World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 3/6/2003
From: Bridgeport, CT
Opening Contest: Jamie Noble vs. Tajiri vs. Rey Mysterio in a number one contenders match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Tajiri baseball slides Mysterio during his entrance and tries to pin Noble. Mysterio springboard splashes Noble for a two count as Tajiri makes the save. Tajiri kicks Noble followed by a German suplex, but Mysterio makes the save and hits a standing moonsault on Tajiri for a two count. Tajiri and Mysterio trade chops. Mysterio hits a springboard crossbody for a two count. Tajiri elbow strikes Mysterio and handspring back elbows Noble for a two count. Noble knee lifts Tajiri and sends Tajiri into the ring post shoulder first. Noble slides Mysterio under the ropes to the floor. Noble takes Tajiri down with an arm bar submission. Tajiri reaches the ropes to break the hold. Mysterio strikes Noble and sends Noble into the corner where Tajiri dumps Noble to the apron. Tajiri sits Mysterio on the top rope, but Noble puts Tajiri on his shoulders. Tajiri grabs Mysterio to hit a superplex while Noble hit an electric chair slam on Tajiri. Noble tries to pin both men, but only manages a two count. Noble snap powerslams Tajiri for a two count. Noble stomps Tajiri, but is met with a kick to the chest. Tajiri puts the tarantula on Noble in the ropes. Tajiri kicks Noble in the head for a two count. Mysterio nails Noble with the 619 and springboard leg drops Tajiri for a two count as Noble put Tajiri’s boot on the ropes. Mysterio springboard dropkicks Noble. Mysterio nails Noble with a 619 on the apron. Tajiri kicks Mysterio to avoid a springboard attempt. Mysterio counters a suplex attempt with a rollup and pins Tajiri to become the number one contender. (***. The crowd didn’t seem all that amped for the match, which is a bit surprising. The action was good and naturally flew by because all three guys are enjoyable. It was obvious Mysterio was going to win due to Mysterio being the only man to get a proper introduction.)
Second Contest: FBI (Palumbo & Stamboli) vs. Los Guerreros (Eddie & Chavo): Chavo and Palumbo kickoff the tag match with Chavo getting out of a waist lock and is backed into a corner. Chavo strikes Palumbo and bails to the floor. Eddie chops Palumbo on the floor and Chavo rolls Palumbo into the ring. Chavo drop toe holds Palumbo over the bottom rope. Eddie stomps Palumbo on the mat followed by forearm strikes. Palumbo elbow strikes Eddie coming off the roped. Eddie dropkicks a charging Stamboli followed by a forearm strike. Palumbo strikes Eddie from the floor and Stamboli keeps the advantage with strikes in the corner. Palumbo drops Eddie to the mat gut first and hits a Samoan Drop. Stamboli keeps control with a bearhug on Eddie, but doesn’t get a submission. Palumbo enters without a tag and keeps the bearhug on Eddie. Eddie fights free with strikes, but Palumbo knee lifts Eddie. Eddie hits a hurricanrana and tags in Chavo. Stamboli is tagged in as well. Chavo dropkicks Stamboli and dropkicks Palumbo on the knee. Chavo dropkicks a kneeling Palumbo. Chavo spikes Stamboli with a tornado DDT for a two count as Palumbo makes the save. Eddie and Palumbo crash over the top to the floor. Eddie sends Palumbo into the ring post shoulder first. Chavo slams Stamboli and tosses Nunzio into the ring to deliver an uppercut. Chavo goes to the top rope, but Stamboli catches Chavo on a crossbody. Stamboli hits a fallaway slam, but Eddie hit a frog splash and Chavo pins Stamboli for the win. After the match, Palumbo superkicks Eddie as Nunzio blinded Eddie with his jacket. Chavo is mugged by the FBI, as well. The fans are chanting for Rikishi, but it was noted earlier that Rikishi is in Germany doing PR. (*1/2. There was a few sloppy and mistimed moments. The finish was done nicely, though. This felt like a moment where the FBI could have benefited from picking up a win to establish themselves as a viable unit.)
Backstage, Paul Heyman is panicking to Big Show, A-Train and Team Angle. Heyman is worried about what Brock Lesnar is going to do to him. Kurt Angle asks if Heyman is worried about the cage match, which Heyman confirms is exactly the case. Angle says he’s going to talk to Stephanie and tells Heyman he can likely talk Stephanie out of the match due to their personal relationship. Heyman joins Kurt.
Backstage, Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman enter Stephanie McMahon’s office to discuss the cage. Heyman decides to take charge on the discussions. Stephanie tells Heyman he’s not getting out of the match. Heyman would like one small concession and proceeds to beg on the floor, but Kurt picks Heyman up and tells Heyman to leave the room. Kurt begins to flirt with Stephanie a little bit and reminds Stephanie about Valentine’s Day. Kurt knows that Stephanie has the hots for him, but admits that he has the hot for her, too. Stephanie tells Kurt that the time right now is business. Stephanie admits they had chemistry in the past, but Kurt needs to think about the future. Stephanie is fed up with Kurt trying to seduce her. Stephanie announces that Kurt is putting the Smackdown World Championship on the line next week against Brock Lesnar if Lesnar beats Paul Heyman tonight. Kurt can’t believe it.
Third Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy vs. Billy Kidman: Hardy tries for a rollup after Moore distracted Kidman. Kidman head scissors and dropkicks Hardy for a two count. Kidman sunset flips Hardy, but Hardy counters and catapults Kidman over the top to the floor. Moore strikes Kidman and rolls Kidman back into the ring where Hardy chokes Kidman. Hardy sends Kidman into the corner and hits a gut wrench suplex for a two count. Hardy controls Kidman on the mat pressing his boot into Kidman’s back. Kidman gets to his feet and nails Hardy with a kick to the head. Kidman and Hardy trade strikes. Hardy sends Kidman into the corner, but misses a splash. Kidman kicks Hardy over the ropes and Hardy ends up crotched. Kidman shakes the ropes and hits a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Hardy runs into a boot in the corner. Kidman mocks Hardy before hitting a middle rope leg drop for a two count. Hardy ducks a clothesline, but Kidman hits a bulldog out of the corner. Kidman heads to the top rope, but Moore pulls Hardy to the floor. Kidman dives off the top to hit a crossbody on both men. Kidman rolls Hardy into the ring, but Moore yanks Kidman off the apron and runs around the ring. Hardy delivers a sloppy Side Effect, and hits a second one for a two count. Kidman avoids the Twist of Fate, but is sent into Moore on the apron. Hardy plants Kidman with the Twist of Fate and pins Kidman to win the match. (*1/2. The crowd seems to be flat for the undercard action. Hardy/Mysterio for WrestleMania doesn’t come across as any kind of special match. As a WCW fan, I’d love to see Kidman vs. Mysterio on the biggest stage, but oh well.)
We see footage of Torrie Wilson’s Playboy photoshoot. Torrie says she’s always dreamt of being in the magazine.
Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews Nidia regarding not being picked for Playboy. We see footage from earlier in the week where Nidia visited the Playboy mansion. Nidia tells security that Hugh Hefner should watch Girls Gone Wild for the two reasons he should have picked her. Nidia claims they picked the wrong diva and thinks fans want to see what is under her clothing. Nidia challenges Torrie Wilson to a body challenge and they find out who is better looking naked. Nidia exposes herself to Josh, who is left dumbfounded.
Earlier tonight, Undertaker helped Nathan Jones train as some fans were entering the arena. Jones thanks Undertaker for following through with his promise to train him after he got out of prison. Taker says the wrestling ring is just like a prison. Jones loses his temper and kicks one of the trainees and chokes him out. Taker pulls Jones off and stops the training session.
Fourth Contest: The Undertaker vs. A-Train: Train backs Taker into a corner and delivers a strike to start the bout. Taker responds with a series of strikes. Taker slams Train into the corner. Taker comes off the ropes to big boot Train for a two count as Show pulled Taker out of the ring. Train catches Taker coming off the ropes to deliver a slam. Train rams Taker into the corner and pummels Taker with strikes. Train misses a splash in the corner, and Taker takes Train to the mat to deliver an elbow drop to the leg. Train clotheslines Taker over the top to the floor. Show grabs Taker and delivers a few strikes as Nathan Jones distracts the referee on the apron. Show drives Taker into the ring post back first and Jones realizes what’s going on. Train grabs Taker and rolls Taker back into the ring. Show nails Taker with a right hand and Train covers for a two count. Train strikes Taker several times, but Taker staggers Train with an elbow strike. Taker punches Train a few times. Train knee lifts Take, but Taker hits a flying clothesline. Taker signals for Old School and hits it. Show distracts Taker and Train hits a sit out choke bomb. Taker counters a pin with a triangle choke. Show gets in the ring and stomps Taker as Jones distracts the referee. Show elbow drops Taker, but Jones gets involve and attacks Show after tossing the referee down. Taker pummels Show with a flurry of strikes. Show is knocked down with a double shoulder block and retreats the ring. (*. I wouldn’t say this was all that good. Nathan Jones is not ready for TV.)
Backstage, Hulk Hogan tells a referee to tell Vince McMahon we’re going to find out who the real coward is.
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon tells Big Show and A-Train they have to leave the arena. They are concerned about Heyman being in a cage with Brock Lesnar, but eventually depart the arena.
Hulk Hogan makes his way out to the ring to cut a promo. Hogan is tired of playing games with Vince McMahon. Hogan knows that McMahon would love for him to leave and be out of his life, but that’s not going to happen. Hogan says McMahon can call him a coward behind his back all he wants. Hogan says it doesn’t change one thing and says there’s an issue between them that has gone on for twenty years. Hogan believes there’s only one way to settle it and wants McMahon to meet him in the ring to settle this like men.
Vince McMahon makes his way out to join the segment. McMahon has no problem handling his issues with Hogan at any time and any place. McMahon calls Hogan an asshole and says that Hogan isn’t a man. McMahon believes that Hogan is a shell of a man. McMahon can’t believe Hogan would call him out after everything he’s done for him. Hogan talks about how McMahon takes credit for Hulkamania. Hogan thinks McMahon is delusional, hit in the head with a hammer, or a damn liar. Hogan says Hulkamania was a success in spite of McMahon and because of all the fans. Hogan believes it makes McMahon sick to his stomach that Hogan helped put the promotion on the map. McMahon claims that he could have had anyone play the part of Hulk Hogan. Hogan mentions that McMahon tried to pass the ball to other guys, and they all failed. Hogan thinks McMahon is a delusional to think anyone can be in his shoes. Hogan mentions that he was supposed to wrestle McMahon at No Way Out, but McMahon put Rock in the spot instead. Hogan wants a match with McMahon tonight. McMahon responds saying there’s no chance in hell of them having a match tonight. McMahon tells Hogan that he hates him and it’s because he created Hogan only for Hogan to betray him and competed against him by going to Ted Turner. McMahon hates Hogan from trying to take him out of business. McMahon is also pissed about Hogan testifying against him in court. Hogan chimes in and says that he saved McMahon’s ass from going to prison. Hogan insults McMahon saying that the word ‘screw’ would have a whole different meaning in prison. McMahon recalls making Hogan a mainstream name and this is the thanks he gets. McMahon tells Hogan he’ll have a fight with him and it will be Hogan’s first real fight. McMahon announces they’ll wrestle at WrestleMania. McMahon adds a stipulation where when Hogan loses then Hogan will never wrestle ever again. McMahon created Hulkamania and he’s going to kill it at WrestleMania. Hogan accepts the challenge for WrestleMania. Hogan tells McMahon to say his damn prayers leading into Mania.
Fifth Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champions Team Angle (Haas & Benjamin) vs. Chris Benoit & Rhyno in a non-title match: Benoit and Benjamin start the match with Benoit gaining leg control. Benjamin leg sweeps Benoit and keeps control on the mat. Benoit keeps a wrist lock on Benjamin and tags in Rhyno. Benjamin is met with a double elbow strike coming off the ropes. Haas tags in and is met with a drop toe hold. Rhyno is kicked by Haas, but hits a belly to belly suplex. Rhyno rams Haas into the corner and continues with stomps. Benoit tags into the match and kicks Haas in the midsection followed by a bridging suplex for a near fall. Benjamin tags into the match and kicks Benoit in the ribs followed by a forearm strike. Benoit switches to a hammerlock, but Benjamin sends Benoit chest first into the corner. Haas breaks the cover nailing Benoit with an axe handle and stomps Benoit in the corner. Benoit boots Haas in the corner, but Haas hits a powerslam for a two count. Benoit nails Haas with a short arm clothesline. Rhyno and Benjamin are tagged into the match with Rhyno cleaning house. Rhyno clotheslines Haas in the corner followed by a running boot. Rhyno tosses Benjamin with a belly to belly suplex. Rhyno decks Haas off the apron, but Benjamin superkicks Rhyno for a two count. Smackdown goes to commercial.
Benjamin keeps control with a chin lock and switches to a headlock on the mat. Rhyno elbows free from the hold and snapmares Benjamin. Benjamin jumps on Rhyno’s back, but is rammed into the corner. Rhyno knocks Haas off the apron, but Benjamin keeps control of the match. Haas tags back into the match and holds Rhyno over the top rope. Benjamin leaps over the ropes to drop Rhyno over the ropes and Benjamin goes to the floor. Haas continues to focus his attack on Rhyno’s repaired neck. Rhyno tries for a rollup, but Haas counters with a clothesline. Benjamin enters and rams Rhyno into the corner back first. Benjamin snapmares Rhyno and keeps a neck vice locked in. Rhyno fights free and sends Benjamin into ropes. Benjamin drops Rhyno over his knee for a two count. Benoit pulls Benjamin off of Rhyno and Haas keeps control of the match ramming Rhyno into the corner. Benjamin leg drops Rhyno over the middle rope. Haas delivers a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Benjamin keeps control with a headlock. Benjamin strikes Rhyno a few times, but is met with a spinebuster. Benoit gets the tag and cleans house with strikes. Benoit snap suplexs Haas and sends Benjamin into the post. Benoit nails Haas with several German suplexs. Benoit hits a diving headbutt on Haas, but Benjamin barely makes the save.
Rhyno tosses Benjamin to the floor where Benjamin sends Rhyno into the barricade. Haas avoids a Crossface and drives Benoit’s knee into the mat. Haas locks in the Haas of Pain, but Rhyno recovers to prevent the submission. Benjamin is met with a GORE! Haas sends Rhyno to the floor. Benoit locks in the Crossface and Haas is forced to submit. (***1/2. The fans love the GORE and could become a move that becomes a bigger deal. I love the GORE and it’s probably one of the best spears in the business. The match was very good, and the clean finish should likely mean Benoit & Rhyno are challenging for the tag titles at Mania.)
John Cena is walking with a cane on the streets and this is from earlier in the week. Cena is focusing on Brock Lesnar and saying that he’s on his way back to take out Lesnar at any cost. Cena is speaking as if he’s rapping.
Backstage, Paul Heyman is with Kurt Angle and he doesn’t know what to do. Kurt tells Heyman to get his head together. Heyman tells Angle that he can’t win. Angle reminds Heyman that he’ll have to defend his title next week if he loses. Haas and Benjamin enter the room and they are pissed about losing, but Kurt reels them in quickly. Kurt tells Heyman that he will win the cage match tonight and Heyman doesn’t sound convinced.
Main Event: Brock Lesnar vs. Paul Heyman in a steel cage match: Haas and Benjamin attack Lesnar before the match starts as Kurt caused a distraction by climbing the cage. Lesnar is sent into the cage face first several times. Benjamin accidentally kicks Haas and Lesnar sends Benjamin into the cage a few times. Lesnar sends Haas into the cage, as well. Lesnar throws Benjamin out of the cage and does the same to Haas. Lesnar sends Kurt into the steel cage and Kurt might be busted open. Lesnar rolls Heyman into the cage and delivers a strike. Kurt is bleeding pretty badly. Heyman tries to apologize and blame Kurt. Kurt tries to open the cage door, but can’t open the door. Lesnar keeps Heyman on his shoulders for a long time. Kurt climbs the cage to get in the ring. Heyman eye rakes free, and Lesnar goes for the F5, but Angle chop blocks Lesnar. Angle hits the Angle Slam. Angle puts Heyman on top, but Lesnar kicks out at two. Angle puts the ankle lock on Lesnar. Heyman tries to escape the cage, but Lesnar stops him. Lesnar kicks Angle away and Heyman crawls to the corner. Angle decks Lesnar from behind and delivers a few more strikes. Angle pummels Lesnar with strikes as Heyman tries to escape over the cage. Lesnar recovers and stops Heyman from escaping the cage. Lesnar boots Angle and hits the F5 on Heyman. Lesnar covers and pins Heyman to win the match. After the match, Kurt and Lesnar have a stare down in the middle of the ring to end the program. (**. Obviously this is mostly a segment and I enjoyed it for what it was. Lesnar vs. Angle, if it’s an actual match, is a huge match to have happen before their Mania match.)
After the show went off the air, Lesnar delivered another F5 to Heyman.
Final Thoughts:
There was a shocking number of screwups and flubbed lines throughout the show. It’s a solid show, but not one of the stronger good shows they’ve had, if that makes sense. I wish the Bridgeport crowd was more energetic, too.
Thanks for reading.