Full Credit: Buck Woodward, PWInsider.com
Smackdown for October 21st opened with the usual video, then Michael Cole & Tazz welcoming us to the show in Rockford, Illinois. They announced that the main event tonight would be, by order of General Manager Theodore R. Long, the “Champion’s Showcase” as WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield and WWE Tag Team Champions Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree team up against Rey Mysterio, Booker T & Rob Van Dam. They also hyped the Tough Enough competition and Heidenreich’s Smackdown wrestling debut.
Torrie Wilson came out to act as ring announcer for the first match. Carlito Caribbean Cool came out and started flirting with Torrie Wilson, which she ignored. Torrie tried to announce his opponent, but Carlito got annoyed with her ignoring him, so he spit apple on her. Torrie walked off without introducing his opponent.
U.S. Champion Carlito Caribbean Cool vs. Rico. Rico slapped Carlito at the bell, and hit a back bodydrop. Carlito thumbed Rico in the eye and hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Carlito applied a rear chinlock, but Rico broke out with a jawbreaker. Rico hit some punches, and slapped Carlito on the rear end after ducking a clothesline. Rico hit a back kick and a series of kicking in the corner. Carlito dodged a charging Rico and hit a rolling Rocker Dropper-style neckbreaker (Elix Skipper’s Play Of The Day) for the pin at the two minute mark. Winner: Carlito Caribbean Cool.
Michael Cole and Tazz discussed John Cena being stabbed in a nightclub two weeks ago.
Backstage, Booker T complained to Theodore R. Long about being put in a six-man tag team match. Theodore tried to put over the match as an opportunity, but Booker wasn’t buying it, saying he didn’t care about Mysterio and RVD. Long told Booker he wasn’t changing the match, and that Booker needed to “step up” and make an impact tonight.
A video on Billy Kidman injuring Chavo Guerrero with the shooting star press and his subsequent heel turn was shown, including his injuring Paul London and Charlie Haas.
Chavo Guerrero came out to the ring, as Michael Cole noted it had been 55 days since he had appeared on Smackdown. Chavo thanked the fans for the support he received while he was out hurt. As Chavo was speaking, he was interrupted by Billy Kidman’s music. Kidman came out and said it was great to see him back in the ring. Kidman said that he and Chavo go way back, mentioning their WCW days. Kidman said they were both victims, with Chavo suffering from a concussion, and Kidman suffering because the fans turned on him. Kidman said that he wishes there were more people like Chavo, because he knew Chavo forgave him for what happened. Chavo spoke about how wrestling was a tough business, and that his family was worried about him coming back. Chavo said he was close to leaving the business he loved, but an “old friend” convinced him otherwise. Chavo said he was “eternally grateful” to that friend, and chook Kidman’s hand. The two hugged, then Chavo told Kidman “that friend wasn’t you” and clotheslined him. Chavo pounded Kidman in the corner, then clotheslined him over the top rope and to the floor. A stunned Kidman went up the aisle, as Chavo yelled at him from the ring.
Paul Heyman went to Heidenreich and told him that Theodore R. Long was considering canceling his match, because Heidenreich was a danger to the fans. Heyman said an offer was made for Heidenreich to have the match, but only if he wears a straitjacket to and from the ring. Heidenreich agreed, even though Heyman mentioned that it left him defenseless in case the Undertaker attacked during his entrance or exit. Heidenreich remarked that the jacket felt like “home sweet home” to him.
A video package on the Survivor Series press conference was shown. If you are an Elite Subscriber to PWInsider.com, you can hear the full audio from the press conference.
Heidenreich, with Paul Heyman, vs. Shannon Moore. Moore attacked Heidenreich as they were taking the straitjacket off of him, but Heidenreich headbutted him down. With the jacket off, Heidenreich tossed Moore out of the ring and clotheslined him on the outside. Moore booted Heidenreich as he charged him in a corner and dropped onto him backfirst. Heidenreich got right back up and booted Moore in the face. Heidenreich hit a gutbuster, then punched him to the mat. Heidenreich choked Moore, punched him in the gut, and hit a spinning side slam for the pin at the two minute mark. Winner: Heidenreich.
Heyman put the jacket back on Heidenreich, who asked for the microphone. Heidenreich, strapped into the jacket, called out the Undertaker, saying he wanted to face him on “his terms” tonight. Heidenreich said he was defenseless, and demanded that the Undertaker come out and face him. No Undertaker tonight, though (at least not for the television audience).
Backstage, Torrie Wilson was complaining to the make-up lady about how she had to wash her hair twice to get the apple out of it. Kenzo Suzuki came up to her and sang “You Are So Beautiful To Me”. Theodore R. Long interrupted and apologized for what happened earlier. Suzuki resumed singing as Long went off to confront Carlito Caribbean Cool. Long found Cool and chastised him for what he did to Torrie. Long then questioned him about whether he was in the club when John Cena was stabbed. Cool said he wasn’t talking without his lawyers present.
A video on WWE’s European tour was shown.
Booker T was shown warming up in the back. Orlando Jordan approached him, saying JBL wanted to talk to him. Jordan apologized for calling Booker “dog” two weeks ago. Jordan asked when JBL could expect Booker. Booker just glared at Jordan and walked away.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Mark Jindrak, with Luther Reigns. It was noted that the Big Show was not at Smackdown tonight, due to being on a “promotional appearance”, so Guerrero was going it alone. Guerrero and Jindrak exchanged arm wringers at the start. Jindrak grabbed a headlock, but Eddie tried to get out with a top wristlock, only for Jindrak to power back into the headlock. Eddie finally got out with a hairpull, and made fun of Jindrak for complaining to the referee. Eddie armdragged Jindrak twice and dropkicked Jindrak to the floor as they went to commercial.
Back from break, Eddie had Jindrak in a headlock and took him to the mat over and over with side mares. Jindrak came back with a suplex and a rear naked choke. Guerrero elbowed out and flapjacked Jindrak. Guerrero hit some right hands, but Jindrak backdropped him for a two count. Jindrak applied a rear chinlock, then went back to the rear naked choke. Eddie elbowed out and hit an uppercut. Luther Reigns tripped Guerrero from the outside, but the referee didn’t see it. Guerrero reversed a side slam into a headscissors and gave Jindrak three consecutive vertical suplexes. Guerrero went to the apron, and booted Luther, who jumped up on it to interfere. The referee ordered Luther to leave. As the referee argued with Luther, Kurt Angle, from the crowd, jumped the security wall and slid the ringbell in to Jindrak. Guerrero, who had been watching the referee and Luther, went to the top rope for the frog splash. Jindrak pulled the bell over his chest, and Guerrero hit the bell. Jindrak made the cover as the referee came back in and counted the pin at the nine minute mark. Winner: Mark Jindrak.
Backstage, Paul Heyman asked Theodore R. Long, on behalf of Heidenreich, for a match with the Undertaker at Survivor Series. Theodore R. Long said he could have the match, as long as Heyman could get Undertaker to sign a contract by next week. Heyman went nuts at having to go get Undertaker’s signature, and Long chuckled.
Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio were talking in the back, when Booker T entered and made it clear that they will all team tonight, but he was out for himself. As Booker left, RVD and Mysterio promised to watch out for each other, since they didn’t trust Booker.
The $1,000,000 Tough Enough segment was next. They started out with 50 finalists, chosen from the tapes sent in. Al Snow and Bill DeMott were handling the tryout, which included a foot race, a bench press competition, a personality/promo test, and an obstacle course. They showed some contestants passing out and puking from the obstacle course. DeMott was playing “bad cop” screaming at the contestants. During the course of the segment, they would profile some of the contestants, between clips of the competition. John Minton Jr., the son of Big John Studd, was one of the guys they profiled (he didn’t make it). One of the contestants, Brian Danovich (who has wrestled indys as Brian Carlucci), was shown injuring himself while bench pressing, then they went to break.
Back from commercial, the segment continued with day two of the tryout. More profiles and clips of the competition. A former football player quit because he couldn’t handle it. Brian Danovich came back for the obstacle course, despite injuring himself the day before. He completed the whole obstacle course with one arm, as he had a torn pectoral. Al Snow put him over, but told him that he was cut due to the injury. Danovich thanked Snow for the opportunity, and he was applauded by the other contestants. Johnny Ace of WWE Talent Relations (who was not identified) told Danovich he would be getting a developmental deal with WWE after his injury healed, and he would be going to OVW. Danovich broke down and cried over the news. Another very impressive contestant, Marty, was cut for lying about his age, saying he was 30 when he was actually 40. Snow commented that he was disappointed that someone as good as him had to be cut for lying. The eight finalists were selected to end the segment.
The eight finalists are John Meyer, Nick Mitchell, Mike Mizanin, Chris Nawrocki, Daniel Puder, Ryan Reeves, Daniel Rodimer, and Justice Smith. For profiles on the eight finalists, click here. The competition between the eight of them begins next week.
Backstage, JBL and Orlando Jordan came up to Booker T. Booker congratulated JBL on his success, since they are both from Texas. Booker acted very friendly, pointing out how JBL went from Texas to New York City, and how he was now the champion. Booker joked that Jordan was JBL’s “house boy”. Booker said he was just kidding around with them, and they all laughed. JBL went to shake Booker’s hand, but Booker said they were up next, and walked off.
John Bradshaw Layfield, Rene Dupree & Kenzo Suzuki, with Orlando Jordan & Hiroko, vs. Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam & Booker T. RVD started the match with Dupree, with RVD shoving Dupree after they locked up and went to the ropes. Dupree grabbed RVD’s hair as they exchanged holds, but RVD came back to sweep Dupree’s leg for a cover, only for Dupree to sweep him leg right back. Dupree went for a piledriver, but RVD backdropped him and tagged in Rey for a double dropkick, sandwiching Dupree’s head. Dupree tagged in Suzuki, but Rey kicked Suzuki on a double backdrop attempt and rana’d Dupree from the ring. Rey went at it with Suzuki, giving him a bronco buster. RVD came in with a split leg moonsault, but JBL broke up the cover. Suzuki hit RVD in the back with forearms, but missed a charge and RVD hit a spin kick. Mysterio hit Suzuki with a springboard senton, then knocked JBL off the apron. Rey hit a springboard bodypress on Suzuki, but Dupree broke it up. The match broke down, with everyone getting in except Booker. RVD and Rey still dominated the situation, using double team moves on their opponents. RVD hit Dupree with a pescado, while in the ring, Rey went for a headscissors, but Suzuki shoved Rey into Booker T, sending both men to the floor. JBL was smiling, as he was the only person not knocked down on the floor, as they went to break.
Back from break, JBL suplexed Rey Mysterio, as order had been restored in the match. JBL put Mysterio in a sleeper, but Rey elbowed out and hit a flying headscissors. Rey then went to Booker and started to say something, but JBL hit him from behind and dragged him to his corner to tag Dupree. Dupree hit Rey with a chop for a two count, but Rey tripped him into the ropes for a 619. JBL kicked Rey from the apron as he bounced off the ropes to stop the move. Rey fought towards his corner, but Dupree knocked RVD off the apron. The match broke down again, with RVD running into the ring and attacking everyone. RVD attempted a dive to the floor on Kenzo, but missed and hit the announce table. Back in the ring, Mysterio DDT’d Dupree. JBL tagged in off Dupree, and Booker tagged in off Rey, his first tag of the match. Booker and JBL stared at each other, then started laughing. Booker grabbed Rey and held him so JBL could hit the Clothesline From Hell. As JBL bounced off the ropes, Booker let go of Rey and gave JBL a sidekick. Booker then went ballistic, giving Dupree, Suzuki and JBL spinkicks and spinebusters. Booker gave JBL an ax kick and got the pin at the thirteen minute mark. Winners: Booker T, Rey Mysterio & Rob Van Dam.
Post-match, Booker gave Orlando Jordan a Bookend, then glared at a bewildered JBL, who sat in the ring with a busted nose, to end the show.
