Smackdown!

Albany, New York
October 23, 2003

Paul Heyman takes over as General Manager

After defeating Stephanie McMahon at No Mercy and forcing her to relinquish her role as General Manager, Mr. McMahon named Paul Heyman the new SmackDown! GM. Mr. McMahon thought he had laughed all of his troubles away … now, they have only just begun.

Thanks to a relentless effort by the Undertaker where he not only overcame the challenge of a Handicap Match with Brock Lesnar and the Big Show; but also three separate instances where he was declared the winner – only to have the decision nullified by a new Heyman stipulation – the Undertaker earned the right to face Mr. McMahon in a Buried Alive Match at Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 16.

SmackDown! may also have seen the beginning of a new rivalry as Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit were supposed to face John Cena and A-Train, but ended up brawling with each other after Benoit hit Angle with a chair by accident.

And Paul Heyman was not the only surprise return to SmackDown! Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty were welcomed back to SmackDown! with a win over the Self-Proclaimed World’s Greatest Tag Team.

Match results:
Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit battled John Cena & A-Train to a no contest

Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty defeated the Self-Proclaimed World’s Greatest Tag Team

Basham Brothers defeated Los Guerreros to win the WWE Tag Team Championship

Tajiri defeated Zach Gowen

Undertaker defeated Big Show & Brock Lesnar in a Handicap Match