World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 1/9/2003
From: Tucson, AZ
Opening Contest: Rikishi vs. Big Show: Show backs Rikishi into a corner and delivers a chop. Show taunts Rikishi in the corner, but Rikishi delivers a chop and switches to a headlock. Show shoulder blocks Rikishi coming off the ropes. Show misses an elbow drop and Rikishi punches Show on the mat several times. Rikishi superkicks Show into the ropes, but Show blocks a slam attempt and scoop slams Rikishi. Show drops Rikishi with an overhand chop. Show delivers another chop to knock Rikishi to the mat. Show comes off the ropes to deliver a big boot and covers Rikishi for a two count. Show puts an abdominal stretch on Rikishi, but doesn’t get a submission. Show uses the ropes for leverage, but the referee sees it and Show delivers a strike to the ribs of Rikishi. Rikishi fights back with strikes to the midsection. Show nails Rikishi with a clothesline coming off the ropes. Show grabs Rikishi and hits the chokeslam for the clean win. (*1/2. This is honestly a surprising result. It’s not surprising because Show won, but rather because he did so in a dominate fashion. Rikishi isn’t a guy who loses a ton on TV, and losing here cleanly and in a one-sided manner was not expected. It’s a good win for Big Show and gives him momentum as a top heel for Smackdown.) Paul Heyman grabs a microphone and says that they are going to teach a lesson to Brock Lesnar before the end of the night.
John Cena and B2 come out with Cena rapping, as per usual.
Second Contest: John Cena vs. Smackdown Tag Team Champion Chavo Guerrero: Chavo backs Cena into a corner, but is backed off by the referee. Chavo kicks Cena followed by an uppercut to drop Cena to the mat. Chavo hits a back suplex and delivers a strike to the back. Cena misses a wild strike and Chavo takes Cena over with a head scissors. Chavo clotheslines Cena over the top to the floor. Cena returns to the ring and Chavo continues with a takedown, but is kicked away by Cena. Chavo avoids Cena in the corner and Cena tries for a press slam. Chavo plants Cena with a back suplex for a near fall. Cena nails Chavo with a clothesline out of the corner. Cena works over Chavo with strikes and a forearm smash for a one count. Cena crotches Chavo onto the top turnbuckle, but Chavo fights Cena off. B2 gets on the apron and punches Chavo off. Eddie attacks B2, but Cena comes over and helps on the floor. Eddie fights off Cena and B2. Chavo hits a slingshot crossbody to take Cena out on the floor. Eddie and B2 brawl on the ramp where Eddie hits a snap suplex onto the steel ramp. Several referees come out to escort both Eddie and B2 to the backstage area. Cena suplexs Chavo into the ring from the apron. Cena heads to the top rope, but Chavo cuts Cena off. Chavo hits a superplex for a near fall. Chavo rolls Cena up for a near fall. Chavo plants Cena with a DDT for a near fall. Chavo tries for a rollup, but Cena sits down and uses the ropes for leverage to pin Chavo. (*1/2. Chavo doesn’t come across well as a babyface. Eddie has a likability to him that I can’t explain. His charisma translates to being a likable guy. Chavo just isn’t likable. He kind of comes across annoying, and that works for a heel. Anyway, this is a big win for Cena a guy who was on the verge of being fired in 2002, according to him. The rap gimmick has clearly caught on and he’s going to be a major force in WWE.)
A video package highlighting the wedding between Dawn Marie and Al Wilson is shown.
We go to the honeymoon suite for Dawn Marie and Al Wilson. Dawn is wearing lingerie and says they have been in Hawaii for their honeymoon for the past week. She has been exhausted and says Al is an absolute animal. Dawn wants the fans to join them for the most intimate honeymoon moments and promises a lot more to come.
Third Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman vs. Matt Hardy in a non-title match: Hardy elbows Kidman early on, but Kidman hits a tilt a whirl head scissors and a dropkick for a two count. Shannon Moore trips Kidman from the floor and Hardy chokes Kidman in the ropes. Moore chokes Kidman from the floor allowing Hardy to splash Kidman over the middle rope. Hardy hits a back suplex/elbow drop combo for a near fall. Hardy puts a sleeper on Kidman, but Kidman sends Hardy into the ropes and puts a sleeper on of his own. Hardy breaks free with a side slam for a near fall. Kidman punches Hardy several times and elbows free from the Side Effect. Kidman springboards off the middle rope to bulldog Hardy. Kidman comes off the ropes with an elbow strike and a clothesline. Kidman kicks Hardy on the head and hits a standing hurricanrana. Kidman decks Moore off the apron and backdrops Hardy over the top to the floor. Kidman leaps off the top to hit a Shooting Star Press onto both men and Kidman collided heads with Moore. Kidman covers Hardy for a two count. Hardy plants Kidman with the Side Effect, but Kidman kicks out at two. Hardy slams Kidman and heads to the middle rope missing a leg drop. Kidman connects with a spinebuster and climbs to the top rope. Moore gets on the apron and is kicked away by Kidman. Hardy slams Kidman off the top to the canvas. Kidman shoves Hardy into Moore on the apron and gets a rollup for the win. (***. Kidman has been on a roll lately and this was a good match. Hardy was just involved with Lesnar and now being associated with Kidman is only going to help the perception of Kidman.) After the match, Shannon Moore pleads with Hardy after screwing up. Hardy understands what Moore was trying to do and says that he’d rather Moore try and fail than not try at all. Hardy forgives Moore and knows the crowd would be willing to forgive Moore, too. Hardy raises Moore’s hand and embraces Moore.
Backstage, Brock Lesnar is walking in the arena.
Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews Torrie Wilson. Matthews explains Torrie’s current family situation as if Torrie’s isn’t aware. Torrie calls the wedding disgusting and tasteless. Torrie believes Dawn was there to embarrass her father. Torrie brings up the live tape from their honeymoon being shown and finds it revolting. Matthews reveals that at the Royal Rumble a match between Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson will be taking place. Torrie plans on getting her hands on her evil stepmother. If she gets her hands on a glass slipper where she plans on putting it won’t fit!
Fourth Contest: Tajiri vs. Jamie Noble: Tajiri backs Noble off with a kick attempt. They trade a couple of takedown attempts and have a standoff. Noble clubs Tajiri over the back and rams Tajiri into the corner. Tajiri tries to put the tarantula on Noble, but Noble avoids it. Noble gets Tajiri on his shoulders on the floor to drop Tajiri across the guard railing chest first for a near fall. Noble works over Tajiri’s arm several times and hits an overhead suplex for a near fall. Noble controls Tajiri with a hammerlock on the mat and switches to an arm bar. Tajiri kicks Noble several times to gain control. Tajiri sunset flips Noble and rolls around the ring several times for another near fall. They bridge up out of a cover and Noble drops down to get a rollup on Tajiri for a near fall. They collide on stereo clothesline attempts. Tajiri drop toe holds Noble into the corner and hits a German suplex for a near fall. Tajiri handsprings back elbows Noble for another near fall. Noble takes Tajiri down to the mat and locks in the Trailer Hitch. Tajiri manages to crawl to the ropes and forces a break of the hold. Tajiri kicks Noble away from the ropes and Noble gets caught in the tarantula for a few moments. Tajiri misses a kick to the head and Noble tries for a Tiger Bomb. Tajiri catapults Noble into the corner, but is kicked. Noble leaps off the middle rope and is met with a superkick. Tajiri nails Noble with a kick to the back of the head and picks up the win. (***. As expected, a good match. I was surprised that Nunzio wasn’t at ringside, which makes me wonder if they association has been dropped already.)
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle hypes up Team Angle, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas.
A vignette promoting Nathan Jones, who is coming to WWE soon.
Chris Benoit comes out to be in the corner of Edge to even the odds against Team Angle.
Fifth Contest: Edge vs. Charlie Haas: Haas takes Edge down to the mat to control the bout with mat wrestling. Edge counters with a wrist lock and switches to a hammerlock. Haas tosses Edge overhead with a suplex and keeps arm control. Haas breaks free from a waist lock and continues with wrist control. Haas runs the ropes and is met with a hip toss and drop toe hold by Edge. Edge keeps Haas on the mat, but Haas responds with a forearm strike. Edge hits a facebuster for a two count. Edge decks Haas over the back with a strike. Edge kicks Haas in the corner, but Haas hits an overhead suplex for a two count. Haas continues with a snap suplex and covers for a near fall. Haas presses his knee into Edge’s back, but doesn’t get a submission. Edge gets to his feet and plants Haas with a back suplex. Edge forearms Haas a few times, but Haas responds with a German suplex for a near fall. Haas heads to the top rope, but is kicked in midair and Edge hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. Edge clotheslines Haas a few times followed by a backdrop. Edge ducks a clothesline and yanks Haas down from behind for a near fall. Haas punches Edge, but Edge hits a flapjack. Benoit goes after Angle on the floor, but Benjamin kicks Benoit. Edge spears Benjamin off the apron and spears Haas for a two count as Angle yanked Edge’s leg. Angle hits Edge with his crutch and Haas hits an exploder suplex to pin Edge! After the match, Benoit gets in the ring to clear the heels from attacking Edge some more. (**1/2. A decent match and a huge win for Haas even if it’s with Angle’s assistance. At some point, I could see Haas being groomed into being in Angle’s role and feud with Angle over it.)
Chris Benoit cuts a promo in the ring about how there is only ten days until he makes Kurt Angle submit to the Crossface and win the WWE Championship. Benoit challenges Shelton Benjamin to a match as the show goes to commercial.
Sixth Contest: Chris Benoit vs. Shelton Benjamin: Benoit arm drags Benjamin as it is noted that everyone has been barred from ringside. Benoit arm drags Benjamin again and Benjamin regroups in the ropes. Benoit puts a hammerlock on Benjamin, but Benjamin counters. Benoit takes Benjamin down to the mat with a drop toe hold and arm drags Benjamin again leading to a standoff. Benoit keeps wrist control, but Benjamin takes Benoit down to the mat. Benoit tries for the Crossface, but Benjamin reaches the ropes. Benoit kicks Benjamin in the midsection followed by a strike. Benjamin runs into a chop, but pulls Benoit to the floor and sends Benoit into the railing back first before returning to the ring and gets a near fall. Benjamin plants Benoit with a back suplex for a near fall. Benjamin chokes Benoit with his own arms with his knee between Benoit’s shoulders, but doesn’t get a submission. Benjamin kicks Benoit followed by an axe handle strike before ramming Benoit into the corner and hits a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Benjamin puts a chin lock on Benoit, but doesn’t get a submission. Benoit breaks free by falling backward onto Benjamin. Benoit kicks Benjamin, but Benjamin hits a suplex for a near fall. Benjamin continues with a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Benjamin tries for an inside cradle, but Benoit kicks out at two. Benjamin backslides Benoit for a near fall. Benoit fights out of the corner with chops. Benjamin eye rakes Benoit and ducks a clothesline. Benjamin tries to use the ropes for leverage, but the referee sees the attempt. Benjamin misses a splash in the corner. Benoit clotheslines Benjamin and sends Benjamin into the corner chest first. Benoit holds onto Benjamin to hit a series of German suplexs. Benoit signals for the diving headbutt. Benoit leaps off the top and hits the diving headbutt. Benoit locks in the Crossface in the middle of the ring, but Kurt Angle gets on the apron to cause a distraction as Benjamin submits. Angle hits Benoit with his crutch to cause a disqualification. After the match, Benoit gets the Crossface on Angle, but Haas attacks Benoit. Edge comes out and cleans house until Angle nails Edge with the crutch to the throat. Benoit tosses Team Angle with German suplexs. Kurt Angle beats Benoit down several times to crutch shots and chokes Benoit on the mat with the crutch. Angle taunts Benoit with the belt before decking Benoit with the championship. Angle proceeds to put the ankle lock on Benoit as Haas taps out for Benoit, who is completely knocked out. (***. An enjoyable overall segment and adds some major heat for the title match at the Rumble. Team Angle are going to be an excellent addition to the undercard heel group and Smackdown’s in-ring standard is far superior to RAW’s.)
Back to the hotel where Al Wilson is seemingly trying to catch his breath as Dawn Marie is in the shower. Dawn asks if Al is ready to join her and Al says “again?”, but not in an excited manner. Al is pulled into the shower and they proceed to have sex.
Seventh Contest: Bill DeMott vs. Shannon Moore: DeMott controls Moore with a headlock and takes Moore down to the mat. DeMott keeps Moore on the mat with a front face lock and hits a swinging neckbreaker. DeMott keeps Moore on the mat with a front face lock. DeMott keeps a front face lock on Moore, but doesn’t get a submission. DeMott clubs Moore over the back. DeMott continues to keep Moore on the mat with a neck vice. DeMott backs Moore into a corner and backs Moore into the corner some more. Moore decks DeMott over the back and hits a springboard back elbow. DeMott clotheslines Moore coming off the middle rope. DeMott hits a gut wrench sit down powerbomb for the win. (*. DeMott beating up Cruiserweight wrestlers doesn’t get old. I love that DeMott may be using the Doctor Bomb as a finisher now, too.) After the match, Matt Hardy leaves the commentary table and helps Moore to his feet in the corner. Moore is apologizing saying that he’s trying his hardest. Hardy hugs Moore again, but this time hits the Twist of Fate!
A video promoting the return of the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble is shown.
Los Guerreros attack John Cena and B2 during their entrance before the next match begins.
Eighth Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Eddie Guerrero vs. B2: Eddie hits a slingshot senton onto B2’s back. Eddie pummels B2 with body shots in the corner and an uppercut. B2 tries for a press slam, but knee lifts Eddie instead and sends Eddie into the corner before hitting the press slam. B2 stomps Eddie on the mat followed by a right hand and delivers a leg drop for a near fall. Eddie fights back with strikes, but a knee lift by B2 stops the momentum. B2 stomps Eddie in the corner several times. Eddie punches B2 several times in the corner, but B2 cuts Eddie off with right hands. B2 forearms Eddie, but Eddie responds with a body kick. B2 nails Eddie with a clothesline coming off the ropes. B2 rams Eddie into the corner and misses a splash. Eddie is sent chest first into the corner, but avoids a back suplex. B2 slips on a springboard, but manages to clip Eddie on a clothesline for a two count. B2 plants Eddie with a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Eddie punches B2 several times, but B2 cuts Eddie off. B2 backdrops Eddie coming off the ropes. Eddie connects with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Cena gets on the apron, but Chavo yanks Cena off and decks Cena with the tag championship. Eddie drives B2 down with a back suplex and goes to the top rope hitting a frog splash for the win. (*1/2. I don’t envision B2 sticking around especially on Smackdown when it’s clear that this brand is a work rate brand. B2 could fit in with RAW, but even then he’s not nearly on the level to standout anywhere, really.)
Backstage, Brock Lesnar is working out with propane tanks.
Back to the hotel, where Dawn Marie is telling Al that she’s feeling frisky and asks if Al wants to play some more. Al is laying on his stomach and not moving. Dawn continues to call Al’s name, but Al’s sleeping through it.
Backstage, A-Train storms into the locker room of Big Show and Paul Heyman. A-Train tells them that they can have whatever is left of Lesnar after he’s done with him. Train plans on solidifying himself tonight just as he took Rey Mysterio out. Train says that Lesnar and Mysterio don’t measure up to him physically. Train gets in Show’s face and says nobody measures up to him physically.
Another vignette promoting the debut of Nathan Jones. Jones had been in prison and says that people will not like what he’s been thinking. Jones spent ten years in prison.
Main Event: A-Train vs. Brock Lesnar: They lockup and Train manages to shove Lesnar into a corner. Lesnar rams Train into the corner and delivers shoulder rams. Lesnar stomps Train in the corner several times. Lesnar runs into an elbow in the corner, but ducks a bicycle kick. Train plants Lesnar with the Baldo Bomb for a near fall. Train decks Lesnar over the back of the head and delivers a stomp. Train knee lifts Lesnar in the corner that elevated Lesnar. Train drops Lesnar throat first over the top rope. Lesnar powerslams Train coming off the ropes. Lesnar boots Train in the corner and ducks a clothesline to hit an overhead suplex a three times. Train blocks a fourth attempt with a headbutt. Lesnar manages to hit the F5 and wins the match. (*. Well, I guess we’ve found where Train peaks in terms of presentation. Train isn’t going to be a main event guy, but I was hoping he’d have a more competitive outing here.) After the match, Lesnar calls out Heyman and Big Show to give him his lesson. Big Show and Heyman leave their locker room to show Lesnar his lesson.
Paul Heyman tells Brock Lesnar that the lesson is that Lesnar can’t beat Big Show. They don’t go to the arena, but rather walk to the parking lot as Heyman says “as soon as you think we’re going left, we go right.” Lesnar is fuming.
Back to the hotel. Dawn Marie has called for EMTs and says that Al isn’t breathing. The EMTs take Al off the bed and start to try and get Al breathing again. Dawn is in a panic and they apparently get Al to have a pulse as the show goes off the air.
Final Thoughts:
The majority of the show was wrestling focused and Smackdown excels in that department. So, this gets a thumbs up from me. Big Show avoiding Lesnar in a cowardly way adds more hype for their showdown at Rumble and I enjoyed how they added heat to Angle/Benoit, as well. The Al/Dawn stuff didn’t overstay it’s time and they segments were rather quick. Smackdown continues to roll along in a positive direction.
Thanks for reading.