WWE SmackDown! Results: 1/22/2004
Submitted by Justin "Locura" Pratt on Friday, January 23, 2004 at 1:16 AM EST



WWE SmackDown!
Date: 1/22/04
Venue: Target Center
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Report by: Justin Pratt

We open with a video package recapping the separation of Los Guerreros and the family breakdown/assault that occured last week.

And now, welcome to SmackDown! Michael Cole and Tazz at ringside.

Cole: "We are just 72 hours away! 3 days from the Royal Rumble on PPV!" (Blast! He added an extra word!)

Tonight, we see Eddie Guerrero team up with Kurt Angle to take on Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Chavo Guerrero Sr.!

Match #1: Rey Mysterio (Cruiserweight Champion) vs. Chuck Palumbo (w/ Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli)
They recap Noble's heinous actions on Nidia & Rey last week. Rey Mysterio lunges at Chuck Palumbo a few times, but gets knocked down for him troubles. Chuck lifts him up, but Rey punches his way out and covers for 2. Rey attacks thE left leg of Palumbo, but Check simply shoves him away. Palumbo is knocked into 619 position, but Johnny Stamboli pulls the ropes down and Rey crashes to the outside. The ref begins the count, but Rey gets back on only to take a knee to the head followed by several kicks. Back suplex by Chuck, cover for 2. Chuck rams Rey's right knee into the mat twice, then locks on a Half Boston Crab. Rey's free leg kicks Chuck a few times, allowing him a change to reach for the ropes. Chuck drags him back to the center though, but Rey kicks Chuck hard enough to break the hold. Rey battles back, but Chuck drives Rey's back into the turnbuckle. They're both on the top rope, and Rey strikes him with a senton. Both men are down. Rey's up first and he fights against Chuck, but the bigger man powers out. Surprise rollup for 2 by Rey. Springboard moonsault by Rey, but Chuck catches him, and Rey counters into an inverted DDT! 1-2-NO!! Chuck answers with a big boot. Cover for a near fall. Rey's in the corner and Chuck charges, but Rey ducks and his opponent's shoulder is driven into the ring post. Rey goes up top. Crossbody gets caught, but Rey crawls behind Chuck's body, rolls him up and grabs the tight to gain the victory! It wasn't exactly a "hot" opener, but it was pretty darn warm. Good match.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Match Rating: 5.5/10

Mandatory beatdown by the FBI on Rey follows. Backbreakr by Chuck... but then out comes Jamie Noble. He enters the ring, talking to his cousin Nunzio. Noble hands him a piece of paper of some kind, and they leave the ring. Noble stands tall above Rey, holding the Cruiserweight title high above his next.

Up next, an interview with SmackDown's General Manager.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 1 ~

Recap of Cena's victory over Rhyno in the Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap Match and Paul Heyman's following humiliation.

Paul Heyman is interviewed by Josh Matthews. Heyman says there is no more respect for authority. All thanks to Cena and Benoit. That changes tonight, because it's the start of whole new SmackDown. He looks at Vince McMahon's leadership, who brought sports entertainment to all new arenas. Those two have ruined SmackDown, and he's gonna present his show as an all-American presentation. He goes over America's values and foundations, all that Cena and Benoit go ahead. Tonight, they will compete against Rhyno and Matt Morgan... and The Big Show... and Brock Lesnar (all four are standing around Heyman & Matthews). He's gonna be ringside to watch Cena and Benoit get decimated. The last person you wanna mess with is Paul Heyman.

Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Chavo Guerrero Sr. chat backstage, and are approached by Kurt Angle. Chavo Sr. tells him to stay out of business. Angle says he lied to him, and he mislead Eddie. His trust was betrayed, so it is his business. Do they have any sense of family values? Chavo Jr. tells him to save that crap. He has no idea what it's like to work his ass off and be held down by a member of his own family. Angle tells him to try to grow up with 4 brothers who were all the bigger athletes than him. But what did he do? He won a gold-freakin'-medal! Chavo had a chance to make things right, and he blew, so they're gonna learn it tonight in the ring.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 2 ~

Wrestlemania Recall: 1987, Jake "The Snake" Roberts (w/ Alice Cooper and his giant snake) loses to the Honky Tonk Man.

Match #2: Tajiri vs. Billy Kidman in a Royal Rumble Qualification Match
Tajiri ties up Billy Kidman to start. Hurricanarana by Kidman. Kidman goes up top, but takes a stiff kick. Tajiri armdrags Kidman off the top, then kicks at his injured left arm. Cover for 2. Tajiri latches on a hold on the left arm of Kidman, as he fights out with a drop toe hold. Tajiri kick misses and Kidman hits a neckbreaker for 2. Tajiri with a roundhosue kick to the head, then some more to the ribs for 2. Kidman counters a Handspring Elbow with a dropkick! Kidman drags Tajiri to the corner, and goes for the Shooting Star Press... and Tajiri moves out of the way! Buzzsaw Kick spells the end for Kidman as Tajiri scores the pinfall. This was a rushed match, but I liked the psychology here.
Winner: Tajiri
Match Rating: 4.5/10

Lesnar & Show are walking backstage. Show tells Lesnar to stop shadowing him. Lesnar wants to talk about his match. Show says for the past week, Lesnar follows him everywhere. That 50 foot restraining order was to protect Show, not him. He needs his privacy. Show pledges to win the Rumble, and when he does, he's coming for the title. Lesnar laughs, asking if he thinks he actually enjoys following him around. He's only doing it to protect him from Hardcore Holly. Show reminds Lesnar that he brokes Holly's neck, so he's much more dangerous. So... what if Holly breaks YOUR neck? That just means he'll have a different Wrestlemania opponent. Other... than... you. Show then enters his locker room with his security to leave Lesnar alone in the hallway.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 3 ~

A clean-shaven (just his face) A-Train is in the ring... but out comes Dawn Marie. She says that the winner of the next match is entered into the Royal Rumble. She goes over his dimensions, and tells him he'll face a man who has defeated him before... Shannon Moore!

Match #3: A-Train vs. Shannon Moore in a Royal Rumble Qualification Match
Moore punches away Train to start but Train shoves him away several times. Moore just won't back down... and Train beels him upside down into the turnbuckles! Cover for 2. Train locks on a submission... oh god... out comes Ernest Miller and Lamont, dancing like morons. Moore with a surprise rollup, and almost scores the victory. Outside, Train swings Moore into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Train nails the Train Wreck for 3. What was the point of them coming out then disappearing? This was a squash match altogether, and only Moore's champion bumping made the only notable part of it.
Winner: A-Train
Match Rating: 1.5/10

Heyman, with his chosen team for tonight's match, tells Rhyno he wants to see him get revenge... wait, where's Big Show? Lesnar said he's hiding in his dressing room. Heyman says he's probably getting psyched up, but now it's showtime! That match against Cena & Benoit is next!

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 4 ~

We a see a video package, highlighting Holly's neck injury at the hands of Lesnar and their recent altercations since Holly's return. Holly may not have a chance in hell of winning at the Rumble, but they're building the feud nicely.

They bring a lifeguard's chair down for our next contest.

Match #4: John Cena & Chris Benoit vs. Brock Lesnar, (w/ Paul Heyman) Rhyno, Matt Morgan, & The Big Show in a Handicap Tag Match
John Cena busts a rap, saying he wants to apologize to Heyman 'cause when fatass was eating soap he should've rubbed some in his eyes, he was chewing soap as he was used to just dropping it, is his favorite Little Rascal Alfalfa or Spanky, Big Show was bobbing for apples in Heyman's bathtub, and his competition is soft. No mic-raising expletives tonight. Chris Benoit joins his partner afterwards, followed by their opponents: Lesnar, Rhyno, and Morgan. Show's music plays... but he's not coming out. They pan to the back, where a forklift is in front of Show's door, and a man is trying to move it. Lesnar is freaking out to Heyman as we cut to commercial.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 5 ~

Back from break, they're still trying to get that forklift out of the way. Heyman is trying to fire up Lesnar in his hometown, but the crowd starts a "You Tapped Out!" chants. Benoit faces Lesnar, but the champ rolls out of the ring. He comes back in, then tags Morgan in. Lockup, Benoit gets pushed into the corner. Benoit with chops and kicks aplenty. Cena in. Clubbing blows to the back of Morgan's head. He picks him up and slams him. Morgan comes back with a gut shot, then grounds Cena. Rhyno in to continue the assault in his corner. Side headlock by Rhyno. Cena pushes Rhyno out of it, but takes a shoulder knockdown. However, Cena gets up and nails the armdrag. Rhyno relentlessly keeps up the assault, and Cena, just as relentless, fights back. Clothesline by Cena gets 2. Benoit in. Benoit with a snap suplex. Cover for 2. Fists and chops by Benoit, but Rhyno whips Benoit hard to the corner, bouncing off it and falling to his face. Lesnar in. Lesnar clubs at Benoit's back, then stomps the hell outta him. Heyman is grinning from ear to ear in his high chair. Lesnar mocks Cena with his own hand gesture. Benoit with a chinbreaker, then tags in Cena. Cena with right hands and an elbow to the chest, but the champ didn't go down. Flying shoulder block does work, but only gets a two count. Lesnar takes control and works on Cena in the corner. Lesnar charges right into Cena's elbow, but Lesnar nails a vicious spinebuster. The champ is reeling, then makes a cover for 2. Another cover gets the same result. Cena stretches for a tag, but is denied. Rhyno gets tagged in as he stomps down Cena in his corner. Crisscross choke by Rhyno with his knee driving into Cena's back. The ref tends to Benoit as Lesnar comes in to assist the attack. Lesnar gets the tag and suplexes Cena. Again, he mocks Cena, but Cena takes exception and nails some right hands. Cena charges into a stiff knee to the gut by Lesnar. Lesnar drives Cena's spine into the turnbuckle, then nails some shoulders to his gut. Cena moves out of a Lesnar charge as he collides with the ring post, and Cena nails a DDT. Both men are down, and Heyman looks worried. Cena tries to reach Benoit... and Benoit's in! HE'S ON FIRE!! Benoit attacks Lesnar, then nails two German Suplexes. The third one fails when Lesnar reverses into a suplex attempt, but as a result, Rhyno accidentally Gores Lesnar!! Benoit hits Lesnar with more Germans, then its cutthroat time. Lesnar gets up and tries the F5, but Benoit reverses it in the Crossface! Rhyno breaks it up, and plants Benoit with a spinebuster. Both legal men are down. Rhyno tags in, but Benoit drop toe holds him into the second rope. Lesnar then grabs his belt and heads up the ramp. Then he gets jumped from behind by Hardcore Holly! Holly applies the Full Nelson as referees try to separate them. Lesnar cheap shots Holly, then runs away. The referees hold back an enraged Holly as we cut again to commercial. Heyman, meanwhile, is beside himself.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 6 ~

Back from break, Rhyno bodyslams Benoit as the crowd chants "You Ate Soap!" to Heyman. Rear chinlock by Rhyno. He tags in Morgan, who attacks and taunts the fallen Benoit. Rhyno gets the tag, knocking Benoit down a couple times. He tries again, but Benoit ducks and reverses it into a back suplex. Benoit stretches for the tag... but Rhyno knocks Cena off the apron. Belly-to-belly suplex by Rhyno. Rhyno looks for the Gore... and nails it! 1-2-Breakup by Cena! Morgan gets the tag. Body slam, but misses an elbow drop. Benoit takes Morgan down with an inziguiri. Cena gets the tag... HE'S ON FIRE!! Clothesline, then Throwback on Rhyno. Cena goes up top, then elbows the back of Rhyno's head! 1-2-NO! Cena keeps Morgan off the apron, but Rhyno Belly-to-Bellies him. The Gore misses, and Cena rolls him up for a near fall. Cena lifts Rhyno up for the FU... and nails it! 1-2-3!! Cena scores the pinfall! Lots of back and forth action... plenty of near falls... good story telling... This match was off the charts.
Winners: Chris Benoit & John Cena
Match Rating: 8/10

Heyman is extremely disappointed. Morgan jumps Cena, but Benoit comes in to clear the heels out of the ring. They both eye Heyman in his high chair, and Heyman is now screaming for his lift. They tip the chair over and Heyman crashes down to the ring! Big Show makes his way down upon the unsuspecting duo and levels them both. Body slam on Benoit. Hand slaps and a beel on Cena. Guerilla Slam on Benoit. Chokeslam on Cena, then Benoit. Arms crossed, Heyman laughs at his fallen enemies. Show throws Cena over the top rope, then Benoit, signifying that he has every intention on winning the Royal Rumble.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 7 ~

Recap of Show's post-match domination moments ago.

Match #5: Bradshaw vs. Akio vs. Sakoda in a Royal Rumble Qualificaiton Triple Threat
Akio and Sakoda work on Bradshaw, but he takes them both down. Elbow takedown on Ako by Bradshaw. He nails the Last Call from the 2nd rope on Sakoda, but Akio breaks up the count. Cover again, but Sakoda kicks. Jumping leg lariat on Bradshaw by Akio, then a triangle choke in the ropes. Both Japanese men work on Bradshaw, double suplexing him. Double leaping kicks on Bradshaw. Akio covers, but Sakoda breaks it up. They do it again, same result. Bradshaw evades both men, but misses the Clothesline From Hell. Sakoda kneed him out, and now Akio is fighting his partner. Bradshaw big boots Sakoda, and Akio flies off the top rope... right into the Clothesline From Hell! DAMN!! That scores the victory for Bradshaw. Lots of impressive spots here, but it wasn't quite enough to put both Japanese men over. Good enough short match, though.
Winner: Bradshaw
Match Rating: 5.5/10

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 8 ~ (anybody else notice the absense of all those Final Fantasy X-2 commercials?)

And now, the #1 Best of Billy Gunn Moment: The publicly he caused with his engagement to Chuck Palumbo in the Billy & Chuck ambiguously gay duo.

We cut to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, who go over the Royal Rumble card for the RAW side:
- The 30-man Royal Rumble Match (Goldberg coming in at #30)
- The Dudley Boyz vs. Ric Flair & Batista (c) for the World Tag Team Championships
- Triple H (c) vs. Shawn Michaels in a Last Man Standing Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Cole and Tazz pimp the SmackDown matches:
- Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Hardcore Holly for the WWE Championship
- Jamie Noble vs. Rey Mysterio (c) for the Cruiserweight Championship
- Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
- The 30-man Royal Rumble Match (Benoit coming in at #1)

Eddie Guerrero is approaching by Angle backstage, asking if he's reading. Angle sees Eddie's sadistic look, then reminds him tonight is a wrestling match. You get your revenge by winning it. He goes over Eddie's betrayal by his brother and nephew. There's a reason why Eddie never became WWE Champion: his emotions get the best of him. If he wants to beat up Chavo at the Rumble and humiliate him, fine. You team with Angle, you go by his rules. Block out all emotions and concentrate on winning. That's how he won the title and the Olympic gold. And that's how he'll win the Rumble and go on to Wrestlemania.

~ COMMERCIAL BREAK 9 ~

Video package of Rey Mysterio recording his song for the WWE Originals album.

Match #6, The Main Event: Eddie Guerrero & Kurt Angle vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Chavo Guerrero Sr.
As Los Chavitos come down the ramp, Angle is trying to restrain Eddie from going nuts. Angle starts off against Chavo Jr. with a fireman's carry. They trade waistlocks, but Angle shows his amateur wrestling experience. He grounds Chavo Jr. into a headlock. "Chavo sucks!" chant starts. Beautiful armdrag by Angle, and Chavo Jr. flees the ring. Jr. comes back in and tags in his father. Eddie is pleading for the tag. Lockup, and Chavo Sr. with some arm wringers. Elbow to Angle's face, but Angle takes him down. Eddie rushes the ring and both Chavos flee. Angle tells Eddie to cool off, pointing him back to the corner. Chavo Jr. gets tagged in. Chavo wants Eddie, so Eddie gets tagged in. They stare each other down. Eddie dekes and knocks Chavo Sr. down, then sends Chavo Jr. sailing over the ropes. Eddies goes outside, but Los Chavitos are awake enough to ambush him. Back in the ring, Eddie takes a back suplex. Chavo Sr. chokes his brother in the corner as the ref is distracted. Chavo Sr. in. Snapmare takedown into a submission hold. Chavo Jr. is in with clubbing blows to his uncle's back. Upercuts, but Eddie fights away. Chavo Sr. gets the tag, keeping Eddie down. "Chavo sucks!" Hammerlock by Chavo Sr. Eddie grabs the hair, and the ref makes him break it up. Sr. tags in Jr., who covers Eddie for 2. Eddie's in the corner, and Chavo Jr. nails a standing dropkick. Eddie nails a wicked tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Chavo Jr.! Angle's in, and HE'S ON FIRE!! 1 German per Chavo. Ankle Lock on Chavo Jr. fails, and the Angle Slam on Chavo Sr. is broken up. Eddie tags himself in. Chavo Jr. misses a clothesline and walks into a German Suplex by Angle. Eddie throws Chavo Sr. out of the ring. Angle is blinded by a bad thumb to the eyes... then mistakes Eddie for his opponent and suplexes him! The referees are aiding the injured Angle outside as Los Chavitos lead a 2 on 1 assault. Chavo Jr. goes up top... and nails the Frog Splash! 1-2-3!! Never seen Chavo Sr. compete before, and he still has some wrestling power in him. Angle stole the show here, and that strange finish was helpful in building the future Eddie/Angle feud. Great match here.
Winners: Chavo Guerrero Sr. and Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Match Rating: 6.5/10

Eddie is on his knees in defeat as both Chavos taunt him from the ramp as SmackDown goes off the air.

Final Thought: MUCH better show than last week. Lots of good matchups (minus one) with good storytelling, but the buildup for the Rumble was lacking particularly in the Holly/Lesnar feud. Everything else though was up to par. Match of the Night definitely goes to the Cena & Benoit tag match, as every minute of it was enjoyable. Overall, a pretty good show.

The last PPV I predicted was Survivor Series, and I was 7 out of 8. Here are my predicted winners for the Rumble: Triple H, Flair/Batista, Lesnar, Chavo Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, and hopes and prayers are for Chris Benoit to win the Royal Rumble.

Thank you for reading, and, as always, thoughts, feedback, and questions are welcomed. Until next week!

~ Justin "Locura" Pratt
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