SMACKDOWN! - Week 2, March 2001
- World Wrestling Figuration
- Jul 15, 2021
- 12 min read
Updated: Nov 8, 2021
On Raw is War, Albert joined forces with X-Pac & Justin Credible to form a devastating new trio, The Dudley Boyz challenged The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian to a match at WrestleMania, The Undertaker snatched the WWF Hardcore Championship from Raven, Chris Jericho assaulted Stephanie McMahon and Steve Austin played some mind games of his own against The Rock! Battle lines are being drawn as the road to WrestleMania rolls on...
Jim Ross: Hello everyone and welcome... to SmackDown!
Tazz: What a night this is gonna be, JR! X-Pac, Justin Credible and Albert are gonna take on The Radicalz in a six man tag, The Hardy Boyz get into it with Edge & Christian and The Undertaker will defend his Hardcore Championship against Hardcore Holly!
Suddenly, Vince McMahon's music hits - but the boss is nowhere to be seen. Instead... Shane McMahon walks out onto the stage! Shane walks down the aisle with purpose, microphone in hand. He steps between the ropes and addresses the audience:
Shane: I'm back... and I'm back for one reason. I'm back because right now as I speak, my mother is confined to a wheelchair... locked up in a sanitarium... all because of that bastard, Vince McMahon. Or, as I have always called him... dad. Vincent Kennedy McMahon... the man who embarrassed and humiliated his wife - my mother - on national television.
Well Dad... for the first time in your life, you are going to learn the hard way that your actions have consequences. Now - seeing as you're not even on time for your own show - I don't get to tell you this to your face. But hear my words, Dad - next Monday night on Raw, I am going to issue a challenge to you. If you've got the stones - the testicular fortitude - to stand face to face with me on Monday night, then bring it on. Let's see how much of a man you really are!
The crowd erupt into cheers and applause as Shane exits the ring.
Tazz: Whoa! That's one way to kick off SmackDown, JR!
JR: Shane McMahon is looking to cross the boss, Monday night on Raw!
Tazz: This isn't any ordinary family affair - how can it be when it involves the McMahon family?!
TAG (Six Man) - X-Factor vs. The Radicalz
X-Pac, Justin Credible & Albert head to the ring as commentary reveal their new name - X-Factor.
The Radicalz head out next, chomping at the bit to tear their opponents apart for their actions on Monday night.
Eddie starts things off with X-Pac - the two matching up athletically. Pac goes for a running dropkick, but Eddie swats him out of the air.
Pac recovers and Eddie hits a running hurricanrana, throwing Pac across the ring and into a tag by Credible.
Eddie puts a cross armbar on Credible, but he manages to reach the ropes and break the hold.
Malenko tags in and whips Credible into the corner, following up with some nasty forearm smashes.
He pulls Credible out from the corner and attempts a stalling suplex in the middle of the ring, but Credible counters and hits a suplex of his own!
Malenko is getting to his feet as Credible gears up for the superkick - but Malenko catches Credible's foot, spins him around and hits a double knee backbreaker! Malenko tags Saturn and Credible tags Albert - bringing the powerhouse of each team into the fray. Saturn tries to hit a running shoulder block on Albert but he tenses up and blocks Saturn's offence.
Albert grabs Saturn for an Irish whip, but Saturn drops to the canvas and takes Albert down with a leg scissors into an ankle lock! Albert turns onto his back, boots Saturn away and rises to his feet with speed. Saturn charges - Albert catches him and counters with a huge bearhug! Saturn slowly rises to his feet as Albert closes in - he catches Saturn and hoists him up high - Baldo Bomb!
Albert hits the Baldo Bomb! He goes for the cover as the other competitors are throwing hands. 1, 2 ,3!
Albert proves tonight that he will take the X-Factor to great successes down the line!
WINNERS - X-Factor via pinfall
Backstage, Lilian Garcia interviews The Hardy Boyz ahead of their match tonight. She asks them how they feel about The Dudley Boyz challenging them at WrestleMania.
Matt: Well Lilian, me and my brother Jeff - we're not afraid of those damn Dudleys, just like how we aren't afraid of Edge & Christian. We've all fought some incredible battles between those ropes - and outside of them too - but we are the hungriest, we are the ones who want gold around our waist and over our shoulder.
Jeff: Lilian - we have never been afraid to take things to the extreme. Rest assured, we accept The Dudleys' challenge for a match at WrestleMania and I personally cannot wait to show them the true meaning of extreme.
Matt: As a matter of fact - Dudley Boyz? You know where us, Edge & Christian will be tonight. We'll be in that ring. You want a preview of WrestleMania? Just try and interfere in our match... and see what happens.
SINGLE - Kurt Angle vs. Test
Kurt Angle comes down the aisle with a confident look on his face.
Commentary discuss how Angle seemingly studied Eddie Guerrero's match last week.
Out comes Test next, a man with a lot to prove after losing his European title.
The match begins and Angle quickly gets the better of Test with grapples and chain wrestling.
Test manages to counter an Irish whip by Angle, dropping him with a clothesline. Test whips Angle into the corner and charges, but Angle ducks to the side and Test jams his boot against the top turnbuckle.
Angle hits a huge Angle Slam and goes straight into an Ankle Lock on the affected leg, causing Test to tap.
Test rolls out of the ring clutching his ankle as Kurt grabs a microphone:
Angle: So, everyone seems to be issuing challenges for WrestleMania, huh? Well... okay! I guess it's my turn to issue a challenge. After all, if anyone knows about rising to a challenge, it's me. I became the European Champion, the Intercontinental Champion, the King of the Ring and the WWF Champion in almost no time at all! And - of course - I won my Olympic gold medals with a broken neck! Oh, it's true! So how about this - if anyone in the back thinks they have what it takes to face me, an Olympic hero... heck, an American hero - they can meet me at WrestleMania. Oh yeah! Woo!
Angle leaves the ring to a hail of boos from the crowd. Despite the negative reaction from the crowd, Angle looks fired up and energised.
WINNER - Kurt Angle via submission
Vince McMahon arrives backstage and is met by William Regal.
Regal explains in a panic that Shane crashed the show and challenged him to a confrontation on Monday night. Vince loses it, screaming at Regal.
Raven walks up to them and demands to know what his plans are for WrestleMania:
Vince: What? How dare you - what gives you the right to make demands of me right now?
Raven: Well everyone's busy around here setting up their WrestleMania matches, so I gotta ask... what about me? What about Raven?!
Vince: What about Raven, huh? Well pal, how about this? Your European Championship will be defended in a... a... a fatal four-way at WrestleMania! Your opponents will be decided next week on SmackDown!
Raven: ...and what about my Hardcore title?
Vince: Breaking news, Raven... that title doesn't belong to you any more! However... The Undertaker is defending it tonight against Hardcore Holly... and the 24/7 rule will be active...
Raven leaves with a smile on his face...
TAG - The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian
Edge & Christian head out first, followed by the Hardys - who charge the ring to kick things off with a hot start. The match only continues to get heated, with pairs brawling inside and outside of the ring.
Matt and Edge battle it out in the ring, with Edge hitting a dropkick on Matt.
Edge goes up and hits a legdrop for a 1 count as their partners assume their positions on the apron. Matt tags Jeff, who hits a running bulldog onto Edge. The two trade blows and Edge rolls Jeff up with a small package - but he kicks out on a 1 count. Edge tags Christian who gets a sleeper hold on Jeff, bringing him to the canvas.
He hauls Jeff up and hits the Unprettier! 1, 2... Matt runs in and breaks the pin!
Christian whips Matt out of the ring towards the ramp, heading out himself to meet Edge on the outside.
The two grab chairs and head back to Jeff, gearing up for a conchairto. The ref waves them off - they swing - but Jeff ducks!
The chairs clatter against each other! Edge reels back and gets caught by Matt on the apron, who pulls him to the outside, while Christian drops to the ground.
Jeff rushes to the top rope - Swanton! 1, 2, 3!
Edge & Christian flee to the outside, filled with anger and spite. The Hardys celebrate as commentary note that The Dudley Boyz were nowhere to be seen.
WINNERS - The Hardy Boyz via pinfall
In the locker room, The Undertaker is preparing for his title defence. He shadow boxes as SmackDown heads to a commercial break.
SINGLE (Hardcore) - The Undertaker (c) vs. Hardcore Holly
WWF Hardcore Championship
After the break, Hardcore Holly makes his way to the ring.
The Undertaker heads out next, riding his motorcycle down the ramp.
Taker goes under the apron and grabs a table! He slides it under the ropes as he enters the ring. The bell rings and the two men trade blows, with Taker grabbing Holly's arm. He hits Holly with three shoulder rams, dropping Holly to his knees.
Taker steps back and goes for a running boot - but Holly ducks and tries to go for a school boy roll up. Taker kicks out and slaps Holly across the ring.
Holly turns and walks right into a big boot! Taker ducks out of the ring and brings in a trash can.
Holly gets to his feet and Taker crushes the can over his head! He sets up the table, picks Holly up and whips him into a corner.
He hits a running elbow, then moves Holly into position for The Last Ride!
Holly goes up and comes crashing down through the table! Taker covers with a standing pin - 1, 2, 3!
Taker grabs his title and gets back on his motorcycle.
He rides up to the ramp when all of a sudden, Raven hits a running punch with a chain wrapped around his fist!
Taker is knocked clean off of his cycle and he rolls down the aisle. Raven drops a flurry of hard shots with the chained fist, busting The Undertaker open! He chokes Taker out with the chain as referees and staff try to break it up.
Taker passes out, but Raven won't quit. He screams at the referee to count as he moves in for the cover. The referees argue with Raven for a second, but realise that the 24/7 rules are in place.
Reluctantly, they count... 1... 2... 3!
Raven stands tall, stealing the Hardcore Championship once again in a match he wasn't involved in, while Taker sits bleeding in the aisle, being checked on by medics.
JR: This is disgusting! This is sick! Raven should be facing a fine for behaviour like this - not walking away with a championship!
Tazz: It may be disgusting to you JR, but for guys like me and Raven, this is just what we do, this is how we operate! We aren't afraid to take things to the extreme! Undertaker got in Raven's business, he made it personal - now he's paying the price!
WINNER - Raven via pinfall
Chris Jericho warms up in the locker room when Vince McMahon bursts in with Regal in tow. He begins to rage and shout at Jericho for what he did to Stephanie on Raw:
Vince: You... you son of a bitch, you've got a lot of nerve coming here tonight after what you did to my daughter! My Stephanie! I ought to fire you right here, right now!
Jericho: Look Vince - if Stephanie doesn't want to get hurt, then she should stay away from Triple H. It's that simple. As for firing me? Go ahead, do something. Fire your Intercontinental Champion, Vince. Fire one of your hottest superstars, one of your biggest names... I dare you.
Vince: I'm not gonna fire you... no, no... as long as you're under this roof, inside my arena, wrestling inside of my ring... you'll take your punishment. Your match with my son-in-law, Triple H... well, it will be Hunter who gets to decide the stipulation of that match. He will decide that stipulation next week on Raw! As for tonight... you'll take my punishment.. when you compete in a gauntlet match!
Vince storms off, leaving Jericho looking frustrated.
TAG - APA vs. Right to Censor
The Right to Censor head out first and chastise the audience for their sinful ways. Before they can finish, the APA hit the stage to a huge cheer from the crowd.
The match begins with Bradshaw and Richards squaring off in the ring.
Bradshaw whips Richards across the ring and tries to go for an early clothesline, but Richards ducks and hits a dropkick on the rebound. Bradshaw gets up quickly and Richards hits an eye poke! The referee sees it and pushes Richards back into the corner. He tags out to Venis, while Bradshaw tags Faarooq.
Faarooq comes in like a house on fire, battering Val with a series of jabs.
Faarooq ducks a line and catches Val with a huge flapjack!
Faarooq tags Bradshaw who gears up for another clothesline. He charges into the ring and swings - but Venis grabs hold of the referee's collar and throws him into the Clothesline from Hell!
The referee is out cold!
Richards hits the ring with a steel chair, clocking Bradshaw and Faarooq!
Venis heads up to the top rope to hit the Money Shot! Richards wakes the ref... he slowly counts... 1... 2... 3!
Right to Censor pick up a huge victory over the APA, but they were completely ruthless in securing the win.
JR: More violence, more senseless violence - this isn't sportsmanship, this isn't competition!
Tazz: I gotta say this, I hate the RTC just as much as anyone else, but this mean streak, it's gonna raise their profile and put some eyes on them. If they can keep this up, they could be future tag team champeens!
WINNERS - Val Venis via pinfall
Jonathan Coachman interviews Stone Cold Steve Austin backstage. He asks him about the battle of mind games between him and The Rock:
Austin: The time for games is over. The main event of WrestleMania... me in one corner, The Rock in the other. No amount of 'mind games', sneak attacks or interference is gonna change the fact that Stone Cold Steve Austin will be walking out of Houston as the WWF Champion. There's a saying that's goes around in this business... 'To be the man, you have to beat the man'... well Rock, right now, you are that man. So that means that I got to walk into WrestleMania, open up a can of whoop ass... matter of fact, I got to 'lay the smacketh down' and 'kick your candy ass'... with all due respect. So, Rock... no more games. You and me. Man to man. WrestleMania. I will become the WWF Champion... and that's the bottom line... because I said so.
GAUNTLET - Chris Jericho vs. (up to) four competitors
Chris Jericho hits the ring, holding his Intercontinental Championship high.
He is greeted by Rikishi, who makes his way slowly and menacingly to the ring. The two lock up and Jericho quickly uses his athleticism to outmaneuver the Samoan.
Rikishi goes for a superkick, but Jericho ducks and hits a superkick of his own. Rikishi is staggered but not down - so Jericho hits a rebound running dropkick to fell the big man.
Jericho goes for a Lionsault but Rikishi rolls away! Jericho gets up clutching his ribs, Rikishi whips him into the corner and prepares for the Stinkface!
He runs - Jericho ducks as the last second and Rikishi bounces off of the buckles! He drops to his knees, Jericho hits a rebound bulldog and goes for another Lionsault - this time hitting it!
He goes for the cover - 1, 2, 3! Rikishi rolls out as Jericho catches his breath, the first match already taking its toll.
Next out... the Big Boss Man! Boss Man heads down the ramp, baton in hand. Jericho is confused, but braces himself for a fight. Boss Man slides in and swings for Jericho!
Jericho ducks, but Boss Man feigns and catches Jericho with a gut shot. The referee calls for a disqualification as Boss Man works over Jericho with shot after shot after shot.
He leaves the ring as the gauntlet rolls on...
Big Show's music hits as the giant makes a slow walk to the ring. Big Show enters the ring as Jericho gets to his knees and tries to protect himself. Show hits a huge punch which sends Jericho hurtling across the ring.
Show closes in, smelling blood in the water, when Jericho hits a step-up enzuigiri! Show is rocked as Jericho tackles his tree trunk like leg and manages to hoist the giant to the canvas. Show lands flat forward on his stomach and Jericho goes for the legs, trying to put the Big Show into the Walls of Jericho! He tries, but it is not enough - Show powers out with force, slamming Jericho forward with his lower body strength.
Jericho recovers, turning around into a Chokeslam! Show covers Jericho with his foot - 1, 2, 3!
Show walks away and Triple H appears on the stage!
He heads down the ramp, passing Show along the way, with a sledgehammer in hand! He gets in the ring as Jericho tries desperately to get to his feet. He lifts himself up on one knee as Triple H charges - cracking Jericho in the skull with a sledgehammer shot!
JR: This is sick! Triple H has lost his mind! Jericho's cranium just got rammed by a sledgehammer!
Jericho lies sprawled on the canvas, out cold. Triple H grabs a microphone and stands over Jericho's prone body:
HHH: You asked for this, you son of a bitch! You're gonna regret every word you've ever said to me, you hear me?! You want me, you got me you bastard... I'm not gonna wait until Monday night! Jericho... it's gonna be you and me at WrestleMania... inside of Hell in a Cell!
The fans scream as Triple H throws down the microphone. Jericho is left dazed and staring at the lights as Triple H leaves the ring. The fans boo The Game as SmackDown goes off the air!
WINNER - Big Show via pinfall
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 (NEW)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion - Dean Malenko
DEVELOPMENTS
Shane McMahon will confront Vince McMahon on Raw is War.
Kurt Angle has issued an open challenge for WrestleMania.
The European Championship will be defended at WrestleMania in a Fatal Four Way. The competitors will be decided next week on SmackDown.
Triple H will face Chris Jericho at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Championship - inside of Hell in a Cell.
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