[2001-02-08-WWF-Smackdown] The Rock vs Big Show

[GSR]

The Rock is pacing backstage as Kevin Kelly tries to get a word with him.  Rock says how the Big Show has changed since he returned to the WWF; he’s focussed, an unstoppable monster, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that you don’t mess with the Rock.  He took him out last week, now he’s got his chance to go one on one with the Great One, the winner going on to face Kurt Angle for the World championship at No Way Out. 

The World champion makes an entrance before the two wrestlers, Michael Cole wondering what he’s doing out here.  I’d hazard a guess he’s going to be providing some guest commentary, the same thing that every wrestler who’s not involved in the next match but walks out before it does.  Kurt is in shock that Essa Rios has challenged him to a match, that one will take place on Heat tomorrow.  ‘The King’ thinks that Angle will be facing Show at the PPV and he won’t be a problem for him.  Show starts out the aggressor and Kurt is clearly enjoying the Rock’s discomfort.  Rock gets booted to the outside where Show drops him chest first across the barricade.  Back in the ring he’s straight in with a bear hug, working on those ribs that he just damaged.  Final Cut, only they’re too close to the ropes and Rock gets a leg over them.  Angle is noticeably sweating now, thinking that there is every likelihood Show may end up winning this after all.  Rock avoids the charge in the corner and starts fighting back.  A flying clothesline drops Show as Cole screams “the Show is down, the Show is down!”  He powers out of the attempted Rock Bottom, sending Rock sailing over the top to the outside.  Show attacks Angle, throwing him into the front row, but then takes a bump through the announce table courtesy of a big Rock right hand.  That took as much out of Rock as it did his opponent, in fact Show is up first, pressing Rock overhead and dumping him back inside.  Rock with a low blow followed by a DDT.  People’s elbow but Show kicks out, Cole claiming that no-one has ever kicked out of the People’s elbow before.  I’m not researching that to see if it’s true or not.  Show is already to his feet and snatches Rock around the throat for a chokeslam, however Rock’s flailing legs KO referee Earl Hebner.  Kurt has recovered from being attacked and blasts Show with two vicious chair shots.  He goes to nail Rock, who ducks, and in turn he drills Kurt causing him to drop the chair.  Rock Bottom onto the chair, Show’s enormous back hiding what he’s lay on.  Hebner comes around to count the fall and Rock moves on to challenge for the World title at No Way Out.  An irate Show isn’t going quietly, chokeslamming both men and leaving them laying.