Smackdown!

Chicago, Illinois
June 17, 2004

THE PRICE OF LOYALTY
June 17, 2004

Paul Heyman cemented his hold on the Undertaker Thursday night, ordering a “demonstration of loyalty” and calling for the Phenom to “do the right thing” at The Great American Bash 10 days from now … or else.

In a “Live Free or Die” Handicap Match at the SmackDown! pay-per-view, Heyman will pit his newest acquisition, the Undertaker, against the new WWE Tag Team Champions, The Dudley Boyz. Why? Because “even the big dog needs to be trained,” according to Heyman. And if the Deadman doesn’t satisfy his new master, Paul Bearer will be entombed in concrete crypt.

“There will come a day where the Undertaker will realize he should be loyal to me simply based on my greatness,” said Heyman. “But in the meantime … the Undertaker feels for Paul Bearer. The Undertaker cares for Paul Bearer, and that is a weakness of the Undertaker that I’m willing to exploit.”

In the very first act of exploitation, Heyman directed the Undertaker to destroy a tag match between the team of John Cena and Rob Van Dam and the duo of Booker T and Rene Dupree. The Deadman — at Heyman’s bidding — chokeslammed RVD before delivering a Tombstone Piledriver to Cena.

Also on SmackDown!, WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero frog splashed his way past Doug Basham in an impromptu matchup, then interrupted John “Bradshaw” Layfield’s first public speech addressing his CNBC firing. What began as a rivalry has clearly turned into hatred between these two. JBL promised that “blood will flow like a river” in their Texas Bull Rope Match at The Great American Bash.

Of course General Manager Kurt Angle chimed in Thursday, sicking bodyguard Luther Reigns on Funaki (in Reigns’ WWE debut) and revealing a new wrinkle for Cena’s United States Championship defense at the Bash: It’s still a Fatal Fourway Match — but it’s also now an Elimination Match, as well.

Match Results:

The Dudley Boyz defeat Rico and Charlie Haas with Miss Jackie (new WWE Tag Team Champions)

WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero def. Doug Basham

Kenzo Suzuki def. Spike Dudley

Rey Mysterio def. Chavo Classic (new Cruiserweight Champion)

Luther Reigns def. Funaki

John Cena/RVD vs. Booker T/Rene Dupree ended in a no contest (Undertaker interference)