Smackdown!

Chicago, Illinois
June 27, 2002

SmackDown! kicked off from the Allstate Arena in Chicago with the announcement that Hollywood Hulk Hogan would be facing Chris Jericho in the show's main event!

World Wrestling Entertainment's owner, Vince McMahon, was introduced to the crowd. He said that he wanted to introduce his friend who made Hogan tap out at King of the Ring -- Kurt Angle! Angle made his way to the ring as the fans in the Allstate Arena screamed "You Suck!" in chorus.

A gleaming Angle spoke to the fans. He said he may as well be the poster boy for ruthless aggression. Angle said that he had made the immortal Hulk Hogan tap out. He said that last week on SmackDown!, he defeated the Undertaker in the middle of the ring. He said no matter what he accomplished, he still had to deal with the fact that the fans are unappreciative of his greatness. He told the fans that they were the ones who sucked because all they do is mock him and make fun of him, but he said it wasn't going to work anymore. At that point, Angle ripped off his wig and bared his bald head to the world. He said none of the fans could ruin his good mood. He said he was on a roll, and he was in the mood to teach someone what ruthless aggression is all about. Angle challenged anyone in the back that he hadn't wrestled before to make his way to the ring so he could make them tap out. Angle said this was a great opportunity for a future superstar to seize the moment and wrestle a bona fide superstar like himself.

Angle continued to ask for someone to come out when suddenly music hit and a man made his way to the ring. Angle asked the man who he was, and the man said his name was John Cena. Michael Cole and Tazz commented that they had heard about Cena in WWE's developmental system. Angle asked Cena what made him think he could come out to the ring and face the very best in the business. Cena responded by saying, "Ruthless aggression!", and then he attacked the Olympic hero. The two began an impromptu match, with Cena taking the upper hand. Angle finally was able to catch Cena in the ankle lock, but Cena was able to escape from Angle's clutches. Cena held his own against Angle, getting no less than 10 two-counts in the process. After Angle finally picked up the win, Cena extended his arm for a handshake, but Angle simply laughed in his face before retreating to the back. Backstage, Cena was being congratulated by Rikishi, Faarooq and Billy Kidman when he was approached by the WWE Undisputed Champion, the Undertaker. Taker shook Cena's hand and also congratulated him. Afterward, Cena was obviously flattered by the Dead Man's approval.

The Tag Team Championship was on the line, as Billy & Chuck defended their title against Hardcore Holly and the Big Valbowski. Valbowski got a near fall on Chuck early following a big knee drop to the face. The champs got in more trouble later on as Valbowski hit Chuck with a neckbreaker and a crunching spinebuster. Valbowski continued to clean house, and Hardcore Holly got in the act by dropping Rico with an Alabama Slam! But the underdogs' luck ran out there as Billy blindsided Valbowski with a Fame-Ass-er, allowing Chuck to get the easy pin.

Torrie Wilson came out and whipped off her robe to reveal a tiny lacey lingerie outfit! Torrie will play a big part in Saturday's WWE Divas Undressed lingerie competition, which airs at midnight/11 p.m. Central on TNN.

Lance Storm addressed America on behalf of Canada and the rest of the world, vowing to beat an American during SmackDown! Lance Storm entered the ring, and out came Mark Henry to challenge him. The two immediately locked up and Henry tossed Storm into the corner like he was a dirty sock. Henry later hoisted Storm over his head with ease and slammed him to the mat. Henry sat Storm on the turnbuckle and delivered a powerful chop that sent Storm spiraling to the hard floor below. 

Storm tired to attack, but his chop shots had no affect. But after Henry missed a body press from the second rope, Lance hit a springboard dropkick and followed with a superkick to the face to get the pin! Storm's friend Christian came out and jubilantly congratulated his fellow Canadian on the win

Undisputed WWE Champion The Undertaker rode out on his motorcycle and addressed the crowd. Taker said he needed to get a few things straight. First, he held up the championship and pointed to his name inscribed on the face, saying that means no other man can lay claim to the title. Taker said he was supposed to defend his title against Triple H one-on-one at King of the Ring, so why did The Rock think he could get involved in the match? Taker said he had some good news and bad news. The good news is that on July 11, everyone should set their VCRs, because that would mark the return of The Rock to SmackDown! The bad news is that on that day, he would beat The Rock down and make him pay. Taker said he hoped The Rock could watch RAW on Monday so he could watch Taker destroy Jeff Hardy in a Ladder Match. That would give the People's Champion an example of what to expect in July.

Kurt Angle made an unexpected appearance in the ring and said all Taker does is talk. Angle said he's a man of action - It's True. Taker said that Angle is a punk, but Angle continued that he didn't understand why Taker would accept the match against Jeff Hardy, but if he survived he wanted Taker to meet him in a title match next week on SmackDown! Taker said he has a motto. Why put off kicking someone's ass until next week when he can do it now? Angle said he already had a tune-up match, so he wasn't really ready. Taker mocked Angle, saying he almost got beat by a rookie! Angle reiterated his challenge, and Taker said anytime, anywhere, anyhow, it's on. Angle asked that they put their hostilities aside, and asked that Taker let him touch the title just so he knows what he's fighting for. Taker allowed him to, saying that's as close as he'll ever come to holding the title! Angle responded by flipping Taker into the ankle lock! 

Test faced Rikishi in singles action and soon found himself looking at the lights following a big belly to belly suplex. Test came back and bashed Rikishi with a series of elbows to the head. Test started arguing with the official and even pushed the ref down, allowing Rikishi to score a couple of big right hands to his opponent's face. Test countered with a scoop slam and went for the Big Boot. Rikishi dodged and smashed a kick right to Test's chin. Rikishi dragged Test to the corner to prep for a splash, but Test got his legs up. Rikishi shoved Test into the ref, knocking him down, but Test hit Rikishi with the Big Boot. The official, though, disqualified Test, which infuriated the big man. He began attacking the official, but Rikishi stepped in and ended up giving out a stink face! Suddenly, Christian raced in and took a kick to the face from Rikishi. Christian, Lance Storm and Test scowled in the ring as Rikishi walked away laughingHulk Hogan stepped into Mr. McMahon's locker room, and the boss said on behalf of Hulkamaniacs worldwide, he wanted to say how upset he was over Hogan's loss to Angle at King of the Ring. Vince said he'd seen Hogan in a lot of matches, but never saw him submit. Mr. McMahon said it looked like Hogan was going to cry from the pain. As the man who built Hulkamania, Mr. McMahon said, he would hate to see Hogan tap out to Chris Jericho's Walls of Jericho. Hogan poked the WWE Chairman hard in the chest and angrily scowled, "One day, Vince," before storming off.Backstage, Team Canada angrily steamed over the official's

decision in Test's match. Test said that America likes to stick its ass in the face of the world, just like Rikishi. "America sucks," Test screamed.

New Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble, with Nidia headed to the ring where he would team with Tajiri against The Hurricane and Billy Kidman. Footage ran of Nidia rubbing against Noble in the locker room earlier. Noble saw Tajiri gawking and offered a taste. Nidia went over and planted wet one on Tajiri's lips. Tajiri ended up with Nidia's gum in his mouth! Noble said if the two won that night, there'd be plenty more where that came from.

Hurricane went for a chokeslam on Noble early, but the champ got away. Billy Kidman entered the action and was dropped by Tajiri's back handspring elbow off the rope. Tajiri hit Kidman with a kick while Noble was the legal man, but the ref was busy warding off The Hurricane. Kidman also suffered from Tajiri's Tarantula but countered a swinging DDT and tagged in The Hurricane. Hurricane managed to toss Noble over the top rope, but suffered a kick to the face from Tajiri. The superhero avenged the pain by chokeslamming Tajiri to set up a Kidman Shooting Star Press! Kidman promptly got the cover and the pin

The girls came out and showed off their skimpy attire, but they were interrupted by Dawn Marie, who wore her own revealing outfit. Dawn told the two not to feel jealous because she was more desirable than the two of them put together. Dawn said she would prove it Saturday night on Divas undressed. The girls began slugging it out, causing an official to come out and settle the madness.

In a backstage interview, Chris Jericho recounted how he had savagely beaten Edge a few weeks back during SmackDown! Y2J said he might put Hogan in the Walls of Jericho and make him submit. Or maybe he'd pin him after using his world famous Lionsault. Or maybe, he would finish off Hogan the exact same way he finished off Edge. 

Reverend D-Von arrived with Deacon Batista for a tag team match against Faarooq and Randy Orton. D-Von dropped Faarooq with a DDT but missed on a diving headbutt from the top rope. Orton tagged in and put D-Von through the ropes, but Batista had tagged in and managed to blast Orton with a clothesline. He followed with a giant spinebuster that put Orton down for the count.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Chris Jericho clashed in the evening's main event. Hogan tried to drop an elbow on Jericho early, but Y2J moved out of the way and smacked Hogan repeatedly in the chest. When Jericho lost momentum later on, he resorted to a low blow that the ref could not see. Y2J tried to pin Hogan with just his foot laying on the Hulkster's chest, but Hogan kicked out. Y2J put Hogan in an abdominal stretch, grabbing the rope to gain leverage. Hogan began to mount an assault, but Jericho countered with a bulldog and landed the Lionsault! Somehow, Hogan kicked out and began to Hulk up. Jericho landed punches, but they had no effect. Hogan landed a big boot that sent Y2J spiraling out of the ring. He grabbed a steel chair and smacked his opponent with it to earn a disqualification. 

But Jericho wouldn't stop. He shoved Hogan out of the ring and landed a chairshot to his back. Hogan slumped over the ring steps, and Jericho readied another blow. Suddenly, the arena went dark, and Jericho's entrance theme hit! When the pyrotechnics blasted, a figure stood with arms outstretched in Jericho fashion on the entranceway. When the lights brightened, the figure was easily recognizable as Edge! Edge raced down and attacked Jericho! Y2J tried to escape, but Hogan corralled him and set him up for Edge to deliver a spear! SmackDown! closed with Edge and Hogan celebrating in the ring