THURSDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
APRIL 4 2002
The opening video package airs with the future of SmackDown along with the fist and pyro. Following the big entrance, The Rock's music hits. THE ROCK calls this his home and his show.
THE ROCK - "
SmackDown was created because of a phrase I started. I'll layeth the smack-eth-down on all your candy asses! But it's not just my show. It's the People's Show."
The undisputed WWE Champion Triple H comes and refutes this. Triple H makes the claim it's his show.
TRIPLE H - "
You got it all wrong, Rock. You see this... you see this? This means SmackDown's my show, this means Raw's my show, hell, this means the WWE is mine."
The Rock and Triple H stare down before Mr. McMahon comes and has an idea for an all-star main event tonight.
MR. McMAHON - "
Rock, Triple H, no matter what you two think, no matter what Ric Flair thinks, SmackDown, Raw, and all the WWF will always be mine. But if you dare to prove yourselves to be the guy of this new era, I have a match for you. Tonight in the main event, it'll be The Rock going one-on-one with Triple H for that - the WWE Championship!"
MICHAEL COLE - "
These four men are the future of SmackDown but the winner of this match will be the next contender for Rob Van Dam's Intercontinental Championship."
MATCH 1) Booker T vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Kurt Angle
The four men go to war against one another and towards the close, Angle goes on an absolute tear. Angle hits German Suplexes galore on Booker, then Jericho, then Edge, and he runs through the cycle before Jericho elbows Angle before a third suplex and Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho before Edge hits a running bulldog on Y2J. Booker T attempts a swinging kick but Edge ducks and hits the Edge-o-matic. Edge gets ready but he's ankle picked by Kurt Angle. Angle has the Angle Lock in and as Edge is about to tap, Jericho leaps over Edge and hits a clothesline on Angle, breaking the hold. Jericho grabs Angle and is ready for the Walls of Jericho, but Angle throws Jericho into the corner. Angle gets up and ducks a clothesline by Jericho and hits the Angle Slam on Y2J and before Angle can get a chance to cover him, Booker flies in with the Scissors Kick! Booker T turns Angle over and pins the Olympic Gold Medalist.
MICHAEL COLE - "
Booker's done it! Booker T pins Kurt Angle, and now he'll face Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Title!"
TAZZ - "
Michael that's huge for his career. The former 5-time WCW Champion can add another notch on his sach, the Intercontinental Championship. It's been held by some greats in our business."
APA has a moment backstage smoking cigars and playing poker with Maven and Albert. Maven and Albert get distracted by Terri Runnels and Jacqueline, whom sit on their laps and Maven and Albert end up playing a bad hand as Bradshaw and Faarooq steal some big winnings. Albert snaps out of it and realizes what happens, as Maven's still clueless before Albert clues him in.
ALBERT - "
They played us Maven!"
MAVEN - "
They what?"
ALBERT - "
These ho's were in on it. They helped steal our money."
BRADSHAW - "
Hold up there, big Al. This ain't the Ho Train and we ain't the Godfather."
ALBERT - "
You're about to be calling me father."
Albert stands up and clears the table before challenging APA to a tag team match later tonight for all the chips. Faarooq accepts.
MATCH 2) Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. Hurricane
This match doesn't take long before Lesnar finishes the Hurricane with a F5, ironically.
TAZZ - "
Mark my words Cole. Lesnar will be WWE Champion before you know it. And if I put money on it, I say sooner rather than later."
MATCH 3) APA vs. Albert and Maven
Albert gives his team a little muscle but APA is a well-oiled machine, taking advantage of Maven's inexperience both at the poker table and in the ring. At the end, Bradshaw slugs with Albert on the outside while Faarooq sneaks a standing thrust spinebuster on Maven and pins him before Albert frees himself from Bradshaw as the APA keeps the earnings from their underhanded poker tactics from earlier tonight.
Mr. McMahon has The Coach standing outside his office, asking for his intentions with Stone Cold as a free agent.
MR. McMAHON - "
Coach, Stone Cold is a fascinating talent. Everyone is well aware of our differences and our disputes in the past. That's well documented. We're no stranger to one another. But at the end of the day, Stone Cold knows what I've done for his career. He knows there's a contract waiting for him here at SmackDown and my phone is ready for that call."
Christian comes to the ring and expresses his new mindset about new beginnings.
CHRISTIAN - "
Let the record show: Diamond Dallas Page scammed me. He really did. He drug me along and then he embarrassed me on the biggest stage."
Christian twitches recollecting this memory from WrestleMania X8 but readjusts.
CHRISTIAN - "
Through all this mess, I still decide to take the positive. I'm on SmackDown, and I'm far away from Diamond Dalls Page. And to be the icing on the cake, there's a couple prizes in my sight. Booker T's challenging the Intercontinental Champion, but I could wait. I could challenge the winner of tonight's main event. Or I can step in line and grab the second-rate country championship from William Regal."
Christian ends his promo with a smile but pyro shoots out as Kane heads to the ring for this match.
MATCH 4) Christian vs. Kane
Kane single handedly destroys Christian, but Christian maintains a smile on his face before he's in too much danger with a Chokeslam from Hell to finish him off. After the match, Kane leaves the ring to Christian who loses his smile and has a complete meltdown.
The Coach catches Kurt Angle in the hallway and asks about his loss earlier tonight.
KURT ANGLE - "
So what Coach? Hell, what have you ever coached in your life, Jonathan? The point is, I should be challenging Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship. But instead, it's a guy from down south. Booker T? The last time he had a championship his employer went out of business."
The Coach tries to ask a followup question but Chris Jericho shoves Kurt Angle.
CHRIS JERICHO - "
You happy Kurt? You cost me my shot at the title!"
KURT ANGLE - "
Your shot? No! I was about to pin your ass before Booker T ruined the whole damn thing."
CHRIS JERICHO - "
This is all your fault."
Jericho waves his finger in Kurt Angle's face before Angle threatens to rip that finger off and shove it up his ass. Jericho challenges Angle to a match on next week's SmackDown and Angle accepts.
CONFIRMED FOR NEXT WEEK:
Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle
Booker T challenges Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship
Plus, Vince McMahon has invited Stone Cold Steve Austin for an official SmackDown tour.
MAIN EVENT) Triple H defends the WWE Championship against The Rock
Triple H and The Rock go toe-to-toe in an instant classic to kick off a brand new era of SmackDown. The Rock and Triple H continue going back and forth. Triple H stops The Rock's momentum with a Spinebuster and gets a two out of it. Triple H pulls The Rock to his feet, signaling the end with a Pedigree, but can't hook the other arm and The Rock hits a back body drop. Triple H gets up and The Rock begins on an offensive flurry and hits a Spinebuster of his own, setting up the People's Elbow. The Rock looks out to the crowd that rises to their feet. The Rock removes the elbow pad and before he can run, Triple H tackles The Rock by his shoelaces and pounds on top of him. Triple H gets up to boos and wonders why the fans have turned on him. Triple H goes back to The Rock and The Great One sweeps Triple H's feet from underneath and returns the favor to The Game.
TAZZ - "
Triple H done messed up!"
The Rock stands to his feet and spits at Triple H before he looks to hit a Rock Bottom. The Rock gets Triple H in position for it, but Triple H elbows The Rock and tosses him over the rope, but The Rock catches himself. Triple H sees The Rock on the apron and runs after him but The Rock leans back to avoid the collision and pops Triple H in the mouth. The Rock goes to unfamiliar territory to the top rope and leaps, but gets caught with a Spinebuster by Triple H. Triple H makes the cover. One... Two... Thre -
MICHAEL COLE - "
He kicks out! The Rock kicks out! The Great One has life left in him!"
TAZZ - "
That mistake almost cost him Cole. Never change your playbook mid-match."
Triple H can't believe it and decides to get up, mocking The Rock for a Rock Bottom. Triple H sets up for it but The Rock elbows out of it and hits a snap DDT. The Rock then pops up, stalking Triple H, and kicks the champion in the gut and hooks the arms for the Pedigree, but Triple H breaks the hold and pushes The Rock away. Triple H runs for a clothesline, misses and after hitting the ropes, comes back to a Spinebuster! With The Rock already removing the elbow pad, he goes straight into and connects with the People's Elbow! The Rock pops up and the crowd does as well, ready for a Rock Bottom. The Rock snags Triple H and hits the Rock Bottom. The Rock makes the cover. One... Two... THREE!
MICHAEL COLE - "
THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION!"
~ IF YOU SMELL ~
The Rock manages to get to his feet and the official hands The Great One the Undisputed WWE Championship. The Rock holds the title up high, seeing a title change on SmackDown, as the first overall draft pick is now the WWE Champion and on top of the company.
FADE
TO
BLACK
