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Season guide

WWE Friday Night SmackDown: Season 3

52 episodes Premiered Jan 4, 2001 Updated Sep 25, 2026

In 2001, SmackDown is one of the prominent battlegrounds in the war between WWE and the WCW/ECW Alliance. Watch as Superstars like The Rock, Kurt Angle and more defend SmackDown from the WCW/ECW invaders.

Previously on WWE Friday Night SmackDown

Season 3 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of WWE Friday Night SmackDown Season 2.
  • ⚡ Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
  • ⚡ Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
  • ⚡ Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

Season overview

In 2001, SmackDown is one of the prominent battlegrounds in the war between WWE and the WCW/ECW Alliance. Watch as Superstars like The Rock, Kurt Angle and more defend SmackDown from the WCW/ECW invaders.

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Season 3 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 3 Progress Shield

Future titles & synopses blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any card to peek.
Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 3: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

8%
92%
Mytharc (4): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (48): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S3·E1 Mytharc

SmackDown - Jan. 04, 2001

Jan 4, 2001 · 91 min

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin looks to exact revenge on Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley but Mr. McMahon intervenes by giving The Rattlesnake a chance to compete against The Undertaker and K

S3·E2 Core

SmackDown - Jan. 11, 2001

Jan 11, 2001 · 65 min

With Triple H costing Stone Cold Steve Austin his chance at the WWE Championship on Raw, Mr. McMahon orders hostilities between both men cease for 24 hours before giving The Game a

S3·E3 Core

SmackDown - Jan. 18, 2001

Jan 18, 2001 · 92 min

With his spot in the 2001 Royal Rumble at stake, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin must resist the impulse to attack Triple H unless physically provoked as The Game serves as the special r

S3·E4 Core

SmackDown - Jan. 25, 2001

Jan 25, 2001 · 89 min

Mr. McMahon gives "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Triple H the night off and orders Kurt Angle to defend his WWE Championship against Kane in the main event. Plus, Haku makes his pre

S3·E5 Core

SmackDown - Feb. 01, 2001

Feb 1, 2001 · 91 min

Kurt Angle defends the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match against The Rock and Triple H. The Dudley Boyz put their Tag Team Championship on the line against The Hardy Boyz i

S3·E6 Core

SmackDown - Feb. 08, 2001

Feb 8, 2001 · 92 min

The Rock battles Big Show in the main event. Mr. McMahon selects two WWE Superstars via lottery to represent "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Triple H in one-on-one action where the w

S3·E7 Core

SmackDown - Feb. 15, 2001

Feb 15, 2001 · 90 min

Triple H unveils the sinister stipulations to his upcoming battle with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin before going one-on-one with The Rock in the main event. Mr. McMahon shows what dep

S3·E8 Core

SmackDown - Feb. 22, 2001

Feb 22, 2001 · 90 min

The Rock, The Undertaker & Kane take on WWE Champion Kurt Angle and Edge & Christian in a No Disqualification Six-Man Tag Team Match. Triple H looks to provoke "Stone Cold" Steve A

S3·E9 Core

SmackDown - Mar. 01, 2001

Mar 1, 2001 · 90 min

Kurt Angle sets his sights on breaking the ankle of WWE Champion The Rock. However, Mr. McMahon has other plans when he orders The Great One to defend his title against William Reg

S3·E10 Core

SmackDown - Mar. 08, 2001

Mar 8, 2001 · 90 min

With "Stone Cold" Steve Austin watching intently, Debra leads WWE Champion The Rock into main event action as The Great One takes on Rikishi & Haku in a Handicap Match. Triple H re

S3·E11 Core

SmackDown - Mar. 15, 2001

Mar 15, 2001 · 88 min

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin faces Kurt Angle in a No Disqualification Match. However, Angle and Austin may have to first reckon with The Rock as The Great One has a score to settle w

S3·E12 Core

SmackDown - Mar. 22, 2001

Mar 22, 2001 · 87 min

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and WWE Champion The Rock sit down with Jim Ross for a highly volatile face-to-face interview. With The Great One scheduled for action against two WWE Sup

S3·E13 Core

SmackDown - Mar. 29, 2001

Mar 29, 2001 · 87 min

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin offers The Rock a toast. The rivalry between Triple H and The Undertaker reaches the boiling point after The Game targets his opponent's most prized posse

S3·E14 Core

SmackDown - Apr. 05, 2001

Apr 5, 2001 · 87 min

WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gives an old friend a shocking reality check. With Mr. McMahon's faction now in control of the WWE Championship, he sends Triple H to bring h

S3·E15 Core

SmackDown - Apr 12, 2001

Apr 12, 2001 · 87 min

Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin look to run roughshod over the WWE. Jeff Hardy battles Triple H. Kane, Undertaker, and more in action.

S3·E16 Core

SmackDown - Apr. 19, 2001

Apr 19, 2001 · 88 min

With WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Intercontinental Champion Triple H running rampant throughout the ranks of WWE, The Brothers of Destruction are given an opportunity

S3·E17 Core

SmackDown - Apr. 26, 2001

Apr 26, 2001 · 84 min

WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Intercontinental Champion Triple H take on Kaientai in the main event. The Brothers of Destruction are forced to compete in a pair of Han

S3·E18 Core

SmackDown - May. 03, 2001

May 3, 2001 · 87 min

Mr. McMahon gives the Undertaker a main event bout against someone who has a score to settle with him. Triple H defends his Intercontinental Championship against Jeff Hardy. Plus,

S3·E19 Core

SmackDown - May. 10, 2001

May 10, 2001 · 89 min

Tensions between The Undertaker and WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin escalate when the Deadman hijacks some of The Rattlesnake's personal belongings. Intercontinental Champion

S3·E20 Core

SmackDown - May. 17, 2001

May 17, 2001 · 90 min

After a hoax involving his family goes awry, The Undertaker goes on a hunt for revenge on WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. When The Rattlesnake lays blame at the feet of Int

S3·E21 Core

SmackDown - May. 24, 2001

May 24, 2001 · 89 min

With Triple H suffering a career-threatening injury on Raw, WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin blames The Game for The Two-Man Power Trip losing the Tag Team Championship while

S3·E22 Core

SmackDown - May. 31, 2001

May 31, 2001 · 92 min

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin defends his WWE Championship in the main event. Edge challenges Kane for his Intercontinental Championship. More personal footage of The Undertaker and hi

S3·E23 Core

SmackDown - Jun 07, 2001

Jun 7, 2001 · 88 min

Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin go after the Tag Team Titles. Superstars compete in Qualifying Matches for the King of the Ring.

S3·E24 Core

SmackDown - Jun 14, 2001

Jun 14, 2001 · 90 min

Spike Dudley ends up fighting for the WWE Championship when he crosses a rattlesnake. Kurt Angle issues a challenge to Shane McMahon.

S3·E25 Core

SmackDown - Jun. 21, 2001

Jun 21, 2001 · 91 min

WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin lets out his frustrations. When Diamond Dallas Page is revealed to be his wife's stalker, The Undertaker sends a deadly message to DDP. In pr

S3·E26 Core

SmackDown - Jun. 28, 2001

Jun 28, 2001 · 92 min

With the threat of another attack from Shane McMahon's WCW in the air, Mr. McMahon calls out his son. But, when CEO Linda McMahon accepts the challenge, The Chairman is forced to m

S3·E27 Core

SmackDown - Jul. 05, 2001

Jul 5, 2001 · 92 min

Booker T puts the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Diamond Dallas Page. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin displays a little southern hospitality when he graciously of

S3·E28 Core

SmackDown - Jul. 12, 2001

Jul 12, 2001 · 89 min

With ECW and WCW working together as The Alliance, Mr. McMahon asks "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to change his strategy going into Invasion. Chris Jericho battles Lance Storm, Kane fa

S3·E29 Core

SmackDown - Jul. 19, 2001

Jul 19, 2001 · 84 min

With "The Old Stone Cold" Steve Austin back with the WWE just days before Invasion, Mr. McMahon learns the hard way to be careful what you wish for. While "Stone Cold" prepares to

S3·E30 Core

SmackDown - Jul. 26, 2001

Jul 26, 2001 · 91 min

While rumors circulate over Mr. McMahon bringing back The Rock to help WWE in their fight against The Alliance, Shane McMahon sends The Great One a special message reminding him of

S3·E31 Core

SmackDown - Aug. 02, 2001

Aug 2, 2001 · 90 min

As Kurt Angle rallies some patriotic support for his challenge to WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at SummerSlam, the Olympic Gold Medalist receives a challenge of his own fr

S3·E32 Core

SmackDown - Aug. 09, 2001

Aug 9, 2001 · 90 min

Things explode between The Rock and Shane McMahon & WCW Champion Booker T. The Dudley Boyz & WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin take on Kurt Angle & The Hardy Boyz in a Six-Man

S3·E33 Core

SmackDown - Aug. 16, 2001

Aug 16, 2001 · 91 min

The Rock and Booker T go head-to-head in the first ever Lights Out Match. When Kurt Angle tries to take advantage of WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin's special Austin Invitatio

S3·E34 Core

SmackDown - Aug. 23, 2001

Aug 23, 2001 · 83 min

When dissention brews among the ranks of The Alliance, Chris Jericho takes advantage of their weakened state by challenging WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to go one-on-one

S3·E35 Core

SmackDown - Aug. 30, 2001

Aug 30, 2001 · 88 min

With his Olympic Gold Medals in the hands of WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, a furious Kurt Angle faces Alliance member Booker T in the main event, while The Rattlesnake sh

S3·E36 Core

SmackDown - Sep 04, 2001

Sep 4, 2001 · 92 min

After being humiliated by Kurt Angle on Raw, WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin looks to take out his frustrations on Alliance member and Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam. Christian

S3·E37 Core

SmackDown - Sep. 13, 2001

Sep 13, 2001 · 92 min

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, the Superstars of WWE come together to perform on one of the most memorable editions of SmackDown in history. While so

S3·E38 Core

SmackDown - Sep. 20, 2001

Sep 20, 2001 · 90 min

The rivalry between Kurt Angle and WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin reaches the breaking point after The Rattlesnake tries to make an example out of Tajiri. WCW Champion The

S3·E39 Core

SmackDown - Sep. 27, 2001

Sep 27, 2001 · 88 min

The Brothers of Destruction defend the WCW Tag Team Championship against Test & Booker T. WWE Champion Kurt Angle and WCW Champion The Rock look to bring the WWE Tag Team Champions

S3·E40 Core

SmackDown - Oct. 04, 2001

Oct 4, 2001 · 90 min

As "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's association with The Alliance makes him ineligible for a rematch against Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship, Shane McMahon orchestrates a plan to ge

S3·E41 Core

SmackDown - Oct. 11, 2001

Oct 11, 2001 · 91 min

With Commissioner William Regal now aligned with The Alliance and the WWE Championship back in the hands of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, CEO Linda McMahon returns to deal a devastati

S3·E42 Core

SmackDown - Oct. 18, 2001

Oct 18, 2001 · 89 min

Rob Van Dam's loyalties are called into question after he is seen having a private conversation with Mr. McMahon. However, problems within the ranks of WWE come to light as well wh

S3·E43 Core

SmackDown - Oct. 25, 2001

Oct 25, 2001 · 91 min

While The Alliance continues to grow weaker after losing several titles, WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin orders his troops to compete in a Battle Royal for a chance a at Chr

S3·E44 Core

SmackDown - Nov. 01, 2001

Nov 1, 2001 · 86 min

With Kurt Angle defecting to The Alliance, WWE tries to regroup by having Kane go after Angle's WCW United States Championship while The Undertaker challenges "Stone Cold" Steve Au

S3·E45 Core

SmackDown - Nov. 08, 2001

Nov 8, 2001 · 88 min

After some devastating news from Mr. McMahon on Raw, WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin tries to rally The Alliance behind him by teaming with WCW United States Champion Kurt A

S3·E46 Core

SmackDown - Nov 15, 2001

Nov 15, 2001 · 84 min

Before WWE and The Alliance clash for the final time at Survivor Series, ECW's Paul Heyman calls out Mr. McMahon for a face-to-face confrontation that has been brewing for years. W

S3·E47 Mytharc

SmackDown - Nov. 22, 2001

Nov 22, 2001 · 86 min

While Mr. McMahon and WWE Co-Owner Ric Flair decide the fate of the WWE and World Championships at Vengeance, The Rock & Rob Van Dam battle The Dudley Boyz for the Tag Team Champio

S3·E48 Core

SmackDown - Nov. 29, 2001

Nov 29, 2001 · 87 min

WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin battles William Regal in a Strap Match. After adopting a new attitude, The Undertaker makes an example out of Rob Van Dam before taking on Ta

S3·E49 Core

SmackDown - Dec 06, 2001

Dec 6, 2001 · 84 min

Days before they all battle to make history and crown an Undisputed WWE Champion, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin & The Rock team up to take on Kurt Angle & Chris Jericho. After forcing

S3·E50 Core

SmackDown - Dec. 13, 2001

Dec 13, 2001 · 83 min

The Rock joins forces with Rob Van Dam to take on The Undertaker & Chris Jericho. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is on the hunt for Booker T. Tajiri defends the Cruiserweight Championsh

S3·E51 Mytharc

SmackDown - Dec. 20, 2001

Dec 20, 2001 · 87 min

When Ric Flair gives him an exclusive contract to work for WWE, Booker T realizes that his new position comes with a price when he is order to go one-on-one with "Stone Cold" Steve

S3·E52 Mytharc

SmackDown - Dec. 27, 2001

Dec 27, 2001 · 85 min

The Rock & Rob Van Dam face Kurt Angle & Lance Storm. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin battles both Booker T & the Big Boss Man in a Handicap Match. While Mr. McMahon makes his New Year's

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