[2000-11-16-WWF-Smackdown] The Rock vs Chris Benoit

[soup23]

Rikishi starts out the show with a promo. His anger has now fully transformed to Rock as he is grasping at straws to retain credibility following the reveal of him running over Austin. Rikishi shouts out the Radicalz and they say one down, one to go. Foley rolls out and has some words against Rikishi calling him a gutless coward. Foley says he is leaving the punishment of Rikishi up to Rock. He also states that Rock probably wont be there tonight and if Rock isn’t there tonight, neither is Rikishi. Cops come out and take out Rikishi out of the ring and building. Rock is here but looking rough. We are shown the finish of the Eddie vs Austin match and Eddie stomping backstage and pissed off. Foley barges in and says that Road Dogg and K-Kwick are facing the Radicalz. He also announces The Rock vs Benoit for the main event tonight. Rock promo with Kevin Kelly and this is probably one of my favorites of his from the year. He is more serious and tells Rikishi he is going to get one of the biggest ass kickings of his life on Sunday. The feud between these two is without a doubt the most underrated one in 2000 in the big two. Heated and physical matches that really rely on Rock to show toughness and make Benoit look like a pinpoint technician. This has brawling at the onset before Benoit is able to gain the advantage and he really takes it to Rock. Rock is giving to Benoit and allows him to hit a lot of his signature offense on top. Rock has a DDT and a nearfall but that transitions right into a nice moment for Benoit when he locks in the crossface and Rock narrowly is able to reach the ropes. Rock blocks a punch of Benoit and locks on the crossface of his own. That looked good by Rock mimicking submissions standards. Rock gets the spinebuster and People’s Elbow but is too winded to follow up. Benoit comes back with a snap suplex and a headbutt right to the sternum he has worked over. Rikishi makes his way through the crowd and Rock brawls with him a bit before Benoit comes from behind to continue the attack. Triple Germans and Benoit has the match at hand when Rikishi rolls into the ring and attacks Rock which certainly should cause the DQ since Hebner is pinned in the corner by Benoit but watching it happen. Bonsai drop from Rikishi to Rock and that is our closing image heading into Survivor series. Wonderful match that was a hot finish away from being perhaps the best tv match in WWF of the year. ***3/4 (7.7)

 

[ohtani's jacket]

More Rock vs. Benoit goodness. What a great match to lead us into the PPV. It was so well-executed that I felt compelled to watch the Rock vs. Rikishi match. If that's not doing your job on a go-home show then I don't know what is. No prizes for guessing what I'm watching next.