Welcome to another edition of Pro Wrestling Wars! I’m Jeff Wolfe, your go-to source for all things professional wrestling. Today, we’ll be diving into a review of the April 25, 2002 episode of Smackdown. Let’s get right into it!
In this episode, we witnessed a new era in Smackdown as HHH became a full-time wrestler on the show. However, the biggest highlight of the night was the ongoing Hulk Hogan nostalgia tour. Hogan addressed the crowd, expressing his uncertainty about his victory over HHH at Backlash due to Undertaker’s interference. He proposed a rematch, which HHH accepted, but their conversation was cut short by none other than Vince McMahon, co-owner of WWE.
Vince, never one to miss an opportunity for drama, declared that HHH was a criminal and didn’t deserve a rematch. Instead, Hogan would defend his title against the winner of the night’s main event: HHH vs. Chris Jericho. This decision left fans questioning the purpose of previous #1 contenders matches, such as Undertaker vs. Austin at Backlash.
Throughout the night, we witnessed various matches and segments that showcased the talent on the Smackdown roster. One notable match was a six-man tag team match featuring Maven, Al Snow, and Billy Kidman taking on Billy and Chuck, accompanied by Tajiri. The match started off strong, but unfortunately, it veered into comedic territory, which detracted from the overall quality. Despite the comedic elements, the match ended with Kidman hitting a shooting star press on Tajiri for the win.
Another match worth mentioning was Randy Orton’s debut match against Hardcore Holly. Orton, with only a few tattoos at the time, showcased his skills in the ring. He defeated Holly with an Oklahoma roll, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
One of the highlights of the night was Kurt Angle’s t-shirt reveal. Angle, always full of charisma, explained that his shirt would list all of his accomplishments. However, Edge interrupted the reveal, causing Angle to fall for his trick. The shirt was revealed to have two words printed on it, leading to Angle’s predictable reaction.
The main event of the night was a match between Chris Jericho and HHH, with the winner earning a title shot against Hogan. The match was intense and showcased the talents of both superstars. Jericho ultimately won the match, thanks in part to a distraction from Undertaker, setting up an exciting title match for the following week.
Overall, this episode of Smackdown had its ups and downs. While the main event and Orton’s debut were highlights, there were moments of comedic relief that didn’t quite hit the mark. It’s clear that Smackdown is in need of fresh talent to elevate the show’s creative direction.
That’s all for this edition of Pro Wrestling Wars. For more wrestling news and updates, be sure to follow us on Twitter @prowrestlingw8r and visit our website prowrestlingwars.com. Until next time, keep enjoying the world of professional wrestling!
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