[WWE signature intro playing]
["Rise Up" by Drowning Pool plays]
♪ And I won't be denied ♪
♪ 'Cause all I've got left is my pride ♪
♪ And I will rise up ♪
♪ Break it out, break you down Breaking rules, breaking ground ♪
♪ Had your chance, now it's gone ♪
♪ A new day, a new dawn ♪
[fireworks exploding]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ten days and counting to WrestleMania 21.
The road to Hollywood winds through Memphis, Tennessee
for SmackDown on UPN.
And tonight, a public debate between WWE Champion JBL
and number one contender John Cena.
Will Cena be able to hold his temper?
If he strikes the champion,
he will lose his title opportunity at WrestleMania.
An unenviable position for John Cena tonight.
[Tazz] Ladies and gentlemen…
check this out.
Seven-foot tall, 500 pounds,
-The Big Show! -["Big" playing]
♪ Well, it's The Big Show ♪
♪ Yes, it's a big… ♪
[Cole] Ten days away from what is being billed
the biggest match, pound-for-pound, in the history of WrestleMania.
A Sumo Match. The 7-foot, 470-pound Big Show
versus Japan's Grand Sumo Champion, Akebono.
As The Big Show told us last week,
he is not backing down from this huge challenge at WrestleMania.
♪ You won't see it comin' ♪
♪ But I promise you'll know ♪
♪ The Big Show ♪
[song fades out]
[crowd cheering]
All right. All right. All right. Well… Well, I feel very protected
right now in Memphis, I'll tell you that. [laughs]
[crowd chanting] Big Show! Big Show! Big Show! Big Show! Big Show!
[crowd cheering]
All right, let's get down to business, big man.
In just 10 days, Show, at WrestleMania,
you will be going one-on-one
with legendary Grand Sumo Champion, Akebono,
in a match that you've never competed in before, a Sumo Match.
And you know, Show, some say,
that you got an uphill battle here, the odds are against you,
reason being Akebono has a plethora of experience in sumo.
Well, Big Show, next week on SmackDown, you will be here,
and also Akebono will be on SmackDown next week
for the official weigh-in of your match at WrestleMania.
And quite frankly, big man,
you know, we're thinking that Akebono is gonna even outweigh you.
Yeah, you know, Tazz, Akebono is a real big man.
I think he's gonna outweigh me too.
You know, but the thing about it is
it doesn't matter if Akebono weighs more than me.
I'm still bigger than Akebono.
[crowd cheering]
["Reigning" playing]
[Cole] Wait a minute.
[horn honks]
[Cole] That music is for Luther Reigns. And what is this?
[honking continues]
[Cole] Is that… Is that Luther Reigns in that jeep?
Indeed it is.
Luther Reigns driving that jeep into the FedExForum here in Memphis.
What brings him out here?
[inaudible]
[Cole] Big Show perplexed as the rest of us.
[song fades out]
Big Show, I'm begging you, man.
You got to quit jacking your jaw about how big you are.
We all know you're 7-foot, 500 pounds.
You're a giant. We get it.
[crowd] What?
And ever since you signed this match with Akebono,
all you talk about is how pound-for-pound,
this is going to be the biggest match in WrestleMania history.
-[crowd] What? -Well, no kidding.
[crowd] What?
But, Big Show, you should've done your homework.
[crowd] What?
[Luther] Let me give you a little lesson.
[crowd] What?
You're in a sumo-style match.
[crowd] What?
A sumo-style match!
[crowd] What?
Let's see. Big Show, zero sumo-style matches.
Akebono, six-time Grand Sumo Champion.
You do the math, genius!
[crowd] What?
He's going to shove you around that ring like a little rag doll.
[crowd] What?
And not only are you going to embarrass yourself, Show.
[crowd] What?
You're going to embarrass Theodore Long,
and you're going to embarrass the whole SmackDown locker room,
of which I happened to be a part of.
[crowd] What?
So, the man to face Akebono at WrestleMania,
it shouldn't be you, man.
It should be me, Luther Reigns.
[crowd boos]
[Luther] And I'm going to prove it to you.
You see this jeep I drove out here, Big Show?
Weighs 4,400 pounds.
[crowd] What?
That's like… That's like a whole grip of Akebono's.
And what I'm going to do is I'm going to turn this jeep over
just like I'd turn Akebono over and ship him all the way back to Japan.
[crowd clamors]
And I'm going to do it with my bare hands.
[Cole] Let me get this straight.
Luther Reigns claims he's going to treat that jeep like Akebono,
the six-time Grand Sumo Champion, and shove that jeep around this arena.
Luther Reigns weighs near 300 pounds, he's a tough dude, but…
[Luther grunts]
[Cole] And he's trying to, uh…
[crowd shouting]
[Luther shouting]
[Cole] …tip the jeep over.
-[crowd booing] -[grunting]
[Cole] I see why Big Show's laughing. Luther Reigns brought the jeep out here,
and claimed he can push it around, and…
-[Luther shouting] -[Cole] Hasn't had much luck.
[crowd chanting] Big Show! Big Show! Big Show! Big Show! Big Show! Big Show!
[Cole] Oh man, Luther is very upset now.
Not only Big Show but thousands in this crowd
laughing at Luther as well.
What are you laughing at?
[man] You!
You laugh at me?
[Cole] And nobody can turn over the jeep. It's 4,400 pounds.
Besides the ego on this guy.
And Luther Reigns, you heard him mouth, "Are you laughing at me?" to Big Show.
And Reigns into the ring
with the left and right hands to The Big Show.
Luther Reigns taking out his frustration on the seven footer.
Uh-oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Chokeslam to Luther Reigns by a fired-up Big Show!
Not only did Luther Reigns suffer the chokeslam
at the hands of The Big Show,
but he wasn't able to tip over that 4,400-pound jeep
that Reigns brought out here.
And, partner, what do you make about what just happened?
[Tazz] Well, let's face it. That jeep is 4,400 pounds.
I mean, but like you said, no one can turn it over.
[indistinct] …jeep already.
[Cole] Well, Luther Reigns got turned over.
He got… Oh!
He got turned inside out with that chokeslam by The Big Show.
[Tazz] I'll tell you, Cole, I can't wait to…
[Cole] Big Show and Akebono square off at WrestleMania
in that Sumo Match.
[Tazz] Hey, wait. We don't think…
Big Show, what… what's Show looking at?
[Cole] He's admiring the jeep that Luther Reigns brought out here and…
-[Tazz, indistinct] -…[indistinct] tip over.
Imagine Big Show and Akebono locking up in that Sumo Match.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] You know what I think, Cole? I think I know what he's thinking.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz chuckles] Wait a minute.
[Cole] He's thinking about this.
[Tazz] Well, he's feeling it out, I guess. He's damn near taller than the thing.
[Cole] Big Show gonna try to move that jeep.
[Tazz chuckles] Oh man.
[Cole] It's a 470-pound shoulder block.
[Tazz] I tell you what, if that was Akebono,
I think that he'd be going backwards right now.
[crowd cheering and applauding]
[Tazz] Got some help here.
Stong man.
Oh, whoa, whoa, look at this, Cole.
What in… [gasps] Unbelievable!
[Cole] Big Show trying to get that jeep tipped over.
-That's 4,400 pounds, over two tons. -[Tazz] He can't do it. He can't do it.
He can't do it, Cole. He can't do it. He can't do it.
Good try, though, man. I'll tell ya. Hell of a try.
[Cole] Hell of a try. You're right.
I mean, that's over two tons of automobile.
[Tazz] He's still got that look in his eye, though, Big Show. I don't…
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] He's gonna try it again, I think.
[chuckles] Man! Look at this, Cole. Isn't…
[Cole] I can't believe he's even rocking the thing.
-[indistinct] -[Tazz] Look at this.
[Cole] Luther Reigns couldn't even budge this jeep,
and Big Show's rocking it on all fours.
-[glass shatters] -[crowd cheers]
[Tazz] Oh my God. Did you see that?
[Cole] Big Show just gave it a love pat.
[Tazz laughing] A love pat?
[crowd cheering]
[Big Show grunts]
[Cole] Oh my God. Look at this.
-[Tazz exclaims] -[Cole] Big Show did it!
Big Show just tipped over that 4,400-pound jeep!
[yelling]
[Tazz] Oh my God!
[Cole] I can't believe it.
[yells]
["Big" playing]
[Cole] I believe Big Show proved tonight, Tazz,
that he can indeed push Akebono around.
[Tazz] I'm a believer, Cole.
I am definitely a believer after seeing that.
Akebono, beware! Wow!
[Cole] And I can't wait until next week's SmackDown in Houston,
the official weigh-in between that man, The Big Show,
and the Grand Sumo Champion, Akebono.
That's over two tons of jeep.
Look at this.
[Tazz] Hell, yeah!
[yelling]
[crowd cheering]
[yelling]
…homes, and stir it up. Ese, do me a favor, just leave.
-You want me to go? You want me to leave? -I want you to go.
Hello? You need a Q-tip? Let me clean your ears. Leave.
-Okay. I'll leave. -Bye. Hasta la vista.
But not before I get something off of my chest, okay?
-Please do. -You and I…
-Yeah? -…whether you like it or not,
we're family, we're familia, we're blood, okay?
-Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don't. -Yeah, me too.
I may lie to other people, but I'm not going to lie to you,
and I know you're not going to lie to me, okay?
And what I see is Rey Mysterio doing nothing but holding you down.
-Holding me down? -Yeah.
Would you please explain yourself?
Did you see your match last week on SmackDown?
Ese, of course I saw my match, man.
-What did you see? -What did I see? Um, well… [splutters]
Rey Mysterio took advantage of the situation.
He was the legal man, and he got the victory, homes.
-We're still the champs, ese. -Legal man? When did that have…
ever have anything to do with a Guerrero match?
When did we ever follow rules, okay?
What I saw was a Guerrero doing all the work, you,
and I saw Rey Mysterio come in and steal that victory right from you.
-Right from us. Look, a Guerrero… -Guerrero?
Yeah, stealing is a Guerrero family tradition,
-not a Mysterio tradition, right? -Yeah.
How… Ask yourself, how long are you gonna let Rey Mysterio steal from you?
Hey, hey, wait, wait… Just… Don't go there, ese.
Why should I even believe a word that you got to say?
That's fine. That's fine. You don't have to listen to me.
You and I have not seen eye-to-eye in the past,
and now I'll admit that. That's okay.
Don't listen to me. Don't listen to your family.
Listen to yourself. Listen to your heart. Listen to your soul.
I know you know that you have to prove who is better,
once and for all,
Rey Mysterio or Eddie Guerrero?
[Cole] Well, Chavo putting Eddie on the spot,
but Eddie is going to have to refocus,
because later tonight, Eddie and Rey Mysterio
defend the Tag Team Titles versus the formidable team
of Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas.
Tag Team Titles are on the line tonight.
[rock music playing]
[Howard] "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan!
[Savage] We've got a new champion. Yokozuna has done it.
Yes, he's a national champion now.
[Ross] Here comes the Hulkster. Here comes Hulk Hogan.
[Fuji] My Yokozuna issues a challenge. Come on, you yellow belly. Come on.
We will put the new heavyweight belt on the line right now
if you come in the ring right now and wrestle my Yokozuna.
-[Ross] Hulk Hogan's in the ring. -[Savage] Ding-ding.
[Ross] The crowd wants him to go for it.
But now, Fuji reaching back into his kimono there,
and he's got more salt or whatever.
Oh, right in the eyes of Yokozuna.
Hogan knocks Fuji down.
Hogan with a clothesline, and down goes Yokozuna.
Hogan, oh! Hogan in the cover.
-[Savage] No. -[Ross] Hooks the leg.
-Hogan. Hulk Hogan won the title. -[Savage] I can't believe this.
-[Ross] Hulk Hogan has won the title. -[Savage] Wait a minute.
-What's going on here? -[crowd cheering raucously]
[Ross] Hulk Hogan has won the title. Listen to this crowd.
[announcer] See "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan
live at the 2005 Hall of Fame induction ceremony
as part of WrestleMania weekend.
[Tazz] And, Cole, how about this?
Not only is Hulk Hogan being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame,
but being inducted by his good friend, his real good friend, Sylvester Stallone.
[Cole] Huge news. The night before WrestleMania.
And, of course, Sylvester Stallone running that new show, The Contender,
which follows 16 professional boxers as they come to training camp
to follow their dream of becoming a champion boxer.
[Tazz] Yeah, this series tells of dramatic unscripted stories
as we watch more than a dozen athletes
follow their dreams of being the contender.
It's a great show, a lot of emotion, great show, and some great boxing also.
Yeah, Stallone and of course, boxing legend, Sugar Ray Leonard.
But how about it, Sylvester Stallone inducting Hulk Hogan into the Hall of Fame
the night before WrestleMania at the Universal Amphitheater?
I mean, you can't explain it. It's ginormous.
I mean, WrestleMania is huge. Stallone is huge.
The Hulkster in the Hall of Fame, it's cool.
And all you have to do is go to wwe.com
to get a list of all the inductors for the seven inductees
into the class of 2005 at the WWE Hall of Fame.
[entrance music playing]
[Cole] Well, there is the jeep, 4,400 pounds' worth
that was just tipped over unbelievably by The Big Show.
Orlando Jordan and the champion, JBL, can't even believe it.
[Tazz] It's… It's hard to believe.
[Cole] It's over two tons, Tazz.
Do you think Big Show is going to be able hold his own
with the Grand Sumo Champion, Akebono?
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring
is your United States Champion, Orlando Jordan,
and he's accompanied
by the WWE Champion, JBL!
[Cole] Well, by all rights, Orlando Jordan
shouldn't be anywhere with the United States Champion.
[Tazz] There's two champions, Cole. Come on.
[Cole] Three weeks ago, a calculated plot hatched by JBL.
It was Orlando versus John Cena for the United States Championship.
JBL told Jordan he was going to do it alone.
If he lost to Cena, he was going to leave The Cabinet,
but JBL surprised everyone with a bash in returning to the arena.
[Tazz] Oh, JBL's far from dumb, Cole.
That's why JBL is so successful, so wealthy.
That's why he's the… he's the WWE Champion for God's sake.
And now, Orlando Jordan is the United States Champion.
I tell you, The Cabinet is looking great.
[Cole] Well, JBL will defend his title in 10 days at WrestleMania.
A special start time, 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.
["Bangin It" playing]
[ring announcer] And from Westbrook, Maine,
weighing in at 208 pounds, Scotty 2 Hotty.
[Cole] Well, all of the Superstars in awe of that feat of strength
that The Big Show just showed us here in Memphis for SmackDown.
But Scotty better concentrate on the task at hand,
and that is JBL's "Chief of Staff" Orlando Jordan.
[Tazz] Oh, Scotty will do that. Scotty is a veteran. He knows that.
He knows that Orlando Jordan can flat-out do it.
That's why he's United States Champ.
[Cole] And, of course, the WWE Champion, JBL,
in the ring focusing not only on this match,
but the big debate against number one contender,
John Cena, later on tonight.
[Tazz] Can John Cena hold his temper, Cole?
-[Cole] Great question. -That's the question.
[Cole] He better hold his temper,
or John Cena is going to lose his title opportunity at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] JBL don't look like he's impressed with Scotty.
Oh, there's a little… There's a size difference, you know.
[Cole] What does that have to do with anything?
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, come on now.
The champion is not even involved in this matchup.
Total disrespect for Scotty 2 Hotty, and now a pie face.
That's your champion. There's your champion, Tazz.
[Tazz] He's the… He's the WWE fans' champion,
and I'm proud to say JBL is--
[Cole] Oh, look at that kick
to the side of the head by Scotty and one to Orlando Jordan.
Scotty just took the WWE Champion off his feet.
And there's a bulldog.
And Scotty could be going for it here.
[Tazz] Wait a minute. JBL is not even in this match.
What the hell is Scotty doing?
[Cole] JBL put himself into this thing. And look at Scotty.
[Tazz] JBL is knocked out.
[Cole] Here's come the worm to the WWE Champion.
[Tazz] You can't worm the champion. Come on.
[Cole] Scotty 2 Hotty delivered the worm to the WWE Champion, JBL.
Can you believe it?
Well, the champion shouldn't have stuck his nose
where it didn't belong here.
[Tazz] How did he stick his nose, Cole? What did he do?
He slapped the guy in the face with his cowboy hat. So what?
-[Cole] For no reason. -[Tazz] Uh-oh, wait.
-I got this. -[referee] You gotta stay there.
-I got this. I got this. -[referee, indistinct]
[Tazz] Did I just hear JBL say, "I got this"?
[Cole] The champion telling Orlando, "I got this."
-The champion back in the ring. -[Tazz] Whoa! Cole.
[Cole] And a kick to the midsection of Scotty.
-[bell rings] -And a clubbing blow to the back of head.
The bell rang. I guess this is an official matchup.
[Tazz] Well, I'll tell you what… Uh-oh.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. Caught in midair is Scotty. -[Tazz] Oh my God!
[Cole] Fallaway slam by the champion, JBL.
And now dropping the elbow into the sternum.
[Tazz] I'll tell you, Cole, I gotta… I gotta hand it to the champion, JBL.
He's in his street clothes. I mean, cowboy boots, you know.
Come on. He's in there with a competitor like Scotty
in just an unscheduled match.
That just shows what the WWE Champ is made of.
He's a great competitor.
[Cole] The champion all fired up
after being embarrassed by Scotty 2 Hotty and the worm.
And here's the reversal. Champ whipped into the corner.
-Uh-oh, look out. -[Tazz] Watch out!
[Cole] Clothesline from Hell exploding.
Hook of the leg.
-JBL picks up the victory. -[Tazz] Wow!
["Longhorn" playing]
[ring announcer] Here's your winner,
the WWE Champion, JBL.
[Tazz] Well, you can bet John Cena is watching this.
I tell you what, that Clothesline from Hell was nothing but impact.
[Cole] If JBL hits the Clothesline from Hell in 10 days at WrestleMania,
he will continue his history-making reign as WWE Champion.
There's absolutely no doubt about that.
[Tazz] Look at that. Look at that determined look on JBL.
The eyes tells the story, Cole, I'm telling you.
[Cole] Watch this impact.
[Tazz] Wow! What a clothesline! Look at this.
Almost turned him inside out, man.
Josh, listen, I called you here because I want the whole world to know
that tonight, I got a special guest.
It's another blast from Shawn Michaels' past.
If you thought Marty Jannetty was something,
you ain't seen nothing yet. [clicks tongue]
[Tazz] Blast from Shawn Michaels' past? Who the…
[Cole] What else does Kurt have planned?
Well, tonight, General Manager Theodore Long wants these two Divas
to finally put an end to their differences.
It's Michelle McCool versus Dawn Marie in a Cat Fight tonight.
[Cole] The FedExForum on Beale Street in Memphis,
the home of SmackDown tonight, 10 days away from WrestleMania,
where tonight, the WWE Champion, already in a foul mood
after what happened moments ago, will debate the number one contender.
A debate between JBL and John Cena here tonight.
["MacMilitant" playing]
♪ You know it's the mack militant ♪
♪ Comin' to get it on… ♪
[Cole] And there's our General Manager, Theodore Long!
♪ And striking I'm inviting you all you to the storm ♪
♪ Feel the pain that I try to contain… ♪
If you're having a good time tonight,
give me a holla, holla, holla!
[crowd] Holla, holla, holla!
Now you wanna talk about entertainment,
then take a look at this jeep
that The Big Show turned over earlier here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
Now I don't know whether I can top this or not.
But I have a impersonator here that's going to knock your socks off.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
show your love for the King of Rock and Roll,
Elvis Presley!
["Rockabilly Roadhouse" by Finn & the Sharks plays]
[Cole] The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
Well, we are in Memphis.
[Tazz] Yeah. I love Elvis.
[Cole] Yeah, Graceland right up the road.
[Tazz] Let's see.
[Cole] They got the whole room in a--
[chuckling] Oh my. I'll be damned.
It… It's King Carlito.
[Tazz] He don't look too happy either.
-[Cole laughing] -[Tazz] Is he wearing a wig? What is that?
[Cole] I don't think… I think that's his real hair.
[Tazz] I think that is his hair.
Might as well be a wig, though.
[Cole] I didn't know Carlito was an Elvis impersonator.
[Tazz] I don't think he… I don't think he knows it either.
[Cole] He's got the outfit. He got the guitar and glasses.
[Tazz] Well, Teddy Long is having a lot of fun.
[Cole] He must be the thin Elvis.
Oh, you think this is funny, huh?
[crowd cheering]
Theodore Long, you're trying to embarrass me?
[crowd cheering]
That's not cool.
[crowd cheering]
All right.
I'm going to show you all
that I can sing better than this Elvis Presley guy.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] This will be good.
[laughs]
[strums discordantly]
♪ The warden threw a party In the county jail ♪
[Cole laughs] Oh my.
[strums discordantly]
[crowd boos]
[Tazz] He's just warming up. It's not too good yet,
but we'll get there.
-[Cole] Maybe. -[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck!
-[Tazz] Hey, that's it. He's got it now. -Thank you. Thank you very much.
[Tazz] He's got it, Cole. I'm telling you.
[Cole] He's going to trip over his guitar.
[crowd boos]
[Tazz] Not a very appreciative audience here.
[Cole] And Carlito should've sung his other big hit,
"Don't Be Cool."
[Tazz] Well, he's walking back.
Well, come on. Oh, well… [chuckles]
[crowd cheering]
-Rey, Rey. -Hey, Eddie.
[speaking Spanish]
-You fired up? -Yes, I am.
I'm fired up too, homes. Yeah, man.
Not just about tonight but about WrestleMania 21.
-You know why, ese? -Yeah.
Because I've been thinking, homes.
Of what?
Me and you, we don't have a match.
-I know that. -I know, but we should.
-Yes. Yes, you know. -Yes.
I mean, who better than Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, man? It's LA.
[speaking Spanish]
-I can feel it already. -Can you feel it already, man?
-Yes, I do. I do. I do. -Oh, yeah, man.
Man, I know this matchup, we put a lot of thought, Rey,
I mean, a lot, a lot of thought, a lot of heart, and a lot of soul.
And, and… Yeah, it's like…
-You have some opponent in mind? -It's gonna be special.
-It's gonna blow the roof off the top. -Give it to me.
-Nobody's gonna be able to match it. -Give it to me.
-You want it? You wanna hear it? -Yes. Yes.
All right, man. Rey Mysterio versus Eddie Guerrero.
[both laughing]
-That would be great, huh? -Man, it would be.
-Rey, think about it. -It would be.
Think about it, homes. I mean, who could touch us, bro?
There's nobody that could keep up with us, man.
I mean, Rey Mysterio versus Eddie Guerrero.
WrestleMania 21, homes, the biggest night of the year, man.
This is history, ese vato.
-You're not serious, are you? -[laughs]
You thought I was serious.
-I knew it. -Oh man.
-Duh. -You got me. You got me.
[sighs] I'm dead serious.
Whoa.
Man, no, you're not.
[speaks Spanish]
Think about it.
Oh, Eddie…
You… you… you caught me off-guard, man.
You can't say that.
I mean, we… we gotta defend our titles right now, man.
Let's… let's talk about this later.
Damn it.
[Cole] I'll be honest with you.
I gotta question the timing by Eddie Guerrero.
I mean, Eddie and Rey have to defend their Tag Team Titles right now,
and he's talking about a match against his partner at WrestleMania?
Great.
[Tazz] I don't think he's serious. I don't think Eddie… I mean, maybe Eddie…
You never know. Eddie is… He's just joking. You know, that's Eddie.
[Cole] We gotta hope he's joking.
[crowd cheering]
["Rest in Peace" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[static]
Through the years, there have been many dragons
who try and lay siege to my kingdom,
and one by one, they all suffer the same fate…
painful defeat.
Randy Orton, I can't blame you
for trying to make a name for yourself by facing me at WrestleMania.
But you have to understand, boy,
when you slapped me across the face and jumped out of the ring like a coward,
you sealed your own destiny.
What you've done is awaken the beast.
Because the entity that had laid dormant for so long
is now awake.
The beast shall rise from the ashes,
and tonight, there will be a victim.
[crowd cheering]
And tonight, there will be a sacrifice!
[crowd cheering]
["Rest in Peace" plays]
[static]
[Cole] Now, Charlie Haas and Hardcore Holly
preparing for a Tag Title Match, but they must still be shaking
after a frightening declaration by The Undertaker moments ago
that he's going to sacrifice a victim here tonight.
["Viva La Raza" playing]
[Tazz] Yeah, I don't like the way that sounded.
[Cole] And there are the Tag Team Champions,
Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, who've got their own problems
after Eddie made that challenge moments ago…
-[Tazz] Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa. -[Cole] …at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] I don't know if there's problems. I'm telling you,
I think that Eddie Guerrero was joshing around.
He's joking around. That's all. I mean, look at…
They're in the lowrider. The 619 Cam is in hand.
Eddie's always joking.
That's what he does. That's what he does, I'm telling you.
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Approaching the ring, at a combined weight of 398 pounds,
they're the Tag Team Champions,
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] Eddie and Rey defending the Tag Team Titles here tonight
against Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas. But I tell you, I got…
I got a terribly uneasy feeling here after those ominous words moments ago
from The Undertaker that the beast has been awakened,
and there will be a victim and a… and a sacrifice here tonight on SmackDown.
[Tazz] Is it gonna be one of these guys in the ring.
I mean, is it gonna be…
[Cole] Is it gonna be you? Is it gonna be me?
[Tazz] What do you mean? It's not gonna be me.
[Cole] Tony Chimel, the ring announcer? Gonna be one of these fans?
It could be anybody.
-[Tazz] What do you mean me? -[Cole] Well, I don't know. I don't know.
Well, I'll tell you.
Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas… Think about this.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Perhaps the champions are ripe
for the picking here tonight for two reasons.
Number one, Eddie Guerrero made that challenge to Rey Mysterio
for WrestleMania moments ago.
And number two, this Undertaker situation may have people uneasy here tonight.
Perhaps, it's Holly and Haas' night in Memphis on SmackDown.
[crowd chanting] Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!
[Cole] The Eddie chants beginning.
Lock-up center of the ring between Eddie Guerrero and Hardcore Holly.
What a strange night it's been. The challenge, The Undertaker,
Kurt Angle promising a blast from Shawn Michaels' past here tonight.
[Tazz] It's SmackDown. That happens. I'm telling you.
[Cole] Carlito pretending he was Elvis.
And look at this. Eddie into the front facelock of Hardcore Holly.
[Tazz] Eddie Guerrero, great quickness, going over that front headlock now.
Shootin' off the side headlock. Nice shoulder block by Guerrero.
[Cole] Eddie Guerrero up over the top of Hardcore Holly.
Look at the leap frog by Hardcore.
And there's the dropkick right on the button.
Hook of the leg. Tag Titles on the line.
And Eddie kicks out at two.
[Tazz] Hardcore Holly possesses one of the best dropkicks in the game today,
bar none, I'm telling you.
[Cole] Charlie Haas in off the tag and I'll tell you,
we've seen Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas in Velocity the past few weeks.
Hell of a tag team. Really have worked their way
into number one contender status here in the tag team ranks.
The veteran in Holly, the former amateur wrestler, Charlie Haas.
But it's hard to combat Eddie Guerrero's cheating style sometimes
as Rey comes in off the tag.
[Tazz] If it was anybody else, you'd be jumping all over 'em that they cheated.
But it's Guerrero then it's funny, right, Cole? That's your deal. I don't get that.
[Cole] I didn't say it was funny. It's just the family tradition.
-[Tazz] Whoa! Oh! -Rey Mysterio with that big shoulder
to the gut of Charlie Haas, and look at Rey Mysterio baiting Haas in.
[Tazz] He's so quick, Cole. He's so fast, and you know what's coming.
-[Cole] Off the drop toehold. -[Tazz] Off the--
[Cole] Wait a minute.
-[thunder rumbles] -[Cole] Oh my God!
[Tazz] Oh, no, no. Is this it? Is this the time? Is it--
[Cole] Is this the time for the sacrifice?
[Tazz] Well…
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Where is he?
[Tazz] I don't… What…
[Cole] Oh, look at this.
Off the suplex, here's the hook of the leg,
shoulders down, Eddie breaks up the three-count.
Before the commercial break,
Rey Mysterio looked like he was ready for the 619,
perhaps going to put this matchup away.
The lights went out, and it cost the champions momentum here.
And the Tag Team Titles are on the line.
Hardcore Holly and Charlie Haas against the champions Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero
here on SmackDown from Memphis, Tennessee,
-as the 619 chants begin. -[crowd chanting] 619! 619!
619! 619! 619!
[Tazz] Well, you know, may…
Cole, maybe The Undertaker was just warning somebody in the ring.
[Tazz spluttering]
[Cole] Maybe he was warning one of us. Maybe he was warning anyone here.
I don't know who the victim will be.
[Tazz] Well, don't say us. I mean, I'm on my own here, okay?
Don't include me with you.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio trying to battle out of this thing.
It's hard enough for the champions to defend the titles here.
We're going to have this situation with The Undertaker
weighing on everyone's mind.
Mysterio whipped through to the corner.
Back elbow catches Charlie Haas in the jaw.
Another elbow by Rey Mysterio.
The guts and resilience of one half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Tazz] And the speed of Mysterio, the athleticism. Look at this!
[Cole] There's the great balance. Seated senton off the top rope.
And just when you think Mysterio is down and out,
he'll pull something out of his bag of tricks
to get the momentum back on his side.
-[Holly] Tag. Come on, Charlie. -[Tazz] I'll tell you what,
I'd love to see that one-on-one matchup between Guerrero and Mysterio.
-Me too. -I'd love to see it.
[Cole] Eddie comes in off the tag.
And for those of you just joining us, before this matchup started,
Eddie Guerrero made a challenge
to meet his own partner, Rey Mysterio, in a one-on-one matchup.
[Tazz] Wait a minute. We don't know if it was a serious challenge or not.
[Cole] Oh! Great dropkick knocking Holly off the apron.
And Eddie Guerrero is rolling here with his Tag Team Titles up for grabs.
Suplex, going for the Three Amigos.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] In the home of the Memphis Grizzlies,
we're going to have our own three-pointer tonight.
[Tazz] Well, Cole, we got to wonder if there is ever a one-on-one matchup
at WrestleMania with Mysterio and Guerrero, would they still…
What will happen at the end of the match? Will they still be Tag Team Champs?
Will they still be amigos? You never know. Whoa!
[Cole] Eddie Guerrero went for the frog splash,
rolled through, as Charlie Haas rolled out of the way.
[Tazz] Uh-oh, watch out.
[Cole] Hardcore Holly from behind, turning that full nelson into a slam.
[Tazz] Yeah, that full nelson driver right there by Hardcore Holly.
Great time for Hardcore to nail that on Guerrero.
[Cole] And Charlie Haas crawling toward the cover.
Tag Team Championship up for grabs. Will we crown new champions?
No. A kickout at two by Eddie Guerrero.
[Tazz] I'll tell you, Hardcore and Haas,
they're giving the champions a run for their money here.
It's a great competitive matchup. Oh!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio knocked off the apron by Charlie Haas.
Go-behind to Eddie Guerrero.
[Tazz] The stand and switch right there. Guerrero trying to elbow out of it.
[Cole] Well, look at this. Face-first, Charlie Haas planting Eddie.
Uh-oh, Charlie Haas.
-Here's that submission maneuver here. -[Tazz] Oh man!
[Cole] Eddie Guerrero's in trouble. Will the champion tap out?
Will Haas and Holly win the Tag Team Titles?
[Tazz] Oh, he's got that Haas of Pain on there.
That is an excruciating hold.
[Cole] And look at Rey Mysterio.
Droppin' Da Dime across the throat of Charlie Haas,
perhaps saving the gold for his team.
[Tazz] Holly now got Mysterio.
[Cole] And Mysterio with a right hand.
[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Cole] Taking Holly and himself over the top rope.
[Tazz] What a matchup here.
[Cole] Eddie Guerrero feeling the effects of that Haas of Pain.
[Tazz] Oh!
[Cole] Charlie Haas as Eddie Guerrero sidestepped
Haas' shoulder into the second turnbuckle.
[Tazz] Well, Haas was big-time overzealous there.
Guerrero got him. And now Haas is on the top turnbuckle.
-Whoa! What's this? Look at this. -[Cole] Mysterio launched by Eddie.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] A hurricanrana.
-[Tazz] God! -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] That's amazing, man. Look at that.
[Cole] And now launched again into Hardcore Holly.
Eddie and Rey working as a well-oiled team here.
[Tazz] That's why they're the champions. Frog splash!
[Cole] Frog splash by Guerrero, the legal man.
-Hook of the leg. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-Eddie and Rey retain the Tag Team Titles. -[bell rings]
["Viva La Raza" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[ring announcer] Here are your winners and still WWE Tag Team Champions,
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] This matchup for the champions is all about teamwork, Tazz.
[Tazz] You're right. There you see Guerrero, whoa, and Mysterio. Beautiful.
That backdrop into that plancha onto Holly,
and then check out Guerrero.
[Cole] The frog splash helps Eddie and Rey pick up the victory
-and retain the Tag Team Titles. -[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Rey] I wanna make sure that what you said back there.
You were serious about wanting to wrestle me at WrestleMania?
[inaudible]
You were dead serious when you said,
"Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero
are going to tear the house down at WrestleMania 21."
[crowd cheering]
You were serious about that.
[indistinct]
[crowd cheering and applauding]
I love you, man.
And I'm dead serious when I say this.
I accept your challenge.
[crowd cheering]
WrestleMania 21,
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio are going to tear the house down.
Yeah!
["619" playing]
-[Cole] I can't believe this. -[Tazz] Wow!
[Cole] But what I believe is that the first time in WWE history,
co-holders of the Tag Team Titles will compete against each other
on the grandest stage of all, WrestleMania.
Eddie and Rey get it on in 10 days at WrestleMania.
-[Tazz] Well, I hope it don't-- -[Cole] Wow!
[Tazz] Hope it doesn't alter the course of their career as Tag Team Champions.
But, Cole, check this out. Tonight we got a Cat Fight in the house.
It's Michelle McCool versus Dawn Marie. This should be pretty, uh, fun to watch.
[Cole] But coming up next, Kurt Angle,
and his promise to bring us someone from Shawn Michaels' past.
Who is it? We'll find out next.
["I Won't Do What You Tell Me" playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, the Baddest Man on the Planet,
"Iron" Mike Tyson!
At WrestleMania, in this very ring,
"Iron" Mike Tyson…
-[glass shattering] -What?
["I Won't Do What You Tell Me" playing]
[Kevin] Mike Tyson is standing in Stone Cold's ring.
Let me make it short and sweet.
What I'm telling you is I wanna a piece of Mike Tyson's [bleep].
[crowd cheering]
I respect what you've done, Mike.
But you're out here, calling yourself the Baddest Man on the Planet.
Right now, you got your little beady eyes locked on the eyes
of the World's Toughest Son of a [bleep]!
[crowd cheering]
But if you don't understand what I'm saying,
I always got a little bit of sign language.
So, here's to you.
-[Ross] Whoa! -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Whoa, here we go.
-[Kevin] All hell has broken loose. -[Ross] Look at this.
[Kevin] Tyson wants Austin. Austin wants Tyson.
-You ruined it! You ruined it, damn it! -[Kevin] Come on!
["I Won't Do What You Tell Me" plays]
[Cole] And 10 days away from WrestleMania,
and the return two of the most controversial
say-what-you-mean Superstars in WWE history,
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper hosts Piper's Pit.
It becomes a rattlesnake pit with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
involved at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] Oh man, I can't wait to see that.
["Sexy Boy" playing]
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Whoa!
-[Cole] Oh my! -[Tazz] What the hell?
[Cole] HBK?
[Tazz] The Showstopper!
Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Wait a minute.
[Tazz] What?
[Cole] That's Kurt Angle.
What is this all about?
♪ I'm just a sexy boy ♪
♪ I'm not your boy toy… ♪
[fireworks exploding]
[Cole] Well, you know, Kurt Angle promised to take just four weeks to accomplish
all that Shawn Michaels has accomplished in his illustrious career.
I guess this is more of that.
[Tazz] I… What is he doing? What…
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Who the hell is that?
[Cole] Oh my.
-[Tazz] No. -[Cole] Oh my.
[Tazz] Is that… Is that…
[Cole] That's "Sensational" Sherri.
[Tazz] What the hell?
[Cole] She was Shawn Michaels' manager years ago.
-So this must be the blast from the-- -[Tazz] She's about to…
She's about ready to fall out of the dress.
[Cole] So this is the blast from Shawn Michaels' past
that Angle promised.
[Tazz] Where the hell did Kurt Angle dig her up from?
[Cole] Last week, it was Marty Jannetty, Shawn Michaels' tag team partner.
This week, his former manager, "Sensational" Sherri.
[Tazz] I'm shocked. I really am.
[Tazz] Kurt Angle's doing the whole shebang, the whole--
[Cole] Shawn Michaels' pose, the entrance.
[Tazz] The whole thing.
Look at this, whoa. Oh.
Well, see that, that… That's a Shawn Michaels' used to do.
You remember.
[Cole] This is vintage Shawn Michaels, but it's Kurt Angle who's doing it.
[Tazz] You know, amazingly, she still has all her teeth, Cole.
And I think there's something to be said for that.
[song fades out]
Now that's how you do an entrance.
People, from the start, I said that I would outdo Shawn Michaels,
and I proved that I was a better athlete.
And tonight, I'm going to prove that I'm a better entertainer as well.
Now with me is a woman
who turned Shawn Michaels from a nobody to a somebody.
Shawn Michaels' first manager,
the beautiful "Sensational" Sherri.
[crowd cheering]
Now, Sherri, we all know
that you helped out Shawn quite a bit earlier in his career,
but obviously, I didn't need anyone's help when I won the Olympic gold medal,
but that's beside the point.
The point is your influence on Shawn still lives today.
Every time HBK's music is played,
everyone around the world knows that it's your voice, Sherri,
that's screaming Shawn Michaels' name.
[crowd] What?
Now me personally,
I think that song sucks.
[crowd] What?
No offense.
I mean, Shawn Michaels thinks he's so great
because he sang his own song.
[crowd chanting] You suck!
Well, Shawn…
as I've been telling you, anything you can do…
[chanting continues] You suck! You suck!
…we can do better.
Hit the music.
[Cole] What does he mean by that?
-[music playing] -♪ Oh! Oh, Shawn ♪
♪ I think I'm cute ♪
-♪ I've got gold medals ♪ -[Cole] Oh my.
♪ I've got the moves That makes them all tap out ♪
♪ The Angle Slam, the ankle lock ♪
♪ Marty Jannetty ♪
♪ Still can't walk I'm just a sexy Kurt ♪
♪ Sexy Kurt ♪
♪ I'll make your ankle hurt ♪
♪ Ankle hurt ♪
♪ I'm just a sexy Kurt ♪
♪ Sexy Kurt ♪
♪ I'll make your ankle hurt ♪
♪ Ankle hurt ♪
♪ Whoo ♪
That's right, Shawn. Eat your heart out.
Hands off the merchandise.
Whoo!
[Tazz] I'll tell you, that's tremendous, Cole. I mean…
-[Cole] Tremendous? -[Tazz] Kurt Angle is…
-That song was phenomenal. -[Shawn] Kurt?
[Shawn whistles] Yo.
Up here. Kurt.
[crowd cheering]
I know, I know, I know.
I'm sorry to interrupt the, uh, the big party.
But hello, Sherri.
You know, I have to say you look…
You look as beautiful as ever, and uh…
And that's not true really.
You don't, uh… You don't look… You don't look that good.
Um… But anyway, you know, last week,
both myself and all the fans of Raw
were nice enough to sit through a retrospective
of Kurt Angle accomplishments.
So, I was hoping perhaps you
and the fans of SmackDown would show me the same respect.
So here's a little nugget of, uh, accomplishments by yours truly,
"The Heartbreak Kid"
Shawn Michaels, "The Showstopper."
[dramatic music playing]
[Shawn] I will give you a show
like you have never ever seen before. Why?
Because I can.
[Ross] Whether you love Shawn Michaels or you hate him,
it's really irrelevant.
He's a magnificent athlete with a tremendous fighting spirit.
[Shawn] The Heartbreak Kid lays down
for absolutely nobody.
[upbeat music playing]
[Ross] Shawn Michaels is like a pit bull dog.
He doesn't know how big or how little he really is.
He doesn't really give a damn.
[Shawn] I am simply the very best sports entertainer
in the world!
[Ross] Nobody has ever, ever outperformed Shawn Michaels
in a big match situation.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The man is turning up their favorite song.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator] He's calling for the Sweet Chin Music.
["Signals" by Oliver Vessey & James Copperthwaite plays]
[Cole] Michaels got him with that superkick right in the jaw.
[Ross] Sweet Chin Music!
[commentator] Michaels out of nowhere.
[Vince] Michaels said, "You got it." You got all of it. Michaels got all of it.
Michaels in the cover.
One, two… Yeah.
The boyhood dream has come true
for Shawn Michaels.
[Shawn] Winning my first WWE Title at a WrestleMania
is as good as you can ask for. It's the biggest show in our business.
Kurt Angle, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
is a doormat for absolutely nobody.
You see, Kurt Angle, despite all the accolades,
you have never had the chance
to go to the biggest stage of them all
against Mr. WrestleMania.
And on April 3rd in Los Angeles, California,
you're going to get your chance
to find out why they call me The Showstopper.
[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
I was watching. I was remembering.
That's part of my history and… [indistinct].
You're going to WrestleMania, so I was thinking…
-[Cole] Oh man. -[Tazz] Wait a minute. What is this? No.
-[Cole] The ankle lock. -Kurt, no!
[Cole] What is Kurt Angle doing?
-[screams] -[Tazz] What?
Kurt. Somebody stop this damn thing.
[screams]
[Tazz] Oh my God!
What the hell is the matter with Angle?
[Cole] Kurt Angle thought that Sherri was laughing at him.
[Tazz] Look at this now. The ankle lock again.
This is Shawn Michaels!
Shawn Michaels, you are--
[Tazz] He snapped, Cole.
Shawn Michaels!
[Cole] Kurt Angle saying, "This is Shawn Michaels."
[Tazz] I got to say, Cole, this is a… This is a cowardly thing to do.
As decorated as Angle is, this is so cowardly.
[Cole] Well, HBK giving Kurt Angle a dose of his own medicine.
[Tazz] Yeah, but that… But that's not Shawn Michaels, Cole.
-Come on! -[Cole] Of course it isn't.
But Shawn Michaels threw Kurt Angle way off his game tonight,
and as you mentioned, Angle snapped.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Kurt Angle is obsessed with being better,
with being a step ahead of Shawn Michaels.
HBK's action sent Angle over the edge tonight,
but what he did to that poor woman is absolutely pitiful.
["Hammer Jammer" playing]
[Cole] I'm absolutely disgusted with the actions of Kurt Angle moments ago,
the ankle lock to "Sensational" Sherri.
[Tazz] Damn it, Cole, you can't grieve forever,
and I'll tell you what, this will perk you up.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] Following contest is a Cat Fight.
Making her way to the ring, Dawn Marie!
[Tazz] Speaking of Cat Fight, she's quite the vixen.
You know what I'm saying?
Well, tonight WWE SmackDown
is being brought to you by Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, coming soon.
[Cole] And by Guess Who, starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac,
in theaters March 25th.
[Tazz] And by Big Lots!
Smart shopping means Big Lots!
Brand names, close-out prices.
Happy feet. I'm happy.
["Move It Up" playing]
[Cole] So am I. We got a Cat Fight.
[ring announcer] And making her way to the ring, Michelle McCool!
[Cole] Well, nonetheless, Michelle McCool
and Dawn Marie have been going at it since No Way Out.
Remember the rookie Diva search competition
when Michelle McCool punked Dawn Marie in a slam
after Dawn Marie had been running her mouth the entire night?
[Tazz] I remember that. I remember it, sure.
[Cole] Then last week when Michelle and Dawn Marie got into it
during the St. Patrick's Day festivities.
Well, Dawn hoping to beat the rookie Diva Michelle--
[Tazz] So, Cole, how do you know all this?
Are you… Do you keep these things taped on your shelf to watch them every night?
What's your story?
[Cole] I do my job, Tazz.
That's my job, is to keep people up-to-date.
-I think you got-- -I have a great memory.
[Tazz] I think you got a pornographic memory.
[Cole] Whoa! And look at Dawn Marie, wasting little time.
Snapmare takedown on Michelle McCool,
and Dawn Marie would like to teach a lesson
-to this rookie Diva here tonight. -[Tazz] Oh my God.
-[Cole] Wasting little time. -Get on your knees.
-[Robinson] Not her hair. -[Tazz] Wow.
-[Cole] Well, I still can't get over it. -[Tazz] Ooh!
[Cole] Oh man.
[Tazz] Face-first into her own knee, Dawn throwing Michelle.
[Cole] Dawn Marie, another snapmare, and really taking it to Michelle McCool,
and kick on the kidney.
[Tazz] I think the Cat Fight… But I don't like when the girls,
their faces get all messed up and smashed up.
I don't like that part. I don't like that. What about you?
[Cole] I don't like it either but…
Whoa. Dawn Marie is trying…
-[Tazz] What's she doing? -[Cole] …to loosen the…
She did. Took off the turnbuckle's protection pad.
[Tazz] Yup.
[Cole] And then Michelle McCool taking down Dawn Marie.
[Tazz] I'm telling you, Michelle's feisty here.
[Cole] Dawn Marie trying to put her in her place.
Michelle trying to hold her ground.
[Tazz] Michelle is quite the athlete, though.
-You know, she's got a… Oh! -[Cole] She's got a gymnast background.
A fitness trainer. She knows how to kick too.
[Tazz] She's very good at kicking people in the small of their back,
like you just saw there with Dawn Marie. Again.
[Cole] Dawn Marie in trouble here.
Michelle McCool bounces Dawn Marie off the barricade!
And again.
[Tazz] I don't like that part. I mean, you know…
[Cole] The rookie label on Michelle McCool.
[Tazz] This is not… This is…
-[Cole] Oh, whoa, hey! -[Tazz] Hey, now. Hey, now.
Well, this is… [chuckles]
[Cole] Look at this cover by Michelle, hook to the leg,
and Dawn Marie just kicked out.
-[Tazz] So is that legal? -[Cole] …not liking about Cat Fight?
[Tazz] So that's legal in a Cat Fight? You know all the Cat Fight rules obviously.
I mean, what do you think? It's an accident?
[Cole] Pretty much anything goes in a Cat Fight, I'd imagine.
[Tazz] You've been in several, right?
-Whoa! -[Cole] Oh, look at this.
[Tazz] Well, trying to move to the monitor right now and tell me if this…
[Cole] Oh. Wait a minute. Wait…
-[Tazz] No. -[Cole] Oh no, not here.
-[Tazz] No! -[Cole indistinct]
[Tazz] Not now!
[Cole] Undertaker promised to take a victim
and promised a sacrifice tonight.
[Tazz] Hope it's not one of these girls. I…
[Cole] And again, it has to be.
[Tazz] That's the thing that's even wackier about it. Maybe it looks like…
[Cole] The Undertaker had said the beast had awaken--
[Tazz] Look at Michelle. Look at Michelle alone.
[Cole] And a kick to the gut by Dawn Marie.
Beating the hell out of each other, these girls tonight on SmackDown,
a match set up by General Manager Theodore Long.
-Oh. -[Tazz] Oh.
[Cole] Drop toe-hold into that bottom turnbuckle.
[Tazz] Yeah, I think she hit the upper pectoral region.
[Cole] She hit her head.
[Tazz] Oh, that's not upper pectoral.
[Cole] Oh, and off that exposed turnbuckle.
[Tazz] That hurt. That definitely hurt. That's…
That's enough probably to do her in, actually.
-[Cole] And Dawn Marie… -She's stacking her up here.
…using the ropes for leverage
and Dawn Marie had to cheat her way to victory…
["Hammer Jammer" plays]
[Cole] …over Michelle McCool.
[ring announcer] Here's your winner, Dawn Marie!
That's why I'm the… [indistinct]
You'll never make it! Never!
[speaking Spanish]
[Funaki] Carlito, Carlito.
Funaki, SmackDown number one announcer.
Where are you going?
Going? I'm just taking a break.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Looks like you are leaving early.
Oh, so you're going to tell on Carlito, huh?
You think it's funny having Carlito dress up
like some has-been rock and roll guy?
Elvis was never as cool as Carlito.
If… If Elvis was here right now…
I would spit in his face.
[crowd boos]
-[ominous music playing] -[man 1] Taxi Driver, take one.
Don't even try it.
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to Heidenreich?
-[screams] -[beep]
[man 2] Take 39.
So, what's the line, man?
[man 1] "Are you talking to me?"
Yeah, I'm talking to you. [laughs] What's the line?
[man 1] "Are you talking to me?"
-[beep] -Talking to me?
-Are you talking to me? -Are you talking to me?
You talking to us?
[beep]
[man 3] Cut. Re-frame.
[beep]
Are you talking to me?
Talking to me?
[speaking Japanese]
-[beep] -So, what am I saying?
[man 1] "Are you talking to me?" Go ahead.
You got to be kidding me, man. Is this a joke?
[beep]
-Are you talking to me? What? -[fabric tearing]
Oh, come on.
-[beep] -You talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
Are you talk--
That wasn't my fault.
-[beep] -[man 1] Jacket okay, Show?
Jacket's fine.
Can we do this? Are you ready?
-[sighs heavily] -[man 1] Roll camera.
You talking to me?
[beep]
[chuckles]
[man 1] Could we lose the apple, please?
[spits] That's not cool.
-[beep] -You talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
You must be talking to me.
I'm the only one here.
-[beep] -[man 1] That's great.
Uh, anything else you wanna show us?
I can do this.
[sensual music playing]
[man 1] See me after the shoot, please.
-[beep] -So seriously, man, what's the line?
[man 1] "Are you talking to me?"
[inhales sharply]
Forget about this. I'm out of here, man.
-[beep] -Camera, are you ready?
Wardrobe, microphone?
[exhales sharply] Here we go.
[breathes deeply]
[announcer] WrestleMania goes Hollywood.
Live, Sunday April 3rd, only on pay-per-view.
[man 1] Thanks, everyone. That's a wrap.
Come here. [grunts]
[ominous music playing]
[man 3] Uh, excuse me, sir. Can I help you?
You talking to me?
[beep]
Are you talking to me?
Don't do it again.
I mean, with all the T-shirts we have with WrestleMania 21,
I mean, don't we have a T-shirt to put on you?
You got to be up there. It was disturbing.
-Nonetheless-- -It was disturbing to watch.
You know, voting starts tonight at wwe.com…
Yo, you're not going to win. I can tell you that.
…for the WrestleMania trailer awards.
You can vote for your favorite Superstars.
It's like, you know, the Oscars or the Academy Awards…
-Yeah. -…for the WWE in WrestleMania.
Here is the list of the categories that you can vote for.
[Tazz] Check this out, Cole. It's pretty cool, look at that.
The one you're not going to win, the favorite male performance.
[Cole] Well, what about the "You Talking To Me" award?
[Tazz] Again, you won't win that one either.
But it's pretty cool. Best punch line… Eddie Guerrero, I like it when he goes,
"You know what they call WrestleMania in France?"
-[Cole] What? -[Tazz] "WrestleMania."
[Cole] Well, speaking of Eddie, I believe Eddie--
["Can You Dig It" playing]
[Cole] And this man, Booker T, should be nominated
or should win the best tag team on screen category.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Can you dig it, sucka? ♪
[fireworks explode]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Houston, Texas,
weighing in at 256 pounds, Booker T!
[Cole] SmackDown's final stop on the Road to WrestleMania
takes place next week
in Booker T's hometown of Houston, Texas, at Reliant Arena.
And can you imagine what's going to transpire next week on SmackDown?
We already know.
We're going to have The Big Show-Akebono weigh-in
for the Sumo Match at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] No doubt! Houston SmackDown just a few days away from WrestleMania
in Hollywood, and there's the Book man right there, looking sharp.
["Final Force" by Alec Williams & Chieli Minucci plays]
[ring announcer] And being accompanied to the ring by Fifi,
from Paris, France,
weighing in at 260 pounds,
René Duprée.
[Tazz] You know, I'm wondering, you know, with… So like…
With Fifi, so when he flies around, René, he ships his dog in a box,
or how does that work with the pets?
-[Cole] Well, it's common in air freight. -[Tazz] Yeah.
[Cole] You can actually put your dog in a crate
and put it on the airplane like baggage.
[Tazz] How come you know so much about dogs?
[Cole] I have three of them.
[Tazz] I thought maybe you dated one back in the past.
-You have three dogs? -[Cole] Yeah.
And anyhow, René Duprée
and Booker T set to go one-on-one here tonight on SmackDown.
And still to come, we have the JBL-John Cena debate.
And the big question is, can John Cena hold his temper tonight in the debate
and not physically touch JBL?
If he does lay a hand on him, forget about it.
[bell rings]
[Cole] John Cena will lose his title opportunity at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] I don't know if that's fair or not either.
I mean, a guy could entice you enough to snap, you know.
[Cole] Well, the rules were laid down by General Manager Theodore Long
after John Cena put his hands
on the General Manager a couple of weeks ago.
[Tazz] Remember how close Cena was last week
to almost snapping on JBL with the steel chair?
[Cole] And Booker T goes to work on René Duprée.
High elbow by Duprée backing Booker T up.
[Tazz] Sporting a hammerlock, René, and he got out of that.
Ooh! Now, two tremendous athletes right here.
You can see just by their… their physical condition.
[Cole] Oh!
Nice heel kick by Booker T to the jaw.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] And the French man there coming back now on Booker.
[Cole] Oh.
And look at Booker T whipped across the ring with authority by Duprée.
High boot catches René Duprée on the jaw.
And look at this scoop slam by Duprée.
Here's the hook of the leg, shoulders down.
Duprée almost had him. Booker T kicked out at two.
[shouting]
[Cole] Again into the corner, and again, René Duprée,
so much promise and talent in this young athlete.
Duprée stomping away at the midsection of Booker T.
The so-called French Phenom.
[Tazz] Oh, and there it is, French Tickler.
I'm a French man. I'm doing a French tickler dance.
-Look at that, that's an extra-long one. -[gong sounds]
-[Cole] Wait a minute! Oh my! -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Oh, we seen this earlier, though.
[Cole] Undertaker promised a sacrifice tonight.
[Tazz] We seen this a couple of times. I mean, what's…
So far, nothing.
["Rest in Peace" by Jim Johnston plays]
[Cole] All right. Perhaps another false alarm.
-[Tazz] I don't… -[Cole] Well…
[Tazz] I don't… I don't…
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] I don't think so. -[Tazz] Well, this is not a…
-Oh my God! -[Cole] The Undertaker is in the ring.
René Duprée has no clue.
[Tazz] Oh my God!
[Cole] Booker T getting out of town.
Where are you going?
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] I believe the Deadman-- -[Tazz] Can't René feel the cold?
[Cole] Oh no!
[Tazz] I believe the Deadman has chosen his victim.
A chokeslam!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] A chokeslam to René Duprée.
Undertaker, seemingly from out of the air…
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Oh!
[Cole] And the look of intensity in the eyes of the Deadman…
Duprée shoulder-first into the steel steps.
[Tazz] And Undertaker is focused on his victim.
[Cole] Oh my! Oh my!
[Tazz] Oh my God! Oh my God!
[Cole] Duprée, steel steps off the skull.
[Tazz] Wow!
The message is being sent to Randy Orton, Cole.
You know he's somewhere right now watching this.
[Cole] Undertaker claiming Orton has sealed his destiny at WrestleMania.
-Undertaker with his victim tonight… -[Tazz] Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
-[Cole] Oh, no, no. No, no. -[Tazz] Oh no! No!
[Cole] No, Deadman, please. Not the steel steps.
[Tazz] Don't do it! Not the steel steps!
[Cole] Tombstone Piledriver on the steel steps to René Duprée.
[gong sounds]
[Tazz] Oh, God.
[Cole] The Undertaker promised a sacrifice.
["Rest in Peace" playing]
[Cole] The beast has indeed risen from the ashes.
[Tazz] Look, this kid needs help. René needs help. Wow.
[Cole] Well, moments ago, The Undertaker making good
on his promise to sacrifice a victim tonight.
It was Booker T versus René Duprée.
Undertaker would appear after a blackout, and it was a vicious, a violent assault,
a frightening assault on René Duprée.
[Tazz] If you are… If you are Randy Orton sitting home, someplace, wherever…
[Cole] My God!
[Tazz] …watching this…
You know, Randy Orton claims that he doesn't fear The Undertaker.
But I tell you what, if I'm "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton,
I might start rethinking that.
-Perhaps, Randy Orton-- -It's been a crazy night.
Perhaps Randy Orton is the ultimate sacrifice at WrestleMania.
And unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen,
we can tell you that René Duprée has been rushed
to a local medical facility to receive medical attention.
When we get an update, we'll pass it along to you,
but it has been a wild night.
The situation with Kurt Angle
putting the ankle lock on "Sensational" Sherri.
And now, here comes the General Manager, Theodore Long.
["MacMilitant" playing]
[Cole] And, of course, there is the jeep that The Big Show tipped over.
4,400 pounds of jeep, Big Show tipped over earlier tonight,
sending a message to Akebono.
[Tazz] Oh, big time.
Akebono will be on SmackDown next week
for the official weigh-in of the matchup at WrestleMania.
Look at this power here.
-Look! Over 4,000 pounds, man. -[Cole] Over two tons of jeep.
Big Show showing he's not gonna be pushed around in that Sumo Match…
[Tazz] Yeah.
[Cole] …and the weigh-in next week in Houston between Big Show
and Akebono right here on SmackDown.
[yells]
[Cole] Well, Tazz, can you imagine what it's going to be like in the ring
at the Reliant Arena when these two behemoths get inside
for the weigh-in?
[Tazz] Proverbial batten down the hatches.
It will be a lot of weight in Houston next week.
The following is a debate that will involve the two men
that are competing for the WWE Championship
at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you first,
the WWE Champion, John "Bradshaw" Layfield!
["Longhorn" playing]
[Cole] You know, Tazz, in the latest issue of the SmackDown magazine,
there's a great article on the JBL versus John Cena title match
at WrestleMania, a run-down of JBL's 260-plus days as champion.
And wait until you see the list of the Superstars
that he's passed in that long title reign.
And the perks of being the WWE Champion, JBL, a financial guru,
was asked to ring the closing bell on Wall Street yesterday.
An honor to be chosen,
because only a privileged few get to do this.
Well, JBL beats John Cena at WrestleMania, and now getting set for the debate.
John Cena has a short fuse.
Will he blow his temper and blow his WrestleMania title opportunity?
The debate is next on SmackDown.
-["Longhorn" by playing] -[Cole] We are back on SmackDown.
The WWE Champion, JBL, in the ring, set for the debate with John Cena.
[Theodore] And now, ladies and gentlemen,
let me introduce to you the man
that will be challenging JBL in just 10 days.
Ladies and gentlemen, John Cena!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, this is an unenviable position
for the number one contender John Cena here tonight.
John Cena must keep his cool.
John Cena cannot lose his temper.
If he strikes the champion JBL, if there's any physicality here tonight,
John Cena will lose his title opportunity at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] And JBL is very well-aware of that, Cole.
And, you know, you can look for JBL to taunt John Cena
as we saw last week on SmackDown. JB…
John Cena… [indistinct] almost snapped, almost--
[Bradshaw] Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
[song ends]
Hold on.
Hold on. Hold on.
Now, Teddy Long, I want you to explain to him the rules
you made last week are still in effect.
If you touch me, you low-life SOB,
you lose your chance to face me at WrestleMania.
Tell him, Teddy! Tell him!
That's right, JBL.
Now, Cena, if you lay a hand on JBL,
you will lose your opportunity to face JBL
for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] That's not fair.
But however, JBL,
if you physically provoke John Cena,
then he has the right to retaliate.
-[Cole] Now, that is fair. -[Tazz] Wow.
Now… Now what that means if you strike John Cena,
then John Cena can strike back.
-You feel me? -Okay then.
[crowd cheering]
So, it is time for the debate.
Now there are three questions.
And the first question is for you, JBL.
Now what makes you believe
you're more qualified to be the WWE Champion?
First of all, Theodore…
[crowd booing]
I would like to thank you,
and I would like to thank all of SmackDown,
and I would like thank all of the great fans
right here in Memphis, Tennessee for holding this debate.
Go Grizzlies!
[booing continues]
And I would like to answer the question.
What makes me deserve to be a champion
-more than my opponent, John Cena? -This oughta be great.
You see, America needs heroes…
and I have filled that role.
I have vanquished all my opponents,
and I have become stronger by doing it.
I am the ideal American success story from a great family,
independently wealthy, from a great school.
I am a reason for all you people
to look up to SmackDown because of me.
And I understand there's champion on the other show
that says that he is a 10-time World Champion.
What that means to me is he lost nine times.
I am the only champion in the history of professional wrestling
that has never lost this championship.
I have held this championship
longer than anybody in over 10 years,
including that same guy on the other show.
That, Teddy Long,
is why I deserve,
and why I am what I say I am,
a wrestling god!
John Cena, same question.
[crowd cheering]
Before I can even answer that question,
what makes me more qualified to be champ?
I got to turn that back around to you
because you… you some sort of wrestling god.
I mean, you've been… You're the champ…
No, you've been champ for quite a long time.
You're independently wealthy, a huge success story.
Why would someone as successful as you
drive to the ring in a broke-down [bleep] limousine?
[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz] In a what? -Why? Why? I don't--
There's nothing wrong with that limousine.
-It's brand new. -Hey, man, hey, don't sugarcoat it.
Let's go take a look.
[crowd cheering]
I mean, uh, first things first, homie.
-[air hissing] -[Tazz] Oh, whoa!
[Bradshaw] Teddy, look what he did to my car!
[Cena] You got a flat tire.
Huh? Huh? You the champ.
How you gonna ride out here in a limo with a flat tire, man?
That is vandalism. You should be thrown in jail.
Teddy Long, do something about this!
-You're the General Manager! -Hey. Hey, he's not touching you.
-He hasn't laid a hand on you. -[Cena] I'm just…
[crowd cheering]
I'm… I'm just stating the facts, playa.
And the paint job, man. What's up with the paint job?
[Tazz] Ooh.
Come out in this busted [bleep] limo with a flat tire and a scuffed-up paint.
I can't believe you didn't catch that.
There's nothing wrong with that paint job, Cena.
[Cena] Nah, man.
You ain't looking at it right.
-[Tazz] Oh. Oh man. -[Cole] Oh no.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] No.
You see, when I look at it…
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Oh my God. No.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] What is wrong with you?
You're a… You're a punk criminal.
I see a limo that says, "JBL sucks."
[crowd cheering]
[Cena] "JBL sucks"?
Dude, JBL is you.
You drove out here in a limo that says "JBL sucks."
-What is wrong with you? -That's a $200,000 car!
[crowd chanting] JBL sucks! JBL sucks!
You know…
[chanting continues] JBL sucks! JBL sucks!
You know, between that limo fiasco
and this hostile crowd here in Memphis…
[crowd cheering]
…if I was you, well, I'd…
Well, I'd just do something about that.
You better show me some respect, you--
-You gonna hit me? -Hey, JBL.
You gonna hit me? You gonna do something?
-Go on. Go on. Throw a punch. -Hey, you--
Come on, throw a punch there, big daddy! Come on!
[crowd cheering]
You can do something if you want to.
I'm ready for the next question.
Well, then, let's move on.
-[Cole] JBL is holding his cool. -[Theodore] JBL…
how important is one's social
and economic upbringing in being a champion?
What kind of questions are these, man?
Apparently, it's real damn important.
Look at what that criminal just did to my car.
You see, there's a reason that punk criminals like him,
the only way he makes it in a car is if you drive me!
There's a reason that people like you are kept down by the rich
because that's what's better for America.
You mock what you don't understand, and, flat honestly, you're jealous,
because the only way you know you'll have money like me
is if you win the lottery or you turn to crime.
So, I'll tell you what, at WrestleMania, I'm going to turn to crime too.
I'm going to rob you of your dreams,
I'm going to rob you of your hopes, and I'm going to rob you of your dignity
when I make you, you, Cena, bow down,
and worship at the feet of a wrestling god.
[crowd boos]
John Cena…
you're up, playa.
It sounds like somebody crapped in your Cheerios this morning, homie.
[crowd cheering]
But… But you got a point.
I mean, this whole economic thing…
Maybe I… Maybe I just lost my head.
I guess what you're trying to say is I got…
I got no respect for, you know, the championship. I got--
You got no class.
I got no class. I mean, look at how I'm dressed.
I guess…
[crowd cheering]
I mean… I mean, I think I'm doing all right.
Are we good or what?
[crowd cheering]
But whoa, wait, wait, wait. Don't get your panties in a bunch.
There are some people who think that we should act a certain way,
that we should dress a certain way.
So, I'm a man of peace.
I mean, we can probably solve all this if I just wore a suit and tie, right?
[crowd boos]
You would look a lot better in a tie.
Right now, you look like a piece of crap.
Well, let me see. I'd look better in a tie.
Let's just see if that works.
Hey, hey, hey, Teddy! Teddy!
You can't touch me. You, you…
WrestleMania, you'll…
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh no
So, a tie would look better, huh?
[Tazz laughs]
[Bradshaw] You son of a…
Oh no. I feel like a banker in this.
This still sucks.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, but… Oh, dawg, that was…
[laughing] That was yours, and after the…
After the car thing, oof!
And the tie, you're probably pretty mad right now, huh?
You probably wanna do something, don't you?
Maybe throw a punch, maybe hit me.
If I hit you, I can't go to WrestleMania,
but then again, I'm not the one looking like a total jerk.
So, maybe, you know, maybe you wanna do something about it.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. -Maybe… Maybe you wanna throw a punch.
[crowd cheering]
No. No.
I'm not playing your games.
You do not outthink the master.
At WrestleMania, you will have all you want.
But until then, son, play your stupid games.
John Cena, the next question is for you.
Now, I wanna ask you this, playa.
What do you need to--
What do I need to do to get this punk [bleep] over here to swing at me?
[crowd cheering]
Well, now, that's an important question…
and one I think we need to address.
What if, right here right now, I prove the "wrestling god,"
the champion of champions,
a man of class, JBL,
to be nothing but a liar?
[crowd cheering]
-I don't lie. Hey-- -Oh, hey, hey, hey.
Have faith in your boy. I can pull it off.
Now, Monsignor Theodore Long,
watch closely, because I'm not going to touch you, dawg.
You better not touch--
But I am going to touch your 10-gallon hat.
[crowd cheering]
Oh no, this is nice, dude. This is…
Yo, this ain't exactly my style or nothing,
but I mean, you can tell the craftsmanship, everything is there.
Is it… Is this Gucci?
[crowd cheering]
It's a $1,000 Stetson.
Okay.
Then we know that this is probably a 10-gallon hat, right?
-I hate you. -Well--
I hate you, you piece of--
I'll take that as a yes, 10-gallon hat.
Well, let's do something.
Let's see how many gallons this hat is gonna hold.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Oh no. -[Tazz] Oh no.
-That's a $1,000 hat. Oh. -[Cole] Oh my God.
What are you doing? Do something!
Do something, Teddy!
He's not touching you.
Give me that.
[Tazz] Look at the hat.
Dude, that ain't even close to, like, one gallon.
That means your [bleep] is a liar.
Oh, by the way, I'm done with your hat. You can have it.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] Oh man.
[Cena] Oh, oh. Oh no!
Look at you, man.
It looks like you done had an accident all over yourself.
They make diapers for that sort of stuff.
I mean, you got problems, we'll help you…
Oh, look at you.
I'm going to kick your [bleep] at WrestleMania.
You gonna show me what you're going to do at WrestleMania.
At WrestleMania, I'm gonna--
Then show me what you gonna do at WrestleMania!
Come on! Right here!
You throw a punch, and I swear I will knock the hell out of you!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
You ain't gonna do nothing, are ya?
[laughs]
Just like I thought.
But I bet you stand there thinking that you're "clever" for not playing my games.
You look ridiculous.
And as clever as you think you are…
well, I think you're something else.
[Cole] Now what?
I'm not touching you. I'm not touching you.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Oh my God. -[Tazz] Oh, this is ridiculous.
[crowd cheering]
What are you doing?
You piece of garbage.
You want me?
-You know what? -You want me?
You know what?
See, in the world that I come from, and the world that we come from…
[crowd cheering]
…there's people who talk about it,
and then there's people who be about it.
[crowd cheering]
WrestleMania 21…
You watch your mouth.
Let me give you a little preview
of what's going to happen to you.
-What? -[Tazz] What the…
What are you…
A-ha!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The FU symbol.
[Tazz] Cena painted FU on JBL's shirt.
[Cole] Well, John Cena called out JBL tonight,
and the WWE Champion didn't wanna go.
[Tazz] No, no, no, Cole. JBL is a smart champion.
JBL is picking his spot, and his spot is 10 days at WrestleMania.
Mark my words, Cole.
Cena may have punked out the champ tonight,
but at WrestleMania,
JBL is going to bring the fight to John Cena.
I'm telling you.
["The Time Is Now" playing] ght to John Cena.