Smackdown!

Phoenix, Arizonz
September 23, 2004

 

TOTALLY STUNNED
Sept. 23, 2004

Kurt Angle promised to deliver a SmackDown! moment that would leave a permanent mark on the history of the show.


More specifically, Angle’s sickening version of payback left a giant mark on the Big Show.


Angle, who is scheduled to face Big Show at No Mercy on Oct. 3, had an evil way of softening up the 7-foot-2, 500-pounder at the end of Thursday night’s main event in Phoenix.


The Olympic Champion, still angry from when Show shoved him off a ledge five months ago, pulled out a tranquilizer dart from underneath the announcers' table while an unsuspecting Show was fending off Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak in the middle of the ring.


Angle then fired a dart into the Big Show’s upper back, taking him down like some sadistic big-game hunter.


But Angle would take his rage one step further. With the help of Reigns and newfound ally Jindrak, the trio shaved most of Show’s head, stripping him of his dignity, and his hair.


It was a bizarre close to the 5th anniversary special and season premiere of SmackDown!



WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield certainly didn’t like what he saw. His plan to have former Ministry members Gangrel and Viscera dismantle Undertaker before their Last Ride Match at No Mercy didn’t quite work out. The Phenom crushed them with ease, as JBL watched from his limo wearing the look of a man on the verge of impending doom.


Paul London tried to wrestle former tag team partner Billy Kidman, but Kidman, who hasn’t been himself since accidentally injuring Chavo Guerrero with his Shooting Star Press, walked out on the match.


Instead, Booker T, who is preparing for his fifth and deciding match with John Cena for the United States Championship, was looking for some action. And with the help of the ropes, Booker T recorded a pin on London.


Spike Dudley defeated Rey Mysterio, but not without some help from Rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki, who violently interfered during and after the match. Mysterio would be rescued by Rob Van Dam, who will team up with Mysterio at No Mercy against Suzuki and Dupree for the WWE Tag Team Championship.


The night also featured an impromptu Schoolgirl Tag Team Match, featuring the lovely Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie against the ancient pair of Mae Young and Fabulous Moolah. The old timers would actually pull out the victory, using some old-school savvy to upend the Divas.


The unstable giant Heidenreich would also read another poem, this one to Mr. McMahon.

MATCH RESULTS:

Kurt Angle & Luther Reigns vs. Big Show & Eddie Guerrero (No Contest)

Paul London def. Billy Kidman via count-out

Booker T def. Paul London

Spike Dudley def. Rey Mysterio

Mae Young & Fabulous Moolah def. Torrie Wilson & Dawn Marie

Undertaker def. Gangrel & Viscera (Handicap Match)