World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 1/16/2003
From: East Rutherford, NJ
A video package highlighting the honeymoon for Dawn Marie & Al Wilson starts the show. However, tragedy strikes as Dawn Marie’s sex drive murdered Al in their hotel room.
Dawn Marie is sitting at the funeral home and talks about being the happiest woman alive when she married Al Wilson. Dawn is upset about Al passing away, obviously. Dawn says they still fell in love despite the jealously they dealt with. Dawn says that Al was a good man who loved the public attention and that’s why their wedding was public as was their honeymoon. Dawn will respect Al’s wishes this week and will present the public viewing of Al Wilson.
Earlier today, Smackdown Tag Team Champions Los Guerreros shared pre-tape comments about the Royal Rumble and how one of them will win. They argue about what would happen if they were both in the ring together. Eddie plays peacemaker and says it doesn’t matter as long as one of them wins the Royal Rumble.
John Cena delivered a rap about Los Guerreros.
Opening Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champions Los Guerreros (Eddie & Chavo) vs. B2 & John Cena: Eddie and Cena kickoff the tag match with Eddie hitting a drop toe hold after Chavo caused a distraction. Eddie dropkicks Cena and tags in Chavo to keep control. Chavo dropkicks a seated Cena for a two count. Chavo plants Cena with a back suplex and Eddie hits a senton splash from the apron. Eddie works over Cena with a few strikes to maintain the advantage. Eddie continues with a side suplex and taunts B2 on the apron. Chavo tags back into the match and strikes Cena over the back followed by a snap suplex. B2 tags in and Chavo drop toe holds B2 followed by a back suplex. Chavo decks Cena and Eddie returns to the match with kick B2 on the knee several times. B2 fights back with right hands, and Cena pulls down the ropes to send Eddie crashing to the floor. Cena slams Eddie on the floor before rolling Eddie into the ring where B2 hits a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Cena tries for a cover, but Eddie kicks out a two. Cena puts a front face lock on Eddie, but Chavo tags into the match and is met with a punch. Cena tosses Chavo with a snap suplex for a two count. Cena keeps Chavo on the mat with a front face lock. Chavo dropkicks Cena after being lifted into the air. B2 enters the match and Eddie fights back with right hands and a DDT. Eddie covers for a two count as Cena made the save. Chavo tosses Cena to the floor and backdrops B2 over the top to the floor. Chavo tries for a crossbody, but is caught. Eddie takes everyone out with a crossbody to the floor. Chavo rolls B2 into the ring, but B2 stomps Chavo several times. Chavo kicks B2 followed by a dropkick. Chavo heads to the top rope hitting a frog splash on B2 to pickup the clean win. After the match, Cena pie faces B2 out of frustration. B2 responds with a shove and backs Cena into a corner. A mystery man (Redd Dogg) attacks B2 and sends B2 into the ring post. Cena and Dogg pick B2 up and ram B2 shoulder first into the ring post. Dogg puts an arm bar on B2 on the floor. (*1/2. I wasn’t expecting Chavo to pickup the clean win over B2. That makes me wonder how long B2 is going to last on Smackdown. The debut of Redd Dogg was done very well and I think Dogg is a better character to be matched with Cena. The match isn’t bad, but certainly not memorable by any means. A decent way to start off the program instead of a lengthy promo segment.)
A video package highlighting Team Angle is shown.
Backstage, Chris Benoit cuts a promo. Benoit doesn’t like to talk about his personal life or his family. Benoit says they have made a lot of sacrifices to allow him to be where he is at. Benoit has dealt with injuries and at the Royal Rumble his family has the opportunity to have the sacrifices they made mean something. Benoit puts over Angle for being a competitive wrestler one of the most he’s ever been in the ring with. Benoit says that after what he does to Angle tonight he promises that Angle will not be 100% going into Royal Rumble. Benoit considers it to be toothless aggression.
Smackdown GM Stephanie McMahon makes her way out with a microphone to talk at the top of the aisle. McMahon notes that the Road to WrestleMania begins this Sunday at the Royal Rumble and it marks the return of the Undertaker to the WWE. Stephanie promotes Big Show facing Brock Lesnar with the winner earning a spot in the Royal Rumble match. Stephanie announces that they both want to compete tonight, but Stephanie isn’t going to give them that match. Instead, tonight it will be Big Show & A-Train wrestling Brock Lesnar and a partner to be named later.
A vignette promoting Nathan Jones is shown.
Rikishi provided a pre-tape comment promoting his involvement at the Royal Rumble. Rikishi wants to do everything in his power to not only dare to dream, but live the dream.
Bill DeMott cuts a promo on the way to the ring about how all he’s heard since he’s been back is that he’s a bully because he picks on the smaller guys. So, Smackdown has an answer in the form of Rikishi so that DeMott can pick on someone his own size. DeMott suggests Rikishi back his ass up before he throws Rikishi out.
Second Contest: Bill DeMott vs. Rikishi: DeMott backs Rikishi into a corner, but Rikishi decks DeMott to the mat with a right hand. DeMott backs Rikishi into another corner, but Rikishi punches free and hip tosses DeMott followed by a scoop slam for a two count. Rikishi works over DeMott’s arm with a few strikes and puts an arm bar on DeMott. DeMott fights free with a few punches and strikes Rikishi in the midsection followed by a jawbreaker. DeMott stomps Rikishi several times on the mat. DeMott chokes Rikishi over the middle rope to maintain the advantage. Rikishi strikes DeMott a few times, but DeMott decks Rikishi over the back. DeMott controls Rikishi on the mat with another arm bar. Rikishi punches his way free and misses a spear hitting the post. DeMott argues with the referee and walks into a savant kick. Rikishi crawls over and covers DeMott for a two count. Rikishi forearms DeMott and catches DeMott to deliver strikes in the corner. Rikishi misses a splash in the corner, but DeMott collides heads. DeMott powerbombs Rikishi off the middle rope and has a handful of tights to steal the match. (*. I’d much rather DeMott bully smaller wrestlers as that is far more enjoyable. It’s a shocking outcome here as I feel Rikishi doesn’t often lose matches on TV.)
Backstage, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman is chatting with Funaki. Kidman tells Funaki that Matt Hardy has Shannon Moore brainwashed. Hardy and Moore enter the scene and Hardy says Kidman is jealous because Hardy is helping Moore instead of Kidman. Hardy is praised by people for helping other despite their flaws. Hardy calls Funaki a hypocrite and thinks that Funaki needs a shot of Mattattitude. Hardy punches Funaki and that leads to a brawl until Funaki fights the heels off to end the segment.
Prior to the next match, Tajiri provided pre-tape comments regarding the Royal Rumble. Tajiri talked in Japanese, so I’ll assume he said he’s going to win.
Third Contest: Tajiri vs. Nunzio: Tajiri kicks Nunzio, but is taken down to the mat quickly. Nunzio snapmares Tajiri to the mat, but Tajiri delivers a head scissors and a spinning heel kick for a two count. Tajiri chops Nunzio against the ropes and tries for a swinging slam, but Nunzio counters with an arm bar for a moment. Nunzio elbows Tajiri over the ropes to maintain the advantage. Nunzio snapmares Tajiri and keeps arm control, but doesn’t get a submission. Tajiri avoids a kick and kicks Nunzio on the hamstring. Nunzio knee lifts Tajiri and hits a leg drop off the middle rope before going back to an arm bar. Tajiri quickly reaches the ropes to break the hold. Nunzio yanks down on Tajiri’s arm, but Tajiri delivers a kick and hits a German suplex for a two count. Tajiri kicks Nunzio several times and hits a handspring back elbow. Tajiri nails Nunzio with a reverse direction kick for a near fall. Tajiri sends Nunzio into the corner, but Nunzio stops Tajiri with an arm breaker. Nunzio runs into the corner, but Tajiri puts the tarantula on Nunzio for a moment. Noble gets on the apron and is kicked off by Tajiri. Nidia gets on the apron and is met with mist! Nunzio plants Tajiri with a springboard arm breaker to pickup the victory! (**1/4. It’s kind of funny how I forgot these two had several matches in ECW’s dying days. They have chemistry and the match was solid for what it was. I was not expecting Nunzio to prevail here, but I like it. I’d consider this an upset.)
Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews John Cena and Redd Dogg. Cena says they took the weak link out of the chain. Cena speaks in a rap throughout the promo. Cena says he has the bark and Dogg has the bite. Dogg says “that’s what went down.” and they walk off.
Dawn Marie is at the funeral home to mourn the loss of Al Wilson. Dawn walks up to the closed casket and she’s emotional about the loss of her husband. Dawn needs a few moments alone with her husband. Dawn opens the casket and says that Al doesn’t look so good and says they didn’t do a good job on Al. Dawn notes that Al looks pale and thinks he looked better on the stretcher. Dawn is upset about Al leaving her and notes he promised to take care of her forever. Dawn is going to carry on the Wilson name with pride.
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon is on the phone and talks about the 30-day deadline for Eric Bischoff to be fired. She’s talking to Shane McMahon when Brock Lesnar enters the room. Lesnar doesn’t need a partner tonight. Lesnar says if he were to get his ass kicked tonight then A-Train and Big Show are going down with him. Stephanie is protecting her investment. Stephanie wants Lesnar to win at Rumble and challenge for the title at WrestleMania. Lesnar says that he’ll see his partner in the ring.
Paul Heyman cuts a promo in the ring promoting the match between Big Show and Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Heyman says neither man can afford to lose. Heyman talks about the winner getting a chance in the Royal Rumble match. Heyman promises that Lesnar will not get a chance to enter the Royal Rumble. Heyman is determined to prevent Lesanr from getting a title shot. Heyman believes that Lesnar can’t defeat Big Show. Heyman mentions that his other clients Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin are in the match along with their friend A-Train. Heyman is confident that his clients will be wrestling each other at WrestleMania XIX.
This is Rey Mysterio Jr.’s return from injury due to A-Train’s attack on December 5th.
Fourth Contest: Brock Lesnar & Rey Mysterio vs. A-Train & Big Show: Lesnar tosses Show overhead with a belly to belly suplex to kickoff the match. Mysterio is kicked away by Train. Lesnar plants Train with the F5. Show tries for a chokeslam, but Lesnar counters and clotheslines Show over the top to the floor. Mysterio nails Train with a 619 and hits a slingshot splash to pickup the win. (NR. I was not expecting such a quick match, but that’s what Train was there for I’d assume. Mysterio being back is great and adds value to Smackdown. Smackdown has been consistently great without him so this is just an added bonus.)
Back to the funeral home, Dawn Marie is talking to guests while mourning the loss of Al Wilson some more. Torrie Wilson has arrived and she slowly approaches the casket to mourn her fathers death. Torrie and Dawn stare at each other to end the segment.
Fifth Contest: Matt Hardy vs. Funaki: Hardy quickly goes after Funaki with right hands to kickoff the match. Funaki fights backs with a few chops and decks Hardy with a clothesline. Funaki rams Hardy into the corner and delivers several stomps. Hardy hits the Side Effect for a two count. Hardy scoop slams Funaki and comes off the ropes to deliver an elbow drop for a two count. Hardy chokes Funaki in the ropes and backs off to allow Moore to choke Funaki over the ropes. Hardy splashes onto Funaki’s back over the ropes. Hardy puts a sleeper on Funaki and drops down to the mat for another two count. Funaki sunset flips Hardy for a two count. Funaki punches Hardy a few times, but is sent into the corner. Hardy drops Funaki over the top rope chest first and hits a back suplex/elbow drop combo for a near fall. Funaki rams Hardy into the corner and delivers a few kicks. Hardy misses a splash in the corner and Funaki connects with a bulldog followed by a dropkick for a near fall. Hardy misses a clothesline and is met with a kick by Funaki. Funaki rams Hardy into the corner and hits a tornado reverse DDT for a two count. Hardy kicks Funaki, but Funaki drop toe holds Hardy into the ropes and hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor. Funaki climbs to the top, but Moore stops Funaki causing Kidman to brawl with Moore on the apron. Funaki hits a top rope crossbody, but the referee is distracted by Kidman. Hardy sends Funaki into Moore and hits the Twist of Fate to win the match. (**1/2. The finish was a little weak, but expected to happen. I liked the energy to the match and the action was consistent throughout. A fun TV match.) After the match, Hardy slaps Moore and takes full credit for the victory.
Back to the funeral home, Torrie is crying at Al’s casket. Dawn Marie is standing behind Torrie saying her name and appears to be annoyed. Dawn says Torrie is putting on a touching performance. Dawn thinks the people will see through her actions. Dawn claims that Torrie didn’t care about Al and didn’t want him to be happy with her. Dawn thinks Torrie only cared about herself. Dawn thinks that Al died from a broken heart and believes that Torrie killed her father! Dawn slaps Torrie! Torrie is in shock. Torrie responds with a slap and tosses Dawn to the floor screaming that she hates Dawn. Dawn grabs a lamp and breaks it over Torrie’s head to knock Torrie out. The attendees are shocked at what has happened.
A vignette promoting Nathan Jones debut is shown.
Edge shares pre-tape comments regarding the Royal Rumble. Edge talks about his accomplishments and says he’s going to add winner of the 2003 Royal Rumble to his accomplishments.
Main Event: Team Angle (Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle, Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin) vs. Chris Benoit & Edge in a handicap match: Benoit drives Haas down with a back suplex as the match started during commercial. Benoit taunts Angle on the apron and chops Haas into the corner several times. Benoit rams Haas into the corner face first. Benoit continues with a chop a few times in the corner. Benoit sends Haas shoulder first into the ring post. Benoit chops Haas against the ropes and hits a backdrop to send Haas to the mat. Benoit hits a snap suplex and drops Haas with an elbow strike to the face. Angle low blows Benoit from behind as Benjamin caused a distraction. Haas covers for a two count and stomps Benoit on the mat a few times before getting arm control. Benoit gets a rollup for a two count and takes Haas over with a snap suplex. Edge tags into the match and clotheslines Haas. Edge backdrops Haas and continues with a forearm strike against the ropes. Benjamin trips Edge and Haas hits an overhead suplex. Angle tags into the match and works over edge with right hands and stomps against the ropes. Angle taunts Benoit on the apron before going back to work on Edge. Edge ducks a clothesline and forearms Angle followed by a clothesline and a sit out face plant. Benoit gets the tag, but Angle bails to the floor.
Angle rolls back into the ring and Benjamin decks Benoit with a clothesline allowing Angle to work over Benoit with strikes on the mat. Angle nails Benoit with a clothesline. Angle tosses Benoit with a German suplex and decks Edge off the apron. Angle lowers his straps, but is kicked away by Benoit. Benjamin enters the match and is met with knee lifts. Benoit sends Benjamin chest first into the corner and delivers a clothesline. Edge leaps off the top to hit a flying clothesline for a two count. Edge works over Benjamin with strikes in the corner and stomps Benjamin. Haas decks Edge from behind and tosses Edge through the ropes to the floor. Angle clotheslines Edge and walks around ringside. Benjamin drives Edge into the apron back first a few times. Benjamin leg drops Edge for another two count and tags in Haas. Benjamin leaps over Haas to splash Edge over the top rope. Haas tries for a cover managing a two count. Haas rams Edge into the corner face first followed by strikes in the corner. Haas boots a charging Edge in the corner and delivers a clothesline from behind for a two count. Haas stomps Edge some more on the mat and chokes Edge over the middle rope. Angle delivers a cheap shot from the floor. Benjamin nails Edge with a clothesline for a near fall. Benjamin keeps Edge on the mat with a sleeper hold in the middle of the ring. Edge elbows Benjamin a few times and ducks a clothesline to yank Benjamin down to the mat.
Haas enters the match and elbow drops Edge over the back. Haas takes Edge over with a snap suplex for a two count. Haas drives Edge back first into the corner and chokes Edge before Benjamin and Angle cheap shot Edge. Edge is met with a double elbow strike by Haas and Benjamin. Angle tags back into the match and stomps Edge on the mat. Edge fights back with right hands to stagger Angle. Edge boots Angle in the corner, but Angle tosses Edge overhead with a suplex for a two count. Haas tags into the match and stomps Edge on the mat before putting a neck vice on Edge. Edge kicks Haas away, but Haas regains control and tags in Angle. Angle stomps Edge on the mat several times. Edge clotheslines Angle coming off the ropes. Angle stops Edge by hitting a German suplex to prevent a tag to Benoit. Angle decks Benoit off the apron, but Edge tosses Angle overhead with a suplex.
Benoit finally gets the tag and cleans house. Benoit elbows Haas and tosses Benjamin with a German suplex. Benoit hits a series of German suplexs on Haas. Benoit sends Haas into Benjamin and hits another German suplex. Benoit signals for the end, but Benjamin gets involved. Benoit locks in the Crossface, but Angle gets involved. Benoit avoids the title and locks in the Crossface as Edge spears Haas. Benoit tosses Benjamin to the floor. Benoit puts the Crossface on Angle again, but the referee called for the bell before a submission. Edge hits a crossbody off the top onto Team Angle on the floor. Benoit kept the Crossface on Angle before grabbing a crutch. Angle begs off and Benoit smashes Angle several times with the crutch. Team Angle bail to the floor to regroup. Benoit stands tall in the ring to close the program. (***1/4. A good main event to close out Smackdown. I typically don’t enjoy handicap match, but considering the talent involved here it kept my interest and I was entertained. I was kind of expecting Angle to not be involved much in the match, but perhaps he wrestled more than I was expecting to make it clear that he’s ready to compete at the Rumble.)
Final Thoughts:
For the most part it’s a standard go-home show before Royal Rumble this weekend. I enjoyed the program as there were several good matches. The Dawn/Torrie stuff would fit better on the RAW brand as I feel Smackdown focuses much more on in-ring angles. I’m glad to have Rey Mysterio back and Smackdown continues to roll along as the best brand out of the two.
Thanks for reading.