Post by VinMan on Mar 20, 2009 19:50:46 GMT -5
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 09, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the last Smackdown edition is shown including what went on with Bret Hart and Finlay. Then Goldust’s music plays as he heads to the ring.
J.R.: As the bizarre one heads to the ring for our opening contest, we welcome you to Friday Night Smackdown. Hello again everyone I’m Jim Ross along side Jerry “The King” Lawler. We are sold out here at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Goldust is about to face Joey Mercury of MNM.
King: Well J.R. Goldust was on the losing end of his match against Johnny Nitro last week and he hopes to have a different outcome here tonight.
J.R.: Also here tonight our main event is for the WWE Championship. Bret Hart defends against Finlay in what should be a physical altercation.
GOLDUST VS. JOEY MERCURY
Goldust punches Mercury and sends him in, but he reverses him. Goldust kicks Mercury and nails him with a clothesline. Goldust rams Mercury into the turnbuckle and nails him with a hard right hand.
J.R.: Goldust is taking it to Mercury right out of the gate here as Nitro and Melina look on from ringside. Goldust will have to keep a close watch on those two individuals.
King: I can keep a close watch on Melina and then maybe Goldust won’t have so much to worry about.
J.R.: King how about you just worry about your job here tonight.
Goldust sends Mercury in and nails him with an elbow and then snap mares him over. Goldust drills Mercury with an elbow into the head and then makes a cover, but Mercury kicks out. Goldust fires away at Mercury and sends him in. Mercury ducks under and kicks Goldust and sends him in. Goldust slides under and then plants Mercury with a bulldog. Goldust makes the cover, but only gets a two count.
J.R.: Goldust plants Mercury with a well executed bulldog, but it still wasn’t enough to get the job done. Goldust along with Mercury and Nitro will be among the sixty participants in the Royal Rumble match in a little over two weeks.
Goldust delivers a suplex followed by a leg drop for another near fall. Goldust goes for the Curtain Call, but Mercury kicks him. Mercury kicks Goldust again and then stomps on him. Mercury delivers a neck breaker for a two count. Mercury then connects with a dropkick before going up to the top rope. Mercury jumps off, but Goldust catches him with an arm drag coming down. Goldust nails Mercury and sends him in for a back drop. Goldust uses an inverted atomic drop followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Melina jumps up on the ring apron getting the referee’s attention. Goldust plants Mercury with the Curtain Call, but Nitro hit’s the ring. Goldust clotheslines Nitro right back out to the floor. Mercury nails Goldust from behind with a chop block and then rolls him up for a three count.
King: The numbers game took care of Goldust the same way it did last week.
J.R.: Two strikes against Goldust in his rivalry with MNM. Oh wait they are at it again. Oh no MNM with a double gut buster on Goldust. Someone needs to do something about this. Right now however we are going to send it over to the lovely Torrie Wilson who is with the United States Champion.
Torrie: Booker T., tonight here on Smackdown there will be a six man challenge featuring Rob Van Dam, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Chris Masters, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio to determine who faces you for your United States Championship next week. Do you have a preference as to who you’d like to face?
Booker: Let me axe you a question Torrie. Do you have a preference as to who gets on top of you or you just get on everybody? Don’t ask me stupid questions. I am Booker T. I am the United States Champion. It doesn’t matter who wins that challenge because I will defeat any of those men. I’ve proven time and again that I am a true world class competitor and I will continue to show everyone that you don’t mess with Booker T. Now can you dig that?
-Commercial Break-
“On Sunday January 25, World Wrestling Entertainment presents the Royal Rumble. A championship opportunity in the main event of WrestleMania XX is at stake when sixty superstars collide for their chance at immortality. Plus the luck of the draw will determine which superstars find themselves in the land of the extreme. It’s the WWE Royal Rumble live only on pay per view.”
JILLIAN HALL VS. MOLLY HOLLY
Molly Holly is in the ring as Jillian makes her way out singing a pop song.
J.R.: Welcome back to Smackdown as we get our first look at the newest WWE Diva Jillian Hall. Hall is performing her way to the ring with some catchy music.
King: I’d like to catchy a piece of Jillian over here.
Jillian and Molly lock up. Molly winds up Jillian’s arm and yanks it. She takes Jillian over. Molly hooks her in an arm bar. Jillian goes over reversing out and sending Molly for the ride. Jillian connects with a drop toe hold and applies a front face lock, but Molly turns it into a northern lights suplex. Jillian bridges up and delivers a neck breaker.
J.R.: Nice counter maneuver by Jillian against the former Women’s Champion.
Jillian sends Molly to the corner and pounds on her. She sends her across and Molly gets a foot up. Molly connects with a Victory roll and gets a two count. Molly hiplocks Jillian and then nails her with a dropkick. Molly splashes down on Jillian and gets another near fall. Molly hammers Jillian and sends her in. Jillian reverses. Molly comes back for a sunset flip, but Jillian blocks it and holds Molly down for a near fall. Jillian kicks Molly and goes for a bulldog, but Molly reverses it into a back suplex. Molly whips Jillian into the corner. She goes for the handspring elbow, but Jillian moves and Molly crashes in the corner. Jillian kicks Molly and delivers a suplex. Jillian then connects with a power bomb and gets a two count. Jillian this the ropes, but is caught by a huracanrana. Molly then delivers a flapjack and then goes up to the top. Molly comes off with the Molly-go-round, but Jillian moves. Jillian dropkicks Molly in the back of the head. She gets her in a neck breaker position and then kicks off the turnbuckle and goes up and over with a face plant and covers Molly for the three count.
King: Wow that was really impressive.
J.R.: Jillian Hall’s WWE career is off and running with a huge win against Molly Holly. What a maneuver that was by the newest Diva.
King: J.R. I am being told that Jillian calls that move the Chart Topper. If she keeps that up she’ll be topping the charts of the WWE very quickly.
Goldust comes out of Vince McMahon’s office and bumps into Rob Van Dam.
Goldust: RVD I just got some good news.
RVD: What news is that?
Goldust: I just got myself a tag match against MNM next week.
RVD: I’m happy for you, but I can’t be your partner.
Goldust: Don’t worry Rob, I wasn’t asking you. I think I’ve got just the partner to take on those two tabloid junkies. It came to me in a dream!
RVD: Goldust, no offense, but I definitely don’t want to know what you dream about. Besides I’ve got a match right now.
J.R.: Well Goldust will finally try to even the odds against MNM next week, but coming up next RVD joins five other Superstars for a six man U.S. Title #1 contender’s match and it’s next!
-Commercial Break-
“On January 27 witness the rebirth of the Extreme. World Wrestling Entertainment presents the next evolution in sports entertainment. ECW returns with new Superstars, new rivalries, and new battle scars. It’s the debut of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Live January 27th!
J.R.: We are back here on Friday Night Smackdown. Right now King it’s time to determine the number one contender to the United States Championship.
King: That’s right J.R. The winner of this six man challenge will face the U.S. Champion Booker T. right here next week on Smackdown.
J.R.: In this match King all six men will compete at the same time. Eliminations can occur by pinfall, submission, or by being thrown over the top rope to the floor. The last man standing gets the chance to face Booker T. for the gold next week.
U.S. TITLE #1 CONTENDER’S SIX MAN CHALLENGE
CM PUNK VS. CHRIS MASTERS VS. ROB VAN DAM VS. RICK MARTEL VS. ROB VAN DAM VS. THE MOUNTIE
CM Punk nails Masters and kicks away. He goes to the ropes, but Masters connects with a clothesline. Van Dam and the Mountie hook up. Mysterio delivers forearms to Rick Martel. The Mountie pounds on Van Dam and slams him down. He drops an elbow and makes a cover, but RVD quickly kicks out. The Mountie goes to try an suplex Van Dam over the top, but he blocks and nails him with a heel kick. Van Dam takes Mountie over with an arm drag and then delivers a monkey flip. Rick Martel kicks Mysterio and nails him with a back breaker. He stomps on Rey. Van Dam hooks Martel and rolls him up for a near fall. Martel goes to the ropes, but Van Dam back drops him. Masters then clotheslines Van Dam. Punk knees Martel and gets a near fall. Chris Masters hammers the Mountie.
J.R.: There is an awful lot of action with these six competitors and forgive us if we can’t keep up with all of it. We will do our best as we try to determine a number one contender for Booker T’s U.S. Title.
Masters goes for the Master Lock, but the Mountie slips out and sends him in for a dropkick. Booker T. and Sharmell are shown watching the match on a monitor from the dressing room. The Mountie uses a double underhook on Masters for a near fall. Rey then dropkicks the Mountie and sends him in. Mountie reverses, but Mysterio slides under and connects with a head scissors landing the Mountie on the middle rope. Mysterio gets set for the 619. Mysterio connects and the Mountie bounces back into the waiting arms of CM Punk who lifts the Mountie for the Go to Sleep, only Chris Masters hooks Punk with the Masterlock. Punk drops down and RVD nails Masters with a spin kick. RVD leaps to the top and comes off with the five star frog splash. Van Dam hooks the leg and Masters is done.
J.R.: Well the first casualty of this match is the Masterpiece Chris Masters. Rob Van Dam made sure of that.
CM Punk and Rick Martel exchange blows. Punk sends him in, but Martel reverses. Punk comes back with a clothesline and then sends Martel into the corner and follows in with a running knee. Punk delivers a bulldog. Mysterio dropkicks Punk into the middle rope. He goes for the 619, but the Mountie gets in the way and power slams Rey. The Mountie drops a leg and gets a near fall. Rob Van Dam sends Martel into the corner. He drills him with shoulders and then flips back and then drills him again. Van Dam connects with a straight kick and then a split legged moonsault for a near fall. CM Punk hit’s a neck breaker on Van Dam. Punk kicks Van Dam. Van Dam catches and delivers a step over kick. Martel then delivers a back suplex to RVD. Martel stomps Van Dam and Punk. Martel then starts doing jumping jacks. Rob Van Dam and CM Punk deliver a double clothesline to Martel sending him up and over to the floor.
King: Oh no the Model just got unceremoniously unloaded from this contest.
J.R.: Martel should have stayed focus on the action instead of showing off his cardio.
Booker T. and Sharmell are shown watching again from the monitor in the dressing room. Punk and Van dam turn and go at it. Punk sends him in. Van Dam reverses and drops down. Punk comes back with a heel kick. Punk goes to the apron and then springs in from the top with a clothesline. Punk steps over RVD and gives him a back kick and then sends him into the corner. Van Dam leaps off the buckle and comes back with a cross body for a near fall. The Mountie works on Mysterio. Mountie goes for an over the shoulder back breaker, but Rey slips out and goes to the ropes. The Mountie connects with a flying reverse elbow.
J.R.: This is still anyone’s ball game. Rob Van Dam, the Mountie, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio all have a chance to get a U.S. Title match next week against Booker T.
Van Dam rams the Mountie into the turnbuckle. Punk goes to cover Rey, but he kicks out. Punk tosses Rey over the top, but he hangs on. Punk misses a kick, but Rey hit’s a head scissors and then drops the dime on Punk. Mysterio covers, but only gets a two count. Mysterio goes to the ropes, but Punk catches him and goes for the GTS, but Rey flips over, spins around and rolls up Punk for a three count.
J.R.: Just like that and CM Punk has been eliminated. You can never take your eye off of Rey Mysterio.
King: And then there were three.
Van Dam whips the Mountie into the corner. Van Dam comes in, but the Mountie moves and then drills Van Dam with a side slam. The Mountie makes the cover, but RVD kicks out. The Mountie stomps on Van Dam and then applies a Camel Clutch. Rey Mysterio dropkicks the Mountie and then does a running flip into a face plant and gets a near fall. Rey sends him in, but the Mountie reverses and catches him with a big boot. Van Dam forearms the Mountie and then sends him in. Mountie reverses, but RVD comes back flipping back over and connecting with a heel kick. RVD goes to the top and comes off with the frog splash, but the Mountie gets his knees up. The Mountie covers RVD, but he kicks out. Booker T. runs out and jumps up on the ring apron. Rey tries to get him, but Booker jumps back down.
J.R.: Remember that Booker T. vowed to never give Rey Mysterio a title opportunity and he looks to be trying make sure that he never has to.
The Mountie nails Rey and tosses him out, but he lands on the ring apron. Rey kicks Booker T., but the Mountie knocks Rey to the floor causing him to be eliminated.
King: Booker T. caused a split second distraction for Rey and that allowed the Mountie to capitalize.
The Mountie turns back and RVD hooks him in a small package and keeps him down for a three count.
J.R.: Rob Van Dam has done it. RVD takes advantage of that situation and he gets the win and the opportunity to face Booker T. for the U.S. Title next week here on Smackdown.
Terry Funk finishes putting tape on his wrists and is talking with Tommy Dreamer.
J.R.: The legendary Terry Funk does battle with D-Von Dudley still to come tonight. Up next however it will be the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels as the guest of Brother Love. Don’t switch that dial!
-Commercial Break-
Brother Love: Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, please welcome my guest this week. He is a man who has been called the Showstopper, the icon, the main event. He is the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels.
J.R.: Well King here comes HBK. Shawn Michaels will be one of sixty men competing in the Royal Rumble match on January 25 in Philadelphia.
King: Trying to overcome fifty-nine other men is not going to be an easy task for anyone, but if you have to pick someone who always goes that extra mile it’s Shawn Michaels.
Love: Welcome Brother Shawn. It is so good to have you hear on the Brother Love Show. We are vastly approaching the Royal Rumble where you will have the opportunity to add another feat to your resume and that is to win the 60 Man Royal Rumble match.
HBK: Well Brother Love. I’m not looking to go on any job interviews anytime soon, but be that as it may the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels is always up for a challenge and this is going to be one of the biggest of my career. It may take all night long, but it’ll be worth it. You see it’s been a while since HBK has challenged for the Title at WrestleMania and well it’s time to rectify that situation.
Love: Brother Shawn, there are going to be some big adversaries in the ring for you to contend with such as the Big Show, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Goldberg, Edge, Hulk Hogan, and a few more names to which you might be a little familiar like Razor Ramon, Diesel, and Triple H.
HBK: You know we are all competitors and when it comes right down to it, we all want to be in that headline position at WrestleMania. So whether or not it’s friendly fire or just pure animosity, I am not going to apologize, because we are in this business to do one thing and that is be in the top spot and I will take on absolutely anyone to get there.
Love: That brings me to my next guest. Let me welcome a man who you know quite well. Please welcome Marty Jannetty.
J.R.: Well this is interesting King. Brother Love has invited HBK’s former partner Marty Jannetty out here. These men have been up and down the roads together. Granted they went there separate ways for a long time, but have been on friendly terms once again not all that long ago.
Love: Brother Marty, welcome. Now Brother Shawn, the reason I invited Mr. Jannetty out here was the fact that he has not been granted a slot in the upcoming Royal Rumble match and being the man that you are or claim to be, I thought it would be the brotherly thing to do to give Brother Marty the opportunity to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble.
HBK: I don’t know what it is you think I can do Brother Love. I don’t book the matches. I’m sorry that Marty is not in it. You deserve a spot no question. But you would have to take that up with Vince McMahon.
Love: Now Brother Shawn. You may not make the matches, but you could certainly step into the ring and allow Brother Marty the chance to take your spot.
Marty: Shawn, don’t listen to him. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t want to take your spot. Sure I’d like to be in the Rumble, but I don’t want to do this.
HBK: Well you see now Brother Love you’ve opened up a can of worms and you can’t close the lid. If I back down now I could never live with myself. Marty, you want this shot? I’m going to give it to you. Next week here on Smackdown you face me one-on-one and if you beat me, you can have my spot in the Royal Rumble.
King: That’s big news J.R. Jannetty vs. Michaels next week for a spot in the Royal Rumble. That’s huge.
J.R.: I can’t wait to see that next week King. But let us talk about the Royal Rumble. It will be live Sunday January 25 from the sold out Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Smackdown will represent with the WWE Championship as Bret “Hit Man” Hart defends against Brock Lesnar. What will happen after tonight, will Lesnar be challenging the Hit Man or will he be facing Finlay for the gold?
King: Well from Raw comes the World Heavyweight Championship as Kurt Angle defends in a triple threat match against Chris Jericho and the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Angle has two top competitors breathing down his neck to take his title at the Rumble.
J.R.: Then comes the Intercontinental Championship. Captain Charisma Christian goes one-on-one with Muhammad Hassan. Daiviari has been assigned to that contest as the official. Can someone say collusion? Can Christian hope to leave with the title or has Hassan got in the bag?
King: Plus don’t forget about the Tag Team tables match as the Dudley Boyz face off against Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer. Someone will be served up at the Rumble.
J.R.: Then King it all comes down to the sixty man Royal Rumble match. It will be every man for himself as they do battle to determine who goes to WrestleMania in the main event to face either the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion. The following participants have been confirmed for the Rumble. They are Stone Cold Steve Austin, Batista, the Big Show, Booker T., Carlito, John Cena, Goldust, Chavo Guerrero, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sycho Sid, Rob Van Dam, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Finlay, Goldberg, Mark Henry, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Edge, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Hulk Hogan, Monty Brown, Matt Hardy, Diesel, Tito Santana, Paul London, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, Roddy Piper, Chris Masters, Razor Ramon, Rhyno, Jim Brunzell, B. Brian Blair, Jim Neidhart, Rey Mstyerio, Irwin R. Schyster, Sabu, Dean Malenko, Sandman, Gregory Helms, King Kong Bundy, Paul Orndorff, and Rene Dupree. Plus five more names to be revealed. Don’t miss the Royal Rumble live on pay per view.
King: J.R., coming up next two of the Rumble participants will be going at it as Edge takes on the largest athlete in the world the Big Show.
J.R.: Edge has his work cut out for him next!
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 09, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the last Smackdown edition is shown including what went on with Bret Hart and Finlay. Then Goldust’s music plays as he heads to the ring.
J.R.: As the bizarre one heads to the ring for our opening contest, we welcome you to Friday Night Smackdown. Hello again everyone I’m Jim Ross along side Jerry “The King” Lawler. We are sold out here at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Goldust is about to face Joey Mercury of MNM.
King: Well J.R. Goldust was on the losing end of his match against Johnny Nitro last week and he hopes to have a different outcome here tonight.
J.R.: Also here tonight our main event is for the WWE Championship. Bret Hart defends against Finlay in what should be a physical altercation.
GOLDUST VS. JOEY MERCURY
Goldust punches Mercury and sends him in, but he reverses him. Goldust kicks Mercury and nails him with a clothesline. Goldust rams Mercury into the turnbuckle and nails him with a hard right hand.
J.R.: Goldust is taking it to Mercury right out of the gate here as Nitro and Melina look on from ringside. Goldust will have to keep a close watch on those two individuals.
King: I can keep a close watch on Melina and then maybe Goldust won’t have so much to worry about.
J.R.: King how about you just worry about your job here tonight.
Goldust sends Mercury in and nails him with an elbow and then snap mares him over. Goldust drills Mercury with an elbow into the head and then makes a cover, but Mercury kicks out. Goldust fires away at Mercury and sends him in. Mercury ducks under and kicks Goldust and sends him in. Goldust slides under and then plants Mercury with a bulldog. Goldust makes the cover, but only gets a two count.
J.R.: Goldust plants Mercury with a well executed bulldog, but it still wasn’t enough to get the job done. Goldust along with Mercury and Nitro will be among the sixty participants in the Royal Rumble match in a little over two weeks.
Goldust delivers a suplex followed by a leg drop for another near fall. Goldust goes for the Curtain Call, but Mercury kicks him. Mercury kicks Goldust again and then stomps on him. Mercury delivers a neck breaker for a two count. Mercury then connects with a dropkick before going up to the top rope. Mercury jumps off, but Goldust catches him with an arm drag coming down. Goldust nails Mercury and sends him in for a back drop. Goldust uses an inverted atomic drop followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Melina jumps up on the ring apron getting the referee’s attention. Goldust plants Mercury with the Curtain Call, but Nitro hit’s the ring. Goldust clotheslines Nitro right back out to the floor. Mercury nails Goldust from behind with a chop block and then rolls him up for a three count.
King: The numbers game took care of Goldust the same way it did last week.
J.R.: Two strikes against Goldust in his rivalry with MNM. Oh wait they are at it again. Oh no MNM with a double gut buster on Goldust. Someone needs to do something about this. Right now however we are going to send it over to the lovely Torrie Wilson who is with the United States Champion.
Torrie: Booker T., tonight here on Smackdown there will be a six man challenge featuring Rob Van Dam, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Chris Masters, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio to determine who faces you for your United States Championship next week. Do you have a preference as to who you’d like to face?
Booker: Let me axe you a question Torrie. Do you have a preference as to who gets on top of you or you just get on everybody? Don’t ask me stupid questions. I am Booker T. I am the United States Champion. It doesn’t matter who wins that challenge because I will defeat any of those men. I’ve proven time and again that I am a true world class competitor and I will continue to show everyone that you don’t mess with Booker T. Now can you dig that?
-Commercial Break-
“On Sunday January 25, World Wrestling Entertainment presents the Royal Rumble. A championship opportunity in the main event of WrestleMania XX is at stake when sixty superstars collide for their chance at immortality. Plus the luck of the draw will determine which superstars find themselves in the land of the extreme. It’s the WWE Royal Rumble live only on pay per view.”
JILLIAN HALL VS. MOLLY HOLLY
Molly Holly is in the ring as Jillian makes her way out singing a pop song.
J.R.: Welcome back to Smackdown as we get our first look at the newest WWE Diva Jillian Hall. Hall is performing her way to the ring with some catchy music.
King: I’d like to catchy a piece of Jillian over here.
Jillian and Molly lock up. Molly winds up Jillian’s arm and yanks it. She takes Jillian over. Molly hooks her in an arm bar. Jillian goes over reversing out and sending Molly for the ride. Jillian connects with a drop toe hold and applies a front face lock, but Molly turns it into a northern lights suplex. Jillian bridges up and delivers a neck breaker.
J.R.: Nice counter maneuver by Jillian against the former Women’s Champion.
Jillian sends Molly to the corner and pounds on her. She sends her across and Molly gets a foot up. Molly connects with a Victory roll and gets a two count. Molly hiplocks Jillian and then nails her with a dropkick. Molly splashes down on Jillian and gets another near fall. Molly hammers Jillian and sends her in. Jillian reverses. Molly comes back for a sunset flip, but Jillian blocks it and holds Molly down for a near fall. Jillian kicks Molly and goes for a bulldog, but Molly reverses it into a back suplex. Molly whips Jillian into the corner. She goes for the handspring elbow, but Jillian moves and Molly crashes in the corner. Jillian kicks Molly and delivers a suplex. Jillian then connects with a power bomb and gets a two count. Jillian this the ropes, but is caught by a huracanrana. Molly then delivers a flapjack and then goes up to the top. Molly comes off with the Molly-go-round, but Jillian moves. Jillian dropkicks Molly in the back of the head. She gets her in a neck breaker position and then kicks off the turnbuckle and goes up and over with a face plant and covers Molly for the three count.
King: Wow that was really impressive.
J.R.: Jillian Hall’s WWE career is off and running with a huge win against Molly Holly. What a maneuver that was by the newest Diva.
King: J.R. I am being told that Jillian calls that move the Chart Topper. If she keeps that up she’ll be topping the charts of the WWE very quickly.
Goldust comes out of Vince McMahon’s office and bumps into Rob Van Dam.
Goldust: RVD I just got some good news.
RVD: What news is that?
Goldust: I just got myself a tag match against MNM next week.
RVD: I’m happy for you, but I can’t be your partner.
Goldust: Don’t worry Rob, I wasn’t asking you. I think I’ve got just the partner to take on those two tabloid junkies. It came to me in a dream!
RVD: Goldust, no offense, but I definitely don’t want to know what you dream about. Besides I’ve got a match right now.
J.R.: Well Goldust will finally try to even the odds against MNM next week, but coming up next RVD joins five other Superstars for a six man U.S. Title #1 contender’s match and it’s next!
-Commercial Break-
“On January 27 witness the rebirth of the Extreme. World Wrestling Entertainment presents the next evolution in sports entertainment. ECW returns with new Superstars, new rivalries, and new battle scars. It’s the debut of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Live January 27th!
J.R.: We are back here on Friday Night Smackdown. Right now King it’s time to determine the number one contender to the United States Championship.
King: That’s right J.R. The winner of this six man challenge will face the U.S. Champion Booker T. right here next week on Smackdown.
J.R.: In this match King all six men will compete at the same time. Eliminations can occur by pinfall, submission, or by being thrown over the top rope to the floor. The last man standing gets the chance to face Booker T. for the gold next week.
U.S. TITLE #1 CONTENDER’S SIX MAN CHALLENGE
CM PUNK VS. CHRIS MASTERS VS. ROB VAN DAM VS. RICK MARTEL VS. ROB VAN DAM VS. THE MOUNTIE
CM Punk nails Masters and kicks away. He goes to the ropes, but Masters connects with a clothesline. Van Dam and the Mountie hook up. Mysterio delivers forearms to Rick Martel. The Mountie pounds on Van Dam and slams him down. He drops an elbow and makes a cover, but RVD quickly kicks out. The Mountie goes to try an suplex Van Dam over the top, but he blocks and nails him with a heel kick. Van Dam takes Mountie over with an arm drag and then delivers a monkey flip. Rick Martel kicks Mysterio and nails him with a back breaker. He stomps on Rey. Van Dam hooks Martel and rolls him up for a near fall. Martel goes to the ropes, but Van Dam back drops him. Masters then clotheslines Van Dam. Punk knees Martel and gets a near fall. Chris Masters hammers the Mountie.
J.R.: There is an awful lot of action with these six competitors and forgive us if we can’t keep up with all of it. We will do our best as we try to determine a number one contender for Booker T’s U.S. Title.
Masters goes for the Master Lock, but the Mountie slips out and sends him in for a dropkick. Booker T. and Sharmell are shown watching the match on a monitor from the dressing room. The Mountie uses a double underhook on Masters for a near fall. Rey then dropkicks the Mountie and sends him in. Mountie reverses, but Mysterio slides under and connects with a head scissors landing the Mountie on the middle rope. Mysterio gets set for the 619. Mysterio connects and the Mountie bounces back into the waiting arms of CM Punk who lifts the Mountie for the Go to Sleep, only Chris Masters hooks Punk with the Masterlock. Punk drops down and RVD nails Masters with a spin kick. RVD leaps to the top and comes off with the five star frog splash. Van Dam hooks the leg and Masters is done.
J.R.: Well the first casualty of this match is the Masterpiece Chris Masters. Rob Van Dam made sure of that.
CM Punk and Rick Martel exchange blows. Punk sends him in, but Martel reverses. Punk comes back with a clothesline and then sends Martel into the corner and follows in with a running knee. Punk delivers a bulldog. Mysterio dropkicks Punk into the middle rope. He goes for the 619, but the Mountie gets in the way and power slams Rey. The Mountie drops a leg and gets a near fall. Rob Van Dam sends Martel into the corner. He drills him with shoulders and then flips back and then drills him again. Van Dam connects with a straight kick and then a split legged moonsault for a near fall. CM Punk hit’s a neck breaker on Van Dam. Punk kicks Van Dam. Van Dam catches and delivers a step over kick. Martel then delivers a back suplex to RVD. Martel stomps Van Dam and Punk. Martel then starts doing jumping jacks. Rob Van Dam and CM Punk deliver a double clothesline to Martel sending him up and over to the floor.
King: Oh no the Model just got unceremoniously unloaded from this contest.
J.R.: Martel should have stayed focus on the action instead of showing off his cardio.
Booker T. and Sharmell are shown watching again from the monitor in the dressing room. Punk and Van dam turn and go at it. Punk sends him in. Van Dam reverses and drops down. Punk comes back with a heel kick. Punk goes to the apron and then springs in from the top with a clothesline. Punk steps over RVD and gives him a back kick and then sends him into the corner. Van Dam leaps off the buckle and comes back with a cross body for a near fall. The Mountie works on Mysterio. Mountie goes for an over the shoulder back breaker, but Rey slips out and goes to the ropes. The Mountie connects with a flying reverse elbow.
J.R.: This is still anyone’s ball game. Rob Van Dam, the Mountie, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio all have a chance to get a U.S. Title match next week against Booker T.
Van Dam rams the Mountie into the turnbuckle. Punk goes to cover Rey, but he kicks out. Punk tosses Rey over the top, but he hangs on. Punk misses a kick, but Rey hit’s a head scissors and then drops the dime on Punk. Mysterio covers, but only gets a two count. Mysterio goes to the ropes, but Punk catches him and goes for the GTS, but Rey flips over, spins around and rolls up Punk for a three count.
J.R.: Just like that and CM Punk has been eliminated. You can never take your eye off of Rey Mysterio.
King: And then there were three.
Van Dam whips the Mountie into the corner. Van Dam comes in, but the Mountie moves and then drills Van Dam with a side slam. The Mountie makes the cover, but RVD kicks out. The Mountie stomps on Van Dam and then applies a Camel Clutch. Rey Mysterio dropkicks the Mountie and then does a running flip into a face plant and gets a near fall. Rey sends him in, but the Mountie reverses and catches him with a big boot. Van Dam forearms the Mountie and then sends him in. Mountie reverses, but RVD comes back flipping back over and connecting with a heel kick. RVD goes to the top and comes off with the frog splash, but the Mountie gets his knees up. The Mountie covers RVD, but he kicks out. Booker T. runs out and jumps up on the ring apron. Rey tries to get him, but Booker jumps back down.
J.R.: Remember that Booker T. vowed to never give Rey Mysterio a title opportunity and he looks to be trying make sure that he never has to.
The Mountie nails Rey and tosses him out, but he lands on the ring apron. Rey kicks Booker T., but the Mountie knocks Rey to the floor causing him to be eliminated.
King: Booker T. caused a split second distraction for Rey and that allowed the Mountie to capitalize.
The Mountie turns back and RVD hooks him in a small package and keeps him down for a three count.
J.R.: Rob Van Dam has done it. RVD takes advantage of that situation and he gets the win and the opportunity to face Booker T. for the U.S. Title next week here on Smackdown.
Terry Funk finishes putting tape on his wrists and is talking with Tommy Dreamer.
J.R.: The legendary Terry Funk does battle with D-Von Dudley still to come tonight. Up next however it will be the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels as the guest of Brother Love. Don’t switch that dial!
-Commercial Break-
Brother Love: Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, please welcome my guest this week. He is a man who has been called the Showstopper, the icon, the main event. He is the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels.
J.R.: Well King here comes HBK. Shawn Michaels will be one of sixty men competing in the Royal Rumble match on January 25 in Philadelphia.
King: Trying to overcome fifty-nine other men is not going to be an easy task for anyone, but if you have to pick someone who always goes that extra mile it’s Shawn Michaels.
Love: Welcome Brother Shawn. It is so good to have you hear on the Brother Love Show. We are vastly approaching the Royal Rumble where you will have the opportunity to add another feat to your resume and that is to win the 60 Man Royal Rumble match.
HBK: Well Brother Love. I’m not looking to go on any job interviews anytime soon, but be that as it may the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels is always up for a challenge and this is going to be one of the biggest of my career. It may take all night long, but it’ll be worth it. You see it’s been a while since HBK has challenged for the Title at WrestleMania and well it’s time to rectify that situation.
Love: Brother Shawn, there are going to be some big adversaries in the ring for you to contend with such as the Big Show, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Goldberg, Edge, Hulk Hogan, and a few more names to which you might be a little familiar like Razor Ramon, Diesel, and Triple H.
HBK: You know we are all competitors and when it comes right down to it, we all want to be in that headline position at WrestleMania. So whether or not it’s friendly fire or just pure animosity, I am not going to apologize, because we are in this business to do one thing and that is be in the top spot and I will take on absolutely anyone to get there.
Love: That brings me to my next guest. Let me welcome a man who you know quite well. Please welcome Marty Jannetty.
J.R.: Well this is interesting King. Brother Love has invited HBK’s former partner Marty Jannetty out here. These men have been up and down the roads together. Granted they went there separate ways for a long time, but have been on friendly terms once again not all that long ago.
Love: Brother Marty, welcome. Now Brother Shawn, the reason I invited Mr. Jannetty out here was the fact that he has not been granted a slot in the upcoming Royal Rumble match and being the man that you are or claim to be, I thought it would be the brotherly thing to do to give Brother Marty the opportunity to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble.
HBK: I don’t know what it is you think I can do Brother Love. I don’t book the matches. I’m sorry that Marty is not in it. You deserve a spot no question. But you would have to take that up with Vince McMahon.
Love: Now Brother Shawn. You may not make the matches, but you could certainly step into the ring and allow Brother Marty the chance to take your spot.
Marty: Shawn, don’t listen to him. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t want to take your spot. Sure I’d like to be in the Rumble, but I don’t want to do this.
HBK: Well you see now Brother Love you’ve opened up a can of worms and you can’t close the lid. If I back down now I could never live with myself. Marty, you want this shot? I’m going to give it to you. Next week here on Smackdown you face me one-on-one and if you beat me, you can have my spot in the Royal Rumble.
King: That’s big news J.R. Jannetty vs. Michaels next week for a spot in the Royal Rumble. That’s huge.
J.R.: I can’t wait to see that next week King. But let us talk about the Royal Rumble. It will be live Sunday January 25 from the sold out Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Smackdown will represent with the WWE Championship as Bret “Hit Man” Hart defends against Brock Lesnar. What will happen after tonight, will Lesnar be challenging the Hit Man or will he be facing Finlay for the gold?
King: Well from Raw comes the World Heavyweight Championship as Kurt Angle defends in a triple threat match against Chris Jericho and the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Angle has two top competitors breathing down his neck to take his title at the Rumble.
J.R.: Then comes the Intercontinental Championship. Captain Charisma Christian goes one-on-one with Muhammad Hassan. Daiviari has been assigned to that contest as the official. Can someone say collusion? Can Christian hope to leave with the title or has Hassan got in the bag?
King: Plus don’t forget about the Tag Team tables match as the Dudley Boyz face off against Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer. Someone will be served up at the Rumble.
J.R.: Then King it all comes down to the sixty man Royal Rumble match. It will be every man for himself as they do battle to determine who goes to WrestleMania in the main event to face either the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion. The following participants have been confirmed for the Rumble. They are Stone Cold Steve Austin, Batista, the Big Show, Booker T., Carlito, John Cena, Goldust, Chavo Guerrero, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sycho Sid, Rob Van Dam, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Finlay, Goldberg, Mark Henry, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Edge, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Hulk Hogan, Monty Brown, Matt Hardy, Diesel, Tito Santana, Paul London, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, Roddy Piper, Chris Masters, Razor Ramon, Rhyno, Jim Brunzell, B. Brian Blair, Jim Neidhart, Rey Mstyerio, Irwin R. Schyster, Sabu, Dean Malenko, Sandman, Gregory Helms, King Kong Bundy, Paul Orndorff, and Rene Dupree. Plus five more names to be revealed. Don’t miss the Royal Rumble live on pay per view.
King: J.R., coming up next two of the Rumble participants will be going at it as Edge takes on the largest athlete in the world the Big Show.
J.R.: Edge has his work cut out for him next!