by Rick Scaia
Exclusive to OnlineOnslaught.com

As usual, you have the chance to opt out now...  otherwise, you risk not only spoiling the Thursday night UPN telecast, but also the events to take place on Monday's RAW (if you haven't already read those spoilers).

But if you're still here, it's cuz you want to ruin the show for yourself...  so with as little further ado as possible, here is a complete recap of Saturday night's SmackDown tapings from FLA, compiled from e-mail reports...

DARK MATCH

- Earthquake (yes, John Tenta) squashed some jabroni.

HEAT MATCHES

-  The Hurricane defeated Test thanks to an assist from Rikishi...  Billy Gunn beat Albert thanks to an assist from Chuck Palumbo...  Big Show squashed the Brooklyn Brawler...  the APA squashed Sho Funaki and Crash Holly.

SMACKDOWN HAPPENINGS

-  Tazz and Spike Dudley opened the show with a big upset win over the Dudley Boyz.  Spike pinned D-Von and Tazz choked out Bubba;  however, this was a non-title match, so the Duds are still tag champs.

-  Vince McMahon came out for a big promo, and after some pointless ranting about his New Year's resolution to be "more powerful than ever" in 2002, Ric Flair interrupted and started on what was universally described as an absolutely KILLER promo.  Flair went back and told a dramatized version of his relationship with the NWA and with the WWF during the late 80's and early 90's, culminating in his departure from the WWF in 1993, which he attributed to Vince's own ego.  The confrontation gets heated, and eventually, Flair announces that at the Royal Rumble, we will see Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon in the main event.  

-  Christian defeated Rikishi by count-out, thanks to an assist from Test.  After the match, Christian gets a Stinkface, but then he (Christian) and Test double team Rikishi, and leave him laying.

-  In a pre-taped segment, Chris Jericho is shown at poolside, bragging about how Vince McMahon has given him the night off. 

-  Rob Van Dam and the Rock defeated Kurt Angle and Lance Storm.  Rock pinned Storm for the win.

-  Trish Stratus retained the Women's Title with a win over Mighty Molly.  After the match, Jazz did a run in and left both women KO'ed with DDTs.

-  Undertaker basically destroyed Tajiri to continue his streak of dominating men smaller than him.  When he refused to release a hold after the match was over, the Big Show ran out and scared Taker back up the ramp.  Show issues a challenge, but Taker just rides away.

-  Backstage:  a pow-wow between Ric Flair and Arn Anderson is interrupted by Stephanie McMahon.  She wants Flair to hire her back, and says that although Flair is a proven wrestler, he could use her McMahon genes to help him on the business end.  In closing, she intimates that Flair could face repercussions on Jan. 7 (when Triple H returns) if he does not re-hire her.  Flair says he'll consider it.

- Edge manages to retain the IC Title over Kane.  The match saw Edge almost pull off Kane's mask.  While Kane struggled to get it back on, Edge was able to hit a quick spear to get the win.

-  Booker T and the Big Bossman teamed up to defeat Steve Austin in the night's handicap match main event.  Austin was just about ready to finish off Bossman when Booker struck from behind, landing an ax-kick for the win.  After the cameras stopped rolling, Austin recovered and sent the crowd home happy with a beer-fueled celebration in the ring.

Be sure to check out SmackDown this coming Thursday on UPN, or come on back here on Friday for full coverage of the show.

E-MAIL RICK SCAIA
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Rick Scaia is a wrestling fan from Dayton, OH.  He's been doing this since 1995, but enjoyed it best when the suckers from SportsLine were actually PAYING him to be a fan.

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