World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 3/20/2003
From: Louisville, KY
The program starts off with pictures of WWF wrestlers overseas with the military. There’s also clips of various musical performances from WrestleMania shown.
Footage from last week where Brock Lesnar got tricked by Kurt Angle is shown. Kurt switched out with his brother Eric Angle to fool Lesnar and pinned Lesnar to retain the title.
Tonight, there will be a contract signing between Mr. McMahon and Hulk Hogan for WrestleMania.
Opening Contest: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Charlie Haas vs. Rhyno: Rhyno hammers away on Haas to kickoff the match followed by a clothesline. Rhyno knocks Haas to the floor and swings the tag title around in the air. Rhyno follows to the floor and throws Haas back into the ring. Rhyno continues with right hands against the ropes. Benjamin pulls down the ropes causing Rhyno to crash to the floor. Benoit goes after Benjamin, but Benjamin avoids Benoit and delivers a superkick to Rhyno on the floor. Haas sends Rhyno into the corner and hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. Haas dropkicks Rhyno on the knee and continues with stomps. Haas knee drops Rhyno on the knee and keeps control on the mat. Haas wrenches on Rhyno’s knee for a few moments. Haas kicks Rhyno on the knee several times. Haas puts a leg lock on Rhyno, but doesn’t get a submission. Benjamin strikes Rhyno over the bottom rope. Haas drives Rhyno’s knee down to the mat several times. Haas goes back to a leg lock, but Rhyno refuses to give in. Rhyno manages to reach the ropes to break the hold. Benjamin strikes Rhyno from the floor, but Benoit chases Benjamin away. Rhyno chops Haas a few times, but Haas stops Rhyno with a knee breaker. Haas stomps Rhyno on the mat followed by a knee drop. Haas keeps control of the left leg, but doesn’t get a submission.
Haas stomps Rhyno on the left knee and wrenches on the left leg. Rhyno kicks Haas away and delivers a back suplex. Rhyno punches Haas several times and delivers a shoulder block followed by a clothesline. Rhyno backdrops Haas followed by a belly to belly suplex. Rhyno waits in the corner, but Benjamin trips Rhyno. Benjamin rams Benoit into the corner. Haas decks Rhyno with the tag championship to cause the disqualification. After the match, Benoit cleans house sending the tag champs to the floor. (**. A decent match with a lame DQ finish. It almost feels like the main focus for the tag titles is between these two teams and Los Guerreros are basically attached to get them on the show. It was a solid match for what it was and Rhyno has been doing well since his return from injury.)
Bob Costas promotes the feud between McMahon and Hogan.
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon tells Brian Kendrick she was upset to learn he was the penguin last week. McMahon says Kendrick is a liability and not a member of the roster. Kendrick says he’s been trying to impress Stephanie and apologizes. Stephanie tells Kendrick she’s offering him an opportunity. If Kendrick beats Shannon Moore tonight then he’s on the roster. Kendrick thanks Stephanie for the opportunity.
John Cena provides another rap somewhere outside the building. Cena claims that hip hop hates him. Cena is offering an open challenge for WrestleMania for a rap battle. Cena laughed at Brock Lesnar for getting fooled last week. Cena is returning to Smackdown next week.
Footage of Los Guerreros going to a golf course to play some golf with two cocky white golfers. They threaten the white golfers to be their partners on the course whether they like it or not. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Guerreros cheat while playing and they end up winning money, watches and keys to their cars.
Second Contest: Los Guerreros. (Eddie & Chavo) & Rikishi vs. The FBI (Nunzio, Palumbo & Stamboli): Nunzio works over Eddie with strikes, but is met with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Guerrero stomps on Nunzio and tags in Chavo. Chavo misses a clothesline, but hits a sit down powerbomb for a two count as Stamboli made the save. Chavo sends Nunzio into Stamboli and they both fall to the floor. Guerrero dropkicks Palumbo on the knee and delivers a head scissors. Stamboli knee lifts Chavo from the apron. Palumbo knocks Nunzio off the apron accidentally and decks Chavo to regain control. Palumbo puts a half Boston Crab on Chavo, but doesn’t get a submission. Chavo tags in Eddie, but the referee didn’t see it. Chavo is dragged to the corner and is triple teamed. Nunzio hits a middle rope leg drop on Chavo and Stamboli puts a half Boston Crab on Chavo. Palumbo delivers a Samoan drop for a two count. Chavo plants Palumbo with a tornado DDT. Eddie gets tagged in and hammers away on Palumbo followed by a hurricanrana and dropkicks Stamboli. Eddie knocks Nunzio of the apron. Eddie head scissors and arm drags Palumbo and Stamboli. Rikishi tags in and cleans house., Rikishi superkicks Palumbo and Stamboli.
Rikishi splashes all three members of FBI in the corner. Chavo clotheslines Nunzio to the floor. Rikishi splashes Palumbo in the corner as Chavo dove to the floor. Rikishi savant kicks Palumbo. Eddie hits a top frog splash for the win. (**. A solid six man tag match. I kinda wish that the FBI could get a win to be a viable group, but that would be a massive upset heading into WrestleMania. If they had won here they could have made the tag title match a four way.)
Backstage, Hulk Hogan has arrived to the arena.
Bobby Heenan provides insight into the issues between McMahon and Hogan.
Third Contest: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Jamie Noble: Mysterio runs the ropes and monkey flips Noble, but Noble lands on his feet. Mysterio hits a hurricanrana. Mysterio sends Noble into the corner, but Noble fights back with a buckle bomb and stomps Mysterio in the corner. Noble delivers a back suplex for a two count. Noble throws Mysterio under the bottom rope to the floor. Nidia decks Mysterio with a clothesline on the floor. Noble rolls Mysterio into the ring and covers for a near fall. Noble presses his knee into Mysterio’s back and pulls back his arms. Noble knee lifts Mysterio and delivers a vertical suplex followed by a neckbreaker for a near fall. Noble holds Mysterio upside down over his back. Mysterio counters with a tornado DDT. Mysterio chops Noble and misses a clothesline. Mysterio hits a springboard crossbody. Noble runs into a boot in the corner. Noble powerslams Mysterio for a two count. Noble heads to the top rope, but Mysterio delivers a dropkick. Mysterio head scissors Noble off the top rope. Nidia is taken out by a crossbody from Mysterio. Noble checks on Nidia. Noble rolls Mysterio to the apron and tries for a Tiger Bomb, but Mysterio dumps Noble into the ring and sets Noble up for the 619, which Mysterio hits. Mysterio hits the West Coast Pop for the win. (*1/2. I wish Noble was put in a spot to look credible, but he’s clearly being pushed down the card since his title reign that ended late last year. Mysterio is someone that doesn’t need to be in the Cruiserweight division.)
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle is with Eric Angle and Kurt says nobody messes with them and they are heading to the ring for Lesnar to hear what they have to say.
Smackdown World Champion Kurt Angle and Eric Angle make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. Kurt brags about still being champion. Kurt talks about Stephanie forcing him to defend the title and admits he was nervous for a second, but then remembered he’s the greatest athlete, but also smartest. Angle reminds us of the three I’s. Kurt says Eric hid underneath the ring and allowed Kurt to win the match one, two, three. Kurt says he loves his brother and not in the way the people in Kentucky love their families. Kurt hugs Eric, who is a bit emotional. Eric says their mother was right and says Kurt doesn’t suck. Kurt hopes Lesnar is happy for injuring an innocent man and nobody puts their hands on his brother. Kurt promises that will never happen ever again. Kurt claims that Lesnar is the next sore loser. Kurt doesn’t believe Lesnar can beat him and Lesnar took his frustrations out on Eric. Kurt calls Lesnar and embarrassment and disgrace to wrestling. Kurt wants an apology for what he did to Eric last week on Smackdown. Kurt wants Lesnar to come to the ring and apologize to them or he’ll give him something to be sorry about.
Smackdown GM Stephanie McMahon makes her way out to the stage. Stephanie says that Kurt has to defend the title at WrestleMania, but if anyone gets involved or Kurt try to get DQ’d or counted out then he will forfeit the title. Stephanie says that Kurt owes it to himself and the fans to give the fans the best WrestleMania match the industry has ever seen. Kurt isn’t going to have a great match for the people, but rather for himself. Kurt reminds us that he won a gold medal with a broken neck and believes he can beat Lesnar at Mania. Kurt says they aren’t going anywhere until Lesnar comes out and apologizes to them face to face.
Brock Lesnar makes his way out to confront the Angle’s. Lesnar heads to the ring slowly as Kurt and Eric wait for him. Kurt and Eric both have a crutch just in case. Kurt shoves Eric in the way and Lesnar clotheslines Eric. Eric recovers to low blow Lesnar and Kurt jabs Lesnar with a crutch. Kurt grabs a steel chair and stomps Lesnar in the ring. Kurt hits an Angle Slam onto the steel chair! Kurt puts a chin lock on Lesnar. Several referees come out and break Kurt off of Lesnar. Kurt walks off leaving Lesnar laying in the ring.
Fourth Contest: The Undertaker vs. Bill DeMott: Taker puts a headlock on DeMott to kickoff the match. Taker shoulder blocks DeMott. Taker goes back to a headlock and shoulder blocks DeMott again. Taker takes DeMott to the mat with a leg bar for a two count. Taker elbow strikes DeMott in the corner followed by a strike. Taker drops DeMott chest first over the corner. DeMott stops Taker with a spinebuster for a near fall. DeMott strikes Taker in the corner several times. Takers body strikes DeMott in the corner. DeMott delivers a powerslam for a two count. DeMott sends Taker into the ropes, but Taker hits a leaping clothesline for a near fall. Taker delivers Old School. Taker misses a chokeslam and DeMott hits a belly to belly suplex for a near fall. DeMott misses a clothesline and Taker delivers a chokeslam. Taker spikes DeMott with a tombstone for the win. (*. DeMott clearly isn’t getting past the level of being the guy who beats up Cruiserweights. I’m not sure why he was put in this spot to stop his momentum on the undercard.)
Backstage, Brock Lesnar is getting checked by doctors. Lesnar doesn’t want them to touch his ribs.
Fifth Contest: Shannon Moore vs. Brian Kendrick: Kendrick controls Moore with a headlock. Kendrick takes Moore down to the mat and keeps a headlock on Moore. Kendrick shoulder blocks Moore, but Moore knee lifts Kendrick. Moore drops Kendrick to the mat face first. Kendrick tries for a cover with a rollup for a two count. Kendrick forearms Moore a few times. Moore decks Kendrick with a clothesline. Moore stomps Kendrick on the mat and delivers a snap suplex for a near fall. Moore forearms Kendrick on the lower back a few times followed by a dropkick. Moore slams Kendrick and keeps control with a sleeper. Kendrick sends Moore into the corner, but is met with an elbow. Moore leaps off the middle rope to heel kick Kendrick for a near fall. Moore snapmares Kendrick and presses his knee into Kendrick’s back before pulling back his arms. Moore kicks Kendrick followed by forearms. Kendrick kicks Moore followed by chops. Kendrick forearms Moore out of the corner. Kendrick drops Moore over his knee face first. Kendrick springboard dropkicks Moore for a near fall. Kendrick misses a dropkick as Moore holds the ropes. Kendrick avoids a dropkick and heel kicks Moore for a two count. Moore knee lifts Kendrick and plants Kendrick to the mat gut first for a near fall. Moore sends Kendrick into the corner, but Kendrick avoids Moore. Moore decks Kendrick off the apron. Hardy drops Kendrick face first over the ring steps. Moore covers, but Kendrick kicks out at two. Moore strikes Kendrick over the middle rope. Hardy decks Kendrick over the middle rope. Rey Mysterio Jr. comes out and takes Hardy out with a head scissors, though they messed up the first attempt. Kendrick hits the Slice Bread and pins Moore! Kendrick earns a contract! (**. Kendrick earning a contract is the right move and I think he’ll be a great addition to the division. If Mysterio doesn’t win the title at Mania, I could see Kendrick winning the title soon after Mania.) After the match, Hardy taunts Mysterio by holding the title.
Backstage, Vince McMahon is looking over a contract with his attorney. McMahon says that if Hogan loses then he never wrestles ever again. McMahon is quite thrilled with the contract.
Main Event: Smackdown Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Benoit: Benoit backs Benjamin into a corner and delivers a few chops. Benoit rams Benjamin into the corner and continues with chops. Benoit delivers a back suplex for a two count. Benoit nails Benjamin with a short arm clothesline. Benoit gets a two count on a cover attempt. Benoit rams Benjamin into the corner and continues with chops. Benjamin knee lifts Benoit and delivers stomps on the mat. Benjamin continues with a back suplex leading to a near fall. Benjamin taunts Benoit on the mat and chokes Benoit for a moment. Benjamin knee strikes Benoit over the back and puts a chin lock on Benoit. Benjamin rams Benoit back first into the corner a few times. Benjamin slaps Benoit across the face. Benoit chops Benjamin, and locks in the Crossface, but Benjamin breaks free. Benoit manages to dropkick Benjamin with one leg. Benjamin knee strikes Benoit, but misses a kick and Benoit locks in the Crossface again. Rhyno enters the ring to GORE Haas! Benjamin is forced to submit. (*1/2. I was not expecting such a short match, but clearly the contract signing is going to take up a lot of time.)
Mean Gene is in the ring to introduce the men involved for the contract signing. Gene puts over McMahon and Hogan as the reasons there is a WrestleMania to begin with. Gene introduces Hulk Hogan first. Hogan knows what it means by signing the contract. Hogan gave his word about hanging his tights up if he lost at WrestleMania. Hogan promises there is no way that he’s going to let Hulkamania die. Hogan asks what McMahonamania is anyway. Hogan says McMahon had the audacity to say that he made Hulkamania. Hogan promises that McMahon is wrong. Hogan says that Hulkamania made Vince McMahon. Hogan wants to get the contract thing done already. Vince McMahon tells several people to watch what is about to happen.
Vince McMahon comes into the ring from behind and whacks Hogan over the back with a steel chair! McMahon hits Hogan over the back several times with a chair. Hogan struggles to his feet and McMahon whacks Hogan over the head with the chair. McMahon signs the contract. McMahon jabs the pen into Hogan’s bloodied forehead several times. McMahon forces Hogan to sign the contract in his own blood. McMahon leaves Hogan laying in his own blood to end the program.
Final Thoughts:
The in-ring action was a little disappointing this week. Hogan/McMahon segment seemed to be the main draw for the show and it was a good segment. I’d consider this a skippable program aside from the closing segment.
Thanks for reading.