***Official SmackDown Thread - 18th June 2003***

[Chris2K 176]

The show opens with a replay of the superplex that imploded the ring last week between Big Show and Brock Lesnar. It is announced that Show and Lesnar will have a rematch for the title tonight.

 

(1) Undertaker def. Nunzio (w/ FBI). Taker quickly opened up a couple of cans on Nunzio, including an awesome chokeslam over the top rope onto the other members of FBI at ringside. Nunzio was quickly dropped by the Last Ride for the pinfall for Undertaker. After the match, Stamboli and Palumbo start to beat up on Undertaker, and as the FBI starts to gain an advantage, the surprise is dropped -- THE APA RETURNS! Bradshaw and Simmons run out and manage to chase out FBI with Taker's help.

 

Zack Gowen is shown getting condolences from some of the other wrestlers in the back. He makes his way to Stephanie's office, but finds only Sable there instead. Sable invites Zack into the office alone, making sure that no one has followed him. We also see a "Brock Lesnar Timeline" clip, highlighting the feud between Show and Lesnar. These timelines were spaced in various parts of the show.

 

(2) Chris Benoit def. Rhyno. Benoit and Rhyno came out together for what looked like a tag team match, when Stephanie McMahon came out, carrying the newly redesigned United States Title Belt. She announces that this match will not be a tag match, but instead Benoit and Rhyno will go one-on-one in a first round match for the U.S. Title, which will be decided at the next pay-per-view. The match started off with some decent scientific moves, but got SLOW from there on through. Lots of rest holds were used, and the crowd started getting restless, chanting "GO SPURS GO" instead of anything related to the match. Benoit finally turned the match into his favor and got the win with the Crippler Crossface. After the match, Benoit extended his hand to Rhyno, but they did not shake hands.

 

Back in Stephanie's office, Sable is coming on to Zack Gowen. She mentions that last week, Zack got to see Sable's puppies, but this week, she would like him to feel them. Sable directs Zack's hands to the lower parts of her body, off camera of course.

 

(3) Rey Mysterio def. Kanyon. As the match was about to open, it was announced that Ultimo Dragon would make his Smackdown debut on next week's episode, which would be taped at Madison Square Garden. The match was a typical match of Kanyon's size against Rey's speed. Rey's speed finally won out, as he connected with the 619 followed by the West Coast Pop for the win.

 

(4) Kurt Angle def. Charlie Haas. Haas and Benjamin came out to ringside in new outfits and new music, but the crowd still chanted "You Suck" for them. Haas and Benjamin challenge Kurt Angle to a match next week, but Angle comes out and says that next week is for wimps. He's ready to get it on tonight. Charlie Haas decides to take Angle's challenge and hooks it up. Shelton Benjamin got in a cheap shot against the post while Angle was outside, but the ref heard it and ejected Benjamin from ringside for the rest of the match. After some nice back-and-forth action, Angle took the pinfall win with the Angle Slam. Benjamin came running back out to double-team Angle, and as they beat up on Kurt, Brock Lesnar came out to make the save for Kurt.

 

In Stephanie's office, Sable is continuing to make out with Zack Gowen. She makes Zack beg for her, then tells him that there is no way he would ever get to be with Sable. As Sable starts to put him down, Vince McMahon comes in the office and kicks Zack out of the office. He then laughs with Sable, revealing that the whole thing was a setup to be able to make fun of Zack.

 

(5) Billy Gunn (w/ Torrie Wilson) def. Jamie Noble (w/ Nidia). Squash match for Gunn. Nidia and Torrie managed to get in a little catfight, but it was broken up by Gunn. Gunn took the pinfall win with his Fameasser.

 

(6) Sean O'Haire (w/ Roddy Piper) def. Eddie Guerrero (w/ Tajiri). Piper comes out with a bottle of tequila for Eddie to drink, making fun of Eddie during the match. Tajiri tried to keep Piper from interfering, but Piper instead took a swig of the tequila and spit it in Tajiri's face, paying him back from last week. The actions at ringside distracted Eddie long enough for O'Haire to get the win with his fireman's carry slam variation.

 

Back in the office, Sable and Vince continue to gloat over how they got one over on Zack. Sable gives a small kiss to Vince, and then mounts him on top of a desk. Just as they are starting to have some fun, Stephanie McMahon comes in and kicks out Sable. Stephanie RIPS INTO Vince with a MAJOR fit. She was getting so emotional, I had trouble understanding what all she was saying. I caught that she definitely wanted Zack Gowen to get a contract with WWE, and that she didn't care if Vince fired her or not. Vince was left speechless for once.

 

It is announced that on next week's Smackdown, Undertaker and the APA will take on all three members of the FBI in a six-man match.

 

(7) Brock Lesnar def. Big Show by disqualification to retain the WWE Championship. Lesnar climbed up on the top rope to start the match, and dared Big Show to follow him. Instead, the start of the match had a lot of fighting on the outside. Lesnar started to gain control, and as he lifted up Show for the F-5, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin ran in for the DQ. Show, Haas, and Benjamin all triple-teamed Lesnar until Kurt Angle came in to try and even the odds. Show finally dropped Angle with a chokeslam, and as the beating continued, Mr. America ran in to even the odds some more. Mr. America got some shots in on Show, but as he tried to slam Show, Haas and Benjamin broke it up. Mr. America wound up eating a chokeslam, and Show, Haas, and Benjamin left Angle, Lesnar, and Mr. America lying out cold to end the show.

[Guest Seabass]

looks liek a good show, but it seems that -for this week- Raw will be the better of the two

[Guest Matt]

Does anyone else think that the lame commentary by Michael Cole and Tazz spoils the show. Tazz just makes an ass of himself trying to be like the King.

[Guest Seabass]

i prefer MC and Taz commentary to JR and the King. it seems like MC and Taz actually put some effort into it unlike JR and King who seem to repeat the same stuff

[Guest Peter]

Sounds like an okay show, although I'm dissapointed to hear Benoit vs. Rhyno was a poor match. Maybe it will come off better on Television. Rey Mysterio vs. Kanyon should be good, and I'm excited to see Ultimo Dragins debut next week.

[Chris2K 176]

Problems over. Continue talking about Smackdown :)

[Guest Cactus Jack]

I prefare JR & King to MC & Tazz.

 

I'm gutted Rhyno didn't advance; there's a main eventer in the making there! Cena for the US Title. In fact, where was Cena on SD!?

 

Getting used to Bradshaws new look. I swear, when it showed the APA run-in, from a distance, I thought it was Charlie Haas!

 

Do I want to see Vinnie Mac in sexual positions? Errr............No

 

Believe it or not, I'm enjoying Gunn's repackageing.

 

Brock vs. Angle vs. Show seems to be the way there going, and I'm liking it at the moment.

[Guest Peter]

I only caught parts of the show, and wasn't overally impressed. Benoit vs. Rhyno for the first ten or so minutes REALLY dragged on, with them resorting to restholds every few minutes. Rey Mysterio vs. Kanyon was quite decent, although short.

 

The Sable/Zach Gowen stuff was absolute crap, and I'm less than thrilled about the prospect of another Vince/Diva storyline. God, theres been Trish, Stacy, Torrie and now Sable. I however did like the lack of Mr America on the show.

 

The opener was thankfully short, Bradshaw looks weird with his new look, almost like a cross between Billy Gunn and Test. Makes him look a lot younger anyway. Yay, looks like we have got another APA push shoved down our throats for the next few months.

 

That was pretty much all I saw.

[Kam 243]

I enjoyed Smackdown this week! I liked the Angle/Haas match and the Benoit/Rhyno one.

 

Bradshaw looked well different!

 

Shame about Kanyon losing though.

[Guest The Crippler]

Can't believe they have ballsed up the Benoit and Rhyno feud. :evil

[Guest Cactus Jack]

Originally posted by The Crippler

Can't believe they have ballsed up the Benoit and Rhyno feud. :evil

I'm giving myself creative license here, and guessing that it'll be Beniot vs. Cena in the final, with Rhyno screwing Beniot out of the title.

[Guest Simon]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Brock Lesnar really brings out the best in Big Show? Whenever those 2 get it on, I always end up enjoying their match (stop laughing), perhaps since the 2 have been working with each other for ages... whatever it is I just think Big Show is looking reasonable right now in my opinion.

 

Although I might be the only one to think this :P

[Guest Jung]

So Kanyon is tall, looks the part, is a decent wrestler, can talk, yet constantly gets jobbed out?

 

The mind boggles

[Guest Cactus Jack]

Originally posted by Simon

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Brock Lesnar really brings out the best in Big Show? Whenever those 2 get it on, I always end up enjoying their match (stop laughing), perhaps since the 2 have been working with each other for ages... whatever it is I just think Big Show is looking reasonable right now in my opinion.

 

Although I might be the only one to think this :P

 

Nope!

 

I have enjoyed their matches, particulary the Royal Rumblw match.

[Guest Seabass]

seems to be that Lesnar and Big Show have good chemistry with each other