WWF Smackdown: May 24, 2001

Taped in Anaheim, CA

Opening Promo Time with Shane McMahon
Some people may wonder why he did what he did to The Hardys on Monday
They were simply a necessary casualty.
Some may wonder why if Shane McMahon has 50% control over the World Wrestling Federation, why he would even care about WCW. The answer to that should be obvious. The WWF is his dad’s company. It doesn’t matter who has control. It doesn’t matter that he’s able to make a title match. The WWF will always belong to Vince McMahon. But WCW is Shane’s. It is the Phoenix that will rise from the ashes and drive Vince out of this business for good. Then he will merge the two companies and under the banner WCW, this company will thrive once again.
Without further ado, Shane introduces the first official members of the new WCW.
The Dudley Boys Arrive
Bubba: In 1999 when we were brought into this company, we were already multiple time ECW Champions and the most dominant and over team in the sport. So when we decided to sell our souls to the devil, we expected it to come with rewards. Instead we went into our first creative meeting and they said, you know what was funny Bubba? When you used to stutter. You do that on Raw and you’ll get real heat and draw money. So I did it. And for 2 years I have taken every damn insulting idea they’ve had and we’ve run with it. I assaulted women because I was told to. We used tables in matches we could have won in three minutes, we rehashed a stupid beer commercial every time we wrestled for your entertainment. Then Shane McMahon reminded us, we could be just as over and just as entertaining, just by beating people’s asses, like we’ve always done. Matt and Jeff, it wasn’t personal. No, you know what it was. You couldn’t lace our boots, but still you guys and Edge and Christian you’re prettier than us, so you’re the poster boys. We’re just the big ugly dudes who have been carrying you for two years. Well no more. Our time is now.
D-Von: Testify

COMMERCIAL

King of the Ring Qualifying Match: X-Pac vs. Rikishi
5- minute match
X—Pac comes off the top rope right into a superkick by Rikishi. The Samoan Drop finishes it.

Dean Malenko is summoned to William Regal’s office. He knows that for some time Dean has felt unchallenged for his Light Heavyweight Title. Dean says in two months as champion, he’s barely broken a sweat. Regal has a feeling that will change tonight. He will meet a newcomer to the WWF tonight in a non-title match. Dean looks forward to it.

Elsewhere, Shane McMahon now has his own office, adorned with WCW merchandise. He tells the Dudleys that his surprises aren’t over just yet. Tonight the Dudleys will face Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho.

COMMERCIAL

King of the Ring Qualifying Match: The Big Show vs. Spike Dudley
5-minute match
Show laughs the match off and toys with Spike
Spike starts to get some offense and actually knocks Show out of the ring.
Suicide dive hits by Spike
Show gets angry and grabs Spike and chokeslams him through the announce table
That gets the DQ
Show starts to tear apart the ringside area

COMMERCIAL

In the back, Chris Jericho asks William Regal if he will get the shot at Benoit’s title at King of the Ring. Regal says he and Mr. McMahon have given it a lot of thought and decided that yes, Chris Jericho will have his rematch at King of the Ring. If they beat the Dudleys tonight.

Dean Malenko vs. ?
The Opponent is none other than Yoshohiro Tajiri.
4-minute match
Dean is completely unprepared falling to all of Tajiri’s offensive moves
Tajiri ducks a clothesline off the irish whip and a kick to the ribs followed by one to the head finishes it.

COMMERCIAL

Promo Time with Stone Cold Steve Austin
He doesn’t know what the hell’s going on anymore
WCW is in the WWF, Shane McMahon is telling him who to fight.
He doesn’t give a damn what Shane says, he’s not fighting The Undertaker
Shane is out. He doesn’t want there to be any hard feelings between Stone Cold and himself. He’s doing what’s best for this business. Keeping WCW out of Vince’s hands was best. Giving wrestlers the opportunity to get out of Vince’s web is for the best. Having Austin fight Undertaker is for the best. No longer will the WWF be run by a tyrant, Shane McMahon and WCW will give the fans what they want. If Austin doesn’t fight Undertaker at KOTR, he will be stripped of the WWF Title.

COMMERCIAL

Rhyno is in Regals office. He wants to know how many more people he has to Gore before he gets taken seriously. He wants a shot at the WWF Title. William Regal assures him that that is not going to happen. But since he barged in here so rudely he can defend his own belt tonight. Against former champion Steve Blackman.

Grandmaster Sexay vs. Bull Buchanan
5-minute squash
Bull finishes Sexay off with a TKO

Dean Malenko tells Regal he wants Tajiri again on Monday. Regal says that’s fine, but this time it will be for the gold.

COMMERCIAL

Edge and Christian are in the back. Christian doesn’t think it’s fair that Edge got Bob Holly on Monday and he had to wrestle Kane. Edge tells him to relax. Once Edge wins King of the Ring, he’ll totally share the throne. They can be co-kings. Christian doesn’t seem quite as grateful as Edge might like him to be.

WWF Hardcore Title: Steve Blackman vs. Rhyno ©
5-minute match
The kendo stick comes into play early and often
Blackman gets a big kick that sends Rhyno into the ropes.
Another kick misses and Rhyno finishes it with the Gore.
Rhyno on the mic, he wants Austin and if somebody doesn’t give him what he wants, they’re all gonna get Gored!

In the back, Chris Jericho passes on what Regal told him earlier. Benoit says then they’d better win.

COMMERCIAL

The Dudley Boys vs. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho
14- minute match
Very good match
The ref gets bumped late and the Hardy Boys enter the ring
They take out D-Von and throw him over the top.
Benoit hits the Swan Dive headbutt on Bubba and looks over at Jericho as if he may not cover.
Jericho hits the lionsault and the ref recovers to count 3.
Jericho retrieves the IC belt. Benoit tries to take it but Jericho is reluctant to release it.

Fade to black…