Smackdown

Card Information:
 Held in: VON BRUAN CIVIC CENTER
Location: ALABAMA, UNITED STATES
          on April 2004 at 8:00pm

Interview:
More words from Evolution...
Click here to see highlights.

The Rock is not yet in the building, and Evolution seem to think that he's not
coming.


No-Countout-No-DQ-Cage Match:
Mick Foley and Steve Austin defeated Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho when
S. Austin pinned Benoit after a small package in 0:23:16.
Rating: *** 1/2
Click here to see highlights.

After a rather good cage match, all four men continued to brawl to the back.


Hurricane Helms pinned Shannon Moore with the Eye of the Hurricane in 0:11:42.
Rating: *** 3/4

With the title not on the line, The Hurricane got a big win over the current
Cruiserweight Champion.  He may well be in line for a shot at the gold very
soon.


Interview:
Words with the commissioner...
Click here to see highlights.

Regal is ready to face the Ultimate Warrior in a non-title match.  Brock Lesnar
has the night off, and therefore shouldn't show his face.


The Ultimate Warrior pinned William Regal with the Big Splash in 0:03:33.
Rating: **

The Champion makes short work of Regal, and then sends out a message to Bret
Hart, warning the Hitman to watch his back.


The Can-Am Express defeated The Basham Brothers when LaFon defeated Doug by
disqualification in 0:13:49.
Rating: ** 3/4
[Shaniqua interfered against Phil LaFon.]

Constant interference by Shaniqua led to the DQ.

Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle defeated Bret Hart and Rob Van Dam when Jarrett
 pinned RVD with the Stroke in 0:16:58.
Rating: *** 1/2
[The Ultimate Warrior interfered against Bret Hart.]

Jarrett proved he was ready for RVD at Backlash.  The Ultimate Warrior came
to ringside during the match, but did not get involved.


Interview:
An answer on The Rock...
Click here to see highlights.

The Rock no-shows again, leaving Hogan, HBK and Nash to call on Rey Mysterio
as their partner.


Elimination Match:
Evolution (Ric Flair and Triple H), Ted DiBiase and The Big Show beat
The Kliq (Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels), Hulk Hogan and Rey Mysterio 4 falls to
 1:
         x Big Show beat Rey Rey via the Showstopper in 0:19:33
         x Flair beat Nash via a small package in 0:32:47
         x Michaels beat Flair via the Sweet Chin Music in 0:46:49
         x HHH beat The Hulkster via the Pedigree in 0:54:59
         x Big Show beat Michaels via the Showstopper in 1:04:40
Survivors: Triple H, Ted DiBiase, The Big Show
Rating: ***

Despite a valient effort from Shawn Michaels, he couldn't survive against the
challenge of 3 against 1.



Card rating: ***


Match observations: 

So where was The Rock?  It seems more than likely that he will join with
Evolution this Sunday night.  But will it happen before, during or after the
match with Triple H and Ric Flair.  It won't be long before we find out.

The tag team title advantage has to go with Big Show and Ted DiBiase, seeing
how Show was able to kick out of Sweet Chin Music, and then choke slam HBK
into oblivion tonight.  The Million Dollar Team may well be wearing the gold
by the end of Backlash.

The Ultimate Warrior certainly made his presence felt tonight, defeating the
Commissioner, William Regal, rather soundly, and then showing up during Bret
Hart's tag match.  Warrior's involvement was minimal at the most, and had
nothing to do with his potential future opponent Jeff Jarrett pinning Rob
Van Dam at the end of the contest.

The Hurricane made a great showing for himself tonight, and will surely face
the winner of the Rey Mysterio/Shannon Moore match at Backlash in the very
near future.  For all the dues he has paid, it's time for the Hurricane to
claim his own time in the spotlight.

So Backlash is this Sunday, and from the looks of things it should be a great
event.  Be sure to check it out.

Next Show: Backlash