The Smackdown! fireworks went off in the arena and Michael Cole and Tazz kicked off the show on commentary from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada! Tonight, the United States Championship is on the line as John Cena defends the title against Booker T. Also tonight, the Dudleys defend the Tag Team Titles against Paul London and Billy Kidman!
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Rob Van Dam vs. Mark Jindrak
In the arena, Rene Dupree's music hit and he made his way out to the ring along with Fifi and he joined Michael Cole and Tazz for commentary during the opening bout. The music of Mark Jindrak then hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the Reflection of Perfection. Normally, Mark Jindrak would come out to the ring with Teddy Long but as explained by Michael Cole, they have decided to go their separate ways and it will be interesting to see what Mark Jindrak does on his own.
As Rob Van Dam posed, Mark Jindrak nailed him from behind to send him out of the ring to the arena floor and then Mark rammed Rob Van Dam into the security wall, back first. Mark Jindrak whipped RVD into the steel steps and then he gave Rob Van Dam a clubbing blow to the chest and then the lower back of RVD.
Mark Jindrak whipped RVD into the corner and charged at him but RVD gave Mark Jindrak a reverse elbow to send him staggering back. RVD then hopped to the second rope and Mark Jindrak nailed Rob Van Dam with a standing drop kick to send RVD off the ropes to the arena floor. Jindrak then got out of the ring and rolled RVD back into the ring and pinned him but only got a two count.
RVD whipped Mark Jindrak into the corner and then he gave him a monkey flip out of the corner. RVD then nailed Jindrak with a spinning heel kick to send him down to the mat and then he set Jindrak up for the rolling thunder but Mark Jindrak got his knees up into the back of RVD.
Mark Jindrak perched Rob Van Dam on the top rope and went for a super plex but RVD nailed him with some reverse elbows to send him down to the mat and then he hit him with the split legged moonsault and a pin for the three count to pick up the win!
Winner - Rob Van Dam
The Aftermath: Rene Dupree stood up and he didn't look too happy at the end result of the match and Michael Cole asked Dupree why he always has a sour look on his face and Dupree ignored Cole.
Backstage: Josh Mathews was standing by backstage and he welcomed the new WWE Champion, John Bradshaw Layfield. John greeted Josh and asked him how his family is? Josh said good, thanks and then he asked JBL if it's safe to say that he is reluctant to face Eddie Guerrero next week in the Steel Cage? John asked Josh if he ever met Eddie Guerrero or did he ever shake his hand? Has Eddie Guerrero ever offered so graciously to come to our great neighbor Canada from the north, a place that loves JBL and a place that JBL loves to wrestle in front of his fans? The answer is no because Eddie Guerrero has never been a gentlemen like JBL is. JBL really doubts that Eddie Guerrero graduated high school, much less been offered the opportunity to speak in front of people for our youth and future. That's not character assassination, that's just fact. And the fact is, is he concerned about facing Eddie Guerrero in a steel cage match next Thursday? The answer is yes because JBL is a Champion's Champion and a man's man. He does not deserve nor should he have to defend his title in such a barbaric fashion in a steel cage. But the one thing that will pull him through is his heart and the ever growing JBL fan club. You'll hear them tonight chanting his name and it will inspire him and you will hear them next week chanting his name. In fact, if you listen close, you can hear them right now. "JBL, JBL, JBL, JBL!" (The crowd chanted against JBL, of course.) When his fans get to know him, he is going to become the most popular WWE Champion of all time and tonight, right here in Winnipeg, he is going to wrestle another popular Champion. JBL brought over El Gran Luchadore and he asked him how his family is? JBL said this is El Gran Luchadore, the Champion of Mexico from Mexico City, Mexico. He knows they met before and it didn't turn out so well for him last time but this time is different; for the first time ever, it is going to be Champion vs. Champion. And JBL promises this, out of his own personal pocket, he will pay for all of his medical bills because the outcome of this match, just like next week against Eddie Guerrero in the steel cage, the outcome is certainly a massacre. JBL then told El Gran Luchadore to do his best. As the promo came to a close, JBL held his head high with a huge smile on his face.
Tag Team Championship Match
Paul London and Billy Kidman vs. The Dudley Boyz (c)
The music of the Dudley Boyz hit in the arena and they made their way out to the ring as the WWE Tag Team Champions for a title defense against Paul London and Billy Kidman and this is a rematch of what happened this past Saturday night on Velocity in what was a non title match up. On Velocity, the Dudley Boyz got themselves disqualified and tonight, the rematch is for the WWE Tag Team Titles!
Paul London and Billy Kidman stormed right into the ring and met with the Dudley Boyz in a brawl. D-Von Dudley tossed Paul London to the outside of the ring as Bubba continued to hammer away on Billy Kidman. Bubba held onto Billy Kidman for D-Von to hit but Billy kicked D-Von in the gut and then Bubba gave Kidman a clubbing blow to the back.
Paul London went to the top rope and came off with a missile drop kick to knock Bubba Ray down to the mat. Kidman and London then gave D-Von a double team suplex and then Kidman launched London into the air with a standing moonsault on D-Von into a pin for a two count.
D-Von Dudley dumped Paul London to the outside of the ring and then he distracted the referee and Bubba Ray came off the ring apron with a leg drop on the outside of the ring. Bubba then rolled London back into the ring and D-Von got on his back and grabbed his head and cranked away on it as Billy Kidman rallied the crowd to get behind Paul London.
Bubba Ray gave Kidman a body slam and D-Von headed to the top rope but London shoved D-Von off the top rope and then Kidman rolled Bubba up and Paul London came off the top rope with a headbutt to the groin of Bubba Ray Dudley.
Moments later, Paul London nailed Bubba Ray with a super kick and then the legal Billy Kidman went to the top rope and came off with the shooting star press and then the pin for the three count to win the WWE Tag Team Titles!
Winners and new Tag Team Champions, Paul London and Billy Kidman
The Aftermath: Paul London and Billy Kidman celebrated their title win in the ring and both men were extremely pumped up at their upset victory over the veteran Dudley Boyz!
Backstage: Paul London and Billy Kidman were shown walking through the backstage area as the new Tag Team Champions and they were greeted by Scotty 2 Hotty, Rey Mysterio, Torrie Wilson and others. The Basham Brothers were also on hand as well as Nunzio and Johnny Stamboli, who congratulated and cheered Kidman and London on. London and Kidman walked into the Dudley Boyz and they were none too pleased about losing the Tag Team Titles. Surprisingly, Bubba Ray extended his hand to Paul London and Paul was reluctant to shake his hand and D-Von extended his hand as well and London and Kidman shook the hands of the Dudley Boyz and the Dudleys walked off.
Backstage: Josh Mathews was shown standing by and he congratulated Kidman and London, but he is standing there with Kenzo Suzuki. Hiroko was there with Kenzo to translate and Kenzo spoke about John Cena. Hiroko said that Kenzo said that last week on Smackdown!, John Cena disrespected Kenzo Suzuki and Kenzo Suzuki seeks revenge! Kenzo also says he is misunderstood. Kenzo Suzuki has great respect for America. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. America is the land of opportunity! Hiroko then said that Kenzo wants to say the rest himself and with a huge smile on his face, Kenzo Suzuki said "God bless America." In response to that, the fans in the arena heavily booed.
United States Championship Match
Booker T vs. John Cena (c)
John Cena's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the United States Champion, scheduled for a one on one title defense against Booker T! After John Cena got in the ring, he took the microphone and worked the crowd in his favor as the fans chanted "Cena, Cena!" John said that he is going to rip Booker's dreadlocks out and he isn't giving his wig back and he keeps his title tonight, sucka can you dig that? Cena said that he is five times better, plus he has five times the groupies. Booker needs a bike with no seat so he can sit and spinaroonie. Cena has been the franchise since the first time he took the mic. He isn't going to lose tonight to no Whoopi Goldberg look alike. John Cena continued on and Kenzo Suzuki's music hit in the arena and he made his way out, accompanied by Hiroko. Kenzo took his robe off and rushed to the ring and went to nail John Cena but John Cena knocked Kenzo down with a hard clothesline. Cena then whipped Kenzo into the corner and Kenzo came out of the corner with a clothesline but Cena ducked it and gave Kenzo a back suplex. Cena then whipped Kenzo off the ropes and gave him a big hip toss and then a clothesline over the top rope to the outside of the ring. John Cena then mocked Kenzo Suzuki and Luther Reigns hit the ring and gave John Cena a low blow and then a modified twisting neck breaker. Luther Reigns then stood tall over the United States Champion as the crowd chanted "you suck, you suck!"
Winner - No contest
Non Title Match
Champion vs. Champion
(c) El Gran Luchadore vs. John Bradshaw Layfield (c)
The music of the new WWE Heavyweight Champion, John Bradshaw Layfield hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a non title, Champion vs. Champion match with John Bradshaw Layfield against the Champion of Mexico, El Gran Luchadore!
At the sound of the bell, JBL used hand sanitizer on his hands before he locked it up with El Gran Luchadore. El Gran Luchadore got ready for JBL and JBL charged at him but El Gran Luchadore rolled to avoid JBL. JBL went after El Gran Luchadore again but the Luchadore rolled out of the way. JBL finally grabbed hold of El Gran Luchadore and nailed him with some clubbing blows and hard right hands.
El Gran Luchadore gave JBL a drop kick to the ribs and then he gave him a drop toe hold into the middle rope and then headed to the top rope and came off with a moonsault onto JBL to pull him down to the mat to pin him for a two count.
JBL nailed El Gran Luchadore with a clothesline to send him down to the mat and then JBL put Luchadore in the tree of woe position and then he slid out of the ring and pulled Luchadore's neck back to choke away on him. JBL then got back in the ring and perched El Gran Luchadore on the top rope and then gave him a super back suplex down to the mat. JBL then knocked El Gran Luchadore to the outside of the ring with a kick to the head and as the referee started to count El Gran Luchadore out, another El Gran Luchadore popped out from under the ring and knocked JBL out of the ring and then he dropped a banana peel in the ring. JBL had no clue as to what went on and the referee picked up the banana peel and JBL grabbed it and tossed it. On the other side of the ring, the El Gran Luchadores switched and then JBL got out of the ring and rolled the fresh El Gran Luchadore into the ring and pinned him for a two count as the Luchadore was able to kick out.
JBL went for a power bomb but El Gran Luchadore countered it with a back body drop and then he laid into JBL with a number of hard right hands. El Gran Luchadore did some Eddie Guerrero-like poses and then he kicked JBL in the ass and then he gave JBL a series of vertical suplexes as Tazz said that El Gran Luchadore is Eddie Guerrero! JBL rolled out of the ring as the crowd chanted "Eddie, Eddie!" and El Gran Luchadore took the mic and he said that JBL may be able to run right now, but next week, he is not going to be able to run from Eddie Guerrero. El Gran Luchadore said that he and Eddie Guerrero are close and if he knows Eddie, next week, he is going to climb up to the top of the steel cage and give JBL the biggest frog splash you have ever seen and become the new WWE Champion! El Gran Luchadore then asked for Eddie Guerrero's music to play and it started playing as JBL walked off and left. (It was obvious that the fresh El Gran Luchadore was Eddie Guerrero.)
Winner - No contest
Backstage: Josh Mathews was shown standing by with Booker T and he said we've already seen the Tag Team Titles change hands tonight, will we see the United States Title change hands as well? Booker T said you're damn skippy you're going to see the title changes hands. You know why? Because Booker T is going to make sure of it. But you know what? On a serious note, Booker thinks it was a shame what happened to John Cena earlier tonight. It's a real shame because Cena is going to say that's the reason why Booker won the title. But you know what? That's another story and the fact is that Booker T is going to win the United States Title tonight because he is a bigger star and a better wrestler than John Cena. Now can you dig that, sucka?!
Backstage: Rey Mysterio was shown with Scotty 2 Hotty and Spike Dudley and they were all looking at the Cruiserweight Title and Rey said eventually, they are going to fight for this title, but not tonight. The Dudley Boyz showed up and asked Rey and Scotty to leave and they did just that. Bubba told Spike that this hasn't exactly been the best night for the family. They lost the Tag Team Championship and they don't want to see Spike lose, too. D-Von said last week, they offered to help Spike Dudley last week but he refused and if he had taken them up on that offer, he may be the new WWE Champion. Bubba said you're damn right, but what does he have right now? Nothing. Bubba said that you shouldn't go against this family. If you have any active brain cells in your little head of yours, you'd take the advice. Bubba told Spike that they have his back tonight. Spike cut Bubba off and said that last week, he didn't take their advice and they were Tag Team Champions. What makes them think he wants their advice now?
Six Man Tag Team Match
Akio, Jamie Noble and Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio, Scotty 2 Hotty and Spike Dudley
The music of Rey Mysterio hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring along with Spike Dudley and Scotty 2 Hotty and they are set for six man tag team action against Chavo Guerrero, Jamie Noble and Akio!
Rey Mysterio started the match off in the ring against Akio and the two locked it up and Akio put Rey in a side headlock and Rey battled out of it and whipped Akio off the ropes and then Akio came back with a shoulder block to take Rey down to the mat. Rey then came off the ropes and latched onto Akio with a submission until Jamie Noble got in the ring to break it up.
Rey Mysterio planted Jamie Noble with a tornado DDT and then he chucked Chavo Guerrero out of the ring and made the tag to Scotty 2 Hotty. Scotty got in the ring with a series of right hands to knock Jamie Noble down to the mat and then he gave Akio a back body drop. Jamie Noble then knocked Scotty down to the mat and then whipped Scotty into the corner where Scotty nailed Noble with a reverse elbow. Spike tagged himself into the ring and came off the top rope with a stomp to the mid section of Jamie Noble.
Spike Dudley gave Jamie Noble the Dudley Dog and then he pinned him for a two count as Chavo Guerrero broke up the pin to save the match. Chavo then gave Spike Dudley a back breaker and then he posed and Scotty went off the ropes and gave Chavo a bulldog down to the mat and then he hit Chavo with the worm. Akio then nailed Scotty from behind and then he bounced off the ropes and jumped off of Chavo's back onto Scotty on the outside of the ring.
In the ring, Rey Mysterio went for the 619 but Chavo dodged it and then Chavo tossed Rey to the apron and then Rey pulled Chavo out of the ring with a head scissors. Rey then hit Chavo Guerrero and Akio with a springboard moonsault.
Back in the ring, Spike Dudley went for the Dudley Dog on Jamie Noble but Jamie countered it into a neck breaker and then he gave Spike Dudley the Tiger Driver to pin him for the three count to get the win.
Winners - Jamie Noble, Akio and Chavo Guerrero
Backstage: Paul Heyman was shown backstage and Josh Mathews caught up with him and said that Paul must be devastated about the Dudley Boyz losing the Tag Team Titles tonight. Paul Heyman said that he could care less about the Tag Team Titles. He has problems with the Undertaker. Why is he telling Josh Mathews this? What he needs to say, he needs to say to the Undertaker and he needs to do it public and in the ring and he needs to do it now. With that, Paul Heyman got up and left, heading towards the arena.
Backstage: After the commercial break, Paul Heyman was shown in the ring and he said that he has something that he has to say from the bottom of his heart and this pertains to the Undertaker. Paul pulled out a piece of paper and read from it; I stand before you tonight, a humbled man. A man who after deep introspection realizes that I have made a few mistakes in my life. But no mistake is as grand as the one I made when I decided to take on you, the Undertaker. And I accept responsibility for my deplorable behavior, even though it was all Bubba and D-Von's fault. It was Bubba and D-Von who took my simple motivation out of context and abducted Paul Bearer. It was Bubba and D-Von who came up with the idea of putting Paul Bearer in a concrete crypt and it was the idea of Bubba and D-Von of making you, the Undertaker bow down to me while I held this Urn. Tonight, not only did the Dudleys get exactly what they deserved but as a gesture of good faith, I want to return this Urn to you sir. And even though I am not the one who pried this Urn out of Paul Bearer's hands (That was Bubba and D-Von, too.) I would like you and ask you to take into consideration that I am the one sir who made the conscious decision to return your property to you. I am not asking for absolution, for benediction, I'm not even asking for forgiveness. I'm begging you for a pass. Just let this one slide, because Undertaker, sir, if you would just ignore the content of my character and please sir pay attention to the context of my apology, I think you'd realize that no one is going to back me up on this one. I'm all alone, I'm like a little lamb lost in the wilderness and I'm begging the grim reaper to pass on by. Just please, please, please Undertaker, I beg you, take pity on my retched soul and I promise you, I will cross your path no more.
Next week: John Bradshaw Layfield defends the WWE Championship against Eddie Guerrero in the STEEL CAGE match and it doesn't get any bigger than this! (It doesn't? We're doomed then.)
United States Championship Match
Booker T vs. John Cena (c)
The music of Booker T hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the challenger for John Cena's United States Championship. After John Cena got to the ring, Kurt Angle's music hit in the arena and Luther Reigns wheeled him out into the arena.
As John Cena set his sights on Kurt Angle, Booker T attacked him from behind and whipped him off the ropes and knocked him down with a reverse elbow. Booker T then laid into John Cena with a number of clubbing blows as Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns looked on from the outside of the ring.
John Cena hit the "five knuckle shuffle" fist drop and then he pinned Booker T but only got a two count. Cena then pumped up his pumps and Booker went for the scissors kick but Cena ducked back and then he went for the FU on Booker T but Booker grabbed onto the top rope to avoid it. Booker then dumped John Cena to the outside of the ring with a back body drop. At the ringside area, Kurt Angle stood up and limped over to John Cena with a full cast on his leg and he broke his cane over the back of John Cena and then he hit him a few more times with it before backing off.
Booker T gave John Cena a massive spinebuster and then he pinned Cena but only got a two count. Booker then whipped Cena off the ropes and nailed him with a leg lariat to send him down to the mat. Booker T then cradled John Cena in a pin to get a two count.
Booker T went for a side kick on John Cena but John Cena ducked it and then he planted Booker T with a DDT. John Cena eventually rolled over and covered Booker T but only got a two count.
John Cena whipped Booker T into the ropes and Booker held onto the ropes and then Cena charged through Booker T with a clothesline to send both men to the arena floor. Kurt Angle shouted encouragement to Booker T and then John Cena nailed Booker T. Kurt told Booker to give it to him and John Cena went for a clothesline on Booker T but Booker ducked and Cena plowed through Kurt Angle. John Cena then nailed Luther Reigns with the cane and then Booker nailed Cena and rolled him back into the ring.
Booker T kicked John Cena in the gut and went for the scissors kick but John ducked out of the way and then planted Booker T with the FU. Luther Reigns then got in the ring and jumped John Cena to end the match in a disqualification.
Winner by disqualification and still United States Champion, John Cena
The Aftermath: Luther Reigns gave John Cena an impactful power slam and then Kurt Angle told Luther Reigns to get over there and he told him to bring the title. Kurt said that he warned John Cena. Kurt is a crippled and he warned John that the board of directors stated that if John Cena touched Kurt Angle again, then there would be consequences. So let it be known that by the authority of the board of directors that Kurt Angle hereby strips John Cena of the United States Championship!
Credit: PowerWrestling.Com & WrestlingAttitude.com