Judgment Day (2004)

Background

On the March 25, 2004 episode of SmackDown, recently drafted Raw superstar Booker T insulted SmackDown! superstars. The new SmackDown General Manager Kurt Angle gave Booker an opportunity against Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship. A member of the recently disbanded APA, John "Bradshaw" Layfield interfered in the match and turned heel by attacking Guerrero with a Clothesline from Hell. On the April 8 episode of SmackDown!, Angle announced that the winner of the Great American Award would become the number one contender for the WWE Championship. He gave the award to JBL, however, Guerrero came out, stole the trophy and broke it. On the April 22 episode of SmackDown, Guerrero lost to D-Von Dudley in a non-title match after another interference by JBL. The next week, JBL cut a promo about Eddie Guerrero's ancestors, saying they were illegal immigrants. On the May 6, 2004 edition of Smackdown, it was announced that JBL caused Guerrero's mother to have a heart attack at a house show when he threatened her and grabbed her by the shoulder. The next week, Guerrero was arrested after he destroyed JBL's limousine, and JBL defeated Guerrero's friend Rey Mysterio.

On March 23, 2004, as part of the aftermath of that year's WWE Draft, Booker T was part of a brand trade that saw him and The Dudley Boyz swapped for Triple H, who was sent back to Raw after being drafted by SmackDown! by then-general manager Paul Heyman. Booker, as noted above, took issue with this claiming the SmackDown roster was inferior to Raw. Booker later turned heel on his partner Rob Van Dam, who had also been on Raw and drafted away, and then defeated him next week. The next week, Booker T defeated RVD again and bragged about how he was the biggest star on SmackDown!, but then ran away as he heard The Undertaker's gong. The next week, Booker tried to attack the Undertaker to no avail, making general manager Kurt Angle to book a match between them for Judgement Day. At the next week, Booker went to a Voodo witch in order to try and overcome the Undertaker, and the witch told him to use a dirt from an unmarked grave against his foe. The next week, Booker defeated the F-B-I, and then had a staredown with the Undertaker.

Another feud heading into the event was between WWE United States Champion, John Cena, and Rene Dupree. Dupree was drafted to Smackdown! and confronted John Cena for the next two weeks. At the April 22, 2004 edition of Smackdown, Dupree had a talk show on SmackDown!, called "Cafe de René", with Torrie Wilson. He insulted her and tried to attack her, only for Cena to save her. The next week, Cena interfered in Dupree's match with Wilson, and Kurt Angle booked the match for Judgement Day. The next week, both attacked each other during Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson's match. On the final Smackdown! before the event, Dupree said that he will be the first French man to be a United States Champion.

Event

Before the event began, a dark match took place on Heat in which Mark Jindrak faced Funaki. Jindrak executed the Mark of Excellence on Funaki to win the match.

Preliminary matches

The event opened with Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio facing The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von). Bubba and D-Von attempted a 3-D on Mysterio but Van Dam prevented the move and Mysterio performed a 619 on Bubba. Van Dam performed a Five Star Frog Splash on Bubba to win the match.

Next, Torrie Wilson faced Dawn Marie. Wilson pinned Marie with a Backslide to win the match.

After that, Mordecai faced Scotty 2 Hotty. Mordecai performed The Crucifix on Scotty to win the match.

Later, Charlie Haas and Rico defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Hardcore Holly and Billy Gunn. Hass pinned Holly with a Sunset Flip to retain the title.

Next, Jacqueline defended the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero performed a Gory Bomb on Jacqueline to win the title.

After that, John Cena defended the WWE United States Championship against René Duprée. Cena performed an FU on Dupree to retain the title.

Later, The Undertaker faced Booker T. Undertaker performed a Tombstone Piledriver on Booker to win the match.

Main event

In the main event, Eddie Guerrero defended the WWE Championship against John "Bradshaw" Layfield. Guerrero attempted a Pescado on JBL but JBL caught Guerrero and performed a Fallaway Slam on Guerrero outside the ring. JBL performed a Back Body Drop onto a broadcast table on Guerrero. After Guerrero collided with the referee, JBL hit Guerrero with a steel chair, causing Guerrero to bleed profusely, and the steel steps. JBL performed a Clothesline from Hell on Guerrero as another referee counted the pinfall for a two count. JBL attempted a second Clothesline from Hell on Guerrero but Guerrero avoided the move, colliding with the referee. JBL performed a JBL Bomb on Guerrero and the original referee counted the pinfall for a two count. Guerrero attempted a Frog Splash but JBL avoided the move. JBL retrieved a steel chair, distracting the referee and allowing JBL to retrieve the title belt. Guerrero attacked JBL with a low blow whilst the referee was distracted. Guerrero hit JBL with the title belt, meaning JBL won the match by disqualification but Guerrero retained the title. After the match, Guerrero hit JBL with a steel chair and attacked JBL until officials separated the two.