World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 3/13/2003
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Earlier today, Brock Lesnar arrived to the arena. Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle arrived with Team Angle and is sporting a black right eye. Kurt stares a guy for asking how he’s feeling.
Opening Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champions Team Angle (Haas & Benjamin) vs. Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio Jr. in a non-title match: Kidman and Haas kickoff the match with Haas taking Kidman over with a fireman carry. Haas arm drags Kidman, but Kidman shoulder blocks Haas. Kidman hits a hurricanrana for a two count. Haas knee lifts Kidman and tags in Benjamin. Kidman arm drags Benjamin and Mysterio hits a sunset flip for a one count from the apron. Mysterio head scissors Benjamin to the mat for a near fall. Kidman enters the match and assists Mysterio on hitting a leg drop across Benjamin’s back for a two count. Kidman pummels Benjamin in the corner and decks Haas off the apron. Kidman sends Benjamin into the corner, but misses a spear and hits the ring post. Benjamin plants Kidman with an arm breaker for a one count. Benjamin stomps Kidman and tags in Haas. Haas puts a wrist lock on Kidman to keep control of the bout. Haas works over Kidman’s arm to maintain the advantage. Kidman fights back with right hands out of the corner, but Haas yanks Kidman’s down to the mat by his arm. Benjamin enters the match and kicks Kidman in the corner. Benjamin arm drags Kidman and delivers a leg drop to the arm and keeps arm control.
Benjamin knee strikes Kidman over the back and punches Mysterio on the apron. Haas tags into the match and holds Kidman over the top rope allowing Benjamin to leap over Haas and splash over Kidman’s back for a two count as Mysterio made the save. Haas tries for a suplex, but Kidman counters with a rollup and kicks Haas on the side of the head. Mysterio nails Haas with a springboard somersault dive and a springboard crossbody. Mysterio moonsaults Haas after being tossed away by Benjamin for a two count. Kidman slingshot head scissors Haas and decks Benjamin off the apron. Kidman counters a powerbomb with a facebuster on Haas. Mysterio sends Benjamin over the top to the floor. Kidman dropkicks Haas and holds Haas over the middle rope allowing Mysterio hit a 619. Mysterio moonsaults Benjamin on the floor! Kidman hits the Shooting Star Press on Haas, but Benjamin makes the save. Benjamin dumps Mysterio to the apron. Benjamin superkicks Kidman into a German suplex by Haas for the three count. (***1/2. I’d love for Kidman and Mysterio to be a regular tag team to an already loaded tag division. This was a ton of fun and the clean win for Team Angle is good booking.)
Backstage, Smackdown GM Stephanie McMahon is on the phone and she’s excited about Lesnar vs. Angle tonight. Brian Kendrick enters the office with some flowers for Stephanie. Stephanie says that Kurt Angle tried with flowers and that backfired. Kendrick thanks Stephanie for the opportunity last week. Kendrick drove from Olympia, Washington to watch the show and he doesn’t have tickets to WrestleMania in Seattle. Stephanie tells Kendrick that if he impresses her some more than WrestleMania could be in his future. Kendrick leaves excited and Stephanie appears a bit flattered by the flowers.
At the Playboy Mansion, Jamie Noble arrives via taxi. Noble wonders where all the beautiful woman are at. Noble tries to get access into the mansion, but nobody answers.
Second Contest: Rikishi vs. Chuck Palumbo: Rikishi kicks Stamboli off the apron. Palumbo nails Rikishi with a superkick, but Rikishi kicks out at one. Palumbo knee lifts Rikishi several times and delivers a short arm clothesline. Palumbo hits a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Palumbo drives Rikishi into the corner with several shoulder rams. Palumbo strikes Rikishi in the corner several times. Palumbo clotheslines Rikishi in the corner followed by a right hand. Palumbo strikes Rikishi in the corner, but Rikishi tosses Palumbo into the corner and delivers a few strikes and a clothesline. Rikishi hits a Samoan Drop and savant kicks Palumbo. Palumbo staggers into the corner where Rikishi delivers a back splash. Rikishi strikes Palumbo in the corner. Palumbo tries for a sunset flip, but Rikishi kneels down and strikes Palumbo. Stamboli and Nunzio try to get involved, but Los Guerreros run into the ring and take out the FBI. Rikishi sit down splashes Palumbo and drags Palumbo to the corner to hit a Bonzai Drop for the win. (*1/2. I’m not sure why the FBI can’t get any momentum on Rikishi. The action was actually decent, but the booking is a bit frustrating.)
Backstage, Undertaker is looking for Nathan Jones. Undertaker walks up to a locker room and Nathan Jones is sitting in there rocking back and forth. Taker approaches Jones and asks what Jones is doing sitting in the dark. Jones says he has learned to appreciate the silence. Taker talks about their WrestleMania tag match against A-Train and Big Show and how it will not be quiet. Taker wants to watch their match that is up next. Taker wants Jones to learn their tendencies.
Backstage, Funaki and Tajiri talked earlier about their match with A-Train and Big Show. Tajiri says he’s going to knock them down essentially since he doesn’t speak English.
Third Contest: A-Train & Big Show vs. Funaki & Tajiri: Funaki and Show start the match with Show nailing Funaki with a clothesline followed by an overhand chop to the chest. Show press slams Funaki to the mat gut first. Train tags into the match and rams Funaki into the corner and delivers several clubbing blows over the back. Train splashes Funaki in the corner. Tajiri tags in and chops Train a few times. Train shoulder blocks Tajiri as Show goes to the commentary table. Tajiri kicks Train and Train is double teamed with kicks. Train knee lifts Tajiri and drops Tajiri over the top rope gut first. Train decks Funaki with a clothesline on the apron. Train decks Tajiri with a short arm clothesline. Tajiri ducks a clothesline and kicks Train on the knee. Funaki tagged in and missile dropkicks Train. Train doesn’t fall down and catapults Funaki over the ropes throat first for a two count. Train tries for a press slam on Funaki, but Tajiri kicks Train leading to a near fall. Tajiri kicks Show several times. Show plants Tajiri with a chokeslam. Train nails Funaki with a bicycle kick. Train hits the Train Wreck and pins Funaki for the win. (**. I liked that Train and Show got a bit cocky and that allowed some offense for Tajiri and Funaki. I remember in the fall of ’02 that A-Train actually lost to Funaki and Tajiri in singles matches, but that was never mentioned on commentary. Part of me thought that Train could have lost here.)
Footage of fans asking who will win the main event between Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. The answers are split.
Backstage, Dawn Marie is walking when she walks past Sean O’Haire. O’Haire asks if something is wrong. Dawn is upset that Torrie Wilson got picked for Playboy. O’Haire agrees that she has a beautiful body. O’Haire says Dawn has the advantage over the Girls Gone Wild girls and she can share her body with everyone on Smackdown. Dawn takes the hint that O’Haire is suggesting she flash the crowd.
Earlier today, Torrie Wilson introduces her cover for Playboy. Wilson reveals the cover and tells the fans to see what is inside if they think that is hot.
Dawn Marie makes her way towards the ring. Dawn grabs a microphone and knows that people think she has a great body. Dawn reveals she’s going to go wild on Smackdown. Marie begins to take her top off. Dawn shows off to the announcers table side, but to no other side.
Earlier this week, John Cena shared a rap about Brock Lesnar. Cena delivered some great insults.
Fourth Contest: Chris Benoit & Rhyno vs. Los Guerreros (Chavo & Eddie) in a number one contenders match: Benoit and Chavo kickoff the tag match. Chavo keeps wrist control on the mat, but Benoit leg sweeps Chavo to the mat and gains leg control for a moment. Eddie tags into the match to try his luck against Rhyno. Eddie drop toe holds Rhyno and they trade arm locks until Eddie backs Rhyno into a corner. Rhyno shoves Eddie away and they have a standoff. Eddie kicks Rhyno and delivers a few strikes before ramming Rhyno into the corner. Chavo tags in and dropkicks a seated Rhyno. Chavo uppercuts Rhyno into a corner followed by several strikes and rams Rhyno into the corner. Eddie strikes Rhyno in the corner and is lifted into the air and down to the mat by Rhyno. Benoit tags back into the match and works over Eddie with a kick to the midsection. Benoit continues with a knee lift to the midsection. Benoit takes Eddie over with a snap suplex and chops Eddie in the corner several times. Eddie eye rakes Benoit, but Eddie responds with strikes and chops in the corner. Rhyno chops Eddie in the corner, but runs into an elbow strike. Chavo enters the match and senton splashes Rhyno. Chavo plants Rhyno with a back suplex for a two count. Benoit tags into the match and works over Chavo with strikes in the corner. Benoit drives Chavo down with a backbreaker for a two count. Benoit plants Chavo with a back suplex. Chavo lands on top of Benoit to counter a back suplex for a two count. Eddie strikes Benoit several times upon tagging into the bout.
Eddie dropkicks Benoit to the mat and covers for a two count. Eddie chops Benoit in the corner followed by a right hand. Benoit chops Eddie in the corner, but Eddie responds with strikes. Benoit tries to lock in the Crossface, but Eddie reaches the ropes to avoid the hold. Chavo slingshot splashes Benoit from the apron and pummels Benoit on the mat. Chavo works over Benoit with a chop and uppercuts Benoit to the mat. Chavo stomps Benoit on the mat to keep control and puts a headlock on Benoit. Benoit arm drags Chavo, but Chavo quickly takes Benoit down to the mat with a sleeper. Benoit chops Chavo several times and nearly wins with a rollup. Chavo runs through Benoit with a clothesline. Chavo slams Benoit and Eddie hits a senton splash from the apron for a two count. Eddie keeps an arm bar on Benoit, but doesn’t get a submission. Benoit reaches the ropes to break the hold. Eddie stomps Benoit on the mat and Chavo returns to the match stomping Benoit. Chavo uppercuts Benoit in the corner. Benoit responds with chops. Chavo boots Benoit in the corner, but Benoit almost locks in the Crossface. Chavo sends Benoit to the floor and misses a crossbody attempt, but Eddie hits a crossbody. Rhyno clotheslines Eddie on the floor as the show goes to commercial.
Rhyno rolls Chavo into the ring where Benoit sends Chavo into the corner chest first and hits a German suplex. Benoit holds onto the hold and delivers a few more German suplexs. Chavo arm drags Benoit and puts a headlock on Benoit. Rhyno tags into the match and works over Chavo, but is met with a boot in the corner. Rhyno hits a belly to belly suplex for a near fall. Rhyno keeps Chavo on the mat with a sleeper. Chavo elbows Rhyno and hits a middle rope dropkick. Eddie and Benoit tag into the match with Benoit clotheslining Eddie and hits a snap suplex. Eddie plants Benoit with a side suplex. Eddie hits a hurricanrana and taunts the fans. Eddie heads to the top rope, but is stopped by Benoit with strikes and chops. Benoit tries for a superplex, but Eddie counters with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count as Rhyno makes the save. Rhyno tosses Chavo over the top to the floor. Rhyno misses a splash in the corner, but Eddie nearly pins Benoit with an inside cradle. Chavo dumps Rhyno to the floor and Benoit suplexs Eddie over the top to the floor. Chavo dropkicks Benoit coming off the ropes. Chavo uppercuts Benoit in the corner, but Benoit goes for the Crossface. Eddie frog splashes Benoit, but Rhyno GORES Eddie! Chavo sends Rhyno to the floor with a hurricanrana. Benoit covers Eddie for a two count.
Eddie blocks a German suplex, but Benoit keeps hold and hits a few German suplexs. Eddie battles back with a series of suplexs. Benoit counters and locks in the Crossface. Benoit hits a German suplex on Eddie. Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas enter the ring and attack both men with the tag titles to cause the match to be thrown out. (***. They got plenty of time and it was a decent match. I think there was a lack of a spark compared to the opening tag match. Team Angle getting involved just means that we’re going to get a three-way tag match at WrestleMania and the heels are too dumb to realize that.)
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon walks up to the Team Angle, who are quite thrilled with themselves. Stephanie asks what they are doing. Stephanie announces it is in fact going to be a three way tag match at WrestleMania. Team Angle are pissed.
A video package highlighting the history between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan is shown.
Vince McMahon shares some comments via satellite. McMahon shows the handshake between himself and Hogan during an interview in 1992. McMahon says it was the only time that Hogan has ever thanked McMahon. McMahon claims they are best friends at one point and they raised hell together. McMahon thought they were getting close, but Hogan changed and hurt McMahon. Hogan hurt McMahon’s family and his business. McMahon believes that Hogan really meant “screw you” instead of thank you. McMahon admits that he was hurt by Hogan’s betrayal by going to WCW. McMahon still brought Hogan to return to the WWE. McMahon says it is not a match at WrestleMania, but rather a fight. McMahon knows that he’s going to be hurt all over again and is going to feel like his guts have been torn out. McMahon is going to be hurt and devastated. McMahon is going to be forced to kill one of his own creations, which he doesn’t want to do. McMahon says he’ll never forgive Hogan for that.
Footage is shown of Trish Stratus appearing on MadTV is shown.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio is watching the next match.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy cuts a promo and says he’s not defending his title again until WrestleMania against Rey Mysterio. Hardy is issuing an open challenge against anyone other than Rey Mysterio. A masked wrestler, who is clearly Brian Kendrick, comes out out to accept the challenge. The ring announcer is given a paper and his name is the Pittsburgh Penguin.
Fifth Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy vs. Brian Kendrick in a non-title match: Hardy scoop slams Kendrick at the start of the match. Hardy snapmares Kendrick and taunts the fans. Kendrick is sent into the corner and head scissors Hardy. Hardy backs off saying the match is an exhibition. Hardy decks Kendrick with a right hand and chokes Kendrick over the middle rope. Shannon Moore chokes Kendrick over the middle rope and Hardy splashes Kendrick. Hardy has Kendrick over the shoulder and drops Kendrick to the mat. Hardy hits a Side Effect for a two count. Hardy rams Kendrick into the corner and delivers a few chops. Kendrick fights back with chops of his own. Hardy eye rakes Kendrick to stop his momentum. Hardy presses his boot into Kendrick’s upper back. Kendrick kicks Hardy, but is stopped by a tilt a whirl slam. Hardy removes the mask. Hardy realizes it is Kendrick, and Kendrick pummels Hardy with strikes. Kendrick avoids Hardy in the corner and hits a springboard dropkick. Kendrick nails Moore off the apron and drops Hardy over his knee face first for a two count. Kendrick plants Hardy with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Kendrick forearms Hardy in the corner several times. Kendrick forearms Moore into the corner and nails Hardy with the Slice Bread, but Moore pulls Hardy to the floor. The referee calls for the bell and awards the match to Kendrick by count out. (**1/2. Kendrick is thriving in this underdog role. I think he’s doing very well and he’s making me more of a fan of his.)
Backstage, Rey Mysterio meets with Brian Kendrick and gives him his props for giving a fight to Matt Hardy. Kendrick wishes Mysterio luck at WrestleMania.
A video package promoting the issues between Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar dating back to the end of 2002.
Backstage, Team Angle try to calm down Kurt Angle because they have his back and they are in Pittsburgh. Kurt tells them he gets booed and disrespected every time he’s in his hometown. Kurt gets sick to his stomach when he’s announced as being from Pittsburgh. Kurt uses it as motivation to be grateful for getting out of the area. Kurt says there’s nobody from Pittsburgh that is a success story other than him and Mr. Rogers doesn’t count because he’s dead.
Main Event: Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar: Lesnar attacks Angle in the corner and delivers shoulder rams. Lesnar knee lifts Angle several times in the corner as Angle has yet to take his jacket off. Lesnar hits the F5! Lesnar covers, buts gets off and stares at Angle. Lesnar looks around confronts Team Angle on the aisle. Lesnar returns to the ring, but Angle sneaks an inside cradle and pins Lesnar to win the match! (NR. I love this. Such a great segment.)
There is a replay shown where Kurt replaced himself with his brother Eric Angle. Lesnar finds Eric on the floor and delivers an F5 into the ring post. Eric clutches his knee in agony. Lesnar grabs a microphone and wants Kurt to return to the ring. Eric is bused open on the floor. Paul Heyman comes out with Team Angle to talk to Lesnar. Heyman says Lesnar got taught a lesson tonight. Heyman promises Lesnar will be taught another lesson. Team Angle runs into the ring and brawls with Lesnar. Lesnar overhead suplexs Haas and Benjamin. Lesnar is met with a double flapjack and is stomped in the corner. Benoit and Rhyno run into the ring to make the save brawling with Team Angle. Heyman is in the ring stomping Lesnar. A-Train and Big Show come out to attack Lesnar and save Heyman. Show clotheslines Lesnar. Undertaker runs to the ring and makes the save. Lesnar clotheslines Train to the floor while Taker knocks Show to the floor, as well. Taker rolls Heyman into the ring and Lesnar removes Heyman’s neckbrace. Lesnar lifts Heyman into the air and delivers the F5 to Heyman. Taker and Lesnar pose for the crowd.
Final Thoughts:
A good episode of Smackdown this week that flew by. Kurt/Lesnar segment was done very well to add some more hype for the match at WrestleMania. There was quality wrestling throughout the show. Smackdown continues to be consistently good.
Thanks for reading.