Smackdown
March 6th, 2003 (taped March 4th)
Harbor Yard Arena
Bridgeport, Connecticut
 
Dark Matches:
 
1. Sean O’Haire defeats Dave Delicious.
2. Chris Kanyon pins Aaron Stevens.
 
3/8 Velocity taping:
 
1. Nunzio (w/ the F.B.I.) pins Funaki at 4:30.
2. Nidia (w/ Jamie Noble) pins Dawn Marie at 4:57.
3. Bill DeMott pins Xavier at 3:56.
4. Billy Kidman pins Shannon Moore at 4:08.
 
Actual Show:
 
We see the opening video for Smackdown.
 
Your hosts are Michael Cole and Tazz.
 
1. Rey Mysterio defeats Tajiri and Jamie Noble in a Triple Threat match when he pins Tajiri at 5:28.
 
Stipulation: The winner would earn a WWE Cruiserweight Championship match at WrestleMania XIX
 
Analysis: We kick off this edition of Smackdown with a big Triple Threat match. These three men were looking to be the next contender for the Cruiserweight Title and face off here to see who will get the shot at WM. Mysterio gets a big pop from the crowd while Tajiri got a decent pop and Noble was pretty hot as a heel. Noble wastes no time and knocks Mysterio off the apron to start the match as Tajiri hooks a rollup for a two count, and Tajiri ducks a shot and hooks a backslide for a two count as Noble gets a knee in and whips Tajiri into the corner. Tajiri catches him with a boot to the face and Noble ducks a shot as Mysterio hits a springboard senton on Noble for a two count with Tajiri hitting a low dropkick to break it up, and Tajiri gets a two count on Mysterio and kicks at Noble’s leg twice as Noble blocks a third kick and goes behind Tajiri. He blocks a German suplex and goes behind Noble as he hits a German suplex for a two count with Mysterio breaking it up, and he stomps on Tajiri and hits a standing moonsault for a two count as they trade blows with Tajiri reversing a whip and Mysterio ducks a shot. He hits a springboard crossbody for a two count and Tajiri blocks a German suplex attempt as Noble knocks Mysterio down, and he ducks a shot as Tajiri hits the handspring elbow for a two count and Noble counters a whip by getting a knee in. He sends Tajiri shoulder first into the post and nails Mysterio as he sends him to the outside as Tajiri gets a kick in and Noble escapes a hiptoss attempt, and he takes Tajiri to the mat with an armbar and rams him into the buckle as he stomps on him repeatedly in the corner. Mysterio gets a shot in though Noble blocks a German suplex with a back elbow and Mysterio reverses a whip into the corner, and Tajiri backdrops Noble over the top with Noble landing on the apron and Tajiri nails him as Mysterio grabs at his leg. Mysterio ducks a shot and knocks Noble down as Tajiri gets a kick in and puts Mysterio on the top rope before going up himself, and Noble gets a shot in and puts Tajiri on his shoulders before hitting an electric chair while Tajiri hits a superplex on Mysterio. Noble gets a two count on Tajiri and then he gets a two count on Mysterio as Tajiri breaks it up and he gets a kick in, but Noble counters a whip with a powerslam for a two count and stomps on both men as Tajiri gets a kick in. Noble reverses a whip into the corner and Tajiri avoids a charge as he hooks the Tarantula on Noble and kicks him in the head for a two count as Mysterio breaks it up, and he pounds on Tajiri who reverses a whip as Mysterio hits the 619 on Noble and Tajiri gets a two count with Mysterio breaking it up with a springboard legdrop. He gets a two count with Noble putting Tajiri’s foot on the rope and Mysterio hits a springboard dropkick on Noble, and Tajiri gets a kick in and Mysterio ducks a shot as he hits another 619 on Noble which knocks him to the floor. He gets a shoulder in on Tajiri who catches him with a kick and Mysterio escapes a suplex attempt as he hooks a rollup which gets the three and he wins the match. The match itself was good as all three men worked hard and put on a solid match. All three men were hitting their groove by this point and they had good chemistry as Mysterio gets the clean win. The crowd was into the match and popped for Mysterio when he won. Mysterio gets the win over Tajiri and Noble and earns a WM title shot as all three men move on. Grade: 2
 
Commercial break
 
2. Los Guerreros defeat the F.B.I. (w/ Nunzio) when Chavo pins Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli at 5:11.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is our first tag match of the night. Los Guerreros were attacked by the F.B.I. last week after Eddie defeated Nunzio and now they look to get some revenge here. Los Guerreros get a good pop from the crowd while the F.B.I. had decent heat as a heel. Chavo starts off the match with Palumbo and they lock up with Chavo going behind Palumbo who turns it around until Chavo works the arm, and Palumbo backs Chavo into the corner and gives a clean break as Chavo gets a shot in and rolls outside to stall. Palumbo goes outside and chases Chavo who ducks a shot as Eddie gets a shot in and Chavo throws Palumbo back into the ring, and Chavo hits a drop toehold that sends Palumbo into the bottom rope and Eddie tags in as he stomps on Palumbo repeatedly. He pounds on him and Palumbo reverses a whip as he hits a back elbow on Eddie and tags Stamboli only for Eddie to hit a dropkick, and he pounds on Stamboli and escapes a slam attempt as Stamboli blocks a rollup attempt with Palumbo getting a shot in from the floor. Stamboli pounds and stomps on Eddie in the corner as he chokes him on the ropes and pulls him to his corner with Palumbo tagging in, and he keeps Eddie from tagging and slams him to the mat as he hits a flapjack and a Samoan drop before tagging Stamboli. They hit a wishbone on Eddie and Stamboli chokes him on the mat for a two count as he hooks a bearhug on, and Palumbo comes in behind the ref’s back and hooks a bearhug of his own on Eddie who fights out of the hold only for Palumbo to get a knee in. Eddie catches him with a hurricanrana and Chavo gets the hot tag as he fires up on Stamboli and hits a dropkick, and he ducks a shot and hits a dropkick to Palumbo’s knee as he hits a low dropkick and kicks at Stamboli who reverses a whip. Chavo catches him ducking with a tornado DDT for a two count with Palumbo breaking it up and Eddie gets a shot in, and Palumbo reverses a whip and hits a hiptoss that sends both men over the top to the floor and Palumbo pounds on him. Eddie sends Palumbo into the post and Chavo hits a slam on Stamboli as Nunzio gets on the apron and Chavo slings him into the ring, and he knocks Nunzio down and goes up top as Stamboli goes up top as well though Chavo knocks him to the mat. He sets himself on the top rope only for Stamboli to catch him coming in and he hits a fallaway slam, but Eddie goes up top and hits the Frog Splash on Stamboli which allows Chavo to get the three and he wins the match for his team. The match itself was decent as both teams worked hard and put on a basic tag match. Los Guerreros were hitting their stride as a team while the F.B.I. were gelling well as a team, and they had decent chemistry as Los Guerreros get the win. The crowd was into the match and popped for Los Guerreros when they won. Los Guerreros get the win over the F.B.I. though this issue isn’t over yet. Grade: 1.5
 
After the match, Palumbo throws Eddie back into the ring and Nunzio throws his jacket over Eddie’s head as Palumbo hits the Jungle Kick, and Chavo tries to fight them off only for Stamboli to grab his leg and they pound on him before heading to the back.
 
We see Team Angle, the Big Show, A-Train, and Paul Heyman in their dressing room as Heyman asks what he did to deserve this and Lesnar will destroy him in the cage, and he says that he’s an agent and nothing is OK as Show says they have his back though Angle says they need to use their brain and he will talk to Stephanie about this.
 
Commercial break
 
We see an ad for WrestleMania XIX.
 
We see Stephanie McMahon in her office as Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman come in as Heyman says that they have a lot of respect for the McMahon family and he asks for one small concession, but then he begs her not to put him in this match as Angle tells him to leave which he does. He says that they go a long way back as they had not only a business relationship, but a personal relationship as he takes her jacket off and he says he knows she has a thing for him. He says that he has a thing for her too as she lets her hair down and says that there’s a time and place for everything, and she says that now is the time for business as they had something in the past, but he needs to think about the future and his match at WM could be a rematch. She says that he really insults her intelligence by doing what he did and she says if Lesnar defeats Heyman in the cage tonight, Angle will defend the WWE Title against Lesnar next week on Smackdown and she tells him to leave which he does.
 
3. Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore) pins Billy Kidman with the Twist of Fate at 4:02 to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is our lone title match of the night. Matt defeated Kidman at No Way Out to win the Cruiserweight Title and now Kidman gets his rematch here. Kidman gets a good pop from the crowd while Matt was pretty hot as a heel. Kidman scares Moore to the floor and Matt nails him from behind to start the match as he hooks a rollup for a one count, and Kidman ducks a shot and hits a headscissors on Matt as he hits a dropkick for a two count and Matt reverses a whip. Kidman attempts a sunset flip only for Matt to roll through and he slingshots Kidman over the top to the floor, and Moore stomps on Kidman and throws him back into the ring as Matt chokes Kidman with the rope and pounds on him. He whips Kidman into the corner and gets a shot in as he hits a gutwrench suplex for a two count and hooks a submission on, and Kidman fights to his feet and Matt catches a kick attempt as Kidman hits an enzurgiri and they trade blows. Matt gets a kick in and whips Kidman into the corner as he avoids a charge and Matt lands on the top rope, and Kidman kicks at him repeatedly and crotches him on the top rope as he hits the sitdown spinebuster for a two count. Matt reverses a whip into the corner and Kidman catches him with a boot to the face as he goes up to the middle rope and hits a legdrop for a two count, and Matt escapes a hold and ducks a shot as Kidman escapes a back suplex attempt and hits a tornado bulldog before going up top. Moore pulls Matt outside to regroup only for Kidman to hit a crossbody onto both men on the floor and he throws Matt back into the ring, and Moore pulls Kidman to the floor and Kidman chases Moore into the ring as Matt catches him in the Side Effect for a two count. Moore gets on the apron and Matt looks for the Twist of Fate though Kidman escapes only for Matt to send Kidman into Moore which knocks him to the floor, and Matt gets a kick in and hits the Twist of Fate which gets the three and he retains the title. The match itself was decent as both men worked hard for the time they got and put on a decent title match. Both men were hitting their stride by this point and still had good chemistry as Moore makes the difference and helps Matt retain. The crowd was into the match and Kidman, but are not happy when Matt wins. Matt retains the title over Kidman and both men move on. Grade: 2
 
We see highlights from Summerslam 2002.
 
Commercial break
 
We see a shot outside the Arena at Harbor Yard.
 
We see highlights from Smackdown last week.
 
We see footage from Torrie Wilson’s Playboy photoshoot.
 
Josh Matthews interviews Nidia while we also see footage of Nidia going to the Playboy Mansion earlier in the week, and she says that Playboy picked the wrong Diva as she is gorgeous and everyone wants to see her naked. She says that next week, she and Torrie Wilson should have a Body Challenge during Girls Gone Wild and she flashes Matthews before walking away.
 
We see Hulk Hogan walking down the hallway as he runs into an official and tells him to tell Vince McMahon that he’ll be waiting for him.
 
Commercial break
 
Hulk Hogan comes down to the ring and says that the fans are unbelievable as he has something to get off his chest, and he says he’s tired of biding his time and playing games with Vince as he knew Vince would love it if he just walked out of his life. He says that he’s not going away and Vince can screw him out of his match with the Rock as well as call him a coward behind his back, and he says that Vince can claim that McMahon-a-Mania is running wild though they have an issue which goes back over 20 years. He says that the only way to settle it and he tells him to come out here so they can settle it like men as Vince McMahon comes out on the stage, and Vince says that he has no problems settling any issues with Hogan anytime and Hogan is the true asshole. He says that he has a problem doing it as men because Hogan isn’t a man as he’s the only man between them, and he says that Hogan is a shell of a man and he can’t believe that Hogan would call him out after all he’s done for him. Hogan says that he done with Vince’s crap and Vince talks about how he hates Hulkamania and created Hulkamania, and he says that Vince is delusional or a liar because Vince had nothing to do with creating Hulkamania. He says that Hulkamania was a success in spite of Vince and it still lives forever because of the fans, and he says that he had something to do with building this company makes Vince sick and he helped Vince make the company what it is today. He says that all the jets Vince has and the billions of dollars as well his homes is because of the fans, and Vince tells him to shut up and that Hogan is believing his own bullshit as he could’ve had anyone play the role of Hulk Hogan. Hogan says Vince gave the ball to a lot of guys though no one ran as hard and long as him and if Vince believes he was just the right guy in the ring place at the right time, he is delusional and he wanted him in a match a few weeks ago though Vince put Rock in his place. Hogan says that Vince claims to be a man and he should prove it by facing him tonight as Vince asks if Hogan really wants a match, and he says there’s no chance in hell and Hogan claims that he hates Hulkamania which he doesn’t and he doesn’t hate the fans. He says that he does hate Hogan because he created Hogan and Hogan turned his back on him, and he says that Hogan left him and went to WCW while competing against him as he tried to put him out of business. He says that he hates Hogan because he testified against him for the federal government in the trial against him, and Hogan says that it was his testimony that kept Vince out of prison and if Vince was in prison, the word “screw” would have a new meaning. Vince says that his family gave Hogan his first break and his name as he took him from obscurity and made him a household name, and he doesn’t owe Hogan anything though Hogan owes him and he will collect as he will have a fight with Hogan. He says that this will take place at WrestleMania which is another of his creations and there is one more stipulation, and he says that when Hogan loses to him at WM, he will never wrestle for as long as he lives which he wants in writing in the contract. He says that he created Hulkamania and at WM, he will kill it and Hogan says he’s been waiting for this his whole life as he asks what Vince will do, but Vince interrupts and asks what he will do when he kills Hulkamania and Hogan says that Vince better start training, taking his vitamins, and saying his damn prayers.
 
Commercial break
 
We see footage from earlier today of the Undertaker and Nathan Jones training.
 
4. A-Train (w/ the Big Show) defeats the Undertaker (w/ Nathan Jones) by disqualification at 4:35.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is a pretty big matchup. Taker was attacked by Show and A-Train last week only to be saved by Jones and now Taker looks to get revenge here against A-Train. Taker gets a big pop from the crowd while A-Train had decent heat as a heel. The two men lock up to start with A-Train backing Taker into the corner with A-Train giving a clean break, and Taker throws A-Train into the corner and pounds on him as he whips him into the other corner and hoists him up. He rams his back into the corner and hits a big boot for a two count as Show pulls Taker off the pin from the floor, and Taker stalks Show and returns to the ring as A-Train reverses a whip and he hits a powerslam on Taker for a two count. He rams Taker into the buckle and pounds on him in the corner as he rams the knee into him repeatedly, and he whips Taker into the other corner only to miss a charge and Taker ducks a shot as he goes behind A-Train and trips him up. He drops an elbow on A-Train’s knee only to get distracted by Show and A-Train clotheslines him over the top to the floor, and Show pounds on Taker and rams his back into the post as Jones stalks him and A-Train throws Taker back into the ring. He stomps on Taker repeatedly and chokes him on the ropes as Show gets a shot in from the floor and A-Train gets a two count, and he pounds on Taker and kicks at him as they trade blows with A-Train taking control until Taker gets a kick in. He pounds on A-Train who gets a knee in and Taker ducks a shot as he hits the flying clothesline and he works the arm, and Taker goes up top and hits Old School on A-Train as Show again distracts Taker and A-Train hits the Derailer for a two count. Taker hooks the triangle choke on A-Train as Show and Jones get on the apron with the ref going to Jones, and Show gets in the ring and stomps on Taker to break the hold as he drops an elbow on him until Jones shoves the ref away which draws the DQ and A-Train gets the win. The match itself was decent as both men worked hard and put on a basic match. Taker was getting back into a groove by this point while A-Train was also getting into a groove, and they had decent chemistry as Jones ends up costing Taker the match due to his inexperience. The crowd was into the match and Taker, but are not happy with the ending. A-Train gets the win over Taker by DQ and this issue isn’t over yet. Grade: 1.5
 
After the match, Jones pounds on Show in the corner with Taker doing the same and they hit a double tackle on Show who rolls outside and heads to the back with A-Train.
 
We see highlights from Smackdown last week.
 
Commercial break
 
We see highlights from Survivor Series 2002.
 
We see footage from during the break of Stephanie McMahon ejecting the Big Show and A-Train from the arena.
 
5. Chris Benoit and Rhyno defeat Team Angle when Charlie Haas taps out at 11:54.
 
Analysis: Our last match before the main event is our second tag match of the night. Benoit was still having issues with Team Angle and now teams with Rhyno to face them here in a non-title match. Benoit and Rhyno get a good pop from the crowd while Team Angle were pretty hot as heels. Benoit starts off the match with Benjamin and they lock up with Benoit going behind Benjamin and he trips him up, and he works the leg until Benjamin trips him up and works Benoit’s leg as Benoit grabs at the arm. He takes Benjamin to the mat for a two count and continues to work the arm as Rhyno tags in and kicks at Benjamin, and they hit a double back elbow on Benjamin who rakes the eyes and tags Haas only for Rhyno to hit a drop toehold. He pounds on Haas who catches him ducking with a kick only for Rhyno to catch him in a belly-to-belly suplex, and he rams Haas into the buckle and stomps on him repeatedly in the corner as Benoit tags in and kicks at Haas. He pounds on him and hits a Northern lights suplex for a two count as Haas hooks a front facelock and tags Benjamin, and he kicks at Benjamin and pounds on him as he hooks a front facelock only for Benoit to escape as he goes behind Benjamin and works the arm. Benjamin turns it around and sends Benoit into the corner as Haas tags in only for Benoit to duck a shot and he hooks the Crossface on Benjamin, but Haas breaks it up and rams Benoit into the buckle as he pounds on him in the corner before stomping on him. He whips Benoit into the other corner and Benoit catches him with a boot to the face only for Haas to catch him in a powerslam for a two count, and Benoit counters a whip with a short clothesline and Rhyno gets the hot tag as he fires up on Team Angle and whips Haas into the corner before splashing him. He hits a clothesline on Benjamin and a running boot on Haas in the corner as he hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Benjamin and throws him into the corner, and he sets up for the Gore only for Haas to grab at him from the apron and Rhyno knocks him to the floor only for Benjamin to hit a superkick for a two count. He hooks a submission on Rhyno who fights to his feet with Benjamin on his back and Rhyno rams him into the corner to break the hold, and he clotheslines Haas off the apron only for Benjamin to hit a high knee on Rhyno and he pounds on him in the corner. Haas tags in and they hit a double team on Rhyno as Haas stomps on him repeatedly for a two count and he hooks another submission on, and Rhyno escapes by hooking a rollup for a two count and Haas hits a clothesline as Benjamin tags in and they ram Rhyno into their corner. Benjamin tags in and hooks another submission on Rhyno who fights to his feet and breaks the hold, but Benjamin escapes a slam attempt and hits a modified backbreaker on Rhyno for a two count with Benoit breaking it up. Haas comes in and stomps on Rhyno for a two count as he rams him into the buckle and chokes him on the ropes, and Benjamin hits a legdrop to the back of the head from the apron and Haas stomps on him repeatedly as he hits a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Benjamin tags in and pounds on Rhyno as he hooks another submission on and pounds on him only for Rhyno to reverse a whip, and he hits a spinebuster on Benjamin and Benoit gets the hot tag as he fires up on Team Angle and kicks at Haas before hitting a snap suplex. He kicks at Benjamin and sends him shoulder first into the post as he ducks a shot and hits a trio of German suplexes on Haas, and he goes up top and hits the diving headbutt on Haas for a two count with Benjamin breaking it up and Rhyno sends him to the outside. Benjamin reverses a whip and sends Rhyno into the barricade as Haas escapes a hold and trip Benoit up, and he looks for the Haas of Pain though Benoit grabs the rope to block it and Haas pulls him to the center of the ring. He slams Benoit’s knee into the mat and hooks the Haas of Pain on though Rhyno breaks the hold up and Benjamin pounds on Rhyno, and Rhyno reverses a whip into the corner and hits the Gore on Benjamin as Haas gets a kick in and sends Rhyno over the top to the floor. Benoit takes Haas to the mat and hooks the Crossface on as Haas taps out and Benoit and Rhyno get the win. The match itself was good as both teams worked hard and put on a solid tag match. Benoit and Rhyno were gelling well as a team while Team Angle were hitting their groove as well, and they had good chemistry as Benoit and Rhyno get the clean win. The crowd was into the match and popped for Benoit and Rhyno when they won. Benoit and Rhyno get the win over Team Angle and this issue isn’t over yet. Grade: 2.5
 
We see footage from earlier this week of John Cena cutting a freestyle rap on Brock Lesnar.
 
We see highlights from the 12/19/02 Smackdown.
 
Commercial break
 
We see an ad for WrestleMania XIX.
 
We see Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman in their dressing room as Heyman says he doesn’t know what to do and he can’t win as Angle says that if Heyman doesn’t win, he will have to defend the title next week as Team Angle come in and ask where Angle was. Angle says that true champions overcome adversity and Heyman will win tonight because they are a team and no one man is bigger than the team.
 
We see highlights from Smackdown’s tour of South Africa last weekend.
 
We see the steel cage being lowered around the ring.
 
We see highlights from Smackdown last week.
 
Commercial break
 
6. Brock Lesnar pins Paul Heyman (w/ Team Angle) with the F-5 in a Steel Cage match at 3:12.
 
Stipulation: If Lesnar wins, he earns a WWE Championship match next week on Smackdown
 
Analysis: After a fairly quick and interesting night of wrestling, we come to our main event. Lesnar has been getting screwed over by Heyman since last November and after coming close to getting him a few times, he now gets him in the cage. Lesnar gets a big pop from the crowd while Heyman was pretty hot as a heel as Team Angle comes out with him. Angle climbs the cage to distract Lesnar as Team Angle get in the cage and attack him before ramming him into the cage repeatedly, and they pound on Lesnar and stomp on him as they hit a double flapjack and attempt another double team only for Lesnar to avoid a superkick with Benjamin hitting Haas by mistake. Lesnar hits a clothesline on Benjamin and rams him into the cage twice as he gets a knee in on Haas and throws him into the cage twice, and he throws Team Angle out of the cage and goes outside himself as he grabs Heyman only for Angle to nail him from behind. He pounds on Lesnar who gets a pair of knees in and he rams Angle into the cage which busts him open, and he grabs Heyman and throws him into the cage to officially start the match as he knocks Heyman down and closes the door. Heyman begs off and Lesnar kicks him at he hoists him onto his shoulders only for Angle to climb into the cage and he hits a chop block on Lesnar, and he kicks at Lesnar and hits the Angle Slam as he puts Heyman on top for a two count and he hooks the Ankle Lock on. Heyman crawls for the door though Lesnar grabs his foot and pulls him back as he kicks Angle off the hold, and he stalks Heyman only for Angle to nail him from behind and he pounds on Lesnar while Heyman climbs the cage. Lesnar gets a knee in and rams the shoulder into Angle’s ribs repeatedly in the corner as he grabs Heyman’s leg and pulls him back into the cage, and he nails Heyman and hoists him onto his shoulders as he hits a big boot on Angle and the F-5 on Heyman which gets the three and he wins the match. The match itself was pretty much a squash as Team Angle did what they could, but Lesnar ends up defeating Heyman fairly easily. The crowd was into the match and popped for Lesnar when he won. Lesnar gets revenge on Heyman and earns a WWE Title shot next week as both men move on. Grade: 1
 
After the match, Lesnar and Angle have a staredown as we go off the air.
 
Final Analysis: Overall, this edition of Smackdown was a pretty solid show considering it was so focused on the main event. With No Way Out behind us, we really got the build to WrestleMania going here as there were some big things set up for the big show coming out of tonight. We did have a title match as Matt still rules the Cruiserweight Division while Mysterio, Los Guerreros, A-Train, Benoit, Rhyno, and Lesnar get big wins, and in terms of the matches the non-title tag match was the best as the focus was on the cage match with Lesnar getting a title shot next week. 2003 has been an interesting year to this point as Smackdown was still going pretty strong and was looking to have their half of WrestleMania be the one everyone remembered. As for this show, it is a pretty solid show to really start the build to WrestleMania. Final Grade: B-