1st Week of July -


Ratings : 7.25


A video clip showed the highlights of the King of The Ring PPV.

Smackdown! opening


The show opened with a countdown on the Titantron. Once it reached 0, fireworks exploded and the new WWE Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho made his way to the ring accompanied by the new Women's Champion, Trish Stratus! Jericho and Trish were all smile and walked cockily to the ring. Once in the ring, Trish got down on one knee and mimicked worship gestures to praise Jericho. Y2J took her hand and made her get up only to take her place and worship her as well. Trish faked being abashed and asked Jericho to got up too. Jericho grabbed a mic and told everyone that it felt good to be back again...not because of these morons, he said pointing the crowd, but simply because it meant double pay! Trish nodded in approval. He continued praising his accomplishment advocating the fact that in one night, just one night, he defeated 6 of the best Superstars in both brands! He boasted that he beat Stone Cold, HBK, Lesnar, Benoit, Angle and Kane...and the following night, he continued, Triple H to become the new Champion! He has simply beaten everybody that is to beat and he can barely see who could take his belt away from him. 'You sure are the best, sweetie', Trish said, 'but don't forget about my accomplishments either'. Just like Jericho, Trish began self praising her reminding everyone that she is the first ever Queen of the Ring and that no Diva was a match for her, not even 'Tacos Girl', oops she said mockingly, Lita.
At this very moment, the General Manager Lita came with her fellow members from the nWo Hollywood Hogan and The Rock...as well as her slave, Stephanie. Lita who wore on her shoulders two belts, the Intercontinental championship belt and the US belt, told Trish and Jericho that they could laugh all they want she is sure to get the final laugh. Why? She asked, simply because they are on her show! Lita said that she didn't mind losing her belt in a second rated show like Raw since she will get it back tonight! And Jericho, she continued, you'll defend your belt in a handicap match against The Rock and Hogan! Looking at the belts on her shoulders, Lita teased Jericho and Trish asking them how their friend Bischoff would be able to run his now that her faithful doggie, she said patting Stephanie who lowered her head in shame and sadness, had fetched for her these two championships. Lita laughed when she realized something. Trish asked what was so funny and Lita answered that since Jericho is also 'temporally', Lita emphasized, the Hardcore champion...let's say he has entered the lion's den and soon she would add another championship to her show! Lita gloated over her genius and said that Vince will be very proud of the way she handles things compared to his worthless daughter.
It was enough for Trish who was tired of hearing Stephanie being insulted and degraded for so long. Trish was about to insult Lita when she stopped, looked at Jericho, then looked at her belt and smiled looking back at Lita. When Lita asked why Trish was smirking for no reason, Trish answered her that it was simply because Lita is just so arrogant that it is funny. She added that she and Jericho are respectively Queens and Kings as well as champions whereas Lita is, well, nothing important she said mockingly. Lita was furious and shouted that she was important since she is the General Manager of this show. Jericho who all of a sudden realized what Trish was thinking said in unison with her 'Eeeeeeeeeerr....na!' Lita was dumbfounded and didn't understand. Trish pointed at Stephanie and said that this was the General Manager of Smackdown! Lita, relieved, laughed and answered that since Steph is her servant what belongs to her now belongs to Lita including her show. Lita wanting to embarrass Stephanie in front of Trish asked the former General Manager to get on her knees and to confess that she thinks Lita is a way better General Manager that she could ever hope to be and rather remain the servant of this 'superior being'. Stephanie, completely broken with the month spent at Lita's service, obeyed at once and knelt at Lita's feet only to be stopped by Trish. The Women's Champion told Stephanie not to do that since she is no longer Lita's servant! Lita was confused but Trish continued saying that since Lita was too stupid to figure it out on her own, she would explain clearly the new situation. Trish stroke the belt on her shoulder and reminded Lita her own words: This belt symbolizes Stephanie's fate, she is enslaved to the bearer of this belt...Lita is no longer the champion, she said with a smile on her face, she is! As a consequence, Stephanie is now Trish's servant! In extrapolating the same way Lita did, she continued, it also means that Smackdown! now has a Queen as General Manager, namely herself, Trish Stratus!
Lita couldn't believe what she was hearing! It was a nightmare for her. Trish grinned at her new power! She also invited Stephanie to get away from this witch and to join them in the ring. Trish announced that she won't be defending her title tonight, nor would Jericho. On the other hand, they want more gold! That's why tonight, for the first time ever, there will be an intergender match for the Tag Team Championship! Tonight, The Rock and Hollywood Hogan will face Chris Jericho and Trish Stratus in a champions vs champions match!

After the commercial break, Trish and Jericho were in the GM office with Stephanie by their side. Stephanie kept her head bowed as Lita had taught her which attracted Trish's attention. Trish placed her hands on Stephanie's shoulder and told her not to be afraid anymore as her nightmare was over. A Stephanie in tears looked up and couldn't believe what she was hearing. Nonetheless, Steph asked anxiously what her mistress expected her to do. Trish startled at the word mistress and told Steph that she is no mistress, trying to make Stephanie laugh or at least smile, Trish told her that she was not hiding any whip or handcuffs. Trish looked at Jericho then back at Stephanie and added 'Forget what I said about handcuffs'. The crowd laughed. Trish then told her that having Stephanie's fate in her hands, she decided to free her from her slavery and reinstaure her as the General Manager of Smackdown! Stephanie was overjoyed and hugged Trish fondly. She asked her if she was sure to give her back the GM status and not keep it for her. Trish told her it was alright, beside, she could still act as an advisor, she said winking.
Lita stormed into the room and said that it was not to be tolerated. She is the General Manager and not that worthless bitch who few weeks ago kissed her feet in submission! The dominant side of Stephanie's personality woke up and she stood in front of Lita menacingly. Stephanie told Lita that she could call her a bitch if it pleased her but one thing is sure, 'The Bitch is Back!' Lita was surprised at Steph's change however she managed to tell her that since Stephanie gave her her show few weeks ago she is as entitled as Stephanie to be the GM of Smackdown! As a consequence, since two tournaments have to take place to crown new Intercontinental and US champions she offered Steph to choose half the participants and she would choose the other half. Stephanie agreed.


1) Eddie Guerrero defeats John Bradshaw Layfield in 3:06 with the Frog Splash. Eddie cheated to win but nonetheless he is the first to advance the Intercontinental tournament.

Backstage, Funaki interviewed The Rock over the recent tensions that have appeared between himself and Hogan. Funaki also asked The Rock how he felt to have Jericho on Smackdown! The Rock answered that there are no tensions within the nWo but just some misunderstandings and that's the only reason why they have lost to Triple H this past Sunday. The Rock then made fun of Jericho parodying him but said that if he remembers correctly, Jericho has not beaten him. The Rock was about to continue his sentence but was cut short by Jericho who passed by with Trish. Jericho stopped him saying 'Done that', he walked a little bit and added 'at WrestleMania'. Y2J walked a bit more and added 'what's the point of beating you again since you have lost to Triple H this Sunday...Unlike me this Monday'. Jericho walked away saying 'See ya later, alligator!' as The Rock was fuming over this little jabroni.

2) Stone Cold Steve Austin defeats Scott Hall in 4:43 with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin also advances the Intercontinental tournament.

Backstage, Stephanie and Lita were quarrelling over the last participant to enter the Intercontinental championship. Lita wanted Kurt Angle and Stephanie wanted Chris Benoit. Trish who was sitting on the GM's desk was getting bored and whispered an idea to Steph's ear. Stephanie said it was a terrific idea and announce that to end it all, tonight, the final place of the Intercontinental tournament will be taken by the winner of the match pitting Chris Benoit against Kurt Angle in a 30 minutes Iron Man match! The loser, however, will enter the US tournament.
Back in the ring, Goldust made his way to the squared circle who was red carpeted. Goldust announced that being from California is used to see ravishing bodies and that's why he was the right person to judge the upcoming Beauty Contest! Goldust introduced the candidates who were the Smackdown! Divas minus Trish, Lita and Steph. Victoria, Gail Kim, Ivory and Jacqueline all came to the ring only wearing silk robes. The crowd was very pleased but was even more pleased when Goldust made them undress and dance for the public in a very sensuous way. Once they were done dancing, Goldust gave his notes. Victoria was given a mediocre 4 which enraged her, Gail Kim was awarded a 7 but was outshadowed by an 8 for Ivory. Finaly Jackie got a 7. As Ivory was about to celebrate her victory, Goldust stopped her telling her he has been informed on a last minute contestant...Rico! Rico also came wearing a flashy silkrobe and when he disrobed revealing a very small thong, the crowd booed. Rico danced very provocatively which seemed to Goldust's taste. When he finished his little raunchy dance, Goldust declared him the winner with a 10/10! The Divas were outraged, especially Victoria and they all attacked Rico thus starting a non scheduled match.

3) Gail Kim, Victoria, Ivory and Jacqueline defeated Rico in 2:49 with a Tazzmission from Gail Kim.

In the locker room, Kurt Angle was warming up and was telling himself that tonight will be the night when people will finally witness that he is the best WWE wrestler today. He will outclass Benoit in this Iron Man match and then go all the way to become the United States champion, he said. Angle continued to do his squats.
Backstage, Stone Cold was seen with his cell phone chatting with someone. Austin asked the mysterious person if s/he was still ok to unite their forces to decimate the nWo as well as the new nuisances on the block: Trish and Jericho. When Stone Cold saw the cameraman, he Stunnered him and resumed his conversation saying he just got rid of another nuisance.

4) Chris Benoit defeats Kurt Angle in the 30 minutes Iron Man match with a final score of 18-17. Benoit was very lucky to win the match since it was in the last 5 seconds that Angle tapped in the Crippler Crossface.

At the end of the match, a frustrated Kurt Angle took a chair and hit Benoit in the back with it, then focused on Benoit's ankle with the chair and applied his Angle Lock! Several security members had to interfere and Benoit was taken out on a stretcher! Angle bitterly shouted at Benoit 'How will you win your Intercontinental championship now, huh?!'
Hardly had Angle been kept away from Benoit that security members had to focus on another problem. Coming out of nowhere from the crowd, Edge, now back on Raw, hurdled the barrier and was about to attack the two contestants. Security members escorted him out of the arena while he was screaming that he wanted his two belts back and that he got screwed again! This little moment of distraction was enough for Angle to maim Benoit's ankle with another Angle Lock. This time however it was Smackdown! superstars who brought back Angle to the backstage area.
Backstage, Trish and Jericho were getting ready for their matches and Jericho was smiling. Trish asked her man what made him in such a good mood and Y2J answered that more gold was to come for us. Trish said yes, the Tag Team belts but Jericho stopped her saying 'more'. To Trish's amazement, Jericho announced that their beloved Stephanie had just placed him in the United States Championship tournament! Trish was overjoyed and hugged Jericho.

5) Hollywood Hogan/The Rock defeat Chris Jericho/Trish Stratus in 29:30 by disqualification. Jericho hit Hogan with the Lion sault but the referee did not count! When Jericho grabbed the referee's shirt to tell him to count, the ref saw that as an act of aggression and disqualified 'the Golden Couple'.

As Jericho and Trish watched in disbelief, the referee escorted back the Tag Team champions and took his shirt off to display an nWo shirt beneath!



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