SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 - SmackDown!
The show kicks off with a six-man tag match pitting three of SmackDown's biggest underdogs Zach Gowan, Funaki, and young Orlando Jordan against Matt Morgan and the FBI's Chuck Palumbo and Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli. They hold their own early, but the power of their opponents proved to be too great. Finally isolating Jordan, the trio of monsters went to work. A hot tag to Gowan proved too little too late as Palumbo landed a Jungle Kick for the three count.
Up next, a battle of the midcard as three men on the cusp of the U.S. Title hunt go at it. It's A-Train versus Billy Gunn versus the man-beast Rhyno! Rhyno and Gunn team up against the biggest man in the match, but it doesn't last long before Gunn turns on Rhyno. That would prove to be a fatal mistake, though, as Gunn left himself open for a Gore! Big win for Rhyno.
The stars of the Cruiserweight division battled it out in a ten-man battle royal. Shannon Moore is the first casualty, eliminated by Scotty 2 Hotty. Kyo Dai's Sakoda is the next man out, courtesy of Jamie Noble. Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri then eliminated Billy Kidman. Nunzio eliminated his "cousin" Jamie. After some high-flying wizardry, Rey Mysterio eliminated the up-and-coming Akio, then Nunzio. Ultimo Dragon is the next one gone, thanks to the champion. It's down to Rey Mysterio, Scotty 2 Hotty, and Tajiri. Back-and-forth near eliminations between Rey and Tajiri until the champion turns his attention to Scotty, eliminating him. Some good brawling between the two remaining lightweights ends when Rey tried for an avalanche in the corner and wound up eating one of the Japanese Buzzsaw's boots. Tajiri picks up a big win!
Up next, a match to determine the #1 contenders for the Basham Brothers' WWE Tag Team Titles. It's the APA against the World's Greatest Tag Team. WGTT isolates Farooq for most of the match, but after Haas missed a clothesline, Farooq hit a suplex that allowed him to make a hot tag. Bradshaw came in and cleaned house, and the APA pick up the win after a spike powerbomb on Shelton Benjamin.
After the match, the champions run in and lay out the challengers. Who's going to walk out of next week's show with the gold?
Up next, it's a non-title match as WWE Champion Brock Lesnar takes on Rikishi. Rikishi gets in a little offense early, but with Paul Heyman shouting encouragement from ringside, the champ winds up squashing the giant Samoan. After the match, the beating continued. Regardless of who wins this tournament, can anyone derail Lesnar?
The tournament kicks off with a match pitting Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle against Hardcore Holly. Both men have had their issues with Lesnar in the past - as well as each other. In the end, Angle reverses a piledriver attempt into a variation on the Styles Clash (a move no one has
ever seen before
), clamping on the Ankle Lock for a victory.
Up next, Chris Benoit faces off against John Cena. Benoit is a fine, upstanding citizen, and a wonderful family man. I predict he'll be hanging around the main-event scene for years to come. Benoit takes control of the match, but gets into it with the official. With the zebra's back turned, Sean O'Haire sneaks into the ring and assaults Cena with the Prophecy! Benoit gets the pin, but then realizes what happened and goes off on O'Haire, throwing him to the floor. Who knew he was capable of this kind of violence?
We now know that Angle and Benoit will face off on one side of the semifinal bracket. Undertaker takes on Edge is the third quarterfinal match, and despite a valiant effort from the up-and-comer, the American Badass was just too much, and Edge takes his Last Ride.
Backstage, Paul Lesnar talks about how there is no one in Brock Lesnar's league. No one.
Our main event pits the United States Champion Big Show against Eddie Guerrero. The winner faces off against the Undertaker next week! The crowd was way into this match, but everyone's fun was spoiled when Eddie's nephew Chavo assaulted him with a chair from behind, allowing the World's Largest Athlete to pick up the cheap win and advance to the semis as SmackDown goes off the air!
Next week, four men compete to see who gets a shot at Brock Lesnar (who will be taking on Edge in a non-title match) at Unforgiven. Undertaker vs. Big Show! Angle vs. Benoit! Plus, the Tag Team Titles are defended as the Basham Brothers take on the APA. After being screwed in their tournament matches, Eddie Guerrero and John Cena will join forces against their attackers Chavo Guerrero and Sean O'Haire. Also, after being the final two in the battle royal, the Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri will face off against Rey Mysterio in a non-title match.