Smackdown!
Anaheim, California
June 5, 2003
SmackDown! started off this week
with Piper's Pit. Roddy Piper and Sean O'Haire made their way to
the ring where Piper started talking about a very special guest he had lined up
for the show. That special guest is Zack Gowen, whom Piper called out but
instead, Vince McMahon marched to the ring. McMahon said he was going to
make a change for the better and introduced Zack Gowen who was
accompanied by Mr. America. McMahon offered Gowen a contract with WWE,
but under some certain stipulations. McMahon booked himself in an arm-wresling
match next week in Orlando, Florida. Mr. America was quick to accept the
challenge but McMahon said the challenge wasn't to him, it was to Gowen himself.
McMahon cracked some insults before he shoved Gowen down and the three heels ran
up the ramp. McMahon said Gowen had as much chance of winning as a one legged
man in an ass-kicking contest does.
Tonight also marked the return of Kurt Angle and they showed an Angle highlight
here when he doused the WCW/ECW Alliance with milk.
The Undertaker defeated Chuck Palumbo (with Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli).
Taker was in control from the start until he was dumped to the outside where
Nunzio and Stamboli attacked him. Despite the FBI's best efforts, Taker scored a
chokeslam on Palumbo for the win. Afterwards, Nunzio and Stamboli jumped Taker
but Taker fought back and had Nunzio set for the Last Ride when Palumbo clocked
him with a superkick. Nunzio then brought a chair in as Stamboli and Palumbo
held the Undertaker back. However, Taker broke free and cleared the ring.
A very nice video tribute was shown to commemorate the life of "Classy" Freddie
Blassie.
Non-Title Match: Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri defeated The Basham Brothers.
Wow, I can't tell which Basham brother is which but they both looked pretty good
here, I missed their debut last week. Anyway, Guerrero was the man in this
match, hitting his signature moves, the consecutive vertical suplexes as well as
a huge Frog Splash late in the match to I believe, Danny Basham. Tajiri then
landed the Buzzsaw Kick for the win.
After the break, Kurt Angle made his return. Angle was so happy to be
back, he had his music fired up again when he was in the ring just so he could
hear the crowd chant, "You Suck!" Angle said while he was laid up in the
hospital, there was one man who kept visiting and calling him to make sure he
was alright. Angle was about to name him when Big Show came out. Show got
in the ring and got right in Angle's face. Show said it was his time now because
next week he has a shot for the title against Brock Lesnar. Show said when he
wins the title, maybe he'll let Angle have a shot, but he told Angle he didn't
want to face him. After Show was done, Angle said, "Okay, Show... these are
breath strips." Hilarious. Show told Angle he better get serious and Angle
stepped up on the second rope so he was taller than Show. Angle said he wrestled
in the Olympics and in the WrestleMania main event with a broken neck so he
asked show to forgive him if he wasn't exactly pooping his pants right now. Show
grabbed Angle by the neck when Brock Lesnar's music hit and he came down
to the ring. Show let go of Angle and headed up the ramp saying, "Not right
now." Angle and Lesnar stare each other down for a moment and Angle said he just
wanted to thank Brock for all the concern he showed while Angle was in the
hospital. The two embraced and raised each others hands to end the segment.
John Cena defeated Chris Benoit. Benoit controlled most of the way
through and had Cena almost beat after the rolling Germans but Cena went for his
chain. Rhyno came out and grabbed the chain from Cena and went to deck
him with it but Cena ducked and Rhyno nailed Benoit instead. Cena then clocked
Rhyno and scored the win over Benoit.
Mixed Tag Match: Rikishi & Torrie Wilson defeated Jamie Noble & Nidia.
Before the match, Noble and Rikishi both show off their ladies. Pretty typical
mixed tag. Rikishi worked with Noble, Torrie worked with Nidia, the usual. Late
in the match, Rikishi hit Nidia with the stinkface which allowed Torrie to take
advantage, hit a swinging neckbreaker and get the win. After the match, Rikishi
and Torrie danced for the crowd.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio was interviewed by Josh Mathews. Mysterio said he
was focused on his match and not worried about his groin injury. Eddie Guerrero
showed up to offer some words of encouragement, both in English and Spanish.
Eddie told Rey to not even think about coming back to the locker room without
the gold.
Meanwhile, Stephanie McMahon entered her office to find Vince hanging
around. Vince told Stephanie things were changing and he introduced Stephanie to
her new personal assistant, Sable. Stephanie reminded Vince of how Sable
sued WWE for millions over sexual harrassment but said all she needed to do to
get in good with Vince was shake her ass his way and shove her breasts in his
face. Vince said that was then and this is now. Vince left and Sable and Steph
just kinda uh, stood there.
Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Mysterio defeated Matt Hardy (with Shannon
Moore & Crash). Excellent match, lot of back and forth action, near falls
and whatnot. Eventually, Moore and Crash were ejected from ringside. Hardy
worked over Mysterio's knee for a good part of the match. At one point, Matt hit
his trademark move, the Side Effect from the second rope but couldn't keep
Mysterio down for three. Hardy grabbed his title which distracted the ref,
allowing Moore and Crash to sneak back in the ring and deliver a forward falling
vertical suplex to Mysterio. Hardy went up top and hit the legdrop but again,
Mysterio kicked out. Eventually, Mysterio, still ailing from his worn out knee,
hit the 619 but Hardy kicked out and went for the Twist of Fate, however, Rey
countered with a rollup and got the victory to win the Cruiserweight title.
Afterwards, Rey's son Dominic walked in the ring and got hoisted up onto his
Dad's shoulders and held the title as the show ended.