Rebooking WWE 2004 Post Draft (Week One)
2004 to most seems like a fever dream of a year. It remains one of the most surreal chapters in the history of the WWE. The “Ruthless Aggression” had reached new heights on the back end of its biggest show of the year.
After successfully winning the 2004 Royal Rumble, Chris Benoit pulled off the upset in the main event of Wrestlemania XX in Madison Square Garden, to capture the World Heavyweight Championship.
Then in the final scene had that infamous picture perfect moment, with then WWE Undisputed Champion Eddie Guerrero to close out the night as confetti rained from the heavens.
New stars were being built with the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, and Rey Mysterio. All of whom would capture world championships within the next two years.
But the company had also faced hardships.
Top stars like Goldberg & Brock Lesnar would exit the company. Kurt Angle would suffer another broken neck that left him out of action for the majority of the year which left a hole in the main event scene on Smackdown. Paul Heyman would step away from his onscreen Smackdown GM role which would later be filled by the sidelined Kurt Angle.
Some bizarre decisions were made as Eugene debuted as a controversial character, Paul Bearer got buried in Cement by the Undertaker, and perhaps the most bizarre thing of them all. BRADSHAW BECAME WWE CHAMPION! Yes ½ of the APA Bradshaw now dubbed John Bradshaw Layfield aka JBL, won his first and only world title in the WWE.
Needless to say 2004 is a highly regarded year for making new stars and to put it nicely, interesting gimmicks…. However there was a moment in time that would have absolutely changed the entire complexion of the WWE had they stuck to their guns and not back pedaled.
On the March 22nd 2004 episode of Monday Night Raw the WWE universe saw the return of the draft lottery. During which we saw some underwhelming picks with the likes of Renee Dupree, Nidia, Mark Jindrak, and Spike Dudley.
But an interesting turn of events happened at the midpoint of the show. The newly crowned United States Champion, and rising star John Cena came out, cut a rap mocking both GMs, then picked the next draft on behalf of Smackdown. What happened next shocked the world.
Despite the protests by Heyman, Eric Bischoff was insistent that he kept this as the official pick for Smackdown. When Heyman read the name aloud we got one of the biggest picks of the night. Evolution leader and former World Heavyweight Champion Triple H had officially been traded to Smackdown!!!
This sent shockwaves through the entire WWE locker room and WWE universe. The Game was fresh off losing the World Title at Mania and didn’t seem to be in the books for another run with the gold till later in the year. However, an implemented rule put in place by Chairman Vince McMahon, allowed for Trades to happen until Midnight that night after the show aired. During that unaired trade in the real timeline, we saw Booker T and The Dudley Boyz get traded to Smackdown for Triple H to return to Raw…..Of course this completely soured the shocking draft moment and left the fans feeling disappointed that they would not get to see The Game Thursday Nights (the show would be taped Tuesdays and aired Thursdays) over on UPN. It felt like we were back where we started, like a reset button had been pressed.
But what if this reset was never pressed?! By keeping Triple H on Smackdown, a butterfly effect would send ripples across both brands. Raw would be left with a power vacuum at the top of the card, Smackdown would not be forced to create a new top heel to run roughshod on the main event scene, and the next Wrestlemania event would see a much different card.
This story is not about just one man. It’s about the entire complexity of the WWE.
This booking will not be a Pay Per View by Pay Per View style booking but rather week by week.
Before I take the deep dive. I want to make a couple of changes to the Wrestlemania 20 results that I feel benefit the early part of this rebooking.
Firstly, The APA win the WWE Tag Team Championships in the big Four Corners match . (also featuring then champs Rikishi & Scotty Too Hotty, The Bashams, & The Worlds Greatest Tag Team) Bradshaw ends up pinning Rikishi after a Clothesline from Hell to capture the gold for the APA. This victory would allow for the APA break up storyline to last just a little longer and have a more finite conclusion. Reason being for this change is not only to extend the break up storyline, but for the simple fact that Bradshaw would not be needed as a top heel with Triple H remaining on Smackdown. Now I feel his Wallstreet character would still happen. JBL’s personal life was too captivating at the time not to put on screen. It would just happen under different circumstances.
The second change would be Ultimo Dragon capturing the Cruiserweight Championship in the Cruiserweight Open (also featuring then champ Chavo Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Nunzio, Shannon Moore, Akio, Billy Kidman, Jamie Noble, Funaki, & Taijiri) by lastly pinning Rey Mysterio. The reason being for this switch is simple. You don't hire a legend like Ultimo Dragon just to have him lose on his first big ppv match. I think giving him a short run with the Cruiserweight title and maybe a few mid card matches would help him stick around a little longer instead of opting to be released by April.
Now with that out of the way, let’s take a deep dive into the multiverse of wrestling, and see a timeline where The Game found a new board to play on!
WEEK ONE: “A New Game To Play”
RAW March 22nd 2004: “The Draft”
John Cena cuts the infamous rap during the midpoint of the night.
“I’m making the next pick. I’m giving you one ball, but you still got no-“
Heyman & Bischoff argue over whether the pick was legitimate or not. Heyman, despite his protests, reads the name aloud.
“TRIPLE H!”
Cue the scene of Triple H spitting his water out and being serenaded away by the Raw Roster.
“Nananana Hey Hey Hey Goodbye!”
Triple H is irate! The Leader of Evolution is now forced to leave his throne on RAW and travel to the uncharted kingdom of Smackdown!
Eric Bischoff is in shambles as he argues with Vince McMahon backstage over this pick being unsanctioned due to Cena’s involvement choosing the name from the tumbler.
Vince McMahon reminds Bischoff that he was the one to encourage Heyman to read the name. Vince says that all picks are final but if he wishes to try and negotiate with Heyman he has till midnight to do so.
Heyman decides to add insult to injury in the moment by making the suggested main event of RAW Eddie Guerrero vs Triple H for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Vince agrees wholeheartedly and the match is set.
WWE Championship
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs Triple H end in a no contest
We get the same result as real life. Raw goes off with both brands having a huge pull apart brawl. Triple H and Eddie even continue to fight in the ring while the commotion happens on the outside.
The final shot before the show goes off the air, is Triple H coming face to face with Randy Orton, Batista, & Ric Flair…. No words exchanged. Just expressions. Before anything can be said they all get ambushed by the rest of the field and the chaos continues to ensue!
Smackdown March 25th 2004: “First Act”
Kurt Angle makes his way out to the ring (not the cheap Triple H music hitting and Angle walking out in his place. Just Angle’s theme.)
Kurt isn’t dressed to compete however…he’s laced in a tan suit. The type of suit a principal of a school would wear to tell everyone that they’re in charge and ready to give you a detention if necessary.
Kurt enters the ring with a smug look sitting on his face. He picks up the microphone soaking in the “you suck” chants from the faithful. Kurt takes a moment before raising the microphone and beginning to speak.
He addresses Paul Heyman’s untimely departure from Smackdown and how it’s left a hole. A void that needs to be filled. So Kurt has been given the distinct honor to introduce the new Smackdown General Manager……Kurt…..Angle!!
Angle says he’s ready to put his aspirations and career to the side for the greater good. He’s proud to be the general manager of a brand he helped build and will help lead it into the future. He says that he’s got some ideas to make Smackdown the number 1 brand. Angle states…
“My first act as General Manager is to crown a new number one contender for the WWE Championship at the next Smackdown Exclusive Pay Per View.. Judgement Day! So withou-“
Suddenly Kurt is cut off by Triple H’s music and for Smackdown…it’s time to play the game!
Triple H steps out onto the stage in his Evolutionesque suit….the former Heavyweight Champion is wearing a face of reluctance as he makes his way down to the ring.
Triple H steps between the ropes, then glares Kurt down, clearly pissed off that he’s here on Smackdown.
Triple H speaks and says that he’s disappointed to be here on Smackdown. He’s upset that because of Paul Heyman's actions and quitting there was no one available to make a trade before Midnight after the draft.
This leaves him stuck on the blue brand. He also blames Kurt now that he has a position of power and has not immediately decided to make the trade to send Triple H back to RAW.
Kurt reveals that he did in fact get a chance to negotiate with RAW. He states that Vince McMahon immediately appointed him as the new GM of Smackdown following Paul Heyman’s sudden departure. He says he could have in fact traded Triple H back to RAW. And boy did Eric Bischoff want him back. He offered up unimaginable things to get Triple H back but Kurt stuck to his guns. He knows that Triple H is far too valuable to give up.
He did, however, acquire some other assets to Smackdown that they will see later, but for now Triple H isn’t going anywhere. Kurt says as of Midnight last night the negotiation window closed and won’t be back open for awhile. He suggests that if he [Triple H] wants to make it easier on himself, that he should start making new friends in the locker room, because all of his friends are back on Raw…..
Triple H refutes this statement by saying that he doesn’t need friends. If he’s forced to be here, he will make Smackdown his show, and will start by beating Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Title at Judgement Day…
Kurt cuts him off. He tells Triple H that he hasn’t made anything official yet for the Pay Per View, so if he wants a rematch with Eddie, he’s going to have to earn it.
The segment ends with Kurt announcing that a blockbuster title match will happen tonight. Only it’s not Triple H vs Eddie Guerrero.. it will be Eddie Guerrero defending his WWE Title against Smackdown’s newest member Rob. Van. Dam!
Triple H is furious. He feels should be next in line after his match with Eddie ended in a no contest.
Kurt exits the ring leaving Triple H alone…..
Backstage we see Rey Mysterio, Rikishi, & Scotty Too Hotty all crowded around Smackdown’s newest member RVD. They’re wishing him luck in his match that night against WWE Champ Eddie Guerrero. Eddie walks into the locker room, shakes RVD’s hand, wishes him luck, and welcomes him to the Blue Brand.
Triple H is seen walking into the Locker Room pissed that he doesn’t even get his own like he had on Raw….when he enters he’s greeted with very distasteful looks. Eddie, being the locker room leader, walks up to Triple H, and tries to talk to him. He says that he’s happy that eventually they get another chance to run their match back that got ruined on Raw.
Triple H doesn’t respond, Eddie tries to turn him around, and he gets shoved back! Triple H gets in Eddie’s face, tells him that there is no competition on this brand, and that it's only a matter of time before he rules the roost.
RVD then gets in his face. He tells him that unlike their time on Raw he doesn’t plan on allowing Triple H to take advantage of anyone. RVD tells Triple H that if he doesn’t want to be here he can go wait in the unemployment line right behind Paul Heyman! Triple H storms out of the Locker room….
Dudley Boyz def. The Bashams
It’s revealed in a WWE.com article that during the trade negotiations, Smackdown received the Dudley Boyz in exchange for Rene Dupree & Charlie Haas.
This trade is made so that the Dudleyz still make it to Smackdown and they’re traded for equal value picks. Charlie Haas & Rene Dupree being sent back to RAW allows the Red Brand to have two premier Tag Teams/Factions in the wake of Evolution's loss of Triple H. In a logical sense I’d imagine Bischoff would have pushback on Kurt wanting the Dudleyz, but hearing that he gets two young prospects in exchange, sees the bigger picture as his Tag Division is slowly dying anyways.
Back in the ring. The Dudley Boyz have a pretty standard affair with the Bashams, putting them away with a 3D and getting the victory!
Bubba gets a microphone and addresses the fans and the tag division. He says that they’ve held a lot of gold in their careers. But they have held the WWE Tag Team Championships. They put the division and the champs on notice and warn them that they’re coming!
After a commercial break we open up on an interview backstage with United States Champion John Cena!!
Cena addresses the controversy of picking Triple H’s name out of the tumbler and sealing his fate here on Smackdown.
Cena states that it was the luck of the draw and that Triple H can’t blame him for the situation. He hopes there’s no hard feelings.
Just then Triple H walks into frame and gets in Cena’s face.
Triple H tells Cena that there are plenty of hard feelings. He doesn’t forget that Cena was the one to pick his name. He warns Cena to watch his back because some receipts may be due.
Cena tells him if he wants some he can come get some!
But before anything can happen, The Big Show walks into frame towering over both men.
Triple H exits, leaving the two.
Big Show wants his rematch for the United States Championship that he never received. He doesn’t want to wait until Judgement Day to invoke it. He wants it next week. The two lock eyes briefly before we cut back to the ring.
Rey Mysterio def. Billy Kidman w/ Paul London
In this match we begin to plant seeds of descent between Kidman & London whose team up by this point had run its course. Plus it helps provide more undercard storylines to unfold on the weekly shows.
In a moment of miscommunication London is distracting the referee so that Kidman can take advantage of Rey. Rey however turns this plan against them and dropkicks Kidman into London who falls off the apron. Kidman is draped on the ropes and Rey dials it up! He hits a 619 and a West Coast Pop for the 3 picking up the win!
Following the match Kidman & London have a brief disagreement before walking off. As Rey celebrates he’s attacked by Chavo Guerrero Jr & Chavo Classic!
Chavo is enacting revenge after Rey pinned him to eliminate him from the Cruiserweight open at Wrestlemania. The beatdown continues until the Cruiserweight Champion Ultimo Dragon makes the save! Ultimo sends both Chavos hightailing. He helps Rey up and the two shake hands.
The ring clears and on commentary they talk about the upcoming Smackdown Exclusive PPV Judgement Day!
They also recap the events of Wrestlemania as we saw the return of Smackdown’s resident Deadman The Undertaker alongside Paul Bearer!
They announce that next week the Undertaker will be back and speak for the first time since his resurgence at Wrestlemania!
The screen begins to glitch and the feed gets cut off by clips and images of a man draped in white. He’s sitting, praying, and surrounded by a sea of candles. The words that close the vignette…
“Mordecai Is Coming”
WWE Tag Team Championships
APA (c) def. Too Cool (Scotty Too Hotty & Rikishi)
This is a rematch from Wrestlemania minus two teams' involvement. The APA solidifies their reign, knocking off the former champs yet again. With Bradshaw hitting the Clothesline From Hell to Scotty for the 3 count!
Following the match the Dudleyz can be seen watching on from backstage.
Spike Dudley comes into frame and expresses his excitement that all three brothers are on Smackdown together! He says he got a Cruiserweight title match next week and hopes D-von & Bubba will be watching and cheering him on. Before they can respond.
RVD walks by and shares a nod to all 3 of his former ECW peers. The camera switches focus to RVD and follows him down the hall as he heads towards the ring!
WWE Championship
RVD def. Eddie Guerrero (c) via DQ
Both men put up an excellent showcase of high flying offense and technical ground work. Both men trade Frog Splash attempts, each missing as the other had it calculated. The match reaches a fever pitch when RVD slips out of the Three Amigos on the last Suplex attempt. Van Dam hits the spinning back kick knocking Eddie down! Van Dam climbs up top and sets up for the Five Star Frog Splash!
“ROB! VAN! DA-“
Triple H suddenly appears and knocks RVD off the top! RVD tumbles to the floor! Triple H beats him senseless then throws RVD into the steps! Triple H grabs a chair and wallops Mr Thursday Night with it! Suddenly Eddie goes on the attack but he’s beaten up from the match and doesn’t have much energy to thwart off the cerebral assassin!
Triple H throws Eddie over the announce table! He sets his sights back on RVD and throws him back in the ring.
Triple H hits the pedigree on RVD on the chair then stands tall as Smackdown goes off the air!
Stay tuned for week two!