WWE SmackDown! - 07/31/03
Taped: 07/29/03
Colorado Springs, CO

• Stills of the Vengeance main event
• Tonight: "Noble Sleep-Over"
• Last Month: Eddie Guerrero turned on Tajiri
• Tonight: Tajiri vs Eddie Guerrero for the US Title
• But first, the new WWE Champion, Kurt Angle, is out to talk
• Long ovation
• This is his favorite title win, because he wasn't sure if he was ever going to come back
• Crowd strongly behind Angle
• Brock Lesnar is out
• Brock says Kurt did something that the fans and he thought was impossible, beat Brock.
• Brock says he knows how much it meant to Kurt more than anyone else
• Brock challenges him "for my WWE Title rematch"
• Crowd chants "rematch"
• Kurt pretends to stall, but says it's on.
• Vince is out because this segment can't end like that.
• Stephanie has a bruised sternum, and is not here tonight.
• Vince says Kurt begged him earlier for no rematch with Brock.
• Kurt denies to Brock.
• No rematch tonight. Brock will have to earn the rematch.
• They will wrestle, in a tag team match.
• Opponents TBA.
• Vince is going to test their friendship. He guarantees it.

• Tonight: Chris Benoit vs Rhyno
• WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio (San Diego, 175 pounds, w/Billy Kidman) vs WWE Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin (238 pounds, w/Charlie Haas) in a non-title match
  • Tony Chimel is back ring announcing.
  • The link is correct on the shopzone ad this week.
  • Rey hasn't defended his title in quite a while.
  • Shelton has no home. That's always sad.
  • An early 619 attempt is ducked.
  • Benjamin (and Haas) work the left shoulder.
  • Cole pushing "revenge" hard as tonight's theme.
  • Rey makes a chinlock comeback at 2 minutes.
  • Rey does a climb up enziguri on Shelton and Tazz goes nuts.
    • Spanky's been doing it for months.
  • Shelton makes a mistake of throwing Rey up in the air. 2 count on a Thesz Press.
  • Shelton gets a near fall on an armbar takedown to take back the momentum.
  • Haas pulls the ropes away so Rey can't grab them as Shelton has him in a submission hold. Ref catches him.
  • Rey lands on his feet off a back suplex, and hits a clip. Off the ropes but Haas trips him.
  • Kidman over and taking him down.
  • Shelton tripped into the middle rope, 619.
  • Kidman pulls Haas away from stopping the West Coast Pop attempt, throwing him into the timekeeper's table.
  • Shelton blocks the WCP, Mysterio fights out of a powerbomb and hits the victory roll for the victory roll (4:30)
• Tazz and Cole talk up the PPV, and the Noble/Gunn finish.
• We see Noble's love shack, where he's already in underwear and a cowboy hat.
  • Music's playing.
  • He's got his suitcase of stuff.
  • Answers the door - it's Torrie.
  • Torrie is not thrilled to see Noble like that.
  • Or go in the room.
  • Torrie should really stop making these deals.
  • Noble shows off his handcuffs.
  • Paddle.
  • Tickler.
  • Lone Ranger mask.
  • Torrie makes like she's going to puke, and goes to do so.
  • Jamie gets ready on the bed. He's pumped.
  • EW.

• SWAT turn of Sunday - Rhyno gores Benoit
• Tonight: Eddie Guerrero (c) vs Tajiri for the US Title
• Chris Benoit (Edmonton, AB, Canada, 229 pounds) vs
  • Announcers are still confused on the Rhyno turn.
  • Rhyno talks from the backstage area.
  • Rhyno recaps! He's buying Eddie's story.
  • Rhyno was treated as a joke.
  • Rhyno's got a warm up opponent for Benoit, someone who knows something about jokes.
• Chris Benoit vs Doink the Clown
  • Benoit is not pleased.
  • Doing has balloon animals, but they get broken before the fans.
  • The silly string is functional, though.
  • Rubber chicken for Tazz.
  • Benoit is not amused.
  • Benoit goes out to kill him.
  • Brought in, clothesline takes him down.
  • Tazz wonders if Eddie and Rhyno are right and it's all Benoit's fault.
  • Benoit yells Rhyno's name as if Doink is Rhyno.
  • Doink gets in a move for the first time :40 seconds, but is promptly crotched.
  • Top rope back superplex!
  • Thumb.
  • Going UP.
  • Swandive headbutt.
  • Crossface. That'll do it. (1:22)
  • Benoit takes a good ten seconds to let go.
  • Benoit wants the microphone.
  • And Rhyno now.
  • Rhyno backstage again. Benoit's ready, Rhyno's ready.
  • But Rhyno's going home.
  • Benoit's the joke, Rhyno's the one that's laughing.
• Back in the hotel, Jamie is still waiting for Torrie.
  • Gonna be the best night of Torrie's night.
  • Torrie is appalled.
  • Knock at the door.
  • Jamie wants them to go away, but the knock don't stop.
  • Jamie finally answers the door.
  • It's Nidia.
  • Talk to the hand.
  • She's here - tonight's about Jamie and Torrie, it's about Jamie and Nidia.
  • Nidia throws Jamie in the bed and they get going
  • They go at it (off camera) while Torrie gives us play by play via facial expressions.

• In the locker room, Funaki and Spanky check out the Angle and his belt.
  • Brock breaks up the conversation because he wants to talk to Angle.
  • Did Angle talk to Vince?
  • Yep.
  • Angle kinda says he did warning about the rematch, as they both nearly died last time it happened, at WrestleMania.
  • Angle says he will give Brock a rematch any time they want.
  • In fact, he knows how Brock can get his rematch. They go.
• Eddie Guerrero (El Paso, TX, 228 pounds, c) vs Tajiri for the US Title, 1st Defense
  • Eddie drives out a convertible this week.
  • But it does not jump around when Eddie turns on the hydraulics.
  • Eddie gets out of the car to check to see if something's wrong.
  • Eddie checks the front of the car, then tries again.
  • Nope. Eddie is ticked.
  • Eddie is confused why it won't bounce.
  • Eddie checks the trunk - and finds the feet of a Japanese man!
  • GREEN MIST!
  • Kick kick kick kick kick and on - the referees have to pull Tajiri back off of Eddie.
  • Eddie can't see, so he doesn't want to wrestle.
  • He can't see.
  • Eddie is very sure he can't see or wrestle.
  • He sees well enough to grab his belt and back up.
  • Eddie walking out.
  • Choida is making motions to Chimel.
  • Eddie must compete in the match or he'll forfeit the title.
  • Eddie can see all of the sudden!

• The match is underway as we return - Tajiri hits a wheel kick.
• Tajiri with lots of kicks.
• Tajiri angry and showing it.
• They did manage to wash the green out of Eddie's face.
• Tajiri doing a lot of forearm grinding.
• Choida is able to force a break, and Eddie gets in an eye poke.
• Eddie works Tajiri over in the corner, but oddly tries corner punches.
  • As a heel, that can never work.
• Tajiri ends up crotching Eddie, then Tajiri puts him the Tree of Woe.
• Tajiri backs up - sliding dropkick to the head.
• Tajiri kicks Eddie down to one knee and smash him face firs into the mat for a two count.
• Eddie manages to leverage Tajiri into the corner, face first.
• Tajiri thrown out.
• Eddie wants to follow up, but Choida is holding him up.
• Tajiri is sitting and waiting, taking his time coming in.
• Eddie rolls out, chases Tajiri, and forearms him from behind.
• Stomping.
• Tajiri thrown in. Eddie in.
• Tajiri out. Why is Tajiri trying to buy time?
• Eddie is fine with the count out win.
• Tajiri back in at three.
• Eddie gives room, and they circle.
• Lockup - no, Tajiri will kick some ore.
• Eddie back with strikes of his own.
• Whip, back elbow.
• Hilo for 2.
• Eddie bounce. He's getting heated up.
• Tajiri's belt is coming loose.
• Hard back suplex by Edie for 2.
• Chinlock.
• Eddie yells at the crowd.
  • Crowd doesn't seem to be so singularly pro Eddie this week.
  • Tajiri still has mist in his mouth
• Eddie with a slam. Going up.
• Feeling Froggy? No, too slow, Tajiri kicks him to pause him up there.
• Tajiri joins him - top rope superplex!
• Tajiri has KOed himself. One two three four five six Eddie up
  • Eddie had been working on the back, so Tajiri is hurting more from that
  • Oh yea, the injury! Eddie broke the windshield with Tajiri's back
• Eddie works over Tajiri,whip, reversed, Tajiri goes under, over, monkey flip.
• Eddie rolls out, Tajiri after him, out of Choida's reach.
• Tajiri throws Eddie back first into the post.
• Tajiri rolls in to break the count.
• Eddie tries to come in, but gets driven into the desk by a sliding dropkick.
• Tajiri out to work on him, with a high snap kick to finish.
• Eddie brought in, Tajiri crawls on top one two NO
• Eddie fighting back with right hands.
• Back suplex, no Tajiri reverses to a headscissors.
• Eddie up firs though, kick, whip, Tajiri back with a handspring elbow.
• Tajiri with a kick, (running) Tornado DDT!
• But he's too tired to cover. One two three four five Tajiri covers one two NO.
• Punching from the knees.
• Tajiri hops up for a dropkick to the head one two no.
• Tajiri continues, slam , no Eddie lands behind.
• Knee, suplex chain suplex chain supl-no [hour change], Tajiri goes behind, Eddie shoved into the corner, Tajiri chases, Eddie kips up and out, Tajiri stops in the corner, Eddie chases and Tajiri locks in the Tarantulas.
• Lining up for the Buzzsaw Kick - and it's ducked.
• Waistlock, switch, Eddie hits the low blow mule kick.
• Eddie plays dumb when Choida asks how that just happened, but "you can't call what you don't see", says Cole.
• Tajiri up - GREEN MIST but Eddie ducks and Choida gets it!
• Tajiri checks on the ref - back kick to Eddie.
• Eddie rolls out and grabs the belt.
• Tajiri reaches out for him, Eddie belts him.
• Eddie throws the belt back, and grabs Tazz's water bottle, clearing Choida's eyes.
• Eddie drops the water bottle, and goes up.
• Frog Splash one two three. (12:17)
• That "lean out of the ring and get belted" spot is getting old.
• Still to come: Kurt/Brock vs "Mr. McMahon's Chosen Team"
• Oh wow, SummerSlam has a terrible theme song.

• Cole and Tazz set up the Zach Gowen piece from Confidential.(5:29)
• Zach Gowen wrestles next.
• That's the whole segment.

• Lugz Boot of the Week is "Zach's Standing Ovation"
• Zach Gowen (Southwest Detroit, 159 pounds) vs Shannon Moore (Raleigh, NC, 195 pounds, w/Matt Hardy (version one), 9)
  • They use Matt's entrance.
  • Matt Fact: Matt's Favorite Season is Summer. Matt is Twice the wrestler Zach Gowen is.
  • This is Zach's debut on the Cruiserweight Ladder.
  • I find it particularly great when Cole informs us that Zach is the one legged wrestler AS HE HOPS AROUND ON ONE LEG.
  • Shannon looks at Zach and thinks "finally, someone on the roster I could possibly beat!"
  • At least that's my read.
  • Zach goes for a single leg takedown but no
    • Fair enough, since you can only get that on Zach
  • Lockup, Zach thrown down. Shannon mocks Zach's hop.
  • Sporting man he is, Shannon offers to go one legged with Zach.
  • That does not work well.
  • Armdrag, one legged dropkick.
  • Shannon out, but quick back in.
  • Clothesline misses, Zach forearms him and throws him in the corner.
  • Zach to the second rope, 2nd rope swinging DDT is blocked and Shannon Northern Light throws him into the corner.
    • Tazz called that move and the other one Tornado DDT without fail.
  • Shannon works him in the corner while we watch replay.
  • Shannon pulls Zach out of the corner and flips him, one tow no.
  • Zach with forearms, off the ropes, and Matt trips him up!
    • Matt is great in being shocked that Zach would fall down like that.
  • Shannon with punches, off the ropes, swinging neckbreaker one two no.
  • Shannon tantrum.
  • Shannon runs Zach into the corner, and punches him.
  • Charge in the corner meet elbow, then nothing.
  • Zach with hoping swinging kicks.
  • Whip, jumping leg lariat.
  • Second rope dropkick by Zach, one two no.
  • Zach going all the way up - moonsault bodyblock hits one two NO!
  • I thought that was his move?
  • Maybe he has no move.
  • Zach with a swinging neckbreaker.
  • Matt is up on the apron as Zach get sup - Matt misses the clothesline, and Zach manages a second rope clothesline on him.
  • Zach yells at Matt on the floor
  • Shannon inside cradle one two three! (3:46)
  • They play Shannon's music!
  • He's pumped because they NEVER play his music after a match!
  • Matt's not happy with being laid out by the clothesline - forearm to Zach.
  • Side Effect!
  • Shirt off.
  • I see Zach's future - there's an unfortunate Twist of Fate coming.
  • Yep.
  • V1!
  • Cole is not a fan of the Hardy. Neither are the fans.

• Greyhound Cena/Undertaker highlights.
• John Cena as Moses Malone (West Newburry, MA, 238 pounds) vs Orlando Jordan (Miami, Florida, 245 pounds)
  • Cole thinks Cena "arrived" on Sunday.
  • Undertaker is not here due to the internal injuries from Sunday
  • "Yo yo yo yo yo yo
    Right now, we're about to go rap thuganomics, one thug to another. I got to let these people know what's up.
    You see, at Vengeance, everybody that Cena failed the test.
    But it was Undertaker who left the arena a bloody mess!
    Yeah yeah yeah, he's sitting at home, I'm standing here, okay?
    And I'm demanding a rematch on SmackDown next Thursday!
    He's a big coward, and I guarantee he's a no show.
    He's too busy hitting on those rookies, trying to get a low blow.
    oh oh oh no no - I've seen him and Orlando, and with their flirting, there's no ignoring
    He may have a match with me, but he's beating Orlando Jordan
    Hey, I don't know what you're doing right now, but it's more than likely
    You got your grubby mitts down Orlando's tighty whiteys!
  • Orlando is not happy - I think he challenges for this match, or at least Cole tries to push that idea.
  • Orlando punches Cena to start this match.
  • Cena with strikes of his own. Suplex onto the top rope.
  • Cole says Cena's style is "ground and pound"
    • Tazz says "American Strong Style"
  • Cena works the midsection, in a replay of Thursday.
  • Orlando rallies back with punches.
  • Cena stops him with punches.
  • Meanwhile, I'm trying to perfect that hand waving thing.
  • Orlando's inside cradle is blocked by Cena grabbing the ropes.
  • Choke by Cena, and then punches to the midsection.
  • Forearms to the back. 2 count.
  • Punches. By both people.
  • Someone should learn how to block.
  • Kick by Cena, fireman's carry, taking his time, FU one two three (2:27)
  • More trash talk to Orlando post match. Cena likes saying what.
• In the hotel room, Torrie's getting herself quite toasted.
  • Looks like she's drinking the champagne while Noble and Nidia are otherwise busy.
  • Ah, they were in the shower. They come out in towels.
  • Jamie apologizes for them getting in control.
  • Jamie and Nidia have talked it over, and they decided they've done everything two people could do together.
  • So, why not try stuff with three people?
  • Torrie downs another drink.
  • Knock on the door. Jamie decides he's going to stomp a mudhole on whoever's interrupting them now.
  • Guess what? It's Billy Gunn.
  • Wow, that's one stupid hair cut.
  • Noble says he didn't do anything with Torrie as he backs off into the bedroom.
  • Torrie hugs Billy.
  • As Torrie and Gunn talk, Nidia and Noble get it on again.
  • Torrie and Billy watch with amused faces.

• Ah, the official SummerSlam is "St. Anger" by Metallica
  • It's still not any good.
  • I lose all my street music cred for not picking it out before, I guess.
• Vince is hanging out in the GM office
  • Mumbling about nothing in particular.
  • Brock stops by.
  • Vince wants him to earn his way to his rematch?
  • Well, how about a match.
  • How about the match Vince promised him - against Vince.
  • How about next week? If Brock wins, he gets the title match.
  • Vince since he'll think about that stipulation, but he'll do the match for sure.
  • Vince warns Brock not to turn his back on Kurt in his match tonight.
• In the hotel room, we hear lots of noise from the people.
  • Three pairs of feet, and cowboy boots.
  • All four are in the bed, with the couples acting lovely dovey.
• Sable is headed to the ring.
  • I hope this has something to do with the main event, because it's about that time.
  • We go over A-Train helping out Sable and no one knows why.
  • She brags about having beat Stephanie up at Vengeance.
  • Here's the clips from the PPV.
    • Cole says Stephanie was in total control till A-Train ran in.
    • Tazz thinks Sable didn't know A-Train was coming in.
    • Brian Hebner has tattoos?
  • Sable thanks Vince for his help.
  • Sable introduces half of the opposition force for the main event.
  • A-Train.
• A-Train and Big Show (500 pounds) vs
  • Hmm, no chair throwing this week.
  • Sable disappears here.

• A-Train and Big Show (500 pounds) vs Brock Lesnar (Minneapolis, MN, 295 pounds) and WWE Champion Kurt Angle (Pittsburgh, PA, 237 pounds)
  • Now Confirmed for Next Week: the Undertaker vs John Cena in a Vengeance Rematch
  • Next Week: Brock Lesnar vs Vince McMahon (no graphic)
  • A-Train and Angle start.
  • A-Train wants the belt!
  • It's nice to have dreams.
  • Angle manages to reveres to an ankle lock in 1:10.
  • A-Train kicks him away, but right into a tag for Brock. They team to knock A-Train down.
  • A-Train getting worked over early, with Brock getting a near fall on a powerslam.
  • Angle in, and eventually gets run into Show's boot. Scissors Kick, one two three.
  • Show in at 3 minutes and in control.
  • Show's added to his move set of late.
  • Angle rallies back at 4, but runs into a side slam for 2.
  • A-Train tagged in at 4:45
  • A-Train slam, splash, one two Brock breaks it up.
  • A-Train goes for the Train Wreck, but it goes over everyone's head
    • Tazz thinks he's going for a powerbomb
    • Angle thinks he can slide out and behind A-Train
    • He's right!
  • Angle Slam on A-Train at 5:30.
  • Everyone down and looking for a tag.
  • Tag to Brock.
  • Brock knocks Show off the apron, the goes for A-Train.
  • Overhead belly to belly x 2.
  • Brock waits for him to get up, F5 is broken up by a Big Show kick.
    • Brock's head lands on A-Train's knee on the way down.
    • Both look to be a bit shaken up.
  • A-Train tags in Show as he rolls to the floor.
  • Show with a kick, it's caught,Show's clothesline is ducked, Brock kick, fireman's carry lift, F5.
  • Brock falls backwards on impact, into Angle's grasp.
  • Angle makes the blind tag covers one two three. (6:49)
  • Brock is upset, but hey, he was half out and they needed to make a cover right there.
  • Brock isn't thrilled.
  • Cole makes the same point I do!
  • Tazz disagrees.
  • Brock kicks Angle! F5! Crowd is surprised.
  • Vince is out - well, the stage.
  • Next week's match will be in a steel cage, just for fun.
  • Oh, and Kurt Angle will be special referee.
  • Show ends there.