WWF SmackDown! Rewind – 8.26.99 – “The First Episode”

A few weeks ago I checked out the pilot episode of SmackDown and now we’re moving onto the official first episode.

A lot has happened in the time between the pilot and this episode, April 29 to August 26. The biggest was the loss of Owen Hart, who appeared on the pilot as the Blue Blazer and passed in the tragic accident. The WWF Championship went from Austin to Undertaker to Austin to Mankind to Triple H. The Intercontinental Title was even more of a hot potato, passing from Godfather to Jarrett to Edge to Jarrett to Brown to Jarrett. The World Tag Titles bounced from Kane & X-Pac to Acolytes to Hardys to Acolytes to Kane & X-Pac to Undertaker & Big Show. Even the Women’s Title had some movement, going from Sable to Debra to Ivory. Well, at least nothing bad could possibly be coming for THAT belt. And hey, let’s not forget the prestigious European Title, which had been claimed by Mideon in June (after finding it in Shane McMahon’s bag) and then traded to D’Lo and Jarrett. The Hardcore Title traded between Al Snow and Big Boss Man and back. And that’s the most titles WWE would EVER have.

Well, that’s enough stalling. Let’s see what Vince and friends brought us with the official “first” episode of SmackDown. The episode description from Peacock: “Matches feature WWE personalities.” Alright!

Here’s a video package of Mankind winning the WWF Title at SummerSlam, Triple H attacking Austin and attacking Jim Ross on Raw, and Triple H regaining the title thanks to crooked referee Shane McMahon.

Fireworks! Pyro! The oval stage! Lots of signs! We are not live but we’re in Kansas City! Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are ringside and welcome us to UPN.

WWF Champion Triple H, who has gained the great “My Time” theme since our last SmackDown, is with Chyna and introduced by Tony Chimel. After an “asshole” chant by the crowd, we see The Rock watching from backstage as HHH declares himself champion. HHH remembers corporate honchos holding him back and saying he’ll never do it. And now he’s the corporate honcho. “I proved to the world what I said I was and that is I am The Game.” Line ‘em up and he’ll mow them down, he proclaims.

The fans chant for “Rocky” and get who they are asking for as The Rock joins us on the stage. Finally, The Rock has come back to Kansas City. “The Rock says if you are the game, you need to go back to the drawing board because your game ABSOLUTELY SUCKS.” Surrounded by the millions (and millions), he is going to beat Triple H’s ass and become the champ. HHH tells Rock that he isn’t in his league. Rock gives HHH a few choices, offering to put Icy Hot on the WWF Title and stick it up Triple H’s ass as one of them. Rock walks down the ramp, takes off his $600 shoe, turns it sideways and offers to stick it up H’s ass instead.

WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels joins us in his white blazer, red TWA tee and jeans. He wants to make it official. Tonight in that very ring, Rock gets a WWF Championship shot against Triple H and Shawn himself will be guest referee. WWF Owner Shane McMahon slides in the ring to contest things, saying he is appointing himself the second special guest referee to keep his eyes on Michaels. Shawn says Shane is busy tonight as he has his own one-on-one match against Mankind, who joins us with a mic of his own. Mankind mixes up his catchphrases and says we might as well do this now. Rock’s tired of talk and goes in to attack Triple H as well as the Mean Street Posse join in for the attack. They don’t do much good as Pete Gas takes a Rock Bottom and Joey Abs takes another.

JR in a cast and Lawler with a “Lawler for Mayor” button run down the card, including a triple threat tag title match with Undertaker and Kane defending against the Acolytes and X-Pac and Kane as well as Chris Jericho against Road Dogg.

Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett, Debra and Miss Kitty are walking and so is Mr. Ass. Something big is brewing, announces JR!

WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett (with Debra and MIss Kitty) vs Mr. Ass

Let us take you back to last Monday where Chyna gets kabonged by Jarrett’s guitar and then Gunn does the same to Jarrett. Lawler calls attention to both the puppies and the kittens because 1999. This is non-title as Jarrett attacks Ass upon entry. Ass hits a hell of a powerslam for a two as Debra is on the apron already with a failed distraction. Ass misses a flying strike and falls to the outside, where Jarrett rams him into the ring post. If this was Raw 2025, that throw to the outside would send us to three minutes of commercials. Chyna comes down the aisle as Gunn misses a corner splash. Kitty tries to hand Jarrertt a guitar, Chyna grabs it and accidentally smashes Debra instead of Kitty with it. Ass takes the chance to roll Jarrett up for the three. Ass and Chyna argue in the ring after, Chyna gives him a low blow.

Mr. Ass pins Jeff Jarrett. It’s going to be hard to rate much in the three-minute match era, but a lot happened here and none of it was particularly bad except for Lawler’s commentary.

Lilian Garcia is with WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow. Lilian made her debut with the company earlier in the week on Raw. Snow sends a message to Big Boss Man begging him to take care of Pepper. Uh-oh.

Howard Finkel is shining Chris Jericho’s boot as Jericho yells at him.

Test nervously awaits the arrival of Stephanie McMahon.

WWF World Tag Team Titles: WWF World Tag Team Champions The Undertaker & Big Show (with Paul Bearer) vs The Acolytes (Bradshaw & Faarooq) vs Kane & X-Pac

X-Pac and Kane were quite over at the time. This is triple threat rules which means three men are in the ring at a time. Raw will be at 11 pm ET this week on USA. Man, you wouldn’t be getting a review of that by my sleepy ass until the following night. Undertaker joins the commentary team which he calls hard love for Big Show. Show, Kane and Faarooq start it out. I can’t remember the site, but there was a humor site around this time that was doing the tales of Undertaker’s Learning Tree and it was amazing. The five men not on commentary are all going at it in the ring as Teddy Long has quickly lost control. Taker slaps Show and tells him get back to it. Show tries to powerbomb X-Pac and the Acolytes take them both down. Kane offers some chokeslams and trades blows with Show. Show chokeslams X-Pac as Kane battles the Acolytes outside, getting the easy pin.

Big Show pins X-Pac, Big Show & Undertaker retain the WWF World Tag Team Titles. This was a mess but, like most in 1999, never boring.

Test is still pacing as Stephanie McMahon arrives. She says she does have an answer for his marriage proposal and keeps walking.

Big Boss Man comes to the ring and asks for a microphone. I need WWE Vault to give us a “Boss Man in 1999” compilation. He calls Al Snow out and WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow obliges. Boss Man tells Al to not worry about Pepper and for Al to quit his whining. If Al wants to see Pepper again, he needs to bring that Hardcore Title out. Al gets Pepper back either way if Boss Man gets a title shot. “If you don’t show up, I’m dead serious about this, I’m going to take that dog, that rat to a cold, dark place.”

WWF Hardcore Title: Al Snow vs Big Boss Man (with Pepper)

After the break, Snow is here. Magic The Gathering presents WWF Unforgiven! Boss Man brings out sweet Pepper who is wearing a muzzle. Boss Man puts Lawler on Pepper duty. I’m told Lawler was a big fan of being a babysitter back in the day. Boss Man goes for plunder, jostling with a ladder. Snow smacks Boss Man with a baking sheet and grabs the ladder, Boss Man knocking Snow to the floor. Boss Man nightsticks Snow on the outside and pins him, giving us a new champion.

Big Boss Man pins Al Snow to win the WWF Hardcore Title. With Snow knocked out, Boss Man grabs pepper and takes him to the back. What a liar! At least he’ll probably take care of Pepper.

X-Pac and Kane argue, X-Pac calling Kane a weak link.

Chris Jericho is primping and says he will save the show. Meanwhile at ringside, Snow freaks out when he realizes Pepper isn’t there.

Split screen, we see Triple H and The Rock getting ready.

Al Snow tosses chairs backstage trying to find Boss Man. Lawler tells us that Boss Man has left the building.

Road Dogg vs Chris Jericho

Road Dogg says many words but the fans like them. JR notes this is the WWF wrestling debut of Jericho. As annoying as he can be in 2025, Jericho was easily my favorite in 1999 and I was so pumped for his WWF start. Dogg brawls outside with Jericho before getting whipped into the ring stairs. Dogg crotches Jericho on the ropes and superplexes him. Howard Finkel appears and offers Jericho a drink of Hansen’s Energy Drink before tossing it into Dogg’s face and running. Believe it or not, Hansen’s would transform into Monster. Jericho brings a table in and sets it up as Tim White checks on Dogg. Jericho tries for a suplex into the table, Dogg swings it into a DDT. Dogg offers fists as JR wonders how “anyone could be against Road Dogg.” Watch 2025 SmackDown, Jim. Jericho power bombs Dogg and lifts him for a second, power bombing him through the table for a disqualification. Jericho Liontamers Dogg on top of the broken table.

Road Dogg defeats Chris Jericho by disqualification. This was fun by 1999 standards. There was a lot of new energy in Jericho and Dogg was a good dance partner.

Backstage, Jericho is with Finkel. They see Chimel on TV and Jericho wonders what Chimel has done to be on TV when Fink isn’t. Jericho tells Fink he is a warrior, and he should go prove that he is the best. Finkel runs off. “Go little trooper!”

Chimel introduces the next match as the music of Ultimate Warrior plays and Funkel runs out, doing a Warrioresque entrance. Finkel tells Chimel he’s taking his job back and shoves Chimel down. Chimel attacks as we see Jericho backstage wincing at the monitor. Chimel pounds Fink out of the ring as Jericho comes out to collect Fink.

Ken Shamrock vs Val Venis

Shamrock crosses paths with Jericho on the ramp, Jericho bumping into him and telling Finkel to go after him. Finkel, as you’d think, overpowers Fink before Jericho knocks Shamrock with a chair. Shamrock runs after the men and we don’t get the match.

Stephanie McMahon comes out, no theme yet, and gets whistles and cheers. She calls “Andrew” to the ring and Test comes out, complete with theme song. Test drops to one knee and pulls a ring out, doing the proper proposal. “Yes I will,” shouts Stephanie as they embrace and then do all the kissing. The Mean Street Posse and Shane McMahon return, the posse beating down Test as Shane holds Stephanie back. Out runs Mankind with a chair and he makes short work of all three Posse members. Mankind tells Shane to leave them alone and since this is his second time here tonight, he’s not coming down a third time. Mankind offers to sweeten the pot, leaving a chair and giving him one free shot.

Mankind vs WWF Owner Shane McMahon

Shane takes his one shot and Mankind stands back up, elbowing Shane. We do not seem to have a referee but we’re underway as the Posse are still collapsed in the ring. Shane climbs the announce table and Mankind brawls over it with him. Mankind suplexes Shane from the crowd onto the ringside mat. Test brawls with the Posse and Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco join to also attack the Posse. Stephanie jumps on Pete Gas and Test takes Gas down. Meanwhile in the ring, Mankind hits a double arm DDT and hooks Mr. Socko as Chyna runs out. She distracts the referee as Triple H knocks Mick with a chair, Shane falling on top for the pin.

Shane McMahon pins Mankind. As a match it wasn’t good, but as a chaotic brawl it was pretty fun.

Jericho speeds off in a car and leaves Finkel. This ends with Shamrock yelling at Finkel and asking if he crapped himself.

Tonight, SmackDown is brought to you by Hansen’s Energy Drink, 10-10-220, and JVC Kaboom! Box – so loud it hurts!

Michael Cole sits down with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin has a leg wrapped and says he’ll be fine after some rehab and Triple H has hell to pay.

Evening Gown Match: WWF Women’s Champion Ivory vs Tori

Ivory, you see, tried to tear Tori’s clothes off after defeating her at SummerSlam so now they’re going to brawl down to their bras and panties. This is non-title. Tori is not wearing an evening gown but instead a long-sleeved WWF collared shirt. Sure. Lawler yells “bra and panties” and Tori unzips Ivory’s gown. Tori kind of spears Ivory and yanks the gown off. Tori continues hammering and Luna appears to pull Tori off.

Tori strips Ivory to win the evening gown match. Well, it happened.

Lilian has found Triple H and Chyna. HHH says that Rock better bring everything he has and Shawn better remember to call it down the line and stay out of his way or he will make sure Shawn never walks again. But who will run the WWE developmental divisions?

The Rock is walking while Shawn walks in his TWA tee. Next!

Al Snow is still searching for Pepper, going into the production truck yelling.

Test and Stephanie are leaving and take congrats from Cole and Earl Hebner.

WWF Title: WWF Champion Triple H (with Chyna) vs The Rock with special guest referee WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels

Shawn is wearing his shorty shorts and a tank top advertising the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy, complete with its 1-900-32-TRAIN number on the back. Shawn made you call a 900 number just to inquire? Damn. Rock slings HHH outside and they brawl up the ramp, Shawn following. Rock suplexes HHH onto the steel entrance ramp. Chyna low blows Rock, HBK tosses her and assists her up the ramp as Triple H argues. Rock DDTs HHH but doesn’t get the count as Michaels is distracted. Shane appears to argue with Shawn and receive the “asshole” chant.

Triple H works over Rock in the corner and takes him down with a big whip to the opposite corner. HHH works a sleeper on Rock to slow things down a good bit. Rock finds a burst of strength before his arm falls a third time, again trying for a pin as HBK is distracted by Shane. Rock knocks Shane down and goes for the Rock Bottom. Rock calls for the People’s Elbow and starts the run, running right into the Sweet Chin Music as the crowd boos the Commissioner. Shawn offers a crotch chop as HHH hits the Pedigree, counting the three. Shawn, Hunter, Shane and Chyna celebrate to end our show.

Triple H pins The Rock to retain the WWF Championship. A good TV match with a surprising ending. Definitely a good hook to get you back the next week or even on Raw.

This was a much better episode than the pilot episode. I’d say the tag match was the only thing that didn’t really “hit” for me and even it wasn’t bad. The show flowed very well, there was a lot happening and none of it was boring.

Next week: a tag team elimination match, a tuxedo match, AND a Gillberg match? Boy, we’re getting right into things.