By Wade Keller, Torch editor

WWE SMACKDOWN
JUNE 24, 2004
TAPED TUESDAY

-Footage aired of last week's Undertaker-Paul Heyman angle, then Michael Cole and Tazz introduced the show.

-Backstage Charlie Haas and Miss Jackie told John Cena that what he was about to do was career suicide. Cena said he had to. Cole and Tazz wondered what he meant.

-John Cena walked to the ring and said he understands that in this company if you look at Undertaker the wrong way, you're in trouble, but he wasn't going to stand for what Taker did last week. Kurt Angle was wheeled out by Luther Reigns. He did a rap of sorts calling Cena "Vanilla Ice," and then revealed that he was booking Cena against Undertaker later. Cole made a big deal out of how Cena's, three days away from his U.S. Title defense, had to face Taker. Cena at first no-sold the announcement, but eventually expressed concern. I know Undertaker is a legend, but I want to cheer for a babyface who says, "Bring it on!" Not a babyface who gulps at the thought of wrestling a guy he just called out two minutes earlier.

[Commercial Break]

-Bradshaw suggested Kurt Angle teach Eddie Guerrero to show some respect by having him wrestle just three days before his title match at Great American Bash. Bradshaw suggested Luther. Luther said he was up for it and by the end of the match, he would have taught Guerrero some respect.

1 -- BATTLE ROYAL with Shannon Moore, Kidman, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Nunzio, Spike Dudley, Funaki, Jamie Noble, Scotty 2 Hotty, Paul London, Akio

Rey Mysterio did color commentary. They did a mini-storyline in the match with London and Nunzio battling When London eliminated Nunzio, Nunzio stuck around and yanked London to the floor when he was attempt to skin the cat back into the ring. London stood out above everyone else. What a great chance this would have been to feature him at the PPV against Rey Mysterio in a show-stealing match. Scotty did the worm, but Kidman dropkicked him out of the ring afterward. By 6:00 it came down to Kidman, Noble, and Nunzio, guaranteeing no fresh blood would be in the title match on Sunday. My top three choices would have been London, Nunzio, or Moore in terms of providing Rey with a good match and a fresh opponent. Noble turned on Guerrero and thought he had eliminated him, but Guerrero flipped back into the ring and eliminated Noble. Guerrero then backdropped Kidman over the top rope to the floor to win. Rey stared down Guerrero afterward.

WINNER: Guerrero at 9:42.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- About as good as a TV battle royal gets with some nice moves and a solid storyline.

[Commercial Break]

-Paul Heyman spoke on his cell phone while holding up blue prints for his glass box. He said he wanted the box, with three inch thick glass "so people can see in but can't break Paul Bearer out" delivered Sunday to the Norfolk Scope. The Dudleys stood by impatiently. When Heyman finished his call, they asked him what the "right thing" was that he was asking of Taker. Heyman told them not to worry because "I control Undertaker." Heyman added, "Trust me." Bubba said, "Where have I heard that before?" Mordecai then barged through some doors beating up Hardcore Holy. Holly began fighting back as they brawled to the ring. They were separated by security with Mordecai yelling, "I will crucify you." How lame is this poor guy's gimmick. "I will crucify you?" Ugh. Angle called Heyman over to him. He asked if he was with him on Undertaker vs. Cena. Heyman told Angle he would bear witness to the power he has of Undertaker as he takes out John Cena.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- KENZO SUZUKI (w/Horoko) vs. BILLY GUNN

Kenzo dropped a knee and then applied a light-showing chinlock at 1:30, but the fact that it was obviously Gunn could have slipped out of his grip at any moment he chose was made up for with his facial gyrations. Gunn made a comeback with clotheslines and a corner splash. He then gave Kenzo a Fameasser which Kenzo had no idea how to take, forcing Tazz to say that "he didn't get all of it." That's one way to put it when a green wrestler exposes someone else's finisher as requiring the cooperation of the victim to look the least bit effective. Then Horoko threw powder in his face prompting the DQ. Kenzo then gave Gunn his finisher.

WINNER: Gunn via DQ at 3:05.

STAR RATING: 1/4*

-Backstage Sable asked Torrie Wilson why she was hogging the spotlight headed into Great American Bash. Sable told her to know her place on Sunday, and added that she lied earlier, her outfit makes her look fat. As Sable walked away, Torrie said, "At least my outfit doesn't make me look easy." For some reason Sable was bothered by that comment as she turned and jumped on Torrie. They had a brief pullapart brawl.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- EDDIE GUERRERO vs. LUTHER REIGNS

Luther established his power early, but Guerrero managed on a criss-cross to knock Luther to the mat. On another criss-cross, Angle got out of his wheel chair and tripped Guerrero. Luther then took control with two electrifying bearhugs filling a couple minutes of TV time. Guerrero made a comeback and went for his three successive vertical suplexes, but Luther kneed his way out of the third. He then powerslammed Guerrero, but the ref went down. Angle entered the ring and made the count, but Guerrero kicked out. Guerrero then KO'd Luther with the title belt, then threw it into Angle's arms. The ref saw that and ordered Angle out of the ring. Guerrero then hit his frog splash for the apparent win, but Bradshaw attacked him before the ref could count to three. Bradshaw whipped him with the cowbell, tossed him around the ring, and then hanged him with the rope . Guerrero, though, quickly came back by snapping Bradshaw's neck over the top rope. Bradshaw then fled, but vowed things would be different at the PPV. That angle didn't exactly give Guerrero fans any extra incentive to see him get revenge, since after having just wrestled a match against Luther, he was able to easily fend off Bradshaw and his bullrope.

WINNER: Guerrero at 7:20.

STAR RATING: 1/2*

[Commercial Break]

4 -- RENE DUPREE vs. ROB VAN DAM

Booker T came out to join Tazz and Cole on commentary. Cole asked Booker if he still thinks Smackdown is the minor leagues. Tazz quickly said, "We're past that, Cole." Booker told him to concentrate on the match. RVD overshot slightly on a Rolling Thunder at 3:30, then scored a two count afterward. Dupree yanked off the turnbuckle pad and then KO'd RVD on it to win.

WINNER: Dupree at 4:47.

STAR RATING: * -- Basic TV match, what you'd expect from these two. Booker was okay on commentary.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole and Tazz hyped the Great American Bash line-up: Eddie Guerrero vs. Bradshaw in a Texas Bullrope match, John Cena defending against RVD and Booker T and Rene Dupree, Torrie vs. Sable (just added), Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero for the Cruiserweight Title, Undertaker vs. The Dudley Boyz (w/Paul Heyman). Just five matches announced headed into Sunday's show. Then they showed the cement mixing truck in the arena and said it would be present at the PPV on Sunday.

-They showed Undertaker backstage making his way to the entrance tunnel as Cole hyped the TV main event.

[Commercial Break]

5 -- UNDERTAKER vs. JOHN CENA

John Cena (artist Joseph Borzotta, PWTorch)

Taker took control early with some knees to the gut. Cena fought back with some punches. Taker took control with a bodyslam, but missed an elbow drop. He then sent Cena to ringside. When Cena returned to the ring apron at 3:00, Taker walked the top rope and came off with a forearm. He followed up with a claw. Cena fought back a minute later, ducking a flying Undertaker, who flew over the top rope to the floor. Cole declared that Cena might just have a chance against Taker as they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

They fought at ringside after the break. Cena whipped Taker into the ringside stairs. Taker began bleeding from the forearm. Cena leaped into Taker, but Taker caught him and rammed him into the ringpost. Taker rolled back into the ring to break the referee's count. Taker gave Cena a stiff looking guillotine legdrop off the ring apron to regain control. He kept control for several minutes, but Cena made a comeback with a spinebuster, then a moment later a forearm off the top rope and a Throwback. He then did his Five Knuckle Shuffle and scored a near fall at 18:15. Cena lifted Taker for an FU, but Taker escaped and gave Cena a big boot. Cena then escaped a Last Ride attempt. Taker swung an arm at Cena, but Cena ducked and the Taker inadvertently hit the ref. Cena managed to give Taker an FU. He scored a visual fall on Taker, but the ref was still out. Taker eventually sat up and gave Cena a chokeslam. Taker then covered Cena, but the ref was still out. Taker then KO'd Cena with his fist wrapped in a chain. "Cena... is... done," said Tazz. Taker followed up with the Tombstone. He crossed Cena's arms over his chest and scored the three count. Paul Heyman walked out holding an urn. Taker stared back as Cole wondered if Taker would do the right thing Sunday or if Paul Bearer would be buried alive.

WINNER: Undertaker at 22:07.

STAR RATING: *** -- Solid, but not spectacular match. A great experience for Cena to be a long high-profile TV match like that and be treated with reasonable respect from Taker, including scoring a clean visual fall on Taker while the ref was down.

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