“Smackdown!” (August 1st, 2002)
Writing Began: July 26th, 2002
Writing Finished: July 31st, 2002
iEvents Going on at the Time:i
Previous Episode of “Smackdown!”:
Kurt Angle beat Mark Henry by disqualification when Brock Lesnar runs in. Backstage, Brock Lesnar calls Kurt Angle a loser. John Cena defeated Test. The Rock and Hulk Hogan beat World Tag-Team champions Lance Storm and Christian by disqualification when Brock Lesnar runs in. Edge defeated Chris Jericho in a steel-cage; after the match, Test, Lance Storm, and Christian stormed the cage, but John Cena and Rey Mysterio made the save, driving the heels away.
Preceding Episode of “Raw”:
Booker T defeated Eddie Guerrero. Chris Benoit defeated Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental title. Undisputed Champion The Rock defeated Ric Flair. The Unamericans and Chris Jericho jumped to “Raw”.
Other Notes:
“Raw” and “Smackdown!” wrestlers were jumping between brands, due to “open contracts”. Brock Lesnar was gearing up to take on The Rock for the World Heavyweight Championship at Summerslam 2002. Batista had recently debuted as “Deacon Bautista”, D’Von Dudley’s second.
8-1-02 "Smackdown"
8:00 – Steph Promo (20 mins)
Steph: I’ve made mistakes in the past, but now I’m all about fairness. If you want something, just ask.”
- Mark Henry Enters –
Mark: “I want Brock tonight.”
Steph: “Well…”
- Hogan Enters –
Hulk: "No, I want Brock tonight!”
- Kurt Angle Enters –
Kurt: “If anyone deserves a match, it’s me!”
- All 3 in ring, bickering –
Steph: “Why do you want Brock?”
Mark: “He gave me an F5 last week.”
Hulk: “Well he gave me an F5, AND cost me the tag titles.”
Kurt: “That’s nothing. He called me a loser! Me! Can you believe that?”
Steph: “Well I can only book one of you…”
Mark: “I’m a former Olympian, AND the World’s Strongest Man.”
Hulk: “You might be the WSM, but that’s nothing compared to the power of Hulkamania and the 24-inch pythons! You might be an Olympian, but I’m an American Icon!”
Kurt: “You might be an American Icon, but I’m an American HERO! And you might be a former Olympian… but where are YOUR gold medals?”
- All 3 continue to bicker over each other, Brock Enters (w/ Heyman) –
Paul: “Brock is FLATTERED that you all want a piece of him. It’s AMAZING that three such amazing wrestlers want a piece of Brock. Oh, Steph, I’d hate to be you right now, having to pick which one of these fine athletes goes up against Brock. So I’ll make it easier for you; Brock, why don’t YOU pick who you want to fight?”
Lesnar: “I want… ALL OF THEM!”
Steph: “Then tonight, we will have a four-corners main-event!”
- Fade out as 3 continue to bicker in ring –
8:20 – Commercial – 8:25
8:25 – Batista vs. Hardcore Holly (5 mins)
Holly controls to start, with Batista mildly selling. Batista no-sells Holly’s chops in the corner, goes psycho, then absolutely DESTROYS Holly with power-moves.
8:30 – Backstage: Steph + Cruisers (2 mins)
Hurricane and Moore approach Steph. “We were brought in to be part of Smackdown’s CW division, but all we ever do is wrestle Albert on Velocity! We want a chance to show what we can REALLY do!” Steph makes a 6/8-man tag match.
8:32 – Edge + Cena Enter Ring, Pre-match Promo (3 mins)
Edge: “We were supposed to get a title-shot at Lance + Christian tonight, but it seems they chickened out.”
Cena: “As bad as I feel about not getting a title-shot tonight, and as bad as I feel about not getting to kick L+C’s asses, the person I feel REALLY bad for it Test. Poor guy must been so confused; ‘Hey, wait a sec, this looks like Raw! What’s that all aboot?”
Edge: “Well, with them gone, I guess I’m the only good Canadian left on Smackdown… then again, I’m the only good Canadian in WWE.”
- Benoit’s music hits, Benoit + Guerrero Enter –
Benoit: “You’re the only good Canadian, eh? All I have to say is that tonight, I’m gonna prove you wrong.”
Eddie: “And you, esse, you think you can hang with the big boys of WWE? Well, esse, let’s see how you do against me, homes.”
8:35 – Edge + Cena vs. Benoit + Eddie (10 mins)
Back-and-forth scientific match with nobody having the clear-cut advantage. Match runs approximately ten minutes. Finish: Eddie rolls up Cena + holds the tights for leverage.
- Fade out as Benoi t_ Eddie celebrate, and Edge + Cena look on in disbelief –
8:45 – Commercial – 8:50
8:50 – Rock Promo (20 mins)
Normal Rock promo (i.e. make fun of people, etc.) for @ 6-7 minutes. Bash Brock.
- Angle Enters –
Angle: “I want a title shot next week!”
- 2 bicker back and forth, Rock makes fun of Angle, Brock Enters on ramp –
Heyman: “Kurt, don’t worry about The Rock; just worry about The Brock. And Rock, you can make all the cute little jokes you want, but this man is no joke.”
9:10 – Commercial – 9:15
9:15 – Hurricane, Kidman, Rey, Moore vs. Noble, Chavo, Tajiri, Funaki (15 mins)
High-flying, fast-paced spot-fest, with all participants hitting both signature spots and tandem spots on opposition. Eventually, everyone in ring at once, hitting spot after spot on whichever opponent is closest to them. Rey finishes with a springboard-hurricanrana on Noble.
9:30 – Backstage: Steph, Edge, Cena, D’Lo, Matt Hardy (5 mins)
Edge wants Benoit, and Cena wants Eddie. Steph books those for next week. D’Lo + Matt Hardy jump to Smackdown, and speak to Steph. Steph explains that they are both amazing talents, and deserve to be on TV more. She promises to book them for next week.
- Fade to commercial with D’Lo and Matt smiling at the opportunities presented –
9:35 – Commercial – 9:40
9:40 – Brock vs. Mark Henry vs. Kurt Angle vs. Hulk Hogan (20 mins)
Well-paced match, with everyone working short programs with everyone else. This match will be used to build-up Brock for his “Summerslam” match – he will overpower Hogan (test of strength, “play mercy”), toss Mark Henry around, and go hold-for-hold with Kurt Angle on the ground. Deteriorates into all 4 brawling; Brock F5’s Hogan, and Angle “Olympic Slam’s” Mark, leaving the two of them left. Rock comes out through crowd, Rockbottom’s Kurt, and Brock makes the pin.
- Fade out with Brock + Rock staring each other down –
