Smackdown!

Boston, Massachusetts
July 4, 2002

The Independence Day episode of SmackDown! kicked off from the FleetCenter in Boston with the announcement of two championship matches -- Billy and Chuck would be defending their Tag Team Championship against Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Edge, and Kurt Angle would be challenging the Undertaker for the WWE Undisputed Championship!

With virtually every fan in attendance waving a miniature American flag, WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia sang a rousing rendition of "America, the Beautiful" to celebrate the birthday of America. However, before Garcia could finish the song, she was interrupted by Lance Storm, Test and Christian. Storm said they had had all they could take of "this 'America, the Beautiful' crap!" The trio then told Garcia to get out of the building. 

Christian said that America's youth is so ignorant, they probably didn't even know why they celebrated Independence Day. He then explained to the crowd that it was not the day Will Smith saved the planet from aliens. Storm said American was founded as British colonies, and in 1776, American declared itself an independent country, turning its back on Britain. He said America ultimately released its war-like hostilities on the rest of the world, including World War I and II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He asked the audience what right America had to be in Korea and Vietnam. He said Vietnam was a touchy subject because America was defeated. Storm said Americans were hypocrites. He said Americans were contradicting their own Constitution by not wanting to give himself, Christian and Test the right to speak badly about America. Test grabbed the mic and said the rest of the world hates America, including himself, Storm and Christian. 

At that point, Rikishi's music hit and the Phat Man made his way to the ring to go one-on-one with Storm. Rikishi had the upper hand on Storm during the match, but both Christian and Test tried to interfere. After knocking both men down, the Samoan dragged Storm to one corner, setting him up for the Banzai Drop. As Rikishi reached the top rope, Christian distracted the ref, allowing Test to give the Phat Man a big boot to the face, knocking the Samoan to the mat. Storm easily covered the dazed Rikishi for the pinfall victory. After the match, Storm, Test and Christian raised their collective hands in triumph.

Backstage, the Undertaker was arriving at the arenaStacy Keibler knocked on the men's locker room door and the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry, answered. Keibler asked if she could talk to John Cena, and Henry said he would go get him for her. Cena arrived at the door, and Keibler said that Mr. McMahon wanted to see the young superstar in his office.

Reverend D-Von and Deacon Batista faced Randy Orton and the Big Valbowski in tag team action. As Orton was battling D-Von, the Reverend made a blind tag to Batista, who entered the ring and began to disassemble Orton. Batista had Orton in a fireman's carry then rolled through Orton, crushing the young star into the mat. Orton was able to get to his feet and attempt a crossbody from the top rope, but Batista simply ducked out of the way as he watched Orton slam down hard to the mat. Batista then hit a monstrous spinebuster on Orton to pick up the victory.

In Mr. McMahon's office, Chris Jericho was complaining to Vince about how Edge returned to SmackDown! last week and used Y2J's music and entrance against him. Mr. McMahon said that Jericho was obviously obsessed with Edge, so Vince said that Y2J could face Edge one-on-one at Vengeance. At that point, John Cena entered the office. Vince introduced himself and asked Cena where he was from. Cena said he was from the Boston area, which caused the fans to cheer. Mr. McMahon introduced Cena to Jericho, but Y2J was furious with Cena for interrupting his meeting with Mr. McMahon. After berating the young superstar for a minute, an angry Cena slapped Jericho before storming out of the room! Y2J told Vince that he would face Edge at Vengeance, but on SmackDown!, he was going to take out Cena!

Marc Loyd interviewed Kurt Angle, and Angle said that he was the poster boy for ruthless aggression. He said last week on SmackDown! it had taken him a little longer than it should have to defeat John Cena, but he said that was because he had the flu. He said on SmackDown! he was going to defeat the Undertaker to become the new WWE Undisputed Champion. Angle showed the crowd a highlight reel of his accomplishments from the past few weeks, including making Hogan tap at King of the Ring and pinning the Undertaker last week on SmackDown! Angle said it would be fitting for an American hero to defeat the Undertaker on Independence DayIn a locker room, Chuck was stretching for his title match on SmackDown! when Billy entered the room. Billy said that since it was the Fourth of July, they were going to have a picnic right there. Billy then produced a couple hot dogs and the two started munching down before Rico showed up. Rico was furious that the duo were eating junk food and not preparing for their Tag Team Championship Match against Hogan and Edge.

The Tag Team Championship was on the line, as Billy and Chuck defended their title against Edge and Hogan, who made his way to the ring accompanied by his "Real American" theme song, an American flag and red, white and blue feather boas! Chuck gained control with a double-arm suplex on Edge midway through the match. Billy tagged in and followed with another suplex and got a two-count. Billy held Edge outside the ring while Chuck distracted the ref, allowing Rico to get involved. Rico aimed a kick at Edge, who moved and watched Billy take the brunt of the kick!

Edge continued to fight. He hit Chuck with a facebuster and managed to tag in his partner. Hogan dropped both Billy and Chuck with right hands to the head. He then smashed the champs' heads together and nailed a Big Boot to Billy. Hogan went to hit the leg drop, but Chuck thwarted the attempt with a superkick! Hogan struggled to his feet and tagged in Edge, who leaped off the top rope and hit a double clothesline. Rico once again got involved, tripping Edge from outside the ring. This time, the Hulkster grabbed the stylist and planted him onto the ring apron. Hogan and Edge teamed up in the ring to each hit a Big Boot on Chuck then crashed down with a pair of leg drops which allowed Edge to get the pin! Edge and Hulk Hogan are the new Tag Team Champions! The new champs celebrated with a waving flag and the arena singing along to Hogan's "Real American" theme song.

Chris Jericho took on WWE newcomer John Cena, who was competing in front of a hometown crowd in Boston. Cena took down Y2J and delivered a series of right hands to the head. Cena catapulted Jericho into the turnbuckle and smashed him with a facebuster. Jericho fled the ring to regroup and Cena followed, only to be struck down with a tough clothesline. Back in the ring, Cena countered Jericho's axe handle from the top rope with a drop kick. A bulldog got him a two count. Cena almost got himself in trouble, but managed to reverse Y2J's attempt at the Walls of Jericho into a rollup that again got a two-count. Cena got another two count after a spinebuster soon after. Cena fought hard, but in the end Jericho cracked Cena with a Flashback and put his feet on the ropes to get leverage for the pinfall! After the match, Jericho held out his hand but smacked Cena when he went to shake it. Cena retaliated by whirling Jericho into a spinning body slam that caused Jericho to tumble out of the ring.Cameras caught Jamie Noble pulling up in his truck to a trailer park. He ran around and opened the door for Nidia and told her to open her eyes. She couldn't believe the amazing trailer that Noble had bought for them. They went inside so the Cruiserweight Champion could show her around. The best part, he said, was the bedroom with a full-sized bed! Nidia pulled him onto the bed and slammed the door behind them.

Stacy and Torrie squared off in a Bra and Panties Match. Torrie catapulted Stacy into the turnbuckle then whipped off Stacy's top! Stacy responded with a spinning heel kick. Torrie got the win after rolling Stacy up and whipping off Stacy's shorts. But as Tazz and Michael Cole said, everyone's a winner in this type of match! Torrie was about to leave, but changed her mind and stripped down to a star-studded bra and panties!

Marc Loyd found the Undertaker, who said that he's upset that Mr. McMahon insinuated that he may not have the title when Vengeance comes around. Taker said he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little preoccupied with next week's SmackDown! when The Rock would return. He said he'd have a beating in store for the Great One next week.

Taker had to turn his attention to Kurt Angle next as he faced the Olympic hero in a WWE Undisputed Championship match. Angle had trouble matching up with Taker's power at the start, so he resorted to his quickness to drop Taker with a single-leg takedown. After a few hip tosses, Angle began to celebrate but Taker ended that with a shot to Angle's back that sent him spinning from the ring. Taker slammed Angle's face into the turnbuckle and followed with a boot to the chest and got a quick two-countAngle gathered himself and executed a German Suplex, getting his own two-count. The match continued to put Taker's strength against Angle's quickness. Neither man would budge. Taker went for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Angle turned it into an ankle lock! Taker howled in pain as Angle tightened the hold. Taker somehow managed to counter, but became victim to the Angle Slam! A foot on the rope barely prevented Taker from getting pinned. Angle began to get frustrated and put Taker in the ankle lock once more. This time, Taker kicked Angle away and grabbed his opponent for a chokeslam! Angle kicked out, and Taker signaled for the Last Ride. But Angle grabbed on to Taker's head and came down with the Dead Man in a Triangle Choke. Angle squeezed his legs to cut off Taker's air. It looked like Taker was about to tap out, but Angle's shoulders hit the mat and the ref counted three and called for the bell. But it wasn't clear who had won the match. The ref didn't seem to know either. 

Several refs came down to attempt to come to a decision while both superstars pleaded their case. One ref raised Taker's hand, the other raised Angle's. Eventually, the original official ruled the match a draw, and Taker retained his title. That ticked off Angle, who again put the champ in the ankle lock before stomping off in a huff as SmackDown! came to a close