9. March 18, 2004 - Eddie vs Rey
WWE.comThere was a lot not to like about SmackDown in 2004 but the rise of Eddie Guerrero to the WWE Championship was not one of them. Long one of the hardest workers in the industry, not to mention one of its best, Guerrero earned every bit of appreciation and adulation given to him during his main event run with the brand. As champion, he ensured fans that they would get the very best out of the top dog on SmackDown and the March 18 episode was proof positive of that. The entire show was built around a gauntlet match pitting five of SmackDown's premier stars against one another with the object being to find a No. 1 Contender to face Guerrero later in the show. Shelton Benjamin broke out in the match, defeating tag team partner Charlie Haas and Billy Gunn before being ousted in a competitive match against Rey Mysterio. Speaking of Mysterio, he capitalized on interference from John Cena to defeat Big Show and earn the title match. Two Superstars with uncanny chemistry, Guerrero and Mysterio delivered an outstanding match to cap off the broadcast. There was not much else in the way of action. New United States champion Cena defeated Rhyno and tag champions Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty defeated the APA. That match resulted in the dismissal of Ron Simmons and led to the evolution of Bradshaw, who ditched the long tights and beer drinking for more traditional trunks, a white cowboy hat and the John Bradshaw Layfield persona was born. The show, from a match quality perspective, was really a one-match show. As an overall broadcast, however, it featured a compelling show-long story that culminated in a tremendous main event. One cannot ask for more than that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V66uhare4U
Full Results: United States champion John Cena defeated Rhyno... WWE Tag Team champions Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty defeated the APA... Rey Mysterio defeated Big Show, Shelton Benjamin, Billy Gunn and Charlie Haas in a No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet match... WWE champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio