World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 4/17/2003
From: Norfolk, VA
A video package promoting the number one contenders tournament where tonight we will find out who challenges Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar at Backlash. It will either be Chris Benoit or John Cena.
Opening Contest: A-Train & Big Show vs. Rey Mysterio & Tajiri: Train and Mysterio kickoff the tag match with Train decking Mysterio with a clothesline. Train tries for a press slam, but Mysterio lands on his feet and dropkicks a seated Train. Tajiri enters and dropkicks Train for a one count. Mysterio and Tajiri are shoved down, but they hit double dropkicks on the knee and head. Train delivers a double clothesline and focuses on Mysterio. Mysterio stops Train with a jawbreaker and kicks Train over the middle rope. Show nails Mysterio with a big boot from the apron, twice. Show enters the match and strikes Mysterio in the midsection. Show lifts Mysterio into the air and tosses Mysterio into the corner. Show tosses Mysterio across the ring. Show steps on Mysterio’s stomach. Show stomps Mysterio on the mat and sends Mysterio hard into the corner. Train returns to the match and delivers a couple of backbreakers to Mysterio. Train sends Mysterio chest first into the corner and holds Mysterio over his back allowing Show to deliver a chop and Train drops down to hit a modified backbreaker for a two count.
Train sits Mysterio on the top turnbuckle and puts Mysterio on his shoulder, but Mysterio counters with a tornado DDT! Mysterio crawls to the corner and tags in Tajiri. Tajiri kicks Train several times. Train misses a bicycle kick and Tajiri hits a handspring back elbow. Tajiri avoids Train in the corner to hit a springboard kick for a two count. Tajiri nails Train with a superkick to the chest and kicks Show off the apron. Tajiri nails Train with a kick to the head, but Show breaks the cover. Mysterio strikes Show, but Show lifts Mysterio into the air with one hand. Show drops Mysterio to the mat chest first. Train nails Tajiri with the bicycle kick and pins Tajiri for the win. (**1/2. There were a few sloppy moments, but it was an enjoyable tag match. Tajiri especially came across well in his moments of shine. It kind of reminded me of 2001 Tajiri when he was getting over as a babyface.) After the match, Tajiri spits mist into Train’s eyes to avoid being attacked. Mysterio hits the 619 on Show, knocking Show to the floor and Show is livid.
During the break, Big Show complains to A-Train about the fans laughing at him about the 619. Train is trying to get the mist out of his eyes. Show is going to go to Stephanie McMahon and demand a singles match with Rey Mysterio.
Michael Cole is in the ring and introduces Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar for an interview. Cole hypes up Lesnar’s main event with Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XIX. We see footage from three weeks ago where Lesnar landed on his head attempting a shooting star press. Lesnar tells Cole that he was feeling the pain after the match. Lesnar jokes about being knocked out and he’s lucky to be standing there. Lesnar tells Cole that at Survivor Series that he lost the title, but it took five months to get another shot at the title. Lesnar knew that Angle was going to bring it and he had to bring the pain, too. Lesnar notes that Angle kicked out of two F5s and says that nobody had kicked out of it. Lesnar jokes about hitting an F5 on Cole to prove that they hurt, but Cole backs down quickly. Lesnar lets down the fans saying he can’t do that to Cole. Lesnar knew that he had to do something different to win after Angle kicked out of the F5. Lesnar talks about suffering a concussion, but he’d do it all over again. Lesnar walked out with a concussion, but also as the champion. Lesnar knows that Angle is at home and recovering from neck surgery. Lesnar credits Angle for taking him to another level and he has respect for Angle.
John Cena’s music hits to cutoff Lesnar’s promo. Cena slides into the ring and confronts Lesnar in the ring. Cena mocks Lesnar for respecting Angle, but not one word about respect for John Cena. Cena doesn’t think Lesnar respects the people and thinks Lesnar is disrespecting the fans. Cena calls Lesnar a liar. Cena doesn’t believe Lesnar got a concussion because Lesnar needs to have a brain. Cena tells Lesnar to chill and reminds Lesnar that WrestleMania is over and needs to focus on the new big thing. Cena tells Lesnar there’s a change in the air and a new one hit wonder, which is Brock Lesnar. Cena promises that at Backlash Lesnar is going to find out John Cena is bigger than Lesnar.
Chris Benoit’s music hits to join the segment. Benoit tells Cena that he ignores the obvious and asks if Cena even knows what respect means. Benoit wants Cena to respect and worry about going through him tonight to even get to Backlash. Benoit says nobody is bigger than the title and tells Cena to respect the championship. Brock Lesnar chimes in and asks if Benoit doesn’t respect him. Lesnar steps up to Benoit, but Benoit says he never said he doesn’t respect him. Cena tells them to respect him right now. Lesnar suggests they respect whomever wins tonight. Lesnar offers his hand to Cena, who accepts. Lesnar does the same to Benoit and Benoit accepts. Cena cheap shots Benoit and quickly departs the ring to end the segment.
Prior to the next match, Smackdown Tag Team Champions Team Angle come out. Shelton Benjamin mocks Los Guerreros saying they respect the Guerrero family. Charlie Haas chimes in and says their grandmother is the best housekeeper money can buy.
Second Contest: Eddie Guerrero vs. Jamie Noble: Noble attacks Guerrero in the corner and delivers shoulder rams in the corner followed by right hands and stomps. Guerrero fights back with right hands, but Noble connects with a swinging neckbreaker and a scoop slam for a two count. Noble sends Guerrero back first into the corner and delivers elbow strikes. Noble chokes Guerrero over the middle rope and backs off. Noble controls Guerrero with a neck vice in the middle of the ring. Guerrero hits a reverse suplex to drive Noble chest first to the mat. They begin to trade strikes with Guerrero getting the better with an uppercut. Guerrero drives Noble down with a suplex for a near fall. Guerrero dropkicks Noble followed by a clothesline for a two count. Noble elbows Guerrero in the corner, but Guerrero stops Noble with a tilt a whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Noble tosses Guerrero with a pump handle suplex for a near fall. Guerrero catapults Noble into the corner and plants Noble with a back suplex. Guerrero heads to the top rope, but Nidia stops Guerrero until Chavo takes care of her. Guerrero knocks Noble off the ropes and hits the frog splash for the win. (**1/4. An average match with Noble getting more offense than I was expecting to see. A solid TV match.)
Eddie Guerrero grabs a microphone to cut a promo. Eddie says they respect Team Angle and puts them over. Eddie jokes about them taking each other down and Eddie says the rumor is they go down on each other all the time. Haas and Benjamin do not like that comment. Chavo says they give a new meaning to ‘you suck.” Team Angle storm the ring and they brawl for a bit with the Guerrero’s clearing the ring to stand tall.
A video package highlighting the recent happenings between the FBI and the team of Undertaker & Nathan Jones. Michael Cole announces Undertaker had elbow surgery and will be out for a few weeks.
Earlier tonight, Nathan Jones grabbed Nunzio and lifted him into the air against a cage saying he knows Nunzio set him up. Jones took care of Stamboli and Palumbo trying to help Nunzio, too.
Backstage, Torrie Wilson is stretching when Sable walks into the room. Sable reminds Torrie she was impressed with Playboy, but seeing her getting out of the shower all wet there was no comparison. Sable is there to see if Wilson can help her with her zipper. Sable slowly pulls her zipper down and tells Wilson she has nowhere to change. Sable exposes herself asking if Wilson is fine with her changing with her. Wilson says she can change wherever she likes because she has a match. Sable stands in the room holding her breasts and asks “was it something I said?” to end the segment.
Roddy Piper makes his way out to host Piper’s Pit. Piper says he hears the crowd chanting his name and he respects the fans. Piper says people are coming out of their closets and beating people up, which Piper likes. Piper shows footage of breaking a coconut over Snuka’s head back in May 1986. Piper notes he’s been taking all comers for almost twenty years. Piper shows footage from last week where Sean O’Haire attacked Rikishi and Piper smashed a coconut over Rikishi’s head. Piper has been looking for a wrestler that reminds him of himself and he found him in Sean O’Haire.
Sean O’Haire makes his way out to the ring to join the segment. O’Haire tells Piper they had fun last week. O’Haire says that Piper is a legend and it is an honor to be in the ring, but he’s not there to kiss his ass. O’Haire notes that Piper is a winner. O’Haire wants to learn from the only mind that may be more evil than his. Piper praises O’Haire, but Jimmy Snuka’s music hits!
Jimmy Snuka makes his way out much to the delight of the fans. Piper tells Snukas that he looks great and considers this a surprise. Snuka tells Piper there is a problem there. Piper asks what the problem is with Snuka. Snuka assures Piper that his problem is with Piper and not O’Haire. Piper tells Snuka if he has a problem with him then he has a problem with O’Haire. The fans are chanting for Superfly. O’Haire leaves the ring as Piper takes his jacket off to confront Snuka. Piper puts himself over as the greatest wrestler of all time. Piper declares that he will raise his hand and extend his hand to Snuka in friendship and kindness to bury the hatchet. Piper tries to attack Snuka, but Snuka blocks it and decks Piper with a chop. O’Haire returns to the ring and kicks Snuka to the mat. Rikishi storms the ring and decks O’Haire to the mat. Rikishi clotheslines O’Haire in the corner and stops Piper from using a chair, but O’Haire kicks Rikishi from behind. Rikishi gets up and grabs a microphone while checking on Snuka. Rikishi says O’Haire is going to show that he’s no joke because his ass is his at Backlash.
Prior to the next match, Sable comes out and she’s wearing a referee outfit. Sable is the special referee for the match between Torrie Wilson and Nidia.
Third Contest: Torrie Wilson vs. Nidia: Nidia attacks Wilson from behind and hits a northern lights suplex. Nidia decks Wilson with a short arm clothesline for a two count. Nidia rams Wilson into the corner and shoulder rams Wilson on the back. Wilson goes to the apron and rams Nidia into the turnbuckle. Wilson hits a top rope crossbody for a near fall. Nidia delivers a jawbreaker, but Wilson responds with a clothesline. Wilson chops Nidia against the ropes. Wilson backdrops Nidia followed by a dropkick for a two count. Wilson sends Nidia into the corner, but Nidia sits Wilson on the top turnbuckle. Wilson spikes Nidia with a tornado DDT. Sable baseball slides Noble off the apron and Wilson pins Nidia for the win. (*. A harmless match and I was not expecting Sable to get involved physically in any capacity.)
Fourth Contest: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy vs. Brian Kendrick: Kendrick tries for a couple of quick cover attempts, but can’t get a three. Hardy decks Kendrick from behind, but Kendrick suicide dives onto Shannon Moore. Kendrick drops Hardy over the top rope, but misses a missile dropkick. Hardy drives Kendrick to the mat for a two count. Hardy drops Kendrick over the top rope and delivers a clothesline for a two count. Hardy puts a full nelson on Kendrick. Kendrick forearms Hardy and kicks Hardy in the corner. Kendrick plants Hardy with a tornado DDT out of the corner for a two count. Kendrick kicks Hardy and comes off the ropes with a heel kick. Kendrick kicks Hardy on the side of the head for another near fall. Kendrick drops Hardy over his knee face first and heads to the top rope hitting an elbow drop for a two count. Kendrick misses a Slice Bread #2 and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate, but Kendrick got his boot on the bottom rope! Hardy sits Kendrick on the top turnbuckle. Kendrick forearms Hardy on the top turnbuckle. Kendrick loses his footing and they fall into the ropes in a dangerous spot. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate to pin Kendrick for the win. (**1/2. Despite the botched finish, this was a solid match. Kendrick has been a fun addition to the division and I wouldn’t mind an extended chase to the championship.)
Backstage, the FBI are chatting. Stamboli says they will do what they have to do when it comes to Nathan Jones.
Fifth Contest: Nathan Jones vs. Nunzio: Nunizo tries to get the advantage before the bell. Nunizo is decked away by Jones. Jones nails Nunizo witha spin kick. Jones misses a clothesline and lifts Nunizo into the air by his neck. Johnny Stamboli tries to get involved and is met with a gut wrench slam. The referee has thrown the match out already. Chuck Palumbo is decked by Jones. Nunizo begs off and escapes the ring, but Jones follows to the floor. Palumbo nails Jones with a superkick on the floor! Stamboli knee lifts Jones and press slams Jones chest first over the barricade. Stamboli smashes Jones left ankle with the ring steps. Jones is screaming in agony. (NR. All angle. I didn’t hate it.)
Mr. America is coming to the WWE.
John Cena provides a rap during his entrance. Cena is a great rapper.
Main Event: John Cena vs. Chris Benoit in the finals of the number one contenders tournament for the Smackdown World Championship: Cena backs Benoit into a corner, but Benoit arm drags Cena. Benoit shoulder blocks Cena and delivers a snapmare before putting a wrist lock on Cena. Benoit controls Cena with a hammerlock, and takes Cena down to the mat. Cena tries to counter on the mat, but Benoit keeps control switching to a headlock. Cena backs Benoit into a corner, but Benoit delivers a few forearm strikes and rams Cena into a corner. Benoit chops Cena against the ropes. Benoit tries for a suplex, but Cena sneaks a low blow for a two count. Cena keeps Benoit on the mat with a sleeper for a few moments. Benoit elbows free, but Cena regains control on the mat quickly. Benoit fights back with chops, but Cena gets a rollup for a two count. Benoit tries for the Crossface, but Cena gets to the ropes and bails to the floor. Benoit takes Cena out with a suicide dive on the floor. The show goes to commercial.
Benoit rams Cena into the barricade a few times and they return to the ring. Benoit covers, but Cena kicks out at two. Benoit keeps a top wrist lock on Cena in the middle of the ring. Benoit knee lifts Cena in the corner several times. Benoit sends Cena into a corner, but is met with a boot. Cena drops Benoit throat first over the top rope. Cena drops Benoit over the ropes a second time and hits a somersault cutter for a near fall. Cena keeps control with a neck vice on Benoit, but doesn’t get a submission. Cena switches to a front face lock. Benoit takes Cena down with a double leg takedown. Benoit chops Cena in the corner, but Cena drop toe holds Benoit into the middle turnbuckle. Cena chokes Benoit over the middle rope and delivers knee strikes. Cena leaps off the middle rope to leg drop Benoit over the middle rope while on the apron. Cena rolls Benoit into the ring, but only manages a two count. Cena goes back to a headlock on the mat, but can’t get a submission. Benoit forearms Cena on the back and hits a back suplex to break free from Cena.
Benoit strikes Cena several times followed by chops against the ropes and forearms Cena. Benoit takes Cena over with a snap suplex for a two count. Cena sends Benoit chest first into the corner and hits a spinning slam for a two count. Cena rams Benoit into the corner, but Benoit delivers a forearm strike and a German suplex for a near fall. Benoit tosses Cena with another German suplex and signals for the diving headbutt. Benoit climbs to the top missing a diving headbutt. Cena rolls Benoit up for a two count. Benoit takes Cena down with the Crossface. Cena is able to reach the ropes to break the hold. Benoit stomps Cena over the back several times. Cena holds the ropes to block a German suplex attempt. Cena tries for the FU, but Benoit elbows free and tries for a rollup, but Cena sits down and pins Benoit to win the match! (**1/2. Not some kind of hidden classic or anything, but regardless it was a solid match. Cena cleanly pinning Benoit is a massive upset and a bit stunning to see Cena challenge Lesnar for the title at Backlash. Benoit is a stronger opponent and better match, but they are clearly attempting to make Cena an established name on Smackdown, which I don’t mind.)
Final Thoughts:
An enjoyable episode of Smackdown this week. There was some entertaining bouts and they promoted Backlash rather well for the Smackdown side. Can’t complain about that.
Thanks for reading.