Written by: Bob Colling
World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 10/24/2002
From: Memphis, TN
Opening Contest: Matt Hardy vs. Rikishi: Hardy decks Rikishi from behind, but Rikishi battles back with several right hands. Rikishi delivers a short arm clothesline to knock Hardy to the apron. Hardy drops Rikishi over the top rope and heads to the top rope hitting a clothesline for a near fall. Hardy continues with right hands on the mat. Hardy chokes Rikishi in the ropes and taunts the referee. Hardy is met with a throat thrust by Rikishi. Hardy plants Rikishi with a neckbreaker. Rikishi plants Hardy with a Samoan Drop and a superkick. Rikishi nails Hardy with a running back splash in the corner. Hardy drops in the corner and Rikishi goes for the Stink Face. Hardy manages to sneak a low blow, but Rikishi elbows out of the Side Effect. Hardy tries for the Twist Of Fate, but Rikishi counters and plants Hardy with the Rikishi Driver for the win. (*1/4. The push of Rikishi for reasons I’m not aware of continues on Smackdown.) After the match, Rikishi takes some time to dance. However, Big Show enters the ring from behind and clotheslines Rikishi. Show drives Rikishi down to the mat with a chokeslam.
Big Show grabs a microphone and reminds everyone who he is. Show notes his height and weight. He’s been traded to Smackdown and he’s here to make an impact. Show says nobody in the locker room can measure up to him. Show thinks he’s the baddest man in the universe and issues a challenge to Smackdown World Champion, Brock Lesnar. Show believes that Lesnar is a coward just like everyone else. Show doesn’t think that Lesnar will have the guts to wrestle him.
Outside the venue, Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman just arrived to the building.
Smackdown General Manager Stephanie McMahon is in the ring with a trophy. The trophy will be awarded to the first ever Smackdown Tag Team Champions, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. Kurt Angle comes out first and raises the trophy over his head. Benoit is next and Angle doesn’t let go of the trophy. Angle says that Stephanie was right to force him to team with Benoit. Angle takes all the credit for winning at No Mercy. Angle will have the trophy at his home. Benoit grabs the microphone and wants the trophy, but Angle doesn’t let go. Benoit tells Angle to leave his ego to the side and thinks he’s the only captain. Benoit thinks he was the reason they are the tag champions. Benoit threatens Angle that he would have kicked his ass. Angle notes that he won the match and says he’s the star while Benoit is the supporting player. Benoit tells Angle he’ll eat the trophy if he doesn’t let go. They struggle with the trophy and Stephanie gets knocked down. Angle apologizes saying that was an accident and blames Benoit. Stephanie slaps Angle and Benoit laughs at him. Stephanie slaps Benoit, as well. Stephanie calls them children and is mad that they broke the trophy. Tonight, they will wrestle in the main event.
Since we are in Memphis, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble comes out dressed as Elvis with Nidia. Noble says he’s going to give them the best Elvis impersonation of their lives. He does a poor impersonation, as you’d expect.
Second Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble vs. Tajiri: Tajiri hits a handspring back elbow and several kicks to start the contest. Tajiri grabs the glasses and does some Elvis moves. Tajiri elbows Noble to the mat to keep control and nails Noble with a kick to the head. Noble kicks Tajiri and tries for a double under hook, but Tajiri puts Noble in the tree of woe and stomps Noble. Tajiri delivers a baseball slide dropkick. Noble eye rakes Tajiri, but Tajiri kicks Noble from the apron. Nidia yanks Tajiri off the apron and avoids a kick causing Tajiri to hit the ring post. Noble stomps on Tajiri and drives Tajiri’s knee down to the mat. Noble dropkicks Tajiri on the knee after getting out of a rollup. Tajiri fights back with a kick to knock Noble down. Tajiri drives Noble down to the mat gut first. Noble continues with stomps on the mat. Tajiri gets distracted by Nidia and kicks Noble into Nidia off the apron. Tajiri almost wins with a rollup. Noble gets a rollup on Tajiri and gets help from Nidia to steal the win. (*. I mean, they got very little time and this never got past first gear. This was kind of disappointing.)
Backstage, Dawn Marie is looking for Torrie Wilson. Dawn is told that Wilson is in catering and heads off to find her. After a commercial, Dawn finds Torrie. Marie has something hard to say and says that Torrie is the better woman. Marie apologizes for her behavior and thinks things went too far. Marie does truly care about her father and acknowledges the huge age difference. Marie promises to break things off with her father. Torrie walks off, but Dawn has an evil smile.
Backstage, Los Guerreros had a talk with Kurt Angle moments ago. They know who has an issue with Angle. They are trying to suggest that Benoit has an issue with Angle and create a wedge with them as if that needed help.
Third Contest: Edge & Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero Jr. In a number one contenders match: Edge and Chavo kickoff the match. Edge shoulder blocks Chavo for a one count and keeps control with an arm drag. Edge hip tosses Chavo for another one count. Edge shoulder rams Chavo for a two count. Chavo knee lifts Edge followed by an uppercut. Edge comes off the ropes with a spinning heel kick and tags in Mysterio. Edge spears Chavo in the corner and Mysterio knocks Eddie off the apron to hit a bronco buster on Chavo. Chavo blocks a moonsault with knees to the midsection. Eddie tags in and beats on Mysterio with right hands. Mysterio head scissors Chavo and Edge does the same to Eddie. Rey is caught on a crossbody attempt and sent into Edge after Edge missed a baseball slide. Eddie sends Edge into the ring steps shoulder first. Eddie elbows Mysterio to the mat followed by stomps. Chavo shoulder rams Mysterio in the corner a few times to work over the lower back. Eddie chokes Mysterio while the referee is distracted. Chavo nails Mysterio with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Eddie tags in stomps on Mysterio before knocking Edge off the apron. Eddie drives Mysterio down with a backbreaker for a near fall.
Mysterio backdrops Eddie coming off the ropes. Edge decks Eddie from the apron, but Eddie kicks Mysterio to keep control. Eddie plants Mysterio with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Chavo is tagged in and stomps on Mysterio to keep control followed by an uppercut. Chavo sends Mysterio into the corner chest first, but Mysterio dropkicks Chavo into the corner. Eddie stops Mysterio, but is met with a spinning heel kick. Edge gets the hot tag and cleans house with a double flapjack. Edge pulls Chavo down from behind, but Eddie breaks the cover. Rey backdrops Eddie to the floor and tries for the 619, but Eddie blocks it from the floor. Edge nails Chavo with the spear, but Eddie breaks the cover. Rey head scissors Eddie to the floor and Chavo is setup for the 619, which Rey hits this time. Edge sets Chavo up for a powerbomb, but Rey hits a Thez Press from the top rope. Eddie hits a senton on Edge, but distracts the referee allowing Rey to hit a springboard leg drop and Edge pins Chavo. Eddie didn’t realize it on the apron. (**1/2. A fine match that didn’t get past the first level for the most part. Still, even with a simple format, it was an enjoyable match. Rey and Edge as the challengers to Angle and Benoit is going to make for some really fun matches.)
Backstage, the Undertaker is walking and wants someone to find Brock Lesnar and send him to the ring.
The Undertaker makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo. Paul Heyman comes out to the stage and mentions how Lesnar retired Hulk Hogan and defeated both Rock and Undertaker recently. Heyman says that Lesnar will not come out tonight, but instead Lesnar does come out to the ring to confront Taker. Taker says that everyone thinks he would have won if his hand wasn’t broken. Taker doesn’t think a broken hand is a valid excuse because he knew what he’s getting into it. Taker credits Lesnar for having his number. Five years ago, Taker thinks he would have won no matter the injury. Taker can appreciate good mind games, which is something he’s done for over a decade. Taker has seen the best, fought the best and beaten the best. Taker puts Lesnar over as being the best on Sunday. Lesnar stops Taker from leaving and grabs the microphone. Lesnar says that the Sara stuff was supposed to be about business. Lesnar needed an edge against him and leaves the ring. Taker has something else on his mind and says this isn’t going to be easy. Taker is teasing retirement, but the fans don’t want it.
Big Show comes out to cut off Taker’s speech. Show can’t believe what he just heard. Show thinks Taker needs to give credit where it is due. Show says it was because of him that Lesnar won on Sunday. Show takes credit for beating up Taker for two years and he’s the reason Taker walks with a limp. Show calls Taker a broken down has been. Taker tells Show that he’s entitled to his opinion. Taker would rather be a broken has been than a giant that is a never was. Taker leaves the ring. Show goes to attack Taker from behind, but Taker turns around. Show continues to stalk Taker, but Taker turns around again. Show walks by Taker and heads backstage. Taker does his pose and turns back to the crowd. Show returns and sends Taker into the staging. Show knee lifts Taker followed by a press slam off the stage to the floor! Show is quite proud of himself. Taker is checked on by various officials and wrestlers. Taker doesn’t want to do a stretcher job. Instead, Taker is helped backstage by Arn Anderson.
Backstage, Dawn Marie meets up with Funaki and asks him to send Al Wilson to Torrie Wilson down the hall. Al slowly walks and is met by Dawn. Dawn notes the slight age difference and suggests that they say goodbye. Dawn gives Al a kiss on the cheek. Dawn tells Al that he was the most passionate man she’s ever experienced. Al pulls Dawn in for a kiss. Dawn embraces Al. I’m assuming that’s not over.
Fourth Contest: John Cena vs. Billy Kidman: Kidman ducks a clothesline after refusing a handshake. Kidman kicks Cena on the side of the head for a two count. Cena bails to the floor to regroup. Cena catches Kidman on a crossbody and rams Kidman into the ring post back first. Cena tries for a cover managing a two count. Cena sends Kidman hard into the corner. Kidman hammers away on Cena, but a knee lift stops him. Cena connects with a spinebuster for a two count. Kidman head scissors Cena followed by a clothesline and dropkick. Cena runs into a boot in the corner. Kidman hits a leaping back elbow for a near fall. Cena has Kidman on his shoulders and Kidman hits a hurricanrana with a hand on the ropes for the win. (1/2*. Nobody cared about this and I certainly don’t care either.) After the match, Cena argues with the referee before decking Kidman with a clothesline.
Backstage, Marc Lloyd interviews Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar asks where Funaki is at for the interview. Lesnar wants Lloyd to say hello to Funaki for him. Lesnar tells Lloyd that if Big Show wants an answer for a title match that he’s not hard to find since Lloyd found him.
Backstage, Eddie & Chavo Guerrero are talking with Chris Benoit telling him that they owe Benoit the truth. Eddie admits that he messed up and wants to be Benoit’s friend. Eddie wanted to show respect and just wants friendship. Benoit tells Eddie that he may be right in regard to what he told Angle earlier.
Backstage, Big Show is walking and finds Lesnar’s locker room. Show enters and Heyman backs off trying to calm Show down. Heyman can’t allow Show to accept the match. Heyman believes in Show and has been saying that Show has been underused for many years. Lesnar shoves Heyman aside and accepts Show’s challenge for the championship.
Main Event: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Chris Benoit vs. Smackdown Tag Team Champion Kurt Angle: They start off with mat wrestling with neither man getting a clear advantage and there’s a standoff. Benoit nails Angle with a back elbow followed by stomps in the corner. Benoit forearms Angle to the mat and continues with chops in the corner. Angle decks Benoit with a short arm clothesline. Angle takes Benoit over with a snap suplex for a near fall. Angle pummels Benoit with right hands and stomps after a chop by Benoit. Angle continues with chops in the corner but runs into a boot and clothesline by Benoit. Benoit elbow drops Angle, but Angle quickly comes back with a backdrop. Benoit backdrops Angle and hits a series of German suplexs. Angle connects with a series of German suplexs of his own for a two count. Benoit avoids the Angle Slam and tosses Angle with a German suplex. Benoit dives off the top to hit a diving headbutt, but both men are down. Benoit slowly covers Angle and manages a two count. Benoit quickly locks in the Crossface and rolls over into the middle of the ring. Angle counters with the ankle lock, but Benoit kicks free. Benoit almost wins with an inside cradle. Angle plants Benoit with the Angle Slam for a two count. Angle locks in the ankle lock again, but Benoit counters with a Crossface. Benoit clotheslines Angle and heads to the top rope. Angle runs the ropes and tosses Angle with an overhead suplex. Angle has the cover, but Benoit kicks out at two. Eddie and Chavo get involved with Chavo hitting Angle with the tag title allowing Benoit to get the win. The referee was distracted by Eddie on the apron. (***1/4. It shouldn’t be a surprise that these two had a fun main event even with limited time. I could watch these two wrestle everyday and not get bored. An interesting development to have the Guerrero’s involved. Are they working with Benoit? Questions need to be answered.) After the match, Angle hits the Angle Slam on Benoit. Angle is pissed and grabs the broken trophy. Angle really destroys the trophy on the floor.
Final Thoughts:
I’d say it’s an entertaining episode of Smackdown. I’m not sure if Big Show challenging Brock Lesnar is the brightest plan considering how poorly he was used on RAW. I can see Show being fed to Lesnar to continue his dominance on Smackdown. The clear plan is for an eventual Show/Taker showdown, which has been done to death. Smackdown continues to be consistently better than RAW.
Thanks for reading.