Smackdown: May 17, 2001

Taped in Louisville, KY

Opening Promo Time with The Undertaker

• Taker says at Judgment Day he intends to take care of Mick Foley because the ring is his yard and it’s his job to protect it. But he doesn’t need any help from the Big Show or any other McMahon ass-kissers.
• Vince makes his way out. He doesn’t care for Taker’s tone. Quite frankly, he doesn’t care for the Undertaker. He’s also not sure that he can trust him. Sure, Undertaker says he won’t lay down, but how can McMahon be sure. How does he know that Undertaker won’t just not show up.
• Undertaker says Vince shouldn’t trust him. But he knows damn well that The Undertaker’s not gonna pass up a fight and damn sure ain’t gonna lay down to avoid one. Besides he could really care less who’s in control, Vince or Linda. In the end, The Undertaker is still making the rules. This is his first rule, he destroys Mick Foley at Judgment Day, he wants to be the number one contender.
• Vince says he had a feeling that he may come out here and be given an ultimatum by Taker. He’s not ready to make that decision tonight. Steve Austin has enough to worry about, his career is on the line tonight. Tonight, Undertaker can help his cause though, by proving that Vince can trust him. Tonight The Undertaker will team with Stone Cold Steve Austin. They will face Triple H and …Kane.

In the back, The Hardys are discussing things when Shane McMahon approaches. He’s got a big surprise for The Hardys on Monday. He thinks they’re really gonna like it.

COMMERCIAL

WWF Light-Heavyweight Title: Dean Malenko (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

• 8 minute match
• Very good match with lots of near falls for both guys.
• Jeff has the advantage late when Regal and Angle make their way out.
• Jeff hits both with a plancha.
• Jeff back in, he goes for a slam, but Malenko gets him with a Steamboat roll-up to retain.

COMMERCIAL

In the back, Stone Cold is pissed off at Vince McMahon for agreeing to this match on Sunday. All of a sudden his career is in Vince McMahons hands and he doesn’t like that very much. How the hell does he know this isn’t all a big set-up. McMahon asks him if he even remembers WrestleMania and Backlash, why the hell would he screw him now? If he wanted to fire him he could have done that years ago. No, Austin has nothing to worry about on Sunday, because there is no chance in hell that Vince McMahon will throw in the towel. He doesn’t have enough compassion.

The Big Show vs. Bradshaw

• 5 minute match
• Power match, with Bradshaw getting a surprising amount of offense.
• In the end, Bradshaw hits a big boot and sets up the Clothesline From Hell but runs into the ChokeSlam for 3.

Backstage, William Regal is hosting Kurt Angle in his office when the Hardy’s storm in. They want to do the match tonight. Regal informs Jeff that for insurance purposes he’s not going to sign him to a second match tonight. If Matt can find another partner though, they’re on.

COMMERCIAL

In the back, Kane approaches his brother. Taker asks him how his ribs are? Kane stares. Taker tells him it’s good to have him back and he’s sorry about what he’s gotta do tonight. Kane stares. Taker tells him to say something damnit. Kane says “gotta do? and walks away.

Undertaker walks around a corner right into Stone Cold Steve Austin. Taker tells him that when he’s done with this fight on Sunday, he’s got at least one good one left for Austin. Austin says “yeah, we’ll see.”

William Regal & Kurt Angle vs. Matt Hardy &

• Once again, it’s Rikishi, who seems to want to save everybody from handicap matches.
• 7 minute match
• Good back and forth action, with everybody getting their spots in.
• Albert makes his way out and pulls Rikishi off the apron and throws him into the barricade.
• The double-team is on in the ring. Jeff makes his way out and Regal cuts him off on the ramp.
• Angle slam finishes it in the ring.
• Angle locks in the anklelock until Jeff can finally get the upperhand on Regal and make the save

COMMERCIAL

In the back, Shane McMahon is talking to Rhyno. Shane’s telling him it could really benefit him to sign with WCW. He can guarantee title shots and main events. Rhyno says he’s heard all of that before and so far it’s gotten him nowhere. Shane says Rhyno should meet with him and his business partners. He’s sure Raven will change his mind.

Meanwhile, Triple H is sitting with Stephanie. He tells her to forget they’re married on Sunday. He doesn’t care what happens, don’t throw in that towel. The worst thing they can do is hurt him physically. If she throws in that towel everything they’ve worked for is gone. Stephanie promises she won’t throw it.

COMMERCIAL

Christian vs. Chris Benoit

• 8 minute match
• Another good match tonight
• This one ends though, in a disqualification as Benoit gets the crossface and Edge intervenes. Chris Jericho makes the save. Two-on-two brawl follows.
• Jericho gets tossed. Edge spears Benoit and they set up the conchairto.
• Jericho sees this, seems to hesitate a second then does make the save.

In the back, Stephanie sits alone deep in though. Vince enters the room. He’s here to talk some sense into Steph. He reminds Steph that Hunter is her husband. One day he’ll be the father of her children. Is a belt worth jeopardizing that? Of course not. She should just throw in that towel. Then her and Hunter can ride off into the sunset and raise little McMahons. She can give him her 25% and not have to worry about this business any more. Stephanie assures Vince that none of those things are going to happen. Some day I will have kids and I will have to step away from wrestling to raise them, but I can assure you I will not be giving you any control over this company. Vince is upset.

COMMERCIAL

In the back Jericho is getting dressed. Raven is behind him smiling. Jericho wants to know what the hell is so funny. Raven says “you almost let him get hurt didn’t you? It would have been the right thing to do. Nobody in this business cares about anybody else. Look out for yourself. Wolverines don’t make good house pets.”

Meanwhile, The Undertaker has tracked down Vince. He wants to know why the hell he should go through this tonight. He’s beginning to wonder what’s in it for him on Sunday too. Is he gonna be the number one contender or not. Vince answers “hell no”.. What’s in it for you? Your livelihood. Your job. Your family’s lone source of income. You have a contract and you will do what I tell you to do, or your career is over.

COMMERCIAL

Hardcore Hollys vs. The Dudley Boys

• 5 minute semi-squash for the Dudleys
• They finish Crash off with the 3D.
• Bubba wants a mic. He says they’ve been forgotten over the past couple of weeks. Vince and Regal and Stephanie and everybody else have been too hung up with their own business. Starting now, they’re gonna start reminding everybody who the best tag team in the world is.

In the back, Triple H confronts Vince. “Sunday Night, I will be the World Heavyweight Champion. God willing, Mick pins the Dead Man and you have no control. After that, you can leave me and my wife the hell alone.” Hunter leaves to find the Dead Man standing outside the office as well. “You don’t have to worry about me losing, son. But hell, I’m kind of rooting for ya. If you win and Austin’s gone…who do you think he’s gonna send to track you down?”

COMMERCIAL

Main Event: Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker vs. Triple H and Kane

• 11 minute match
• Hunter and Austin go at it every chance they get. Undertaker takes pleasure in beating on Hunter.
• Taker and Kane somewhat reluctantly go at it…but do beat on each other.
• Austin and Taker are clearly not eager to team together, Hunter and Kane fare a little better.
• Terrific Main Event
• Austin and Hunter fight into the crowd and out a door.
• In the ring, The Undertaker goes for a tombstone, Kane reverses and hits one of his own. 1…2…3
• Kane pins the Undertaker…Michael Cole reminds us that if that happens on Sunday, Vince will no longer have any creative control in the WWF.
• Vince looks horrified at the ring.
• In the concession area, security and police officers are keeping Hunter and Austin apart.

Fade to black…