The debut episode of WWE SmackDown, aside from the creation of The Corporate Ministry and a notable All-Star tag match to close the show, was quite exaggerated. This was WWE in 1999 during the peak of the Attitude Era, a time when “car crash television” dominated. So, if you watch this episode today, don’t expect a masterpiece, as it likely won’t meet those expectations.
The two-hour show featured seven matches, none exceeding seven minutes. In total, the in-ring action lasted just 24 minutes and 2 seconds, which is actually shorter than the recent John Cena vs. Logan Paul match at WWE Clash in Paris 2025. Wrestling wasn’t the main focus back then, but some matches contained memorable moments. The first-ever SmackDown match saw the Blue Blazer (the late Owen Hart) defeat Val Venis. Big Show quickly won against Test in under a minute. Another match ended in a disqualification, and the longest bout was a seven-minute WWE Tag Team Championship defense by Kane and X-Pac against the New Age Outlaws.
Ken Shamrock and Bradshaw had a notable No Holds Barred Street Fight, praised by fans as one of the night’s best. Additionally, Humanity defeated Big Bossman in less than two minutes. The main event saw Steve Austin and The Rock overcome Triple H and The Undertaker, leaving the audience satisfied.
While the episode is historically significant, it may not impress from a pure wrestling quality perspective. What made it special was how it captured WWE’s peak popularity and offered a glimpse of the company’s future. Every wrestler got solid crowd reactions, the stage design shifted to something grander, and the storylines kept fans engaged. The energy and vibrancy make it feel like more than just a pilot — it’s almost like a bonus Raw episode.
Over its 26-year history, SmackDown has evolved through highs and lows. Yet, everything that’s followed traces back to the success of this landmark debut, securing its place in WWE’s story.
Fan Take: This debut episode is a crucial piece of WWE history, showing fans the raw energy and style that propelled SmackDown to long-term success. For the sport, it underlines the importance of innovation and engaging storytelling in evolving professional wrestling and maintaining fan passion.
