Smackdown!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 22, 2004

 

SUMMERSLAM SURPRISES
 

General Manager Kurt Angle, drunk on power, had a blast firing dedicated SmackDown! employees Thursday night … until the one man who outranks Angle put his foot down.

In a surprise appearance, Mr. McMahon showed Angle what a berating from the boss feels like — firing GM Angle for his wheelchair masquerade before placing him back on the active roster of Superstars. To cap it all off, Mr. McMahon ordered Angle to face Latino Heat Eddie Guerrero at SummerSlam.

In another huge SummerSlam development, the Undertaker announced to JBL and the world that he’ll challenge for the WWE Championship at the Toronto pay-per-view on Aug. 15. He made the declaration with a chokeslam, leaving JBL unconscious in the middle of the ring. It was a quick and calamitous turnaround for the WWE Champion, who went from no SummerSlam opponent to a future date with The Phenom all in the blink of an eye.

Angle’s firing clouded the United States Championship picture considerably. Before being removed from his duties, Angle promised the title to Booker T. But it was John Cena who scored an impressive win over the formidable Luther Reigns on Thursday.

There were quite a few Dudley sightings on SmackDown!, as Bubba Ray beat Billy Kidman. D-Von came up short against Rey Mysterio, but Spike won a huge Triple Threat Match against Chavo Guerrero and Jamie Noble to become the No. 1 Contender for the Cruiserweight Championship.

All that action contributed directly to next Thursday’s card. Spike will get his shot against good friend Rey Mysterio, and The Dudleys will try to become 19-time tag champions when they get their rematch against Paul London and Billy Kidman.

Also announced was a stellar Velocity main event: Rob Van Dam will take on Rene Dupree this Saturday night.

Match Results:

Spike Dudley defeats Chavo Guerrero and Jamie Noble (Triple Threat No. 1 Contender Match)

Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von) def. Billy Kidman (with Paul London)

WWE Champion JBL def. a Philadelphia youth

The Fatal Fourway Lingerie Match with Sable, Dawn Marie, Torrie Wilson and Miss Jackie never officially gets underway

Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio def. D-Von Dudley (Non-title match)

John Cena def. Luther Reigns