411’s WWE Smackdown Report 07.24.03

WWE Smackdown for July 24, 2003. Taped from Fresno, California
Report by Brad Jennette, EXCLUSIVELY for www.411wrestling.com

The video rolls, the pyro hits and we are TAPED FROM FRESNO … it’s WWE Smackdown for July 24, 2003

The show starts off with a recap of the Brock vs Show/WGTT and Angle vs Show/WGTT. Brock lost and was chokeslammed though the announce table while Angle won.

Smackdown GM Stephanie McMahon comes to the ring and informs us that Vince is not here tonight because he is taking care of her mother. Stephanie announces that tonight’s main event will NOT be a handicapped match. It will be the Big Show and the World’s Greatest Tag Team vs WWE champion Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Zach Gowen. Sportz Entertainment hero John Cena interrupts and raps about Stephanie. He was dreaming about her. Cena hits on Stephanie in a rap and offers her 20 bucks to rip Sable’s top off for the world to see. Cena was to smack Steph on her ghetto booty and she lets him do it! Sable appears on the video screen and mentions how Steph likes to get smacked around. Sable shows the footage of her having the advantage of the beatdown last week. Sable calls Stephanie to the back for a scrap..

Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore vs Rey Mysterio & Kidman
Rey got the big home state pop for this one. This was a pretty good match, as is par for the course with Rey and Matt in the same ring. Everyone pretty much knew Rey and Kidman were going to win heading into the PPV that they have a big title shot. Finish saw Rey take out Matt on the outside with a moonsault and Kidman hit the shooting star press on the already out Shannon. Its pretty obvious Kidman will be turning on Rey at the PPV, especially after his “little TOO enthusiastic” celebrations after each win.
Winners: Kidman and Rey

Backstage, Stephanie is on the prowl looking for Sable. She sees a blond and goes to attack her but it turns out to be Torrie. She eventually finds Sable and attacks, slamming her into a parked limo. Steph dumps Sable onto the hood and then pulls Sable’s top off! She is sooo gonna get 20 bucks for that. Sable covers up and jumps into the limo. Steph grabs a nearby pipe and is about to smash the window when Vince appears on screen. Vince warned Steph that she might end up like her mother if she wasn’t careful.

Billy Gunn vs Jaime Noble
Its a shame that they are making Noble be a human pinball for Gunn who is just awful. This match was short. Gunn knocked Noble around a bit and ended up beating Noble with the Catatonic. Luckily, the post-match shenanigans were much better. Torrie got on the mic and told Noble that she WOULD sleep with him next week on Smackdown IF he could beat Billy Gunn at Vengeance. Since Noble lost tonight, Gunn has to return the job!!! Of course Noble agreed. I don’t know why I’m getting excited, they will never deliver.
Winner: Billy Gunn

Backstage, APA was promoting the bar room brawl again. I don’t care. Doink is going to be in it. I wish it was “hit Crush with a lead filled sling” Doink and not “throw pies in Lawler’s face” Doink.

Latino HEEEET! Eddie Guerrero came bouncing out in a low-rider to a great pop. I love this guy, he acts like a total dick and cheats all the time and everyone eats it up. Eddie got on the mic and deliver a nice little background promo about himself and Chris Benoit. He talked about how they have been together in Japan, ECW, WCW and now WWE. Eddie said Benoit was his best friend, more then Chavito??? Chris came to the ring and said Eddie had a lot of “best friends” here recently. Benoit said Eddie hasn’t spoken to him in months. Eddie went RUDO and said he was just lying to Benoit and the fans and that he hated Benoit. Crowd: Yeah! Screw Chris, I hate em too! Benoit challenged “essa” to a match right now. Eddie said he would hold off until the PPV and left the ring. Eddie came back in and attacked Benoit from behind. Benoit quick got the advantage back and dumped Eddie. Eddie mased Benoit but Rhyno made the save. Said save led to the next match.

Eddie Guerrero vs Rhyno
I really don’t see what the big deal is about Rhyno. I mean, he really isn’t THAT great. Eddie is such a great bastard heel. The finish saw Rhyno have Eddie set up for the gore, but Eddie saw it coming and moved out of the way. Rhyno had to stop to miss the ref and Eddie gave him a serious ball shot. Then, in probably the best moment I’ve ever seen, Eddie winked at the camera while Rhyno was down. Eddie then dropkicked Rhyno in the face and pinned him with feet on the ropes.
Winner and STILL my hero: Eddie Guererro.

They showed a pretty sweet Undertaker desire video. Right after it was over, Cena appears on the screen and destroyed Taker with a rap in the middle of a flaming pentagram on the ground. Basically, Cena wants Taker to pass the torch.

APA vs FBI
Very short match. Stamboli was knocked goofy by his own partner and then all the Smackdown losers ran in and caused a big bedlam. I guess all these guys are going to be in the bar room brawl. My pick is the Brooklyn Brawler.
Winner: No contest

Backstage, Zach Gowan is preparing for the main event when Vince walks in. Vince says he didn’t come to attack him. He just says people are going to feel sorry for him with he gets beatdown at the PPV. Zach laces into Vince which causes Vince to step up, but Brock and Angle show up and Vince hightails it.

Big Show and World’s Greatest Tag Team vs Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Zach Gowan
I don’t want to go off on a rant here, but this is has been bothering me all night long. Brock has beat Big Show alone and WGTT at the same time. Brock came VERY close to beating all three guys in Angle has beat Show alone, Haas alone and all three at the same time. Hell even Gowen beat Big Show. How in the holy hell do get me to believe that the faces will have any trouble in this match?! ANY WHO this was actually a very good and exciting match. I love Brock and WGTT. I really love Angle and I like Show pretty good when he is in the ring with Angle or Brock. Zach got smacked with a chair by Vince on the outside which caused him to be taken to the back, making this another handicap match. Angle got worked over for a while until he finally made the scolding hot tag to Brock who went Terminator on everyone. Brock hit some BEASTLY belly-to-belly suplexes and a vertical suplex to Show. Finish saw Angle have Show in the ankle lock looking for the tap out. Brock accidentally F5ed Haas into Angle who was still holding the ankle lock. Benjamin speared Brock out of the ring and Show chokeslammed Angle for the pin. Brock took care of Shelton on the outside, came back in and F5ed Haas and then destroyed Show with several chair shots. Angle got up and pushed Brock, who pushed back. Angle slapped Brock and it was on! Brock went for the F5 but Angle countered. Angle went for the Angle Slam but Brock countered. Show turned them around and double chokeslammed them and stool tall. What an AWESOME way to end the show.

End of Show.