Stephanie opens a Tag Team Championship Tournament!

Stephanie McMahon promised to issue a surprising announcement, and the SmackDown! General Manager delivered as the show kicked off from Lafayette, LA! Stephanie said that a tournament would decide which pair of superstars would become the new WWE Tag Team Champions. The champions, who would be exclusive to SmackDown!, would be crowned after winning the title match later this month at No Mercy!

Stephanie also announced later in the show that Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker would meet at No Mercy in a WWE Championship Match! But she made sure that this showdown would be a memorable one. The Next Big Thing will have to defend the title against Dead Man Inc. in a Hell in the Cell Match!

The Tag Team Championship Tournament kicked off with Eddie and Chavo Guerrero defeating Mark Henry and Rikishi. Chavo cracked a steel chair on Henry's leg while the referee issued warnings to Eddie. Eddie then got the pinfall to make sure the Guerrero's would advance in their quest to take gold at No Mercy.

Billy & Chuck didn't fare so well. Faarooq and Reverend D-Von picked up a huge win in their first match as a tag team to move into the next round.

An incredible match between Edge and Kurt Angle led to the most surprising development of the night regarding the tournament. The referee found himself knocked out of commission, causing another official to run down and take control. However, the original referee came to just in time to see an apparent pinfall from Edge. From the replacement referee's position, though, it looked as though Angle had scored the win. The referees argued until it was decided that the match would continue! During the extra added time, Angle grabbed a steel chair but was distracted by Chris Benoit from the outside of the ring. Angle swung the steel seat, only to watch it rebound off the top rope and smack into his face! There would be no doubt who won this time as Angle stumbled right into a vicious spear and was pinned by Edge!

The Olympic Hero went ballistic and assaulted the Crippler in the locker room. After several other Superstars stepped between the men, Stephanie McMahon revealed that Angle and Benoit would be teaming up next week to take part in the Tag Team Championship Tournament! It became clear later in the show that the Angle/Benoit alliance will definitely be a troubled one. Kurt Angle showed up at ringside for the evening's final match and helped Rey Mysterio pin Benoit for the second straight week!

Matt Hardy scored a huge upset win over the Undertaker in a falls count anywhere match. Thanks to an F-5 from Brock Lesnar that sent Taker crashing onto a wood palette backstage, Matt got the pinfall while the WWE Champion and Brock Lesnar smirked mockingly. After the match, Undertaker was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a broken hand. Matt gloated over his win, saying that perhaps he should face Brock at No Mercy in a championship match. Heyman and Lesnar rolled their eyes and sarcastically agreed.

In other action, Jamie Noble upheld his Cruiserweight Championship by avoiding Crash Holly's finisher and using the ropes for leverage on a rollup.

Dawn Marie fell short in her attempt to overthrow Torrie Wilson in a Bikini Contest. Dawn got the last strike in, though, as she smacked Torrie and threw the Diva from the ring!

Match results

Eddie & Chavo Guerrero def. Mark Henry & Rikishi
Matt Hardy def. the Undertaker
Jamie Noble def. Crash Holly
Edge def. Kurt Angle
Reverend D-Von & Faarooq def. Billy & Chuck
Torrie Wilson def. Dawn Marie in a Bikini Contest
Rey Mysterio def. Chris Benoit