Smackdown!
Norfolk, Virginia
Aptril 17, 2003
Smackdown for April 17th began with highlights of the tournament to determine the number one contender to Brock Lesnar. Tonight is the final match, with Chris Benoit vs. John Cena.
Big Show & A-Train defeated Tajiri & Big Show in 6:08. Towards the end, Tajiri hit A-Train with a kick to the head, but Show broke up the pin. Rey ran in, but Big Show press slammed him with one hand. A-Train hit the jump kick on Tajiri for the pin. After the match, A-Train went to inflict more damage on Tajiri, but Tajiri blew the green mist in his face. Show clotheslind Tajiri and threw him from the ring. As Big Show helped A-Train from the ring, Mysterio swung around the ringpost and hit Show with the 619, knocking him down on his rear end.
After a commercial, Big Show was incensed that Mysterio had knocked him down, so he said he was going to demand a match with Mysterio.
Michael Cole interviewed Brock Lesnar. Lesnar talked about his Wrestlemania title win over Kurt Angle, saying he was lucky to still be able to wrestle, and that despite the risk, and despite getting a concussion, he would do it all again to become WWE Champion. John Cena interrupted, saying Brock didn't have a concussion (Cena said Brock had no brain, so he couldn't have a concussion) and that he was afraid of him. Cena told Brock he was coming for him. Chris Benoit came out, and told Cena he had to get through him if he wanted a title shot, and that he needed to respect the belt, even if he didn't respect Lesnar. Lesnar took that to mean Benoit didn't respect him, and he and Benoit got in each other's face. Cena screamed he wanted respect. Lesnar said he would respect whoever won tonight. Lesnar shook hands with Cena, then with Benoit. As Lesnar shook hands with Benoit, Cena hit Benoit from behind and ran away.
A vignette aired, promising the arrival of "Mr. America".
It was announced that Los Guerreros would face Team Angle for the WWE Tag Team Championship at Backlash.
Eddie Guerrero, with Chavo, defeated Jamie Noble, with Nidia, in 2:42. Before the match, Team Angle came out on the stage and insulted the Guerreros, saying their grandmother was the best housekeeper money could by. Noble attacked Guerrero before the bell. Near the end, Guerrero went to the ropes, and Nidia tried to trip him up, but Chavo got her away from the corner. Noble tried to meet Guerrero on the ropes, but Eddie shoved him to the mat and hit the frog splash for the win. After the match, Eddie and Chavo made fun of Team Angle, implying that they were homosexual partners. Team Angle hit the ring and brawled with the Guerreros, but Eddie & Chavo ran them off.
Another anti-American vignette from Rene Dupree and Sylvan Grenier aired.
They announced that Rey Mysterio will face Big Show at Backlash.
The recent events between the FBI and Nathan Jones & The Undertaker was recapped, with the FBI getting Nathan Jones arrested for robbery last week. The announcers then revealed that Undertaker will be out for a few weeks with his arm injury. We saw that earlier tonight, Nathan Jones choked Nunzio, saying he knew that the FBI set him up. Jones laid out Stamboli and Palumbo as well.
Torrie Wilson was stretching in her dressing room. Sable came in and said how impressed she was with Torrie, especially after seeing her naked last week. Sable asked for help with her zipper (on the front of her outfit), then took her top off in front of Torrie, saying she had nowhere to change. Torrie left for her match, and Sable (holding her breasts) watched her leave.
They showed footage of Vince McMahon sending Hulk Hogan home two weeks ago as the Slam of the Night.
They announced that Rikishi would face Sean O'Haire, with Roddy Piper, at Backlash.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper came out for Piper's Pit. Piper called fans that type on their computers "cowards". Piper then aired the classic footage of Piper hitting Jimmy Snuka with a coconut, to show today's fans what the Pit was all about. Piper then wanted to show that he was "making friends" and aired the footage of Rikishi being hit with a coconut last week. Piper then introduced Sean O'Haire, saying he was the "new millennium wrestler" and the new "Champion of Champions". O'Haire said it was an honor to stand in the ring with Piper. O'Haire said he was there to learn from the only mind that might be more evil than his. Jimmy Snuka's music then hit, and the Superfly came out. Piper stood behind O'Haire, and mockingly acted nice to Snuka. Snuka said "there was a problem" here, as fans chanted "Superfly". Piper backed O'Haire off, and said he had "this one covered". Piper took off his leather jacket, and said he had a problem as well. Piper said he was the greatest wrestler of all time, but that he would be the bigger man, and extend his hand in friendship to Snuka. Jimmy would not shake hands. Piper took a swing at Snuka, and Snuka chopped him down. O'Haire ran back in and kicked Snuka down. Rikish ran in and went at O'Haire, backing him in a corner. Piper grabbed a chair, but Rikishi turned to face him. This allowed O'Haire to hit Rikishi from behind. Piper and O'Haire walked off, but Rikishi took the mic and said that he was no joke, and that he would take care of O'Haire at Backlash. Rikishi then laid out a challenge for Piper as well.
They aired a video on a recent Torrie Wilson Playboy signing.
Torrie Wilson defeated Nidia, with Jamie Noble, in 2:15. Both participants were in the ring, when Sable's music hit, and she came to the ring in referee garb to officiate the match. Nidia jumped Torrie as she was staring down Sable, and scored some early two counts. Torrie came back with a top rope bodypress for a two count. Nidia hit a jawbreaker, but Torrie came back with a clothesline and some chops. Torrie hit a scary backdrop on Nidia and a dropkick for two. Sable's counts were slow all around. Nidia blocked a monkeyflip out of the corner, but Torrie hit a tornado DDT. Sable hit a baseball slide dropkick on Noble to keep him from interfering, and counted the pin. Torrie looked uncomfortable as Sable raised her arm in victory.
A commercial for Triple H vs. Booker T and the "Rock Concert" this Monday on Raw aired.
Matt Hardy defeated Brian Kendrick in 3:10 to retain the Cruiserweight Title. Kendrick started out fast, and took out Shannon Moore with a tope. Kendrick missed a top rope dropkick, and Hardy hit a reverse bulldog for a two count. Matt scored a two count with a lariat, and applied a full nelson. Kendrick battled back, and hit what I guess could be called a spinning uranage for a two count. Kendrick hit a leg lariat and a Shining Enzugiri for a two count. Kendrick hit a facebuster to the knee, and went to the top rope and hit a top rope elbow for a near fall. Kendrick went for Sliced Bread #2, but Hardy slipped out of it and hit the Twist Of Fate for the pin.
It was announced during this match that Roddy Piper would face Rikishi in a match next week.
Backstage, Nunzio said Nathan Jones would pay for what he did. Palumbo and Stamboli said they would do "what they had to do". The FBI said they all understood each other.
Nathan Jones defeated Nunzio by disqualification in 38 seconds. Nunzio attacked Jones on the apron before the bell rang. After some punches were thrown, the FBI ran in for the DQ. Jones fought them off at first, then was overcome by the trio. They slammed the ringsteps on Jones ankle, presumably injuring it.
Another vignette for "Mr. America" aired.
John Cena came to the ring, doing a derogatory rap about Chris Benoit, including saying he was a "Dynamite" rip-off, referring to Benoit's idol, the Dynamite Kid.
John Cena defeated Chris Benoit to earn a title match with Brock Lesnar at Backlash in 13:50 (including a commercial break). Benoit controlled the first minute, but Cena kicked Benoit low to take over. Cena used a rear chinlock, but Benoit sent Cena to the floor and hit a tope before they went to commercial. After the break, Benoit went for a series of covers for two counts, then applied an overhead wristlock. Cena came back, dropping Benoit throat first across the top rope twice, then hit a rolling neck snap for a two count. Cena legdropped the back of Benoit's neck from the second rope as Benoit was stretched on the ropes. Cena wrenched Benoit's neck, but Benoit hit a back suplex and a series of punches and chops. Benoit hit a lariat and a snap suplex for a two count. Cena came back with a back suplex into a powerbomb, then choked Benoit when he couldn't get a three count. Benoit hit a forearm and a German suplex, but missed the top rope headbutt. Cena grabbed a Oklahoma Roll for a two count. Benoit locked in the Crippler Crossface, but Cena made the ropes. Benoit went for a German suplex, but Cena held the ropes. Benoit went for the Crossface, but Cena reversed it into a fireman's carry. Benoit floated out of that, and into a sunset flip on Cena. Cena dropped down rather than fall back, and hooked Benoit's legs for the pin. John Cena will face Brock Lesnar at Backlash for the WWE Championship.