams Rock to add the exclamation point and he, Rikishi and Regal stand over their fallen foes.
We then get one last shot of Stephanie watching and laughing about her great night as the show goes off the air. Yep, one last reminder that this show was all about her.
Conclusion: And thus we close the book on 2000 with the Stephanie McMahon show. The in-ring action were mostly on the solid side but was dominated by the heels who won almost every match and though Rock and Taker won the main event they also got beaten down. Plus the Royal Rumble build continues to be stuck in neutral as the bookers apparently decide to wait until the new year to get anything going. And as I said there was way too much Stephanie throughout this show, especially when we had to hear her talk since she’s never been good on the mic. And you though Vince’s ego was something. Overall a decent though skippable episode to finish off 2000, and all you Stephanie haters need not apply.