[2001-01-25-WWF-Smackdown] Chris Jericho vs Big Show

[GSR]

The first match of Show’s I’ve watched since his return to the WWF and it’s crazy to think that he went from OVW TV one day to a WWE PPV the next and then a top of the card position after that.  The Rock is out before our two competitors, much to the surprise of Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler who wonder what he’s doing as he’s not scheduled for a match.  He joins them at the announcing desk and when Cole asks him why he’s out here, Rock responds “since when does The Rock need a reason to come on his own show?”  There is a reason though; he’s out here to get a closer look at the Big Show after Show chokeslammed him on consecutive days earlier this week.  As soon as Show sees Rock he’s pointing and mouthing as the two exchange heated words.  Jericho looks to use his speed advantage, although the flying forearm doesn’t even drop Show.  He runs into a clothesline before a huge press slam.  A big paw sends Jericho out to the floor.  Show tosses him back inside but is slow as he goes to get in himself, getting nailed by a springboard dropkick.  Baseball slide, however Show snatches and runs him into the steel post.  Lawler is talking about being obsessed with pie in response to some comments from the Rock.  FFS.  Good stuff from Rock putting over Jericho’s ladder match with Chris Benoit as one of the best matches he’s ever seen.  Y2J avoids an elbow drop and returns to using his quickness.  Missile dropkick and Show’s finally down.  Jericho tries for ‘the Walls’ but can’t turn the mammoth Show over.  He catches him on the crossbody and hits ‘The Final Cut’, a new finisher, which is Shane Helms’ ‘Nightmare on Helms Street’.  This looks like this is over when out runs Chris Benoit who attacks Show for the DQ, retaliation for what he did to him on Raw.  Show stalks ‘the Crippler’ around ringside and when they pass the desk Rock gets up from behind it to an electric response.  Rock clocks show with the IC title belt, Jericho with a flying shoulderblock from the apron and finally a ‘Rock Bottom’ on the floor.

[soup23]

This is an interesting SmackDown in the fact that neither Austin,Rock or HHH are wrestling but they are all at the show even though Vince gave HHH and Austin the night off. Show has some energy here again and they essentially did a 4 minute sprint of what could have been a good 10 minute PPV match. The finish was a bit odd at the start as you see the seeds of Benoit’s face turn when he attacks Show due to receiving the chokeslam on Monday. Afterwards, Rock is on commentary and gets a receipt in as well including a big Rock Bottom on the floor. **