Guest wildpegasus Report post Posted March 13, 2004 http://www.wwe.com/news/headlines/1257239 With WrestleMania XX looming, 12 WWE Superstars and four Divas converged at Planet Hollywood in Times Square to compete in one of the most exciting and grueling tournaments in sports-entertainment history Thursday night. Men battled women, RAW Superstars took on SmackDown! Superstars and even some fellow tag team members battled each other, hoping to take home the big prize – a gourmet Techno Master watch valued at $7,000. This tournament, of course, didn’t take place in the ring; it was on Playstation 2. Jakks/ THQ, makers of the hit game SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, attracted thousands of spectators and media outlets, on an invitation-only basis, to witness the second-annual SmackDown! Video-Game Tournament. Backstage in the green room, tensions were high as Superstars strategized and scouted their competition. Many played potential opponents while practicing on a 73” high-definition projection screen TV. Some, who had never played the title before, were dazzled by a Hell in a Cell Match between Shelton Benjamin and Steven Richards –the two finalists in last year’s tournament at Fan AXXESS in Seattle, and after an intense back and forth battle, Shelton once again triumphed. Moments later, everybody was called out to begin the tourney. The first round went as follows: Shelton defeated Nidia, Matt Morgan beat Victoria, Bubba Ray Dudley eliminated D-Von, John Cena tore through A-Train, Kane defeated Rey Mysterio, Christian took out Trish Stratus, Billy Kidman walked over Torrie Wilson and Stevie eliminated the The Hurricane. In the second round, Shelton overtook Morgan, Cena defeated Bubba Ray, Kane wiped out Christian, and Stevie sent Kidman packing. With just the final four left to battle it out for the crown, the building took on a WrestleMania-like feel, as people were jumping over one another to see who was going to win the grand prize. The complex became so loud, that emcee Jonathon Coachman’s voice was drowned out. Shelton continued on his streak in the semifinals, beating the Doctor of Thuganomics. In the shock of the night, Kane defeated Stevie Richards to advance to the finals. “It really wasn’t that much of an upset,” says Kane. “I’m actually very good at picking things like this up.” As if everyone was about to see the main event of WrestleMania three days early, the masses glared at the monitor on in awe, watching Kane take on the reigning and defending SmackDown! Video-Game Champion. In the end, even the seven-foot, three-hundred pound Kane couldn’t overtake the dominant Benjamin, and the former University of Minnesota wrestling coach walked away with another first-place prize. Coming off this flashy victory, Benjamin only hopes that his streak will continue through Sunday, when he and Charlie Haas compete in the Fatal Fourway Tag Team Match at WrestleMania XX. If he’s half as dominant as he was Thursday night, we’ll be looking at new WWE Tag Team Champions Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 That's my boy, Shelton! (is more of a Shelton fan due to him giving me a free autograph) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Why wasn't Booker T involved? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toxxic 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Why wasn't Booker T involved? Because that would risk Booker T winning something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I love Wrestlemania weekend. I wish I could be in New York just to see all of this extra stuff, if not the event itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I thought from the subtitle that Triple H had won. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I had BOOKER T pegged as the winner since he's known for being a Video Gamer and even caught heat for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I was betting on Stevie to win. Damn you, Kane! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karnage 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Anyone remember who won the Karate Fighters tourney from way back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I bet Kane lost because the Undertaker possessed his controller and caused him to repeatedly run into the turnbuckle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Anyone remember who won the Karate Fighters tourney from way back? Think it was Sunny...cause they found out Lawler cheated by taping his fighter to the stand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Anyone remember who won the Karate Fighters tourney from way back? Think it was Sunny...cause they found out Lawler cheated by taping his fighter to the stand. Sable won. Sunny also cheated, using bubble gum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Anyone remember who won the Karate Fighters tourney from way back? Think it was Sunny...cause they found out Lawler cheated by taping his fighter to the stand. Sable won. Sunny also cheated, using bubble gum. OK...so I was wrong. Course, I was being punished at the time, so I had to sneak in my WWF watching. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DangerousDamon 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I guess this proves Shelton is the best Smackdown player on the Roster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 We need to bring back D'Lo. If nothing else, Shelton vs D'Lo in the video game championship would be the dream match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest I Got Banned for Sucking Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Alright Shelton, bring your ass on over to my place and we'll see who the real champion is. I thought from the subtitle that Triple H had won. Course, I was being punished at the time, so I had to sneak in my WWF watching. Haha, what for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Course, I was being punished at the time, so I had to sneak in my WWF watching. Haha, what for? I let my grades slip a bit lower than usual... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muzz 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I hope Benjamin wins a free push for his Smackdown ownage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 My CAW pimp bear would destroy Shelton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enigma 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I remember the Karate Fighters '97 tournament, which was home to the official Goldust face turn when Jerry Lawler cut his "queer" promo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
