SMACKDOWN! - Week 1, March 2001
On Raw is War, Chris Jericho challenged Triple H to a match at WrestleMania - and suffered a vicious beat down, sidelining him for the rest of the week. Raven shocked the world with his controversial double championship victory when he interrupted a title vs. title match, Edge & Christian escalated their bitter rivalry with The Dudley Boyz and Al Snow became the WWF Commissioner - with a little help from Stone Cold Steve Austin! As Raw went off the air, The Rock laid the smack down on Austin, hitting him with a Stunner of his own! Anything could happen tonight on SmackDown!
Jim Ross: Hello everyone and welcome to SmackDown!
Tazz: And what a show we have tonight JR!
Stone Cold Steve Austin makes his way to the ring, visibly fired up. The crowd scream and cheer as the Rattlesnake marches down the aisle way. He climbs through the ropes, microphone in hand.
Austin: On Monday night, I got my ass handed to me, damnit. I was left laying in the middle of this ring, dazed and confused with my jaw one inch to the left. But that's not why I'm mad. See Rock, I'm not mad because you snuck up on me. I ain't even mad that you hit me with my own move, the Stone Cold Stunner. No no no, Rock - I'm mad because you made me waste my damn beer!
The crowd erupt as Austin pauses for a moment.
Austin: So Rock, the way I see it... you owe Stone Cold Steve Austin a fresh beer. Now, if you wanna come down here to the ring right now - go on ahead. Go on.
William Regal's music hits as the 'Goodwill Ambassador' comes to the stage, also fired up.
Regal: You're mad? You're mad?! You have a bloody nerve, don't you! On Monday night you cost me my match for the role of WWF Commissioner! Because of you, that mental case Al Snow is running things around here!
Austin: Well... are ya gonna stand up there and flap yer gums all night, or are ya gonna do something about it?
Regal: I'm challenging you to a match tonight - right there in that ring - so I can batter some respect into you, you ingrate!
Austin: Well son, you're on! But... Regal... you gotta ask Commissioner Snow first!
The crowd cheer while Regal's face screws up in frustration! Austin raises his fists and celebrates with the fans.
Backstage, Triple H enters the arena with Stephanie McMahon in tow. Lilian Garcia stops him to ask about his beatdown on Chris Jericho during Raw.
HHH: Look, Chris Jericho should have known the risks when he called me out. He wanted to get a cheap pop from the fans, from his 'Jerichoholics' - but I guess he forgot how ruthless I can be. I'm the Cerebral Assassin, I'm an asskicker - and Jericho got his ass kicked on Raw, it's as simple as that. I proved how ruthless I can be at No Way Out when I beat Austin, I proved it when I retired Mick Foley... does he really need me to prove it again?
Lilian: Chris Jericho is unable to attend SmackDown! tonight due to the injuries he sustained on Monday. Are you proud of what you've done?
HHH: Proud? You bet your ass I'm proud! But know this Lilian - the beating Jericho took on Raw? That... is just a taste of what to expect at WrestleMania.
SINGLE - Eddie Guerrero (w/ Dean Malenko) vs. Matt Hardy (w/ Jeff Hardy)
Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko make their way to the ring, followed by Matt and Jeff Hardy.
The two competitors meet in the ring and Eddie extends a hand to Matt Hardy. Matt pauses for a second, weighing up if Eddie has other plans - then shakes his hand.
They make some space and the match kicks into gear. Eddie throws a couple of strong strikes, staggering Matt into the corner. Eddie backs up and charges into Hardy with a flying kick.
Matt gets up and manages to hit a neckbreaker, bringing Eddie down for a 1 count.
Eddie blasts Matt with a running forearm and hits a double knee breaker to Matt's arm, hyper-extending it before locking on an armbar.
Matt writhes in pain but manages to drag himself to the ropes for a rope break. Hardy manages to recover and hit a nice dropkick on Eddie, but Eddie rebounds off of the ropes, runs past Matt and nails him on the way back with a running hurricanrana.
Cover for a 2 count!
The two men lock up again and Eddie is shot into the corner. Matt charges his way, but Eddie moves - with Matt hitting the buckles hard. Winded, he reels back and flops flat onto his back in the middle of the ring.
Eddie climbs to the top rope, rises up - Frogsplash! Eddie gets the cover - 1, 2, 3!
The two shake hands once more in the ring. Eddie raises Matt's hand as Kurt Angle watches in the back. He nods in approval - is he studying Guerrero?
WINNER - Eddie Guerrero via pinfall.
Jonathan Coachman interviews Raven in the backstage area:
Coachman: Raven... after a controversial win in a controversial match... you managed to go from holding no titles to holding two. With both the Hardcore and European Championships in your possession - how does it feel to have such a large target on your back?
Raven: I've spent a lifetime in the shadows, being passed over and pissed on by anyone and everyone. I've asked 'What about me? What about Raven?' time and time again. But now... now, they can't ignore me. Now they're looking at me and saying 'Hey... what about Raven - what about the double champion who made WWF history in one night? No one will forget about me now because I made myself famous.'
SINGLE - Jeff Hardy vs. D-Von Dudley
Jeff heads back out to the ring for his own match.
D-Von comes out next, with commentary explaining that Bubba Ray Dudley is not here tonight due to the con-chair-to he received on Monday night at the hands of Edge & Christian.
The match kicks off and the two trade blows.
Jeff leaps over a running D-Von who rebounds off the ropes into a spin kick. Hardy delivers fast kicks to the ribs of D-Von, who tries desperately to cover up.
D-Von hits a huge clothesline on Jeff, before splitting his legs and dropping the leg down low.
Edge & Christian charge down the ramp, chairs in hand again - they've come to finish off D-Von! D-Von sees the pair running in for an ambush and ducks Edge, who swings the chair full force into the head of a recovering Jeff Hardy!
A sickening crack rings through the arena as Jeff drops to the canvas like a sack of potatoes. D-Von launches a counter-attack as Matt Hardy runs in to save his brother.
Everyone brawls as the referee is signalling for the bell! Edge & Christian flee, the Hardys tear off with Jeff on spaghetti legs and D-Von catches his breath on the outside.
NO CONTEST - Interference
SINGLE - Billy Gunn vs. K-Kwik
Back after a commercial break, Billy Gunn and K-Kwik meet in the ring.
Gunn gets some strong offence in on Kwik to begin with, but Kwik's athleticism wins him the advantage. The match is fast and furious, with both men exchanging strikes and counter-moves.
Gunn goes for a quick Fameasser, but Kwik ducks and shoves him mid-air with a big overhand counter. Gunn crashes into the corner, but gets to his feet quickly - he turns around and gets hit with the Hat Rack Crack!
Gunn is down - 1, 2, 3! A quick contest with K-Kwik showing great potential tonight!
WINNER - K-Kwik via pinfall
Backstage, Al Snow puts his feet up in the Commissioner's office. William Regal enters with a disgusted look on his face. Snow, wild-eyed, asks Regal what he needs.
Regal: Look... you and I both know that it should be me sitting at this desk. But... that's not why I'm here. I need a match tonight.
Snow: I've been watching, of course - what kind of Commissioner would I be if I didn't watch the show? You want Steve Austin tonight, right? Well, you got him!
Regal: Well, I wanted to have a tag match tonight, because I already have a partner in mi-
Snow: No, Regal. You asked for a match with Austin, you've got one. Singles action it is!
Regal is aghast - he can't believe it!
Snow: Oh, and one more thing - If anyone interferes in the match tonight, then whoever gets disqualified will be punished next Monday night on Raw!
Regal blows his top yet again, before storming out of the office. Al Snow smiles, clearly pleased with himself!
TAG - The Holly Cousins (w/ Molly Holly) vs. Right to Censor
The Holly clan head to the ring, followed by RTC.
The match kicks off with Crash Holly vs. Steven Richards, who trade blows in the ring before Richards gets the edge.
Crash hits a mean dropkick straight into Richards' face, who backs up and tags Val Venis in. Crash gets dominated by Venis who hits big power moves.
Crash manages to trip Val with a leg scissors from the ground before leaping to his corner and tagging in Hardcore Holly.
The legal men collide with shoulder blocks and clotheslines, knocking each other down.
On the outside, Richards begins to snap and shout at Molly Holly. He waves his arms around, seemingly criticising the way she looks.
She goes to slap him, but Richards catches her by the wrist. Crash sees this, hops the rope and slide kicks Richards on the outside!
The two brawl by the announce table while Hardcore and Venis recover in the ring. Venis gets up right into the Falcon Arrow!
Hardcore goes for the cover and gets a decisive 3 count! The RTC are left laying as the Hollys leave the ring celebrating. Though they didn't come out on top in this match, the commentary team note how RTC's new attitude continues to make an impression.
WINNER - The Holly Cousins via pinfall
Bradshaw & Faarooq are hanging out in the APA clubhouse when William Regal enters.
He asks the pair for protection in his match with Austin tonight. The APA say that they'll think about it.
A toilet flushes - and Austin walks in! Regal looks stunned as Austin takes his seat and all three men get back to their game of cards. Regal backs away and leaves while Austin and the APA laugh it off.
Backstage, Edge & Christian are hurriedly walking out of the arena with their bags.
All of a sudden, D-Von runs in with a right cross, knocking Edge to the ground! Christian brawls with D-Von when the Hardy Boyz arrive on the scene!
A huge fight breaks out before referees and staff jump in, breaking up the battle and clearing the scene.
How long can this bad blood between tag teams last?
SINGLE - William Regal vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
If a competitor is disqualified, they will be punished next Monday
William Regal heads out to the ring, showered by boos from the audience. Austin is out next - to a roar from the crowd!
JR: ...and you may not like William Regal, but ya got to feel a little bit sorry for him tonight. He's going in there with the Rattlesnake, Stone Cold Steve Austin, with no one to back him up. How do you prepare for a competitor of Austin's calibre, Tazz?
Tazz: JR, you can't prepare for Austin! There's no one quite as intense as the Rattlesnake - he loves to kick ass and raise hell and that's exactly what he's gonna do here tonight! Regal is gonna have to step up and bring it to Austin if he wants to get out of here alive!
The bell rings and Regal begins to back up, asking for mercy from Austin. Austin smiles before charging Regal with a flurry of punches to the gut.
Austin whips Regal across the ring, buckling him over with a rebound knee - again to the gut. Austin tries to go for a Million Dollar Dream but Regal powers out and manages to take Austin down with a side Russian legsweep. He goes for a quick cover and barely gets 1 before Austin kicks out with authority.
The action spills out of the ring with Regal's head slammed into the announce table. Regal turns around into a fearsome right hand that sends Regal flying over the table!
Austin rolls Regal into the ring, poised and ready to hit a Stone Cold Stunner. Austin hits the gut kick, turns and grabs Regal's head - but Regal pushes off and sends Austin flying into the referee!
The ref is sent reeling from a stray forearm, crashing down to the canvas in a daze. Austin gets to his feet and realises what just happened.
He goes to assist the ref when Regal throws an ugly looking football kick to Austin's groin!
Regal starts laughing when all of a sudden - The Rock's music hits!
Not again - not another attack on Austin! Rocky makes his way to the ring and the crowd are on their feet.
He enters the ring and squares up to Austin! The two men are nose-to-nose, no surprise attack here!
Rock stands tall, stoic and silent, while Austin runs his mouth and cusses Rocky out.
The referee kneels up, waving off The Rock.
Rock smiles... turns around and nails Regal with a swift Rock Bottom! Oh no!
The referee calls for the bell as Rocky leaves the ring. Regal lies flat as Austin looks on with anger.
JR: Rock knew exactly what he was doing here! He just got Austin disqualified from the match and as a result, Austin will face some kind of punishment by our new WWF Commissioner next Monday night on Raw!
Tazz: That's mind games, JR! That's what it takes for someone to get under Steve Austin's skin, that's what it takes to walk out of WrestleMania without losing that title! The Rock is smart, JR!
JR: But how many times can you poke the Rattlesnake before you get your ass bit? What's gonna happen to Austin on Monday night Raw?!
The Rock raises a fist triumphantly atop the stage as SmackDown! goes off the air!
WINNER - William Regal via disqualification
CHAMPIONS
WWF Champion - The Rock
WWF Intercontinental Champion - Chris Jericho
WWF World Tag Team Champions - The Dudley Boyz
WWF European Champion - Raven
WWF Hardcore Champion - Raven
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion - Dean Malenko
DEVELOPMENTS
Stone Cold Steve Austin will be punished on Raw is War as a result of The Rock interfering in his match.
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