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Report by: Buck Woodward of pwinsider.com
Smackdown for March 11th opened with a recap of the issues between Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar, including Austin's promise from Raw to show up at Smackdown tonight to take back his ATV, which Lesnar stole.
The Smackdown opening aired.
John Cena vs. Rhyno. Cena cut a pre-match rap on Big Show, calling him a "mark for himself". They locked up, and Cena worked over Rhyno in a corner before hitting a hiptoss. Cena hit a somersault stunner (Throwback) for a two count. Rhyno raked the eyes and went for a suplex, but Cena reversed into a suplex of his own for two. Rhyno came back with a spinebuster, but Cena hit a series of rights followed by a back elbow, a clothesline and a shoulderblock. Cena hit a back suplex, then the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena finished off Rhyno with the FU at the 2:55 mark. Winner: John Cena.
Several of the Smackdown stars were heading into a room, with Dawn Marie telling them that Paul Heyman wanted all the talent together for a meeting.
After the break, Paul Heyman had most of the Smackdown roster, heels and faces, in the meeting room. Heyman said that whether the roster likes him or hates him, they have to admit that he has been good for Smackdown. Heyman talked about how Smackdown puts food on their tables, clothes on their wives, and sends their kids to college. Heyman said that there was someone who wanted to take food off their plates, and that man was Steve Austin. Heyman said that Brock Lesnar had no right to steal Austin's ATV, but Lesnar was part of Smackdown, while Austin was part of Raw. Heyman said Lesnar was their leader. Heyman said Austin wanted to come into "their home" and take something from them. Heyman said he didn't want to threaten anyone's job, that he wanted people to volunteer their services. He wanted the roster to come to the ring with Brock Lesnar tonight, and teach Austin that he couldn't mess with "our Smackdown" (He had started to say "mess with Paul Heyman", but corrected himself).
We saw that Steve Austin's truck was in the parking lot.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Sr. joined Tazz and Michael Cole on commentary.
Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble. They traded holds at the start, with Noble working an armbar and headlock. Noble hit Mysterio with a shoulderblock for two, and Rey came back with a springboard headscissors. Rey rammed Noble into the buckles from the ring apron, but Noble came back and went for a superplex. Mysterio headbutted Noble to the mat and went for a flying bodypress, but Noble turned it into a gutbuster for a two count. Noble tossed Rey gut first across the top rope, then applied an abdominal stretch. Mysterio escaped and hit a bodyscissors into a bulldog. Noble went to toss Mysterio overhead, but Mysterio landed on the top rope and hit a moonsault on a standing Noble for two. Mysterio floated over a suplex and tripped Noble into 619 position. Yoshihiro Tajiri, Akio, and Sakoda ran in and attacked Mysterio. Billy Kidman, Ultimo Dragon and Sho Funaki ran in and started brawling, and the referee called for the bell at the 4:02 mark. Result: No contest.
The Cruiserweights continued to brawl, until referee Charles Robinson declared that he was going to continue the match as a eight man tag team match.
Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Billy Kidman & Sho Funaki vs. Jamie Noble, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Akio & Sakoda. The match was already in progress as they returned from break, with Dragon squaring off with Tajiri. Dragon hit some chops, but Tajiri hit a side kick. Tajiri went for a sunset flip, but Dragon rolled through and kicked Tajiri in the face. Kidman tagged in and hit Tajiri with a dropkick for a two count. Funaki tagged in with a top rope elbow, but Tajiri pulled him to the mat by the hair. Funaki armdragged Tajiri, but Tajiri hit a kick to the back of the head, and Akio legdropped Funaki from the apron. Akio tagged in, and applied a cross armed surfboard. Funaki grabbed Akio in a backslide for two, but Akio came back with a spinkick for two. Sakoda tagged in and hung Funaki in the tree of woe in his corner for a dropkick. Funaki battled back, but was flung down to the mat by his hair again. Noble clotheslined Funaki, and the heels beat him down. Noble legdropped Funaki, but Mysterio broke up the cover with a dropkick. Noble put Funaki in a cobra clutch, while Michael Cole was having trouble calling the match with Tazz and the Guerreros giving him a hard time. Funaki gave Noble a catapult and a bulldog, the kicked away Noble and made the hot tag to Rey, who hit Noble with a springboard rana and a Russian legsweep, but Noble came back with a powerslam when Rey went after the men on the apron. Mysterio hit Noble with a sunsetflip powerbomb, and soon everyone was brawling. Mysterio hit Noble with 619, when Chavo Sr. got on the apron and distracted the referee. Chavo Jr. grabbed Rey from the apron, and Noble went to hit him, but Rey moved and Noble knocked Chavo to the floor. Rey then rolled up Noble with a rana for the pin at the seven minute mark. Winners: Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Billy Kidman and Sho Funaki.
Post match, Rey and Chavo Jr. were arguing, when Shannon Moore ran in and attacked Mysterio. Nunzio then came in, but blindsided Chavo with an elbow. Moore and Nunzio then started going at it, as referees tried to restore order.
Backstage, Paul Heyman went to Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli, who said they had Heyman's back tonight. Heyman said they had "Smackdown's back" tonight. Heyman was then radioed that Steve Austin was in the building, at the beer stand.
A video package on last week's events, where a handcuffed Eddie Guerrero was set up for an attack by Kurt Angle, was shown.
Eddie Guerrero came to the ring in a lowrider. Guerrero said that he wanted to address Kurt Angle. Guerrero said he had been told that Angle was not in the building tonight, but he wasn't buying it. Guerrero called out Angle, saying this was his chance to come and get rid of him. Eddie mocked Angle's comments from last week, and said this was his chance "to play hero". Eddie said that Kurt was all talk, and that he doesn't "walk the walk". Guerrero again challenged Angle to come out, but he didn't. Guerrero said it was time to put up or shut up. Guerrero promised that after he wins at Wrestlemania, he will lie, cheat and steal more than ever.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Shelton Benjamin. Eddie's WWE Title was not on the line. Benjamin was accompanied by Charlie Haas. Eddie took Shelton down with a headlock, but Bejamin countered with a headscissors. Haas tripped Guerrero from ringside, and Benjamin hit an exploder suplex for a two count. They battled in a corner, with Eddie hitting some chops. Eddie went for a Monkey Flip, and Shelton landed on his feet, but Eddie hit a flapjack. Eddie ducked a charging Benjamin, who fell to the floor. Haas got on the apron, but Guerrero knocked him off. Referee Nick Patrick ordered Haas to the back as they went to break.
Back from break, Guerrero hit Benjamin with a back elbow and applied an abdominal stretch. Benjamin hiptossed out, but Guerrero dodged a charging Benjamin, who ran shoulder first into the ringpost. Benjamin came back with a powerslam and a backsuplex then stomped Guerrero before hitting a lariat. Benjamin hit a second lariat, and applied a rear chinlock. Guerrero broke out with a chinbuster, and chopped Benjamin. Benjamin reversed a whip into the corner, then hit a vertical suplex. Benjamin covered Guerrero for a two count, then went back to the chinlock, this time adding a bodyscissors. Guerrero elbowed out, but Benjamin hit a flapjack for a two count. Benjamin hit some right hands, but Guerrero got fired up and hit his own flurry of punches. Guerrero hit a pair of clotheslines and a backdrop. Eddie hit the Triple Vertical Suplexes, but Shelton floated over the last one, and threw Eddie into referee Nick Patrick. Charlie Haas came in from the crowd and tossed Benjamin the WWE title belt. Guerrero dropkicked the belt into Benjamin's face. Haas lunged into the ring for the belt, but Guerrero grabbed it first and hit Haas with it. Guerrero then blasted Benjamin with it. As referee Nick Patrick was getting up, Eddie tossed the belt from the ring and laid down, acting as if he had been laid out. Patrick, seeing both men down, started a double count. Eddie got to his feet and hit the Frog Splash for the pin at the 8:41 mark. Winner: Eddie Guerrero.
Kurt Angle appeared at the entrance, staring at Guerrero in the ring. Angle motioned that the title would be around his waist, and his music played. Angle kept staring at Guerrero, then walked off, as Guerrero looked concerned in the ring.
A video package on Torrie Wilson & Sable attending the Playboy anniversary celebration this past weekend was shown.
Paul Heyman was in the back on his radio, and was informed that his men had "lost Austin". Orlando Jordan walked by, and Heyman asked him if he was going to do "what's right for Smackdown". Orlando said he would do what is right, but he respects Steve Austin. Heyman told Jordan that if he respects Austin, he disrespects Smackdown, and by extension, his own career.
The Big Show vs. Nick Beely & John Walters. Nick Beely was indy worker Arch Kincaid. The U.S. Title was not on the line in this match. Show kicked Walters down and chopped Beely. Show tossed Beely with a beel throw, and slammed Walters. Show lifted Beely with a cobra clutch and tossed him from the ring. Big Show chokeslammed Walters and got the pin at the 1:15 mark. Winner: The Big Show.
Post match, John Cena ran in and attacked The Big Show, clipping out his knee and pounding him through the ropes and to the floor. Cena picked up the US Title belt and screamed at Show on the floor. As Show got up, Cena slid out of the ring. Cena smiled at Show from the aisle, whole Show glared at Cena from the ring.
They recapped the confrontation last week between the Smackdown tag teams that will be involved in the Four Way at Wrestlemania.
Backstage, Paul Heyman was on the radio thanking someone, when he saw the APA was guarding a door (actually, it looked like they were just drinking beers). Heyman went over and played up to the APA, saying they were doing the right thing for Smackdown, and that they were placed in the Tag Title Four Way because if they won the belts, it would also be good for Smackdown. The APA said their loyalty was never to be questioned, but didn't seem happy with Heyman.
Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Doug & Danny Basham. Rikishi & Scotty's tag title was not on the line. Scotty and Doug started off, with the two trading chops. Scotty applied a side headlock, and Doug could not shake it off. Danny made a blind tag as Scotty was rolling up Doug, and kicked him in the head. Danny stomped Scotty, and applied a rear chinlock. Scotty fought out, but Danny drove him into his corner to keep him from tagging out. Danny tagged in and hit a legdrop for two. The Bashams kept Scotty in their corner, with Doug working over Scotty by the ropes. Danny ended up missing a charge in the corner, and Scotty made the hot tag to Rikishi. Rikishi hit a clothesline on Danny, a clothesline on Doug, and a belly to belly suplex on Doug. Rikishi hit a reverse avalanche on Danny, but Doug shoved him from the ring and switched with him. Rikishi called for the Stink Face, but Doug sprung up and charged. Rikishi caught him with a superkick and got the pin at the 5:14 mark. Winners: Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty.
A video package on the events leading to the Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg match at Wrestlemania, with Steve Austin as referee, was shown.
They showed the parking lot, and Steve Austin's truck was gone.
Kane's "coffin encounter" from Raw was recapped.
Michael Cole and Tazz reviewed the Wrestlemania card, with Jonathan Coachman and Jim Ross handling the Raw matches:
- Cruiserweight Open with Chavo Guerrero Jr., Rey Mysterio, Billy Kidman, Ultimo Dragon, Shannon Moore, Akio, Jamie Noble, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Nunzio and Sho Funaki. Winner gets the Cruiserweight Title.
- U.S. Champion Big Show vs. John Cena.
- WWE Tag Team Champions Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Basham Brothers vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin vs. The APA in a Fatal Four Way.
- WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle.
- World Champion Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit in a Triple Threat match.
- Chris Jericho vs. Christian.
- Women's Champion Victoria vs. Molly Holly, if Molly loses, she must shave her head.
- World Tag Team Champions Booker T & Rob Van Dam vs. The Dudleys vs. La Resistance vs. Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade.
- Mick Foley & The Rock vs. Ric Flair, Batista & Randy Orton.
- Sable & Torrie Wilson vs. Miss Jackie & Stacy Keibler in the 1st Ever Playboy Evening Gown match.
- The Undertaker vs. Kane.
- Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg, with Steve Austin as the referee.
Paul Heyman came to the ring, followed by most of the Smackdown roster (noticeably absent were Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle). The wrestlers lined both sides of the aisle, as Heyman got into the ring. Heyman said that Stone Cold Steve Austin didn't belong at Smackdown, because he is from Monday Night Raw. Heyman then introduced the "leader of Smackdown", Brock Lesnar. Lesnar drove out on Steve Austin's ATV. Brock got on the mic, and started to talk about how the Smackdown ring was "his ring" and that he was the most dominant athlete in the company. Brock Lesnar said that the wrestlers in the aisle had respect for him, because they had all been in the ring with him. Lesnar said the ATV was his now, and called out Austin.
Austin's music hit, and he drove out in his truck. Austin got out of the truck, with all the wrestlers standing between him and the ring. All of the wrestlers, two at a time, moved out of Austin's way voluntarily. Heyman yelled for the wrestlers to get him, but they all just stepped aside. Heyman screamed for the wrestlers to get him, but they all moved away, until it was just the Big Show standing in between Austin and the ring. They had a long staredown, and Austin said something to Show. Show then pointed to the ring, and then encouraged Austin to go get him. All the Smackdown stars then walked out, leaving Austin at ringside with Lesnar and Heyman in the ring.
Austin got on his ATV and flipped Lesnar off. Austin drove halfway up the aisle, then stopped. Austin put the key to the ATV in his pocket, as Lesnar got out of the ring. They stared at each other in the aisle, then started exchanging punches. Austin got the better of the exchange, and tossed Lesnar into the ringpost. They made it into the ring, and Austin gave a stunner to Heyman. Lesnar charged Austin into the corner and hit some shoulderblocks. Lesnar went for an F5, but Austin floated out and went for a stunner. Lesnar pushed Austin away, and slid out of the ring. Lesnar, who was now bleeding from the forehead, glared at Austin from the aisle. Lesnar walked away, occasionally looking back into the ring, where Austin was left standing. After Lesnar was gone, Austin went and drove his ATV around the ring, then put it into the back of his truck. Austin then had his usual beer celebration to end the show.
