Extreme Championship Wrestling '96

[Steeb]

You asked for feedback:

Basically, I like the length of the recaps, as someone said, it fits the time-slot anyway, so they're nice and easy to read too.

The Dreamer/Raven/Sandman stuff seems a little convoluted, but it seems you're working on ironing that out eventually. It'll be interesting to see how it works out though. Oh, and I love the idea of that Raven promo from the swing. Sounds like something I'd actually want to watch.

Taz/RVD could be interesting, so long as it's not just used to keep crushing RVD, as I'd consider that a waste. But, it is your ECW not mine.

Only real problem I have is with the HH/Gangstas feud. Right now, it just doesn't seem like something I'd tune in to see. Hopefully you can change my mind about it though.

[ClaRK! Kent]

Okay... House Party was a decent show. The booking was all fairly solid, some historical inaccuracies and faux-pas made, as pointed out by NBT in his smarkish rant on the show, although it was a good show overall and certainly a nice way to start the diary. The PBP results felt a bit stilted, but if you're just starting to do those then I can let you off really, especially 'cos you won't be using them all the time obviously.

- Pitbulls winning, as I said they should, is a good thing. Yay for them, as they're a good team and you can do stuff with them.

- Having Taz kill Robbie V is probably good, as a 'baptism of fire' and at least you're not pushing RVD to the moon 'cos he's RVD, as DMN very astutely pointed out that he's not RVD yet. 96-99ish Taz makes me a little horny, so hurrah for him.

- Dreamer/Lauria was a bit blah, and although Mikey was out of character for that period, the writing would've been good if you'd got the right 'era' for him really.

- Myers/Axl was a bit short, but hardcore brawling doesn't have to be long and it did its job, so fair enough.

- Buh Buh/JT's segment wasn't bad, the match resulting from it was too short and again blah like Dreamer/Lauria, but yeah, utilitarian I guess. No frills on top of doing what it needed to do, which isn't really the ECW ethos.

- Sandman was very much in character, well done, and this one was a good little brawl that did the right thing and put Sandman over as an effective, badass champion. Hurrah.

- Sabu/Psychosis, meh. Spotty, patchy, and sort of good in a 'Flair would be turning in his grave' sort of way. So, standard Sabu fare then.

- Joey Styles saying 'beer bash' killed the Gangstas/Headhunters match for me, but apart from that faux pas it was a pretty good match that, again, put the right team over with minimal fuss.

All in all, House Party was a decent, if not spectacular, start to the diary. Everybody went over who needed to, the segments and stuff were all slick if not anything to write home about, and generally it was a good base to build on. Speaking of which...

- Decent first Hardcore TV show, the shortness of results probably reflects the nature of the timeslot pretty well to be honest, and it means you can push on with the bigger arena shows, which were the bread and butter and this point anyway. Dreamer/Raven getting sidelined is... meh, but if it leads to Raven/Sandman I'm willing to put up with it, as long as you don't step-by-step follow the original pattern. Cactus' jealousy at Tommy should lead to some 'Cactus picks a partner and challenges' tag team wars, STAT~! Good enough show.

- Second HCTV was also decent. Good idea to have some great wrestling to start, and what would be an awesome Raven promo if we could see it in transcript (!!!), Dudleyz vs Headhunters was nice and got the right team winning, I like that again you're not pushing guys who would become big for the Hell of it, too early. Good times. Rey Rey vs. Taz would've made me orgasm back in 96, so kudos. RVD asking for a rematch had better not mean he wins, becomes the big shit, and you jump the gun way too early on him. Because nobody's allowed to beat Taz except Jesus and Shane Douglas at this point.

All in all, Nef, you've done some good shows here, and you've generally got the feel of 1996 ECW down, despite a few factual errors and such the atmosphere and the like are there. Nothing, however, has really jumped out at me yet and made me say "WHOA! That's amazing!" or anything, so this one is good but not great. It's a solid base though, and it could become a great diary if you pull your finger out in the coming shows and really push the envelope. It's ECW, dude, they did that for fun.

I'll give you a *** overall, but I'm not TGC so my rating isn't legally binding or anything.

[Nerf]

Just a quick note to let you know that this isn't dead. I've been away for a while, and I just got back. So, keep a looky out for Hardcore TV sometime today or perhaps tomorrow.

Thanks,

Nef.

[Nerf]

We're straight into the action this week, as 'Lionheart' Chris Jericho takes on Dirtbike Kid. After Jericho strolls down the ramp to the sounds of "Electric Head Part 2" by White Zombie and meets his opponent in the ring, we cut to an opening video for Hardcore TV. When we return the two men are grappling competitively with Jericho getting the upper-hand firstly. Dirtbike evens the score after a cheap punch, but this proves to work against him more than for him, as an angered Jericho gains even more determination. In the end, Jericho seems to be able to dispose of Dirtbike easily, after hitting a Lionsault for the win.

There's no time for celebration, though, as we cut right backstage where we see The Fabulous Ones. Richards and Meanie are pacing the corridor looking pleased with themselves for no apparent reason, until Richards spots something and points. The two gather toward the figure, who turns out to be Chubby Dudley! The two begin mocking the Dudley due to his weight as he snacks away at a bag of potato chips. Ironically enough, I've never heard of Meanie selling door-to-door health products before. After a slap to the face from Richards, the two walk off, sniggering at the cowarding Dudley.

Next up, in a match that should be saved for a Pay-Per-View, the Hardcore Legend Terry Funk takes on Ian Rotten! Fans are pleasently suprised with the brawl they are treated to, as Funk and Rotten fight it out in style. Of course, it isn't a twenty-minute bloodfest, but it is a very decent hardcore match for an ECW television taping, with Funk picking up the win after a DDT onto a chair. Afterwards, both men took their leave to a round of applause from the ECW faithful.

Even before Rotten is behind the entrance-way, Van Halen's "Poundcake" hits and Rob Van Dam bounds towards the ring very abruptly. He isn't wasting any time and demands that Taz joins him in the ring face to face. Never one to shy from a challenge, Taz makes his way to the ring with Bill Alfonso at his side, as annoying as ever. Van Dam tells Taz that he doesn't like being ignored, to which Taz tells Van Dam that he didn't ignore him, he simply spared him. He tells RVD that he was lucky that he didn't break his neck last week, but if Van Dam ever gets in his face like that again, then he'll regret the very day he was born. Taz smirks and turns to leave, only for RVD to pull out an iron bar from his tights and crack it across Taz skull. Alfonso tries to interfere but is run off by the newcomer, who then makes his way to the back swiftly. It takes Taz some time to recover from the blow, but when he does he threatens Rob with death.

In the main event of the evening, another match of ECW Arena proportions takes place as Brian Lee, who lost to The Sandman at House Party '96 - takes on the Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying Maniac Sabu! Crowds were sceptic as to whether Sabu would be able to overcome the much bigger opponent, but as always, he showed no signs of fear and battled away. Unfortunately, Lee was not alone in the match. Richards & Meanie continually attempted to intervene and cost Sabu the win, aswell as Kimona trying to distract him. Yet again, Sabu fought back, harder and faster, until the final nail in the coffin was hit. Raven appeared from the back and blasted Sabu with a DDT, granting Lee the win. Raven, wasting little time, grabs a microphone and curses out The Sandman. He tells him that at House Party, Lee couldn't get the job done, yet Raven was still one step ahead of him. Raven tells Sandman that his days as champion are numbered, as he will achieve his destiny as ECW Champion soon enough. With that said, The Nest make their way to the back as Hardcore TV comes to an end.

[Nerf]

And so we open this weeks show in the parking lot, where The Sandman is sitting with his back to a brick all, with beer in hand and a smoke rising from the cancer stick held firmly in between his lips. He removes the cigarette from his mouth, exhales deeply, and turns to the camera. He tells us that Raven is not a fair man. Fair men do not get involved in business that does not concern them. He asks Raven why he had to screw Sabu out of his match with Brian Lee last week. Was it to send him a message? Well, the only message Sandman got last week was that Raven was a bully, and a coward, and he got that message loud and clear. He dares Raven to focus on one thing and one thing only; the World Heavyweight title. Forget Tommy Dreamer, forget Sabu, forget his Nest, the only thing that matters is their upcoming encounter, whenever that may be. He tells Raven that all he is doing by attacking people that do not concern him is proving he is a liability to this company, and will not be ECW Champion again, as long as he can help it. Sandman throws the cigarette at the camera, after taking a last puff, before walking away from the scene, into the darkness.

After the opening Hardcore TV video, we're straight into action as David 'Kid' Kash meets Rob Van Dam in the opening contest. For the most part, it is your average, fast-paced, even-sided matchup. Both men get even offence on their opponent. Although both men are technically ECW rookies, they have the fans on their side from the word 'go,' and this makes for a more interactive matchup. However, the exhibition is soon interupted by Taz who attacks Van Dam out of nowhere, hitting a Belly to Back Tazplex. He then locks on a Tazmission as Bill Alfonso distracts the referee from breaking the interference up. After minutes of painful stretching, an exhausted and hurt RVD is released from the hold. Taz, however, grabs Kash also and blasts him with a Tazplex. He then throws Kash's lifeless body on top of RVD, as Alfonso demands the referee to count. Reluctantly, he does, awarding David Kash a win over Rob Van Dam. Afterwards, Taz puts the boots to both men and tells RVD that if he ever tries to get one motherfuckin' over on the Human Wrecking Machine, then it'll be the last thing he ever does.

The camera diverges from the disturbing scene to The Gangstas backstage with Joey Styles, in what seems to be a pre-recorded interview. Styles tries to ask them about their main event match with The Pit Bulls tonight, but he is cut off by a Gangsta rant. New Jack tells Joey Styles that the motherfuckin' Pit Bulls mean shit to them. The fuckin' Headhunters mean shit to 'em. The Bruise Brothers mean shit to 'em. And, especially, the World Tag Team champions mean shit to them. New Jack tells us that no matter what he and Mustafa have to do, they promise that they'll be ECW Tag Team champions before 1996 comes to an end. Mustafa gets involved and agrees with his partner. Tommy and Mikey are nothing more than transitional jobbers, and no matter who they have to go through, they'll get to them soon enough. New Jack turns his attention back to The Pit Bulls, and promises them that tonight they're gonna get a motherfuckin' war, and if the fuckin' Headhunters want some, they can come and fuckin' get some.

We return for our second match of the evening, in what promises to be a very nice Lucha matchup, between two of the finest risk-takers on the market; Rey Misterio Jr and Psicosis. The match does indeed deliver, as both men show amazing ammounts of athleticism and display insane moves that even the ECW crowd have never seen before. Mid-through the match, Joey Styles notes that this is a series of three matches between the two men, who want to prove they are the best Lucha Libre workers in ECW today. The second match of the series will take place next week on Hardcore TV, and the final encounter between the two will be held at CyberSlam '96 on 16th February, in a 2/3 falls match. In this first meeting, though, Rey-Rey picks up the victory, giving him the edge in the first match of the three.

As the two high-fliers make their way to the back, The Fabulous Ones of Stevie Richards and Blue Meanie make their way out. It's a very generic promo from them, basically hyping themselves up as the greatest things to hit ECW, putting down Chubby Dudley after their confrontation last week, and finish off with a little dancing. Unluckily for them, they aren't able to finish their dance, as The Pit Bulls run down from the back. Stevie and Meanie bail and head through the crowd to the exit, as The Pit Bulls look on. Natural Born Killaz is playing now, though, and 1 & 2 have bigger fish to fry in the Gangstas. They waste little time in getting it on, as the weapons come in to play instantly. The match stays inside the ring for the entire time, with all four men taking turns smashing each other up with weapons. Suddenly, though, The Headhunters run down to the ring with Damien Kane and get involved, turning this into a Three-Way! Kane even goes as far as to put his hands on the lovely Francine, when leads to the Pit Bulls getting revenge. We run out of time, as Hardcore TV fades with all seven men and one woman battling it out all across the arena. We'll see ya next week!

[Nerf]

We kick off the show this week straight into a rematch from last week: the second match in a three part series between Psicosis and Rey Misterio, Jr. We get some fine Cruiserweight action, before heading to the opening Hardcore TV video. When we come back, the action is off the charts. The pace is high, and both men are pulling out all the stops to woo the ECW crowd. They do just that, after pulling off numerous high-risk moves, ones that should perhaps be saved for Cyberslam! The insane action, however, only continues for a short time, as the match comes to a sudden end after a crazy roll up from Psicosis, to even the score. Fans must be dying to witness the blowoff match of this series, cumilating in two weeks at Cyberslam!

But, wait a minute! It's Taz! Taz runs down the ramp and puts the boots to the two young luchadores. The fans are booing the hell out of this machine, as he throws the Mexican sensations around the ring with ease. He is stopped dead in his tracks by Guns N' Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle," as the fans go absolutely fucking nuts! It's Bam Bam Bigelow! Bam Bam is back in Extreme Championship Wrestling! What the hell!? He runs down to the ring and is met with some right hands from Taz, only to fight back as this brawl goes on. Taz, for the first time in a long time, has a challenge to deal with, and what a fucking task it is! Taz tries to Suplex the big man, but Bam Bam stops him dead. After almost ten minutes of pure fighting between the two, Bigelow hits a Powerslam, and runs into the ropes. A splash attempt is missed and Taz rushes to the advantage. Tazmission! Bam Bam falls to the mat, and has no choice but to tap out after minutes of being exposed to excruiciating pain. Bill Alfonso is nowhere to be found tonight, as officials try to break up the hold. They fail, but one man succeeds in making Taz relent - IT'S ROB VAN DAM! He blasts Taz with a steel chair, before hitting his patented spin kick The Vandaminator, smashing the chair into Taz' face. RVD then poses and makes a run for it, as Taz recovers and goes mental in the ring, grabbing a microphone and demanding RVD meet him in the ring next week, and that's no challenge, that's a booked match. Taz promises to KILL Van Dam, if it's the last thing he ever does.

Two matches in, we are already almost thirty minutes into the show. How do we cut time down considerably? Yup, a squash! This week, Damien Stone and El Puerto Ricano have the honour of jobbing to The Blue Meanie and Stevie Richards! Sure, the match fell into the favour of The Fabulous Ones, but the aftermath was far from sweet celebration, as Big Dick & Buh-Buh Ray Dudley make a run in attack on the men that bullied one of their family just two weeks ago, and then mocking him last week! Richards and Meanie are surely gonna be sorry for the attack after this beating! Choke Slam's all round from Big Dick, and the Dudleyz leave after sending their message loud and f'n clear.

It's main event time, as Too Cold Scorpio takes on the man hell-bent on beating Sandman for the ECW World Heavyweight title, Raven. But, Raven is not alone, once again! His Flock accompany him to the ring. With Brian Lee, Kimona, The Bruise Brothers and Cactus Jack backing him up, how could he lose this match? Exactly right. The numbers game came into effect all through this match, granting Raven another victory on his road to the belt, but that wasn't enough. Afterwards, Raven continued the assault, causing The Sandman to rush to the aid of his tag partner. But, he was expecting it all along, and a Sandman gang-beating ensues. Hardcore TV comes to a close with Scorpio & Sandman down and out, and Raven holding the champion's belt in the air.

[JStarr]

Closed and moved to the deep Web.