World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 1/23/2003
From: Albany, NY
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon cuts a promo about one of the greatest superstars returning to Smackdown. The Undertaker returns to Smackdown tonight. Stephanie has a bombshell of her own to counteract Bischoff on RAW. She tells us to stay tuned for a big surprise, and leans forward to highlight her cleavage.
Opening Contest: Charlie Haas vs. Chris Benoit: Benoit arm drags Haas to kickoff the match. Benoit gains wrist control, but Haas counters quickly. Benoit takes Haas down with a leg lock, but Haas reverses for a moment. Benoit gets a hammerlock on Haas, and elbows Haas. Benoit arm drags Haas again before getting a hammerlock again. Haas counters with another leg lock, but Benoit gets control with an arm bar. Haas takes Benoit down to the mat with a leg lock, but Benoit rolls over and gets a headlock on Haas. Benoit shoulder blocks Haas and they have a standoff. Haas counters with a hammerlock, but Benoit decks Haas to the floor with a short arm clothesline. Benoit follows to the floor, but Benjamin causes a distraction allowing Haas to slam Benoit’s hand on the ring steps. Haas slams Benoit’s hand on the mat before delivering a knee drop to the arm. Haas keeps control with a top wrist lock, but Benoit doesn’t give in. Haas delivers an arm breaker to control Benoit. Haas presses down on Benoit’s hand, but doesn’t get a submission. Benoit gets a rollup for a two count. Haas stops Benoit on the mat with a dropkick. Haas knee drops the arm again. Haas keeps arm control, but Benoit refuses to submit. Haas yanks on the arm a few times, but Benoit breaks free with an arm drag. Haas quickly cuts Benoit off with a boot.
Haas sends Benoit arm first into the corner. Benoit responds with chops until Haas yanks Benoit down to the mat and pulls back on the hand. Haas keeps a hammerlock on Benoit, but Benoit still refuses to submit. Haas knee drops Benoit on the mat. Benoit knee strikes Haas a few times to break free. Benoit plants Haas with a DDT and both men are down. Benoit nails Haas with a few running elbow strikes and backdrops Haas. Benoit tosses Haas with a German suplex. Benoit heads to the top rope hitting a diving headbutt. Benjamin gets on the apron to distract the referee. Benoit tries to hit Benjamin, but misses. Benoit takes Haas down with a Crossface, but Haas fights free to hit an overhead suplex. Benoit rolls through a go-behind and manages to pin Haas for the win. (**. Haas working over the arm was rather dull, but it was the story they decided to tell. The action picked up for the last few minutes, but I was hoping for a better match and showing from Haas.)
Backstage, Undertaker has arrived to the arena on his motorcycle.
Second Contest: Bill DeMott vs. Rikishi: They lockup until DeMott knee lifts Rikishi. Rikishi hammers away on DeMott with strikes until DeMott eye rakes Rikishi. DeMott works over Rikishi in the corner and chokes Rikishi for a moment. DeMott chokes Rikishi in the corner. Rikishi slams DeMott’s injured left arm over the turnbuckle. Rikishi splashes DeMott in the corner and focuses his attack on the injured left arm. DeMott hurt his left arm in the Royal Rumble match. Rikishi puts an arm bar on DeMott. DeMott punches Rikishi several times over the back. Rikishi yanks on DeMott’s arm several times. Rikishi leg drops DeMott over the arm. DeMott punches Rikishi several times, but Rikishi decks DeMott with a clothesline. Rikishi comes off the ropes, but DeMott plants Rikishi with a spinebuster. Rikishi punches DeMott several times and delivers a splash in the corner. DeMott misses a splash in the corner. Riksihi savant kicks DeMott. Rikishi drags DeMott to the corner and hits a sit down splash onto DeMott’s injured arm to pickup a clean win. (*1/2. It’s an interesting choice to have basically the same in-ring story as the opening match with the constant arm work. It’s also interesting for DeMott to job to Rikishi here. The injury kind of protects DeMott, but I’d still like for a little heel push for DeMott.)
A vignette promoting the debut of Nathan Jones is shown. This one is different as it talks about the failure of the prison system. Jones was in prison for robbery, apparently. He’s coming soon. Michael Cole says Jones was in prison for ten years as a teenager.
Backstage, Josh Matthews meets with Big Show, who was on the phone. Matthews wants to talk about the Undertaker’s return tonight. Show grabs Matthews by the face, which covers his entire face. Show gets in Matthews face and breaths heavily before letting go.
Backstage, Matt Hardy tells Shannon Moore he keeps on messing up. Hardy saw some hope in Moore at the Royal Rumble. Hardy says Moore did everything right except for when Lesnar hit an F5 to the floor. Hardy blames Moore for his elimination. Hardy thinks that Moore has a lot to learn. Hardy tells Moore to get jacked and give Nunzion a Mattattitude adjustment tonight. Hardy walks up to Nunzio and Nunzio knows that Hardy wants him to teach Moore a lesson. Nunzio says that Moore reminds him of his nephew who committed crimes and doesn’t like to look stupid. Nunzio taught him a lesson, a family lesson. Nunzio says it would be his pleasure to teach Moore a lesson.
In the ring, Tony Chimmel announces that tonight we’ll see Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle in action against Rey Mysterio.
Backstage, Undertaker gets on his bike and is headed towards the ring.
The Undertaker heads down to the ring and cuts a promo saying it’s been awhile. Taker isn’t going to waste time talking. Taker says there’s too much talking and not enough ass kicking. Taker has been sitting at home thinking about nothing but ass kicking. Taker has one thing on his mind tonight and it’s revenge. Taker has nothing but bad intentions tonight. Taker says there’s one guy and everyone knows who it is. Taker promises he’s going to get himself some. Taker shows footage of what happened three months ago when Big Show tossed Taker off the Smackdown stage on the Smackdown after No Mercy. Taker says what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Taker is going to give Big Show a chance to walk down and get his ass kicked face to face. Taker suggests Show make the walk because if he has to go backstage, Show isn’t walking out of the arena. Taker waits for a moment, and Big Show’s music hits.
Big Show comes out wearing a suit and clearly not dressed to compete. Show says he can come down the ramp and make the beating from three months look like nothing compared to tonight. Show says that they both know that one of them wouldn’t be coming back up the ramp. Show will have a contingency plan should it be him. Show takes off his jacket and says it’s not going to be him tonight. Instead, the challenge will be answered by A-Train.
Third Contest: The Undertaker vs. A-Train: Train gets out of a headlock and shoulder blocks Taker to the mat. Taker strikes Train into a corner. Train sends Taker into a corner to deliver a big splash and a clothesline for a two count. Train catches Taker coming off the ropes with a bearhug. Taker fights out with strikes, but a knee lift stops Taker. They begin to trade several strikes. Train knee lifts Taker and misses a clothesline. Taker hits a leaping clothesline and a big boot for a two count. Taker punches Train several times at ringside and rams Train face first onto the announcers table. Taker elbow strikes Train over the apron. Taker elbow strikes Train over the apron. Taker walks the apron to deliver a leg drop. Taker splashes Train in the corner a couple of times. Taker heads to the top rope looking for old school, and hits it. Taker chokeslams Train, but only manages a two count. Taker sets Train up for the Last Ride, but Train counters with a backdrop. Train misses a big splash attempt. Taker strikes Train several times. Train ducks a clothesline to hit the Derailer (Baldo Bomb) for a two count. Train sends Taker into the corner and tries for a slam, but Taker sends Train into the corner chest first. Taker locks in a dragon sleeper and forces Train to tap out. (**. I honestly thought this was going to be an extended squash for Taker until the last burst by Train. The crowd seemed to be a little bummed that there wasn’t a tombstone finish. Train had some momentum going on and losing here sets him back a little bit.)
A vignette promoting Sean O’Haire is shown. O’Haire says the government is stealing our money. Why even pay taxes? They aren’t going to come after the little guys. O’Haire asks what the government has done for them? O’Haire asks who needs money more, you or rich corporate government?
Fourth Contest: Edge vs. Shelton Benjamin: Benjamin takes Edge down to the mat and gets control with a front face lock. Edge counters with a wrist lock, but Benjamin drop toe holds Edge. Edge elbows Benjamin and hits a spinning heel kick. Edge comes off the ropes to deliver a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Edge works over Benjamin with strikes in the corner. Benjamin hits a back suplex and drags Edge to the corner to press Edge’s back against the ring post. Benjamin tosses Edge with a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Benjamin takes Edge down to the mat a couple of times. Benjamin drop toe holds Edge to the mat again. Edge yanks Benjamin down to the mat from behind. Edge tries for a lifting DDT, but Benjamin counters with a clothesline for a near fall. Benjamin puts a straight jacket choke on Edge, but doesn’t get a submission. Edge arm drags free and tosses Benjamin overhead with a suplex. Edge strikes Benjamin and comes off the ropes to hit a leaping forearm smash and a clothesline. Edge plants Benjamin with a facebuster. Edge continues with a flapjack and waits in the corner. Edge misses a spear and decks Haas off the apron. Benjamin nails Edge with a spin kick for a near fall. Benjamin leaps off the top, but misses Edge. Edge hits a spear and pins Benjamin for the win. (**. I would say that Team Angle losing both singles matches would bug me, but in reality they are being presented as a tag team. It should be expected they’d lose to Benoit and Edge in singles matches. Benjamin looked better in the ring than Haas did, though.)
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle is talking to Team Angle. Angle is not thrilled with them. Angle asks if they realize what they’ve done because they represent him. Angle says they have certain responsibilities, and it’s not losing. Angle says Team Angle stands for the three I’s. Angle doesn’t think Haas had any intensity against Benoit tonight. Angle doesn’t think Benjamin showed intelligence to get hit by the spear. Angle declares they are not going 0-3 tonight. Angle doesn’t want them to move a muscle. Angle wants them to sit there and watch how a champion gets it done tonight. Angle is embarrassed and ashamed of them. Angle says it would be a shame if he lost to Rey Mysterio tonight.
Fifth Contest: Nunzio vs. Shannon Moore: Moore arm drags Nunzio to break out of a waist lock. Nunzio takes Moore down to the mat, but Moore leg sweeps Nunzio and plays to the crowd. Nunzio sends Moore into the corner and counters a head scissors with a face buster. Nunzio wraps Moore’s arm around the ring post a couple of times. Nunzio snapmares Moore to the mat and locks in an arm bar, but doesn’t get a submission. Moore reaches the ropes and misses a clothesline. Nunzio knee lifts Moore in the corner and hits a middle rope leg drop to the back for a two count. Nunzio keeps Moore on the mat with an arm bar, but Moore reaches the ropes again. Nunzio puts a head scissors on Moore for moment. Moore elbows Nunzio in the corner and hits a springboard elbow. Nunzio responds with strikes, but Moore hits a flying forearm smash and a heel kick. Moore comes off the ropes with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Nunzio dumps Moore to the apron where Moore yanks Nunzio to the mat. Moore leaps off the top to hit a corkscrew dive. Moore signals for the Twist of Fate, but Nunzio counters with a springboard bulldog and wins the match. (*1/2. Matt Hardy looks psycho with Moore losing. The match is mostly an afterthought for the angle between Hardy and Moore.) After the match, Moore escapes the ring and runs away from Hardy. Hardy returns to the ring and offers a handshake to Nunzio. They shake hands and Hardy walks off.
Brock Lesnar cuts a promo backstage and says that Lesnar is goal oriented. Lesnar lists the goals that he’s accomplished and he’s done them. Lesnar talks about being betrayed at Survivor Series by Paul Heyman and beaten by Big Show. Lesnar has had two more goals to accomplish. The goals were to beat Big Show and win the Royal Rumble, which he did. There’s two other goals to accomplish. Lesnar wants to F5 Paul Heyman and beat Kurt Angle. Lesnar wants to beat Kurt Angle for the title. Lesnar wants to do it at WrestleMania.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio puts his mask on and heads toward the ring. Shannon Moore jumps into a case to avoid Matt Hardy, who is looking for him. Hardy knows that Moore is in one of the rooms, but can’t find him.
Main Event: Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio in a non-title match: Angle knee lifts Mysterio to start the match. Mysterio head scissors Angle into a corner and connects with a spinning heel kick. Mysterio drop toe holds Angle followed by a dropkick. Angle stops Mysterio with a sit down powerbomb for a near fall. Angle drives Mysterio down with a back suplex for a two count. Angle chokes Mysterio over the middle rope. Angle drops Mysterio with a right hand and decks Mysterio with a short arm clothesline. Angle strikes Mysterio over the back on the apron. Angle tosses Mysterio with a German suplex and covers for a two count. Angle keeps Mysterio on the mat with a front face lock. Mysterio tosses Angle with a suplex. Mysterio strikes Angle several times and hits a springboard crossbody. Mysterio spin kicks Angle into the corner. Mysterio boots Angle and kicks Angle into the corner. Mysterio dropkicks Angle again as Heyman freaks out on the floor. Mysterio head scissors Angle to the floor. Mysterio tries for a dive, but the referee stops Mysterio. Mysterio proceeds to dive over the referee and takes Angle out with a somersault dive! Mysterio hits a springboard leg drop onto Angle’s head for a near fall. Mysterio avoids Angle in the corner and Angle hits the post shoulder first. Mysterio misses a split legged moonsault. Angle puts the ankle lock on Mysterio, but breaks free. Angle tosses Mysterio overhead with a suplex.
Angle pulls down his straps and tries for the Angle Slam, but Mysterio arm drags free. Mysterio drop toe holds Angle over the middle rope. Angle avoids the 619, but Mysterio hits a wheelbarrow bulldog for a two count. Angle drops Mysterio face first over the top rope to counter a head scissors and gets a rollup to pin Mysterio for the win. After the match, Edge runs into the ring to save Mysterio for a post match attack. Benoit attacks Angle on the aisle and rolls Angle into the ring. Edge clotheslines Angle. Benoit tosses Angle with a German suplex. Edge spears Angle. Mysterio hits the 619. (***1/2. Obviously a good match and I love that Angle won cleanly. Angle proving to be able to backup his statement makes it even better. Mysterio losing isn’t going to hurt him either.)
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon is interviewed in her office by Funaki. Funaki asks about the major surprise. Stephanie tells Funaki that her surprise is next and Funaki will have to wait just like everyone else. The surprise isn’t a what, but a who. Stephanie looks at a poster, and it’s Hulk Hogan’s picture.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits and Hulk Hogan makes his way out wearing the red and yellow to a massive reaction from the Albany crowd. Hogan absorbs the moment and take it all in as the crowd continues to go nuts for Hogan. Hogan continues to be overwhelmed as the show goes to commercial. Hogan says he came here to make one announcement. Hogan reveals that he signed a brand new contract with the WWE. Hogan is back and promises that Hulkamania is going to run wild one more time. Hogan has a lot of unfinished business in the WWE. Hogan also has a lot of brand new business to take care of. Hogan is going to do it the right way this time wearing the red and yellow. Hogan’s going to do it with the fans support. Hogan doesn’t care how high the deck is stacked against them because they are going to fight the forces of evil together. Hogan doesn’t care what it takes for them to come out victorious. Hogan has to be honest with the fans and suggests this could be their last journey together. Hogan will not let the fans down this time. Hogan wants this to be the greatest of them all.
Mr. McMahon’s music hits and McMahon cuts off the segment. McMahon enters the ring and grabs a microphone. McMahon was curious about what Stephanie’s big surprise was going to be. McMahon thinks he speaks for everyone by saying he’s disappointed. McMahon can’t believe Stephanie would produce Hogan as a surprise. McMahon tells Hogan this isn’t 1985, but rather 2003. McMahon suggests Hogan and the recently departed Al Wilson have one thing in common and that’s they are both dead. Hogan notes this may be his last comeback in the WWE, and wants to make sure he does things the right way. Hogan tells McMahon that the first WWE superstar he wants to wrestle is… MR. MCMAHON! McMahon has a surprised looked at this announcement. McMahon asks who Hogan thinks he is and says he doesn’t answer to Hogan, or anyone in the arena. McMahon doesn’t answer to God either. McMahon answers to himself. Hogan helps McMahon make up his mind with a right hand punch and rips his shirt off over a laid out McMahon. Hogan leaves the ring and walks up the aisle. Hogan looks back with a smile and plays to the crowd.
Final Thoughts:
Hogan being on Smackdown isn’t too big of a deal since he was on the brand when he got sidelined. Interesting that Hogan isn’t looking for revenge on Lesnar, but since Lesnar is a good guy they’ll likely avoid that. Hogan/McMahon feud is going to be interesting and likely heavily featured on the program leading into WrestleMania. As for Smackdown, it’s not a bad show, but I was a little disappointed with the booking. The matches felt repetitive early on with their approach. The main event was strong and Smackdown gets a lot of star power back on this program with both Hogan and Undertaker back in the fold.
Thanks for reading.