WWE has done old school Raw in the past but we have yet to see an old school episode of SmackDown. Back in the day SmackDown was a force to be reckoned with and at times it was just as good, if not better than Raw. But unfortunately nowadays SmackDown doesn’t pack quite the same punch as it used to.
An old school episode of SmackDown could be a nice way to remind the fans of just how good the show used to be and it could also help to convince people that SmackDown can be great again. There’s no indication that WWE is going to be doing an old school episode of SmackDown anytime soon, or ever for that matter, but if they ever do here are a few things we would like to see the episode include.
Paul Heyman As The General Manager
Paul Heyman was without a doubt the best General Manager in the history of SmackDown. Heyman ran the show from October of 2003 until March of 2004 and he turned it into a show that could legitimately compete with Raw back when the brand extension was a thing. Paul Heyman was a great authority figure and no one has been able to leave their mark on SmackDown quite the way he did.
Of course Heyman wasn’t just an authority figure on the show, he also served as the head writer during his tenure on the show. Paul Heyman is credited for booking great matches with talents such as Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, Edge, Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero and Eddie Guerrero who went on to be known as the “SmackDown Six!”
Heyman has proved that he can run a great show because 12 years later people are still saying that SmackDown was at its best when he was running the show. If WWE ever decides to broadcast an old school episode of SmackDown Paul Heyman would have to be the guy that steers the ship.
The SmackDown Fist Set
SmackDown has had a few cool sets of the years but the SmackDown fist is the one that fans still talk about to this very day. The SmackDown fist made its debut in 2001 after Rhyno gored Chris Jericho through the old set. It weighs 6,000 lbs. and back in the day when the SmackDown fist was on the road it was so large that an entire truck had to be dedicated to moving it from show to show.
The first was retired in 2008 but WWE still has it in their warehouse. If the company ever decides to do an old school episode of SmackDown it would be the perfect occasion to blow the dust off the fist and put it back together.
An Appearance From The Undertaker
When the brand extension kicked off in 2002 The Undertaker was drafted to SmackDown and he never left. He stayed with the brand until the brand extension officially ended in 2011. When everyone was trying to get a spot on Raw The Undertaker was happy to stay put and help the SmackDown locker room so in a lot of ways it feels like a part of SmackDown belongs to The Undertaker. The Deadman wouldn’t necessarily have to wrestle, but an old school episode of SmackDown just wouldn’t feel right if he didn’t at least make an appearance.
Michael Cole And Taz On Commentary
SmackDown has had quite a few commentators come and go over the years, but Michael Cole and Taz had a solid run working together at the commentary table from 2002 to 2006. Michael Cole might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Taz definitely brought out the best in him.
Cole and Taz definitely had chemistry together and the banter between the duo was always entertaining. This duo could surely rekindle that chemistry once again so it would be nice to see them reunite for one night only.
Teddy Long Making Tag Team Matches
Teddy Long doesn’t have to be in charge of the show, but he does at least need a little authority so that he can make tag team matches. Even if Teddy just returns to book one tag team match on the card, that will be enough playa.
A Cruiserweight Battle Royal
WWE doesn’t have a cruiserweight division anymore but there was a time when the Cruiserweight Championship was exclusive to the SmackDown brand. WWE’s cruiserweight division was a far cry from WCW’s, but the Cruiserweight Championship was defended, lost and won by talents such as Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Jamie Noble (don’t laugh that guy can work), and The Hurricane.
SmackDown’s cruiserweight division was fun for what it was and it would be nice to see the cruiserweights get a nod on an old school episode of the show. A cruiserweight battle royal would be a good chance to let guys who haven’t been seen on TV in a while like Billy Kidman and Jamie Noble get back in a WWE ring. It would also be nice to see some of WWE’s current Superstars mix it up with the cruiserweight veterans.
An Appearance From The Rock
We all know that SmackDown is The Rock’s show and an old school episode of the show just wouldn’t feel right without an appearance from The Rock. We all know that The Rock is a very busy man nowadays, but he does try his best to make time for WWE appearances.
It’s not out of the question for The Rock to make an appearance on an episode of SmackDown. After all he did appear on the show a few years ago and he also made a surprise appearance at a house show in 2015. Never say never when it comes to The Rock.
John Cena Doing His Thuganomics Thing
John Cena may be the face of the WWE but there was a time when his name didn’t mean much in the wrestling business. But John Cena made a name for himself as the “Dr. of Thuganomics.” Cena found himself in a heel rapper character that fans couldn’t help but love to hate, and then eventually love.
The John Cena of today is not the same John Cena that the fans started supporting during his run on SmackDown and nobody has forgotten about how much fun John Cena used to be. Fans have been dying to see the “Dr. of Thuganomics” return for years now and it’s obvious that it’s just not going to happen. Cena’s old persona doesn’t have to return for good, but an old school episode of SmackDown is the perfect excuse to bring the gimmick back for one night only.
Brock Lesnar Vs Big Show As The Main Event
Sure, we’ve all seen Brock Lesnar face the Big Show a million times already, but back in the day this was one of the feuds that made SmackDown worth watching. These two big men were in their prime when they feuded on SmackDown and although fans might roll their eyes at the thought of this match today, it was truly a spectacle to watch back then.
Back in 2003 Brock and Big Show did the spot where the ring collapsed and we’re still talking about it to this day. Hell, if this old school SmackDown episode ever did happen WWE could just rig up the ring to collapse again, because do we even really care at this point? We’d just be watching for the nostalgia anyway so I say bring it on.
What would you like to see WWE put together an old school episode of SmackDown? What do you think it should include? Sound off in the comments below.
