WWE Daily

Jim Ross has posted the following on his WWE Universe blog. Here are a few excertps from the entry on the very first premiere episode of WWE Smackdown in 1999, remembered by JR.

The first SmackDown featured a main event consisting of The Rock challenging the new WWE Champion, Triple H. HBK had returned to WWE and had been named “Commissioner” and named himself as the special referee for that first SmackDown main event. For the record, Referee/Commissioner HBK delivered some “Sweet Chin Music” to Rock as The Great One was about to “layeth the SmackDown” on Triple H with a “vintage” (Sorry, Michael Cole, but I couldn’t resist, Pal) “Peoples Elbow.” Triple H then pedigreed the future movie star at 9:43 of the main event to retain the WWE Title.

Do you remember who the WWE Tag Team Champions were at that time? Stay tuned for the answer.

This program also featured a skirmish between ring announcer Tony Chimel and former ring announcer Howard Finkel. Thanks to a manipulative Chris Jericho, this then lead to an altercation between The Fink and Ken Shamrock that allegedly saw the World’s Most Dangerous Ring Announcer “soil himself.” By the way for you trivia buffs, Fink came to the ring that night to confront Sir Anthony Chimel using the music of Ultimate Warrior.

The Hall of Fame duo of Pat Patterson and Jerry Brisco also got in on the action that night, which was always a treat for me to see. Plus, Mankind battled Shane McMahon on the first SmackDown, which saw Shane upset the Mandible Claw expert thanks to his future brother-in-law Triple H’s interference.

The first SmackDown felt like a Monday Night Raw show inasmuch as it included lots of attitude and surprises. With that said, the best news for me was when Michael Cole tagged in and took my chair at ringside the next week. I mean, how much BBQ can an Okie eat?!

Speaking of that first night on Friday Night SmackDown, I do remember that many of the fans inside the Toyota Center booing me when they heard my entrance music, which is the Oklahoma University fight song, “Boomer Sooner!” That reception, a reaction toward OU and not me personally … or at least I hope that was the case, really made yours truly feel “great” about my new TV home (only kidding). Seriously, what did help me get settled in was the kind words that Triple H, who also got drafted the night before, said about me when he came to the ring at the top of the show to address the SmackDown fans, not to mention sitting beside Mick Foley who I had known for years. You can read the complete entry here.

Here are an series of the very first, premiere episodes of WWE Smackdown in 1999. Enjoy!!