Smackdown!

Baltimore, Maryland
June 14, 2001

The June 14 episode of SmackDown! kicked off from Baltimore with a Tag Team Championship match, as Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho defended against Edge & Christian! E&C were looking to become eight-time Tag Team Champions at the expense of the two men who will challenge Stone Cold Steve Austin for the World Wrestling Federation Championship at King of the Ring.

Benoit was able to lock Christian in the Crossface, but the referee was distracted and didn't see Christian tapping out, allowing Edge to run in the ring and nail the Wolverine with the Tag Team Championship, breaking up the painful hold. E&C continued their double-team assault on Benoit, until the Wolverine finally made the tag to Y2J! E&C continued their double-team tactics, nailing Jericho with a tandem suplex. But when Edge went for the pin, Benoit nailed the diving headbutt into Edge's kidneys. Moments later, Christian went for the spear but mistakenly hit Edge. A Lionsault later, Jericho pinned Edge for a successful title defense! After the match, an irate Edge shoved Christian, and the brothers mouthed off to each other!

Spike Dudley and Molly Holly were checking out the new issue of RAW Magazine (which features Molly in a stunning photo spread), and Spike told Molly how much he liked their kiss on RAW. The couple was then approached by Bubba Ray and D-Von, who told Spike that they'd like to have a little talk with him -- alone. Molly left, and D-Von told Spike that kissing Molly on Monday was a disgrace. Bubba Ray said that Spike was only thinking about himself and Molly, and not his brothers. Bubba then told Spike that if Spike were to get into any trouble on SmackDown!, that they would not be there for him. As Bubba Ray and D-Von left, Spike questioned how much trouble he could possibly get into.

In a King of the Ring qualifying match, Raven battled the Big Show. The 7-foot-2, 500-pounder earned a spot in the tournament by pinning Raven following a massive chokeslam.

Backstage, Stone Cold approached Sgt. Slaughter, and asked the Sarge to sign a petition that it was unfair for him to have to compete against Benoit and Jericho in a Triple Threat Match at King of the Ring. The Sarge signed the petition. Kevin Kelly then approached the Rattlesnake and asked him about the petition, and Austin said that the petition stated that the match was unfair and should be rescinded. Stone Cold said he had over 1,000 signatures already, and he would present the petition to Linda McMahon on RAW IS WAR, hoping she would cancel the match, since she always listens to the people.

Austin then had Kelly sign the petition!

Next up, Matt Hardy (accompanied by Lita) defended the European Championship against K-Kwik, in the young rapper's first match back after nursing several broken ribs. K-Kwik showed a new aggressive streak during the bout, but in the end, Matt kept his title, pinning the rapper following the Twist of Fate.

Backstage, Austin had a fan sign his petition, before he ran into Jim Ross. The Rattlesnake mocked J.R., and then demanded that Ross sign the petition. J.R. signed under duress.

In X-Factor's locker room, X-Pac gave Justin Credible and Albert a pep-talk. He said that Albert needed to defeat Kane for the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown! for them to be taken seriously. As the three men spoke, Kurt Angle approached them and said he had an idea. He suggested that they work together as a team against Undertaker and Kane, so they could all emerge victorious. Before he left, Angle marveled at the fact that if you say Justin Credible's name really fast, it sounds like "just incredible!"

In Commissioner Regal's office, the good commissioner congratulated Tajiri on the great job he did Monday night. Regal said he was going to reward Tajiri by giving him his first Federation match -- a King of the Ring qualifier! Tajiri was very excited! Stone Cold then entered the commissioner's office, and Regal was happy to sign the petition. Austin then asked Tajiri to sign, and the Japanese superstar did just that

In a battle of revenge from Monday's RAW, the Undertaker faced Kurt Angle. Prior to the bout, Angle challenged Shane McMahon to make their match at King of the Ring a Street Fight, since Shane is from the mean streets of Greenwich! Angle won the match by disqualification when an enraged Undertaker brought the ring steps into the ring to attack the American hero. But as Taker beat on Angle, X-Pac and Justin Credible ran to the ring. Taker brutalized the two X-Factor members with chokeslams and Last Rides as Angle ran from the ringside area!

Stone Cold then entered the production office and asked some more Federation employees to sign the petition!

Next up, Rhyno defended the Hardcore Championship against Test. At one point, Test put Rhyno on a table and gave him a top-rope elbow through the table! Suddenly, the WCW logo started flashing on the TitanTron, and out came Shane McMahon -- with Stacy Keibler! Stacy used her "assets" to momentarily distract Rhyno, allowing Test to kick a garbage can into Rhyno's face and pin him to become the new Hardcore Champion! After the bout, security escorted Shane and Stacy from the arena.

Stone Cold approached Howard Finkel backstage and asked him to sign the petition, which the Fink did.

In the eighth and final King of the Ring qualifying match, Tajiri -- accompanied to ringside by Commissioner Regal -- took on Crash Holly. Tajiri's intense international style impressed the sold-out crowd -- and especially Commissioner Regal, who couldn't believe what Tajiri was capable of! Tajiri picked up the pinfall after a vicious kick to the face, advancing into the King of the Ring tournament!

In a backstage bathroom, Stone Cold looked for the Big Show, who was in a stall, and said he was going to be there a while. Still, Austin had Show sign the petition!

Kevin Kelly interviewed Test -- the new Hardcore Champion. Test said he welcomed all challenges. As Test was being interviewed, footage suddenly aired of Undertaker's wife. The stalker said it was time for him to come forward, and for the stalker's dreams to come true.

Spike and Molly were talking backstage when Stone Cold approached them and asked Spike to sign his petition. As Spike was doing so, Austin also told Spike to have his "bimbo girlfriend" sign the petition -- and Spike took exception to that. Stone Cold reiterated his point, saying Molly was a bimbo and a gold-digger. An enraged Spike then ripped Austin's petition to shreds!

Commissioner Regal congratulated Tajiri on his King of the Ring qualifying win, and said he could continue into the tournament on Monday night. Austin then barged into the commissioner's office and demanded a Federation Championship match on SmackDown! against Spike Dudley, which Regal made.

Before the match for the Federation Championship, however, the Intercontinental Title was on the line, as Kane defended against Albert. The match was a hard-hitting affair between two of the biggest, baddest dudes in the World Wrestling Federation. Albert was able to reverse the chokeslam, but Kane countered the Baldobomb moments later! In the end, Kane finally hit the chokeslam, and pinned Albert to retain his championship!

After being on an interesting double-date all night, it was time for desert for Perry Saturn, Terri, Dean Malenko, and Dean's blind date -- Sherry. Sherry seemed intrigued by Perry's odd statements, and she soon drew the wrath of Terri. Terri went to hit Sherry in the head with a drink tray, but Sherry ducked and she instead nailed Saturn right in the noggin! Saturn just shook the blow off, and screamed, "Yahtzee! You're welcome!"

The main event on SmackDown! was the World Wrestling Federation Championship match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Spike Dudley. The Rattlesnake carried the torn pieces of the petition to ringside with him, and absolutely brutalized Spike from the get-go. Molly soon came to ringside to second Spike. At various points in the match, Austin locked Spike in the Crossface, and even the Walls of Jericho!

Stone Cold eventually finished Spike off with a Stone Cold Stunner for the pinfall. After the match, Molly got into the ring to check on Spike, and the Rattlesnake chased her off with a steel chair. Austin then started pounding on Spike with the chair, and Molly again came to Spike's aid. As Stone Cold was about to hit Molly, Benoit and Jericho ran to ringside with steel chairs, and chased the Rattlesnake away! The Tag Team Champions stared down the Federation Champion as SmackDown! went off the air!