This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to Detroit for the May 18, 2000, episode of SmackDown! It's the final stop before Judgment Day, and the McMahon-Helmsley regime is pulling out all the stops with a main event stipulation that defies logic: a Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match featuring The Rock & The Dudley Boyz vs. DX & The McMahon-Helmsley Faction.

Vince McMahon delivers a scathing promo about "inferior DNA," while Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle generate nuclear heat in Detroit by mocking the Red Wings. We also see the apparent end of The Radicals as Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn come to blows, and Big Show returns to his "angry giant" persona.

We also dive into:

- Gerald Brisco defending "women's rights" after putting Bubba Ray Dudley through a table.

- The Godfather showing off his surprising technical wrestling skills against Chris Benoit.

- Chyna defeating Dean Malenko in an intergender match, further elevating her status.

- A debate on the effectiveness of "cheap heat" in pro wrestling promos.

- Crash Holly's continued saga as the sleep-deprived Hardcore Champion, protected by the APA.

Join us as we break down a fun, fast-paced go-home show that set the stage for the Iron Man Match at Judgment Day.

0:00 - Intro

0:57 - Welcome & Episode Overview (SmackDown 5/18/00)

1:36 - Side Tangent: Retro Soviet Olympic Gear

3:53 - Discussing the "Go-Home" Show Vibe

4:53 - Match 1: The Dudley Boyz vs. T&A (w/ Shane & Brisco)

8:52 - Gerald Brisco & Trish Stratus celebrate

9:22 - Match 2: The Godfather vs. Chris Benoit

12:02 - Benoit & Jericho set up their Submission Match

12:54 - The McMahon-Helmsley "Faction" Promo

18:15 - Vince announces the ridiculous Main Event stipulation

22:07 - Crash Holly hires the APA for protection

23:53 - Match 3: Kurt Angle vs. Scotty 2 Hotty

25:11 - Fan Mail Debate: Does "Cheap Heat" work on TV?

28:56 - Match 4: Dean Malenko vs. Chyna

32:35 - Saturn interferes; The Radicals implode

36:35 - The APA Bar Fight Vignette

38:50 - Eddie & Chyna's chemistry

40:32 - Match 5: Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn (European Title)

44:21 - Joe C visits the APA (RIP Joe C)

46:16 - Match 6: Big Show runs the Gauntlet (vs. T&A, Boss Man, etc.)

52:18 - Gerald Brisco tiptoes through the APA office

53:53 - Match 7: Crash Holly vs. Brisco & Patterson (Hardcore Title)

55:24 - The Rock Promo: "Just Bring It!"

56:56 - Main Event: The Rock & Dudley Boyz vs. DX & McMahons (Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match)

1:00:07 - X-Pac puts himself through a table!

1:01:42 - Final Thoughts & On to Judgment Day

1:08:36 - Outro

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A "Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match?!" | SmackDown 5/18/00 Review