Smackdown for May 15th began with Vince McMahon coming down to the ring. McMahon talked about how Mr. America was Hulk Hogan, and how "Mr. America" had poor values, since he was deceitful about who he is, and that he was greedy for collecting paychecks as Hogan and America. The fans were giving him the "What" treatment, and McMahon yelled at them to shut up. McMahon then said that Mr. America batters women, blaming him for Stephanie McMahon getting hurt last week. McMahon followed a replay of the incident by saying Stephanie was partially to blame as well "for bungling" his plan. Vince then said there was an open contract for someone (or some group) to take Hogan on at Judgment Day. Vince said after whoever volunteers beats Hogan, he himself will unmask Hogan. The FBI came to the ring, interrupting McMahon. Nunzio took the microphone, and pointed out that the FBI specialized in taking out people. They then aired a highlight video of the FBI taking down Rikishi, The Undertaker, Nathan Jones, and Chris Benoit, as well as footage of last week when they trapped Brock Lesnar in a dressing room. Vince agreed to go talk things over with Nunzio in the back, while Palumbo had his match.
Rikishi came to the ring, glaring at McMahon and Nunzio as he passed them.
Chuck Palumbo defeated Rikishi in 3:33. Towards the end, Rikishi went for the Stinkface, but Johnny Stamboli got on the apron. Rikishi pulled Stamboli into the ring, then superkicked him out of it. However, this allowed Palumbo to hit a superkick for the win.
After the match, Palumbo and Stamboli were stomping Rikishi, as Brock Lesnar arrived. Brock headed right for the ring, taking down Stamboli and giving Palumbo the F5.
We saw that during the break, Stephanie McMahon approached Brock Lesnar, and told him that what he did to the FBI was impressive. She then told him he needed that intensity for his stretcher match with Big Show this Sunday. Brock just smiled.
They showed Mr. America making a visit to a military hospital.
Torrie Wilson came out on the top stage wearing a robe. She talked about her bikini challenge with Sable at Judgment Day, and said she was going to show one of the bikinis that she was considering for the contest. She disrobed to show a blue bikini, then said she was going to wear something "more revealing" at the PPV.
Stephanie McMahon went into her office, where there were two bouquets of roses for her. Stephanie thought they were from her father, but her expression changed when she looked at the cards. Vince McMahon showed up, and told Stephanie he "accepts her apology" for bungling his plan. Stephanie said she thought the roses were an apology from Vince, but they were from Hulk Hogan and Mr. America. Stephanie said they were "two different bouquets from two different men". Stephanie told Vince since he had things under control, she was leaving. Vince, enraged, threw the vases of flowers against the wall.
They showed footage of Rey Mysterio arriving earlier in the day.
Cruiserweight Matt Hardy, with Shannon & Crash, defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri to retain the title in 4:07. Towards the end, Tajiri got the Tarantula, then measured him for the roundhouse kick. Crash jumped on the apron, and Tajiri kicked him off, but that allowed Matt to hit the Twist Of Fate for the pin.
After the match, Matt Hardy got on the mic, and said he had the "Mattributes" to beat Mr. America at Judgment Day. While he talked, Tajiri got on the top rope and dove to the floor, taking down Hardy and Shannon.
Eddie Guerrero was in the back talking to the Kurt Angle portrait, and wearing the gold medal. Eddie mentioned that Chavo was "injured overseas" so he was all alone. Eddie said he was taking on Shelton Benjamin tonight, but that "Angle" would be in his corner. Eddie put a moustache and goatee onto the Angle portrait.
Mr. America was shown arriving, and passed Stephanie as she left. Stephanie thanked Mr. America for the flowers, and told him to thank Hulk Hogan for her. Stephanie kissed Mr. America on the cheek and walked off.
John Cena came to the ring, and did a rap about how he can beat Mr. America. He then did a rap about Chris Benoit, his opponent tonight.
Chris Benoit defeated John Cena in 11:16 (including a commercial break) by DQ. The FBI came down to ringside a few minutes into the match. Towards the end, Benoit hit the top rope headbutt. Nunzio ran in, but Benoit sidestepped him and flung him over the top rope. Cena went for the Death Valley Driver, but Benoit blocked it and procured the Crippler Crossface. Stamboli ran in and kicked Benoit for the DQ.
Post-match, Rhyno ran in and gored Stamboli. Nunzio took a chair and hit Rhyno in his injured knee. Spanky ran out and dropkicked the chair into Nunzio. Cena grabbed Spanky and went to powerbomb him, but Spanky turned it into a rana, sending Cena from the ring. Spanky, Rhyno and Benoit were left in the ring, as the heels trash talked from the ramp.
The Kurt Angle promo about how he is battling back from his injury was shown.
A video package on the Smackdown tour of Scotland, England and Ireland was shown.
Rowdy Roddy Piper & Sean O'Haire came to the ring for Piper's Pit. Piper talked about Vince McMahon's open contract to face Mr. America. Piper said while others wanted to take on Mr. America to impress McMahon or further their careers, Piper wanted to do it because he hated Mr. America for twenty years. Piper demanded that he be allowed to take on Mr. America at Judgment Day. Mr. America came out, waving an American flag, which he handed to a fan at ringside. Piper told Mr. America if he was that ugly, he would wear a mask too. Mr. America said he would be happy to face Piper at Judgment Day. Piper pointed out that Hogan has never pinned Roddy Piper in the center of the ring. Mr. America said Piper never beat him (Mr. America). Piper yelled at the fan at ringside to stop waving the flag. Mr. America said the fan as the right to wave the flag as much as he wants. Piper sent O'Haire after the fan, distracting Mr. America, and Piper ambushed him. America hulked up and knocked Piper down, then knocked O'Haire off the apron. Mr. America gave Piper the big boot, but O'Haire tripped him as he went for the legdrop. O'Haire blasted Mr. America with a chair three times across the back. O'Haire then held Mr. America while Piper slugged him. Piper went for Mr. America's mask, and the fan ran in and hit Piper with the flagpole. O'Haire speared the fan to the mat, and Piper started to pound on him. Security ran over to pull the fan out of the ring, but Piper shoved them away. Piper then yanked on the leg of the fan, and pulled it off. Piper was standing in the ring, holding a prosthetic leg. O'Haire threw up his hands and left the ring. Piper, looking stunned, placed the leg down in the ring and left as the fans booed loudly.
After the break, they replayed Piper pulling the prosthetic leg off the fan. We saw that during the break, Mr. America had helped the fan into the back.
As Shelton Benjamin and Eddie Guerrero got ready for their match, we saw that Vince McMahon was blasteing Piper and O'Haire over what had just happened. McMahon said that it was bad publicity and there could be a lawsuit over it. Piper and O'Haire bickered as McMahon left.
Shelton Benjamin defeated Eddie Guerrero in 3:40. Towards the end of the match, Eddie hit three consecutive vertical suplexes, but Charlie Haas ran out with a ladder. This distracted Eddie, and Shelton Benjamin hit a superkick for the pin.
After the match, Haas and Benjamin prepared to hit Eddie with the ladder, but Guerrero dropkicked it into them. Eddie then took the Kurt Angle portrait and broke it over the head of Benjamin before leaving.
In the back, Vince McMahon told Piper that he has known him for a long time, and that he knows Piper has no remorse for what he did. McMahon said that because Piper was so evil, he would be the man to face Mr. America, since he could give Vince what he wants.
They re-aired the Confidential piece on the death of Miss Elizabeth, including the Lex Luger 911 call.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio was getting ready for his interview.
They showed a "Tale Of The Tape" for the Torrie Wilson vs. Sable bikini challenge. Sable then came out, and said told Torrie she would be better off not wearing something revealing, implying that she was fat. Sable then showed off her black thong bikini.
Michael Cole & Tazz went over the Smackdown matches for Judgment Day, then they went to the WWE studios, where Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross went over the Raw matches for the show.
Rey Mysterio did an interview with Tazz & Michael Cole, talking about wanting to come back and win the Cruiserweight Title. Big Show grabbed Rey and dragged him to the ring. Show beat up Rey in the ring, including giving him an F5. Show was going to then give Rey a chokeslam, but Brock Lesnar ran out and started hitting Show with a stretcher. Lesnar then laid out Big Show with the F5. Lesnar left, and Show slowly got up in the ring. Rey blindsided Show off the ropes, knocking Show down. Rey headed up the aisle, and Brock lifted him on his shoulder. Big Show glared at them and screamed as the show ended.
(Credit: 1wrestling)