Smackdown is heading to Sky Sports… AND IT’S LIVE.
This week saw the WWE announce a shake up of its programming. WWE Smackdown will be moving to a live broadcast on Tuesday nights as part of a brand spilt.
(Sky Sports will be picking up the UK broadcasting rights, showing Smackdown live at 1am from July 19th.)
Much like in the “Ruthless Aggression” era of the early 2000s, Smackdown will now exist as its own TV show, separate from Monday Night RAW.
Both television shows will have their own rosters and storylines unique to each programme, which will soon be decided after a WWE Superstar draft.
Since its birth in 1999, Smackdown has played host to some of WWE’s best stories. Here’s our look at Smackdown’s most memorable moments.
1. The very first episode
Smackdown’s first episode was headlined with a bout between Triple H and The Rock for the WWE Championship. Inevitably, SHENANIGANS took place throughout the entire show, with Shawn Michaels (in frankly ridiculous shorts) hitting an outrageous superkick on the People’s Champ to help his best mate HHH retain the belt. Also memorable from that first episode was a young Ken Shamrock getting into beef with legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel. Oh those were the days.
2. Rey Mysterio’s debut
After buying out WCW in the early 200os, the WWE had a surplus of wrestling talent. In April 2002 they decided to have their first “Brand Extension”, with Smackdown acting separate from RAW, the spilt allowed new, younger wrestlers to get much more screen time, and kicking off the new era was the debut of Mexican wrestler Rey Mysterio.
With a skip and jump, Rey went on to become one of the most loved wrestlers of the past decade, winning fans around the world with his high flying wrestling style in the WWE. And it all started with an episode of Smackdown.
3.The ring collapses
The Big Show and Brock Lesnar did some proper Big Lads Division hossfights during their time on Smackdown and this June 2003 bout was no different. With Big Show caught in no man’s land, Brock sets him up for one of the biggest suplexes you will ever see. Commentator Taz forgets where he is after the move hits. “Holy Shit” he screams. Holy shit indeed.
4. The emergence of John Cena
“What makes you think you can walk out here, and come into the ring and face the very best in the business?” asked Kurt Angle to a young rookie wrestler in a Smackdown episode back in 2002.
“Ruthless Aggression”, the rookie replied and that was it, John Cena had arrived. Now a 15 time World Champion, “Big Match John” has been the main man in the WWE for the best part of 14 years. Teaching us all about Hustle, Loyalty & Respect. Not to mention that you should never give up. Love you Cena, you don’t have to turn heel for us.
5. Arnold Schwarzenegger wellies Triple H
Back in 2004, Triple H was angling pretty hard to get cast in the rumoured Conan the Barbarian film. The plan was Conan 3 would have Arnie has King, struggling to rein in his aggressive son Kon, who would be played by the wrestler.
Conan 3 never came to pass, but wrestling fans got a glimpse of how things may have played out in this November 1999 episode of Smackdown when Arnold Schwarzenegger turned up. Triple H has since gone on to dress as both Conan and the Terminator for Wrestlemania entrances. Arnie is now in the WWE Hall of Fame. We’d still be up for Conan 3. Get moving lads.
6. Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
By the second half of 2002, Smackdown was ruled by a number of fresh stars. Dubbed the “Smackdown Six”, the group included a number of world champions including Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, Edge and Eddie Guerrero. At any point, booker Paul Heyman could chuck a pair of the Six together in a match safe in the knowledge it’d produce gold. This September 2002 bout between Edge and Eddie was no different, an electric No Disqualification match that saw some impressive uses of a 10ft ladder. Sensational.
7. Tables, Ladders & Chairs III
A secret Tables, Ladders & Chairs match, TLC III added a team led by Chris Jericho into the usual miss of the Dudley Boyz, the Hardy brothers and Edge & Christian. Despite the match being given away on free TV, TLC III is no less amazing than its PPV brethren, proving to be a barnstorming tag team match with every team going at full tilt to win the gold. There’s a point in this one where the Dudleys land a “Super 3D”. We’ll leave you to watch it to figure out what how it happens.
8. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar Iron Man MatchÂ
This is one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time. ALL TIME. Regardless of federation, wrestling nation or era. Kurt vs. Brock’s Iron Man from September 18, 2003, is a top tier wrestling event. An hour of incredible technical wrestling, high risk maneuvers and emotional storytelling. Betters the amazing Wrestlemania 19 main event the pair had, this is the pinnacle of Smackdown. Heck it’s possibly the pinnacle of WWE wrestling. Get it watched on the WWE Network today.
All images via WWE.
Did we miss out your favourite Smackdown moment? Let us know at hello@JOE.co.uk, or drop us a message on Facebook.
