Smackdown

Card Information:
 Held in: TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA
Location: OHIO, UNITED STATES
          on January 2004 at 8:00pm

Interview:
Shamrock gives an answer...
Click here to see highlights.

Ken Shamrock vs. X-Pac is now officially on for the Royal Rumble.


X-Pac and Christian defeated Ken Shamrock and Rob Van Dam when X-Pac pinned RVD
 after a Northern Lights suplex in 0:11:32.
Christian suffered a back injury. He will be out for approximately 3 cards.
Rating: ***

X-Pac pins Van Dam, but the real story is Christian's injury, which means he
will be unfit to compete in the Royal Rumble.  A major blow for the Canadian.


[Semi-Finals]:
Tajiri pinned Chavo Guerrero with the Stiff kick to the head in 0:09:28.
Rating: ***

Before the match, Chavo had given Lance Storm his blessing to team with Eddie
Guerrero at the Royal Rumble, stating that he was going to win the Cruiser-
Weight title shot tournament.  I bet he wishes he hadn't said that now!


[Semi-Finals]:
Jamie Noble pinned Ultimo Dragon after a rana in 0:12:10.
Rating: ****

An excellent match, which the crowd got into, despite the fact that both men
are heels.  Noble will now face Tajiri for a shot at Brian Kendrick's title
at the Royal Rumble.


[Finals]:
Tajiri defeated Jamie Noble by disqualification in 0:04:27.
Rating: ** 1/2

After a couple of false starts (or should that be finishes), this match got
going.  However, a distraction from Dean Malenko lead to Noble getting DQ'd,
and Tajiri winning the match, thus getting the title shot.

After the match, both Noble and Malenko attacked Tajiri.


Interview:
The Dudley's last stand...
Click here to see highlights.

An emotional promo, setting up the Dudleys last match as a team for some time.


Elimination Table No-Countout-No-DQ-Match:
The Road Warriors beat The Dudley Boys 2 falls to 0:
         x Animal beat Bubba via putting him through a table in 0:04:04
         x Animal beat D-Von via putting him through a table in 0:04:51
Survivors: Hawk, Animal
Rating: 1/2*
Click here to see highlights.

A weak match essentially, as the Dudleys tag team days end in defeat.  Bubba
will continue to compete for WWE, but D-Von will now be free to pursue other
ventures in life.


The Kliq (Triple H and Scott Hall) and Jeff Jarrett defeated
Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and Steve Austin when HHH pinned S. Austin with the
Pedigree in 0:27:37.
Rating: ** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

An interesting main event, which saw rivalries continue, and Steve Austin get
pinned for the second show running.



Card rating: ** 1/4


Match observations: 

Some great matches, some not so great matches, but progress is definitely
being made.  How will Austin react to his seemingly constant losing streak?
Will he even react at all.

Due to the controversy over the finish of the Cruiserweight Title shot tourney
final, it has been determined that Tajiri will not yet be named No.1 contender
to the belt.  Instead, a three way dance will be held on Raw, between Tajiri,
Jamie Noble, and Dean Malenko, with the winner guaranteed to face Kendrick at
the Royal Rumble.  The match will be No Disqualification.

As mentioned a few times before, D-Von Dudley is now no longer working for this
company.  Bubba Ray Dudley, however, is still under contract.

Next Show: Raw