When WWE decided to make a new Saturday night wrestling program called Velocity using SmackDown stars, we were all a little weary. I mean, why would they even bother doing a “jobber show” similar to HEAT for SmackDown?
Some things you need to know about Velocity:
– SmackDown superstars
– Taped before SmackDown events and aired on Saturday nights.
DAY 1
The very first episode of Velocity.
Tajiri v. Billy Kidman
The FIRST EVER WWE Velocity match, and a great one at that. The landmark of the future great cruiserweight action in the years that would follow of Velocity. 15 minutes of action in a *** match. This one would set the stage for all of the future cruiserweight action on Velocity…
Hardcore Holly v. Val Venis
How was this one important? Well, lets just say that Bob Holly made a living throughout the years on Velocity so this was like his big debut. Note: Kurt Angle made two appearences on Velocity. Both were against Bob Holly and Angle defeated Hardcore in both.
Trish Stratus v. Stacy Keibler- Women’s Championship
Trish, Stacy, one electric crowd. What else do you need?
In the events that would follow, Velocity did not draw such great ratings. 0.5 and 0.7 ratings were very common with the television viewing audiences.
THE HOSTS
SmackDown announcers Tazz and Michael Cole were among the many Velocity Play By Play announcers throughout the show’s history. The “Cat” Miller and Bill Demott (WCW’s Hugh Morris) joined the broadcast team for a while with the longest reigning Velocity commentator of all, Josh Matthews. Josh also did short interviews backstage on SmackDown. The final member of the Velocity announce team was Steve Romero who is still do this day the announcer along with all-star Josh Matthews.
THE CRUISERWEIGHT ACTION
Velocity developed as somewhere where the proclaimed “underrated” or “underrpushed” cruiserweights got a spot to shine. Where they may not have got the spotlight on SmackDown, they would get a chance on Saturday nights to display their ability.
Some of the cruiserweights who frequently or regularly saw action over the Velocity span were:
– Sho Funaki
– Nunzio
– Akio
– Billy Kidman
– Chavo Guerrero
– Spike Dudley
– Shannon Moore
– Crash Holly
– Paul London
– Spanky (Brian Kendrick, Diamondback, Pittsburgh Penguin, The Jet, River Rat)
– The Mexicools (Super Crazy, Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis)
– Matt Hardy (during his cruiserweight title run)
On the topic of Matt Hardy, Velocity was quite an important place for the whole “Mattitude version 1” era could play out. Mattitude Followers, codenamed “MFers” Shannon Moore and late joining Crash Holly were often on Velocity competing as well as some action by Matt Hardy himself.
DEBUTS
Ultimo Dragon? Made his WWE debut on Velocity, defeating Shannon Moore. Formely reigning United States Champion Orlando Moore? Made his WWE debut on Velocity. And that was before he grew out the afro.
THE MATCHES
Velocity regularly consisted of 4 matches a show, with the exceptions of some shows having 3. In between matches were clips and segments from that week’s SmackDown. Here’s an example of a common Velocity card:
Opening contest: Funaki v. Billy Kidman
A-Train v. jobber
Rakishi v. jobber
Shannon Moore & Crash Holly v. Full Blooded Italians
In closing, here are my handpicked Velocity Awards.
AWARD CEREMONY
Velocity World Champion: Sho Funaki
Commentary: Where would the dream of Velocity be without Funaki? Where? It would have never been possible. Funaki, we salute you for all of your hard work and sportsmanship.
Honorable mentions: Bob Holly, Billy Kidman, Nunzio, Rikishi
Velocity Tag Team Champions: Full Blooded Italians (Nunzio, Chuck Palumbo, Johnny Stamboli)
Commentary: This was a tough one to make, but the WWE’s formation of a new FBI with Little Guido once again the leader and Chuck Palumbo and Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli were surperior.
Honorable mentions: Billy & Chuck, Nunzio & Vito, Billy Kidman & Nunzio, Charlie Haas & Shelton
Benjamin
Best Velocity feud: Funaki v. A-Train
Commentary: Poor Funaki. In all his strides, week after week of pain and humiliation, Funaki was never quite able to defeat Albert, no matter how many drop kicks, hip tosses, tornado DDT’s or high cross bodys he could hit. Still, this ongoing feud was easily the best in Velocity history.
Honoroble mention: Kurt Angle v. Hardcore Holly
Looking past all of the squash matches, WWE Velocity was a place the cruiserweights could call him over the years, putting on great matches week after week. WWE Velocity is a true milestone in the business. Besides, without it, how could we have got a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion?
There’s Velocity thus far in a nut shell.
Lets wish for the best from this point forward!
