Smackdown – July 18, 2002: And There It Is
Smackdown
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July 18, 2002
Location: First Union Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz
Opening sequence.
Chris Jericho vs. John Cena
Cena starts fast as has been his custom so far but misses a charge, sending him flying out to the floor. Back in and Jericho takes too long on top, allowing Cena to dropkick him down. A belly to belly and DDT get two each on Chris so he hits Cena low for the quick DQ.
Post match Jericho puts Cena in the Walls of Jericho and beats him down with a chair.
A smiling Bischoff arrives.
Hurricane vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Chavo is sick of these Rey Mysterio videos and challenges him to a match next week.
Vince arrives.
Billy and Chuck vs. Hardcore Holly/Big Valbowski
Billy punches Holly down in the corner to start but Hardcore hits his kick to the very lower ribs (Tazz: “This might not even hurt Billy!”) to take over. The partners come in with the veterans keeping Chuck in trouble. A belly to belly puts Hardcore down but the advantage lasts all of a few seconds until a double clothesline drops both of them. Venis gets a hot tag with what had to be a sweetened crowd pop. Everything breaks down and the Alabama Slam into the Money Shot finishes Billy.
Edge/Hulk Hogan/Rikishi vs. Un-Americans
Tajiri vs. Billy Kidman
Jericho goes to see Stephanie and is given a match with Edge next week. Swearing ensues after he leaves.
Rey Mysterio is here next week.
The announcers run down the Vengeance card.
Kurt Angle vs. The Rock
Before the match, Angle promises to make Rock tap. Undertaker comes out to watch so just pencil in the post match brawl now. Rock charges to the ring and does those one punch knockdowns. They head outside with Rock suplexing him on the ramp but getting catapulted into the post for one of those awesome bumps.
Angle stomps him down and gets two off a clothesline, only to walk into a belly to belly. There will be no suplexing our American hero though and the rolling German suplexes get two on Rock. Angle spends a bit too much time talking to Undertaker but is perfectly fine with more suplexes.
Rating: B-. Not a great match or anything but perfectly acceptable as a big time TV main event, especially with Rock making his big comeback here. The triple threat will be fine and as long as it gets the title off of Undertaker, everything will be fine. Angle and Rock always have chemistry together and this was good, especially given the circumstances.
Post match Angle chairs Undertaker down and puts Rock in the ankle lock.
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