WWF SmackDown! Rewind – 9.02.99 – “A Plate of Pepper Steak”

Previously on SmackDown!: The series begins with Shawn Michaels superkicks The Rock to help Triple H win, the Big Boss Man runs off with Pepper, and Chris Jericho attacks Ken Shamrock.

Fireworks explode near the Ovaltron! We are taped and in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Much like episode one, episode two starts with “My Time” but this time it is just Chyna. Michael Cole tells us that if she gets through Mr. Ass tonight, she’ll keep her #1 contender’s spot for the Intercontinental Title and face Jeff Jarrett.

#1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title: Chyna vs Mr. Ass

Let’s take a look back at Raw where Chyna accidentally (?) hits Billy Gunn instead of Double J with the guitar. Speaking of the champ, WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett, Debra and Miss Kitty join us and Jerry Lawler starts whistling for puppies. Chyna and Ass shove each other, Chyna turning around and mooning her ass to Ass. She hits several forearms and tries for a suplex which he tries to reverse. Chyna somersaults and DDTs Ass for a two as Lawler continues being horny and the fans chant for puppies, excited for the segment with Pepper later in the show. Chyna feigns an elbow injury and slams Ass into the steel stairs, whipping him over them and slamming him into a chair. Gunn stumbles into the referee and hits a Fameasser, no ref to count. Triple H comes out and Pedigrees Ass, putting Chyna on top and tossing the referee back in for the three count.

Chyna pins Mr. Ass and is the #1 contender to the WWF Intercontinental Title. This was really good, actually. Chyna was game and Billy did all he could to help her look good.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler greet us from ringside. Rock and Mankind were crowned new champions on Raw and we see some footage.

Welllll it’s The Big Show here to talk in his sleeveless, collared WWF logo shirt. Show has heard a lot about tough love and is upset that Undertaker left him high and dry on Raw. “Bring your sorry self down here now!” Paul Bearer in all-black enters instead. Show clobbers Bearer with the mic and says doesn’t want the messenger, he wants the man. Undertaker is our next entrance, going face-to-face with Show. Taker grabs Show by the collar and whispers in his ear, Show giving us “confused.” Taker tells Show that he’ll rip his throat out and choke him with his own tongue if he disrespects him again before walking past Bearer and leaving.

A limo arrives. Who could be in the limo, questions Cole.

WWF World Tag Team Champion Mankind comes out holding his belt high. Mankind talks about playing electronic football naked. He thinks his mom walking in on him was the most embarrassing moment of his life until he lost to Shane McMahon last week. He vows to get even somehow but he isn’t here to talk about nudity, he’s here to talk about The Rock. He says Rock’s testicles are full of fortitude but the people needed Mankind as Rock’s partner on Raw. That brings out his partner, WWF World Tag Team Champion The Rock.

Rock joins Mankind in the ring. Rock calls Mankind the craziest son on a (censorship beep) he’s ever seen. Rock tells Mankind to never – and the Rock means never – talk about his testicles ever again. WWF Champion Triple H, Chyna and Shane McMahon join us to interrupt the moment of appreciation. Shane congratulates the new champs but knows they are both focused on Triple H’s belt. We still need a #1 contender for Unforgiven so tonight in that very ring, it’ll be The Rock versus Mankind. He tells them to take it to the next level like the old days and if they don’t, they’ll start six-month suspensions tomorrow. Triple H is also going to prove he is the fightingest champion in history as he’ll face a man that is no stranger to WWF gold, a “bald-headed SOB.” Triple H leaves upset. Mankind tells us he hopes Rock makes him look good tonight. “Are you insinuating to the Rock that tonight in front of the millions of Rock’s fans he should just lay down and let you beat him?” “Yes. That sounds cool to Mankind.” “Well, that may sound cool to Mankind but something that seems a little more cooler is Rock taking your little WWF Tag Team belt, shine it up real nice, turn it sideways and stick it straight up your candy ass.” Mankind doesn’t think it is going to fit and Rock promises it will fit as will his belt and asks us to smell what he is cooking.

The limo is backstage. Who is in there? I bet we’ll find out.

Howard Finkel storms the ring and takes the microphone from Tony Chimel. He says Chimel humiliated him like never before and has a proposal for him. Fink notes they’re both wearing tuxedos and he is challenging him to a tuxedo match. The winner is the SmackDown ring announcer. Chimel tells Fink to go back to the back and Fink attacks him, the bell ringing despite Chimel’s lack of consent.

Tuxedo Match: Howard Finkel vs Tony Chimel

Chimel loses a sleeve, Chimel rips off Fink’s jacket as Chris Jericho watches and smiles backstage. Chimel rips off Finkel’s shirt and Cole images Howard in his undies, something we’ve seen on Raw before. Chimel rips off Fink’s tee and pants, leaving Fink in his red undies.

Tony Chimel defeats Howard Finkel in a tuxedo match. It wouldn’t be a random show without a Howard Finkel humiliation segment, I guess. Good ol’ Vince.

X-Pac tells Kane to stay in the back no matter what happens. He’s tired of being the weak link and letting Kane down. Meanwhile, Ken Shamrock arrives.

Lilian Garcia is backstage with Mankind. Mankind says he looks up to Rock but the last time they were here, he walked away with the title. He’s disturbed by Rock wanting to stick belts up his ass and will do what he can to prevent it.

Triple H is worried backstage. Chyna tells Trips they can trust Shane.

Jericho talks to Finkel, pitching a nationwide Jockey campaign.

X-Pac vs Chris Jericho

This week’s Hansen’s Energy Drink is tucked into X-Pac’s tights. Chimel has lost his tux jacket for the night. Ken Shamrock makes an entrance before the bell rings, storming out and chasing Jericho. X-Pac holds Shamrock back as Jericho ducks out. Shamrock leaves for now and X-Pac hits Jericho with a hell kick as Undertaker and Big Show are now on the ramp watching. X-Pac dropkicks Jericho to the outside and misses a dive, Jericho clotheslining him to the outside mat. X-Pac is whipped into the steel stairs. Jericho suplexes him back in, going for the cocky pin as Taker shakes his head. Jericho leaps off the top into a boot and kicks Jericho down. X-Pac hits the Bronco Buster and Show starts his walk to the ring, storming in and attacking X-Pac. Jericho ducks out as Show demolishes Pac, Shamrock runs out and chases Jericho into the crowd. Kane runs in to save X-Pac from a chokeslam. Taker gets a mic and calls Kane pathetic.

X-Pac defeats Chris Jericho by disqualification. A hot match until the inevitable interruption though I’m fine with it because it kind of ruled.

HHH is pounding on Shane’s door, upset. Meanwhile, a limo is still in the parking lot as Cole questions if it could be Stone Cold.

Shamrock is flipping tables backstage.

Triple H is in the ring and ready as Cole reminds us that it has to be a bald-headed SOB which means it HAS to be Stone Cold. Shane McMahon comes out and says his father taught him to give everything to the fans and he has a bald-headed SOB. We cut back to Tony Garea knocking on Gillberg’s door and Gillberg going the whole act as Triple H and Shane laugh in the ring.

WWF Title: WWF Champion Triple H (with Chyna) vs WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Gillberg

Gillberg’s title is not on the line. Shane joins commentary as Hunter beats over Gillberg. HHH shoves the referee and Gillberg hits a spear and then a second, calling for a third. The third one drives him to the steel post and into a Pedigree. HHH grabs a chair after the match, decks the ref and beats Gillberg’s knee just as he did Stone Cold.

Triple H pins Gillberg to retain the WWF Title. This was exactly what you would expect it to be.

The limo is still there.

We go back to Raw and Big Boss Man inviting Al Snow to his hotel tonight where he will hand over Pepper. Cole tells us it was a happy reunion. Let’s watch the footage.

Earlier today, Big Boss Man and Al Snow are in the most 1990s hotel room. Boss Man has a table set up and tells Al to trust him, telling him that he has the finest food for him. Boss Man says the guy with Pepper is on the way, so Al says he’ll eat it. Al says it isn’t bad. “Try not to get one of them paws stuck in your teeth. That’s right, Al. 100% grade-A Pepper.” Boss Man tosses the plate of food on the bed and shoves Al’s face into it as Al gags. Boss Man promises Pepper will live with Al forever and chokes him. “Yeah, tastes like chicken.” We return live to Lawler’s shocked face and Cole choking.

Ken Shamrock is still storming around looking for Jericho.

WWF Title #1 Contendership: WWF World Tag Team Champion Mankind vs WWF World Tag Team Champion The Rock

Mankind and Rock start by brawling outside, fighting down the ramp. Rock suplexes Mankind onto the ramp and smacks him in the balls, a red laser shining on his face and reminding me of the terrible time when people really wanted to have red laser pointers. They continue brawling around ringside, Mankind reversing Rock into the stairs (chairs, Cole calls them twice). Mankind grabs Cole’s headset and Rock snatches them off his head, beating up Mankind and tossing him into the ring.

Mankind DDTs Rock and loads up Rocko, Rock accidentally hitting the referee as he tries to escape. Shane runs out and rolls the referee out, Rock hitting a Rock Bottom. Shane signals and out runs Triple H and Chyna who both work over Rock and Mankind. Shane calls for the bell, announcing the result.

Mankind and The Rock fight to a double-disqualification. A good match and I wasn’t expecting a winner really, so it works out well.

Shamrock kicks a bucket.

Lilian is talking with Shane. He feels bad about what just happened so he wants to make things up to Rock and Mankind.

Val Venis vs Ken Shamrock

SmackDown is brought to you by 1-800-COLLECT, Castrol (the official motor oil of WWF), and WWF The Music Vol. 3 at Wherehouse Music and other fine retailers. Venis gets an opening run but Shamrock batters him on the outside, starting to work Val’s ankle. He hooks the anklelock and Venis taps. Shamrock refuses to let go and Steve Blackman comes in, Shamrock flipping him over too. The Y2J countdown Jericho challenges Shamrock to meet him outside. When Ken leaves, Blackman works Venis with the nunchucks.

Ken Shamrock defeats Val Venis by submission. It was quick.

Shamrock goes for Jericho who turns out to be the Fink in Jericho cosplay, giving Jericho the chance to attack Ken. “Oh my god, I killed Kenny.” Jericho tosses Fink into the trunk and drives off.

WWF Champion Triple H, Chyna and Shane McMahon make another entrance as Lawler tells us to call our friends and tell them to tune in. Some feminine legs step out of the limo before we cut back to Shane with a mic. Shane suggests Mankind and Rock come back and finish what they started to figure out the #1 contender, offering to referee this time to make sure Triple H doesn’t interfere. A voice says “I think that idea sucks” and out walks Test. Test introduces the other two owners of the WWF, his future mother-in-law and future bride-to-be. Linda McMahon and Stephanie McMahon join us. Remember when Linda was merely bad at talking on wrestling shows but otherwise harmless? Linda tells us Rock and Mankind will team up and face Triple H and Shane tonight for the tag titles.

During the break, Shane tells HHH they can become tag champs and they have to win.

#1 Contendership for the WWF World Tag Team Titles Gauntlet Match

Hardcore & Crash Holly and Viscera & Mideon start out. This isn’t Rumble-style as much as a gauntlet match, but Cole tells us it is Rumble-style. Viscera works over Crash and drops a leg on him. Mideon flips Crash into a pump-handle as all four men go at it. Viscera squashes Hardcore but misses a splash on Viscera, pancaking Mideon and giving Crash the pin. The Hollys eliminate Viscera and Mideon.

Droz and Prince Albert are next, Albert tossing Crash into a facedrop for a two count. Albert spins Crash into Droz’s knee. Hardcore tags in and powerplexes for a pin. The Hollys eliminate Albert & Droz.

The New Brood (Matt & Jeff Hardy) are next, and Matt catches Crash with a splash for a pin. The New Brood eliminate the Hollys.

The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) enter, Bradshaw tossing Jeff and Faarooq slamming Matt. The Hardys double-team Bradshaw before Faarooq grounds Jeff with a spinebuster. Matt lands a neckbreaker on Faarooq, Hardy hits the Swanton. Jeff jumps into the Clothesline from Hell. The Acolytes eliminate the Hardys.

Stevie Richards and Blue Meanie are next. As Meanie slowly works his way down the ramp, the Acolytes demolish Stevie, Bradshaw pinning Stevie. The Acolytes eliminate Stevie Richards and Blue Meanie.

You think you know them. Edge and Christian are our next duo, the last team. Edge DDTs Bradshaw from the top as Faarooq tosses Christian into the stairs. The Dudley Boyz interrupt to end the match, attacking all four men before leaving.

The match ends as a no contest. We have no #1 contenders. This was quick but painless.

Rock and Mankind are walking. They defend their belts next.

During the break, Lilian catches up with the Dudleys. Bubba Ray stutters out that they are the Dudley Boyz, the best tag team in the world and they’re coming to WWF to prove that. D-Von gives us the commandments.

WWF World Tag Team Titles: WWF World Tag Team Champions The Rock & Mankind vs WWF Champion Triple H & Shane McMahon (with Chyna)

If you had a dollar for every time you hear “My Time” tonight, you could almost afford a McDonald’s value meal in 2025. Magic The Gathering presents WWF Unforgiven! That’ll probably never still be around in 2025. The heels double team Mankind for a bit to start, Rock not out yet. Rock does join in and Shane is tossed outside, Mankind following to brawl. Triple H hits Mankind with a chair as the referee entirely misses it thanks to Chyna distraction.

Triple H suplexes Mankind and taunts Rock. Shane tags in and drops a splash on Mankind for a one count, Triple H helping him in the corner before tagging in and stomping Mankind. Shane Bronco Busters Mankind and then walks into a Rock clothesline from the apron. Shane gets the tag, Triple H cuts off Mankind’s tag attempt. Mick catches the Mandible Claw but Chyna low blows as the ref is distracted again. Both men make the tag and Rock unloads on Triple H. Mankind dropkicks Shane across the announce table as Mr. Ass Fameassers Triple H behind the referee’s distracted back. Rock hits a Rock Bottom on Triple H and lands the People’s Elbow for a three. Earl Hebner was pretty incompetent here, huh. It was fine.

The Rock pins Triple H, The Rock and Mankind retain the WWF World Tag Team Titles.

We end with the fans chanting Rock’s name. This probably won’t be our last time doing this.

This was another entertaining show. While everything in this era doesn’t stick, everything on the show – even the Howard Finkel storyline – feels important. It’s a breeze to watch compared to today’s festivals of advertisements and time between matches and I’m looking forward to the next one.