WWE SmackDown has been a mainstay on WWE television since 1999, and with over 1,000 episodes, it has been an alternative to Monday Night Raw with some moments that have taken place that have flown under the radar in its early years.In April 1999, SmackDown was created and they aired a pilot episode. Four months later, SmackDown became a permanent program with the inaugural episode taking place on August 26, 1999. SmackDown has taken place on Tuesday nights, and Thursday nights, and currently, it airs live weekly on a Friday. There have been several memorable episodes taking place on the blue brand with fans being entertained over the years.RELATED: WWE SmackDown's First 10 Main Events, Ranked Worst To BestOf course, not every episode of SmackDown in 1999 was great, but some were exceptional. There's a reason why SmackDown is still here today, over 1,000 episodes later with the quality of shows and matches that have been produced. Nonetheless, there have been several title changes and gimmick matches that have taken place on SmackDown that fans have forgotten about.
10 The First Title Change
Wrestling fans didn't have to wait long to witness the first title change on the August 26, 1999 edition of SmackDown. Big Boss Man held Al Snow's dog Pepper hostage, and he was looking to regain the Hardcore Championship, which he lost to Snow at SummerSlam.
Boss Man manipulated Snow, and he got the Hardcore Championship match, he asked for. It wasn't an instant classic, and Boss Man clocked Snow in the head with a nightstick to become a three-time Hardcore Champion. Boss Man took Pepper with him, which wasn't part of the agreement.
9 The Undertaker Wins A Five-Man Royal Rumble Match
There was a unique five-man Royal Rumble match on the September 16, 1999 episode of SmackDown. The match was star-studded with The Rock, Big Show, Mankind, Kane, and The Undertaker taking part. Rock and Big Show were the first two competitors in the Rumble.
Undertaker was the final entrant, and since he sustained a groin injury, The Phenom opted to undertake commentary duties. There were signs of the American Badass as he sported a bandana and glasses. Undertaker bided his time, and he eliminated both Show and Rock to prevail. It was a forgotten match with Undertaker's former Ministry members Mideon and Viscera stopping Undertaker and Show from fighting.
8 Test Proposes To Stephanie McMahon
Whilst, Test and Stephanie McMahon's wedding took place on Raw in November 1999, Test's marriage proposal took place on SmackDown in August 1999. Test beat Stephanie's brother Shane in a Love Her or Leave Her Street Fight at SummerSlam, giving him a free pass to marry Stephanie.
Shane and the Mean Street Posse did not approve of their relationship, and they interfered and beat up Test. However, Mankind came down the ring and he saved Test from the beatdown that he was on the receiving end of.
7 Al Snow & Mankind Winning The WWE Tag Team Titles
Al Snow and Mankind are close friends in real life, and their friendship aired on-screen in the fall of 1999. They challenged the Holly Cousins for the WWE Tag Team Championship on the November 4, 1999, edition of SmackDown.
RELATED: 10 Things Most Fans Forget About Mick Foley's Career
The WWE Tag Team Championship was like a yo-yo in 1999 with barely any stability. Mankind and Snow clinched the titles, in a forgettable title change on the show. Their reign was short-lived with the New Age Outlaws beating Mankind and Snow for the titles on the following episode of Raw.
6 Triple H Competing In An Inferno Match
Kane collided with Triple H in an Inferno match on the September 16, 1999 edition of SmackDown. The Game endured a tough night of matches as he was looking to be added to the six-pack challenge for the WWE Title at Unforgiven.
This was Kane's third Inferno match, and he lost a couple to The Undertaker. Nevertheless, despite competing in his first Inferno match, Triple H earned the victory and went one step closer to competing at Unforgiven.
5 Chris Jericho's Debut Match
Chris Jericho made an emphatic debut on the August 9, 1999, edition of Raw, when he interrupted The Rock's promo. However, what many fans forget is that Road Dogg is one of Jericho's first major rivals in his WWE career. Y2J's in-ring WWE debut didn't come until the August 26, 1999 edition of SmackDown.
This was an average match, but Jericho failed to prevail in his first match in WWE. Y2J showed glimpses of what he had to offer. Nonetheless, he got himself disqualified as he put Dogg through the table, which was illegal.
4 The Corporate Ministry Is Born
The pilot episode of SmackDown produced some shocking moments. Shane McMahon oversaw proceedings as the leader of the Corporation. Meanwhile, The Undertaker was in-charge of the Ministry of Darkness. Moreover, the unthinkable happened when Shane and Undertaker stood side by side.
RELATED: The 10 Biggest Mistakes WWE Made During The Attitude Era
The rest of their respective faction members joined them on stage, and the Corporate Ministry was born. This was an unholy alliance, and whilst the Corporate Ministry had some success, they were better off as two separate entities.
3 Mr. McMahon Winning The WWE Championship
Triple H was enjoying his maiden run as WWE Champion, and he defeated The Rock in the early stages of his WWE Championship run. However, in an attempt to gain more viewers on SmackDown, Triple H defended the WWE Championship against none other than Mr. McMahon on the September 16, 1999 edition of SmackDown.
McMahon was brutalized by his future son-in-law. Shane was the special guest referee, but Steve Austin interfered in the match. The Texas Rattlesnake gave McMahon an unexpected assist, and McMahon became the oldest WWE Champion at the age of 54 when he pinned Triple H.
2 The Fabulous Moolah & Mae Young Battling Over The Women's Championship
The Women's Championship was a laughingstock in the Attitude Era, and the fact that The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young fought over the Women's Championship, told you everything you needed to know about the sorry state of women's wrestling. Moolah beat Ivory for the Women's Championship at No Mercy 1999 to become the oldest champion in WWE history at the age of 76.
Moolah and Mae were way past their prime as they were at an advanced age in their lives. Ivory saw sense, and she halted proceedings by assaulting both women in an overlooked Women's Title match that took place on SmackDown in October of 1999.
1 A Buried Alive Match
WWE pulled out all the stops to make SmackDown a brilliant alternative to Raw. On the September 9, 1999, edition of SmackDown, the Rock 'n' Sock Connection put the WWE Tag Team Championship on the line against the Unholy Alliance in Undertaker's specialty, a Buried Alive match.
Ironically, Undertaker and Mankind were involved in the first Buried Alive match three years prior. Undertaker, Big Show, Mankind, and The Rock produced an entertaining match. Ultimately, it's bizarre that a Buried Alive match occurred on SmackDown, but it wasn't a bad idea. The Unholy Alliance recaptured the WWE Tag Team Championship all thanks to outside interference from the reigning WWE Champion Triple H.
