Booking to Wrestlemania XX

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

WWE Raw (December 1, 2003)

 

The show starts with Eric Bischoff in the back. He is talking to Chris Jericho. He says Jericho better not be going soft on him over Trish. He offers Jericho a World title shot against Goldberg in the main event tonight. He tells him to win the match by any means necessary, no matter what Trish wants him to do. Jericho agrees.

 

Booker T vs. Test

Nothing more or less than you’d expect from these two. Stacy refuses to praise Test for anything he does. Booker wins clean with a missile dropkick. Stacy laughs at Test afterwards. Of course, the post-match spinaroonie. 6:04. **

 

Lita and Christian are shown walking in the back, laughing. Lita seems very happy. They turn a corner and see Matt Hardy kissing Molly Holly. Lita looks devastated and runs off.

 

Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade vs. Lance Storm & Val Venis

This was a good formula tag match with Cade & Jindrak playing the heels. However, they felt that they were the faces and kept trying to get the crowd behind them, with nothing but boos in response. They pick up the clean win after the double-team dropkick move on Venis. They do a face celebration afterwards to heel heat. 7:35. **3/4

 

Batista and Ric Flair are shown in the back with Scott Steiner. Flair hands him an envelope full of money and tells him to cripple Michaels tonight. Steiner smiles and walks off.

 

Batista vs. Spike Dudley

This is a huge squash made simply to put Batista over. No offense at all from Spike. Batista pulverizes him with high impact power moves, focusing on the back. He wins with a powerbomb. After the match, he powerbombs Spike through a table. 1:48. DUD

 

Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak are celebrating their win the back like it was the best thing ever. They thank their fans for staying behind them all the time and promise that they will bring home the tag titles from the Dudleys at Armageddon. Heel heat ensues.

 

Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Steiner

Steiner attacks Michaels during his entrance and rams his back into the ring post. The majority of this match is Michaels getting his back worked over by power moves from Steiner. He keeps trying to fight back but his back keeps giving out on him. The ending comes out of nowhere as Steiner goes for an overhead belly to belly, but Michaels lands on his feet and hits the sweet chin music for the win. He keeps selling the back after the match. Batista appears on the ramp and Michaels tells him to come to the ring. Flair comes out of the crowd from behind Michaels and NAILS him with a chairshot to the back. Batista comes to the ring, and Michaels is trying to pull himself up by clinging to Batista’s legs. Batista pie-faces him down to the mat and spits on him before leaving with Flair. *** 8:40

 

Randy Orton celebrates Batista’s win and the attack on Michaels with Batista & Flair in the back. Flair has changed into his wrestling gear. He says that he doesn’t care that this is a non-title match, because Orton deserves the IC belt. But he says that there won’t be much of RVD left for Orton to pick apart at Armageddon after he is done.

 

Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair

Flair uses every underhanded tactic known to wrestling to keep the advantage in this. He absolutely destroys the knee of Van Dam. It looks like Van Dam won’t be able to escape the figure four, but the referee catches Flair using the ropes for leverage and makes him break the hold. Van Dam makes the comeback, basically with one leg. He goes for the five star frog splash, but the knee is hurt and the climb takes too long. Flair crotches him on the top rope and goes for a superplex, but Van Dam switches the momentum in mid-air and lands on top, and hooks the leg for the three count. 8:53. ***

 

Jericho and Trish are shown in the back. She explains to Chris that he will feel much more satisfied about winning the World title if he can do it without cheating. She gives him a kiss for good luck, and says that once again, there will be more where that came from if he brings home the belt fair in square tonight.

 

Evolution is shown in the back celebrating all of their success tonight. Flair says he might have lost the match, but RVD will be the loser when he’s working on one leg at Armageddon against Orton. Batista talks about how Michaels will have to be in a wheelchair during their match. Triple-H says all of that is good, but after tonight, he won’t even have to be in the ring with Goldberg at Armageddon.

 

WWE World Title, Bill Goldberg © vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho plays the heel and gets another good match out of Goldberg. He lands on his feet after Goldberg moves out of the way of a lionsault, but his knee buckles and he falls down in the corner. While the ref is checking on him, Triple-H comes to the ring and nails Goldberg right on top of the head with a stiff chairshot. Goldberg is out. Triple-H makes his way back up the ramp, and Jericho didn’t see any of it. He finally gets up, limping, and sees a prone Goldberg. He covers the champ, but sees the chair and gets up after only a two count. He picks up the chair and notices a huge dent in it, and begins yelling at Triple-H down the aisleway. Trips is screaming back at him to take the win. This lasts long enough for Goldberg to recover. When Jericho turns around, he’s met with a spear and a jackhammer. Goldberg retains. Goldberg leaves, snickering at HHH as he walks by. HHH is pissed and goes to the ring to confront Jericho. Right when he steps in the ring, Kane’s music hits. Kane gets on the mic right in HHH’s face. He says to quit being a pussy about Goldberg and worry about the real obstacle in the Armageddon match: Kane. HHH looks intimidated and walks out of the ring to the back. *** (8:21)

 

 

Heat Taping

 

Jon Heidenreich vs. Rico Constantino

Rico wins with a spinkick to the face in a surprise clean finish. Rico gets on the mic afterwards and threatens to show "Little Rico" to Heidenreich, but Jackie convinces him to keep it in his pants. 3:55. 1/4*

 

Hurricane is interviewed by Terri in the back. He says tonight is the match of a lifetime and he’s going to give it his all to overcome Triple-H. Very little super hero-type talk in this interview.

 

Mark Henry vs. Rosey

Generic big man vs. big man match. Henry wins with the world’s strongest slam. 2:33. DUD

 

Tommy Dreamer and Maven are interviewed in the back by Terri. They say that there’s no room in the WWE for the French flag to fly, and they will do their best to make American proud tonight. La Resistance walks in after Dreamer & Maven leave. Rob Conway calls them idiotic Americans and says that La Resistance has had enough of their trash talking.

 

Rob Conway & Rene Dupree vs. Tommy Dreamer & Maven

This is a flag match. The losing team must wave the flag of the winning team’s country. Conway escapes a Dreamer DDT to hit a neckbreaker and win the match. Maven begins to fly the French flag to huge boos, but turns around and breaks the flag over Rene Dupree’s back. Dreamer chases Conway out of the ring with a singapore cane. Good action. 7:54. **3/4

 

Triple-H and Ric Flair are in the back. They make fun of Hurricane for thinking he’s a super hero and Triple-H talks about how this is simply a warm up match before Armageddon.

 

Triple-H vs. Hurricane Helms

Triple-H makes a rare Heat appearance here. This is a great match, trying to get Hurricane over as a legitimate threat to Triple-H. He fought back after taking everything Trips had to offer, got the crowd very hot, and got several near falls. But in the end, Trips ducked under a shining wizard and hit the pedigree for the win. 9:56. ***1/4

 

Feedback please.

[The Mandarin 0]

I thought it was awesome.

 

Evolution look really strong, Jericho and Trish are hopefully going to "geddit on", Booker T is finally winning again, and the Batista/Michaels and Dudleyz/Jindrak & Cade seem to be shaping up nicely.

 

And what I liked most is that all the results were short, and to the point. You were able to keep my attention the whole time, and I enjoyed it all.

 

Great job, can't wait to read more.

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

Thanks man.

 

I'll try to get Smackdown up before Thursday.

 

Anymore feedback?

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

Good work. More please

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

WWE Smackdown (December 4, 2003)

 

The show opens up with a video package showing all the recent success of John Cena and Chris Benoit, as well as the tie finish of the battle royal a week ago. At the end of the video, is Brock Lesnar smiling with the WWE Championship belt on his shoulder. Then, we go straight to the ring.

 

John Cena vs. Chris Benoit

Winner gets a shot at the WWE title at the Royal Rumble. This was a great 15 minute match with alot of teased near falls. The crowd doesn't know who to cheer for in this, so they are going nuts for both guys. Benoit works the shoulder the whole match. Cena musters up the last bit of strength he has to lift Benoit up for the FU, but Benoit counters right into the crossface and Cena has no choice but to tap out at 16:56. The crowd gives both men a standing ovation, and they shake hands after the match. Cena tells him to bring home the belt at the Rumble. ****1/4

 

The camera goes to Brock Lesnar in the back. Paul Heyman tells him to brush up on his submission moves, because he's making Brock's Rumble defense an I Quit match.

 

Spanky & Paul London vs. Akio & Sakoda vs. Nunzio & Shannon Moore

This is a three-way elimination match. Spanky pins Moore with Sliced Bread #2 to eliminate them at 4:53. The announcers suggest that although Moore and Nunzio are great wrestlers, their lack of experience teaming together hurt them in this match. Then, Tajiri attempts to interfere on

Akio's behalf. He goes to blow the green mist in London's eyes, but London ducks and it hits Akio. London dropkicks Tajiri off the apron and hits the London Calling on Akio for the win at 8:00. The crowd was getting into London & Spanky's high spots. London gets on the mic and

challenges Tajiri to a cruiserweight title match next week. Tajiri says no to a good amount of boos and walks to the back. ***

 

Los Guerreros are in the back. Chavo says that this is their last chance at winning the tag team titles. They have to put aside their recent differences and concentrate on making things right again, which means winning the titles back. Eddy agrees.

 

Paul London tells Heyman he wants a cruiserweight title shot. He says that London will have to prove himself a bit more before getting a match of that magnitude. He makes London vs. Billy Kidman for next week.

 

WWE Tag Team titles, The Basham Brothers © vs. Los Guerreros

The Guerreros carry the Bashams to a great match here. The Guerreros get along perfectly and the crowd is really into them. At the end, Shaniqua gets up on the apron, but Chavo irish whips Danny Basham into her, knocking her to the floor. He dropkicks Danny out of the ring. The

Guerreros hit a doubleteam belly to back suplex on Doug. Chavo hits a brainbuster as Eddy goes to the top rope. The crowd is going wild. Frog splash! Chavo keeps Danny from getting back in! The Guerreros regain the titles at 11:56! ***

 

Bob Holly cuts a promo in the back about getting revenge, breaking Brock's neck, and winning his first WWE championship.

 

WWE US title, The Big Show © vs. Rikishi

This is just a match to remind everyone that both guys are still around and Big Show is still US champion. He wins quickly with the chokeslam at 1:34. He hits a second chokeslam after the match. Scotty 2 Hotty attempts the save but suffers the same fate as his partner. Big Show gets on the mic and tells the crowd that he is unstoppable and he will never lose the US title. The crowd pops as Big Show turns around and gets GORED by RHYNO! Big Show is out and Rhyno lays the US belt out on his prone body. Rhyno is now a face again just because he took down the Big Show, who no one wants to see in the ring either way. DUD

 

Los Guerreros celebrate with Rey Misterio and Ultimo Dragon in the back. The say that they are going to be fighting champions, and agree to give Rey and Ultimo a shot at the titles if they can get past Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin tonight. Haas and Benjamin walk in and say they want a shot if they win the match, and the Guerreros agree.

 

Rey Misterio Jr. & Ultimo Dragon vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin

This is a great match with the crowd firmly behind Dragon & Rey, and Haas & Benjamin playing the heels. They work over Rey's knee to eliminate the chances of his high flying attacks. They do a long heat segment before Rey finally gets the hot tag to Dragon. Dragon dominates Haas & Benjamin with his arsenal of stiff kicks. Rey rejoins the brawl, although still limping slightly, he seems to be walking ok. Ultimo throws Haas over the top rope to the floor. He follows that up with the Asai moonsault. Haas is getting the better of Rey in the ring, but that changes when Ultimo climbs back in. In the end, in a great highspot, Dragon hoists Haas up onto his shoulders, and Rey hits a springboard hurricanrana on Haas off of Dragon's shoulders for the win at 8:57. Los Guerreros are shown in the back applauding their friends' win. ***1/2

 

In the back, Paul Heyman tells Brock that he needs to concentrate on Bob Holly tonight, instead of worrying about the Benoit match at the Rumble. Brock says not to worry, because Holly won't be walking out of the arena on his own power tonight.

 

WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar © vs. Bob Holly

This is the big payoff for Holly's injury and return feud with Brock. It turns out to be little more than a squash for the champ. Holly has the advantage early, and gets Brock in the full nelson. Brock escapes pretty soon after. Holly hits his old finisher, the falcon arrow, but Brock no sells it. He gets up and absolutely destroys Holly with a lariat. He hits three F5's in a row, but does not go for the pinfall. He puts Holly in the full nelson, lifting Holly's feet off the ground and shaking him violently. Holly has no choice but to tap at 4:58. The EMTs bring a stretcher to the ring, put Holly in a neckbrace, and wheel him down the aisle. Brock gets on the mic and says that's what you get when you're a loser trying to screw with the champ. He suggests that Chris Benoit will suffer the same fate at the Royal Rumble. *

 

Velocity Taping

 

Billy Kidman vs. A-Train

Pretty good little man vs. big man match. Crowd is into making fun of A-Train. Train overpowers Kidman for a while, but Kidman makes the comeback. A-Train cuts that short with a powerbomb attempt, but you know the rule: you can't powerbomb Kidman. A facebuster and a shooting star press later, Kidman has the clean upset win at 5:07. *3/4

 

Kidman is interviewed in the back. He says he is ready for the challenge of Paul London at Smackdown next week, and hopes to have a great match with him.

 

Matt Morgan & Nathan Jones vs. two jobbers

Pure squash. Morgan & Jones win in less than a minute after a powerbomb by Morgan. You know the rating here. DUD

 

The APA are shown playing cards in the back with Spanky and Paul London. Then the camera cuts to Johnny the Bull and Chuck Palumbo of the FBI, lifting weights and being motivated by Nunzio in the back.

 

The APA vs. The FBI

Good effort from all involved, but none are great workers so the match was strictly average. Nunzio distracts Faarooq, which gives Palumbo the chance to superkick Bradshaw. Palumbo knocks Faarooq out of the ring, and Johnny hits a top rope legdrop for the win on Bradshaw at 5:39. The announcers play up that the APA should have been training like the FBI, and maybe they would have gotten the win. *

 

Funaki interviews himself in a pretty funny bit, playing both the interviewer and the interviewee. He says that Funaki Smackdown #1 Announcah will become Smackdown #1 Cruisahweight Champion.

 

WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Yoshihiro Tajiri © vs. Sho Funaki

Great match that is given enough time to develop. London and Spanky accompany Funaki to the ring to prevent any outside interference. A great cruiserweight match ends with Tajiri getting the Kick of Death on Funaki for the clean pin at 10:32. ***1/4

 

 

More than two pieces of feedback this time, please.

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

Ok, good, no replies...

[CanadianChick 0]

Very interesting. Keep going with this.

[Adam 0]

I agree, great writing.