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The historic 1,000th episode of SmackDown Live is now in the history books and the show packed in a whole lot of punch in its 120-minute time frame. Featuring huge returns, a tag team title change, Crown Jewel World Cup Qualifying Matches, and some rather interesting segments, the show produced a little something for everyone, especially fans who appreciate WWE history.
From The Undertaker to Edge, to a potential WrestleMania 35 sneak peak, to the dancing McMahon family, SmackDown 1000 had it all and we unpack its most memorable moments right here. Join us for a special SmackDown 1000 version of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly.
The Good - Batista Rocks The Mic
See who is stunned by Hulk Hogan's words HERE
The return of Evolution did not disappoint as four legendary wrestlers united once again before a stunned Washington D.C. audience. Sharing 49 world titles between the four of them, the historical significance of such a moment wasn't lost on anyone. Plus Batista was back in a WWE wrestling ring once again, a significant feat in its own right.
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Batista has expressed interest in returning to the WWE after unceremoniously leaving the company following a disappointing return in 2014. Batista has been an openly vocal critic of the company since. After Titus O'Neil was suspended when he put his hands on WWE CEO Vince McMahon, Batista told TMZ,
"I think [Titus O'Neil] should leave [the WWE]. I think that's one dude who doesn't have to be there, he's there because he loves it."
Since then, Batista has made several suggestions about a return, only to have them all inevitably shot down by the WWE. He was rumored to be teaming with Rousey at WrestleMania 34; however, the WWE mysteriously stopped calling and then failed to return any of his phone calls.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon even went as far as to laugh in his face. Batista told MLW Radio,
"I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I was back and I was also in the No. 1 movie in the world?’ And they kind of had a snicker and [they said] ‘… We don’t know if the movie’s going to be that good.’ … It was a very uncomfortable moment where I think they were just kind of doubting me and laughing in my face."
In fact, Batista wasn't even originally invited to SmackDown 1000:
Sooner or later the powers that be at WWE relented and despite any potential bad blood, allowed Batista to be a part of the Evolution reunion. Batista made the most of his opportunity much to Triple H's chagrin.
First, he made a joke at Ric Flair's expense, telling the 16-time world champion to, "Keep it in his pants," in an obvious referral to The Nature Boy's world-famous kiss stealing escapades.
After expressing his love for the WWE Universe, he then went after Triple H with a backhanded compliment. After praising The Game, Batista let loose,
"There is nothing that this man hasn't done in this business...except beat me!"
Triple H was obviously distressed. The two engaged in an intense staredown and at Ric Flair's urging, followed up with an awkward hug, as the Evolution music hit and the segment came to a close.
Batista has made no secret that he would like to have his very last match against Triple H. As Triple H glared at Batista, one couldn't help, but think that this was a prelude to a huge WrestleMania 35 match between the two legendary WWE Superstars.
The Good - Legends Return
Outside of The McMahon Family (more on that later), the first glimpse we received of returning legends was a backstage segment showing past GMs like Teddy Long, Vickie Guerrero, and the surfing legend himself John Laurinaitis. The trio was backstage with current GM Paige, danced around and squabbled in a circus-esque light-hearted moment. The segment was short, simple, sweet, and harmless. It would fail in comparison to what the WWE had in store throughout the evening.
First, we received Evolution; Ric Flair, Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton. The four men have 49 championship belts between them. In his usual brashness, Randy Orton declared his own greatness and put himself over like a Michael Jordan Hall of Fame speech. Batista made a joke about at Ric Flair's expense and in what may go down as the evening's most memorable moment, teased a possible WrestleMania 35 match against Triple H.
We first saw Edge schmoozing in the backstage area with Curt Hawkins; but, were treated to an amazing performance in-ring with Becky Lynch. In an off twist of fate, one of SmackDown's greatest heels became SmackDown's moral compass, as he pleaded with Lynch to simply do the right thing. It was heartfelt, convincing, and ever so believable.
Rey Mysterio looked fantastic and at 43 years old came to the ring in what appears to be the best shape of his WWE career. He and Shinsuke Nakamura put on a stellar match with Mysterio hitting his famous 619 to gain a pinfall victory and access into the upcoming Crown Jewel World Cup Tournament.
The show ended with the return of The Undertaker, arguably the greatest Superstar in SmackDown history, who closed the show in typical Dead Man fashion with his famous catchphrase of, "Rest in Peace!"
The Good - Becky Lynch Is A Stone Cold Heel
Becky Lynch is really something special as a heel and we are witnesses to history with her newfound character progression. Lynch is so spectacular that she is arguably unparalleled as a villain, in the history of women's wrestling. This isn't an exaggeration. She really is that good and proved it once again at SmackDown 1000.
While in the ring with one of the greatest microphone men in wrestling history, Lynch more than held her own. In fact, she left Edge silenced as the dumbfounded Rated R Superstar was the recipient of a Becky Lynch tongue lashing.
Edge pleaded with Lynch telling her that he, too, once loved championship gold to such an extent that he crossed anyone and everyone to attain such glory. He lamented the bridges he had burned in his own career and the friendships he had lost in his relentless pursuit of championship glory. Edge informed the SmackDown Women's Champion that such a mindset would leave her lonely and disliking herself and he begged her to repent of her evil ways.
A reflective Becky Lynch took a moment to respond; but, she was only a snake waiting for the most opportune time to strike, to inject her vocal poisons into the WWE Hall of Famer. When she finally spoke, the fury of hell danced off the tip of her tongue.
Lynch spewed in her familiar Irish brogue,
"You're right, I don't like myself, I love myself. Now stop being so condescending to the champ and get out of my ring. Careful you don't hurt your neck again going through those ropes."
The crowd gasped in shock at the disrespect she had shown of SmackDown's all-time greats. I believe Lynch meant what she said. We all do and that's what makes her such a fantastic heel.
The Bad - Jerry Lawler and Booker T
These two accomplished WWE Hall of Famers deserved much better than what they received on tonight's SmackDown 1000. Like Joe Louis shaking hands at Caesar's Palace, Booker T and Jerry Lawler were brought out as props more than anything else, if they were brought out at all. Fans watching at home never even saw them make their entrance; but, it would have been nice to see the "Kings" get their due, as both men were an integral part of SmackDown's history.
Instead, the two were placed behind an announcer's table that was set up to feature New Day's pancakes. Two of wrestling's greatest played second fiddle to a passing wrestling fad and to stale breakfast food.
Despite being two of the most memorable voices in SmackDown history, the duo also suffered the indignity of not actually being able to announce the entire match. As The New Day fought The Bar, the regular announce team called the majority of the bout and would go to Lawler and Booker T periodically.
The rest of the time, their microphones were shut off and the two were only allowed to provide commentary only when prompted. Most of the time this left the two looking confused and there were several obvious moments where the duo either missed the action entirely or didn't properly receive their cue. Lawler and Booker T deserved better than to be disgraced during such a historic moment and so did the fans.
The Ugly - The McMahons On Truth TV
Where do we start? It is highly doubtful; but, Truth TV may end up being one of the greatest shows in SmackDown history. One thing is certain now, however. It is currently, in our present day, an entirely insignificant segment and had no business opening such a historic show. Was Miz TV unavailable? What about The Peepshow? Even Mitch The Plant and The Ambrose Asylum is preferable to this.
Carmella debuted on the main roster in 2017; but, after a regrettable and forgettable run as SmackDown Women's Champion, she has dyed her hair and found a new gimmick as R-Truth's friendly dancing sidekick.
R-Truth hasn't done anything significant in the WWE since teaming with The Miz in The Awesome Truth and that was six years ago. Yet, the two were given the opening segment and an enormous portion of SmackDown 1000.
The McMahon Family must really love dancing because these three literally danced their way to what should have been a historic opening segment featuring in-ring legends, not a family of billionaires. First, there was Stephanie McMahon who was predictably vile. Then her brother Shane came to the ring to do his same pandering routine. His sister even called him out on it, as the two debated the merits of SmackDown vs RAW.
Finally, the creator, Vince McMahon, made his way to the ring with his predictable Billionaire Walk. What could be so important that every McMahon would make their way to the ring? A RAW vs SmackDown Survivor Series tease? You can imagine something absolutely significant happened next, right? Well, that's where you'd be dead wrong.
What did the entire McMahon Family do once in the ring together? Despite the earlier familial tension between Stephanie and Shane, the trio had a dance break with R-Truth and Carmella. That's when the segment came to a merciful end.
Overall, this gobbledygook lasted approximately 18 minutes. Those are 18 minutes fans will never get back and more importantly 18 minutes that could have been used for other legends such as The Undertaker, Edge, Jerry "The King" Lawler, or even Vickie Guerrero and Teddy Long. Almost anything would have been preferred to this moment that covered the first 15 percent of a two-hour show.
Furthermore, It wasn't until the 35 minute mark that we actually saw an in-ring legend come out for an evening that should have been entirely dedicated to the best wrestlers in SmackDown history. All of this was pure gobbledygook.
