By Wade Keller, Torch editor

WWE SMACKDOWN
NOVEMBER 6, 2003
TAPED TUESDAY IN BUFFALO, N.Y.

-Michael Cole and Tazz introduced and previewed the show with a particular stress on the Eddie Guerrero vs. Basham Brothers match.

1 -- JOHN CENA vs. REY MYSTERIO

Cena took some digs at Rey during a pre-match rap. Cena executed a nice suspended vertical suplex, then went to his obligatory mid-match chinlock. Rey elbowed out of it and caught a charging Cena with a couple of boots. Rey went on sustained offense until a Cena clothesline at 5:00. He then hit the 619, but Cena knocked the ref over. Rey flew off the top rope, but Cena caught him with a shot to the crotch. He followed up with an FU for the three count.

WINNER: Cena at 5:40.

STAR RATING: ** -- Well executed sound match. Nothing to get you jumping out of your seat or even on the edge of it, but some nice moves and well structured.

-Paul Heyman stepped out - although it's tough to recognize him without a loose leather jacket and baseball cap - with Big Show, Brock Lesnar, Matt Morgan, and Nathan Jones. Heyman said he likes that what Cena wants, he takes. He said he was going to give Cena something, but it wasn't a U.S. Title shot against Big Show or a WWE Hvt. Title shot against Brock Lesnar because he has to earn that, too, but he was "declaring" him the fifth member of Brock's team at Survivor Series. Cena grabbed the mic and said, "You're telling me I'm number five for Team Lesnar at Survivor Series? I got a problem with that. You see, nobody tells John Cena what to do.And besides, look at your team, I'm not going to fit in on Team Sasquatch." A-Train then attacked Cena from behind. Show then entered the ring and chokeslammed Cena hard to the mat as Jones, Morgan, Cena, Brock, and Heyman looked on. Lesnar then nailed Cena in the skull with a chair.

[Commercial Break]

-A-Train apologized to Heyman and Co. backstage for sticking his nose in their business, but he said he had an issue with Cena. Heyman said he liked his actions and invited him to join their team. Train accepted.

-Cole said he thinks Heyman's team might be the largest ever assembled. Clips then aired of the Eddie Guerrero-Big Show angle last month.

-Backstage, Chavo convinced Eddie that he had to win his match for him (Chavo) because Eddie has been letting people down and he (Chavo) has been there for him every step of the way. Chavo came across as heelish and manipulative.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- BIG SHOW vs. BRADSHAW

Bradshaw actually came off the top rope at Show at 1:00, but seconds later Show caught him with a big boot and a legdrop. Cole and Tazz said it was the legdrop, but on a chair, that injured Faarooq and put his status for the PPV in question. Show followed with a headbutt. Bradshaw came back and clotheslining Show over the top rope to the floor at 2:40. He then threw Show into an exposed side of the barricade. Back in the ring when Bradshaw went for a Clothesline from Hell, Show caught him and chokeslammed him for the win.

WINNER: Big Show at 3:48.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Nice four minute TV match. They've done a nice job rebuilding Bradshaw's relevance without overpushing him. A clean loss to Show isn't that big of a deal in the sense that it hurts or helps either wrestler individually, but it does establish the heel team's size advantage at the PPV.

-Paul Heyman told Torrie Wilson backstage she will do things his way. He didn't specify what it was, and Torrie looked creeped out and intimidated, but he insisted she do what he was ordering her to do with a smile.

[Commercial Break]

-Kurt Angle got off his cell phone backstage and told Chris Benoit that Faarooq's doctor said there is no way he'll be ready to wrestle at Survivor Series. Benoit told Angle they'll be all right, they just need to regroup. Torrie entered the room and told them the bad news - that Heyman had booked then against Matt Morgan, Nathan Jones, Brock Lesnar, and A-Train in a four-on-two match. Angle said, "The day keeps getting better." Another nice angle to set up the babyfaces in situations where they're at a disadvantage, building up a desire for viewers to see them fighting at full strength against even odds.

-A sitdown interview aired with Undertaker who said his match against Vince McMahon goes way beyond the WWE Title. He said it was very personal. He said as of Survivor Series, he will have worked for WWE for 13 years. He said Vince has screwed with him professionally and personally throughout those years. He said while the wrestlers, whether he's teaming with them or fighting them, respect him. He said McMahon does respect him, just as he doesn't respect his wife or daughter. He recapped what happened at the last PPV where Linda tossed in the towel to save Stephanie from Vince choking her. Taker said there comes a time in every person's life where they need to be held accountable for their actions, and Survivor Series would be the time and place that Vince is held accountable. Very good promo. Right to the point, well produced, on topic.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- EDDIE GUERRERO vs. DOUG & DANNY BASHAM (w/Shaniqua)

Guerrero sold most of the match. When he made a full fledged comeback including three consecutive vertical suplexes, Shaniqua distracted him as he set up his frog splash. Eddie gave her a thumb to the eye. Meanwhile, the Bashams switched places. The ref ordered Shaniqua to get off the apron, so Guerrero took her whip and nailed both Danny Basham and the ref, then he handed the whip to Danny. The ref turned and accused Basham of hitting him. Guerrero then cradled Basham for the three count. Chavo celebrated with Eddie at ringside.

WINNER: Guerrero at 7:29.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Good steady action with a fun finish.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole plugged the four-on-two main event coming up later.

-Vince McMahon came to the ring. He made a big production out of asking for forgiveness. He got on his knees and the lights were turned down. He then said he wasn't asking for forgiveness for what he has done in the past, but rather for what he was about to do. "I have been chosen by a higher power to take this glorious quest and take the final ride," he said. "I have been chosen to slaughter the infidel. Yes, by god, I have been chosen to bury the Undertaker alive." The camera zoomed in on his face as Vince said, "Amen."

[Commercial Break]

-A video feature aired with Benoit, Rhyno, Cena, and Big Show touting the toughness of "Hardcore" Bob Holly.

4 -- TAJIRI (w/"his two friends") & NUNZIO vs. ULTIMO DRAGON & JAMIE NOBLE

Rapid-fire tag match with the energy level and intensity you'd expect from these four. Ultimo hot-tagged Noble at 6:00 who went to work on Tajiri. Four-way action followed including an Asai Moonsault by Dragon on Nunzio. In the ring, Noble cradled Tajiri for a quick three count and then avoided a post-match attack from "Tajiri's friends."

WINNER: Tajiri & Nunzio at 7:02.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Above-average eight minute tag match.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole and Tazz previewed the line-up for Survivor Series, including Tajiri defending the Cruiserweight Title against Jamie Noble, Brock's Team vs. Angle's Team, and Vince vs. Undertaker.

5 -- CHRIS BENOIT & KURT ANGLE vs. BROCK LESNAR & MATT MORGAN & NATHAN JONES & A-TRAIN

Lesnar joined Cole and Tazz at ringside. When asked why he wasn't in the match, Brock said he was champion and could do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Morgan tagged in against Benoit early in the match. Cole and Tazz said they knew nothing about him other than "he's huge!" No reference to Ohio Valley, which isn't surprising, and no mention of Tough Enough, which actually isn't surprising, either, since he had to drop out early due to injury. A-Train tagged in next and put Benoit in a bearhug at 4:30.

[Commercial Break]

Brock Lesnar got involved in the match at 8:00. Morgan tagged back in at 11:00 and put Benoit in a bearhug. Angle attacked Morgan from behind, but the ref then escorted him back to his corner. Benoit hot-tagged Angle at 13:30 just as Morgan tagged in Lesnar. Angle gave Lesnar two released German suplexes, then gave Morgan an Angle slam. Jones entered the ring and threw a bit boot at Angle, but Angle ducked. Train went for a boot on Angle, but he hit Jones by mistake. Angle then gave Lesnar an Angle slam, and the crowd went nuts. Angle put Lesnar in the Ankle lock while Benoit put Train in the Crippler Crossface. Big Show then charged into the ring and attacked the faces, prompting a DQ. Morgan gave Benoit a powerbomb. Cena then charged the ring and attempted to make the save. Train, though, caught him and slammed him to the mat with his finisher. Lesnar then flattened all three faces with chairshots. Cole concluded by saying he didn't think Team Angle had a chance against all 1,800 pounds of Team Lesnar at Survivor Series.

WINNERS: Benoit & Angle at 14:26 via DQ.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Some good action with a nice climax sequence but a flat DQ finish.

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