WWE SMACKDOWN – MARCH 18, 2004 – BOSTON, MAThe March 18 edition of WWE Smackdown begins with a video package featuring the highlights from Sunday’s Wrestlemania XX! The show featured Eddie Guerrero retaining his WWE Championship against Kurt Angle, the Undertaker defeating Kane in his return, and much more!
Following the Wrestlemania and opening videos, we are welcomed to WWE Smackdown by Michael Cole and Tazz as a pyrotechnics display blasts in the arena. The two do a quick review of Wrestlemania XX, congratulating RAW superstar for his World Heavyweight Championship win, along with Eddie Guerrero, for retaining the WWE Championship.
Michael Cole and Tazz’s conversation comes to an abrupt end as the general manager of Smackdown, Paul Heyman, marches angrily out to the podium that stands at the center of the stage. The look on his face is angry, yet eager, as he pulls out a pair of reading glasses and paper. First, he announces that because the Smackdown roster allowed Steve Austin to humiliate him by delivering a Stunner on the previous week’s Smackdown, the reign of terror will begin. He promises to make every wrestler’s life a living hell, and he starts by putting Big Show in a handicap match against the World’s Greatest Tag Team. He makes this decision because his betrayal hurt the most, as they were once very close friends. His self-proclaimed, “State of the union address,” continues as he announces next week’s main event; a four-way match between Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, and two wrestlers drafted from RAW in next week’s draft. He ends the speech stating, “You better pray that you get drafted to RAW!” He struts off to a chorus of boos as Michael Cole and Tazz hype up next week’s main event.
*Commercial Break*Rey Mysterio & Ultimo Dragon def. Kyo Dai (Akio & Sakoda) with the 619This was a very exciting and fast-paced opening match. From the get go, the veterans in Rey Mysterio and Ultimo Dragon controlled the match, and it stayed that way for the most part. After a solid eight-minute match, Rey Mysterio hit the 619 on Sakoda to pick up the victory for himself and Ultimo Dragon. This match got the fans pumped and ready for more action.
**At the conclusion of the match, we go backstage where Josh Matthews is standing with the WWE Champion, Eddie Guerrero! Matthews starts off recapping the huge announcement general manager Paul Heyman made earlier, in which Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, and two of the drafted superstars from RAW will face off for the number one contendership. He proceeds to ask Guerrero his thoughts. Guerrero does not hesitate and states that he is the WWE Champion and can take on anybody who comes his way. Eddie seemed confident, but very humble, pointing out the successes of Undertaker and Angle.
*Commercial Break*As Smackdown returns from a commercial break, John Cena makes his entrance, holding up the WWE United States Championship, which he won at Wrestlemania 20. He enters the ring and gives his pre-match rap, saying he gave the Big Show the FU Diet and helped him lose ten pounds. He also talked smack about his upcoming opponent, Matt Morgan.
John Cena def. Matt Morgan with the F.U.The sole purpose of this match was to make the new United States Champion look strong and it did just that. Despite having a significant size advantage over John Cena, Matt Morgan stood no chance. Cena has seemed like a new man, almost cocky, since his victory over the Big Show, and it showed during this match. Cena got the win after he hit his finisher, the F.U.
**In the locker room, we find the WWE Cruiserweight Champion sitting side by side with his father, Chavo Classic. Chavo Classic congratulates his son for retaining the Cruiserweight Championship at Wrestlemania XX. Chavo seems flattered and states he will become the dominate force in the cruiserweight division and will continue the Guerrero family tradition of winning! The two laugh it out, appearing to have a nice bonding moment.
*Commercial Break*Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty def. APA with the Rump ShakerThis was a usual tag team match as the APA got the upper hand early on, secluding Scotty 2 Hotty from his partner Rikishi, and making frequent tags. The APA could have finished off their weak opponent, but opted not to, as they wanted to rub it in the face of Rikishi. This decision ended up backfiring as Scotty 2 Hotty made the hot tag and Rikishi cleared the ring. Rikishi would pick up the win for the WWE Tag Team Champions with the Rump Shaker on Farooq. Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty danced after their victory.
****Commercial Break*Upon returning from a commercial break, the RAW Rebound was shown, featuring the announcement concerning the draft, with Vince McMahon stating, “It’s time to shake things up again!”
Big Show def. the World’s Greatest Tag Team with a Double ChokeslamIt appeared Paul Heyman’s quest for revenge backfired as Big Show just manhandled the team of Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. As the bell rang, the former tag team champions ran towards the Big Show and began hitting him with all they got. This barely even phased the Big Show as he simply pushed the two away. Big Show continued his dominance, hitting Clothesline after Clothesline on the two. He finally finished them off with a double Chokeslam.
***After the conclusion of the match, Paul Heyman ran to the ring and began to scream incoherently at the Big Show. As he began to throw punches at his belly, the Big Show just laughed and shoved Heyman away, almost out of the ring. He then nailed a huge Chokeslam on Heyman. As Big Show stared at Heyman’s lifeless body, the paramedics and security ran out to aid Heyman. We fade to a commercial break as the security guards escort the Big Show out of the arena.
*Commercial Break*The final segment got underway as the lights dimmed and the bells began to toll. Suddenly, the funeral march played and out walked the Undertaker with his manager Paul Bearer. As he entered the ring, the lights flicked on, showing Paul Bearer holding the urn high above his head. Undertaker proceeded to take off his hat and roll his eyes, receiving a huge pop from the crowd. As the crowd died down, Paul Bearer proclaimed that Undertaker’s brother, Kane, has been the latest to fall victim of the Deadman! The crowd explodes once again, until Undertaker speaks. Taker begins to elaborate about how Kane has been put to the rest, and now he has set his sights on the latest victim, the WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero! Undertaker then does his infamous taunt as Paul Bearer laughs. The picture fades as Smackdown comes to its end.
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT © 2004
