Smackdown!

Ropchester, New York
July 3, 2003

Zach hired! Mr. America fired! Eddie snaps!

July 3, 2003
For weeks, Vince McMahon has been trying to get Zach Gowen and Mr. America off SmackDown! forever. This week's episode was a "good news, bad news" situation for the chairman. Just before the Zach Gowen & Stephanie McMahon vs. Big Show match -- WWE's "first real Handicap Match," as described by Mr. McMahon, who ordered the match on last week's show -- a beaming chairman, accompanied by Sable, hit the ring with the good news. Good news, at least, from his perspective. The chairman had "smoking gun" footage from after the cameras stopped rolling last week at Madison Square Garden. Mr. America, apparently caught up in the moment of performing at MSG, peeled off his mask to show the New York fans his face. It was Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster must've assumed that Mr. McMahon wasn't watching and would never see the footage. But he was wrong, and with that, Mr. McMahon finally got to utter those famous words to Mr. America and Hogan: "You're fired!"

But the owner didn't have as much luck with the Zach Gowen situation. Mr. McMahon thought he had a foolproof plan to keep Zach out of WWE. After all, how could Stephanie and Zach possibly defeat the 500-pound Big Show? But after a little help from Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar -- who, Mr. McMahon announced, would be part of a Triple Threat WWE Championship Match with Big Show at Vengeance -- Zach was able to pin the Big Show after an incredible one-legged moonsault, earning his WWE contract. No doubt, Mr. McMahon will regret the no disqualification stipulation he inserted into the match.

Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, and Eddie is irate about it! Guerrero was pinned moments after he was distracted when he checked on Tajiri, who had landed awkwardly on the low-rider parked at ringside (the duo had driven it to the ring). After the match, Guerrero snapped, slamming Tajiri onto the car. Tajiri landed on the windshield, which shattered beneath him! The Japanese Buzzsaw will undoubtedly want to "get him some" of Eddie when/if he recovers.

Match results:

Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio pinned Nunzio to retain the title.

Chris Benoit & Rhyno defeated the Basham Brothers.

Billy Gunn, accompanied by Torrie Wilson, pinned John Cena to advance in the U.S. Title Tournament.

WWE Tag Team Championship: Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri to win the titles.

A-Train pinned Orlando Jordan after the Train Wreck.

In a No Disqualification Match, Zach Gowen & Stephanie McMahon defeated the Big Show when Zach pinned Show after a moonsault.