World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 1/2/2003
From: Albuquerque, NM
This is a LIVE edition of WWE Smackdown.
A video package promoting the in-ring return of Brock Lesnar and the wedding between Dawn Marie and Al Wilson is aired.
John Cena and B2 come out with Cena rapping about his issue with Rikishi. Cena insults Rikishi’s ass throughout the rap and says Rikishi puts buffets out of business. Cena suggests Rikishi get back on the Subway diet.
Opening Contest: John Cena vs. Rikishi: Rikishi hammers away on Cena to kickoff the match. Rikishi backs Cena into a corner to deliver a chop. Cena runs the ropes and is sent over the top to the floor. Rikishi rams Cena face first onto the announcers table and into the ring steps. Rikishi comes off the ropes to deliver a leg drop for a near fall. Rikishi nails Cena with a savant kick. B2 pulls Cena out of the ring to avoid a cover. Rikishi goes to the floor and decks B2. Cena shoulder rams Rikishi in the corner several times and dumps Rikishi to the floor where B2 drives Rikishi into the apron back first. Cena tries for a cover, but only manages a two count. Cena connects with a back suplex and stomps Rikishi before getting a two count. Cena keeps Rikishi on the mat with a sleeper. Rikishi elbows free and jabs Cena several times. Rikishi misses a back splash in the corner. B2 grabs Cena’s chain and puts it in the corner to distract the referee. Rikishi plants Cena with a spinebuster, but the referee is distracted. Cena kicks out at one on the cover. Rikishi yanks B2 into the ring from the apron and decks B2. Cena shoves the referee and the referee thinks Rikishi did it. Cena takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Rikishi up for the win despite Rikishi being in the ropes. (*. B2 is a bad fit with Cena and this episode made it very obvious. The match wasn’t anything great and the finish was a bit lame.)
Dawn Marie comes out to the stage wearing her wedding dress. Marie has a microphone and says she was just looking at herself in the mirror and realized how beautiful she looks in white. Dawn asks the fans if they like her dress, and they do not. Dawn says she’s going to take off her wedding dress tonight. She’s going to make history tonight and marry Al Wilson in the nude.
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon meets with Dawn Marie and says she has no problem with her getting married, but does have a problem with Dawn getting married in the nude. Dawn tells Stephanie that Torrie Wilson isn’t going to stop her. Stephanie tells Dawn that the dress has to stay on. Dawn asks what if the dress happens to come off. Stephanie warns Dawn to try her because there’d be serious repercussions. After Stephanie leaves, Dawn wonders how bad it could be.
Second Contest: Chuck Palumbo vs. Bill DeMott: DeMott backs Palumbo into a corner and switches to a headlock before hitting a shoulder block off the ropes. DeMott decks Palumbo over the back, but Palumbo nails DeMott with a strike to knock DeMott down. DeMott knocks Palumbo down, but Palumbo responds with another strike. DeMott pummels Palumbo with several strikes and sends Palumbo into the corner to hit a running splash. DeMott delivers a vertical suplex and kicks Palumbo in the ribs. DeMott delivers several crossface strikes over the middle rope. DeMott delivers a headbutt and puts a sleeper on Palumbo in the middle of the ring. Palumbo fights free, but a knee lift stops his momentum. DeMott sends Palumbo into the corner and misses a splash. Palumbo elbows DeMott followed by strikes. Palumbo sends DeMott into the corner to deliver a clothesline. Palumbo tosses DeMott overhead with a suplex. Palumbo jabs DeMott, but DeMott decks Palumbo with a clothesline. DeMott plants Palumbo with a reverse DDT to win the match cleanly. (*. That was a weird finish since DeMott tends to win with his moonsault off the top. I tend to enjoy DeMott bullying smaller wrestlers. Palumbo is screwed with Billy being injured. He’s going to be stuck doing jobs now.)
The Undertaker will return at the Royal Rumble.
Backstage, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman meets up with Torrie Wilson, who is there because he loves her father. Torrie is there to support Al no matter what. Torrie thinks Dawn should get married in the nude because she shouldn’t wear white. Kidman shows Torrie a preview of the wedding and does an impression of Al, fairly well. Kidman does the same for Dawn and makes Torrie laugh.
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin are interviewed. Angle dismisses the question if he’s going to be prepared to defend the title at the Royal Rumble because he’s using crutches. Angle wants the footage shown from last week and what Angle did to Chris Benoit along with Benjamin and Haas. Angle isn’t worried about who Benoit will pick to be his partner tonight to wrestle Team Angle. Angle puts himself over as the champion and only Olympic gold medalist. Angle says he’s the best wrestler and that’s what Team Angle does best. Angle puts over Charlie Haas as a wrestler out of Seton Hall. Angle also puts over Shelton Benjamin for his accomplishments at Minnesota and notes Benjamin was a teammate of Brock Lesnar. Angle insults Benoit’s education because he’s from Canada. Angle says that wrestling is the name of the game and not entertainment. Angle suggests that Benoit should be worried sick.
Third Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman vs. Smackdown Tag Team Champion Eddie Guerrero in a non-title match: Guerrero arm drags Kidman and taunts Kidman for a moment. Kidman arm drags Guerrero twice, but misses a dropkick and Guerrero stomps Kidman. Kidman monkey flips Guerrero and delivers strikes in the corner. Guerrero counters with a chop in the corner and several forearm strikes. Guerrero hits a fallaway slam for a near fall. Kidman elbows free and runs the ropes, but is met with a knee lift. John Cena and B2 come out again with Cena rapping about Los Guerreros. Cena notes that Eddie no longer has a mullet. Cena says that they are going to take the titles from Los Guerreros. Chavo Guerrero and B2 brawl on the floor as Kidman clotheslines himself and Eddie to the floor. In the ring, Chavo fights B2 in the ring, but Rikishi comes out and attacks B2. Kidman pummels Eddie with right hands against the railing. The show goes to commercial.
Rikishi is trying to break free and get back to the ring where Kidman pummels Eddie with a flurry of strikes. John Cena is at the announcers table. Kidman clotheslines Eddie, but is stopped by a tilt a whirl backbreaker for a two count. Guerrero puts the Gory Special on Kidman and switches to a twirling slam for a near fall. Eddie keeps Kidman on the mat with a sleeper hold. Kidman kicks Eddie, but Eddie backdrops Kidman over the top to the floor. Guerrero hits a slingshot senton from the apron for a two count. Guerrero stops Kidman with a sleeper. Kidman breaks free with a back suplex and heads to the corner. Kidman climbs to the top rope, but Guerrero stops Kidman with strikes. Guerrero hits a superplex. Guerrero goes to the top rope, but misses a frog splash. Kidman powerbombs Guerrero for a near fall. Kidman backdrops Guerrero followed by a dropkick. Eddie tries for a tilt a whirl, but Kidman counters with a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Guerrero knee lifts Kidman and tries for a powerbomb, but Kidman counters with a facebuster. Kidman heads to the top rope and hits a crossbody for a near fall. Guerrero pummels Kidman with elbow strikes. Kidman misses Guerrero in the corner. Kidman shoves Guerrero into the corner and they collide heads. Cena leaves the announcers table and decks Guerrero with a chain wrapped around his fist. The referee and Kidman didn’t see it happen. Kidman goes to the top rope hitting the Shooting Star Press for the win. (***1/4. I don’t hate the finish as they are clearly pushing John Cena and his rap character, which they should be doing. Kidman and Eddie had a good match, though there were a few slip ups during the match. Regardless, I’m glad that Kidman got a pin on Eddie whether he got it clean or not. I’m interested to see the growth of the Cena character and how he gets elevated over time.)
A video package promoting Brock Lesnar’s in-ring return tonight is shown.
The wedding between Al Wilson and Dawn Marie is next. A video package highlighting the saga is shown.
The pastor begins with the usual opening to celebrate the union between Al Wilson and Dawn Marie. Pastor asks if anyone has an objection. Dawn steps up and objects to her own wedding. Dawn says she can’t marry Al like this and apologizes. Dawn notes she said she would say her vows without her wedding dress on. Dawn asks if anyone would object to her removing her wedding dress. Al unzips the dress and Dawn reveals her white lingerie. Dawn says she could only go this far, but Stephanie McMahon never said anything about Al. Dawn tells Al that he’s going to get married in the nude. Al doesn’t look thrilled,. Al gets down to his underwear. Dawn doesn’t go any further because she doesn’t want the world to see the biggest reason as to why she’s marrying Al. Dawn would like to continue their wedding. Al grabs a wedding ring and recites his vows. Al puts the ring on Dawn’s finger. Dawn recites her vows. The pastor tells Al to kiss the bride and they proceed to make out in the ring. They leave the ring and head backstage kissing up the aisle.
Backstage, Team Angle is walking towards the ring for their in-ring debut.
Fourth Contest: Edge & Chris Benoit vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin: Benoit and Haas kickoff the tag match. Haas takes Benoit down to the mat, but Benoit gets up and shoulder blocks Haas into the corner. Benjamin tags into the bout and drop toe holds Benoit, but Benoit counters and tries for the Crossface, but Haas makes the save. Benoit rams Benjamin into the corner and tags in Edge. Edge stomps Benjamin in the corner several times. Edge clubs Benjamin over the back and rams Benjamin into the corner followed by chops. Edge strikes Benjamin in the corner and boots a charging Benjamin before hitting a middle rope dropkick for a two count. Haas grabs Edge from the apron, but is decked off. Benjamin decks Edge from behind and Haas sends Edge into the barricade. Benjamin delivers a back suplex for a two count and controls Edge with a headlock. Benjamin shoulder rams Edge in the corner and Haas sends Edge chest first into the corner. Haas chokes Edge over the middle rope. Angle cheap shots Edge as the referee was distracted by Haas. Haas tosses Edge overhead with a belly to belly suplex for a near fall. Haas drops Edge over the top rope and Benjamin leaps over Haas to splash onto Edge’s back. Haas returns to the match and pummels Edge before decking Benoit off the apron. Edge is met with a knee strike by Benjamin on the apron and Haas hits a flapjack. Haas locks in the Haas of Pain, but Benoit makes the save quickly.
Benjamin waits for Edge to get up, but misses a kick. Edge drives Benjamin down to the mat with a face buster. Haas and Benoit get the hot tag with Benoit cleaning house. Benoit decks Haas with a clothesline and nails Benjamin with a clothesline, as well. Benoit tosses Team Angle with German suplexs. Benoit takes Benjamin over with a snap suplex and heads to the top rope. Benoit leaps off hitting a diving headbutt, but Haas makes the save. Edge clotheslines Haas as all four men are in the ring. Three German suplexs by Edge and Benoit. Benoit decks Angle on the floor. Benoit takes Benjamin down with a Crossface. Edge spears Haas! However, Angle hits Benoit with the championship to cause a DQ. Haas decks Edge with a clothesline. Haas jabs Edge on the throat with a crutch. Angle threatens Tony Chimmel to announce the winners as Team Angle. Angle presses the crutch into Chimmel’s throat. Chimmel announces Team Angle as the winners, but Angle jabs Chimmel with the crutch anyway. (***. I’m going to enjoy Haas and Benjamin on the main roster. Team Angle is a great trio. The match was good and the aftermath puts Angle over as a psycho heel.)
Paul Heyman is in the ring and says he’s proud of his latest clients, Team Angle. Heyman says that Haas and Benjamin’s ability can’t be denied. Heyman knows that the crowd is impressed with Angle showing he’s better than Benoit tonight. Heyman also knows the crowd is looking forward to seeing Brock Lesnar in action. Heyman brings out his favorite client, the Big Show. Show comes down to the ring to join the segment. Heyman feels like a man just standing next to Big Show. Heyman puts over Show’s height and weight. Heyman notes that Big Show never backs down from a challenge. Heyman announces a challenge for Brock Lesnar. Heyman promotes the Royal Rumble on January 19th. Heyman explains the concept of the Royal Rumble match and how the winner gets a title match at WrestleMania. Heyman isn’t thrilled about Lesnar possibly going through 29 other men to get a title shot. It’s Heyman’s life ambition to make sure Lesnar never gets near the title ever again. Heyman wants to raise the stakes at the Royal Rumble. Heyman hypes up Big Show as the only man to have a pin victory over Lesnar. Heyman wants a singles match between Lesnar and Show at the PPV. Heyman says the loser of the match falls out of the Royal Rumble match. Heyman doesn’t think Lesnar will ever accept the match because Lesnar fears Show. Heyman doesn’t think Lesnar can beat Show.
Brock Lesnar walks out to aisle way and slowly walks towards the ring. Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore attack Lesnar from behind with steel chairs. Big Show clotheslines Lesnar in the ring. Lesnar is held by Hardy and Moore. Lesnar fights free and clotheslines Show to the floor. Lesnar is bleeding from the back of his head. Lesnar stands tall as the heels panic on the floor to end the segment.
In the parking lot, Funaki catches up with Dawn Marie and Al Wilson. Dawn says there so much more and promises to film their honeymoon, including the dirty stuff. Al wants to get Dawn in the car and get her hot. They jump into the limo and Funaki says he feels very, very dirty as the limo drives off.
Josh Matthews is taking over as the ring announcer since Tony Chimmel got taken out.
Fifth Contest: Nunzio vs. Crash Holly: Crash kicks Nunzio away and hits a top rope crossbody for a near fall. Crash backslides Nunzio for a two count. Nunzio stops Crash with a clothesline and delivers a few stomps. Nunzio clubs on Crash’s shoulder a few times. Nunzio goes to the floor and sends Crash shoulder first into the post. Nunzio drops Crash over the top rope arm first and continues with strikes. Nunzio delivers an arm breaker and covers Crash for a near fall. Crash sends Nunzio into the corner and gets a rollup, but Nunzio sends Crash into the corner chest first. Nunzio hits a tornado arm breaker out of the corner to pin Crash cleanly. (*. Well, Crash is done for, right? Nunzio is good and I think he’ll be a good addition to the Cruiserweight division since he has a different style.)
Backstage, Matt Hardy tells Shannon Moore that he had to teach Moore a lesson last week since Hardy did what Moore needed to do last week. Hardy tells Moore to not mess up and listen to him.
Main Event: Brock Lesnar vs. Matt Hardy: Lesnar comes out wearing street clothes and is still bleeding from the back of his head. Lesnar refused medical attention. Lesnar clotheslines Moore and decks Hardy a couple of times. Lesnar sends Hardy into the corner and delivers a backbreaker. Lesnar clubs Hardy over the back as Hardy tries to fight back, but isn’t successful. Lesnar tosses Hardy overhead with a suplex. Lesnar chokes Hardy in the corner and threatens Moore on the floor. Lesnar drives Hardy into the corner with a powerslam back first. Lesnar clotheslines Hardy and rams Hardy into the corner with another powerslam. Lesnar stomps Hardy in the tree of woe. Lesnar pulls Moore into the ring and casually tosses Moore to the floor. Hardy chop blocks Lesnar and delivers a clothesline off the ropes. Lesnar tosses Hardy overhead with a suplex. Moore gets on the apron and is tossed into the ring. Lesnar sends Moore into Hardy and boots a charging Hardy before hitting an F5 on Moore. Hardy nails Lesnar with the Twist of Fate, but Lesnar kicks out at two. Lesnar counters another attempt and plants Hardy with the F5 to win the match. (**. Lesnar kicking ass for several minutes is an enjoyable time. Hardy has a done a good job kind of being a version of Jericho in WCW and the Goldberg feud. They just actually delivered a conclusion to the angle with Lesnar destroying Hardy and Moore.)
Big Show and Paul Heyman appear at the top of the aisle to stare down Lesnar. However, Lesnar isn’t done and grabs Hardy to deliver another F5 as the show goes off the air.
Final Thoughts:
I’m going to go with a thumbs up for this weeks episode. They got through the wedding part pretty quick and it didn’t drag dow the show. The in-ring action was solid enough and I’m thrilled to have Haas, Benjamin and Nunzio on Smackdown. It cements Smackdown as the in-ring brand and RAW as being more of a storyline driven program. Smackdown continues to be an easier watch than RAW.
Thanks for reading.