The WWE intro plays, followed by:
Fireworks galore, rowdy fans packing the floors of the arena. It's time for SmackDown!
"Welcome to SmackDown, ladies and gentlemen!"
"ONE OF A KIND!"
"Mr. Thursday Night kicking off the show! I love it!" Tazz commentates at ringside, along with Michael Cole, after Van Dam's pyrotechnics startled a laugh out of Tazz. Cole goes on to describe a video that shows the events of last week, specifically how Chris Jericho (who is now making his way out to the ring) cheated to best the high-flying superstar after accusing him of doing the same the week before in a match against Batista. Clearly the animosity is building between these two, and in favor of it, GM Theodore Long has ordered a no DQ stipulation!
This means a shot to the back of RVD courtesy of a steel chair wielded by the Highlight of the Night, Y2J Chris Jericho. But this also means a ladder being slid out from beneath the ring by Mr. Thursday Night, as his fury against Jericho grows, while the next minutes are spent using the climbing tool in creative ways to batter Jericho, and in turn, batter himself as well.
"Yee-ouch! That had to hurt, Cole!" Tazz shrieks as rolling thunder is halted halfway. Jericho scurried off the ladder he had been placed on by his opponent. During the rolling motion of the flashy maneuver, Jericho lifted the ladder off the mat and stabbed it into Van Dam's face like a battering ram!
A 2 count follows as Jericho soon crashes onto the ladder after RVD returns the favor by rolling out of the way of a would-be debilitating Lionsault. "These two superstars are tearing their own bodies apart to best the other!" Cole comments in a sympathetic voice. Meanwhile, Tazz (a former member of the hardcore brand, ECW) is loving the dangerous and violent action. Other moments include an interrupted Five Star Frog Splash as Jericho hurled the ladder into RVD's face, knocking him to the floor below, quite a nasty fall. "That's the cost of high-risk maneuvers!"
Eventually, the crowd is on their heels. Jericho has put a ladder in the corner, Van Dam tries to do a split legged moonsault, but Jericho evades it. Van Dam crashes onto the ladder which doesn't budge, unlike RVD's spine. While Van Dam is helplessly prone on the ladder, Jericho grabs his legs and puts him into a painful-looking version of the Liontamer submission hold.
Frustrated when RVD doesn't yield, Jericho is openly tired of the often negative consequences that come with using the ladder and unwisely chooses the chair instead. He rushes in on Van Dam, who has recovered, but misses with the chair. Van Dam musters the reserve strength that he has left, rolling out of the way, and spin-kicks Jericho who swings again.
"VAN-DAMINATOR, COLE! OR IS THAT A VAN, UH... LADDER-NATOR?"
"All I know is Jericho is down, and RVD is looking up..."
"He wants to get high, Cole! And nobody gets higher!"
"FIVE - STAR - FROG - SPLASH!"
The crowd counts Jericho's shoulders in unison, totaling 3 times as RVD picks up the exciting victory. "What a match, Cole! Payback's a motha, ain't it, Jericho? Ha!" Cole disagrees, saying, "Well, RVD might've gotten the win, but I think the ladder is the one walking away without a limp tonight." Tazz sees Cole's point and says, "That's how we used to do it in ECW!"
************************************
Backstage, Randy Orton is greeted with boos as he struts into Batista's locker room. "Hey, big man. Long time no see. Looks like we're teaming up tonight." Batista barely acknowledges the egotistical punk. "Yup." Orton isn't pleased by the blunt response, but knows Batista is a man of deeds, not of words. "I'll see you out there. Maybe with me, you'll actually win." Batista looks up, miffed by the comment on his loss last week, but Orton is gone. "Still a smart-mouthed punk..." Batista mutters to himself, putting on his gear as the camera returns to the ring.
"Can you dig it, sucka?" Booker T's signature theme begins to play, much to the surprise of the crowd and Tazz. "Wh-what? Cole, it's Booker T!" And the recently acquired talent from RAW makes his presence known as he methodically stares at his hand, preceding a big explosion on the stage. Booker T holds up his arms, a faraway passion in his eyes as he walks forward.
"I'm saddened to say that the former 5 time WCW Champion was exchanged for the Nature Boy, Ric Flair. I'm sure, however, that Booker T will bring lots of excitement to SmackDown!" Cole explains. Tazz isn't happy with Flair's departure, but commends the GM's decision. "Booker T is ready to light it up tonight, Cole! He's lookin' buff, too!"
"I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool." Carlito 'Caribbean' Cool makes his entrance to a swarm of boos from the crowd, as Tazz mentions the brash upstart's undefeated streak so far in his time on SmackDown!. But Booker T is looking to burn that streak and does, much to Carlito's chagrin. The hot offense from a revved-up Booker T is too much for Carlito as a scissors kick plants him on the mat, scorching his win streak. "You know what the Book's thinking, Cole! Been a while since we saw this!" Booker T celebrates with a spin-a-rooni.
Up next, Christian consoles a sore Jericho, who just endured his match with Rob Van Dam. Jericho's spirits are weakened but still good after the tough loss. He wishes his partner well, saying, "Go get 'em, champ." But Captain Charisma has bitten off more than he can chew. Chris Masters returns to SmackDown! and easily overpowers the Cruiserweight Champion.
"Masterpiece, Cole. Good to see him back."
"And that grueling Masterlock is just as unbreakable!"
Hassan and Daivari incite the fans as they whimper on the microphone about how last week Eddie Guerrero kept them from showing the crowd Mysterio's "true" face, "what" he truly is. And if people want to stay in the dark, ignorant and prejudiced, then that's fine with them. At least it is until Latino Heat and the San Diego Sensation make their way out the ring, both of them riding in a jade green low-rider. Clearly, they are on the same page tonight and their one-on-one feud from weeks ago is now in the past. At least for the moment. "Viva la raza!"
It's a lucha libre spectacle, as Eddie and Rey's polished experience takes command over the two Arab superstars, who aren't given a second to think or breathe as the offense if piled on top of them. High-flying moves and collaborative creativity nearly put them away, but Hassan and Daivari cheat their way to yet another victory. "I'm sick of this, Tazz! Week after week..."
"Me, too, Cole. But I'm even more sick of this creepy ass music!"
Eddie and Rey are left in disbelief in the ring, but also knowingly self-assured that their opponents could not beat them without cheating their way to yet another victory as they celebrate with the fans, regardless, with Mysterio holding up the precious United States Championship, his "What'chu gonna do..." theme playing as SmackDown! fades into a commercial break.
*************************************
After the commercial break, cameras dawn on Guerrero & Mysterio, who are returning to the back in regained spirits, but are met by an envious Shelton Benjamin. "That's a nice belt, Rey." Benjamin rubs his chin, sporting his blonde hair, as Mysterio replies, saying, "Yeah. It is, huh?" He and Guerrero chuckle their way out of frame, as Shelton cockily nods to himself, the camera following his backward steps until he bumps into a massive chest, covered in black gothic attire, including a hat, coat and vest. Benjamin warily turns around to find an even bigger title of shimmering gold.
"Going somewhere?" The Undertaker asks, imposing his way on the smaller superstar. At first, Benjamin takes a few steps back out of respect for the champion, stammering instead of making an actual response. But then his brow becomes more distinct, his eyes fill with envy once more, as anger and confidence stream from his voice. "Yeah, I was." He firmly states. "And you know what I was planning to do?" Benjamin poses and pauses for a moment. The Phenom perks a curious eyebrow. Benjamin meets the Deadman's spooky eyes. "I was planning to kick that hat right off your face." The crowd cheers in anticipation.
"Is that right?" The Undertaker drawls in the same nonchalant voice, clearly not bothered by the threat. "Why don't you give it a try..." He takes a big step forward, now looking directly over the spunky superstar. "...In the ring?" Benjamin takes a moment to gather a response, but agrees to a match with the World Champion, who gives a fearsome smirk and stalks off screen.
At ringside, Tazz eyes Michael Cole, chuckling and saying that Benjamin might've made a stupid move, but he's got balls. Cole rears his head back, hoping Benjamin didn't seal his fate.
In a filler match, The Hurricane gets the better of Charlie Haas. The crowd was supporting both superstars, but ultimately sided with the colorful superhero, who won with a neckbreaker.
Backstage, again, cameras reveal The Rock, who is preparing for his match, in the locker room as he is greeted by SmackDown!'s new American hero, the gold medalist, Kurt Angle.
"I saw what happened last week with Orton. That's why I wanted to team up with you tonight. I got the better of Batista last week in my debut, but I know how it feels to get snuck up on by Orton. The past between us aside, let's go get 'em tonight, Rock. What do you say?" Angle proposes in his nasally, solemn voice. The Rock takes a while to consider it, retrospectively looking back at Angle's win over him to earn his first WWE title and their feuds over the years. "Remember when you defected against the Alliance?" Kurt nods. "...The Rock trusts you."
The two men shake hands as Cole and Tazz commend both men's ability to put beside the past and work together toward a win tonight. Meanwhile, action is brewing in the ring...
Shelton Benjamin has made his way into the ring. Tazz and Cole question his mental condition, whether his nerves are going to be a factor in this match, with Tazz claiming that Benjamin will be just fine. "This ain't his first scrap, Cole, even if it is against the Deadman." The Undertaker makes his famed entrance. The entire arena clearly understands he is the champion.
At first, Benjamin's offensive flurry of moves takes the champion by surprise, but the Undertaker stifles the quick start with a tempo-crushing big boot. A count of 2 follows, and Benjamin takes it to the air, springboarding off the ropes with a clothesline that connects, knocking the champion down. But not out. A near-fall later, Benjamin grins overconfidently and pays for it. Undertaker turns on the offense, dishing out big hits and powerful moves, a huge sidewalk slam that wows the crowd, who is in full support of the larger champion. During the fury, the referee gets shoved away by the champion. Benjamin, buckled, regains his composure and lands a roundhouse kick to the champion's head. Another near-fall later, Benjamin attempts his t-bone suplex, unable to lift the champion's heavier weight, straining his back a little and eats a chokeslam. But Benjamin kicks out at the last second, surprising the Phenom. The two men grapple for position after Benjamin stands up again, but the referee is trying to break them up. In the scuffle, Benjamin sneaks in a low blow and nearly pulls the upset on the champ.
Enraged at the referee's interference, Undertaker rises back up his feet and engages Benjamin again, forcing him into the corner to punish him with deafening shots. The referee demands open-fisted strikes, but the champion isn't hearing it. As the referee tries to yank the two men off each other, the champion defies the attempt and hurls the referee to the mat.
"Well, I believe the champion just got himself disqualified."
"What? Agh!" Tazz replies, not liking the decision.
Tony Chimel confirms it, rewarding the match to Benjamin.
But now is not the time to gloat, as Shelton clearly is unaware of, mocking the Undertaker and rubbing in the loss. He gets tombstoned for his trouble and the referee also hightails it.
*****************************************
In the main event, The Rock's electric offense combines well with Angle's unmatched wrestling prowess. But Orton's heel antics and Batista's brutish style offer quite a resistance. In a thrilling finale, Orton slides back into the ring like a snake, waiting to deliver a 2nd RKO to The Brahma Bull, but gets grabbed from behind first by the Olympic Hero, snaring him in the ankle lock. Meanwhile, Batista rushes in on the recovering People's Champ, but gets planted with a spinebuster. Midway through the People's Elbow, Orton twists his way out of the ankle lock and shoves Angle into his partner, interrupting the most electrifying move in sports entertainment.
Angle crashes to the mat and gets kicked out of the ring by Orton. Batista plants a boot in The Rock's gut, planning a Batista Bomb, but also setting him up perfectly for a shocking RKO.
The 3 count follows as Orton stares down at his fallen prey with a cocky smirk on his face. Batista is miffed again by his opportunistic partner but leaves the ring. The show fades to black.
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