On September 9, 2005, WWE’s first-ever Friday Night Smackdown was broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, delivering a night packed with intense competition and memorable moments. The event featured a highly anticipated Rey Mysterio steel cage match against Eddie Guerrero, alongside other headline bouts including Orlando Jordan vs. Chris Benoit for the United States Title and Batista facing JBL in a bullrope match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
General Manager Teddy Long opened the show by announcing the unique dual broadcast format—webcasting the first hour live online and airing the second hour on UPN television. This innovative approach aimed to add excitement and accessibility, marking a new chapter for WWE programming. Ringside announcers Michael Cole and Tazz welcomed viewers and set the stage for a historic night of wrestling drama.
Tag Team Champions Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich Defend Their Titles Against MNM
The evening’s action kicked off with Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich taking on MNM’s Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro in a contest for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Heidenreich impressed fans with his renewed aggressiveness and Hawk-like persona, delivering forceful offense early on by attacking Nitro and controlling the pace. Animal and Heidenreich worked cohesively, overcoming MNM’s attempts at double-team maneuvers.
The match intensified as MNM targeted Heidenreich, attempting to isolate him from Animal. Despite being pummeled, Heidenreich’s resilience shone through. After a series of near falls and outside interference attempts by Melina, Heidenreich and Animal combined efforts to maintain their dominance. The match concluded controversially when Animal struck Mercury with a championship belt, securing a referee’s three-count, an unusual finish rarely reversed when executed by a face team. This victory retained their tag team titles, solidifying their stronghold in the division.
Randy Orton Confronts Undertaker and Promotes the Undertaker Retirement Fund
In a backstage segment, Randy Orton shared reflections on his lineage as the son of legendary Cowboy Bob Orton and declared his destiny to defeat the Undertaker, a storyline steeped in rivalry and personal history. The segment featured highlights of the Orton vs. Undertaker feud, including interference by Orton’s father disguised as a fan, illustrating the family’s long-standing enmity.
Orton announced he would auction an autographed Undertaker DVD, with proceeds going to the Undertaker Retirement Fund. He and his father presented a novelty oversized check for $1,416 on the show, daring the Undertaker to claim it. The Dead Man’s ominous response—igniting the check with a lightning strike—left Orton and his father fleeing, reaffirming the looming tension between these rivals.
Ken Kennedy Demonstrates Growing Confidence with Victory Over Paul London
Ken Kennedy showcased his charisma and in-ring skills in his match against Paul London. Kennedy engaged the crowd by introducing himself loudly with his signature catchphrase, adding a personal touch to his performance. The bout highlighted Kennedy’s power and tactical ability as he controlled much of the match.
Despite London’s agility and offensive bursts, Kennedy maintained the upper hand, applying a punishing bearhug and countering aerial maneuvers effectively. The match ended with Kennedy securing the win after delivering a decisive finisher and asserting his rising presence on Smackdown.
Paul Burchill’s Menacing Debut Challenges Scotty 2 Hotty
Paul Burchill, accompanied by William Regal, defeated Scotty 2 Hotty in a hard-fought contest that emphasized Burchill’s ominous character development. Burchill’s English heritage and ruthless style were underscored by his vow to injure Scotty, promising aggression beyond mere competition.
The match involved targeted attacks on Scotty’s arm, showcased through the application of the Fujiwara armbar, which secured Burchill’s submission victory. Regal’s pleased reaction highlighted the effectiveness of this emerging heel, who blended mic skills and in-ring brutality.
Backstage Tension as Ken Kennedy Confronts Sharmell
Following his match, Ken Kennedy encountered Sharmell backstage, sparking a tense exchange centered on championship aspirations. Kennedy provocatively reminded Sharmell of his recent victory over her husband, Booker T, challenging the dynamics around the United States Title scene. His aggressive banter implied a demand for title opportunities for Booker, adding layers to the Smackdown narrative.
Undertaker’s Menacing Entrance and Response to Ortons’ Provocation
The Dead Man’s entrance was a chilling spectacle, lasting over two minutes, creating a spine-tingling atmosphere in the arena. Once in the ring, Undertaker delivered a haunting message declaring that both Randy and Bob Orton would face inevitable consequences, equating death and his presence as unstoppable forces.
The Ortons’ attempt to antagonize the Undertaker with the oversized check culminated in its fiery destruction via lightning, reinforcing the supernatural tone of the feud. This segment firmly set the stage for their upcoming high-profile confrontation.
Steel Cage Match: Eddie Guerrero Triumphs Over Rey Mysterio in Classic Contest
The steel cage around the ring was set for the marquee matchup between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, a rivalry that had simmered since before WrestleMania 21. This particular steel cage match allowed victory by pinfall, submission, or by escaping the cage, creating a dynamic and unpredictable battle.
Guerrero aggressively took control early, using cage collisions and tactical strikes to wear down Mysterio. The two exchanged high-risk maneuvers, including Mysterio’s attempted 6-1-9, which was rendered ineffective inside the cage, much to Guerrero’s amusement. The match featured several climbs towards escape, with both men battling on the cage’s top edge in a nerve-wracking sequence that had fans on the edge of their seats.
In one of the match’s pivotal moments, Mysterio executed a huracanrana from the top rope, a move Cole speculated might have physically broken Guerrero. Despite injuries and attempts at escape, Guerrero remained resilient. The climax came when Guerrero successfully executed a frogsplash off the top rope for the pinfall finish, adding insult to Mysterio’s defeat by denying him an escape victory.
After the match, Guerrero taunted Mysterio, intensifying the emotional weight of their ongoing feud.
Chris Benoit Quickly Dispatches Orlando Jordan to Retain the United States Title
Following Eddie Guerrero’s hard-fought victory, Chris Benoit faced Orlando Jordan for the United States Championship. The bout was marked by Benoit’s technical prowess and ruthless efficiency, as he forced Jordan to tap out in just over twenty-two seconds, continuing a streak of swift title defenses.
Jordan’s pre-match comments denying previous losses as flukes set the tone, but Benoit’s relentless submission offense proved overwhelming. Jordan’s attempts at offense, including a quick sucker punch to start the match, were thwarted as Benoit locked in the crossface and secured victory once again without much struggle.
Intense Bullrope Match Sees Batista Overcome JBL to Retain World Heavyweight Title
The night’s final featured match was a brutal bullrope contest between World Heavyweight Champion Batista and John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL). Tied together by a bullrope, the competitors engaged in a physically demanding bout where pinfalls required touching all four corners of the ring in sequence.
JBL seized an early advantage by striking first, but Batista quickly regained momentum, choking JBL with the rope and delivering powerful knee strikes. Both men exploited the bullrope and surroundings, including cowbell shots, to weary their opponent. The fierce back-and-forth saw near-completions disrupted by strategic interference or fatigue, highlighting the match’s dynamic tension.
Ultimately, Batista executed his signature Batista Bomb and completed the four-corner sequence to secure a hard-earned win. His victory reinforced his dominant position atop Smackdown’s hierarchy and energized the crowd heading into future storylines.
Setting Up Future Showdowns and Community Support
After Batista’s victorious celebration, the program aired a video package teasing the upcoming Randy Orton versus Undertaker match, promising high drama in the next full two-hour Smackdown show on UPN. This built anticipation for a bout expected to significantly impact the brand’s momentum.
In a noteworthy community outreach moment, WWE Chairman Linda McMahon addressed Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, promoting the Americares.org fund. This inclusion demonstrated WWE’s commitment beyond the ring, offering support during a national crisis.
Significance and Future Implications of Smackdown’s Landmark Night
This inaugural Friday Night Smackdown broadcast successfully blended intense wrestling contests with compelling narratives and production innovation. Rey Mysterio‘s steel cage match with Eddie Guerrero stood out as a testament to both wrestlers‘ resilience and storytelling, elevating the importance of the Rey Mysterio steel cage match within WWE’s history.
The event further developed critical storylines, such as the Randy Orton and Undertaker rivalry and Batista’s championship reign, setting the stage for future episodes to capitalize on the established momentum. With audience engagement growing through online streaming and traditional broadcast, WWE solidified Friday Night Smackdown as a significant fixture in wrestling entertainment.
