The WWE intro plays, followed by:
A burst of fireworks stirs an explosion of cheers from the crowd…
"Welcome to SmackDown!"
"WOO!" bellows through the arena. It is received with a huge ovation. "I love it, Cole! We ain't wasting no time getting into it tonight! Nature Boy lookin' stylish as ever!"
But the rowdiness of the crowd simmers, partly in awe with growing popularity toward the Masterpiece, who makes his stunning entrance, showcasing his impressive muscular physique.
A video plays, showing the dysfunctional transpiration between the World's Greatest Tag Team, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas.
"And here they come, Tazz, the world tag team champions, who as we just saw, suffered a bit of a breakdown last week."
"I talked to Shelton earlier today, Cole. He says they've moved on, and it's time to show the world why they're the best. You dig?"
The opening bout is a raucous one, the crowd roaring for Flair who takes the technically sound tag champions "to school", chops abundant the champs play leapfrog on Flair's fragile back. "Aw, gawd!" Flair wails in pain and rolls into a tag with the Masterpiece.
The champs suffer for their actions as the muscle-bound specimen makes easy work of the two smaller competitors. They recover, but Flair (to mountainous applause) recuperates and sends Haas flying over the top rope with a back-body drop. Benjamin tries a kick, but Masters catches it. Benjamin spins around, sneakily trying a counter kick, but Masters backs away, smirking dismissively at the weak effort and entangles Benjamin in the unbreakable full nelson submission hold.
"Masterlock, Cole! It's all over but the crying!"
"Haas trying to race back in, but--"
"WOO!" the crowd exclaims as Flair chops Haas out of the way.
Benjamin grunts, cursing audibly, until his legs buckle. The referee calls it, the bell rings, and new tag team champions are crowned.
"I'll tell ya, Cole, that was impressive."
Afterwards, as Masters celebrates with the Nature Boy, Haas attempts to shake hands with the better men, but is dropped by a roundhouse kick courtesy of Shelton Benjamin, who is immediately booed but could not care less, shoving off Masters and taking a shameful exit from the ring.
"Actions speak louder than words, partner."
***********************************
A video plays from last week’s match between Rob Van Dam & Christian, of which will be repeated tonight, but in a #1 Contender’s Match for the Cruiserweight Championship!
“Making his way to the ring, from Battle Creek, Michigan…” Tony Chimel begins to announce. “Rob… Van… Dam!”
“Where are my peeps at? If you close your eyes!” A new mix of Christian’s theme, with a heavier rock sound and male vocals blasts through the arena, but is received by a smattering of cheers.
“Ha! Captain Charisma’s got a new song, Cole! I dig it!”
“He’ll need more than a change of music to best RVD tonight.”
“True, Cole, but Cap C looks good, fired up, don’t he?”
Christian looks rather animated tonight, livelier than usual and still deaf to the scattered boos from the crowd. “My man Van Dam’s been losing lately, but Christian might make a repeat of last week if he keeps up this level of energy!”
Christian eats a boot from RVD for his amped spirits and the two wind up having yet another close encounter, in which RVD barely kicks out of the Killswitch that bested him last week. “Great in-ring awareness shown by Mr. Thursday Night, putting his foot on the rope just in time to escape the 3 count.”
“Not for nothing, Cole. RVD ain’t no spring chicken. He does like to springboard, though! Look out!”
Split-legged moonsault connects, but RVD doesn’t go for the cover. He waits for Christian to regain a vertical stance and rushes at him, spinning in mid-air and clocking Captain Charisma with a spinning wheel kick. “Van Dam!” Tazz shouts, as Christian absorbs the hit and bounces off the turnbuckle, landing in the perfect spot for the five star frog splash!
“Nobody gets higher than Rob Van Dam!”
“Bam! That’s it, Cole!”
Suddenly, the crowd starts to cheer and boo, unable to make up their mind on the superstar blitzing down the ramp. RVD confronts them as they leap onto the barrier, the referee struggling to get things under control. Seizing the opportunity, Christian recovers from the splash and delivers a low blow to Van Dam, who gets corralled into a roll-up.
CHRIS JERICHO holds up his arm, pleading no dispute as the referee spins and counts Van Dam’s shoulders, failing to notice Christian’s unfair grip on his opponent’s tights.
Christian celebrates and exchanges grins with the Rock Star from RAW. Tazz is unhappy and unafraid to speak his mind about it.
“What the hell, Cole?! Why’s Jericho here? Christian pulling on the tights-- talk about a screwjob! Van Dam had this match won!”
Cole tries to say something, but can’t put it into words; plus Tazz cuts him off.
“This ain’t right, Cole! Look at ‘em. Celebrating! Van Dam should be the one doing that!” Tazz goes silent for a moment, and Cole finally chimes in. “Well, partner, you have every right to be upset, just like most of these fans, but the referee’s decision is final.”
“Whatever, Cole. I’m pissed off! And Jericho? This guy ain’t no rock star neither! Look at him-- the smirking bastard!”
Rob Van Dam reflects Tazz’s disappointment, kicking at the air in the ring, shaking his head. He does his signature taunt as Christian and Jericho walk off down the ramp, eyeing Van Dam, whose pose warrants plenty of cheers from the crowd, who are mostly upset.
***********************************
The cameras switch over to ringside. Tazz is calming down and Cole prepares to speak. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, regardless of Christian's controversial victory, we have another important bout scheduled next. It has a story to it, one that has been going on for weeks, for good and for bad.
A video recap of the violent rivalry between Muhammad Hassan & Kane, wrapping up with Daivari being chokeslammed off the stage.
GM Theodore Long appears on the big screen, explaining: "Holla, Holla, Holla, fans of SmackDown! Well, it's plain to see how this feud has snowballed for the worse as of late. For the safety of SmackDown!, I think it's about time it got settled. What d'yall think?" The crowd approves. "Good. That's why I'm making this contest a Last Man Standing match." The crowd cheers again.
"The GM's decision must be for the greater good. 'Cause this one ain't gonna be pretty, Cole!"
"I have a bad feeling you're right, partner."
Hassan's repugnant entrance song plays, disgusting the crowd as the boos are considerably louder than last week. "No Daivari to help him tonight, Tazz. The crowd booing heavily because Hassan ran away from Kane last week…"
"Whoa, Cole, you got it all wrong. Sometimes, it's best to back away and clear your head, y'know? Get ya bearings back and go back to work next week. Besides, Hassan don't need Daivari!"
The stage explodes into fiery chaos as Kane makes his way to the ring. But Hassan has sneaked behind the ramp and jumps the Big Red Monster from behind. The two brawl their way at ringside. The referee tries to coax them into the ring, but they're having none of it.
The "match" escalates into the backstage area, but after knocking down Kane, Hassan flees the scene again just like last week.
"Well, now what, Tazz? Hassan repeating last week it seems!"
"Hold on, Cole…"
"All I'm saying is, partner, this feud started because Hassan alleged that Kane was still hiding from the world, despite discarding his mask. Now, the tables have turned. Hassan's a hypocrite in my eyes!"
"Like I said, I think there's more to this, Cole. Hold on to ya britches!"
Kane impatiently searches for his opponent, growling threats. The crowd watches via the big screen in quiet anticipation of the hunt.
"Who's hiding now, Hassan?" Kane coos in a sickly twisted voice.
Off-camera, two masked men swarm the Big Red Machine. "What the h--" Tazz and Cole both shout. Kane fights back, struggling with the two men, who hook his arms just in time for Hassan to re-emerge with a steel chair, which cracks off Kane's head. The blow splits his forehead open, blood trickling down his face. He's grunting loudly, breathing labored. Hassan and the two men stomp.
"C'mon! What gives?! Somebody get back there!" The Hurricane and Charlie Haas show up to intervene, but it is no use as more masked men pile into the area, disposing of the two heroes. Tazz is animatedly commentating on the fracas, along with Cole, but their disputes aren't heard by the men doing it. Their shock spikes as…
Once they're taken care of, Hassan orders Kane back up to his feet and then launches him through a plate-glass window. "GAWD!" Tazz shouts. Meanwhile, Kane is motionless, laying amongst the shattered fragments of glass, a bloody mess. Not before Hassan locks Kane into the camel clutch for excruciating amount of moments, the Undertaker appears, racing into the assault, using the steel chair Hassan discarded to chase off the masked men.
Hassan, still tied up overtop of Kane, doesn't see the blow coming until he crashes to the floor next to the Big Red Monster. The Phenom has a scary look in his eyes, his brother groaning in pain, as the Undertaker ominously steps toward Hassan chair in hand. He wraps the chair around Hassan's throat and rams him into the wall where the window used to be maintained. Security arrives, but it is far too late. Hassan is bleeding internally and Undertaker pulls his brother to safety…
***********************************
After the commercial break, the crowd is in a haunted silence, numb even to the lively entrance by the United States Champion, Eddie Guerrero, who cruises into the arena in a stunning blue low-rider.
"The SmackDown! crowd is still reeling from what transpired before the commercial break, but the show must go on."
"Yeah, Cole. Hopefully, we can get an update on Kane, but at least Eddie's in a good mood tonight."
"That's one positive thing here tonight, partner, since this is going to be another end to the feud. GM Theodore Long has told JBL this is going to be his only rematch for the US Title after he mouthed off to Teddy last week, whining about how he deserved to be in the main event."
"Well, if JBL wins here tonight, maybe he'll be in the main event. He kind of let his ego get the best of him, but you gotta earn your keep round these parts, Cole. And JBL knows that. He'll snap back."
After thawing the stunned crowd back into a mild frenzy, the US champ dances jively in the ring, but awkward moments pass as JBL's music fails to play. He is nowhere to be seen, leaving Tony Chimel with little to announce except: "And the opponent…?"
The mystery ends abruptly as JBL is seen in his limousine, but it isn't parked. It's on the move. There are women surrounding the Wall Street success story from Texas and champagne is in JBL's hand.
"Well, if isn't my favorite little Mexican! Tell ya what, Romero-- pardon me, Fernando-- oh, sorry, that's right--" JBL clears his throat, chuckling along with the girls. "It's Guerrero, ain't it? Listen. I know how bad you wanted to face yours truly here tonight. So do these women. In my bed! Ha! But… that isn't going to happen."
The crowd boos in response. Meanwhile, Eddie and Tazz share in the confusion. "Hell does that mean, Cole? Where's JBL going with all this?"
"See, your little pal, Teddy Long didn't do as I asked last week. I should be in the main event, not scrapping with illegals like you."
"He's going too far now, Tazz."
"And guess what, ya little Mexican? That didn't jive with me, ya dancing buffoon. And someone else was willing to reconsider my complaint. Speaking of which, I feel sorry for the fans in the arena tonight. I know I ain't the only wise man who knows Lucha Libre wrestling is dead. Then again, I am a wrestling gaaaaawd! So far as that US title goes, you can keep it! Ha-ha! See you around, ya little Mexicans! Let's get this party started, girls!"
"Did he say Mexican(s), Cole?"
The big screen shuts off. Everybody is still confused.
"Ha! It's Mysterio, Cole!"
"Rey Mysterio! Must've been traded in exchange for JBL!"
"Good riddance, I say! Ha! Eddie's loving it!"
And Eddie is loving it. He's back to smiling, the crowd is back to cheering, and there's about to be one hell of a match!
The two close friends tie up to start the contest, crowds alternating between "Let's go, Eddie!" and "Let's Go Rey!" as Guerrero briefly overpowers Mysterio, until he is caught in a springboard hurricanrana!
"Damn! Eddie almost lost the gold on that one!"
"There's much more to come from Mysterio, Tazz! We know that from his time spent on SmackDown! in the past, partner!"
"True that, Cole. Springboard! Look out!"
But Eddie catches Rey in the Lasso from El Paso on the way down, Rey barely reaching the ropes, until he lands a dropkick, placing Eddie in a bad spot instead!
"Wine me! Dine me! 6 - 1 --"
"No, Eddie evades! Three amigos!"
"I'm feeling froggy, baby!" Eddie confesses joyously before approaching the turnbuckle. But as he gets to the top rope, Rey scrambles to his feet, using his superior speed and hurls Eddie from the top rope down to the canvas with a crazy super hurricanrana!
1! 2! 3? No, Guerrero barely kicks out in the nick of time, but as he recovers, gets knocked onto the middle rope. Rey rushes in and whacks his friend with the 619, quickly leaping to the top for his version of a splash, which misses as Guerrero rolls out of the way.
The referee soon gets knocked down, and Eddie piles on the silly antics, feigning injury with the title belt as he chucks it into Rey's hands just moments before the referee recovers. Rey vehemently denies the accusation and rushes in on Eddie, who rolls him up into a small package pin attempt, which Mysterio edges just in time.
Eddie stands at the other side of the ring, holding up his arms and smirking at his friend. Rey laughs and shakes his head, running in again. Eddie tries to counter it with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but Rey counters HIM with a whipping head-scissors takedown, which perfectly positions Eddie on the ropes.
"619 again, Cole! Look out!"
But Eddie dodges and sneaks in behind a spinning Mysterio. After the rebounding motion, he attempts a 4th vertical suplex.
"A fourth amigo? Here it comes!"
No! Rey flips behind Guerrero and gets the close yet decisive 3 count with a victory roll off the reversal!
"Damn! What a match! Guerrero don't like it, but Rey never slowed down in that one!"
"Let's take a look at the replay!"
"I guess that's why they call it a victory roll, huh, Cole? What a rocket-buster, though!"
Eddie is upset about losing the gold now being held by Mysterio, but not upset enough to refuse his friend's offer of a handshake. They lift each other's arms into the air, chatting with each other on their way out. The crowd couldn't be any more ecstatic!
***********************************
The camera cuts to a dressing room, with the much larger World Heavyweight Championship resting visibly on a stool, alongside its keeper, the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, who has a title defense against the hugely popular Hulk Hogan tonight.
"The World Title is on the line! Next!"
Hogan makes the arena explode as usual, the guitar theme of Jimi Hendrix leading him down to the ring. HBK is met with mostly cheers, but also some boos from loyal Hulk-a-maniacs.
The match is close, as HBK uses his quickness to keep Hogan at bay, until the Immortal One hulks up and lands the match-ending leg drop… or so was thought until a boisterous Batista interfered!
"Gimme that mic!" The animal howls, making his return from the brutal Hell in a Cell encounter with the Undertaker two weeks ago.
He stares down at the two limp superstars in the ring, holding up the title, just like Undertaker did last week in his absence. "I told you I was coming after you, Show-Stopper. Things with 'Taker didn't go as I planned, but just like JBL, I'm moving on to bigger and more important things. Like this championship. At Judgment Day, it's going to be mine!"
As he exits, the Animal throws the title unceremoniously on HBK's chest and stomps Hogan for good measure. "What a return by Batista, Cole. I thought he was done for."
"Me, too, partner, but I don't know if Batista's right when he says he deserves a title shot at Judgment Day…"
"I guess we'll have to wait and see. This is nuts!"
***********************************
After SmackDown!'s final commercial break, the crowd is waiting in excited silence. They know what match is next. A video recaps what happened last week as The Rock was punished by the Undertaker for trying to help him against JBL and HBK…
"IF YA SMELL!!!!!!!" The crowd mimics a volcano, erupting in cheers for the People's Champion.
"It seems clear to me who the crowd feels should be the #1 contender!" Cole comments but is hushed momentarily by the Phenom's dark and moody entrance.
This match is more of a feisty brawl than an AWA classic, but clearly egos are at stake. The Undertaker looks to protect his yard while The Rock has revenge on his mind after being punished for a good deed last week.
In the end, The Rock wins, after using his weight to power out of a tombstone piledriver, ducking the Phenom's retaliatory clothesline and landing a huge Rock Bottom for the victory!
However, as The Great One celebrates in the corner, the Undertaker sits up to find a group of all too familiar masked men waiting for him.
"What the hell, Cole? Not these guys again…"
The Undertaker, weathered from the neck-and-neck contest, can't hold them off for long. Luckily, The Rock is there, using his better judgment to finally step in after a moment of deliberation (after all he'd been attacked for helping the Undertaker last week).
The Undertaker appreciates it this time around, as Hassan is nowhere to be found, clearly incapacitated from the Phenom's assault on him earlier. The masked men are shooed off by the powerful duo, but not before the stages explodes yet again!
"It's Kane!" Cole declares. The Big Red Machine, bandaged up and bruised, lays waste to the masked men brigade. "Sending a message to their spineless leader!"
"Well, they're damn sure getting the heck out of dodge, eh? Ha!"
Meanwhile, since the fight is over, The Rock and The Undertaker-- both mountainous egos alight-- stare each other down, a certain level of respect established unlike last week. They don't shake hands or pump fists with one another, but they clearly understand the game.
"That's respect, Cole. Nothing but!"
"You can't be wrong, partner. I just hope--"
"Holla, Holla, Holla. Before the show ends, I have an announcement to make."
"It's Teddy Long, Cole!"
"Now, we all know that JBL won't be part of SmackDown!'s future, but that doesn't mean Judgment Day has to suffer in his absence!" The crowd cheers in approval. "On the contrary, I am declaring a Fatal 4 Way match for the World… Heavyweight… Championship. It'll be The Undertaker!" The audience explodes. "The Rock!" Again. "The Immortal Hulk Hogan." Hulkamania resumes. "And the World Heavyweight Champion, Shawn Michaels." The crowd offers a mixed reaction. "You dig what I'm saying, playas?"
The Rock and The Undertaker nod in approval, exchanging one last look of understanding between one another as the screen fades to black.
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