Original subtitles

You know that feeling we all get when WWE is totally awesome?

Ooh, yeah!

That feeling of fun, nostalgia, the memories that made you a lifelong fan.

Like the most awesome SmackDown moments in WWE history.

This is SmackDown!

From the electric to the eccentric.

My daddy's gone wild!

It's the iconic blue brand.

Where stars have emerged.

And legends have ruled.

Witness the chaos.

We have a real controversy on our hands. The catchphrase. He's going to lay this

back down. And the unforgettable characters that bring us our feet to

unison, this is off.

Welcome to This is Awesome, the only show that celebrates the most awesome

everything. Then, now, forever, and together.

I'm your host, Greg Miller, at GameOverGreggy on Instagram and threads,

today, we bring you the most awesome moment in SmackDown history.

SmackDown is one of WWE's flagship shows, and for good reason.

The history, the humor, the roster, and of course, the iconic rivalries have

been celebrated over 1 ,200 episodes.

For the past 25 years, the WWE Universe has been on a wild ride with the blue

brand, which has innovated and evolved into a destination for the very best in

professional wrestling.

The greatest wrestling show to ever grace television, WWE

SmackDown.

SmackDown turns 25 years old.

Wow. Oh, my gosh. I'm feeling real old, man.

I can't believe it's been 25 years. That's incredible to me. I can't imagine

world without SmackDown.

That's in your seatbelt for the hottest series on TV.

SmackDown has come such a long way since it started. I mean, 25 years.

That also means the SmackDown 5th is 25 years old.

I need the 5th back on SmackDown.

That thing is absolutely legendary.

You should induct that in the Hall of Fame.

There have been so many amazing segments that have taken place on SmackDown.

The ring just imploded!

Jimmy Crackhorn and I don't care.

Jimmy Crackhorn.

That's the DX Express button.

Arnold Schwarzenegger being on SmackDown was a huge moment in the WWE.

Wait a minute. Triple H. A cat who can do it all, Busta Rhymes.

You got Busta Rhymes getting a chance to be in the ring with The Rock. I'm

putting the SmackDown on their ass.

We have seen incredible cash -ins.

Please tell me this is not happening.

Fear! The ultimate opportunist has done it! Miss Money in the Bank's gonna cash

in!

I can't believe it!

Bailey, shocking the world.

Screw all of you!

When Cena debuted and said the ruthless aggression line, Ruthless!

I remember just saying, like, whoa, this is crazy.

Teddy Long and Crystal have the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen.

Do you take Crystal to be your wife?

See it all.

SmackDown was absolutely unpredictable.

He's eating a damn thing! He's eating that mole off a damn fish!

JBL stands for Just Beat a Lizard.

Buckle up, Teddy.

There's something special that takes place each and every week that still

the people want to watch it.

The word SmackDown has become a show. It's become an institution.

Being able to be a part of this whole 25 -year experience of SmackDown has just

been amazing.

Shut up!

Thank you to the people who made sure SmackDown got off the ground and allowed

me to be a part of it.

If you're not excited right now, you better check your pulse.

We're celebrating a quarter of a century of SmackDown, and the show's only

gotten bigger and better and more exciting and more celebrated as the

on. This is SmackDown!

Can't wait to see what the future holds for this show.

But first, allow us to take you back to the past.

1999, to be exact, when WWE was in the midst of a boom period known as the

Attitude Era. It expanded its horizons and it broke new ground with the

introduction of a television pilot called SmackDown.

The concept proved so successful, it was launched as a series just mere months

later. And as they say, the rest is history.

I remember when SmackDown became its own show. April of 99, there was a

SmackDown pilot.

Welcome to SmackDown on UPN!

The Rock was able to take his brand and move it to a completely different night

and make a show around his popularity.

Shane McMahon, Triple H!

Last Monday on Raw, you two jabronis decided to check both your candy asses

in to the SmackDown Hotel.

I remember watching that show at the time.

They had The Rock. They had Mankind.

They had Ken Shamrock. They had Stone Cold Steve Austin. Those are heavy

names. That same night, the corporate ministry was formed.

Austin! Rock!

Let me be the first to introduce you to the corporate ministry.

Oh, my God.

At the height of the Attitude Era, that goes to show how big Raw was, that they

needed a second show because one night was not enough, and we couldn't be

happier as fans.

Our fans are hungry to see more of our product.

Pilot was successful.

It got greenlit, and we saw the first episode of SmackDown on UPN in 1999.

Only on UPN.

Only on UPN. It's true. It's true.

I grew up watching UPN. So I'm watching shows like the Parkers and the Steve

Harvey show, things like that. A lot of the young teenage shows were on UPN.

Just in general, it's a completely different audience.

It's great. You know, UPN is a great network to be able to be here and

our show. It was hip and fun.

And SmackDown fit right into that.

The most exciting sports entertainment series on television.

This is SmackDown.

August 99, the thought of another show just excited me so, so much.

I knew I had to tune in. I was like, oh my God, this is amazing.

Huge crowd on hand here at Kemper Arena, chanting for the people's team. You

smell what The Rock is doing.

They're going to get The Rock.

It's coming out here.

This is going to be very, very interesting. Here on our premiere

SmackDown, the champion Triple H and the people's champion, The Rock.

The star power was huge

for that premiere episode of SmackDown. Kansas City, welcome to the doghouse.

We had APA.

The big show. It was stacked full of just incredible talent. You knew the

was going to be huge.

The title on the line right here. Triple H against The Rock. And Shawn Michaels

will be the special referee.

Rock bottom. We're going to have a new champion.

The most electrified move.

What the hell?

Shawn Michaels, the super pick for Rock.

Shawn Michaels super kicking The Rock so that Triple H could win.

That's a pedigree!

Look at this collusion!

Triple H still the champion!

Triple H and The Rock, this is your main event on SmackDown on the premiere

episode. I think that statement says this is the show to watch.

Firmly a fixture in WWE's landscape, SmackDown remains one of the most

live shows in all of primetime.

And while we can count on SmackDown's pedigree for best -in -class matches, it

also consistently delivers on the sports entertainment front with, let's just

say, outrageous and unforgettable storylines. And nowhere was that more

than the rivalry between The Big Show and the late, great, as well as thick

twisted, Big Boss Man.

Deepest regrets and tears that are soaked.

I'm sorry to hear your dad finally croaked.

Big Boss Man has lost his mind.

He tormented the Big Show about his dead father.

My daddy's gone!

Wah!

Wah, wah, my daddy.

Without a doubt, that is funny.

And then he showed up to the Big Show's father's funeral.

Dad, I love you.

You're a good man.

Big Show's giving his eulogy, his speech.

And everything I have in life, I've learned from you.

And then Boss Man pulling up in that car.

What in the hell is that?

Here comes boss man in a police car with a megaphone on top of it. It's like

something straight out of The Blues Brothers.

He's not sick.

He's not suffering. He's dead as a doornail.

And Big Show diving on the hood of the car and then gets flung off.

Family running over like, are you okay?

The big boss man chains the coffin to the back of his police car, drives

away with it.

You can't help but look back and laugh a little bit because it's maddening.

You're going to show up to my dad's funeral right around with a casket?

What line won't you cross?

I thought I'd seen everything until I saw this.

That is a moment that will live forever for SmackDown.

That's the greatest thing to ever happen in pro wrestling, hands down. I don't

care what anybody says.

That was hilarious.

Big Show, we offer you our heartfelt condolences.

And we'll always fondly remember...

You surfing on your father's casket? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I've got to agree

with Xavier.

That was hilarious.

And it really showed the unpredictable nature of SmackDown. It's captivating

characters.

Something that was again on display in 2001 when we witnessed one of the most

star -studded finisher frenzied SmackDown climaxes in WWE history. It

a testament to the power of the roster at that time with an epic ending.

we fans still talk about to this day.

Welcome to SmackDown from the Pepsi Arena in Albany. We are just 72 hours

from Survivor Series on pay -per -view.

And what a main event.

That was a very exciting time because the Monday Night Wars were over, but

here comes WCW with an invasion.

culminating with this match at Survivor Series.

Four men in Sunday's winner -take -all match. Get it on tonight.

It's a go -home show. Kurt Angle and Stone Cold.

Jericho and Rock on the other side. I mean, those four names alone are going

sell seats and get people tuning in to a pay -per -view. So to have that kind of

match on TV is insane.

A volatile situation.

Strong egos. A lot of pride.

These four men and six others in that main event Sunday.

Such an emotional main event. A main event that we may never, ever see again.

The sharp shooter. The lost in tap.

This match was back and forth until it finally ended in disqualification.

They're going to try to break us down. Oh, no. Stop this.

I'll take a walk in that field chair.

And then all hell breaks loose.

Wait a minute.

It's The Undertaker.

Undertaker called Austin in midair.

Chokeslam!

Here comes Booker T!

And a kick to the face of the Undertaker! Team Alliance!

Angleslam to the Undertaker!

Finishing move after finishing move.

The crowd is looping out of their chairs.

The Lions salt!

Their bodies laying all over the ring here!

It's chaos!

It's RVD for the five -star Frog Splat!

And there's a big red in their team!

Kane ends up out there.

Chokeslam.

Shane with a chair and a cane.

And what a fist through a chair by the Big Show.

Oh, my God. I don't believe what I just saw there.

Look at the rock stalking angle. Rock is stalking angle.

Rock bottom. Rock bottom.

Rock bottom. My God, look at the carnage here.

And Austin Stunner.

All hell has broken loose.

Look at the human rubble. The only man standing is Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Well, it's the greatest run -in of all time.

It's just packed with stars and all cats, S -T -A -R -S, stars.

It's the greatest finish we've ever seen while watching TV.

It has been a night that none of us will ever forget.

Here on SmackDown.

We're watching SmackDown. You're seeing all your favorite superstars come out

there, do their finishers, and who's the last one standing?

Stone Cold.

Stone Cold with those standing tall.

Stone Cold Steve Austin was known for creating chaos in the ring, but just a

weeks later on a December segment of SmackDown, Austin took his hell -raising

antics. to the infamous Green Frog Market. And spoiler alert, the Texas

rattlesnake wasn't there for milk and egg.

Booker's in the grocery store, and he years over the intercom.

And he just sees a bald guy walk by and beats him up from behind.

Get your ass up.

Turns him over. It's not Austin.

Who the hell are you?

Then Austin's walking up behind him and you hear the and Booker just like, you

see his eyes.

They destroyed that grocery store.

As he's beating Booker T up, he's able to do all the cap rates for the product

that he's using on him.

Really just magnifique.

And Austin's just grabbing stuff and throwing produce everywhere.

I mean, Booker's just covered in stuff, brother. I mean, he's legit sober.

There you go.

Covered him in flour. He's like, let's bake a cake. And he's pouring the flour

all over him. You want me to make that cake?

What?

I've got a nice fresh cake. Oh, no.

I'm so cold. No.

Get up.

Austin was just perfect for that. Like, it's just so many.

Funny lines.

My favorite part is when

Booker's just like laid out in the shopping cart and he's like, please, no

Please, no more.

Please.

Please, I won't do it. You look like you need to go in, Book. Please, I won't do

this. Please.

They get in the back and they're pulling in the back.

Booker turns it around and ends up throwing Austin in the cooler.

When you think that's it.

Stone Cold took a milk break in the middle of this brawl with

Booker T.

Oh, comedic genius.

I heard when it was all said and done, it was about $10 ,000

worth of damage.

I'm surprised it wasn't 10 times that because they were all over the place.

One of the greatest SmackDown moments ever.

Oh, God.

Bright chick on a jackass. A classic line in one of the most

legendary SmackDown moments of all time. I said it. All time.

Now. Back to the ring where SmackDown really earned its sterling reputation,

especially in 2002 when the program would feature banger after banger after

banger. At the time, we may have taken it all for granted because one of those

classics is a thumb -what -forgotten gem, a pay -per -view caliber match

featuring two Hall of Famers, Kurt Angle and The Undertaker.

Over the years, Kurt Angle always seemed to get under the skin of the

Undertaker. I am the king of the ring. Do you believe it? Dude, I hate to break

it to you.

That's Taker's scooter, man.

And he messed up the Undertaker's bike. It's the one thing you don't do. I gotta

go.

Kurt's got this very kind of underlying goofy element to him that you can tell

that Undertaker just wants nothing to do with.

Now, I realize you won't accept my apology.

But I do believe I have something that you will accept.

Look at this!

Oh, that is ridiculous.

Watching Kurt interact with a serious guy like that is always entertaining.

So, on a July 4th edition of SmackDown, you had the American hero, Kurt Angle,

taking on the American badass, The Undertaker.

This PLE main event quality match was given to us for free on television.

That was the beauty of SmackDown. Undisputed title is on the line.

When they were in the ring together,

they clicked.

Taker had really good chemistry with anybody who had that intensity,

who had grit, who had realism.

And nobody did that better than Kurt. The angle slam.

It could be time for the last lie.

That's a triangle choke.

That's a triangle choke. The Undertaker, his face turning a beat red.

The Undertaker trying to gain some leverage. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

I think the Undertaker just pinned Kurt Angle.

The referee, Mike Dioda, didn't see the tap on the other side, and he ruled

Kirk's shoulders down for the count of three, and then the other refs lied down

and pulled each other's arms down like, no, he's the winner. No, he's the

winner. We've come down to a draw. It's a UFC -style finish that we're watching,

and everyone's kind of waiting in anticipation to see who they announce

winner. This match is a draw!

It made for just a classic match.

The unpredictability of it.

It lent itself really well to just the whole dynamic and kind of concept behind

SmackDown at the time.

A finish that will always be hotly debated between two legends.

But, as they say, the ruling on the field stands.

And Taker was on the right side of the ref that night.

Now. Pretty sure nobody would debate the spectacular debut of Rey Mysterio on

SmackDown later that same year. The electric entrance alone was enough to

the crowd go wild, but it was Mysterio's superhero heroic that proved the

underdog was actually Top Dog.

Making his SmackDown debut, Rey!

In 2002, my buddy, my boy, Rey Mysterio Jr. makes his debut on SmackDown.

Rey Mysterio, a guy who's traveled the world and put on amazing matches

everywhere.

First of all, you're going to notice he's not the biggest guy in the locker

room, but the talent is so much that it overcomes everything.

Rey debuted with a win in WWE against Chavo Guerrero.

But that wasn't the last of him we'd see that night. The main event of that

episode was a steel cage match.

There's a cage and people are

flying off of it. Grab your friend, grab popcorn.

Something's going to go down.

It's now a four -on -two assault.

Better get some more help out here.

Who's this? Someone's coming out.

It's Ray Mysterio.

You're thinking, what's he going to do?

Mysterio. What the hell is Mysterio doing?

Look at Ray.

Look at Mysterio. Oh, my God. A crossbody at the top of the cage.

He can move like that. He can fly like that. What else can this guy do?

When you see him.

Make that dive when you see him put it on the line. You see his heart. You see

his fearlessness.

You see the kind of guy who isn't going to be worried about people telling him

he's too small.

Mysterio victorious tonight on SmackDown.

Rey Mysterio really made a name for himself that night. That man right

Rey Mysterio, is an enigma in sports entertainment.

That was the perfect debut for that man.

No matter how you spin it, Rey Mysterio's star was born that night on

And for more than two decades, the biggest little man has continued to

and amaze with his high flying feet.

Now, speaking of spin, another of SmackDown's most memorable moments came

2005 when the doctor of Thuganomics, John Cena, unveiled a new WWE title, the

love it or hate it, Spinner WWE Championship belt.

This blinged -out accessory was the fitting of Cena's cocky, hip -hop

personality and was instantly polarizing amongst the WWE Universe.

What side were you on?

Take a last look at your...

...coveted prize.

In 2005, Mr.

John Cena introduced the infamous spinner belt. And the spinner belt was

those things where you either loved it or you just flat out hated it.

I know a lot of like the old heads are like, oh, I just want the title to be

way that it was.

There's something to that. But there's also something to creating your own

The time is indeed now.

John Cena is on top of the world. He's the WWE champion with a presentation on

SmackDown. Take a look at the new WWE

championship, daddy.

What was hard at the time? Those spinner rims. The car stops, but the rims keep

spinning. I mean, you got to remember who was popping at the time. 50 Cent,

G -Unit chain. The Bay for Mercy G -Unit album was the G -Unit actual spinner.

Oh, it's a spinner deal. The new WWE champion does things his way.

When John Cena debuted an entire wrestling title with the WWE logo that

around, there was nothing cooler than that.

Take a look, because our time is now.

I have never seen a championship. Look at this thing. We've never quite seen a

champion like John Cena now, have we? I hate saying this and admitting this, but

like kind of a John Cena fan as a kid, like that title was just so cool.

The most outstanding looking WWE championship I've ever seen. You can't

a better design title for Cena at that time than the spinner belt.

The champ is here.

If I was a child, that's freaking cool.

Not a fan.

I like this stuff.

I thought that it was iconic and synonymous with what was going on in pop

culture.

You want some?

Come get some.

Because the champ is here!

The Spinner Belt remained the standard WWE championship from 2005 to 2013 when

it was officially retired.

The big WWE logo front and center would remain, however, as the title would

return to a more traditional look.

Now, moving on to 2011, when all eyes were on Christian, who, after a 12 -year

journey, had finally, and quite emotionally, won the World Heavyweight

Christian brought it to SmackDown just two days later in a matchup with his

heated rival, the Apex Predator, Randy Orton.

That's what it's all about. The World Heavyweight Championship as Christian

his sights set on it. Now climbing the ladder, looking to secure the title.

Christian has finally done it. He is now the world champion.

The quest for Christian was...

Years in the making.

When he got that title and he held it up over his head, it was a win for

everybody. The great moment right here. Edge and Christian, these guys started

this thing off a long time ago together.

Christian was always in Edge's shadow.

And at long last, Christian wins the world heavyweight title.

Five days after Christian won the title, Christian took the championship to

SmackDown to celebrate with the fans.

If you'll all just bear with me for one second, because I've been waiting 17

long years to do this.

But the celebration was short -lived.

Hold on just a minute, players.

When Teddy Long was running SmackDown, you never knew what you were going to

get.

It seems to me...

That there's a decision to be made about who will challenge Christian for

the world title.

The first title defense is usually the toughest because now you're the target.

You have the bullseye on you and everyone is gunning for you. Everyone

what you have.

Do you want to see Christian versus Randy Orton?

People wanted to see Orton versus Christian.

And we gave it to him.

It is official.

Tristan versus Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship.

And players, I am going to make that match for tonight.

For Teddy Long to come out and announce he's going to face Randy Orton is one of

those things like, I mean, you fought through hell to get here and get this,

now we're going to make you pay for it.

But Christian, he's been champion all of five days.

He's lived his dream for five days.

And here we go, back and forth they go. Champion and challenger.

Randy Orton, one of the most cunning superstars.

Oh, wow.

Randy Orton is starting to feel it. Orton dialing it up. Yeah, he's going to

that other place, that next gear.

Christian is the heavyweight champion, and he don't want to lose it, dog.

Orton down. Christian looking to retain here.

Randy and Christian went to war.

That's the Viper right there. What a determination and desire between these

superstars as they compete for the world title.

Orton stacked up on his shoulders.

Oh, two and a half. Two and a half. The Viper slithered out.

And Randy Orton just seemingly out of nowhere.

Oh, my goodness.

I remember when

I saw that match and I saw Christian lose the world championship, I tweeted

three letters. W -O -W. Wow.

The Viper is once again world heavyweight champion.

The Cinderella story is over.

A title reign of just five days.

It was shocking to see Christian just have a really short reign, just five

As a Christian fan, I was happy to see him finally get it, but I wanted him to

have it longer.

This is what's back down.

It's all about always expect the unexpected.

Big moments like that will reinforce that you need to watch this show because

you never know what can happen.

What a match.

Awesome back and forth action with the chef's kiss at the end.

RKO midair out of nowhere.

Spectacular and historical as a new world heavyweight champion was crowned.

In fact, SmackDown is all about making history, making moments.

And this next match is no exception.

Back in 2017, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss became the first women to square

in a steel cage match on SmackDown in a battle for the coveted WWE Women's

Championship.

And there it is.

That is the steel cage that will be part of the SmackDown Live Women's Champion

for the first time on SmackDown Live.

In 2017, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss had the first ever women's steel cage

match. It just speaks to what those two were able to accomplish outside of the

cage. The animosity, the intensity, the excitement they were able to build in

their rivalry.

No interference. I will smash her up against that cage, and I will dislocate

your shoulder again over top of that steel cage.

See, if fighting inside of a steel cage is what's finally going to prove to that

human Chucky doll that she's no match for me, then yeah, put us in a cage,

the door, and throw away the key.

The following contest is a steel cage match for the SmackDown Women's

Championship.

The point is to contain you with your opponent.

So no one can get in, no one can get out, unless you either climb, go through

the door, or win in the middle of the ring.

Well, on this Tuesday, January 17, 2017, history about to be made.

You either were going to get an all -out war, or you were going to get some

serious female drama.

It is the first women's cage match.

You know you need this at the bar extremely hot.

And they are both so extremely talented and both extremely hungry that they want

to go out there and show the world what they're capable of. They always have

been like that.

It's Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch looking to take their rivalry to a whole new

level.

Our women have set so many standards for the future with first.

Tonight, history being made on SmackDown Live.

Two women can go into the cage and they can raise the standard for everyone, not

just women, but for the men as well. And they proved it that way.

Those two women put their bodies on the line. The risk they were willing to

take in that cage match, incredible.

As exciting as it was, it was like, what's going to happen?

And all of a sudden, this mysterious...

La Luchadora shows up. What the hell?

We had La Luchadora for a week flooding in and out of their business.

La Luchadora?

Do you have any idea who this is?

This must be just Becky Lynch, just Alexa Bliss.

And she kind of ruins everything.

La Luchadora on the apron.

Becky Lynch looking for the disarmer, looking to force the submission.

La Luchadora in a frown. Come on.

This is her opportunity right here.

FDDT by Alexa Bliss!

With a huge assist to La Luchadora, Alexa Bliss retains the SmackDown

Championship.

The emotions of finally finding out who's under the mask is just amazing.

You're kidding me! Mickie James is La Luchadora?

Mickie James is on SmackDown?

Mickie James was the very last person that anyone expected to be under that

mask.

This legend of the past.

Mickey's the champion!

Back in the mix, better than ever.

But there she was, the iconic legend, Mickey James.

It was incredibly shocking.

Like, we hadn't seen Mickey for a while. Here she is returning to the... It just

opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

Can't believe my eyes, John!

They were willing to do whatever it takes to make people remember that

Forever.

A return no one saw coming and an instant classic showcasing the

moments SmackDown is capable of creating.

Another case in point, 2017 in Manchester, England. A landmark episode

a world title match as your main event. It would be WWE Champion Jinder Mahal

defending his gold against the phenomenal one AJ Styles.

Who? had the momentum of the entire WWE universe behind him like never before.

It is a blue kind of night at the home of Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

SmackDown Live continues.

Still to come here tonight, Jinder Mahal defends the WWE title against AJ

Styles.

The following contest scheduled for one fall is for the

WWE.

Championship!

November 2017, I got word that I'd be defending the WWE Championship against

Styles. AJ Styles is a formidable opponent, but I am a modern -day

Jinder Mahal was on an incredible run as WWE Champion, but now he faced an

incredibly motivated AJ Styles.

Tonight, I have the opportunity to become WWE Champion.

When I get an opportunity, I save it.

It is all about the most prestigious prize in the history of sports

entertainment.

Styles and Mahal here on Smackdown Live.

Jinder did such a good job of being a bad guy.

And this is what AJ Styles is going to have to contend with.

And people every night wanted him to lose that title.

Look at Mahal just tossing Styles out of the ring.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Oh my God.

Jinder is enjoying every moment of this.

That was a very interesting night. The crowd was in full support of AJ Styles.

When it comes to AJ in the ring, he's continuously raising the bar.

Nothing surprises me when it comes to AJ Styles.

Absolutely nothing.

Now going for the home run.

450.

Oh, no. No. Zing Brothers once again pay infinite dividends.

Oh, it's done.

It's rare to get guys like AJ Styles that you still go,

Man, I wouldn't want to fight that guy.

That's a testament to the kind of performer that he is.

One,

two, three. Stiles has done it again.

Here is your winner and the new WWE Champion,

the phenomenal AJ Styles.

Winning the WWE Championship, It was just on a different level.

The reaction was unbelievable.

I loved it.

First time in history, the WWE Championship has changed hands outside

America. It's crazy to think that was the very first time that title changed

hands overseas in general. To sit back and watch him become WWE Champion on

SmackDown, I was so incredibly excited.

AJ Styles is just once in a generation.

Generational indeed.

A phenomenal blue -brand moment that helped cement its status as the premiere

show in all of sports entertainment.

Which was built on the shoulders of the most electrifying man in sports... You

know what? Let's be real. In all of entertainment.

The Rock.

You see, it was back in the Attitude Era when The Rock first began to lay at the

smackdown on Countland. Candy Addict.

And it was that very catchphrase that gave birth to the brand we all know and

love today.

Throughout its history, there have been no shortage of awesome Rock SmackDown

moments, which is apropos, given that it is his show.

Many, many, many moons ago, The Rock uttered a phrase that changed the WWE

landscape forever.

SmackDown is The Rock.

Obviously, the name SmackDown came from him. That was his cash rate. He's going

to lay the SmackDown on your candy ass.

This was his show. He owned it, essentially.

The rock show, the people's show, SmackDown.

Every single week, he was coming down saying something new and something fresh

that stuck.

We got a little anthem of our own, and it's called God Save My Rudy Poop!

No matter what Rock says in the ring, it's going to be so entertaining that

could be mad for about 10 seconds.

Then you realize, that was damn good of an insult.

Yeah, yeah, the Rock is going to fly out tonight. What do you think, the Rock is

going to spend one more night surrounded by all these hicks?

No, no, wait, hold on. Rock's not talking about you people. I'm talking

all the hickory trees that are outside.

I think my favorite Rock moment on SmackDown is when he did the slide in

people's elbow.

It's the most electrified move in sports entertainment today. I just don't know

how he did it. He had the loafers, I guess, that helped him out.

He slides in the hole. He's safe.

Everything that he did was always captivating. You couldn't really take

eyes off of him. A 1 -800 call. I want to get my ass kicked by The Rock, the

great one, the people's champ, the most electric. The Rock knows that's too many

numbers. Shut your mouth and make the tofu.

You're from A -Town. Is that right?

Sure enough, he basically called me an a -hole. You clearly are an a -hole.

Yeah, I'm smiling, everybody at home.

Bend over.

Get your ass out of the rock picture.

What I see Rock doing now is his best work.

Now you're going to see Rock 10 .0.

As the final boss. This side of the rock has always been in here.

There's an air of unpredictability to everything he's going to do, which

obviously makes it the most exciting part of the show. The number one city in

America for cocaine and meth use is Phoenix, Arizona.

Go out there and I can talk and I can exercise.

Real legitimate power.

You sit there, shut your mouth, and enjoy the ride that The Rock has taken

on. Certainly a ride I was not expecting to take in 2024.

What can I say except you're welcome.

He's got big final boss energy.

That is the guy you see at the end of the story. Whatever that story is, he is

the final boss.

They named the whole show since it is today. It airs live on television every

week. After one of his catchphrases.

That's how important that guy is. Now go home and smoke some more crack.

Merriam -Webster Dictionary formally recognized the word Smackdown in 2007.

A testament to both The Rock and the Blue Brand. A show that has been a

in sports entertainment for a quarter century. And I, for one, can't wait to

what the next 25 years hold.

Until then, we hope you've enjoyed this look back at some of the most awesome

moments in SmackDown history.

I'm your host, Greg Miller, and it's been my pleasure to serve you.

On the next This Is Awesome, the most awesome King and Queen of the Ring

in WWE history.

From the King of Kings to the inaugural Queen of the Corner.

Bow down to the official queen.

We welcome you to a coronation of WWE's most regal superstars. The King of

Hearts! So grab your scepters. And thus proclaim you Macho King Randy Savage.

And talk about your soul.

Austin 316 says I just whipped your ass.

All hail... King Booker!

Only on the net. This is awesome.