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SmackDown: 22/2/2001

SmackDown was live at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. World Wrestling Federation Champion Kurt Angle headed to the ring as SmackDown kicked off. The Federation Champion said he was going to take a page out of Edge & Christian's book, and pose for a moment. He then told the fans he knew what they were thinking - that it was the last time he would ever pose with the Federation Championship. He said that wasn't the case. Angle promised to beat the odds and triumph at No Way Out.

Angle then spoke about "WWF The Music: Volume 5," which features a picture of The Rock on the cover! Angle showed footage of Rock recording the song "Pie" for the CD, and the Olympian then exclaimed, "What the freaking heck was that?" Angle said he was going to play the fans a song they could actually listen to - and Kurt then proceeded to play his own theme music, with video clips of him beating up The Rock!

Angle said that after No Way Out, The Rock wouldn't be singing about "Pie," but instead Rock would be singing another tune - "I Just Got My Brahma Bull Butt Beat by the Better Man Blues." Kurt then concluded his interview by proclaiming, "If ya smell what the champ is cooking!"

In the McMahon/Helmsley locker room, Stephanie said she couldn't believe that she was stunned on Monday night by Stone Cold Steve Austin. She begged Triple H not to attack Austin, however, so as not to risk a six-month suspension.

The Game said he didn't know what would happen when he was face-to-face with Austin, but he said if he was going to be suspended for six months, then he was going to put Austin out of action forever.

The first match on SmackDown pitted Rikishi against Jeff Hardy, who was accompanied by Lita. The 400-pounder won the match with a Banzai Drop. After the match, Rikishi gave Lita a Stink Face until Matt Hardy came to the ring to save his new flame!

In an interview with Kevin Kelly, Bulletproof announced that at No Way out, they'll be taking on the Undertaker and Kane, the Dudley Boyz, and Edge and Christian in a Fatal 4-Way tables match for the WWF Tag Team Championships.

Coach interviewed J.R. about having to interview Stone Cold and Triple H at the same time later in the night on SmackDown. J.R. said it wasn't his idea; it was Mr. McMahon's. J.R. said he didn't see how the two men could be in the same ring without tearing each other apart, and he said he thought the No Way Out main event was in jeopardy.

Raven provided color commentary for a No. 1 contenders match for the Hardcore Championship, involving Crash, Perry Saturn, Steve Blackman, K-Kwik, Hardcore Holly and the Big Show. The Show won the match, pinning K-Kwik aftr a monstrous one-arm chokeslam. The Big Show will now face Raven for the Hardcore Championship at No Way Out!

In the McMahon/Helmsley locker room, Stephanie asked Triple H to promise her that he wouldn't touch Austin. The Game said when it came to Austin, he couldn't promise anything.

J.R. then walked to the ring and talked about how much he was looking forward to the Austin/Game match at No Way Out. As J.R. tried to introduce Stone Cold Steve Austin, he was cut off by the sounds of Triple H's music.

The Game walked to the ring and grabbed the microphone from J.R. He said he wasn't going to touch Austin and risk a six-month suspension. He said that as mad as he was about Austin stunning Stephanie on RAW, he wasn't going to lose his cool - but he did have an answer. Triple H then gave J.R. a Pedigree! Stone Cold ran to the ring in a frenzy as the Game left J.R. in a fallen heap.

Michael Cole then announced that at No Way out, the Intercontinental Championship will be defended in a Fatal 5-Way match involving the Bladewolf, Chris Jericho, X-Pac, Eddie Guerrero and Justin Credible.

In a tag team preview, Jericho and X-Pac took on Benoit and Guerrero! An action-packed bout ended when X-Pac kicked his own partner in the face when Jericho went for a Lionsault. Benoit then locked Jericho in the Crossface for the win. After the bout, X-Pac and Justin Credible cleaned house

As they walked up the ramp however... FIRE EXPLODED ON THE STAGE!

"Woah!" Jerry exclaimed.

"What the-?!" Cole cut himself off as the lights dim to the sinister blood red and dark blue. "Uh oh! We know what that lighting means, King!"

"This Sunday..." The dark and demonic voice of the Bladewolf is heard as X-Pac and Credible look around nervously. "Five men enter only one man leaves Intercontinental champion. Blood will be shed, bones will be broken, minds will be shattered, and the reaper will show you your eternal damnation at the gates of hell. I am the Bladewolf and I will make you fall and pray for salvation, but no such hope will come to thee. Your souls will forever burn...in... hell!"

Bladewolf's dark laughter is heard as his theme plays while X-Pac and Credible are looking around. Bladewolf may not have been here tonight or the past week, but he made sure he'd be inside the heads of his opponents this Sunday at No Way Out...

And that's it for this chapter everyone. Next one shall be No Way Out.