1/20/03-1/26/03

Smackdown

INT. ARENA - NIGHT

MATCH: Cynric vs. Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy's theme hits and he makes his way to the ring, accompanied by Shannon Moore. This weeks Matt Facts state that "Matt always bets on the winner of the Super Bowl," and "Matt eliminated Cynric in the Royal Rumble."

Cole: What better way to start off Smackdown this week than with this match?

Tazz: Matt Hardy and Cynric definitely have a score to settle, and it could be settled right here tonight.

Cynric's theme hits and he makes his way to the ring.

Cole: Cynric has to be a little disappointed with his performance at the Royal Rumble. He entered as the fifth man and made it to about the halfway point, before Matt Hardy eliminated him with some help from Nykk.

Tazz: Cynric definitely proved that he was tough, but Hardy came in fresh at number twelve and did him in.

FINISH: Cynric makes a comeback and hits the Shock Cannon. He covers, but Shannon Moore grabs his foot from the outside and pulls him off. Cynric chases Shannon, who dives into the ring. Cynric walks right into the Side Effect from Hardy, who covers for a close two count. Matt sets him up for the Twist of Fate, but Cynric shoves him off and hits a rolling koppo kick. He covers, and Shannon dives off the top rope with a splash. Cynric moves and Moore takes out Hardy. As Shannon gets to his feet, Cynric gives him a thrust kick to send him through the ropes. He hits the Lift Off on Hardy and covers for the three count.

Winner: Cynric at 5:23

Cole: Cynric has beaten Matt Hardy and maybe shut him up for once.

Tazz: Kudos for Cynric for neutralizing Shannon Moore long enough to put away Matt Hardy.

INT. PROMO SET - NIGHT

Josh Matthews is standing by with Croooooow.

Josh: Croooooow, last Sunday at the Royal Rumble, you barely got a chance to compete in the Royal Rumble match itself, thanks to an outside attack by the Pyro Twins, who joined Nykk last week. What are your feelings now that not one, but two of your friends are on his side?

Croooooow: Well, Josh, to be honest that hit me right in the heart. I keep thinking about what happened, and I think about everything that Dusty, Jay and myself have been through together, and if I thought for one moment that they didn't want to do this, I would never have encouraged them to join us. However, we have to be responsible for our own choices. And with that in mind, I was all ready to go to war with Nykk, but only if the rest of the Squad was behind me. What kind of leader does it make me if I can't even keep two of my best friends by my side? I have to apologize to the fans of the PPV Squad, because they'll have to do without me for awhile. I just need to take some time off and evaluate my life, and see if I still have it in me. After last week and last Sunday, I just don't know anymore, Josh.

He walks away.

INT. LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT

Cheesecake and Huh are chatting when Nykk walks in.

Huh: What the hell are you doing here?

Nykk: Listen, I know you don't want me in here, but I have two pyromaniacs outside that say I can go wherever I want. I'm here to tell you to stop lying to yourselves. As you can see, Croooooow has finally seen the light and has decided to quit WWE.

Huh: That's not what he said...

Nykk: Nathan, shut up. Your new leader has abandoned you after a mere few weeks. Where do you have left to go? Where will you have left to go without my intervention when WWE looks for two more wrestlers to get rid of so they can cut costs? Look, I never told you guys this, but I've saved your jobs more than once. I spoke up for you when talent relations was looking for some space to clear. What will happen next time they're looking to fire two nobodies? What will you do? Wander around the indy circuit praying that WWE lets you back in someday? It's not going to happen. Once you've been pegged as a loser, that's the way you'll be seen for the rest of your careers. Think about it.

He leaves and Huh and Cheesecake look at each other with uncertainty.

INT. ARENA - NIGHT

MATCH: Huh, Cheesecake and Shadow vs. Jamie Noble, Nunzio and Nidia

The PPV Squad theme hits and Huh, Cheesecake and Shadow make their way to the ring.

Cole: I can't believe what Nykk said to Huh and Cheesecake earlier on. How indignant.

Tazz: Well, what he said was true to an extent, but I don't think that Huh and Cheesecake are in danger of being fired. They?re a couple of characters, them two.

Jamie Noble's theme hits and he, Nunzio and Nidia make their way to the ring.

Cole: This six-person match continues the rivalry between Nidia and Shadow, who have pretty much mixed like oil and water since Shadow came to Smackdown.

Tazz: They're both of couple of tough tomatoes, but now they've dragged the men into this.

FINISH: Huh and Nunzio tag in, and Huh hammers away on him. He manages to hit the Windbreaker and cover, but Noble breaks it up. All six people come in and brawl, and in the chaos Noble hits Huh in the arm with a chair. Nunzio hits his armbar DDT from the second rope and gets the three count.

Winners: Jamie Noble, Nidia and Nunzio at 4:56

Cole: The trailer park trio scores the victory thanks to a chair, but I don't know what kind of effect that will have on Huh and Cheesecake's psyche.

Shadow yells at Nidia while Cheesecake and Huh look a little crestfallen.

INT. BACKSTAGE - NIGHT

Croooooow and Cynric stand next to the arena?s exit. Croooooow has his bags in hand.

Cynric: This is it.

Croooooow: Yeah.

Cynric: Take as much time as you need to figure this out. I'll still be here when you get back, I guarantee it.

They shake hands.

Croooooow: Thanks, bro. I'll give you a call later.

Croooooow leaves and Cynric turns around only to find Nykk staring at him.

Cynric: What the hell do you want?

Nykk: You know what I want, Mark. Your brother has called it quits, just like I said he should. You should do the same now. I'll make a guarantee too. If you don't listen to me and quit this loathsome business, I will force you into retirement. What, are you going to hit me? What good will it do? The Pyro Twins are with me. Huh and Cheesecake will soon be with me. You're all alone.

Cynric glares at him and walks away.

INT. ARENA - NIGHT

MATCH: Nykk vs. Edge

Nykk?s theme hits and he makes his way to the ring, along with the Pyro Twins.

Cole: Nykk is getting more delusional by the second, Tazz. He thinks that he?s convinced Croooooow to quit wrestling when that?s not the case at all. Croooooow just wants some time to think about his life because he doesn't want to step in the ring with the people he?s been so close to for years.

Tazz: Nykk is definitely twisted, and now that Croooooow's gone, he's trying to recruit the other PPV Squad members over to his side.

Cole: I just don't understand what Nykk's about. He is a great wrestler; as a matter of fact, he entered seventh in the Royal Rumble and stayed in until well after the thirtieth man came out, but all of a sudden he hates WWE and everything it stands for.

Edge's theme hits and he makes his way to the ring.

Cole: Here comes the charismatic Edge, who has a storied past with Nykk, dating back to a year ago. I'm sure everyone remembers their spectacular match at WrestleMania X-8.

Tazz: Edge and Croooooow have sort of befriended each other over the last few weeks, and Edge hasn't liked the way Nykk has been talking about the wrestling business, and that's heated up their rivalry once again. Nykk wants revenge for his loss at WrestleMania last year, and Edge wants revenge because it was Nykk who eliminated him in the Royal Rumble on Sunday.

The ref sends Dusty and Jay to the back before he rings the bell, much to Nykk's chagrin.

FINISH: Edge tries to finish Nykk with a vertebreaker like he did last time, but Nykk flips backwards to his feet and takes Edge over with a queen suplex, bridging for a close two count. They get to their feet and Edge ducks a clothesline from Nykk and bounces off the ropes, spearing him. He covers, but Kurt Angle pulls Edge off from the outside. The ref goes outside to tell him to leave, but Team Angle runs down the ramp. Edge ducks a clothesline from Benjamin and gives him the Edge-o-matic. However, he gets caught by Haas with an exploder suplex. They run away as Nykk covers, and the ref comes back. Edge kicks out, and Nykk goes to the top rope. Edge crotches him and goes up with him. They trade right hands, and Edge hooks Nykk's head to go for the Edgecution. However, Angle comes back over and holds Edge's foot, throwing off his balance. Nykk counters the Edgecution into a sit out spinebuster and gets the three count.

Winner: Nykk at 15:23

Cole: Nykk has finally beaten Edge, although with some help from Kurt Angle and Team Angle.

Tazz: You do realize that Nykk is going to be even more unbearable now that he has a victory over a top contender for the WWE Title.

Nykk kicks Edge disdainfully in the head as he tries to get up. He slaps Edge, and Kurt Angle comes in to help Nykk stomp on him. Nykk chokes Edge on the second rope, but Rey Mysterio runs down and hits a springboard dropkick onto Angle. Nykk continues to choke Edge, oblivious. He leans down to get in Edge's face and Rey bounces off the ropes, hitting Nykk with the 619. He goes to the apron and rolls up Nykk with the West Coast Pop. After recovering for a moment, Edge goes to the mat and makes a three count for Rey. He signals for the bell to be rung and Rey's music plays. Nykk goes ballistic.

Cole: How about that? Rey Mysterio just hit Nykk with the West Coast Pop and held him down for a three count!

Tazz: I don't know why Nykk is so upset. It's not like he lost a match to Mysterio or anything.

Edge and Rey celebrate as they go up the ramp, leaving Nykk in a rage.

Velocity

MATCH: The Pyro Twins vs. Crash and Funaki

The Pyro Twins win after they hit Funaki with Final Darkness.