Smackdown!

Seattle, Washington
August 15, 2002

Paul Heyman escorted Brock Lesnar into the ring to kick off SmackDown! from the KeyArena in Seattle! Heyman recounted Lesnar's dismantling of Hulk Hogan last week. Heyman said that Brock's performance was impressive, but that it was just a stepping stone for the Next Big Thing. Brock took the mic himself and promised to end The Rock's title reign at SummerSlam! Rikishi interrupted Brock and strolled into the ring despite Heyman's repeated warnings. 

Rikishi ripped the microphone away from Heyman and said he would back that ass up and make Brock kiss his phat ass! Rikishi and Brock came to blows and the Phat Man knocked the Next Big Thing over the top rope and nearly gave Heyman a Stink Face. Luckily for Heyman, Brock came to the rescue and the two backed up the ramp.

Billy, Chuck & Rico def. Shannon Moore, The Hurricane & Hardcore Holly 
With the referee distracted, Billy snuck up behind Shannon Moore and slammed the newcomer, allowing Chuck to get the pinfall. Afterwards, Billy, Chuck and Rico ganged up on Shannon, but Matt Hardy sprinted into the ring and helped Hurricane and Hardcore Holly clear the ring!

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon reamed out Dawn Marie for allowing some highly sensitive documents fall into Eric Bischoff's hands last week. The documents were a contract that allowed RAW Superstar Rob Van Dam to get a shot at Chris Benoit and the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam. Stephanie told Dawn that if she wants to continue working for her, she needs to dress more professionally and if she screwed up again Stephanie would fire her. 

Matt Hardy told Shannon Moore, Hurricane and Hardcore backstage that he's glad to see them and they didn't need to thank him for helping them out. The three exchanged quizzical looks as Matt left.

During a backstage interview where Kurt Angle talked a lot of trash about Rey Mysterio to Marc Loyd, Mysterio came up and challenged Angle to a match at SummerSlam. Mysterio said he would beat Kurt again and shut him up once and for all. Angle accepted and repeatedly made fun of Mysterio's size. Angle then turned around to find Mark Henry looming over him. Henry called Angle a little man, prompting Angle to question if Henry's the World's Strongest Man in weightlifting or in body odor!

In Stephanie's office, Chris Benoit told the SmackDown! General Manager that he would take care of RVD at SummerSlam, but would first make The Rock tap out once again during their match later on!

Kurt Angle def. Mark Henry
The World's Strongest Man countered out of the ankle lock, but Angle latched on the lock a second time and forced Henry to tap out! Mysterio raced in and cut Angle's celebration short by hitting the Olympic hero with a 619 that cut Angle's forehead!

Brock Lesnar def. Rikishi
Rikishi propped Brock in the corner for a Stink Face, but Heyman ran in and broke things up. Rikishi slumped Heyman in the corner and had to pick who to give the Stink Face. He chose Heyman, but first dropped Brock with a kick when the Next Big Thing snuck up behind him. Heyman got the Stink Face, but Brock recovered and hit the F-5 to get the win!

Funaki interviewed Nidia backstage. Nidia didn't answer Funaki's question about her match with Torrie Wilson, instead going on about how hot she is. She tempted Funaki to touch her breast, but they were interrupted when Reverend D-Von stumbled in after being knocked down by Batista! Batista ordered D-Von to have some respect before storming away!

Nidia def. Torrie Wilson
Torrie took down Nidia with a DDT, but Jamie Noble slipped into the ring to level Torrie with a clothesline. Nidia got the pin, and the TitanTron suddenly exploded with images of Kane! The monster didn't appear, however. Tazz commented that he heard Kane would be coming to SmackDown!

Chavo Guerrero and Eddie Guerrero talked to their grandmother on a cell phone backstage. They told her to make sure their entire family was watching on TV as they teamed up against Edge and Rey Mysterio!

Edge and Rey Mysterio def. Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero by disqualification
Mysterio cracked Chavo with the 619, but Kurt Angle ran to ringside and put Mysterio in the ankle lock! Eddie attacked Edge but was speared into the ring barrier. Back in the ring, Angle held Mysterio in the ankle lock while Chavo kicked him in the head. Edge ran to the rescue, taking both Chavo and Angle down with the spear!

Backstage, The Rock told Brock Lesnar in several languages to Just Bring It! As The Rock finished speaking and walked away, Brock Lesnar walked into view with a sadistic smile. 

The Rock def. Chris Benoit
The Rock hit Benoit with a Rock Bottom and set up for the People's Elbow, but the Great One spotted Brock Lesnar coming down the ramp and immediately went to confront him. The SummerSlam opponents nearly came to blows, but Benoit blindsided The Rock and proceeded to put him in the Crossface back in the ring! Rock refused to tap and managed to reach the rope to break the hold! With Lesnar watching from just several feet away, Rock executed the Rock Bottom on Benoit and got the pinfall! The Rock told Lesnar to Just Bring It, but the Next Big Thing smiled and backed up the ramp as SmackDown! closed.