| WWE Smackdown Debut | |
| Promotion: | WWF |
| Brand: | SmackDown |
| Date: | August 26, 1999 |
| Venue: | Kemper Arena |
| City: | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Event: | SmackDown special episodes |
| Lastevent2: | first |
| Nextevent2: | Thanksgiving SmackDown |
The WWE Smackdown debut episode was a professional wrestling show that marked the debut of WWE's (then WWF) weekly WWF SmackDown! television show. The show took place on August 26, 1999. Although the episode marked the beginning of the series, an earlier pilot aired back on April 29.[1] [2]
The show aired live on UPN, taking place at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.
The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[3] Results were predetermined by WWE's writers.[4]
The show opened with an opening promo by the newly crowned WWF Champion, Triple H, accompanied by Chyna. The Rock challenged him to a championship match to which he declined. Then WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels made the match official, naming himself as the special guest referee. Shane McMahon entered to declare himself as the second guest referee, Michaels denied this and announces McMahon would be wrestling Mankind later in the night. A brawl ensued with The Rock and Mankind clearing the ring.[5]
During the show ring announcer Howard Finkel entered the ring, using The Ultimate Warrior's entrance theme. Finkel stole the microphone from announcer Tony Chimel, however Chimel tackled him to the floor, Chris Jericho helped him to his feet, and an ongoing skit throughout the show involving Finkel, Jericho and Ken Shamrock was seen throughout the night.[6]