World Wrestling Entertainment presents Smackdown
Date: 5/8/2003
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Vince McMahon makes his way out to kickoff Smackdown. McMahon says he’s going to present Hulk Hogan tonight. The fans chant for Hogan to annoy McMahon. McMahon notes he’s paying Hogan to rot at home. McMahon reveals that Hogan will be on the show via satellite. McMahon says since Hogan will be here via satellite that means Mr. America will not be here either. McMahon is mad that Hogan is hiding his identity as Mr. America. McMahon insults the Canadians noting that they mentally challenged. The fans remind McMahon that he screwed Bret, and McMahon gloats that he did that. McMahon introduces Stephanie McMahon to explain how Mr. America was signed to a contract.
Smackdown GM Stephanie McMahon makes her way out to join the segment. Vince asks how Stephanie got him in the mess and why she signed Mr. America to a contract. Stephanie says she did what she thought was right for Smackdown fans. Vince asks about the terms and conditions of the contract. Stephanie countered every Bischoff contract offer. Stephanie reveals that Mr. America can not be fired or suspended under any circumstance. There is only one way to void the contract and that’s to prove that Hulk Hogan is Mr. America. Vince tells Stephanie to leave the ring and think long and hard about this.
Hulk Hogan joins the show via satellite from Tampa, FL. Vince wants to know why Hogan would risk his security by showing up as Mr. America. Hogan denies that he’s Mr. America. Hogan feels like he’s dying at home. Hogan wonders that one day he’d be back in action and teaming up with Mr. America. Hogan enjoyed watching Mr. America kicking McMahon’s ass last week. Hogan proclaims this is no charade and hopes to shake Mr. America’s hand. Hogan admits that they do look the same a little bit. McMahon suggests we see Mr. America tonight. McMahon wonders if Hogan and Mr. America are one in the same and Mr. America wouldn’t be there tonight. Hogan suggests there’s a good chance Mr. America could show up on Smackdown. McMahon finishes off asking what Hogan is going to do when he destroys Hogan to end the segment.
Backstage, Vince McMahon is told by a producer that Mr. America has arrived to the building. McMahon doesn’t believe him and kicks him out of the scene.
MATCH #1: WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION MATT HARDY VS. EDDIE GUERRERO — NON-TITLE
FINISH: Guerrero counters the Side Effect with a rollup for the win. After the match, Team Angle attacks Chavo Guerrero Jr. on the floor and steal the gold medals back. Hardy had decked Guerrero in the ring.
Bob’s Take: Guerrero controls the early portion of the match hitting a twisting crossbody as a key move to keep the advantage. Hardy gained control sending Eddie chest first into the corner. Hardy planted Guerrero with the Side Effect twice. Hardy continued with a back suplex/elbow drop combo. Guerrero fought back with a top rope hurricanrana to begin his comeback. Guerrero missed a frog splash after three suplexs. Hardy nails Guerrero with a middle rope leg drop over the back. I thought this was a solid enough match with quality action holding my interest. Guerrero cleanly is a good call as this isn’t going to hurt Hardy by any means and the aftermath continues the tag feud.
Match Rating: **1/4
Backstage, Big Show is having a meeting with the FBI. Mr. America is seen walking by as people are moving stuff.
Spanky comes out and talks about having his rap off with John Cena last week and he got beat up. Spanky gets the fans to chant Cena Sucks just like he did last week.
MATCH #2: JAMIE NOBLE VS. SPANKY
NOTE: John Cena is seen watching the match backstage.
FINISH: Spanky finishes Noble off with the Slice Bread. After the match, John Cena isn’t happy with this outcome and we see Mr. America walkup to see the screen for a moment.
Bob’s Take: Early on, Nidia kicks Spanky on the floor to help Noble. Noble keeps control with a slam and half Boston Crab, but can’t get a submission. Spanky fought back with a dropkick and a kick to the head after avoiding a German suplex. Noble hit a nice snap powerslam, but Spanky refused to stay down. Spanky misses a moonsault, but landed on his feet leading to the finish. These two would have a great match in a longer segment, I’m sure of it. It was a fine TV match.
Match Rating: **
Rey Mysterio returns next week.
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar says along with Chris Benoit they are taking care of Big Show and A-Train tonight. Lesnar wants to make his match with Big Show at Judgment Day a stretcher match. Lesnar is going to guarantee that Big Show leaves on a stretcher.
Backstage, Funaki meets up with Vince McMahon and says he’s going to watch Mr. America in the ring. McMahon believes it is an imposter because Hogan is in Tampa. McMahon makes Funaki make him some coffee and tells Funaki to leave so he can watch it on TV himself.
Mr. America makes his way out to the ring to cut a promo. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are watching in her office. Vince looks a bit concerned and furious as the crowd is giving America a standing ovation for an extended period of time. Vince is livid upon hearing America speak and storms out of the office. America declares that he’s not Hulk Hogan. America says a long time ago he was an accountant working in Hoboken, New Jersey. America recalls watching WrestleMania at the SkyDome and decided to quit his job and began training, saying his praters, and eating his vitamins to become Mr. America. America thanks Hulk Hogan.
Mr. McMahon makes his way out to join the segment and storms to the ring. McMahon says that Mr. America isn’t some kind of superhero last time he checked. McMahon mentions that he had said he was going to rip his mask off and that’s what Stephanie McMahon is going to do. Stephanie makes her way out to no music to join the segment. Vince distracts America and delivers a low blow. Vince tries to remove the mask, but America is able to prevent it. Stephanie is trying to plead with Vince and says she’s not going to help him. America breaks free and Vince knocks into Stephanie knocking her out. America waits behind Vince and punches Vince to the mat causing Vince to escape to the floor. America carries Stephanie to the backstage area to end the segment.
Backstage, Stephanie was getting attended to by a doctor when Vince stormed in looking for Mr. America. Vince tells the doctor to find out where Mr. America is at. Stephanie tells Vince that he hurt her and not Mr. America. Vince blames Mr. America for this and tells Stephanie she’ll be okay because she’s a McMahon.
MATCH #3: TORRIE WILSON VS. DAWN MARIE
NOTE: Sable came out to sit near the commentary table to watch the match.
FINISH: Wilson quickly wins with a rollup. After the match, Sable cuts a promo saying it must feel great to end the losing streak. Sable admits that Torrie looked a little bloated in her competition. Sable challenges Wilson to a match. Torrie takes off her suit top to showoff her bra to basically accept the challenge.
Bob’s Take: Ya know, I guess when a woman essentially kills your father with too much sex that a feud would probably never end. This was less than a minute and the rollup finish felt a little cheap.
Match Rating: NR
MATCH #4: SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS TEAM ANGLE (HAAS & BENJAMIN) VS. RIKISHI & TAJIRI
FINISH: Haas atomic drops Tajiri followed by Benjamin delivering a kick to win the match. After the match, Los Guerreros steal the gold medals again and the framed picture!
Bob’s Take: Rikishi started off cleaning house on Team Angle, by simply scaring Benjamin with the idea of his butt. Tajiri works over Benjamin with several kicks, but is tossed overhead by Benjamin. Haas tosses Tajiri with an overhead suplex, but Tajiri fought back with a kick. Rikishi gets the hot tag and cleans house with clotheslines and Samoan Drop. Benjamin drops in the corner after a double splash, but avoided the Stink Face with a low blow. Tajiri put the tarantula on Benjamin, but Team Angle quickly hit a superkick and rollup to win the match.
Match Rating: **1/4
John Cena cuts a promo before the next match. Cena raps about Rhyno and isn’t impressed by a half man, half beast Rhyno. Cena is going to beat his ass so sore that Rhyno will look like he did a prison tour. The crowd is eating up the rap.
MATCH #5: JOHN CENA VS. RHYNO
NOTE: Spanky has joined commentary.
FINISH: Late in the match, Cena tries to get his chain, but Spanky prevents it and Rhyno pins Cena with a rollup. After the match, Rhyno misses a GORE attempt on the floor and hit the ring steps.
Bob’s Take: Rhyno works over Cena to kickoff the match hitting a spear in the corner. Cena gains control on the floor driving Rhyno back first into the apron a few times. Rhyno fought back with a clothesline in the ring, but Cena hit a somersault cutter. Rhyno stopped Cena with a spinebuster. Just moments later, Spanky caused the finish. It’s a big win for Rhyno, but I wish Rhyno would have just won with the GORE. The action was fine for what it was, but it was too short to get all that invested in.
Match Rating: *1/2
Backstage, FBI are chatting. Nunzio says that everyone comes to them because they get the job done.
Backstage, Smackdown World Champion Brock Lesnar is walking until Nunzio cuts him off. Nunzio whacks Lesnar from behind and runs away into a room. However, Nunzio tricks Lesnar and the FBI trap Lesnar in the room with a board and forklift. Big Show and A-Train enter the scene to give them props. Big Show and A-Train argue over who is wrestling Chris Benoit, but Train allows Show to get the match so that Show can put Benoit on a stretcher.
MAIN EVENT: THE BIG SHOW VS. CHRIS BENOIT
FINISH: Big Show counters a Crossface attempt with the chokeslam to win the match. After the match, Train bicycle kicks Benoit. Show delivers a second chokeslam to Benoit. Brock Lesnar has escaped the room and attacks Train before going after Show. Lesnar takes Train out with the F5! Show clotheslines Lesnar and hit the chokeslam. Big Show stands over Lesnar to end the show.
Bob’s Take: Show wastes no time going after Benoit with strikes. The fans are heavily behind Benoit as expected. Benoit focuses on the left knee with a dropkick and strikes. Show stopped Benoit with a side slam. Show continues with a delayed vertical suplex. Benoit bites free from a bearhug, but his momentum is cut short. Benoit continued with a top rope flying shoulder block/headbutt for a near fall. Benoit counters a chokeslam with the Crossface, but has to dropkick the stretcher into A-Train. I liked the clean finish victory for Big Show to give him more momentum into Judgment Day. The match was good, and the aftermath was executed very well to give Show major momentum. I liked this.
Match Rating: **1/2
Final Thoughts:
Smackdown seems to have shifted away from incredible in-ring matches to a focus on angles and putting on shorter, but still decent in-ring bouts. It seems like it’s a fairly balanced program in that regard. I’ve been enjoying the Mr. America antics and the build for Show vs. Lesnar is much better than I remembered as a kid. I’ll give this weeks episode a thumbs up.
Thanks for reading.