World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 12/19/2002
From: Tampa, FL
The new WWE Champion Kurt Angle makes his way out to cut a promo at the start of the show. Angle goes over all his accomplishments and notes he’s once again their champion. Angle is out here to not celebrate, but rather to get something off his chest. Angle says he’s earned every championship he has won, but he’s not sure he could have beaten Big Show on his own at Armageddon. Angle wants to thank the man who kept his word, but Brock Lesnar makes his way out to confront Angle. Angle says he’s always said he could beat anyone, but he’s not sure he would have won without Lesnar’s help. Angle knows that Lesnar wants a title shot. Angle thinks a match between them is the most anticipated match in WWE history. Angle says he’s a man of his word and Lesnar will get the first shot. Angle tells Lesnar he can have the match at any time and any place. Lesnar grabs the microphone and says he wants the title match tonight in Tampa. Angle says that sounds good, but that’s not going to happen. Angle already has a match with Chris Benoit tonight, but it’s non-title. Angle tells Lesnar his hands are tied and he can’t get out of the match. Angle offers Lesnar a title match next week on Smackdown. Tampa fans are not liking that announcement. Lesnar paces back and forth and eventually agrees to the match by shaking Angle’s hand.
Backstage, Big Show freaked out tossing chairs and screaming at Paul Heyman. Show doesn’t understand how Lesnar can get the first title shot. Show notes that Angle admitted that he couldn’t beat him without Lesnar’s help. Show tells Heyman that he wants Kurt Angle and threatens Heyman that he better get the first shot. Heyman promises Show that he has a guarantee way for Show to get the first title shot. Heyman had the greatest contingency plan at Armageddon. Show tells Heyman he better get a rematch for the title fast.
Earlier today, Chavo Guerrero Jr. cut a promo saying that Billy Kidman only beat him because Kidman is a cheater. Chavo reveals that Kidman will wrestle Eddie Guerrero tonight.
Opening Contest: WWE Tag Team Champion Eddie Guerrero vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman in a non-title match: Guerrero goes right after Kidman with right hands in the corner. Kidman drops Guerrero chest first over the top rope and monkey flips Guerrero across the ring. Guerrero forearms Kidman and hits a back suplex. Guerrero keeps control with stomps on the mat and a forearm to the head and uppercuts. Eddie hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker and goes to the top rope. Guerrero misses a frog splash, but rolls through and is kicked by Kidman on the side of the head. Kidman delivers a flurry of strikes and backdrops Guerrero. Kidman plants Guerrero with a sit out powerbomb for a near fall. Guerrero is met with a boot in the corner. Kidman knocks Chavo off the apron while hitting a bulldog on Eddie. Kidman heads to the top and hits the Shooting Star Press, but Chavo yanks Kidman off the cover. Kidman grabs Chavo on the floor and punches Chavo off. Guerrero hits a sit down crucifix powerbomb for the win. (**1/2. A short match, but an enjoyable one anyway. I feel like Chavo is being lined up as the challenger for Kidman.) After the match, Kidman is beaten down for a bit.
Backstage, Matt Hardy walks into Stephanie McMahon’s office. Matt has a black eye and Stephanie asks what happened. Matt says that a group of MF’ers (Mattattidue followers) mobbed him. Matt doesn’t want to be pulled out of his match with Brock Lesnar. Matt still thinks he’s better with one eye than Brock Lesnar.
Prior to the next match, John Cena does a rap during his entrance.
Second Contest: John Cena vs. Chuck Palumbo: Palumbo forearms Cena and hits a back suplex followed by an elbow to the face. Palumbo tosses Cena with an overhead belly to belly suplex for a two count. B2 distracts Palumbo allowing Cena to knock Palumbo to the floor. B2 cheap shots Palumbo and Cena gets a two count. Cena delivers a few blows in the corner. Cena sends Palumbo back first into the corner and connects with an elbow strike for a near fall. Cena keeps a full nelson on Palumbo. Cena keeps a full nelson on Palumbo, but Palumbo breaks free with a back suplex. Palumbo fires away on Cena with right hands and a shoulder block. Palumbo backdrops Cena and elbows Cena in the corner. Palumbo hits a belly to belly suplex. Palumbo jabs Cena and delivers a discus punch. Palumbo knocks B2 off the apron. Palumbo heads to the top rope hitting a crossbody, but Cena rolls through and has a handful of tights for the win. After the match, Palumbo decks Cena, but B2 slides in and nails Palumbo with a right hand wrapped with a chain. Rikishi comes out and attacks both B2 and Cena. Rikishi misses a chair shot, but pummels Cena with right hands and a running back splash in the corner. Rikishi savant kicks Cena and looks for the Bonzai Drop, but Cena is pulled out by B2. (*. Obviously this is just an extended squash of sorts for Cena and his new rapper gimmick. Palumbo displayed some solid offense, though.)
A video package highlighting the feud between Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson is shown. They also show some more hotel footage from Armageddon where Dawn Marie kissed Torrie on her cheek a few times.
Torrie Wilson joins the show via satellite at her mother’s home in Boise, Idaho. Torrie isn’t humiliated by the footage and is more proud than anything else. Torrie tried to do everything she can because she loves her father so much. She’s not ashamed of herself at all. However, she is ashamed of her father. Torrie thought he was the man who could never break her heart, but he did. Torrie turns her attention to the claim of a sexual predator. Torrie admits she’s a very sexual person, but she’s not a predator and Dawn Marie will find out what kind of predator she can be. Dawn Marie and Al Wilson make their way down to the ring to cut a promo.
Dawn calls Torrie a nymphomaniac and says she cherishes the relationship she has with Al. Dawn believes her relationship with Al is sacred. Dawn knows they wouldn’t lie to each other. She says they could talk for hours and they never run out of conversation topics. Dawn points out their late night sexual encounters. Dawn calls Al the most handsome man she’s ever seen. Al seems a bit standoffish during this promo, though. Dawn invites everyone to their special occasion in two weeks when they will get married. Al doesn’t look thrilled, at all. Torrie says they deserve each other and she leaves the room.
Backstage, Matt Hardy is getting ready for his match with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar is also seen doing pull-ups preparing for the match.
Matt Hardy cuts a promo at ringside saying he got something in his good eye and now he has zero vision. Thus, Matt can’t compete tonight. Matt has found a suitable replacement in Shannon Moore. Shannon is thrown into the ring and he’s a bit shocked by that.
Third Contest: Brock Lesnar vs. Shannon Moore: Lesnar tosses Moore to the mat and stares at Matt. Moore dropkicks Lesnar from behind, but Lesnar tosses Moore over the top with an overhead suplex. Lesnar destroys Moore with an F5 that has two rotations and wins the match. (NR. This angle is feeling a bit like Jericho/Goldberg, but I’m enjoying it.) After the match, Lesnar returns to the ring and hits the F5 on Matt Hardy. Well, maybe that’s the end of that?
Backstage, Kurt Angle was watching Lesnar on a TV screen. Stephanie wants to talk to Kurt Angle and tells Angle to cut the crap. Stephanie says what Angle is doing is wrong and says she’ll have to reveal what’s going on. Angle decides he’ll do it right now.
Kurt Angle is in the ring to cut a promo and talks about the three I’s and how integrity is one of them. Angle says that if it was up to him he’d wrestle Lesnar and Benoit both tonight, but it’s not up to him. Angle says he has a lot on his plate and he’s nobody’s fool. Angle hired himself a management team a week before Armageddon to look out for his best interest. Angle introduces the head of his management team and it is…. Paul Heyman! Heyman comes down and hugs Angle. Heyman raises Angle’s arm and they gloat. Heyman grabs the microphone and says that the fans can’t be surprised by this. Heyman would never let Brock Lesnar get close to the WWE Championship ever again. Heyman says it should have been obvious they were in on it together from the beginning. Heyman was excited to screw over Lesnar again when Stephanie got rid of the suspension for Armageddon. Heyman credits Angle for manipulating Lesnar. Heyman reveals his first act as Angle’s agent. The the title match between Angle and Lesnar is postponed.
Big Show’s music hits and Show comes down to the ring absolutely livid. Show backs Heyman into a corner and calls him a rat. Show asks what is wrong with Heyman. Heyman tries to explain himself and says he’s not dumping Show for Angle. Heyman tells Show that he’s still his favorite client. Heyman thinks they have a lot of leverage and power. Show seems to be calming down. Heyman has so much leverage that he’s going backstage to Stephanie’s office and is going to demand that Angle defend the title against Big Show. Angle doesn’t life that idea. Heyman wants to keep control amongst the two of them. Heyman wants to prevent Lesnar from getting his hands on the title. Show embraces Heyman to accept the partnership.
Earlier today, Bill DeMott met up with Crash Holly and offered his services to get revenge on Noble and Nunzio. Crash accepted it.
Fourth Contest: Jamie Noble & Nunzio vs. Bill DeMott & Crash Holly: DeMott starts the match with Nunzio. DeMott pummels Nunzio with strikes on the mat and decks Nunzio with a right hand punch. DeMott rams Nunzio into the corner and Noble tags into the match. DeMott tosses Noble into the ring and press slams Noble over the top rope and hits a German suplex. DeMott forces a tag to Nunzio. DeMott decks Nunizo over the back and hits a splash in the corner. Noble tagged in and hammers away on DeMott until a boot to the midsection stops him. DeMott decks Noble to the mat and looks at Crash on the apron. DeMott hits the No Laughing Matter and pins Noble for the win. After the match, DeMott clotheslines Crash and hits the No Laughing Matter on his own partner. (*1/2. Yeah, I’m probably enjoying DeMott’s carnage too much.)
Backstage, Ernest “The Cat” Miller interviews Edge. Edge says that somebody should call Miller’s momma for A-Train’s ass whopping tonight. Edge is still mad about Train taking out his friend, Rey Mysterio and also hurting his knee. Edge has some debt to collect tonight. Edge is going to prove he’s the little train that could.
Fifth Contest: Edge vs. A-Train: Train kicks Edge in the midsection and delivers a few strikes followed by a shoulder block, but misses a splash. Edge fights back with a few right hands. Train goes for a press slam, but Edge breaks free. Train hits a chop block on the injured knee to keep control of the match. Edge fights back with a few chops to stagger Train, but Train connects with a side slam for a two count. Train locks in a single leg Boston Crab, but Edge refuses to give in. Edge reaches for the ropes and finally manages to force a break of the hold. Train keeps control with right hands and stomps in the corner. Train scares the referee away and runs into a boot by Edge. Edge nails Train with a kick to the side of the head. Edge hits a leaping forearm smash and drives Train face first down to the mat. Edge heads to the top rope, but Train cuts Edge off. Edge shoves Train off the middle rope and leaps off the top to hit a missile dropkick for a near fall. Edge kicks Train in the midsection and hits the Edgeamatic for a two count. Edge waits in the corner, but misses the spear and runs into a knee strike. Train nails Edge with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Train keeps a single leg Boston Crab on Edge, but Edge reaches the ropes again. Edge elbows Train a few times and avoids the Baldo Bomb with a dropkick. Edge hits the spear and pins Train clean in the middle of the ring to win the match. (**. I’m wondering if the Train push is a short-lived idea. I thought this was a decent TV match and I can appreciate the clean finish.)
Backstage, Josh Matthews is waiting outside Brock Lesnar’s locker room. Matthews talks about Lesnar being manipulated and they will get comments when the show returns.
Backstage, Chris Benoit is getting ready for the main event.
Backstage, Josh Matthews once again goes through what happened earlier for Lesnar. Lesnar steps out of his locker room and gets in Matthews face. Lesnar says asking what his state of mind is, is a good question. That ends the segment.
Main Event: WWE World Champion Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit: Benoit goes behind Angle for early control, but they counter each other on the mat a few times. Benoit keeps a headlock on Angle and comes off the ropes with a shoulder block. Benoit arm drags Angle a few times and Angle staggers into a corner where Benoit continues with stomps and chops. Angle bails to the floor to regroup. Benoit chops Angle several times in the corner. Angle runs into an elbow and Benoit hits a clothesline. Benoit takes Angle over with a snap suplex for a two count. Benoit chops Angle against the ropes. Angle responds with an overhead suplex. Angle forearms Benoit in the corner several times and continues with stomps on the mat. Angle chokes Benoit until the referee gets Benoit off. Angle tosses Benoit to the floor where Heyman hits Benoit with the championship over the head. Angle pulls Benoit up and rolls Benoit into the ring. Angle covers, but Benoit kicks out at two. Angle continues with stomps on the mat and takes Benoit over with a snap suplex for a near fall. Benoit chops Angle away in the corner, but an eye rake stops Benoit. Angle continues with chops in the corner. Benoit responds with a right hand. Angle chops Benoit again and stomps Benoit on the neck. Angle controls Benoit on the mat with a choke. Benoit elbows free from Angle, but is met with a knee lift.
They trade strikes until Angle hits a German suplex and plays to the crowd. Angle waits for Benoit to get up, and they end up colliding on a double clothesline spot. Angle gets to his feet, but Benoit delivers a few right hands. Benoit decks Angle with a clothesline and a backdrop. Benoit takes Angle over with a series of German suplexs. Angle takes Benoit down with the ankle lock, but Benoit rolls through and sends Angle into the corner. Benoit holds onto Angle to hit a series of German suplexs. Angle rolls to the floor to regroup. Benoit chops Angle at ringside and they return to the ring. Benoit avoids a wild strike and hits more German suplexs. Angle has a disgusting snot bubble hanging from his nose. Benoit leaps off the top and hits a diving headbutt to the back of Angle. Benoit has the Crossface locked in, but Angle is trying to hold on. Benoit lets go of the hold because Big Show enters the ring and drives Benoit down with a chokeslam. Lesnar tosses Show with an overhead suplex and does the same to Angle. Lesnar yanks Heyman into the ring and tries for the F5, but Angle chop blocks Lesnar. Angle pummels Lesnar with right hands. Angle hits the Angle Slam and plays to the crowd. Show plants Lesnar with a chokeslam. Heyman and Angle taunt Lesnar on the mat saying he’ll never get the championship. (***1/4. As per usual, these guys are great to watch even with a shorter match and one that didn’t have high stakes. It’s just a match to build up the Lesnar situation some more afterward. These are two guys that I can watch a million times and never tire of them.)
Final Thoughts:
The Angle/Heyman swerve is an interesting plot twist, but man Big Show kind of looks like a dweeb in all of it. Angle/Lesnar is the marquee match and is one they will not do until WrestleMania XIX. I’m looking forward to the build to get there. It sure seems the obvious direction would be Lesnar winning the Rumble to guarantee the title match. Plus, Smackdown’s in-ring is far better than anything RAW can do. Smackdown continues to be an easy show to watch.
Thanks for reading.