Smackdown

Card Information:
 Held in: EVENING NEWS ARENA
Location: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
          on March 2004 at 8:00pm

Interview:
Tonight's challenger...
Click here to see highlights.

Chris Jericho fires off threatening words at WWE Champion Bret Hart, whom he
will face later on.


The Kliq (Scott Hall and X-Pac) defeated Rob Van Dam and Ken Shamrock when X-Pac
 defeated RVD via pinfall in 0:06:07.
Rating: * 3/4

A disappointing opener.  It seems as though Van Dam may be on his way out of
the IC title hunt.


Chris Benoit defeated Jamie Noble by disqualification in 0:08:13.
Rating: ***

Benoit gets the tainted win in an otherwise great match.


Interview:
Benoit is confronted...
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After a confrontation with Paul Heyman, Chris Benoit will now face AJ Styles
at Wrestlemania.


The Rock pinned Ted DiBiase with the People's Elbow in 0:15:57.
Rating: *** 3/4

Much like he did at No Way Out, The Rock pinned DiBiase, only to be attacked
by the Big Show afterwards.  Before too long, Hulk Hogan came down to make
the save.


Kurt Angle made Maven submit to the Ankle Lock in 0:13:57.
Rating: ** 3/4

A good win for Angle over Maven, in a hard-fought contest.

Interview:
A surprise for Angle...
Click here to see highlights.

Mick Foley returns as himself, and announces a death match between Foley and
Kurt Angle for Wrestlemania.


Edge pinned Ric Flair after a spear in 0:10:56.
Rating: * 1/2

Could have been better, but at least won't take the shine off the main event.


Bret Hart defeated Chris Jericho when Chris Jericho passed out in the
Sharpshooter in 0:10:08.
Bret Hart tore his right triceps. He will be out for approximately 7 cards.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Bret Hart retained the WWE Championship.)
Click here to see highlights.

An amazing match-up, which saw Bret Hart retain the title.  However, his
tricep injury means that he will have to miss Wrestlemania, and therefore must
forfeit the title.



Card rating: ***


Match observations: 

Well, what a shocking end to the night.  Bret Hart actually made a successful
defence of the WWE Title, unlike the champs before him, but must now forfeit
the title due to an horrific injury suffered in the match with Chris Jericho.

As a result of this injury, the face of Wrestlemania may now change entirely.
Rumour has it that a decision will be made regarding the WWE Championship on
Raw this Monday night.

In other news, three more matches have been announced for Wrestlemania after
tonight's actions, although the WWE title situation could cause this to turn
around.  Tentatively signed are Mick Foley versus Kurt Angle in a Death Match,
The Rock versus The Big Show, and Chris Benoit versus AJ Styles, although all
of these could be eliminated come Monday night.

Next Show: Raw