World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 2/13/2003
From: Bakersfield, CA
There is another wooden crate for the Undertaker from the Big Show similar to last week.
Opening Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Charlie Haas vs. Edge: Haas backs Edge into the corner, but they break apart. Haas fireman carries Edge to the mat and keeps arm control. Edge sends Haas into the ropes and shoulder blocks Edge. Edge responds with an elbow and an arm drag. Edge drop toe holds Haas before getting arm control. Haas backs Edge into a corner and delivers right hands. Haas chokes Edge over the middle rope. Haas decks Edge with a clothesline and taunts the crowd. Edge nails Haas with a spinning heel kick followed by a spear in the corner. Edge sends Haas into the corner and nearly collides with the referee. Haas suplexs Edge for a two count as Kurt Angle is watching the match backstage. Haas hits an overhead suplex for a two count. Haas clubs Edge over the back a few times followed by a northern lights suplex for a two count. Haas keeps control of Edge on the mat, but doesn’t get a submission. Edge gets to his feet and strikes Haas, but is yanked down by Haas. Haas stomps Edge on the mat several times. Edge hits a back suplex and both men are down. Edge punches Haas followed by a kick to the head. Edge forearms Haas followed by a clothesline. Edge backdrops Haas coming off the ropes. Edge ducks a clothesline and yanks Haas to the mat for a near fall. Edge tries for a DDT, but Haas counters with a bridging rollup for a two count. Edge nearly wins with a rollup, but Haas regains control quickly. Haas sends Edge into the corner, but Edge plants Haas with a flapjack. Edge waits in the corner as Heyman gets on the apron. Edge spears Heyman off the apron. Haas gets a rollup and pins Edge for the win. (**. Even though Haas is a tag champion, I wasn’t expecting Haas to prevail with the victory. The action was decent throughout and I’m glad that Team Angle is getting some serious momentum.)
Michael Cole reveals that Nathan Jones will be exclusive to the Smackdown show. Cole and Tazz are excited about it and there will be an interview with Nathan Jones next week. There’s another video package highlighting Jones.
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon walks into her office where Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle is there with a rose behind his back. Angle has something to tell Stephanie and shows her the rose. Stephanie acts smitten by Angle. Stephanie has to talk to Kurt about a match. Kurt thinks they are a perfect match. Kurt goes for a kiss, but Brock Lesnar storms into the room and gets in Kurt’s face. Stephanie tells Kurt that at No Way Out it will be Kurt & Team Angle against Edge, Chris Benoit & Brock Lesnar in a six man tag match. Kurt isn’t thrilled about Lesnar being involved in the match. Lesnar likes the sound of that. Lesnar says he’s got a match with rapper wannabe John Cena and invites Angle to watch the match at ringside. Lesnar wants Kurt to witness him first-hand and wishes Kurt a Happy Valentine’s Day. Lesnar leaves and Kurt takes the rose back from Stephanie.
Second Contest: Nunzio vs. Rikishi: Nunzio tries for a crossbody to the floor, but is caught and slammed onto the floor. Rikishi pummels Nunzio on the floor until Johnny Stamboli appears with Chuck Palumbo and they toss Rikishi into the ring steps! Palumbo and Stamboli beatdown Rikishi and hold Rikishi for Nunzio. Nunzio taunts Rikishi and tells him to not screw with the family. Nunzio tells Rikishi it better be a valuable lesson. Rikishi headbutts Nunzio, but is beaten some more. Nunzio kisses Rikishi and slaps Rikishi across the face before delivering more blows. (NR. Obviously there’s no match, but I can support the union of Nunzio, Palumbo and Stamboli. Palumbo was lost ever since Billy got hurt and Stamboli hasn’t had a direction in the WWE. An updated version of the FBI doesn’t sound too bad.)
Third Contest: Matt Hardy vs. Rey Mysterio: Hardy shoves Mysterio to the corner and does several jumping jacks. Hardy is wearing a rubber suit to lose weight. Mysterio takes Hardy down to the mat and puts a headlock on Hardy. Mysterio is met with a right hand. Mysterio boots Hardy in the corner followed by a head scissors and dropkicks Hardy to the floor. Hardy yanks Mysterio down, but is kicked away on the floor. Mysterio misses a crossbody and crashes to the floor. Moore cheap shots Mysterio before putting Mysterio on the apron. Hardy drops Mysterio gut first over the top rope. Hardy stomps Mysterio and continues with strikes in the corner. Hardy delivers a gut wrench suplex for a near fall. Hardy sends Mysterio chest first into the corner and hits a back suplex turned into an elbow drop for a near fall. Hardy presses his boot against Mysterio’s back and pulls back on his arms. Mysterio breaks free with strikes, but Hardy responds with strikes to the back. Hardy puts a torture rack on Mysterio, but Mysterio manages to counter with a bulldog. Mysterio hammers away on Hardy and goes to the apron to shoulder ram Hardy. Mysterio hits a springboard Thez Press. Hardy misses a spear and hits the post shoulder first. Mysterio hits a split legged moonsault for a near fall. Mysterio springboards off the ropes, but is caught by Hardy. Hardy nearly wins after the Side Effect. Hardy tries for a Twist of Fate, but Mysterio breaks free. Hardy counters a hurricanrana, but Mysterio avoids a powerbomb. Hardy is out of breath and is over the middle rope. Mysterio hits the 619 and the West Coast Pop for the win. (**1/2. A decent match, but I liked the touch of Hardy getting winded from trying to lose weight and wearing a rubber suit to exhaust him even more.) After the match, Hardy goes to commentary table saying Mysterio beat him and says he wasn’t at full strength. Hardy says he’s dehydrated and lost eight pounds in the last week. Hardy has to lose two more pounds to make weight and beat Kidman for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Shannon Moore continues to cool Hardy off with a towel.
Backstage, Chris Benoit is doing pushups to prepare for the match with A-Train coming up. Train is shown walking towards the ring, too.
Backstage, Sean O’Haire is with Brian Kendrick saying he’s impressed by Kendrick for how he made an impact. Bill DeMott appears and tosses Kendrick into lockers a few times. DeMott tosses Kendrick to the ground. O’Haire steps in front of DeMott saying that Kendrick has had enough. O’Haire tells DeMott he’s not telling him anything he doesn’t already know.
Fourth Contest: A-Train vs. Chris Benoit: Train backs Benoit into a corner to gain the advantage. Train taunts Benoit, but is shoved away. Benoit chops Train in the corner several times, but is shoved away. Train elbows a charging Benoit to maintain the advantage. Train rams Benoit into the corner and continues to deliver strikes. Train clotheslines Benoit in the corner. Train misses a clothesline and Benoit nearly puts the Crossface on Train. Benoit goes for another Crossface, but Train reaches the ropes. Train stops Benoit with a backbreaker. Train delivers another backbreaker. Train elbow drops Benoit on the lower back. Train forearms Benoit on the lower back a few times. Train decks Benoit with a clothesline. Train sends Benoit into the corner chest first and locks in a modified inverted full nelson. Train drops to his knees. Train scoop slams Benoit and hits a middle rope splash for a near fall. Train puts a torture rack on Benoit, but Benoit fights free. Benoit gets a rollup for a two count. Train mounts Benoit and delivers several clubbing blows. Train misses a splash in the corner and Benoit hits a series of German suplexs. Benoit signals for the diving headbutt. Benoit heads to the top rope, but misses the diving headbutt. Train nails Benoit with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Train waits for Benoit to get up and tries for a chokebomb, but Benoit counters with the Crossface. Train tries to reach the ropes, but is forced to submit. (**1/2. A solid TV match. I wasn’t expecting a clean submission by Benoit as I was waiting for interference to protect Train, but that wasn’t the case. Train can’t seem to get momentum on meaningful competition that are of the same physical stature.)
Backstage, Torrie Wilson greets Joe Francis from Girls Gone Wild. Francis wants Wilson to be part of his show. Wilson asks if Francis wants to invite her because she can be wild. Francis says he’s counting on her and he’ll see her at spring break.
The wooden crate is being delivered to the ring. Paul Heyman is in the ring with the wooden crate. Heyman notes that Big Show is his favorite client. Heyman notes that Show sent an apology to Undertaker, but Undertaker turned down the apology two weeks ago. Heyman notes that a man of the cloth was beaten up by Undertaker when Brother Love was dismantled by Undertaker. Heyman thinks this requires some culture, but Undertaker makes his way down to the ring to join the segment. Undertaker plays to the crowd and stares at the wooden crate. Heyman has left the ring and is at the top of the aisle telling Taker the crate is for him. Someone is in the box singing Boy George. It’s Kanyon singing “Do You Wanna Hurt Me?” Kanyon says that Big Show is really sorry. Kanyon decks Taker from behind and hammers away on Taker in the corner followed by stomps. Taker recovers and pummels Kanyon in the corner. Taker sends Kanyon to the floor. Taker continues to destroy Kanyon on the floor and tosses Kanyon into the timekeepers area. Taker jabs Kanyon with a few chair shots. Taker whacks Kanyon over the back with a chair shot a few times. Taker destroys Kanyon with a chair shot over the head. Heyman runs off out of fear.
Backstage, Matt Hardy is riding a stationary bike as Shannon Moore motivates Hardy to lose two more pounds.
Backstage, Funaki meets up with John Cena. Funaki puts on a hat sideways and asks “what’s up, dog?” Cena tells Funaki to think twice and says Funaki only knows how to make dogs into fried rice. Cena says that Lesnar is going to fried tonight.
Fifth Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin vs. Eddie Guerrero: Guerrero controls Benjamin with a side headlock, but Benjamin counters with a top wrist lock. Guerrero shoulder blocks Benjamin followed by a snapmare. Benjamin arm drags and snap powerslams Guerrero for a two count. Benjamin keeps an arm bar on Guerrero for a moment. Benjamin keeps arm control, but Guerrero breaks free with a side suplex. Guerrero forearms Benjamin a few times followed by a snapmare. Guerrero keeps Benjamin on the mat with a head scissors. Benjamin rolls to the ropes to break the hold. Benjamin drives Guerrero down to the mat with an electric chair slam for a two count. Benjamin keeps Guerrero on the mat with a chin lock. Guerrero elbows free and pummels Benjamin with right hands. Guerrero nails Benjamin with an elbow and a slingshot senton for a two count. Benjamin backdrops Guerrero coming off the ropes and delivers a backbreaker for a near fall. Guerrero tosses Benjamin with a suplex for a two count. Guerrero heads to the top rope, but is stopped by Benjamin. Guerrero nails Benjamin with a sunset flip powerbomb out of the corner. Guerrero heads to the top rope, but Haas comes out and Guerrero dives onto Haas. Guerrero rams Benjamin into the corner and misses a frog splash attempt. Benjamin nails Guerrero with a spin kick after Guerrero blocked a superkick. Benjamin covers and picks up the clean win! (**1/2. I love this booking. Team Angle winning matches cleanly is going to give them creditability that will have a lasting impact.)
A video package promoting Hogan vs. Rock is shown. It’s a lengthy video package.
Hugh Hefner announces that a WWE Diva will soon appear on the cover of Playboy.
Sixth Contest: Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson in a Valentine’s Day bra and panties match: Wilson tries to attack Marie on the aisle, but Marie knee lifts Wilson and slams Wilson onto the floor. Marie rolls Wilson into the ring and delivers a dropkick. Marie rips off Wilson’s top to reveal her bra. Marie chokes Wilson for a moment. Marie chops Wilson in the corner. Wilson gets a rollup on Marie and tries to pull down her pants, but fail. Marie drops Wilson over the top rope throat first. Wilson baseball slides Marie to the floor. Wilson chops Marie on the floor and rips off Marie’s top. Wilson hits a snap suplex and tries to remove her pants, but fails again. Wilson counters and almost gets the pants off. Wilson kicks Marie, but Marie tries for an airplane spin. Wilson and Marie trade a series of rolls, but there’s no pins in the match. Marie nails Wilson with a springboard clothesline. Marie slams Wilson and is stopped on the middle rope. Wilson manages to rip off Marie’s pants and wins the match. (DUD. It’s mindless sexualizing of women.) After the match, Nidia attacks Wilson along with Marie. Torrie ducks a double clothesline and clotheslines both women. Wilson knocks Marie to the floor and scoop slams Nidia. Wilson rips off Nidia’s shorts. Wilson spanks Nidia a few times, too.
John Cena cuts a rap before the main event taunting Lesnar. Cena mocks Lesnar for not being smart and uses smaller words for Lesnar to understand. Cena says the tattoo on Lesnar’s back is his mother. Cena says he’s a math problem, and Lesnar can’t finish him.
Main Event: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena: Lesnar hits an overhead suplex. Lesnar rams Cena into the corner several times. Lesnar drives Cena down with a backbreaker. Lesnar tosses Cena overhead with a suplex and Cena rolls to the floor. Lesnar continues with a kick to the ribs and press slams Cena onto the announcers table face first. Cena eye rakes Lesnar followed by right hands in the ring. Lesnar rams Cena into the corner and delivers shoulder rams to the back. Lesnar tosses Cena overhead with a suplex. Cena bails to the floor to regroup. Cena grabs his chain and wraps it around his fist to deck Lesnar over the head. Cena crawls over and covers Lesnar for a two count. Cena stomps Lesnar on the mat a few times and taunts the crowd. Cena continues with a back suplex for a two count. Cena keeps control with a body scissors and a sleeper. Lesnar gets up and tries to ram Cena into the corner, but falls to the mat with Cena clutching onto the sleeper. Lesnar stands up and rams Cena into the corner a few times to break free. Cena clotheslines Lesnar and delivers a few clubbing blows to the back. Cena works over Lesnar in the corner with strikes, but Lesnar knee lifts Cena followed by shoulder rams. Lesnar tosses Cena overhead with a suplex. Lesnar tosses Cena overhead again with a suplex. Lesnar misses a splash, but avoids the exposed turnbuckle, and rams Cena into the exposed turnbuckle. Lesnar hits the F5 to win the match. (**. A decent brawl of a match. Cena has rehabbed himself remarkably well with the rapper gimmick to make himself an interesting heel.)
Brock Lesnar gets on the microphone and tells Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle to come out to the ring. Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman are backstage and Kurt’s not coming out. Lesnar grabs Cena and F5’s Cena into the ring post knee first. Lesnar is trying to lure Angle to the ring. Angle is pissed that Lesnar is trying to punk him out. Kurt decides he’s going out to the ring. After a commercial…
Kurt Angle appears at the top of the aisle with a microphone. Lesnar is glad that Kurt made his way out. Lesnar is going to call Kurt’s bluff and wants Kurt in the ring right now. Kurt moves towards the ring, and says that’s fine with him. Kurt gets in the ring and gets in Lesnar’s face. Kurt backs off and says it’s not going to happen tonight. Kurt admits he’d love to wrestle Lesnar tonight, but he has a sinus infection. Lesnar thinks Kurt is a chicken shit. Kurt backs off again and promises he does have a sinus infection. Kurt wants to have a wrestling contest with Lesnar next week. Lesnar is freaking out in the ring and is beyond frustrated. Lesnar accepts, but decks Angle with a clothesline and an overhead suplex. Angle bails to the floor, but Lesnar sends Kurt into the ring steps. Brock tosses Angle overhead with a belly to belly suplex. Lesnar grabs Kurt for an F5, but Team Angle rundown and make the save. Lesnar fights off Haas and Benjamin. Lesnar rams Benjamin into the railing and knee lifts Haas. Lesnar sends Haas into the ring post face first. Lesnar F5’s Benjamin on the floor! Kurt has crawled up the aisle, but Lesnar slowly stalks towards the champion. Lesnar grabs the championship and stands over Kurt before tossing the title onto Kurt and walks off to end the program.
Final Thoughts:
There isn’t one singular standout match that seems to be the norm for Smackdown, but it’s an enjoyable episode regardless. The Kanyon/Taker segment is always disappointing to see. The Smackdown feuds have been going on fairly well and for No Way Out they are far more interesting than the RAW side.
Thanks for reading.