SmackDown! Results -- 23/01/03
Hulkamania's back, Brother!
Stephanie McMahon made good on her pledge to deliver a bombshell during SmackDown! Hulk Hogan appeared before a fanatical crowd at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y., and announced that he has signed a new contract with World Wrestling Entertainment!
The Hulkster declared that Hulkamania is running wild once again, and that he has some unfinished business to take care of. But while Hogan was outlining his objectives, he was suddenly interrupted by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon! Vince first berated his daughter Stephanie for re-signing Hogan, saying that the year is 2003 and not 1985. Vince went so far as to compare Hulkamania to Al Wilson; both are dead!
Hulk responded by saying that the first man he wants to step into the ring with, the first person who he wants to kick the hell out of, is Vince McMahon! Hogan demanded a response to his challenge, but Vince said that the only person he answers to is himself! With that, Hogan gave something to help Vince make up his mind: a smack to the head! The crowd roared as Hogan exited, leaving Vince seeing stars on the mat!
Like Vince McMahon, Team Angle also had a rough night on SmackDown! It started with Charlie Haas losing an incredible singles match against Chris Benoit and continued with Shelton Benjamin falling to Edge. Angle berated his two accomplices in the locker room, saying they should be embarrassed and ashamed after their defeats. The WWE Champion promised to show how things should be done, but he got much more than he bargained for from Rey Mysterio. Mysterio, who like Angle has just returned to action following knee surgery, gave the champion the fight of a lifetime. Angle was finally able to put away Mysterio, then latched his opponent in the ankle lock after the bell rang. Edge and Chris Benoit stormed to the ring and punished Angle harshly. Benoit delivered several German Suplexes while Edge leveled the Olympic Hero with a spear. In a final humiliating act, Edge and Benoit propped Angle up on the ropes to allow Mysterio to hit the 619!
The Undertaker returned to SmackDown! with revenge on his mind. Taker called out the Big Show in order to get retribution for the assault that put Dead Man Inc. on hiatus several months ago. Big Show came out to answer Taker, but refused to step into the ring. Instead, Show sent A-Train to tackle Undertaker. A match pitting strength vs. strength ended when A-Train tapped out to Dead Man Inc.'s Taking Care of Business submission hold!
In other action, Matt Hardy contracted Nunzio to give Shannon Moore a Mattitude adjustment. Nunzio did indeed defeat Shannon in single's action, causing Matt to again try to straighten out his sidekick. But Shannon fled the ring when Matt advanced toward the MFer!
Match results:
Chris Benoit def. Charlie Haas
Rikishi def. Bill DeMott
The Undertaker def. A-Train
Edge def. Shelton Benjamin
Nunzio def. Shannon Moore
Kurt Angle def. Rey Mysterio