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TJR Retro: WWF Smackdown 05/18/00 Review (Last SD Before Judgment Day)

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This was the go-home edition of Smackdown heading into Judgment Day 2000. Here’s the synopsis from WWE Network: “The McMahon-Helmsley Faction place The Rock in a special Lumberjack Tables Match against The Dudley Boyz. Plus, Kurt Angle, Val Venis, and more!”

Check out our WWF in 2000 archives for my reviews of all the other shows (Raw, Smackdown, PPVs) from earlier in the year. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport if you’re not doing so already and let’s get started.

WWF Smackdown #39
May 18, 2000 (Taped May 16)
From the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan

This show has a TV-14 rating and “V” for Violence on WWE Network.

The Smackdown intro video aired. The pyro went off, they showed the vocal live crowd in Detroit, signs were everywhere and Michael Cole welcomed us to the show. It’s Cole along with Jerry “The King” Lawler on commentary. They hyped up Judgment Day later that week on Sunday.

Let’s Hear from the McMahon-Helmsley Faction

They settled in on “faction” on the graphic instead of “regime” this week. I notice these things. The group included Triple H, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco, Road Dogg, X-Pac and Tori. They had been putting the McMahon family promo in the second segment for several months, but this time they are leading off the show.

Stephanie said that Chris Jericho is going to regret disparaging her name. Stephanie announced that Chris Benoit and Hardcore Holly will face Chris Jericho and a partner of his choosing later in the show.

Shane McMahon said he’s not 100% physically, but he will honor his Judgment Day match against Big Show in a one on one match. The fans chanted “Shane’s a pussy” at him and Shane thanked them for the compliment (because on Raw he said it meant he was quick like a cat). Shane said even though he’s hurt, he’s not backing out of his match with Big Show, he’s looking forward to the match. They replayed the spot where Show whipped Shane’s head into the WWF.com logo that was part of the Raw set.

Shane said he’s like a lion and this lion is going to rip Big Show’s heart out. Shane added that in addition into their match at Judgment Day, let’s have a match tonight. The fans cheered that.

Triple H took over asking for the footage from Raw on Monday that showed The Rock putting Triple H through a table with a Rock Bottom. That led to “Rocky” chants. Hunter said tonight on Smackdown will be a whole lot different than that. Hunter said that when Judgment Day is done, none of you will be happy with the outcome as fans chanted “Asshole” at him. Hunter went over the Iron Man Match rules noting that the match includes pinfalls, submission, countouts and disqualification. Hunter noted that if there is a tie between them then The Rock will remain the WWF Champion. Hunter said there will be no tie and no happy ending at Judgment Day. Hunter reminded us he is The Game and at Judgment Day he’ll be the undisputed WWF Champion because he is that damn good. Way to get those catchphrases in, pal.

Analysis: There was some useful in there with Hunter noting the four ways you can get a fall at Judgment Day and adding that if there’s a tie, The Rock retains the title. Other than that, it was the usual Triple H promo with repetitiveness because repetitiveness is his job (Simpsons reference).

Vince McMahon asked the crowd to show them some respect. Vince said that his wife Linda McMahon has made popular decisions in the past like when she reinstated Stone Cold Steve Austin. More recently, it was his charming, benevolent wife that gave Mick Foley a main event match at WrestleMania and recently, she appointed Shawn Michaels as a spokesperson and guest referee at Judgment Day. Vince questioned his wife’s decision making while pointing out that Shawn was the one that started DX. Vince said that Shawn’s conduct through the years has been very volatile. Vince said they hope Shawn uses good judgment at Judgment Day or else. Vince said that the only way Rock will leave with the title is if he makes a deal with the devil himself and he said that the devil is busy.

Vince claimed that WWF history will be made tonight. Vince said that we’ll have a Lumberjack Match, then said it will be a Lumberjack Handicap Match and said it’s Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match. The match will see those damn Dudley Boyz on one side and The Rock on the other side. Vince was happy about it as the promo ended.

Analysis: It was the usual 15-minute McMahon family promo to set up matches for later while promoting Judgment Day as well. It’s not really that necessary to talk that long, but they are going to do what they want.

(Commercial)

Crash Holly was shown knocking on the APA offices as Bradshaw and Faarooq were playing cards. Crash said he wanted to have a nap because he hasn’t had much rest of late. The APA guys mocked him. Crash gave them money and he laid down on the floor to have a nap.

Scotty 2 Hotty made his entrance to a good pop.

Kurt Angle did a pre-match promo complaining about The Worm that Scotty uses. Angle: “The worm is not a sanctioned wrestling move, it’s true, it’s true.” Angle said that the Olympics wouldn’t allow them to use The Worm, then he wouldn’t have gotten them a gold medal and that would be worse than the Detroit Tigers. Cheap heat.

Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Kurt Angle

Pre-match notes: Scotty was a face and Angle was a heel. They were on opposite teams in a six-man tag team match at Judgment Day.

Scotty with a shoulder tackle, kick to the gut and a suplex. Scotty went for a corner attack, Angle sent him to the floor and Scotty pulled angle groin first into the turnbuckle. Scotty with a missile dropkick for a two count. Angle avoided a corner charge followed by a belly to back suplex. There was a lot of fake noise being used for this match, which was not that common for this era. Maybe it was a quiet crowd. They did a double clothesline spot to knock them both down. Scotty with a back body drop followed by a bulldog out of the corner, which led to the W-O-R-M and the chop to the throat. Scotty jumped on Angle’s shoulders, he went for a victory roll and Angle sat on top for the pinfall win at 3:08.

Winner by pinfall: Kurt Angle

Analysis: **1/4 Good match for the time given with Angle winning as he should against Scotty, who wasn’t pushed the same way Angle was. Nice counter to the victory roll for Angle. I like that as a finish once in a while.

It was back to the APA office with Crash sleeping on the floor. Crash started snoring, which did not make the APA happy.

(Commercial)

Chyna made her entrance to a good ovation. Chyna announced there would no longer be a triple threat match at Judgment Day for the European Title. She said that the winner of this match will face Eddie Guerrero in a singles match at Judgment Day instead. Chyna made a joke about Saturn being able to watch a bird and a squirrel at the same time, which mocked Saturn’s eyes. Chyna called Dean Malenko “Mr. Personality” and told the fans to try to stay awake for Malenko. Chyna also announced the special referee is her love machine, the European Champion Eddie Guerrero.

Dean Malenko vs. Perry Saturn (Eddie Guerrero was the referee)

Pre-match notes: Malenko and Saturn were both heels. Malenko was also the Light Heavyweight Champion. Guerrero was a face. The winner gets to face Eddie for the European Title at Judgment Day.

Saturn got a sunset flip, then Malenko got a rollup and they both got two counts. Saturn had Malenko on his shoulders, he tried a slam, Malenko countered and got a rollup for two. Malenko stomped away on Saturn against the turnbuckle. Saturn went for a dropkick, Malenko avoided it and Saturn sent Malenko out of the ring. Saturn sent Malenko back in the ring and connected with a clothesline for two. Guerrero tried to stop Saturn from punching Malenko repeatedly against the turnbuckle. Saturn went after Guerrero, so Malenko hit Saturn with the Light Heavyweight Title in the head. Malenko tried a pin, but Eddie didn’t count it. Eddie hit Malenko in the head with the Light Heavyweight Title. The bell rang at 3:30. It was announced as a draw finish.

Match Result: Draw

Analysis: * It’s hard to rate this because the action was just okay. It was more about advancing the storyline. The work in the match really didn’t do much for the crowd since they were dead for it and you could tell there was the fake crowd noise. Two heels in a match isn’t a good idea.

Chyna said that notwithstanding the physical condition of Malenko and Saturn, they will both face Eddie for the European Title at Judgment Day. Eddie laughed about it and left.

Analysis: The story was that Eddie wanted to use this match to soften up both opponents ahead of Judgment Day, so that’s what happened and it’s why Eddie was happy about it. You would think that a guy would want to face one opponent instead of two, but obviously, the goal here was to make people care more about the triple threat.

(Commercial)

The WWF Rewind showed a clip from Raw when Shawn Michaels shoved Vince McMahon on his ass.

Christian vs. Grandmaster Sexay

Pre-match notes: Christian was a heel that was one half of the WWF Tag Team Champions while Sexay was a face. They were part of a six-man tag team match at Judgment Day.

Christian sent Sexay out of the ring and whipped him into the steel steps at ringside. Sexay sent Christian groin first into the ring post. Sexay with a clothesline. Sexay hit the front facelock into slam similar to the Skull Crushing Finale that Miz uses. Christian avoided an attack that led to Sexay hitting the turnbuckle and Christian hit a reverse DDT. Christian with a powerslam for a two count. Sexay with a cross body block off the turnbuckle for two. Christian came back with a Russian legsweep. Christian with a backbreaker and a body slam. Sexay with a bulldog off the ropes. Sexay hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Sexay with a kick to the face of Christian. Sexay up top with the goggles on, but Christian slammed him off the top. Christian got a rollup with tights, Sexay countered with a rollup with tights and he got the win at 4:33. Lawler: “He cheated…I like it.” Lawler was Sexay’s dad although they didn’t like to acknowledge it.

Winner by pinfall: Grandmaster Sexay

Analysis: **1/2 That was a pretty good match with plenty of action and they worked well together. The tights were grabbed by Sexay because Christian tried to win in a similar fashion, so it was revenge leading to the win for the face Sexay.

It was back to the APA office with Bradshaw and Faarooq. A woman in a tight dress showed up and she’s the woman (or ho) that won the Hardcore Title on Raw. Bradshaw prevented her from waking up Crash since he was asleep, so the woman left.

(Commercial)

Val Venis entered for a match. Val said for the last two months, he has been suppressed by the single most repressive regime in the history of the WWF – the McMahon-Helmsley Regime. Val said week after week, he heard the exact same excuse, which was that they didn’t have any plans for him. Val said that as of tonight, he’ll make his own plans. Val said that last year he had the Intercontinental Title and he added that he wants to face the IC Champion next Monday on Raw after Judgment Day.

Chris Benoit, the Intercontinental Champion, said that there is no doubt in his mind that he’ll still be the IC Champion after Judgment Day. Benoit accepted the challenge and said they should do it right here and right now.

Chris Jericho was up next with the interruption. Jericho told Benoit that after he experiences the Walls of Jericho, Benoit won’t have to worry about that championship because the Crippler is going to become the crippled. Jericho said that after Sunday at Y2-Judgment Day, the only way he’ll walk is if he’s cooking Chinese food…meaning wok. Anyway, Jericho said he’ll be champion on Monday.

Hardcore Holly was up next for a promo as he told Jericho to shut his hole (mouth) for a minute. Holly said that if anybody’s got the right to make a challenge, it should be him facing the winner on Monday, not Val. Jericho told “Baldcore” Holly that since Stephanie wants him to choose a tag team partner, he chooses Val. The bell rang.

Chris Jericho and Val Venis vs. Chris Benoit and Hardcore Holly

Pre-match notes: Jericho and Venis were the faces while Benoit and Holly were heels.

Venis with an atomic drop and a clothesline. Venis with a powerslam for a two count on Benoit. Benoit came back with a suplex. Double clothesline spot by Benoit and Venis both went down. The announcers mentioned Trish Stratus was scouting Val Venis on Heat, so the start of that alliance was coming soon. Jericho tagged in with a bulldog on Benoit, then a forearm to the face and a Lionsault by Jericho connected with Holly breaking up the pin. Venis with a clothesline that sent he and Holly out of the ring. Jericho slapped on the Walls of Jericho on Benoit. Hardcore grabbed a steel chair and hit Venis with it. Hardcore brought the chair in the ring and hit Jericho in the head with it. Jericho put his hand up to block it. That was it for the DQ finish at 2:18.

Winners by disqualification: Chris Jericho and Val Venis

Analysis: * They spent seven minutes to set up a match that only went just over two minutes. It was effective in terms of building up contenders in the Intercontinental Title “division” if you want to call it that.

Post match, Holly crushed Benoit in the head with a chair shot. Benoit did not block it. Ouch. Holly hit Benoit in the left leg repeatedly with the chair as well. Holly picked up Benoit and drove his knee into Holly’s thigh for a kneebreaker. Referees went into the ring to break it up. Benoit was down on the mat grabbing his knee and he was helped away on a stretcher.

Analysis: It was heel on heel violence to weaken Benoit going into Judgment Day.

(Commercial)

Replays aired from before the break with Hardcore Holly’s chair attack on Venis, Jericho and Benoit.

There was a shot of Benoit getting looked at by trainers while he was on a stretcher.

Edge was joined by Christian and Kurt Angle (Team ECK!) with Christian dressed in a Detroit Red Wings hockey jersey while Angle had a hockey stick with him. Christian said they so hate to disappoint their fans and they won’t them down. Edge said for the benefit of those with flash photography, they will have a brand new pose for five seconds only. They call this the NHL’s Greatest Moments and Edge revealed a Colorado Avalanche jersey. The fans booed because the Red Wings and Avalanche had a big-time rivalry. Edge grabbed the stick, acted like he was shooting a puck and Christian looked between his legs as if he let a goal in as a Red Wings goalie. Well played to get cheap heat.

Rikishi had Too Cool with him for his match with Edge.

Edge (w/Kurt Angle and Christian) vs. Rikishi (w/Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay)

Pre-match notes: Edge was a heel that was teaming up with Angle and Christian against the face team of Rikishi, Scotty and Sexay. Angle beat Scotty earlier and Sexay beat Christian earlier.

Rikishi whipped Edge into the turnbuckle followed by a running back splash. Rikishi teased the Stinkface, so Christian gave Edge the hockey mask and Edge covered his face with it. When Rikishi did the Stinkface, he realized Edge was blocking it with the mask. Rikishi hit a Samoan Drop on Edge. Rikishi put on the mask. Angle and Christian went into the ring for the DQ. It went 1:12.

Winner by disqualification: Rikishi

Analysis: 1/2* Another short match that was over way too soon. The Stinkface counter was creative, at least.

Post match, the faces quickly got in the ring to get rid of the heels. When Too Cool did their post match dancing, the Team ECK trio attacked Rikishi, Scotty and Sexay. That led to Edge, Christian and Angle doing their own unique dance. That was over quickly as Rikishi and Too Cool got back up, which led to Team ECK running away.

Analysis: That was funny by Angle, Edge and Christian. They were hilarious together.

There was another shot of the APA office with Crash Holly still asleep in the room.

(Commercial)

The Smack of the Night showed Big Show tossing Shane McMahon into the WWE.com sign on Raw.

Gerald Brisco walked up with a little boy that was a little person Joe C, who was part of Kid Rock’s band. Brisco thought he was a kid, Joe C swore at him and mentioned they sold 8 million records. The APA were happy to see Joe C and gave him a beer. Joe asked who the little guy was (Crash), Faarooq said Crash’s hour was up and the APA guys left with Joe. Brisco tried to shake his hand and Joe swore at him. Brisco looked at sleeping Crash to end the scene.

Analysis: In sad news about Joe C, he died about six months after this in November 2000 when he was only 26 years old. He was also on a Raw episode later in May 2000, which I’ll get to soon in my recaps.

Big Show made his entrance to a pretty good pop since his face turn was working well for him.

Shane McMahon entered in his street clothesline rather than wrestling gear. Shane said that he has misplaced his gear, but he assures Show that he will be there at Judgment Day to take him out. Shane said that every time he is around Show with his cheetah-like speed, he can run circles around Show and it makes Show look like the Big Slow. Shane said he wants to find out just how fast Show is as he begins the Gauntlet Match. Shane introduced T&A as the first opponents. Trish Stratus stayed on the ramp with Shane.

Analysis: It’s a swerve. Shocking. Heels lie, my friends.

Big Show vs. Shane McMahon?

Pre-match notes: Show was a face and Shane was a heel along with the wrestlers in this match.

Big Show looked impressive with a double clothesline on the T&A guys. Show sent Test out of the ring. Show gave Albert a Chokeslam. Shane introduced us to Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan.

Big Show was attacked by Test in the back of the knee. That led to Boss Man, Buchanan, Test and Albert attacking Show with punches. Show with a double clothesline on both tag teams. Shane introduced X-Pac and Road Dogg to join the party.

That led to Road Dogg and X-Pac going into the ring to join the heels against Show. Show with headbutts, clotheslines, punches, a double headbutt to T&A and Show teased a double Chokeslam, so Shane hit Show in the back with a chair. Buchanan hit a scissors kick to Show. Road Dogg did his punch combo to Show and X-Pac hit an X-Factor on a steel chair. Shane stood on the steel chair and the other heels helped him give a Chokeslam to Big Show. Shane covered Show for the pinfall win at 3:47 from when it started.

Winner by pinfall (sort of): Shane McMahon

Analysis: This is one of those matches where I’m not going to rate it because it was more of an angle than a match. It was just done to get some heat on Shane for being cheap and using six guys to help him beat up Big Show.

Shane did some more trash talking as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

They replayed the Shane Chokeslam on Big Show that Lawler called a “Simba Slam” for Shane.

Gerald Brisco was shown backstage by the APA office with referee Jimmy Korderas. Brisco quietly (because Crash was sleeping) told him to count the three. Brisco made sure he was quiet and they slowly walked over to sleeping Crash Holly. The announcers were even whispering, which was funny. Brisco covered Crash with one finger on the chest, Korderas did the count and Brisco was the new Hardcore Champion. Brisco was handed the title, then Korderas tripped over a chair in the room, Crash woke up and freaked out over Brisco winning the title.

Winner and New Hardcore Champion: Gerald Brisco

Analysis: That was pretty funny the way they did that. I was sports entertained by that, pal.

Brisco ran out to the arena in his dress shirt and dress pants with his new title. Crash chased after him with Jimmy Korderas running to the ring with them. It became an official match.

Hardcore Championship: Gerald Brisco vs. Crash Holly

Crash stomped away on Brisco against the turnbuckle. Crash brought a trash can into the ring as well as a broom. When Brisco tried to leave, Crash whipped Brisco into the ring post. The crowd was dead, so they were piping in the crowd noise. Crash broke a broom handle on Brisco’s back. Pat Patterson went down to the ring to distract, so Brisco hit Crash in the back of the head with a trash can. Patterson teased a Stinkface attempt, Brisco ran away, Crash blocked the Stinkface attempt and Crash hit Patterson in the butt with a broom handle with Patterson doing a comedic sell job while the crowd popped for it. Crash ran away after Brisco. Let’s say it went 2:00.

Match Result: No Contest (Who cares?)

Analysis: I’m not going to rate this either. I think if they left it with the comedy bit backstage it would have been fine. The “match” in the ring was lame with a cheap comedy ending. I’m sure Vince found it hilarious, though, so that’s why it made TV.

Kevin Kelly was shown backstage outside of The Rock’s locker room looking ready to interview him. Brisco ran up to him and kept running.

(Commercial)

A video aired to show the announcement from Raw with Shawn Michaels letting us know he’s going to be the special referee at Judgment Day.

The Rock was outside of his locker room where he was interviewed by Kevin Kelly. Rock said that Triple H can lick on some monkey’s balls. Rock said the last time he was in The Rock with Shawn Michaels, Michaels cost him the WWF Title and Rock told Michaels he never, ever forgets. Rock said that he’s never forgotten the history that The Rock has with Triple H and he mentioned several different gimmick matches they had in the past like Ladder, Strap, etc. Rock said for one hour he’s going into Judgment Day as the WWF Champion and the People’s Champion…if you smell what The Rock is cooking.

Analysis: That was more of the intense promo style from The Rock instead of just doing the comedy bits. He could do it all.

(Commercial)

A clip aired from Raw showing when Tori did a splash off the top that put Bubba Ray Dudley through a table. It was sponsored by RC Edge Maximum Cola. I have no memory of that cola. Even though the WWF was doing about 4-6 million viewers on their TV shows, they couldn’t get better companies to sponsor them due to the raunchiness of the product, so that meant smaller companies like “RC Maximum Edge Cola” were a sponsor.

The lumberjacks entered for the Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match with Road Dogg and X-Pac out first along with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and Tori. There were also Test, Albert with Trish Stratus, Big Boss Man, Bull Buchanan, Pat Patterson, Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon. Cole whined about it not being fair. All of them are heels.

The Dudley Boyz brought a table to the ring and they got a nice pop from the crowd. The heels surrounded the ring as the Dudleys set up a table outside the ring. There were already two tables set up in the ring.

The Rock made his entrance and got a thunderous ovation as usual. No fake crowd noise needed for the WWF Champion.

Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match: The Rock vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)

Pre-match notes: The Rock was the face WWF Champion. The Dudleys were also faces. Rock had to put both Dudleys through tables to win the match.

Rock started with an elbow to the face of Bubba. D-Von started on the apron. T&A grabbed Bubba and Rock sent Bubba out of the ring leading to the heels beating up Bubba. Bubba got back into the ring with a sidewalk slam. D-Von got the tag and hit the headbutt to the People’s Jewels. The announcers mentioned no disqualifications, so why do the Dudleys have to tag in? It makes no sense to have tags. Rock dumped D-Von and Bubba out of the ring leading to the heels attacking the Dudleys. X-Pac pulled Rock out of the ring, so Rock was beaten up by the heels. The three wrestlers went back into the ring. Rock and the Dudleys stopped fighting eachother and instead, they battled the lumberjacks outside the ring. Rock hit Bull and Boss Man with a nightstick to knock them down. Hunter went after Rock, so Rock came back with punches and Rock sent Hunter into the barricade. The Dudleys hit a double suplex on Albert on the ramp. Rock choked Hunter with a camera cable. Test was put on a table by Bubba and D-Von hit a splash off the top that put Test through a table.

The match continued with the Dudleys working over DX in the ring and Rock sent Triple H into the announce table. Rock punched Triple H in the groin. Bubba was going to hit a splash on X-Pac through the table, but Tori hit a low blow to Bubba and X-Pac hit an X-Factor on Bubba through the table. Road Dogg and X-Pac gave D-Von a Powerbomb off the turnbuckle through another table. Vince and company were excited about that.

Rock and Triple H continued brawling at ringside. Patterson and Brisco set up a table in the ring as well. Rock went back into the ring where he put Bull Buchanan through a table with a Spinebuster. Rock tried a Rock Bottom on Hunter, but X-Pac saved him and hit a spin kick on Rock. Hunter hit a Rock Bottom on Rock through a table. That was a good spot that drew a loud reaction with the fans booing.

Vince McMahon grabbed a microphone to announce the winners: “And the winners are…Degeneration X!” The “match” if you want to call it that, went about 6:20.

Winners by Vince McMahon Announcement: Degeneration X…even though they weren’t in the match.

Analysis: * It’s hard to rate a match where the guys that were announced as the winners weren’t even in the match, but it was Degeneration X that put the three faces through the tables. They probably should have booked a six-man tag team match with lumberjacks and tables around the ring in order to accomplish the same goal.

The show ended with Hunter, Stephanie and the rest of the heels celebrating on the stage.

This episode of Smackdown had a run time of 1:26:43 on WWE Network.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. The Rock
  2. The Dudley Boyz
  3. Vince McMahon

The Scoreboard

This episode gets a 5 out of 10.

This was just an average show where the creative team seemed to not give a shit about coming up with actual finishes. The build to the Judgment Day matches were fine for the most part, but it was ridiculous with some of the short matches and poor finishes. Two disqualifications and a No Contest on the same show, plus the Gauntlet Match and a Handicap Lumberjack Tables Match ending in the winners being guys that weren’t in the match. They were overdoing it with the “creative” booking on this show.

The heels were dominant most of the show with faces like The Rock, The Dudley Boyz, Big Show and Chris Jericho getting their asses kicked. That would make you think that all of them would get their revenge at Judgment Day with big victories, but that’s not how it turned out. I’ll cover that in the next review. Judgment Day was an awesome show, so I’m looking forward to reviewing it.

—-

Check out our WWF in 2000 archives for my reviews of all the other shows (Raw, Smackdown, PPVs) from earlier in the year. Thanks for reading.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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