Smackdown

Card Information:
 Held in: PEORIA CIVIC CENTER
Location: ILLINOS, UNITED STATES
          on March 2005 at 8:00pm

Interview:
Cactus' request...
Click here to see highlights.

Cactus Jack asks Shawn Michaels to be his tag partner at Wrestlemania, leading
to an impromptu tag match.


La Resistance (Rob Conway and Sylvan Grenier) defeated
Cactus Jack and Shawn Michaels when S. Grenier pinned Cactus Jack
 after outside interference in 0:17:37.
Rating: ** 1/2
[Hollywood Hogan interfered against Cactus Jack.]

For no apparent reason, Hollywood Hogan came to the ring and got involved,
costing HBK and Cactus the match.  La Resistance seemed just as confused, but
pleased with the win.


Jeff Hardy defeated Matt Hardy via pinfall in 0:11:56.
Rating: ****
[Lita interfered against Matt Hardy.]

Jeff shocked his brother by pinning him in what was a surprisingly good non
title match.


Interview:
The Storm has changed...
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Lance Storm unveils a new attitude.


Spike Dudley pinned Lance Storm with the Dudley Dog in 0:09:35.
Rating: *** 1/2

Spike pulls off the upset victory, leaving Storm visibly upset.


Hollywood Hogan defeated Funaki by countout in 0:02:58. Hollywood Hogan suffered
 a neck injury. He will be out for approximately 12 cards.
Rating: * 1/2
[Steven Richards interfered against Funaki.]

Did Steven Richards join the nWo?  He certainly helped Hollywood Hogan get the
win here tonight.  However the big story definitely comes from Hogan's injury
that he suffered during the match.


Interview:
The WWE Champion...
Click here to see highlights.

Chris Benoit speaks on his number 1 contender, Randy Orton.


The Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) defeated
The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) when Bubba pinned Nash after
a powerslam in 0:12:48.
Rating: **** 1/4

A great tag match saw the Dudleys defeat the Outsiders.  Nothing is going the
way of the nWo.


Chris Benoit and Triple H battled to a double countout in 0:09:48.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

A great match, with a disappointing ending.



Card rating: *** 1/4


Match observations: 

The biggest news of the evening is as follows - Hollywood Hogan is officially
out of Wrestlemania.  The injury that he suffered during his match with Funaki
will keep him out of action until at least after Backlash, therefore he will
not be fighting the Undertaker in a few weeks time.  Where does this leave the
nWo?  Will they be forced to disband as Hogan forfeits the match, or will a
replacement be found?  We may well find out on the next Raw.

The nWo may well have found new members tonight, after Hollywood Hogan cost
HBK and Cactus Jack a tag match, and then Steven Richards seemingly returned 
the favour by helping out the Hulkster.  Perhaps Richards and Regal will be
the new leaders of the nWo.

A surprise loss for the Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy tonight, as he was
pinned by his brother Jeff.  A rematch has been scheduled for next Monday, with
the title on the line this time around.  Brian Kendrick, who will challenge for
the title at Wrestlemania will be watching on with interest.

It'll be intriguing to see what becomes of Chris Benoit and Triple H after the
main event tonight.  With these two superstars unable to find a winner, it does
seem likely that they'll square off again before too long.  It'll also be some
what interesting to find out who'll be the first challenger for Hunter's IC
title.

Rumour has it that Val Venis has asked for a match with his now former tag team
partner Lance Storm at Wrestlemania.  However, after Storm was beaten by Spike
Dudley here tonight, he might want to look for a more challenging opponent.

Next Show: Raw