WWE 'Smackdown' August 29, 2002 Quiz

Answer: Stephanie McMahon

As 'Smackdown' began, Stephanie McMahon walked to the ring and announced that since Brock Lesnar, the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, was now a permanent fixture on 'Smackdown' there would be a One-Night Single-Elimination series to determine who the Number One Contender would be.

Answer: Edge

Eddie Guerrero faced off against Edge in the first match of the One-Night Single-Elimination series. Guerrero had control of the match from the beginning, but Edge soon took control and started to beat down Latino Heat. Edge went for a cover, but Guerrero kicked out at two. Guerrero then regained control when he targeted Edge's shoulder, which had been previously injured. Guerrero worked at the shoulder until knocked him out of the ring.

The match went to the outside of the ring, where Edge continued to brutalize Guerrero. Latino Heat was slammed into the ringpost.

The match then proceeded back in the ring, where Guerrero hit Edge with a wicked suplex, but Edge kicked out at two and landed a powerbomb on Guerrero. Because Edge had taken such a brutal beating to his previously wounded shoulder, and because up to this point the match had taken a lot out of him, Edge was unable to capitalize on the powerbomb. With both men out the referee started the count, but just as he was about to reach ten, Edge revived and went after Guerrero liked a man possessed. During the brutal battle, Edge hit Latino Heat with a drop-kick missile, causing Guerrero to get out of the ring and retrieve two chairs. Guerrero hit Edge with one of the chairs while the referee's back was turned.

Then Latino Heat pinned Edge after hitting him with a 'Frog Splash'. This win, although tainted, advanced Guerrero in the Elimination Series.

Answer: Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy kept asking Stephanie who he was going to have a match with in the One-Night Single-Elimination series. While Stephanie hemmed and hawed, Matt kept saying that he was ready, that he could be the new WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Stephanie told him that she'd have to think about it.

Answer: John Cena

Reverend D-Von faced off against John Cena in the second match of the One-Night Single-Elimination series. D-Von had control of the match, but it was soon taken away by the rookie. Cena assaulted D-Von with all the moves that he could muster. Control of the match kept bouncing back and forth until D-Von decided to end it.

He hit Cena with a suplex and an elbow drop, then followed it up with a powerslam. D-Von had the rookie pinned a few times, but each time Cena kicked out. Cena fought back and hit D-Von with a neckbreaker and a series of hard forearms. Cena pinned the Reverend, but D-Von kicked out. D-Von once again took control and hit Cena with a DDT and pinned the rookie.

Answer: Batista

After D-Von pinned Cena, he was viciously attacked by Batista, with whom he had a falling out with a few weeks previously. Batista hit D-Von with a 'Sit-Down Powerbomb'. With D-Von unconscious on the mat, Batista stood over him and looked on.

Answer: Rico

Rey Mysterio faced off against Rico, who was accompanied by Billy and Chuck. Rico tried to gain control in the beginning, but Mysterio gained it by knocking Rico out of the ring, and then leaping over the ropes and landing on Billy and Chuck. When Billy and Chuck tried to interfere, referee Mike Sparks had them removed from ringside. Rico once again tried to take control, but Mysterio stopped him in his tracks with a flying leg scissors kick. Rico finally took control of the match when he delivered a massive powerslam.

He then followed it up with a suplex and pinned Mysterio, who kicked out at two. Rico delivered another powerslam and went for the cover, only to have Mysterio kick out again. Mysterio regained control and hit the stylist with the '619', and quickly followed with the 'West Coast Pop'. Mysterio then pinned Rico for the win.

Answer: Hardcore Holly

Hardcore Holly was trying to convince Stephanie to place him in the One-Night Single-Elimination series, by saying that there was no one tougher or better than him. But when Dawn Marie told Stephanie that an important phone call came through, Stephanie left Holly talking to the door.

Answer: Matt Hardy

While Stephanie was talking to a wrestler from 'Raw' who wanted to join 'Smackdown', Matt Hardy came in the office and once again asked her about placing him in the One-Night Single-Elimination series. When she ignored him, he hung the phone up on her. Stephanie went ballistic and told him that if he wanted to face Brock Lesnar so badly, he would face him this night in a Non Title Match.

Answer: Eddie Guerrero

Rikishi faced off against Eddie Guerrero in the third match of the One-Night Single-Elimination series. Rikishi had control of the match from the beginning. His massive build helped keep Guerrero at bay, but not for too long. Guerrero went after Rikishi's left knee like a rabid dog.

He assaulted Rikishi's knee to the point where the Phat Man could hardly walk on it. When Guerrero tried to charge at Rikishi, who was in the corner, Rikishi fought back. Guerrero was now on the receiving end of the brutality. Rikishi flung Guerrero to one corner of the ring and then the next.

Then when Latino Heat fell in a heap in the corner, Rikishi was all prepared to give him the 'Stink Face', but Guerrero was a little too quick for massive Rikishi. Guerrero landed a few good hits, but was put out by a superkick by the Phat Man. Rikishi pinned Guerrero for the win. Rikishi advanced int the Elimination Series.

Answer: Chris Benoit

After Rikishi won the pinfall, Chris Benoit came to the ring and assaulted him. Benoit put him in the 'Crippler Crossface' and refused to let go. Then Edge ran to the ring and took out Guerrero, who was also assaulting the limp Rikishi. Between Edge and Rikishi, Guerrero and Benoit had no choice but to escape.

Answer: Shannon Moore

Shannon Moore, accompanied by The Hurricane, faced off against Tajiri, who was accompanied by Jamie Noble and Nidia. Moore had control of the match, but the experienced Tajiri soon gained control and took the rookie to school. The Japanese Buzzsaw hit the rookie with a snap mare and a reversed chin lock, then gave him a superkick and pinned him.

But Moore kicked, much to Tajiri's dismay. The Buzzsaw kept after Moore and put him the 'Cobra Clutch', which used to be used by Sgt. Slaughter, but Moore was able to get his foot on the rope, breaking the hold.

Then from some unknown reserve, Moore turned the tables on Tajiri. The rookie hit the veteran with chops, and even landed an elbow off the top rope. Then Moore hit Tajiri with a neckbreaker and pinned Tajiri, but the Buzzsaw kicked out. Tajiri, regaining control, hit the youngster with a German suplex and went for the cover, but Moore kicked out once again. Just then, Jamie Noble tried to interfere, but The Hurricane came to the rescue. He kept Noble out of the way, which allowed Moore to pin Tajiri and pick up his first win.

Answer: Rikishi

In the fourth match of the One-Night Single-Elimination series, Chris Benoit faced off against Rikishi. Rikishi, who was barely recovered from the assault at the hands of Guerrero and Benoit, had control of the match in the beginning. He landed a 'Samoan Drop' on the Rabid Wolverine, but Benoit fought back viciously. Every chance he had, Benoit put Rikishi in the 'Crippler Crossface'. Finally, Rikishi had no choice but to tap out.

This advanced Benoit in the One-Night Single-Elimination series.

Answer: Matt Hardy

Brock Lesnar faced off against Matt Hardy in a Non Title Match. Matt gave Lesnar all that he could, but it was good enough to defeat the human machine. Lesnar hit the 'F5' on Matt and pinned him for the win.

Answer: The Undertaker

Toward the end of 'Smackdown', Stephanie received important documents from Dawn Marie, which notified Stephanie that The Undertaker had just signed to her show. She then announced that the final match in the One-Night Single-Elimination series would be a Triple Threat Match.

Answer: Kurt Angle and The Undertaker

Chris Benoit faced off against The Undertaker and Kurt Angle. Angle and Benoit joined together and went after Taker. Taker fought back and splashed both men against the ringpost. Taker went for a high kick, but missed, and Benoit and Angle were like two pitbulls after a bone. Joining forces, they suplexed the 6'10" Taker. With Taker winded from the suplex, Angle grabbed the opportunity to go after Benoit.

He hit him with the 'Ankle Lock', but Benoit made it to the ropes. Then Angle and Benoit were giving each other German suplexes.

After one thunderous German suplex, Benoit went for the pin, but Taker broke it up. After the pin was broken, Angle sneaked to the outside of the ring, allowing Taker and Benoit to go at it. Taker pummeled the Rabid Wolverine in the corner of the ring, and then went for a the 'Last Ride', but just as he was about to deliver it, Angle came running in the ring and took out the left leg of The Undertaker.

Then Angle went to get a chair, but was stopped by the referee.

While the referee was being detained by Angle, Benoit went and grabbed a chair and hit Taker on the head and pinned him. But the American Badass wouldn't stay down. To the dismay of Benoit, Taker kicked out. Benoit then went for the German suplex, but Taker fought back and chokeslammed him. Then Angle rushed into the ring and locked the 'Ankle Lock' on Taker, but Taker made it to the ropes. Then Benoit and Angle battled it out, and Angle was dazed in the corner of the ring. Then in an instant Benoit had hit Taker with the 'Crippler Crossface'. It looked like Taker would succumb to the horrific move, but then to add more injury, Angle rushed over and put Taker in the 'Ankle Lock'. Taker had both finishing moves applied to him, and it looked like he couldn't take anymore punishment. Just when we thought it was all over for Taker, Angle let go of his ankle and went after Benoit. Taker was out on the mat, while Benoit and Angle battled it out. Angle hit Benoit with the 'Ankle Lock', but the Rabid Wolverine managed to get to the ropes. Then Angle pulled him back into the middle of the ring, and once again hit Benoit with the 'Ankle Lock'. Just as Benoit was about to tap out, Taker grabbed Angle and rolled him up for the pin, but he kicked out at two. Angle then hit Taker with the 'Angle Slam', but Taker fought back and knocked Angle out of the ring. It was then just Taker and Benoit going at it. Taker won when he hit the 'Last Ride' on Benoit. Way to go Taker!