The fireworks went off in the arena to start off WWE Smackdown! and we are just 72 hours away from Wrestlemania and tonight is the final stop before Wrestlemania and Michael Cole and Tazz kicked it off on commentary!
John Cena vs. Rhyno
John Cena's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring and this Sunday night, John Cena will meet The Big Show in a one on one match at Wrestlemania for the United States Championship! John Cena got in the ring and worked the mic, taking shots at The Big Show. Rhyno's music hit and he made his way out to the ring as the opponent for John Cena as John Cena prepares for his match against The Big Show at Wrestlemania XX!
Rhyno and John Cena tied it up in the center of the ring and John Cena backed Rhyno into the corner and the referee called for a break but Rhyno gave John Cena a cheap shot. Cena then charged at Rhyno and hammered away on him in the corner, despite the referee's wishes.
John Cena dominated Rhyno and he finished him off with a kick to the gut and the FU and the pin for the three count to pick up the win.
Winner - John Cena
Orlando Jordan, Sho Funaki, Hardcore Holly, Billy Gunn and Dawn Marie were shown walking through the backstage area and Dawn told the Superstars that all she knows is that Paul Heyman wants all the Smackdown! talent in the room for a meeting.
Paul Heyman was shown in the locker room with all the WWE Superstars and Paul said that he knows a lot of them don't agree with Paul Heyman fighting Eddie Guerrero last week but he has a vision and he's willing to fight for the vision of Smackdown!. Whether you like him or hate him, he's good for Smackdown! and what's good for Smackdown! is good for the Superstars. Smackdown! puts food on their table, Smackdown! enables them to go shopping and buy really expensive clothes for their families. It allows them to sock enough money away to put their kids through college. Well there's a man out there who wants to stop them from putting their children through college. There's a man out there that wants to stop you from having the kind of money that enables you to buy expensive clothes for their families. And there's a man out there who wants to take food off of their plates. There's a man out there that wants to come into their house tonight and that man's name is Stone Cold Steve Austin. Stone Cold Steve Austin wants to take back his ATV. Brock Lesnar had no right to steal Stone Cold's ATV, well Brock Lesnar is a Smackdown! star. Stone Cold belongs on RAW and whether you love or hate Brock Lesnar, he is the leader of the locker room and he is one of them and someone from RAW wants to come into Smackdown!'s house and take something away from them. Paul isn't going to let him do it and the Smackdown! roster is going to help Paul stop him. Paul told them to volunteer their services tonight because he is going to have every single one of Stone Cold's moves monitored and one of them is going to walk out to the ring and they are all going to walk out to the ring with Brock Lesnar and they are going to defend their turf and when Stone Cold walks his way down to the ring, Paul Heyman is going to give the word; they are going to teach Stone Cold Steve Austin that you don't mess with Smackdown!.
Backstage: A shot of the parking lot was shown and Paul Heyman has cameras planted all over the arena and Stone Cold Steve Austin's truck was spotted in the parking lot and Michael Cole said that there's no doubt about it that Stone Cold Steve Austin is here, but where is he?!
Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble
In the arena, Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Sr. made their way out to the ringside area and Chavo, Jr. and his father joined Michael Cole and Tazz for a bit of commentary. Rey Mysterio's music then played throughout the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a one on one contest against Jamie Noble and this Sunday night on pay per view, Jamie Noble and Rey Mysterio will be involved in the Cruiserweight Open as Chavo Guerrero defends his Cruiserweight Championship at Wrestlemania!
Jamie Noble and Rey Mysterio locked it up in the center of the ring and Noble put Mysterio in a waist lock and Rey countered it into a hammer lock and Jamie countered that into a drop toe hold to take Rey Mysterio down to the mat.
Rey Mysterio went to the top rope and he came off with a cross body but Jamie Noble caught him in a gut buster and then a pin for a two count.
Rey Mysterio went for the 619 on Jamie Noble but Akio, Tajiri and Sakoda hit the ring and jumped Rey Mysterio to end the match. Ultimo Dragon, Billy Kidman and Funaki all made their way out to the ring and a brawl ensued between the many Cruiserweight wrestlers in the ring. Referee Charles Robinson attempted to break it up but the Cruiserweights just continued to brawl.
Winner - No contest
The referee informed the ring announcer that this match will continue as an eight man tag team match!
Eight Man Tag Team Match
Funaki, Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon vs. Akio, Sakoda, Tajiri and Jamie Noble
After a commercial break, the match was joined in progress and Tajiri and Ultimo Dragon were going at it in the ring and Ultimo Dragon gave Tajiri a Japanese arm drag to take him down to the mat.
Rey Mysterio gave Jamie Noble a sunset power bomb into a pin but only got a two count as Akio, Sakoda and Tajiri all entered the ring and broke up the pinfall.
Moments later, Rey Mysterio knocked Jamie Noble into the second rope and then he gave him the 619 and then Chavo, Sr. got up out of his seat and hopped to the ring apron to distract the referee. Chavo, Jr. then went over and held Rey Mysterio and Jamie Noble went to hit Mysterio but Mysterio ducked and Noble knocked Chavo down from the ring apron.
Rey Mysterio finished Jamie Noble off with a hurricanrana into a pin for the three count to pick up the win!
Winners - Funaki, Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon
As Rey Mysterio celebrated his win in the ring for his team, Shannon Moore made his way out and laid into Rey Mysterio. As Chavo Guerrero looked on at the beating Shannon gave to Mysterio, Nunzio snuck out to the ring and nailed Chavo Guerrero and the chaos continued as we cut to the backstage area.
Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli were shown looking on at the Cruiserweight battle from the backstage area and Paul Heyman showed up and Paul talked to them about having Smackdown!'s back and Paul was informed on his walkie talkie that Stone Cold Steve Austin was spotted in the arena and he was found in the beer stands!
Footage of what went down last week on Smackdown! between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle was shown when a handcuffed Eddie Guerrero was beaten down and dominated by the Olympic Gold Medalist.
Non Title Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Eddie Guerrero (c)
Eddie Guerrero's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring in a low rider and this is a non title contest with Eddie Guerrero facing Shelton Benjamin in a one on one contest. As Eddie got in the ring, Michael Cole noted that Kurt Angle is said not to be here tonight but we heard that last week and out came Angle to beat down the WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero.
Before the match and before Shelton Benjamin came out to the ring, Eddie Guerrero took the mic and said to say hello to his little friend. Before he has his match with Shelton Benjamin, he would like to address Mr. Kurt Angle. Eddie said that they're telling him that Kurt Angle didn't show up tonight, that he's not here. But do you really think Eddie Guerrero is buying that? Eddie challenged Kurt Angle to come out to the ring because this is his chance and Eddie knows Kurt is back there. This is Kurt Angle's chance to get rid of the Eddie Guerrero of the world and to save Smackdown!. After all, Eddie Guerrero is the only WWE Champion in history that sends out a message to kids to lie, cheat and steal, holmes. This is his chance to play hero, but where is he? Eddie said that he gets it, Kurt Angle has no balls. You see, all the talk Kurt Angle does is exactly that, talk. He talks the talk but he doesn't walk the walk. Who does he think he's fooling? Does he think he's fooling the fans? Does he think he's fooling Eddie Guerrero? Eddie Guerrero is an addict, a bad influence, this is his chance to come down and make things right. Stop beating around the bush and come out here and get your ass kicked by Latino Heat! Eddie said that this doesn't surprise him. Kurt Angle has done a lot of talking but now it's time to put up or shut up. Wrestlemania XX, Kurt Angle promised that he's going to walk in and save Smackdown! and the WWE from Eddie Guerrero. Well Eddie has one promise to Kurt Angle; after he beats him at Wrestlemania XX, he promises he's going to lie more than ever, he's going to steal more than ever and he's going to cheat more than ever, Odelay, Viva La Raza!
Shelton Benjamin made his way out to the ring and he and Eddie Guerrero locked it up in the center of the ring and Shelton took Eddie down to the mat but Eddie got up and took Shelton down to the mat. Eddie Guerrero put Shelton in a side headlock and Shelton whipped Eddie off the ropes and Charlie Haas, who was present on the outside of the ring, tripped Eddie Guerrero to knock him down to the mat.
Eddie Guerrero knocked Shelton Benjamin down to the outside of the ring and Charlie Haas hopped to the ring apron only to get knocked down with a hard right hand by Eddie Guerrero. Referee Nick Patrick then got out of the ring and he sent Charlie Haas back to the locker room!
Shelton Benjamin grabbed Eddie Guerrero in a back suplex position and shoved him into the referee to send him down to the mat. Charlie Haas returned to the ring and grabbed the WWE Title and slid it to Shelton and Eddie Guerrero drop kicked the title right into the face of Shelton Benjamin. Charlie Haas tried to get in the ring to get the title but Eddie grabbed the title and laid Charlie Haas out with it. Eddie then waited for Shelton to get up and then he nailed him with the title.
As the referee started to get up, Eddie Guerrero tossed the belt out of the ring and then he acted as if he was knocked down and out. The referee started the count on both men and Eddie Guerrero got up at the count of seven and then he went to the top rope and came off with the frog splash to pick up the win over Shelton Benjamin!
Winner, the WWE Champion, Eddie Guerrero
As Eddie Guerrero celebrated his win, he noted Kurt Angle in the aisle way and the two intensely stared each other down and this Sunday night at Wrestlemania, Kurt Angle will meet Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship!
Paul Heyman was shown walking through the backstage area talking into his walkie talkie and he was asking for an update on Austin but they couldn't seem to find him. Paul told them to let him know when they do find him. Orlando Jordan showed up and Paul asked him if he is going to do what's right for Smackdown!? Orlando said that he is, but he has a lot of respect for Stone Cold Steve Austin. Paul said that if he respects Stone Cold, that means he's willing to disrespect Smackdown! so the way he looks at it, he can respect Stone Cold or respect his own career. Make the choice tonight. Paul Heyman then went on his way, ranting about Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Babaganush x 2 vs. The Big Show
The Big Show's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a match against two Babaganushes.
The Big Show whaled away on Babaganush x 2 and there's not much to report in this Handicap match with The Big Show facing two jobbers.
The Big Show put Babaganush in a cobra clutch to take him out of the match and then he took Babaganush 2 and gave him a choke slam and then a pin for the three count to get the win.
Winner, the United States Champion, The Big Show
As The Big Show celebrated his victory, John Cena came out to the ring and went at it with The Big Show. Big Show whipped Cena off the ropes and Cena came back with a chop block to the knee to take him down. Cena then knocked Big Show out of the ring and then he grabbed the United States Title and held it up in the air as if it were his own.
Footage from last week's Smackdown! was shown when Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas had a bit of fun at the APA's expense. The APA took exception and hit the ring and attacked Haas and Benjamin. From there, a fight broke out with the Basham Brothers hitting the ring along with Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi!
Paul Heyman was shown walking through the backstage area and he came across the APA guarding the door from Stone Cold, or so he thought. Faarooq and Bradshaw had a beer in their hands and Paul said that he didn't put them in the Fatal Four Way at Wrestlemania just so they could get the Bashams. He did it because the APA going for the Tag Team Titles is good for Smackdown!. Now Paul did what's good for Smackdown! and he knows they're going to do what's good for Smackdown!. Faarooq said that they've got this and Bradshaw said not to worry about them. Paul said that he's counting on them and then he left, telling Dawn to get in his office over the phone.
Non Title Match
The Basham Brothers vs. Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi (c)
Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi made their way out to the ring for a tag team match against the former Tag Team Champions, the Basham Brothers and this Sunday night at Wrestlemania, the Basham Brothers will meet the APA, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas and the Tag Team Champions, Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi in a Fatal Four Way Match!
Scotty 2 Hotty started the match off in the ring against Doug Basham and Scotty set his sights on Danny Basham and Doug Basham nailed Scotty 2 Hotty from behind to knock him down to the mat.
Rikishi splashed Danny Basham in the corner and behind Rikishi's back, Doug Basham shoved Danny out of the ring and then sat down in the corner.
Rikishi started to go for the stink face but Doug Basham got up and ran right into a super kick by Rikishi and then Rikishi pinned Doug Basham for the three count to pick up the win!
Winners, the Tag Team Champions, Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi
Backstage: A shot of the parking lot was shown and Stone Cold's truck was no longer sitting in the parking lot. Michael Cole speculated as to whether or not Stone Cold got cold feet and had second thoughts as the show went to a break.
Paul Heyman's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring with the WWE Smackdown! roster. The Smackdown! roster lined up in the aisle way, awaiting the possible arrival of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Paul Heyman took the mic and he said that there's a guy who doesn't belong here tonight. He's from Monday Night RAW and he's bound and determined to raise hell here on Paul Heyman's Smackdown! and his name is Stone Cold Steve Austin. Now there's another guy here tonight who's not from RAW, but instead he's from Smackdown!. As a matter a fact, he is the leader of Smackdown! and the personification of Smackdown!. Paul Heyman then introduced the embodiment of his vision for Smackdown!, Brock Lesnar! Brock Lesnar's music then hit and he made his way out on Stone Cold's ATV and he rode around the ring with it and parked it at ringside.
Brock got in the ring and took the mic and said here's the deal, there is no deal for Steve Austin. Brock stands in this very ring tonight, in his ring and this is Brock Lesnar's ring. He stands there as the most dominant athlete that this company has ever seen. And each one of these guys will tell you that Brock Lesnar has respect because each and every one of these guys has been in the ring with Brock Lesnar. That's Brock Lesnar's four wheeler and as he recalls on RAW the other night, he said he was coming to Smackdown! to hand out some knuckle sandwiches. The way Brock sees it, Austin has a hell of a lot of knuckle sandwiches to hand out tonight, so Brock is begging Stone Cold Steve Austin to come to the ring and get it. Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit in the arena and the Superstars of Smackdown! turned their attention to the aisle way and Stone Cold rode his truck into the arena and came face to face with the Smackdown! Superstars.
Stone Cold Steve Austin walked through the Smackdown! Superstars and they all looked at him and Paul demanded that they get Stone Cold Steve Austin right now. The Superstars ignored Paul Heyman and Stone Cold crept towards the ring as Paul Heyman ranted. Stone Cold came face to face with The Big Show and the two had a stare down and Big Show eventually stuck his finger up and pointed to the ring to send Austin in the ring after Brock Lesnar. The Big Show and the WWE Superstars then left the ringside area, leaving Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar in the ring. Stone Cold tried to get in the ring but Brock Lesnar was able to keep him out of the ring. Stone Cold Steve Austin got on his ATV and rode it down the aisle and Brock Lesnar got on the ring apron and Stone Cold stopped in the middle of the aisle and then he took the key out of the ATV and put it on his pocket. Brock Lesnar got in the aisle way and Stone Cold Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar had a stare down in the aisle way and then the two got in a brawl in the aisle and Stone Cold beat the tar out of Brock Lesnar.
Stone Cold brought Brock Lesnar into the ring and Paul Heyman was still in the ring and Stone Cold gave Paul Heyman the Stunner and when he turned around, Brock shoved Stone Cold into the corner and gave him a number of shoulder blocks and then he went for the F5 but Stone Cold countered it and went for the stunner but Brock Lesnar rolled out of the ring to dodge the stunner. Stone Cold and Brock Lesnar had a brief stare down and this Sunday night at Wrestlemania, Brock Lesnar will meet Bill Goldberg in a one on one match and Stone Cold Steve Austin will be the special guest referee! Brock Lesnar went to the back and Stone Cold Steve Austin got back on the ATV and rode it around the ring as the crowd went wild for the Texas Rattlesnake! At the conclusion of the show, Stone Cold loaded the ATV onto his pick up truck and he's headed to Wrestlemania!
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com & PowerWrestling.Com