LK.
-
Posts
143 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Store
Posts posted by LK.
-
-
World Wrestling Federation HEAT
Sunday 7th April 2002
Jonathan Coachman & Raven call the action
1. A whole new Raw!
A similar package to the one which opened up Jakked is shown. This time it focuses on Ric Flair and Monday Night Raw, and the “whole new era”. (OR: 92%)
2. Al Snow defeated Ace Steel
Al came out from the big with a newly found friend, well, a returning friend, Head. Snow beat down “local worker” Ace Steel for a few moments but lost momentum midway through the match, with Steel almost scoring a near fall after connecting with a superkick. Storm inevitably fought back and won the match with the Snowplow. After the match, Snow celebrated with Head. (OR: 59%)
3. A new look Dudley Boyz?
A video played showing clips of what happened on Raw last week, with Bubba Ray Dudley losing his cool with Bradshaw. We then see the ending of the Bubba Dudley versus Bradshaw match, with Morgan Dudley coming out to aid his “half-brother” on his WWF debut. Coach continuously put over Morgan’s sheer physical presence, questioning whether the “new look” Dudley Boyz could match the credentials of which Bubba and D-Von did before the brand extension. (OR: 63%)
4. The New World Order.
A video plays showing the Flair / New World Order confrontation on Raw. We then see some of the Kane versus X-Pac match, which X-Pac won after interference from Hall and Nash. (OR: 91%)
5. Morgan Dudley defeats Mikey Whipwreck
Morgan Dudley absolutely dominated this match, tossing Whipwreck around like a rag doll. Morgan won after around two minutes of domination after connecting with a sit-out Spinebuster. Whipwreck didn’t even get a shot in on his opponent, with Morgan decimating the former ECW World Champion, who was reduced to a sheer “local worker” by the newest Dudley boy. (OR: 48%)
6. You can’t tame a rattlesnake, Flair.
Coach again introduces us to some footage. Ric Flair and Stone Cold Steve Austin. We are shown what transpired on Raw last Monday night with Flair attempting to throw his weight around, only to receive a stunner from the Texas Rattlesnake. “No one tells ol’ Stone Cold what ta’ do!” (OR: 88%)
7. Billy & Chuck defeat Albert & Scotty 2 Hotty
Billy and Chuck, afresh with matching attire, beat Scotty 2 Hotty and the “Hip Hop Hippo” in a close encounter. Albert almost gets the three count after hitting Chuck with the Baldo Bomb, but Gunn rescues the match. Billy disposes of Scotty with the Fame-Asster as Chuck hits Albert with the Jungle Kick from out of nowhere. Billy covers Scotty for the three count to close up this weeks edition of Sunday Night Heat. (OR: 70%)
Show Rating: 65%
WWF news & notes- Although the American Dragon impressed in his match with Lance Storm, it is unlikely the rookie will be offered a WWF contract. Former WWF Champion and Commissioner Shawn Michaels mentored the Dragon back in Texas and expressed his delight with the American Dragon’s debut on a WWF.com column. However, it is understood that some of the “higher ups” feel that Dragon is “too small” to progress in the WWF at a high level, and would be “enhancement talent” at best.
- Erik Watts’ match with Maven was indeed a tryout match, not just one to put Maven over. However, WWF officials were apparently disappointed with the way things went down, and will not be taking a further look at the son of former WCW booker Cowboy Bill Watts.
- Mikey Whipwreck's appearance on Heat was indeed a one-off. He won't be appearing on WWF television again, especially after his apparent refusal to sell Morgan Dudley's power moves.
- On Raw we saw the debut of Morgan Dudley. Remember Matt Morgan from Tough Enough? That’s Morgan Dudley. It is expected that Morgan will follow the same suit as D-Von and Spike, being Bubba’s on-screen half brother.
- SmackDown! drew a 5.9 rating on UPN this Thursday night. Raw got a 6.49 on TNN. Higher ups were pleased with these ratings, feeling that they offered a fair reflection on the shows in question; with the amount of hype they received with them being the “beginning of a new era”.
- The current feeling in the WWF is that the brand extension was a success, having drawn somewhat of a boost in the ratings this week. The initial feeling was that Raw had more “star power” with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Hollywood Hulk Hogan being exclusive to that show. However, the feeling has seemingly subsided with a more positive one taking its place. Many higher ups feel that Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Chris Benoit (when he returns from injury) are all capable of big things in the future, and could very well be the “future” of the WWF, on the SmackDown side of things.
-
World Wrestling Federation JAKKED
Saturday 6th April 2002
Michael Cole & Kevin Kelly call the action
1. A whole new SmackDown!
We are shown a video package to hype up the beginning of the roster split, which began on last weeks Raw. We see both Flair and Vince in full flow, doing their all to hype up their respective shows. The footage concludes with Vince McMahon speaking on SmackDown on Thursday night, with him saying “enjoy the show”. (OR: 90%)
2. Lance Storm defeats The American Dragon
The American Dragon is a local worker. Dragon gives it his all, trying to match up the ring veteran, but never quite succeeds. The closest to victory the American Dragon comes is when he plants Storm with a DDT from out of nowhere – but Storm kicked out on two. From that point onwards, there was only one winner. Storm connected with a superkick before making Dragon tap out to the Half Boston Crab for the win. (OR: 73%)
3. The Great One
We are shown footage of this previous Thursday nights SmackDown with The Rock and Vince McMahon bumping into each other backstage. The footage quickly turns to that of The Rock versus Justin Credible, which also occurred on SmackDown. The Rock wins the match with the People’s Elbow with the referee and fans counting the fall in unison. Cole and Kelly go over how impressive The Rock was on SmackDown, but question whether Vinnie Mac and the Great One will ever be able to see eye-to-eye. (OR: 99%)
4. WWF Hardcore Title: Maven [c] defeats Erik Watts
Maven makes an open challenge, saying the title is defended “24/7”. Local worker Erik Watts, the son of Cowboy Bill Watts, comes out and accepts the challenge. The match includes a few weapon spots, with a stop sign and a steel chair being used. Maven dropkicks the chair into Watts’ face and covers for the three to retain the gold. (OR: 63%)
5. Another #1 contender? Kurt Angle.
We are shown footage of Vince McMahon announcing that SmackDown will have its own number one contender at the beginning of last Thursday night. We then join some in-ring action, with Triple H defeating Chris Jericho to retain the Undisputed Championship. After the match, Kurt Angle comes out and lays a beating on Triple H, putting him in the Ankle Lock. We return to Kevin Kelly and Michael Cole, and the duo announce that Kurt Angle was Vince McMahon’s hand-picked number one contender to face Triple H at the pay per view. (OR: 92%)
6. Booker T defeats Spike Dudley
The Bookerman takes on the runt of the Dudley litter. The former FIVE-TIME WCW Champion lays a beating on Spike, until the smallest man on the WWF roster counters an attempted suplex by landing on his feet, kicks Booker in the gut and runs up the turnbuckle and connects with the Dudley Dog! At this point, the fans begin to get behind Spike. However, the celebrations don’t last forever as Booker fights back and connects with the Scissors Kick, does the spinaroonie, and then connects with the Book-End for the three count. The show fades with Booker T’s music playing in the background, with the Bookerman celebrating his victory. (OR: 69%)
Show Rating: 69%
-
World Wrestling Federation SMACKDOWN!
Thursday 4th April 2002
Michael Cole & Tazz call the action.
1. Whatever you can do, I can do better.
We open things up backstage in the VIP suite. Vince McMahon is setting on his leather couch, eyes firmly focused on the camera.
Vince: “So Ric Flair, Nature Boy, you’re going to announce the number one contender for the WWF Undisputed Championship without even consulting your business partner? You’re going to name a RAW brand superstar the number one contender without giving MY SHOW, SmackDown, a shot? I don’t think so, Ric.”
Vince smirks.
Vince: “Ya see Flair, I’ve got a number one contender in mind. He’ll reveal himself later on tonight. But as for your ‘beginning of a new era’, a ‘number one’ show, as you put it. Well Flair, it was good, I’ll give you that – but whatever you can do, I can do better. Ya see Ric, tonight in my SmackDown ring, the Undisputed Championship WILL be on the line!”
The fans pop.
Vince: “A Wrestlemania 18 rematch, in fact. Triple H defends the Undisputed Title against the man who he defeated at the ‘grand-daddy of ‘em all’, Y2J Chris Jericho! And it happens TONIGHT on SmackDown!”
Cole lets out a “whoa!” as Vince nods.
Vince: “Enjoy the show.” (OR: 97%)
2. Christian & Lance Storm defeat Billy Kidman & Crash Holly
The two Canadians take it to their cruiserweight opponents from the start. At one point, Crash knocks Storm out of the ring and follows, with Kidman going up top to fly with the Shooting Star Press. However, Christian gets his knees up and Kidman eats them, with a face-to-knee connection. Kidman, who is bloodied, climbs to his feet and eats an unprettier from Christian. Holly enters the ring and knocks Christian down with a forearm smash, but then eats a superkick from Storm, who then drops down into the cover for the inevitable three count in a match which was obviously thrown together to put Christian and Storm over as a cohesive unit. (OR: 67%)
3. The number one Tag Team in the WWF.
Straight after the match, with Cole saying that Storm and Christian looked impressive as a team, Christian takes a microphone from the ring announcer and begins to speak, with the Canadian Technician Lance Storm standing by his side.
Christian: “Hey Lance, guess what, chief?”
Storm just looks at Christian.
Christian: “We were screwed! Linda McMahon and her pathetic little draft lottery screwed us over!”
He nods his head firmly. Storm agrees.
Christian: “We’re the number one Tag Team in the WWF, but we won’t get our shot ‘cause Linda McMahon decided to throw her weight around! If the mega-dork idea of a draft lottery wasn’t implemented, then we’d get a shot at the Tag Titles to prove that we’re number one – but we can’t. Ya see Lance; The Hardy Boys are on Raw DUCKING US!”
Storm nods his head in agreement with his partner. He takes the microphone to a resounding round of jeers from the fans.
Storm: “If I can be serious for a minute.”
The boos get louder.
Storm: “If myself and Christian were on Raw, we’d be the Tag Team Champions. If we got our shot, we’d take it. We’d beat Jeff and Matt Hardy with ease. The Tag Team titles would belong to us. However, the WWF regime decided to throw us onto the ‘B’ show, we’re we fight jokes like Billy Kidman and Crash Holly. Sure, they have talent, but they aren’t as good as myself and Christian. They’re ‘B’, we’re ‘A’. They’re ‘SmackDown’, we’re ‘Raw’. Myself and Christian are the two most technically gifted athletes in this company – but because of some pathetic idea, we’ve been stuck with no shot. We’re stranded on a river with no paddle. We won’t get our Tag Team title shot because The Hardy Boy’s are cowards – they won’t defend their title son both shows, and because of the rules and our contracts, we can’t compete on Raw unless Vince McMahon and Ric Flair give it the go ahead. If you’re listening guys, we want our shot. Make it happen. Vince, we don’t disappoint.”
He hands the microphone to Christian, who smirks.
Christian: “Wow man, you were on a ROLL!”
Storm nods, smirking.
Christian: “We’re on a roll, chief. When we get our shots, we’ll be the champions. No one can stop us. Not even Linda McMahon and her petty attempts to stop us from claiming OUR goldage! Ain’t that right, Lance?”
Storm: “Correct.”
Christian nods his head and slaps Storm on the chest, before dropping the microphone. Cole comments on the size of Christian and Storm’s egos, and their pathetic claims of conspiracy theory. Why would Linda McMahon go out of her way to make sure Storm and Christian don’t get their Tag Team title shots? It doesn’t make sense. Then again, when did Storm and Christian EVER make sense? (OR: 79%)
4. The Rock and Vince McMahon: The conflict of the egos.
We return from the commercials and go backstage, to where Vince McMahon is walking through the corridors, smirking from ear-to-ear for no apparent reason. Suddenly, he bumps into The Rock, who steps out from his locker room. Rock looks up and down at Vince, who steps back, out of The Rock’s way.
Vince: “Well, well, well, look who it is … The Great One.”
He chuckles to himself.
The Rock: “Well, well, well, look who it is … the Mac-Daddy, the Genetic Jackhammer, the man who has done his all to screw The Rock over time-and-time again. The man who drafted The Rock to SmackDown to screw him some mor—“
Vince: “Hold it there, Rocky. I brought you to SmackDown, not because I like you, but because you move merchandise. The ‘people’ love you. I don’t. But you’ll make me money, a lot of money. I can put your name up in lights, in Hollywood, and rake in the cash. That’s why I drafted you to my SmackDown brand.”
The Rock: “Save it, Vince. Save it, turn it sideways, and stick it right up your candy ass, Vinnie! The Rock doesn’t give a damn.”
And with that, The Rock walks away, leaving Vince standing with a smirk on his face. The fans were electric throughout The Rock and Vince’s interaction, despite the lack of longevity. Suddenly, Justin Credible bursts into view, wearing his cut jeans, standing t-shirt-less.
Credible: “Vince, Mr McMahon… I wanna make an impact. I’ll do anythin’, ANYTHIN’ to hit it big here Mr McMahon. Just give me a chance.”
Vince looks at Credible and sneers.
Vince: “Take The Rock OUT!”
The fans boo loudly as Credible nods his head contently before walking away. (OR: 100%)
5. WWF Women’s Title: Jazz [c] defeats. Jacqueline
Cole and Tazz remind us that the Women’s title can be defended on both Raw and SmackDown. The match is short and straight to the point, displaying Jazz’s dominance. Cole and Tazz attempt to put Jacqueline over, as she is a former WWF Women’s Champion, but after three minutes or so, that’s irrelevant. Jazz basically slaps Jacqueline around the ring for a few moments, but eats a DDT from out of nowhere. The champion kicks out on two from the resulting cover. Jazz inevitabely fights back and connects with the Jazz Stinger for the three count, to retain the Women’s Title. (OR: 46%)
6. Your days with the belt are numbered, Rob.
We go backstage to where we see Rob Van Dam stretching. The Intercontinental Championship lies across a bench behind Van Dam, who reaches down to touch his toes. Suddenly, William Regal steps into view, sneering. Rob gets up and into Regal’s face.
Regal: “I never said congratulations, sunshine. I gave you a good pat on the back for out-besting me at Wrestlemania, did I, Rob?”
Van Dam shrugs nonchalantly. He doesn’t care. Hell, he’s the champion, why should he?
Regal: “Well lad, I spoke to Mr McMahon and he informed me of a stipulation I had in my contract. A rematch clause. Next week Rob, I take that Intercontinental Championship from you and reinstate myself as the champion. That sounds rather bloody good, doesn’t it?”
Rob shrugs once again. He looks somewhat out of it.
RVD: “Yeah, sure dude. Whatever.”
Regal: “Count down the days sunny-jim, because in one weeks time, I’ll be the champion.”
RVD: “Yeah cool, sounds good.”
Regal: “Are you even listening, you ungrateful little tw—“
Van Dam smirks.
RVD: “Whoa, chill dude. The negative vibes are like, SO killin’ the moment. Show me what you can do in the ring, next week, alright? Just take a few deep breaths in-between now and then, get ready, ya know?”
The Brit looks confused.
Regal: “Get ready for wha—“
RVD: “To lose to the (thumbs) WHOLE – DAMN – SHOW!”
Van Dam smirks as Regal storms off, fuming. Rob Van Dam and William Regal will go at it for the Intercontinental Championship on next weeks SmackDown! (OR: 81%)
7. The Return of Law & Order
A video package plays, showing some black and white quick highlights of the notorious corrupt law enforcer known as the Big Bossman in action. The footage ends with a black screen, white text, “law & order will return to SmackDown!” (OR: 57%)
8. The Rock defeats Justin Credible
Credible looks to make an impact, ambushing the Great One as he entered the ring, without allowing him to go up top to do his usual entrance pose. Credible lays Rock out with a DDT but Rock kicks out on the resulting cover with ease. Rock climbs to his feet and eats a Superkick from Credible, who displays some of the callousness which Tazz says he is capable of, but which we’ve never seen before here in the WWF. Credible loses momentum and ends up running into a Samoan Drop from the People’s Champion, who then kips up as Credible slowly returns to his feet. Credible walks into a Rock-Bottom to a huge pop from the fans, who chant “Rocky!” Rock kicks Credible’s arm to his sides, runs at the ropes and on the return he drills Credible with the PEOPLE’S ELBOW~! The Rock covers the former ECW champion, as the fans chant in unison with the referees count – “one – two – three!” (OR: 78%)
9. Monday Night Raw
We are shown a video package which highlights the events which took place on last Monday Nights Raw. We see Austin levelling Flair with the Stunner, The Undertaker winning the battle royal and engaging in a stare down with the WWF Undisputed Champion Triple H, amongst other happenings. (OR: 87%)
10. WWF Undisputed Title: Triple H [c] defeats Chris Jericho
The match is back and forth from the start, with near falls aplenty. Jericho connects with a bulldog and looks for the Lionsault, but Triple H gets his knees up, but unfortunately for the champion, Jericho lands on his feet and quickly locks Triple H in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho tries to turn the champion around but gets kicked into the ropes. Triple H then leaps to life and connects with a knee to the jaw of Jericho, as the fans begin to get behind up, willing him on to retain the title against the egotistical former WWF champion. Triple H looks to end it with a Pedigree but Jericho counters with a massive back body drop. Triple H climbs to his feet and Jericho looks for the “breakdown” and connects, driving Triple H face first down into the canvas. Jericho covers; …1…2…, kick out. Jericho begins to lose his cool with the referee and foolishly turns his back on Triple H. When he turns back to the champion, he takes a kick to the gut followed by the Pedigree! Triple H covers straight after hitting the Pedigree and gets the three count, to retain the Undisputed Championship at the hands of Chris Jericho. (OR: 69%)
11. The #1 Contender reveals himself.
The referee hands the belt to The Game and raises his arm high into the air, declaring him the victor. Cole and Tazz go over Triple H’s credentials and how he won a hard fought battle to retain the gold. Suddenly, Kurt Angle floors Triple H from behind! The fans immediately jeer loudly as the Olympic Gold Medallist begins to pound on Triple H with a series of stomps! Triple H tries to fight back, but Angle takes the belt and levels him with it! Triple H is down and out! Angle lifts The Game up and plants him with the Angle Slam! At this point, the jeers are absolutely deafening. Angle reaches down and slaps Triple H in the Ankle Lock! Triple H screams … he taps out! Triple H is tapping! EMT’s and Road Agents rush out from the back, but Angle won’t break the hold, but he is as sure as hell breaking Triple H’s ankle!
SmackDown goes off the air, with Cole and Tazz going over how vicious Angle was with that calculated, well-planned, and even cerebral assault. (OR: 84%)
Show Rating: 74%
-
4th April 2002
SmackDown! Preview: The number one brand?
On Monday night we saw the debut of a whole new Monday Night Raw, headed by WWF co-owner Ric Flair. On Thursday night, we see the debut of the individual SmackDown brand, headed by Vince McMahon. On Raw, Flair claimed that Raw was the number one show in the WWF – so you can be sure that Vince McMahon is raring to out-do his counter-part, with a top draw episode of SmackDown! We at WWF.com caught up with Vince yesterday, to ask him his thoughts on the sole Raw effort, but Vince simply said, with confidence, “SmackDown WILL be better”. Will it? Will Vince McMahon get one over on Ric Flair and out-do him in the ratings war, to back up his claims and make SmackDown officially the number one brand? One thing is for sure, Mr McMahon is ready to pull out all of the stops.
It has been already confirmed that the WWF Undisputed Champion Triple H will be on this Thursday night’s SmackDown, but why? The Undertaker, from Raw, has already been named the number one contender and will gain a title shot at Backlash, so why is The Game appearing on SmackDown this week? Vince McMahon must have something up his sleeve for the Undisputed Champion, but what? Find out on SmackDown!
Two matches have been confirmed for the event. The Women’s Championship will be defended by Jazz as she goes up against Jacqueline, who is a former WWF Women’s Champion. Jazz has been dominant since beating Trish Stratus to capture the title all those months ago on Raw, but will Jacqueline, who is a rather impressive female athlete, be the one to dethrone her as champion? Both of these women will be desperate to walk out of SmackDown with the gold, so who will be the victor? Tune in this Thursday night to find out.
In other action, Billy Kidman and Crash Holly team up to take on the Canadian tag team of Lance Storm and Christian, in what should be a high octane match up. All four men are tremendous athletes, with Crash Holly being a multi-time former Hardcore Champion, with Kidman being a former Cruiserweight Champion, Storm being a former Intercontinental Champion and with Christian being a former multi-time Tag Team champion with his brother Edge – so with all this in mind, SmackDown has the workings of a HUGE match-up between four excellent athletes. You’d be insane to miss it.
As well as this, Vince McMahon has done his part to confirm a number of superstars for this Thursday night’s event, including The Rock, William Regal, WWF Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho. With these superstars set to appear, the first SmackDown of the draft lottery will be one to remember – and if you happen to miss it? You’ll regret it. SmackDown will be off the charts!
All this and a whole lot more is set to go down this Thursday night on UPN as Michael Cole and Tazz call the action.
Confirmed Matches:
- Women’s Title: Jazz [c] vs. Jacqueline
- Billy Kidman & Crash Holly vs. Christian & Lance Storm
-
World Wrestling Federation RAW
Monday 1st April 2002
Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler call the action.
1. The beginning of a new era.
We start things off with a video package, displaying highlights of the “draft lottery” which occurred on last weeks Raw. The footage suddenly explodes into one of high-octane action, with Marilyn Manson’s “The Fight Song” playing in the background. We are shown clips of Raw exclusive superstars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Edge in action, hitting their big moves. Eventually, the production stops and the pyrotechnics begin. This is Monday Night Raw. (OR: 88%)
2. The Nature Boy struts his stuff.
We get straight into things, with Jim Ross telling us that WWF 50% owner, and the head of the Raw brand, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is gracing us with our presence in the ring. Flair stands suited, with a microphone in hand. The fans react warmly to the Nature Boy’s presence.
Flair: “The beginnin’ of a whole new era. (Fans pop) The era of the new and improved Monday Night Raw, baby! The number one show in the WWF! The era of the Nature Boy’s Raw, woooooooo!”
He nods his head firmly, smiling, as the fans start with the “wooo” chants, imitating Big Naitch.
Flair: “And ya see, ‘cause this is the begginin’ of a new era, we need a number one contender! Monday Night Raw needs a challenger for Triple H’s Undisputed Title! And ya know what? We’re gonna find that number one contender TONIGHT on Raw!”
This draws a massive pop from the fans.
Flair: “Ten man battle royal, baby. In the middle of this very ring, right here on Raw. Ten of Raw’s finest superstars go at it; winner takes on Triple H at Backlash. It’s a done deal, and it happens tonight on Raw.”
Flair nods his head contently. However, the party is soon crashed as the porno-esque music of the New World Order is filtered through the sound system. The black and white strobe lighting effects kick in as Hollywood Hogan (playing the air guitar), Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, X-Pac and the Big Show all step out from the back, wearing the black and white we are accustomed to seeing them in. Hall has a microphone in hand. The music cuts. The fans jeer.
Hall: “Hey yo.”
He stops for a moment, chewing his toothpick.
Hall: “Big Naitch, Ric Flair, the Nature Boy. Whole new era? Damn straight. We’re takin’ over, chico. Da Bad Guy, Big Kev, Hollywood Hogan, X-Pac and the Big Show are takin’ this crib over – and if that means we have to remove you, then so be it old man, it’s time for the New World Order to rise once again.”
Hogan takes the stick.
Hogan: “That’s right, BROTHER! Ya see Flair, you might go on and on about how this is a new era, but nothing has changed, DUDE. Ya see Naitch, the Hulkster dominated wrestlin’ in the past, and he’s dominatin’ it now. Bring guys like The Rock and they fall. I wasn’t the loser at Mania – I wasn’t the one who was carried out on a stretcher, BROTHER!”
Hulk nods his head as the other New World Order members laugh.
Hogan: “And Flair, you might be the official boss-man around here, but face it, we run the damn show. We poisoned WCW, we were injected into the WWF by Vinnie Mac, and you just carried the cancer over to Monday Night Raw, brother! Raw will NEVER be the same again, and that’s startin’ from tonight, when I win that battle roy—“
Flair: “Wait a minute, Hogan. Don’t get carried away. Ya see, you’re right, you weren’t the loser at Mania. Oh no. Each and every one of these fans were. Ya see Hulk, your ego couldn’t handle defeat and you and your pack of animals here ambushed The Rock. Why? ‘Cause he’s better than you BROTHER! WOOOO! He beat your sorry ass ONE-TWO-THREE! And as for the battle royal? Ha! You think you’re takin’ over? I know what you’re like – you’d do ANYTHING to tip the odds onto your side, that’s why only one of ya are enterin’! Yeah Big Show, get ready, ‘cause you’re representin’ the ENN-DUBBYA-OHH! The pressure’s on, big man.”
The fans pop. Flair has got one over on the New World Order here.
Flair: “Don’t look so disheartened X-Pac, ya see, you have a match too. Remember your former partner? Remember the man you screwed over in the past?! Remember KANE?! WOOOOOOO! THAT’S RIGHT PARTNER! You and Kane… TONIGHT!”
Flair begins to strut around the ring. X-Pac is speechless. Flair has certainly flexed his muscles tonight, and Raw has only just begun! He stops at the side of the ring which faces the ramp and…
Flair: “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Flair’s music hits and we go to the commercials, with the New World Order looking increasingly pissed off by the head of Monday Night Raw, the Nature Boy. (OR: 95%)
3. WWF European Title: Diamond Dallas Page [c] defeats Mr Perfect
Ross and Lawler are too pre-occupied with the events prior to the match, with Flair and the New World Order, to even give a damn. Perfect mounts some offence, but never looks like winning. The closest he comes is within two minutes of the match, with the Perfect-Plex, but he fails to hook the bridge immediately, giving DDP the opportunity to muster up his strength and kick out after ‘two’. Perfect goes for another Perfect Plex, but DDP quickly spins out of the move and connects with the Diamond Cutter from out of nowhere to get the three count to retain the European Championship. (OR: 72%)
4. 3D: Don’t Disrespect a Dudley.
We go backstage to the APA’s office, with the door randomly placed in the centre of the room, to where we see a number of WWF wrestlers sitting around the round table, drinking beer and playing cards. Bradshaw, Faarooq, Bubba Ray Dudley, Test, Scotty 2 Hotty and Hardcore Holly are all present.
Bradshaw: “What’ve ya got, Bubba? You gonna’ bust again?”
Bradshaw laughs. Bubba glances at his cards before looking up at Bradshaw, sneering.
Bradshaw: “C’mon big man, what’ve ya got?”
And bam! Bubba slams the cards down onto the table. He climbs to his feet; the look in his eyes is nothing short of intense. He’s angry. Suddenly, Bubba flings the table into the air, across the room! Everyone is shocked. Each of the wrestlers raise to their feet, separating Bubba Dudley and Bradshaw, as they are clearly ready to go at it.
Bradshaw: “What’s yer damn problem?!”
Bubba: “I’ll see you in the ring, Bradshaw. Don’t disrespect a Dudley.”
Officials enter the scene and escort Bubba away as we go elsewhere. (OR: 63%)
5. Raven defeats Tommy Dreamer
Ross and Lawler briefly go over Dreamer and Raven’s history from ECW, in a few mere sentences. The two just went at it, with the fans not particularly interested. The match screamed “filler”. The two just brawled back and forth for a while, until Dreamer took control and connected with a Dreamer DDT in the middle of the ring. Raven kicked out on “two” on the resulting cover. Dreamer turned to the referee to question the count, but Raven scored with a quick roll-up to get the three count and the victory.
Raven climbed to his feet to celebrate the win over his former, forgotten arch-nemesis until Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar make there way out from the back. Ross and King go berserk, hyping up Lesnar, as he enters the ring and tosses Raven around like a rag doll. The fans actually applaud the big man as he delivers the F5 to Raven. Dreamer suffers the same fate and also eats an F5. Heyman simply cackles on the outside, like the evil genius he is, as his monster stands tall over the two broken bodies. (OR: 68%)
6. Bubba Ray Dudley defeats Bradshaw
After a commercial break, we are straight into the next match up. Bradshaw and Bubba, neither of them “lightweights”, smack the crap out of each other for a few moments with heavy, vicious looking blows. Bradshaw looks for a fallaway slam, but Bubba manages to tip the Texan over and land on him, but only gets a two count. Bubba keeps on top of things for a moment, hitting an ace crusher on Bradshaw, but can’t put the big man away. Bradshaw fights back and knocks the Dudley down with a big boot to the face. Bubba returns to his feet, turns and somehow ducks a Clothesline from Hell, which sees Bradshaw plough into the referee! Bradshaw looks shocked. He turns to Bubba and ducks a clothesline, and then nails the Dudley with a Clothesline From Hell! Bubba hits the deck as a huge man slides into the ring, a “hoss” as JR puts it. The huge superstar lifts Bradshaw up and slams him down hard with a sit-out Spinebuster before sliding out of the ring. Lawler claims to recognise the big man, dubbing him Morgan Dudley, Bubba’s “little” brother! Bubba crawls over Bradshaw as a referee rushes down to the ring to count; …1…2…3.
After the match, the two Dudleys look to lay a beating on Bradshaw, but Faarooq races out from the back to save his partner from further punishment. The Dudleys head off up the ramp, both smirking big-time, having got one over on the APA. We go straight to a package to hype up this months pay per view event, Backlash. (OR: 66%)
7. X-Pac defeats Kane
X-Pac enters the ring first, looking rather sheepish, with none of his New World Order buddies accompanying him to the ring. The pyros then hit with a BANG as Kane makes his way down to the ring, adjusting his glove with the mask on. The match is obviously tipped in Kane’s favour, with X-Pac’s speed and variation of martial arts kicks doing him no favours, as he is simply tossed around the squared circle like a rag doll. Kane takes X-Pac down with a big boot and goes up top as the fans cheer, getting behind the Big Red Machine. Kane flies with a clothesline and knocks X-Pac straight back down to the canvas. He gets up and looks for a chokeslam, which X-Pac walks straight into, but escapes with a low blow! Kane falls to his knees giving X-Pac the opportunity to connect with the X-Factor! X-Pac looks to cover, but Kane sits straight back up! The fans give this a roar of approval as Kane angrily returns to his feet. Suddenly, Scott Hall leaps up onto the apron. Kane decks X-Pac with a big boot as the referee tries to contain Hall, who tries to enter the ring. Meanwhile, Kevin Nash enters the ring behind Kane and levels him with a massive chair shot to the skull. Kane hits the deck but sits back up! Nash can’t believe it. Nash levels Kane with another massive chair shot, which takes him clean out. Hall drops off the apron and Nash heads to the hills as X-Pac crawls into the cover. Referee Charles Robinson counts; …1…2…3! X-Pac steals it! (OR: 68%)
8. Who’s the boss?
Space Odyssey hits for the second time of the night and Ric Flair returns to the ring. The smug look which he had on his face earlier on in the night has disappeared. He looks somewhat pissed off. Flair enters the ring, takes a microphone as the fans chant “wooo” at him. Flair nods his head and begins to speak.
Flair: “The New World Order found out who was the boss, who calls the shot – me! Ric Flair! I call the shots! However, one man has decided to take my authority and PISS IT straight down into the damn toilet! One man has a complete disregard for authority ‘cause no-one can contain him, and because he gets away with it! No more! Ya see Stone Cold Steve Austin…”
The fans pop BIG-TIME for the Texas Rattlesnake, interrupting Flair.
Flair: “Ya see Stone Cold, I drafted you to Raw ‘cause I like ya. I respect ya, but damn, it doesn’t mean I’m gonna let’cha walk all over me.”
He nods his head.
Flair: “Austin, things have changed around here, pal. Vince McMahon is no longer here to screw around with ya, to screw you over – it’s time to start afresh, so don’t disrespect me. I’m the boss, Steve. The Nature Boy is the boss around here, WOOOOOO! And no one can tell me otherwise, including YOU!”
He’s getting carried away here. #GLASS SHATTERS# The fans go WILD as Stone Cold Steve Austin storms out from the back, cursing as he rushes down to the ring. The music plays as the Rattlesnake climbs onto each of the turnbuckles, “saluting” everyone with the fingers. He climbs down off the last one and turns to Flair, smirks, and takes a microphone. The music cuts.
Flair: “Glad ya finally showed up, Steve. It’s about time.”
Flair smirks.
Austin: “Ric Flair, ya should count your lucky stars son, ‘cause if you were Vince McMahon, you’re ass would be on that damn canvas faster than you could say ‘stunner’.”
KICK! WHAM! STUNNER! Oh my god! Stunner to Flair! Austin just levelled Ric Flair with the Stone Cold Stunner! The fans are going wild! Austin picks the microphone up as Flair lies on the canvas, out of it. Austin holds the microphone to his mouth, hovering over Flair.
Austin: “No one tells ol’ Stone Cold what ta’ do!”
He leaps to his feet, storms around the ring, and…
Austin: “That’s tha’ bottom line, ‘cause Stone Cold SAID SO!”
He tosses the microphone down and calls for a few beers as the fans continually cheer him. Who’s the boss, Flair? Austin doesn’t care. Austin downs the beers and puts one next to Flair’s head, on the mat, as we go to Jim Ross and The King who both quite can’t believe there eyes. They put over Austin’s complete disregard for authority, saying that the Bionic Redneck quite frankly doesn’t give a damn. (OR: 92%)
9. The Undertaker defeats The Big Show, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Albert, Test, Hardcore Holly, Goldust, Al Snow & Diamond Dallas Page to become the new #1 Contender for the Undisputed Title.
Al Snow is immediately eliminated by The Undertaker, who simply knees him in the gut and tosses him over the top rope and to the outside. Goldust is the next to go when Albert knocks him against the ropes, allowing Test to follow up with a Big Boot, to send the Bizarre One tumbling over the ropes and to the outside. With Test caught off-guard, Albert takes the opportunity to grab him by the legs and tip him over the top, but Test holds on! Albert doesn’t notice this and eats a Diamond Cutter from Diamond Dallas Page. Page flashes the Diamond Sign but gets clotheslined over the top and to the outside by The Big Show. Test, Albert and Hardcore Holly all team up to try and take The Big Show out as Edge and The Undertaker go at it. Jeff Hardy is left in limbo, trying to help Edge against Taker. Show fights the three men off and tosses Holly over the top and to the outside. Albert is the next to feel the wrath of the Big Show, via the force of a huge Chokeslam! Albert climbs to his feet and falls back into the ropes. Jeff Hardy runs at him and launches himself at him, using himself as human missile, but ends up falling over the top with Albert – eliminating himself in the process! Meanwhile, Edge levels The Undertaker with a spear. He gets up, turns around and gets a Big Boot to the jaw from Test! Test tries to fight The Big Show off, but Show knees him across the gut before chokeslamming him over the top rope and to the outside! Edge is the next to face elimination, with Taker gaining a measure of revenge for the spear he ate earlier. The American Bad-Ass takes Big Show down with a Big Boot before kicking Edge in the gut and connecting with the Last Ride in the middle of the ring. Taker immediately pulls Edge up and throws him over the top rope and to the outside, to dispose of him. It’s now down to two. Show returns to his feet and begins to brawl with Taker, but Taker hits a sucker punch on Show and knocks him into the ropes. Taker runs across the ring and on the return he connects with a massive boot to the jaw of Big Show, sending him over the top rope and to the outside floor! The Undertaker is the new number one contender! (OR: 67%)
10. The Undertaker versus Triple H, Undisputed Title, Backlash.
The referee raises The Undertaker’s arm high into the air, proclaiming him the victor, as Jim Ross goes on hype mode for the ten-year-plus WWF veteran. As he does, Triple H emerges from the back with the Undisputed Championship over his shoulder. The Game looks at Taker and smirks as Raw fades to a close. (OR: 74%)
Segment Rating: 74%
-
1st April 2002
Raw Preview: The beginning of a new era
On the 18th March 2002 Linda McMahon dropped a huge bombshell: the World Wrestling Federation was set to be split into two separate brands; two separate entities. A week later and it was. For the first time in professional wrestling history we witnessed a “draft” which divided the conjoint WWF roster into two, with some superstars gaining a spot on Ric Flair’s Raw roster, and with others gaining a spot on Vince McMahon’s SmackDown roster. This is truly the beginning of a new era, and the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair has promised us a whole new Monday Night Raw – one with a bang.
The Nature Boy has promised us that he will announce a number one contender for Triple H’s Undisputed Championship – one which will be named on this weeks Raw. The Nature Boy has also announced a European Championship match which will pit the champion Diamond Dallas Page up against Mr Perfect, in a match which has the premise to be one to remember. The Nature Boy has also promised to cement Raw’s status as the “number one show”, but will he be able to live up to his promise?
Raw has its host of top WWF talent, with Ric Flair gaining the impressive capture of former WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin, with his first draft pick. Flair also managed to secure the services of his enemy, The Undertaker and the notorious pack of hounds known as the New World Order. The question is, will Flair be able to contain Austin and the New World Order? It is evident that the Rattlesnake has a reputation for doing whatever he wants, when he wants … and the nWo are the nWo, a faction which is almost impossible to control, especially as of late. What does Flair have in store for the New World Order? Or is it, what do the New World Order have in store for the Nature Boy?
In other action, Ric Flair has made Raven versus Tommy Dreamer – two men who have a horrific, brutal past with each other in the now defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion. For one night only, the rivalry will be renewed as these two hardcore icons collide in the middle of the WWF Raw ring!
Whole this and a whole lot more is set to go down on Raw, as Jim Ross and Jerry The King Lawler call the action live on Monday night, on TNN.
Confirmed Matches:
- European Title: Diamond Dallas Page [c] vs. Mr Perfect
- Raven vs. Tommy Dreamer
-
WWF Champions
Exclusive to BOTH brands
WWF Undisputed Champion
Champion: Triple H
Defeated: Chris Jericho
At: Wrestlemania 18
Date: 17th March 2002
#1 Contender: Unknown
WWF Women’s Champion
Champion: Jazz
Defeated: Trish Stratus
At: Raw
Date: 4th February 2002
#1 Contender: Unknown
Exclusive to the RAW brand
WWF European Champion
Champion: Diamond Dallas Page
Defeated: Christian
At: SmackDown!
Date: 31st January 2002
#1 Contender: Unknown
WWF Tag Team Champions
Champions: The Hardy Boys
Defeated: Billy & Chuck
At: Raw
Date: 18th March 2002
#1 Contenders: Unknown
Exclusive to the SMACKDOWN brand
WWF Intercontinental Champion
Champion: Rob Van Dam
Defeated: William Regal
At: Wrestlemania 18
Date: 17th March 2002
#1 Contender: Unknown
WWF Hardcore Champion
Champion: Maven
Defeated: Christian
At: Wrestlemania 18
Date: 17th March 2002
#1 Contender: Everyone.
WWF Cruiserweight Champion
Champion: Tajiri
Defeated: Billy Kidman
At: Raw
Date: October 22nd 2001
#1 Contender: Unknown
The Brands
WWF RAW brand owner: Ric Flair
Talent Roster:
Al Snow
Albert
Big Show
Billy Gunn
Bradshaw
Brock Lesnar
Bubba Ray Dudley
Chuck Palumbo
Diamond Dallas Page
Edge
Faarooq
Goldust
Hardcore Holly
Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Jeff Hardy
Kane
Kevin Nash
Lita
Matt Hardy
Molly Holly
Mr Perfect
Raven
Rhyno
Scott Hall
Scotty 2 Hotty
Stacy Keibler
Steve Austin
Test
Tommy Dreamer
Trish Stratus
Undertaker
Val Venis
X-Pac
WWF SMACKDOWN! brand owner: Vince McMahon
Talent Roster:
Billy Kidman
Booker T
Bossman
Chris Benoit
Chris Jericho
Christian
Crash Holly
D’Lo Brown
D-Von Dudley
Hurricane
Ivory
Jacqueline
Justin Credible
Kurt Angle
Lance Storm
Mark Henry
Maven
Perry Saturn
Rikishi
Rob Van Dam
Spike Dudley
Steven Richards
Tajiri
Terri
The Rock
Torrie Wilson
William Regal
OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING head booker: Jim Cornette
WWF Development Talent:
Bull Buchanan
Charlie Haas
Chavo Guerrero Jr
Damien
David Flair
Dough Basham
Eric Angle
EZ Money
Funaki
Haku
Jamie Knoble
Johnny The Bull
Kimo
Leviathan
Mark Jindrak
Matt Morgan
Mike Awesome
Mike Sanders
Nick Dinsmore
Nidia
O.G Ekmo
Payne
Queen Victoria
Randy Orton
Redd Dogg
Rico Constantino
Rob Conway
Sean O’Haire
Seven
Shannon Moore
Sharmell Sullivan
Shelton Benjamin
The Prototype
Next up: WWF Raw, 1st of April 2002, preview.
-
March: Continued
WWF Raw – Monday 18th March 2002
The show was one of surprises, as you would expect from the fallout of Wrestlemania. Triple H came down to the ring to start the show, with the Undisputed Title in his grasp, but Jericho soon interrupted the party. Jericho ambushed Triple H with a chair shot before heading to the hills. Jericho said that he felt empty without the WWF Undisputed Title, he needed it; it was symbiotic to him. He needs it back. Jericho went onto tell Stephanie McMahon that he didn’t need her help in the main event – and lived to regret it. Triple H defeated Jericho in the main event, with the Pedigree, to retain the title – solidifying his status as the top gun in the World Wrestling Federation.
Maven defeated Christian to retain the WWF Hardcore Title, in a match which saw the The Hurricane, Spike Dudley, Crash Holly and Mighty Molly all try to capture the gold off the champion. Eventually, Maven pulled through and hit the cross body on Christian for the win. After the match, Christian threw a temper tantrum. The WWF European Champion Diamond Dallas Page tried to calm Christian down, but ate an unprettier, before swallowing the news that Christian wanted a European Title shot on SmackDown.
Billy and Chuck retained the WWF Tag Team Titles at Wrestlemania, but the flamboyant tag team weren’t as fortunate when they faced the Hardy Boy’s on Raw. Matt and Jeff did it all and ended up winning the gold after Jeff levelled Chuck with the Swanton Bomb. After the match, Paul Heyman returned to the WWF with a monster named “Brock Lesnar” by his side. Heyman set his beast on The Hardy’s, as the new Tag Team Champions were left to celebrate in a broken heap in the middle of the ring, feeling the wrath of “LESNAAARR!”
Linda McMahon said that in order to settle the dispute between Flair and Vince, there would be a “brand split” to occur on the last Raw of the month, with Flair and Vince drafting superstars to each of their shows, as they were 50/50 owners of the WWF. Flair would be controlling Raw while Vince took SmackDown. The Undertaker found Flair backstage and warned him about choosing him, promising the Nature Boy another beating of a lifetime if he ended up on Flair’s show.
The Rock came down to the ring and laid some “verbal SmackDown” on Hogan, calling him a bitter old man for the ambush he endured after the match at Wrestlemania. Hogan, Nash and Hall came down and began to beat on The Rock, until the glass shattered and Stone Cold Steve Austin ran down to the ring to make the save. Rock and Austin didn’t retain control, as The Big Show entered the ring and stacked the numbers back on the New World Order’s side, joining forces with Hogan, Hall and Nash to become the notorious faction’s newest member.
Quick Match Results
- WWF Hardcore Title: Maven © defeated Christian
- WWF Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boys defeated Billy & Chuck © to become the NEW champions.
- Edge, Kane and Rob Van Dam defeated Booker T, Kurt Angle and William Regal by disqualification when Regal hit Edge with the brass knuckles.
- WWF Undisputed Title: Triple H © defeated Chris Jericho
Vince McMahon came down to the ring with the New World Order to open up the show. He said that he doesn’t tell lies. He said that he unleashed the n.W.o because Flair wouldn’t hand him his stock back, and now it looks as though Flair is going to leech Vince’s creation, Raw. Vince says that it won’t happen. He says he and the New World Order are going to kill the World Wrestling Federation – the cancer is spreading and there is no cure. Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and The Big Show will dominate the World Wrestling Federation – they WILL takeover.
Vince didn’t lie. The main event for the night was set, with the four New World Order members taking on Steve Austin, The Rock and Spike Dudley in a handicap match. Vince said he would even up the odds a little for Austin and The Rock, and introduced Spike Dudley as their third partner. The domination ensued, with the New World Order using the numbers advantage to take down their opponents. However, the pyros exploded and Kane came out to even up the odds. Once again, the New World Order used the numbers to their advantage, until in a shocking turn of events, none other than The Undertaker came down to the ring to lay a beating on Hall, Nash, The Big Show and Hogan. The Undertaker took a microphone and said Vince and Flair could both shove it, because this is his yard, and he’ll be damned if anyone, including the New World Order, takes it away from him.
Diamond Dallas Page once again pushed Christian over the edge, defeating him to retain the European Championship. Christian managed to keep composed, for a few seconds, before throwing another temper tantrum. Lance Storm came out and managed to calm Christian down.
Paul Heyman once again unleashed his monster Brock Lesnar onto several unfortunate WWF superstars – this time, the APA. The APA were in the ring, in the middle of a Tag Team match with Billy and Chuck, but Lesnar hit the ring and destroyed all. Heyman said that Lesnar is the hottest, most ruthless commodity in professional wrestling, and he’s here to make an impact.
Chris Jericho didn’t take too kindly to his defeat against Triple H. He demanded that Ric Flair was to make sure he stayed on the same show as Triple H, so he could take his title back. Flair said that the WWF Undisputed Champion and the WWF Woman’s Champion would appear on both shows, to give everyone an equal opportunity. Flair then told Jericho that he would make it up for him by giving him a shot at Rob Van Dam’s Intercontinental Title – if Y2J could get past Kane. He failed. Kane beat Jericho after two chokeslams.
The Undisputed Title situation became increasingly more interesting too, as Kurt Angle challenged Triple H to defend the gold against him. No answer was given, but a brawl ensued, with The Game sending the Olympic Gold Medallist running to the hills.
Match Results
- Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash & The Big Show versus The Rock, Steve Austin and Spike Dudley went to a no contest.
- Kane defeated Chris Jericho.
- The APA versus Billy and Chuck went to a no contest.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Christian to retain the WWF European Title.
- Jazz and Ivory defeated Lita and Trish Stratus
This edition of Raw was focused on the draft lottery, with the matches secondary. Nothing of note happened within the matches, with the shows main event being The Big Show versus Stone Cold, with the stipulations being that if Austin won, the New World Order would be separated and shuffled around the Raw and SmackDown brands. However, they didn’t lose. The match ended in disqualification, with referee Nick Patrick disqualifying Steve Austin for the “use” of a steel chair, when in reality, he didn’t even touch it. Hall threw the chair into the ring, as Austin hit Show with the stunner. The referee woke up and saw Show out and jumped to conclusions; awarding the Big Show an impressive victory, meaning that the New World Order were to stay together.
The results of the draft lottery were as follows:
Superstars drafted by Vince McMahon for the SMACKDOWN! Brand:
- The Rock
- Kurt Angle
- Rob Van Dam (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
- Chris Jericho
- Chris Benoit (currently injured)
- Rikishi
- Booker T
- William Regal
- Tajiri (WWF Cruiserweight Champion)
- D-Von Dudley
Superstars drafted by Ric Flair for the RAW brand:
- Steve Austin
- New World Order (as a unit; Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash & The Big Show)
- The Undertaker
- Kane
- The Hardy Boys (WWF Tag Team Champions)
- Edge
- Brock Lesnar
- Diamond Dallas Page (WWF European Champion)
- Bubba Ray Dudley
- Billy & Chuck (were drafted as a unit due to a granted favour by Vince McMahon)
WWF SmackDown! – Thursday 28th March 2002
The last ever SmackDown with a conjoint WWF roster. The night saw The Dudley Boys team up for what would be the last time, when they were defeated by The Hardy Boys in a Tag Team Title match. After the match, The Dudleys shook hands with the Tag Team Champions and received a round of applause from the fans.
In the main event of the evening, we saw Big Show, Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall team up to take on The Rock, Steve Austin and Kane in what would have been a huge match up, until X-Pac made his return to the World Wrestling Federation, to waffle Kane over the head with the steel chair – awarding the match to the good guys by disqualification. After the match, Nash and X-Pac joined their fellow New World Order members and put a beat down on Austin, Kane and The Rock, until The Undertaker came out and cleared the ring.
The rest of the show was made up of hype for the brand split. A video hyping Ric Flair’s “new and improved” Monday Night Raw with Marilyn Manson’s “The Fight Song” playing in the background aired, with Michael Cole and Tazz questioning whether the Nature Boy could contain the New World Order or not. This was the main focal point of the show: the brand split.
Match Results
- Steve Austin, The Rock & Kane defeated Hulk Hogan, Big Show & Scott Hall by disqualification when X-Pac interfered on the New World Order’s behalf.
- The Hardy Boys defeated The Dudley Boys to retain the WWF Tag Team titles.
- Maven defeated Crash Holly to retain the WWF Hardcore Title.
- Triple H, Edge, Rikishi & Rob Van Dam defeated Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kurt Angle & William Regal
Roster Split: The CutsWith the roster split came the end of the World Wrestling Federation careers of a number of superstars, who were deemed surplus to requirements by the head honcho’s in Connecticut.
- Chad Collyer
- Chris Kanyon
- Debra
- Hugh Morrus
- Kenny Bolin
- Mr Black
- Ron Waterman
- Steve Blackman
- Steve Bradley
- Synn
- TAKA Michinoku
- The Damaja
-
Prior to No Way Out 2002, the wrestling world, well, the World Wrestling Federation, was about to undergo a potential major transformation. Years prior, in Atlanta, Eric Bischoff adapted an idea which ran in Japan about a band of malicious degenerates who had the intent of dominating their respective promotion.
The beginning.Scott Hall (former WWF Intercontinental Champion “Razor Ramon”) crashed an episode of World Championship Wrestling’s Nitro and claimed that he was going to “invade” WCW. A week later and he was joined by Kevin Nash (former WWF World Heavyweight Champion “Diesel”), who promptly intimidated WCW announcer Eric Bischoff. At the Great American Bash 1996, Hall and Nash continued to display their callousness, when Nash powerbombed Eric Bischoff off the stage.
Then, the velocity of the earthquake promptly shot up the Richter Scale.
At World Championship Wrestling’s Bash of the Beach pay per view in 1996, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash teamed up to take on Sting, the Macho Man Randy Savage and Lex Luger, when the legendary, immortal Hulk Hogan turned his back on World Championship Wrestling, the fans and everything he ever stood for to join Hall and Nash in the “New World Organisation”, as he dubbed it on that fateful night when he told Mean Gene and the fans to “stick it”. Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall formed a New World Order.
The domination ran into Hog Wild 1996, when Hogan defeated The Giant to capture the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Hall and Nash defeated Sting and Lex Luger to capture the Tag Team titles on the very same night. The poison was well and truly taking over WCW’s bloodstream, infecting individuals, turning them black and white. Ted DiBiase, The Giant, Scott Steiner, Syxx and even the Macho Man Randy Savage all became members of the notorious faction, until it bled WCW dry. The New World Order’s dominance was signified by the fact that they, at one time or another, held each of WCW’s championships. No one could stop them.
Eventually, they disbanded. World Championship Wrestling closed its doors in 2001. The New World Order’s legacy was buried along with the deceased promotion – or so we thought.
Black in black … and white.We’re now in 2002. Vince McMahon and Ric Flair engaged in a bitter power struggle over the control of the World Wrestling Federation. Out of spite, Vince told Flair that if he couldn’t have full control of the WWF, then the Nature Boy couldn’t have it – they would both go without. Vince injected his own promotion with a “cancer”, with “poison”. Flair refused to sell his stock to Vince McMahon, who then informed the world that the New World Order would be at the No Way Out pay per view. They were.
Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were back. They claimed that they weren’t in the WWF to cause any trouble; they even tried to “befriend” some of the WWF superstars. However, at the end of the night, it all changed. Chris Jericho and Stone Cold Steve Austin went at it in the main event, and Austin looked as though he had the World Title won and even made Jericho tap out to Jericho’s own submission move, the Walls of Jericho, but the referee was out. He then even hit Y2J with the Stone Cold Stunner, but Hogan, Hall and Nash were quick to spoil the party. They beat the hell out of Austin, allowing Jericho to pick up the win, before beating the Texas Rattlesnake down some more. Hogan and co then sprayed the initials “n.W.o” on Austin’s back to close the show.
The New World Order were back in business.
The “Road to Wrestlemania 18”The New World Order’s notoriousness continued, as on Raw, they destroyed The Rock in the ring after he challenged Hogan to a match at the “Grand Daddy of ‘em all”. They then hijacked the ambulance which The Rock was in, and rammed into it with a diesel truck, leaving The Rock for dead like a pack of savage dogs, picking away at their pray.
Not known for their inter-person skills, the New World Order found an arch-nemesis in Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin stalked the n.W.o on the following weeks SmackDown, after they hade made a “sincere” apology over what they did to The Rock, and eventually caught up with Scott Hall, before beating him down and gaining a measure of revenge by spray-painting “n.W.o” on his back.
On the March 11th 2002 edition of Raw, the New World Order made their way to the ring, and defeated The Rock and Steve Austin in a handicap match, when Hogan pinned The Rock after a Hollywood Leg Drop. Wrestlemania was about to hit the airwaves with Scott Hall scheduled to take on Steve Austin, and with a dream match between pro wrestling icon Hollywood Hulk Hogan and the man who took his place at the top of the professional wrestling mountain, The Rock.
Wrestlemania 18 Results – 17th March 2002, from the Toronto Skydome
- Rob Van Dam defeated William Regal to become the new WWF Intercontinental Champion after hitting the Five Star Frog Splash.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Christian to retain the WWF European Title. After the match, Christian threw a temper tantrum.
- Spike Dudley interfered during the Hardcore Title match between Goldust and Maven, using the “24/7” rule to his advantage, to capture the gold.
- After the live performance from the band Drowning Pool, the Hardcore Title situation resumed, with The Hurricane winning the title.
- Kurt Angle defeated Kane.
- The Undertaker defeated Ric Flair to take his Wrestlemania tally up to “10-0”, despite Arn Anderson’s attempts to help Flair out.
- Edge defeated Booker T.
- The Hurricane’s sidekick, Mighty Molly, turned on him and hit him with a frying pan to take the Hardcore Title!
- Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Scott Hall
- Billy and Chuck defeated the APA, The Dudley Boys and the Hardy Boys in a Tag Team elimination match to retain the WWF Tag Team titles.
- Christian pinned Molly Holly to take the WWF Hardcore Title.
- The Rock defeated Hollywood Hogan. However, the celebrations didn’t last. Hogan extended a hand to The Rock and decked him with a clothesline! Hall and Nash joined in the assault in the ring, with a bitter Hogan decimating the People’s Champion. Hogan then sprayed the initials “n.W.o” on The Rock’s back after displaying a kind of ruthlessness we haven’t seen of them, at least in the WWF, before.
- Jezz defeated Lita and Trish Stratus to retain the WWF Woman’s Title.
- Backstage, Maven found Christian and ended up pinning him to take the WWF Hardcore Title back, before quickly leaving in a limousine.
- Triple H defeated Chris Jericho to capture the WWF Undisputed Championship.
-
ECW on The Network
22nd of July 2006
After the opening credits roll, with “This is Extreme” by Harry Slash and The Slashtones playing in the background, we fade up into the Hammerstein Ballroom. Joey Styles calls the action, running down the night’s card, as the Full Blooded Italians make their way out from the back. Styles informs us that the ECW Tag Team Titles will be on-the-line to kick start what should be an action packed show, as always.
1. ECW Tag Team Titles: Danny Doring & Roadkill © vs. Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke
The match starts with two men in the ring, but in two ECW style, it isn’t long before it breaks into sheer anarchy. Doring and Roadkill gain the advantage, knocking Guido and Mamaluke to the outside, but Big Vito and Big Sal enter the ring and ambush the champions on behalf of their fellow “Full Blooded Italians”. Big Sal drives Doring down into the canvas with a chokeslam as Vito hits a big spinebuster on Roadkill. Mamaluke and Guido re-enter as the other FBI members leave, and look to pick up where they left off, but it all goes pear shaped. Roadkill leaps into the air from out of nowhere and takes Guido out with a huge clothesline, almost decapitating him! Mamaluke goes after Doring and looks for a neckbreaker, but the Dastardly One reverses and connects with the Wham Bam in the centre of the ring! Mamaluke hits the deck as Doring and Roadkill swap opposition, with Roadkill going up top and flying with a big splash, crushing Mamaluke in the centre of the ring, as Guido brawls with Doring. The referee counts as Roadkill covers; …1…2…3.
Winners: Doring & Roadkill
Match Rating: 70%
The camera pans around to Little Guido, who is now stood on the outside, absolutely livid. Big Sal and Vito have to constrain him from doing something he might regret.
Little Guido: “Mamaluke wasn’t tha’ man I wanted in my corner! I wanted Vito!”
Doring and Roadkill stand in the ring, with the gold, looking puzzled.
Little Guido: “I wanna’ re-match with my RIGHTFUL tag team partnah’ by my side! Me ‘n Vito versus you two chumps at Wrestlepalooza, comprendé?”
Guido throws down the microphone in a fit of rage, with Joey commenting that he could’ve broken the equipment, and that he should control his fiery Italian temper.
2. Taking over.
The Blue World Order emerge from the back, doing their usual shtick, with Joey in hysterics, saying that the BWO look much more lethal than the New World Order ever did. The fans cheer Big Stevie Cool, Hollywood Nova and Da Blue Guy as they enter the ring, with Meanie bouncing next to the ropes. Big Stevie Cool takes the stick from the ring announcer and begins to speak.
Big Stevie Cool: “I’ve got three words for ya’!”
Oh no. The anticipation. Stevie waits for a few moments, nodding his head.
Big Stevie Cool: “We’re TAKING … OVER!”
The fans join in with the BWO leader, as he says the infamous phrase. Richards nods his head for a few moments before resuming.
Big Stevie Cool: “And it all begins at Wrestlepalooza, when I, Big Stevie Cool, take the ECW Television Title from Super Crazy. Ya see, Crazy is smaller than me, he weighs less than me and damn … I’m big sexy.”
Joey comments with “Big Sexy Stevie Cool?” Stevie is obviously ripping off Kevin Nash here.
Big Stevie Cool: “So ECW, run for ya’ lives, ‘cause the POISON has been injected … we’re now just slowly seepin’ through your vai—“
CW SPINEBUSTER TO NOVA~! CW Anderson hits the ring, ready to fight! Meanie runs towards him but also eats a CW Spinebuster from The Enforcer. Richards launches a Stevie Kick, but Anderson sees it coming, evades, and levels him with a huge Spinebuster in the middle of the ring! Anderson has laid the BWO out here on ECW On The Network! The fans begin to boo as Anderson takes the microphone, as the BWO roll to the outside.
CW Anderson: “HE deserves a title shot?! He deserves a shot at the ECW TV title?! I DON’T THINK SO! Super Crazy, get the hell out here now so I can kick your ass!”
Anderson does the cut throat motion with his left arm as Super Crazy emerges from the back, TV title around his waist, accepting the challenge to a huge pop and an abundance of “Crazy!” chants from the ECW faithful.
Segment Rating: 60%
3. ECW TV Title: Super Crazy © vs. CW Anderson
Crazy doesn’t back down, despite Anderson being bigger than him. He hits a dropkick, followed by a moonsault, for the two count from the referee. Crazy gets up and looks to attack Anderson, but eats a big trademark left hand from The Enforcer. Super Crazy backs off, groggily, before running forward once again, but this time straight into a kick to the mid-section, followed by the Ferris Wheel Suplex from Anderson! Anderson is firmly in top in this one, dominating the champion! CW pulls Super Crazy up and calls for the end, with the cut throat motion, before whipping the Insane Luchadore into the ropes. Crazy runs back and leaps onto Anderson’s shoulders, taking him down with a hurricanrana in the centre of the ring! This draws a pop from the fans as Anderson climbs to his feet before groggily falling back into the ropes. Super Crazy runs towards him and knocks him over with a big clothesline! Anderson climbs to his feet on the outside and staggers around, until Super Crazy flies from the top and takes him out with a huge cross body on the outside, to a chorus of “EC-Dub!” chants from the fans in the Hammerstein! Super Crazy looks to capitalize and rolls Anderson back into the ring. He goes onto the first buckle and hits the first moonsault, “unos!” He goes onto the second buckle and hits it again, “dos!” He goes for the third, but Anderson leaps to life. Crazy can sense it, and turns and leaps into Anderson, and straight into a huge Spinebuster in the centre of the ring, with impact! Super Crazy is down for the count! Anderson falls on top of the champion, hooking the leg; …1…2…3! He’s done it! We have ourselves a new ECW Television Champion!
Winner: CW Anderson
Match Rating: 66%
Styles can’t believe it. He hypes up Anderson, and puts over the “shock” victory as we go backstage, to where Rob Van Dam and Bill Alfonso stand by in the locker room area.
4. Two matches until the big-time, baby!
Van Dam stands, hands on hips, looking as nonchalant as ever. Alfonso leaps around the locker room like a monkey, blowing his whistle like a mad man, before getting into the camera.
Bill Alfonso: “Two matches, baby! Two matches until the big-time!”
Van Dam smirks, nodding his head.
Bill Alfonso: “All you’ve gotta’ do is beat Tanaka, beat Awesome – pin both of their sorry asses in the middle o’ the ring DADDAY, then you’ve got a shot at Sandman at the pay per view!”
He blows his whistle loudly. I bet that caused a few burst ear drums.
Rob Van Dam: “Fonz, don’t sweat it. Mike Awesome and Masato Tanaka, they’re both past their sell-by-date, lets face it. I mean, both of them put their bodies on-the-line in Japan, while I’m at the peak of my career – I’m in 100% physical condition. I’ve got the athleticism of a WWE superstar, yet I’m stuck here, fightin’ over-weight has-beens. Thanks Vinnie, thanks.”
He sighs.
Bill Alfonso: “Don’t worry, DADDAY! TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! You beat those two clowns and you go against the big one, you win the ECW Title at Wrestlepalooza and we go to Connecticut, BABY!”
Van Dam nods his head.
Rob Van Dam: “Consider it done. Oh, and Paul, when I win that title, I’ll laugh in your damn face. The pay cheque Vince gives me will be TWICE the amount of cash you owe me, and that’ll be for a week. EC-F’n-W? No minors, no exceptions? The Hardcore Revolution? When I’ve gone, it’s over. ECW will be just another run-of-the-mill wrestling promotion, ‘cause without (thumbs) Rob – Van – Dam, ECW is dead in the ground.”
Alfonso chimes in at the end, blowing his whistle loudly.
Bill Alfonso: “That’s right, Rob! ‘Cause you’re the (thumbs) WHOLE – F**CKING – SHOW, DADDAY!!!”
Van Dam nods in agreement, “that I am, Fonz” as we go back to Joey Styles, at the announcers position.
Segment Rating: 70%
Styles tells us that there as been an altercation in the locker rooms, backstage in the Hammerstein.
5. One man you don’t mess with.
We go to the locker rooms to where we see Saturn and Kronus hammering away on New Jack in the corner of the room, with Cyrus looking on, proud of what his henchman are doing.
Cyrus: “Never mess with me, New Jack. You’ll ALWAYS regret it.”
He cackles deviously, but suddenly, the laughing stops as Tommy Dreamer busts through the locker room door! Dreamer runs in and lays Kronus out with a hard right before throwing Saturn into the locker room wall. Kronus tries to attack once again but New Jack springs to life with a right, to even up the odds! Dreamer and New Jack get the better of The Eliminators and send them scampering from the locker room, but as Cyrus tries to get away, Dreamer grabs him and throws him up onto his shoulders … DREAMER DRIVER THROUGH THE LOCKER ROOM BENCH! An “EC-Dub!” chant immediately starts up as Dreamer and New Jack look down at the broken Cyrus, who lies amongst the broken bench.
Tommy Dreamer: “Don’t f**k with me.”
We go back to the ring for the main event.
Segment Rating: 65%
6. Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome vs. Rob Van Dam
All three superstars eventually enter the ring, with each of the men standing at the corners. The fans are firmly behind Masato Tanaka, chanting “Tanaka!” before the match has even begun, due to their obvious dislike of Mike Awesome in general, and due to their dislike of Rob Van Dam’s new “better than this” attitude. The match starts quickly with Awesome and Tanaka exchanging blows, with Van Dam standing back to watch the action. Tanaka fights back and decks Awesome with the ROARING ELBOW but Van Dam is there to throw a chair at him. Tanaka catches and eats the VAN DAMINATOR~! Rob Van Dam quickly covers Tanaka, as the minutes are inevitably running low on the USA Network, as the referee counts; …1…2…3! Masato Tanaka has been eliminated. Van Dam and Awesome are left to slug it out. Awesome uses his size to dominate Van Dam, looking to finish him with an Awesome Bomb, but Van Dam counters with a few blows to Awesome’s face. Van Dam lands on his feet and takes Awesome out with a spinning kick to the jaw before going up to the top. Rob does the thumb taunts as Alfonso leaps around on the outside, blowing his whistle like a maniac. Rob then flies with the Five Star Frog Splash, but Awesome rolls out of the way and Van Dam hits the canvas! Awesome climbs to his feet and eats a chair shot to the back from Alfonso, but absorbs it! Awesome turns around, looking ever-menacing, and almost takes Alfonso’s head off with a HUGE clothesline to a pop from the fans! RVD climbs to his feet and hits Awesome with a low blow, before rolling him up with a small package, which gets a “two” count from Jim Molineaux! Van Dam climbs to his feet, as does Awesome, and looks for another spinning kick – but Awesome somehow blocks it and promptly kicks Van Dam in the gut … AWESOME BOMB!!!
Awesome could have it! Awesome puts the steel chair over Van Dam’s chest before going up onto the top rope, with some of the fans apparently forgiving him for his past betrayal of the promotion, in favour of him beating Van Dam. Awesome flies with an Awesome Splash, but Van Dam gets the chair up and Awesome hits it head first – busting him WIDE open! Blood flows from Awesome’s head as the big man staggers around the ring, looking dazed. Van Dam looks to take control but suddenly, Alfonso revises himself and swings the chair, aiming for Awesome, but he almost decapitates Van Dam!! Awesome takes Alfonso out with a Big Boot to the face. Van Dam is up but takes a kick to the gut … AWESOME BOMB ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR!! ROB VAN DAM IS DOWN AND OUT! Awesome covers; …1….2….3!!! AWESOME GOES TO THE PAY PER VIEW!
Winner: Mike Awesome
Match Rating: 77%
Van Dam is still down, as is Alfonso. The referee raises Awesome’s arm high into the air as ECW on The Network comes to a close.
Show Rating: 69%
-
Sheffield Wednesday -
- Des Walker
- Chris Waddle
- David Hirst
-
ECW on the Network
15th of July 2006
The usual opening montage plays, showing various clips of ECW action. We then fade up, and we’re straight to business, as ECW Executive Producer Paul Heyman stands in the centre of the ring, microphone in hand.
1. Heyman’s announcements.
Heyman, wearing his black leather jacket and baseball cap, stands in the centre of the ring smiling, as the fans chant “Paul E!” with vigour. Heyman raises the microphone to his mouth and begins to speak.
Paul Heyman: “Rob Van Dam decided to make a point last week – he said he wouldn’t wrestle in an ECW ring until he got his ECW World Heavyweight Title shot. Well Rob, here’s your chance, pal.”
Heyman smirks.
Paul Heyman: “Ya see Rob, I’m all for equal opportunity, and even though you and Vinnie Mac have been conspiring to take the title to Connecticut, I’ll still give you a shot – if you beat Mike Awesome and Masato Tanaka in a three way dance match next week in this very ring!”
The fans pop big-time for Heyman’s announcement! It looks as though the #1 contender for the ECW title will be decided on next week’s edition of ECW On The Network.
Paul Heyman: “ECW made history with the FIRST EVER three-way-dance match, and hell, it’ll do it again! Awesome versus Tanaka versus RVD, it’s on. The winner will go to Wrestlepalooza on the 27th to face The Sandman for the title.”
Heyman walks towards the ropes, looking as though he’s going to leave, but suddenly stops in his tracks.
Paul Heyman: “But wait, there’s more! Ya see, at the pay per view we’re going to be seeing a THREE WAY DANCE match! We’re going to make history once again on ECW’s big return, by following suit in what was one of the company’s most memorable matches. Remember Shane Douglas versus Terry Funk versus Sabu? It made history. Wrestlepalooza will also make history with ECW’s grand return to pay per view. We’ll do it in fashion. That’s why we’re going to see another #1 contenders match TONIGHT on The Network!”
This draws a MASSIVE pop from the ECW faithful, along with a chorus of “EC-Dub!” chants. The fans are patriotically in love with their favourite professional wrestling entity tonight in the Hammerstein Ballroom.
Paul Heyman: “Justin Credible seems to think that he deserves ANOTHER chance at takin’ the title from The Sandman, and well, The Sandman wants to rip his freakin’ head off!”
Heyman nods his head as the fans cheer loudly once again.
Paul Heyman: “So Justin, you’ll get your shot … if you can beat two other men who have a score to settle! CW Anderson, you came to be and said you wanted to “beat Dreamer’s sorry ass” once again – well here’s your chance! Justin Credible versus Tommy Dreamer versus CW Anderson, a classic ECW three-way-dance match … it happens TONIG—“
But before Heyman can finish, the ever-cunning Cyrus The Virus emerges from the back with a microphone in hand, to cut Heyman off.
Cyrus The Virus: “Paul, Paul, wait a minute. Could you please stop hoggin’ the damn spotlight and let me speak? I mean, I’ve been waiting to clear my damn throat since last week, when Dreamer tried to get the better of me once again. Well I’m sorry Tommy, it failed. You’re plan was that of a Neanderthal, and it displayed the intelligence off one too. I’m sorry Dreamer, but it’ll take more than flint tools to get the better of the Extreme Intellectual!”
The fans begin to chant “fuck you”, but the chants are muted by the USA Network’s censors. It looks as though the soccer mom’s have been on the phone lines again, complaining about ECW’s use of profanity.
Cyrus is now up on the ring apron, still speaking as he climbs through the ropes.
Cyrus The Virus: “You see Paul, if you listened to me and my tendancy to speak the truth, then ECW would be sellin’ out MSG, not the Hammerstein Ballroom. We’d be in the big leagues, not little league. ECW would be at the top of the mountain, if you didn’t have these kool-aid drinkin’, salami-strokin’, overweight inbreeds as your fanbase, ECW would be much higher up the wrestling pendulum.”
Cyrus gleefully nods his head, as he walks towards Paul, putting his hand on Heyman’s shoulder.
Cyrus The Virus: “Paul E, I speak sense my friend. Noth—“
MICROPHONE TO THE FACE! HEYMAN DECKS CYRUS WITH THE MICROPHONE!! Cyrus hits the deck as Heyman begins to put a few boots to him, to a HUGE pop from the fans! Suddenly, The Eliminators hit the ring and push Paul away. They’re ready to attack, but Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten quickly attack them from behind as a referee rushes down to the ring! It looks as though we have ourselves an impromptu match!
Segment Rating: 85%
2. Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney vs. The Eliminators
Heyman quickly exits the ring and brushes his jacket off as Kronus and Saturn begin to brawl with Balls and Axl. Axl and Kronus go to the outside, brawling next to the guardrail, as Saturn and Balls exchange blows in the ring. Saturn takes Balls down with a dropkick to the chest and goes for the cover, but only gets a “two” count. Axl throws Kronus into the guardrail and retrieves a steel chair from one of the fans, before turning and cracking Kronus over the skull with it! Kronus falls onto the floor as Axl climbs back into the ring. Axl swings the chair at Saturn, but levels Balls! Balls falls onto the mat, busted open from the shot, as Kronus groggily slides back into the ring. Axl looks at Balls, looking shocked, and eats a TOTAL ELIMINATION from The Eliminators, with Saturn kicking the chair into Axl’s face!
Journey with meinto the mind of a maniac
doomed to be a killer
Joey Styles: “OH MY GOD! Things are about to get interesting in the Hammerstein, here comes the Original Gangsta!”
The music keeps on playing as New Jack emerges from the back, busting his usual moves to the beat, while dragging the trash can down the aisle! Saturn and Kronus stop what they are doing and turn their attentions to the ramp. Cyrus is still on the outside, watching the action after shaking off that microphone shot, and looks absolutely gob-smacked. Saturn quickly exits the ring and runs towards New Jack, but eats the stop sign to the skull! Saturn falls onto the floor as New Jack turns his attention to Kronus, who stands in the ring.
Joey Styles: “Kronus and New Jack have history! Heck, they were former tag team partners!”
New Jack enters the ring, after throwing the trash can over the top rope AT Kronus, and quickly hits his former tag team partner with a hard right. New Jack goes into his trash can of fun and pulls out an acoustic guitar! The fans pop as New Jack begins to strike a few chords, before breaking it over Kronus’ head! Kronus hits the deck, with a tonne of saw-dust, as New Jack poses in the ring, with the damage done.
Winners: No Contest
Match Rating: 63%
We go back to Joey Styles, who is at the announcers position which is situated high up, next to the ramp, as it was at the ECW One Night Stand and ECW Resurrection pay per views – however, there isn’t a Mick Foley, it’s just Joey on his lonesome.
Joey Styles: “What a night so far! The main event has been set, as CW Anderson, Tommy Dreamer and Justin Credible go at it in a traditional ECW three way dance! That’s right people, traditional E-C-W – we invented the three way dance!”
He scoffs.
Joey Styles: “And guess what? The show has only just begun! We’ve got a damn lot more to come toni—“
Suddenly, Big Sal Graziano, Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke and Big Vito burst into the scene. The Full Blooded Italians muscle Joey out of the way and Guido takes the microphone. He has something to say.
3. We want the Tag Titles, not pizza!
The “got pizza?” chants immediately flare up, disgusting the Full Blooded Italians. Guido begins to speak.
Little Guido: “We ain’t got no pizza, ah, tha’ crap is disgustin’. We don’t wan’ it. We wan’ the ECW Tag Team Titles. Me ‘n my main man Tony Mamaluke over here, along with THE DON Big Sal and Big Vito, wan’ ourselves some gol’ in tha’ FBI.”
He nods his head.
Little Guido: “Danny Doring, Roadkill … those Tag Titles, they’ll be ours next week! Paul E has given us tha’ shot, capiche?”
Guido sets the microphone down, but suddenly, a hand drops over it. The camera pans up to reveal none other than “Dastardly” Danny Doring, wearing his sunglasses and pink spandex, with Roadkill not too far behind, holding the ECW Tag Team titles.
Danny Doring: “You want our Tag Team titles, eh? You want ‘em pretty damn bad, right? You want them as bad as every woman in Italy wants me, the Dastardly one. Haha.”
Doring smirks confidently, stroking his chin.
Danny Doring: “See boys, I’ve ‘HAD’ every woman in Italy, and me and the Angry Amish are ready to keep on bangin’! With the gold comes the chicks, and with the chicks COMES the Dastardly one! Hahaha!”
He nods his head, grinning, loving the pun.
Danny Doring: “See ya, never wanna’ be ya.”
Doring puts the microphone down, with the FBI all looking baffled.
Roadkill: “CHICKENZ~!!!”
The Full Blooded Italians almost shit themselves, with Roadkill’s randomness. We go back to the ring for the next match.
Segment Rating: 63%
4. Nova & The Blue Meanie with Big Stevie Cool vs. Spike Dudley & Super Crazy
The Blue World Order do their usual parody shtick, mimicking the original New World Order, with Nova playing the air guitar with his blue belt to mock Hollywood Hogan. Super Crazy starts on the apron, with Spike and The Blue Meanie starting in the ring, as a complete mismatch. Meanie over-powers his opponent, shoving him down to the canvas with ease before dropping a quick leg onto his throat. Meanie covers but the count is broken up after “one” after a flying Super Crazy leg drop from the top rope! This is when all hell breaks loose. Nova rushes into the ring and takes Crazy over the top with a clothesline, which sees him go tumbling to the outside too. Meanie lifts Spike up, takes a kick to the gut, allowing Spike to go for the Acid Drop, but Meanie holds on and drops Spike over the top rope and to the outside, through the timekeepers table! This draws an “EC-Dub!” chant from the fans and an “OH MY GOD!” from Joey Styles. Meanwhile, Super Crazy fights off Nova and climbs onto the apron. Super Crazy then flies with a 450 splash from the apron, and to the outside, onto Nova to mass applause from the ECW fans! Big Stevie Cool sneaks around to ringside as Super Crazy climbs to his feet, and levels him with a hard straight Stevie Kick to the jaw! Crazy hits the deck as Stevie strikes a pose before lifting the TV Champion up and sliding him back into the ring, to Meanie. Meanie looks to take the opportunity and lifts Crazy up, looking for a powerbomb, but the TV champion counters with a sunset flip; …1…2…3! He’s got ‘em, despite Big Stevie Cool’s interference!
Winners: Super Crazy & Spike Dudley
Match Rating: 70%
Stevie stands on the outside, looking dismayed as Meanie shakes his head in disbelief. Medical staff come to the outside, to tend to Spike who lies amongst the broken timekeepers table as the referee raises Super Crazy’s hand into the air, declaring his team the victor in this match up.
Joey Styles: “Stevie Richards, the number one contender for the TV Title, certainly didn’t expect that! Super Crazy got the better of the Blue World Order! I guess they aren’t taking over after all!”
We then go to a transmission, to hype up the Wrestlepalooza pay per view which is set to take place on the 27th of this month.
5. Well, well, well…
We return from the transmission and here nothing but applause and cheers. The fans are evidently excited. The camera pans around for a few moments before settling inside the ring, to where we see the leopard skin suit, the purple neck brace and the plump figure of the “Quintessential Studmuffin” Joel Gertner! Gertner smirks, holding the microphone.
Joel Gertner: “Well, well, well.”
The fans pop enormously for Gertner, who takes a pause to take the cheers in.
Joel Gertner: “It is I, the Quintessential Studmuffin, Joel, remember the name ‘cause you’ll be screamin’ it later, GERT-NEERRRRRR!”
Joel adjusts his neck brace slightly as he smirks.
Joel Gertner: “Ladies, women of all ages, I’m BACK and ready to BA—“
You can't be something you're notBe yourself, by yourself
Stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Re-spect, walk!
The jeers instantly start up as Bill Alfonso rushes out from the back, leaping around and blowing his whistle frantically. Alfonso rushes down to the ring as Rob Van Dam nonchalantly steps out from the back, looking as smug as ever. Gertner doesn’t know what’s happening. Alfonso takes a microphone and enters the ring as Gertner backs off into the corner.
Bill Alfonso: “WELL LOOK AT’CHA GERTNER! LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE, ROBBIE! We have some no good typical EC-DUBYA sh*t!”
Van Dam nods his head along with what Fonzie is saying. Both men stand in the ring, opposite from Gertner.
Bill Alfonso: “Jus’ think dadday, back in 2001, you ‘n him helped each other out! He helped ‘cha out with that VAN TERMINATOR on Lynn, BABY!”
Van Dam nods his head. Then suddenly, he leaps into the air and levels Gertner with a spin kick! What the hell was that for?! Gertner falls down onto the mat, clutching his neck in agony, as Van Dam looks down at him, looking absolutely disgusted. Alfonso grins as Van Dam does the thumb taunts over the fallen Joel Gertner. What the hell was that for, dammit?! By doing that, what does Rob Van Dam achieve? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Rob Van Dam: “Paul E, I’m the main event. Make your threats, man, ‘cause lets face it, ECW needs me more than it needs crap like this.”
Rob points at Gertner, who is down and out.
Rob Van Dam: “I am ECW Paul, I’m the WHOLE – F**KING – SHOW!”
Van Dam smirks.
Rob Van Dam: “And soon, after I get my shot and TAKE the ECW World Title, I’ll be Mr Monday – Night – RAW!”
Van Dam smirks as Alfonso begins to blow his whistle. Pantera’s “Walk” hits again as the medical staff rush out from the back, to treat the fallen Joel Gertner.
Segment Rating: 67%
We go to a transmission to hype up the weekly WWE events. After all, this is “World Wrestling Entertainment presents Extreme Championship Wrestling”.
6. CW Anderson vs. Justin Credible (with Jason & Francine) vs. Tommy Dreamer
We come back from the transmission to where CW Anderson and Justin Credible are already in the ring, ready to fight. Alice In Chains’ “Man In The Box” then hits and Tommy Dreamer makes his way out from the back. We get straight into action, with Joey running over each of these superstars’ individual accolades during their career. CW and Credible quickly begin to double-team Dreamer, backing him into the corner and hitting him with a series of hard blows. Dreamer mounts a fight back as Anderson and Credible mis-communicate, with Anderson decking Credible with a trademark hard left. Dreamer takes the opportunity to quickly scoop Anderson onto his shoulders and drill him with the Spicolli Driver in the centre of the ring. Dreamer turns and eats a hard superkick to the jaw from Credible, who is back up on his feet. Credible covers but Dreamer kicks out quickly. Credible lifts Dreamer up, but CW comes in with a hard clubbing blow to Credible’s back. The Enforcer then disposes of Credible with the Ferris Wheel Suplex! Credible quickly rolls to the outside, clutching his lower back, as CW goes to work on Dreamer. The two exchange slams and various blows before Credible re-enters, with a Singapore Cane in hand. Credible runs towards the duo, but receives a quick jab to the face from both of his opponents! Dreamer turns, quick to react, and plants Anderson with the Dreamer DDT, spiking Anderson onto the mat! Dreamer covers, and Credible quickly leaps on top of him to keep Anderson down; …1…2…3! CW Anderson has been eliminated!
Joey Styles: “We’re down to two!”
CW Anderson climbs to his feet and kicks the ropes in fury, as Dreamer and Credible separate, taking a few moments to regroup. Anderson reels Dreamer in, whips him across the ring and drills him with the Anderson Spinebuster to a chorus of (muted) “FUCK YOU” chants from the fans! CW turns and simply leaves as Credible lifts Dreamer up, along with the Singapore Cane. Credible wraps the cane around Dreamer’s throat, falls back and lays him out with the White Russian Leg Sweep!
Joey Styles: “WHITE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The move which The Sandman made famous, and Credible’s stolen it!”
Credible lifts Dreamer straight back off the mat and drills him with the That’s Incredible spinning tombstone piledriver to more jeers from the fans! He then drops over Dreamer, sensing that he has the match in the bag; ..1….2…3! He’s got ‘em!
Winner: Justin Credible
Segment Rating: 68%
Credible climbs to his feet as Jason and Francine enter, to celebrate with him. Justin Credible will be going to the Wrestlepalooza main event with a shot at the ECW World Heavyweight title!
Joey Styles: “Goodnight!”
Show Rating: 69%
-
ECW on the Network preview
15th of July 2006
Rob Van Dam might claim to be the “Whole F’n Show”, his impressive in-ring performances might also be inclined to suggest that, but one thing is for sure, the ECW fans aren’t happy with RVD and RVD isn’t happy with his position in ECW. Van Dam was one of the superstars selected to return to the resurrected Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion by Paul Heyman and WWE boss Vince McMahon, but it has become apparent that Van Dam would rather be wrestling on either Raw or SmackDown, in the WWE. Van Dam has claimed that he is only in ECW to take the World Title, and last week he even said that he wouldn’t wrestle another match until he received his title shot, but Paul Heyman came out and set the record straight, telling Van Dam that he had to earn his shot like the rest of the roster. With this all said and done, Rob Van Dam has reportedly told Heyman that he won’t be on this week’s edition of ECW on the Network because he has a meeting to attend in Connecticut! What’s the situation with Rob Van Dam? Maybe we will receive some more clarification on the matter on this Saturday Nights ECW on the Network event.
One man with a clear goal on mind is Justin Credible. The former ECW Champion has set his sights on reclaiming the gold from The Sandman, who defeated him at the ECW Resurrection pay per view last month. Credible lost his shot last week on Hardcore TV, when The Sandman once again got the better of him, but then AMBUSHED the Hardcore Icon backstage on this weeks Hardcore TV, saying “lightening doesn’t strike three times!” Credible obviously has a craven for ECW gold, and will do anything to satisfy it, including doing whatever it takes to get one over on the current ECW Champion. It has been confirmed that Credible will be on this week’s edition of ECW on the Network, but what does he have in store for us on Saturday night?
The Eliminators and Cyrus The Virus have constantly been a thorn in Tommy Dreamer’s side, since re-entering Extreme Championship Wrestling. On last week’s event, the threesome ambushed Dreamer again, constantly looking to “eliminated” him from ECW. The Innovator of Violence isn’t one to let things slide, and will more than likely look to gain some revenge over Cyrus and The Eliminators. He has the opportunity on this weeks ECW on the Network, as The Eliminators and Cyrus have been confirmed to be in the Hammerstein Ballroom – but will Dreamer show up? Dreamer is apparently suffering with his neck after receiving the Total Elimination last week, so will he be in the right physical condition to appear on the show?
One match as been confirmed for this weeks ECW On The Network event; the Blue Meanie and Nova, of the Blue World Order, team up to take on ECW Television Champion Super Crazy and Little Spike Dudley, in what should be a great match-up. All and this and a damn lot more will go down on this week’s event from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, as we’re EC-F’n-W, and we have NO MINORS – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Confirmed Matches:
- Nova & The Blue Meanie vs. Spike Dudley & Super Crazy
-
ECW on the Network
8th of July 2006
The show fades up, after the opening credits which display a variety of action from Extreme Championship Wrestling’s past; some of the promotions most famous moments. We fade straight into the Hammerstein Ballroom, to where CYRUS THE VIRUS is stood in the centre of the ring, microphone in hand, ready to speak.
1. A simply tremendous plan.
The fans chant “you suck dick” at Cyrus, with JOEY STYLES, who is doing the voiceover from the commentary position, saying that he is inclined to agree with the ECW faithful about Cyrus. Styles says he can’t stand the “Extreme Intellectual”.
Cyrus The Virus: “Each and every noise you troglodytes grunt out signifies your sheer stupidity. You see, last week I did what I set out to do; I made an impact. I told the world that I was the voice of ECW, the neutral voice who speaks nothing but the truth, but Tommy Dreamer disagreed. And what happened? He was totally ELIMINATED!”
Cyrus cackles gleefully. His smugness is overbearing. The fans and Joey Styles are both audibly irritated by it, with neither of them responding to kindly to The Virus.
Cyrus The Virus: “Saturn and Kronus came to me and looked for guidance; they wanted a shining light to follow. I gave ‘em that. They know that, because of the fact that everything goes my way, from my intelligence to my *Cyrus flicks his hair back* extremely good looks, that my guidance could do them nothing but good. With I, the Extreme Intellectual, by their side, Perry Saturn and John Kronus will go onto achieve things they never thought they were capable of achieving.”
Cyrus nods his head confidently.
Cyrus The Virus: “Tommy Dreamer was the first man to be innovatively eliminated, and that was simply a message. Tommy, you uneducated six-fingered New Yorker, keep the hell outta’ my way. That goes for everyone in this festering pile of cra—“
I’m the man in the boxBuried in my shit
Won’t you come and save me, save me
The fans pop big-time, with the “Tommy!” chants almost deafening. Alice In Chains’ “Man In The Box” plays in the background as the “Innovator of Violence” TOMMY DREAMER emerges from behind the curtain. The fans in the Hammerstein all raise to their feet, applauding the “Heart of ECW”, as Joey dubs him. Cyrus almost shits a brick in the ring, panicking as Tommy cracks his knuckles.
Cyrus The Virus: “Tommy, Tommy, I can assure you that this is the wrong decision. Step back laddy, you’ll only get yourself into more trouble.”
Tommy, who stands on the outside of the ring, looks up at Cyrus and sneers – “it’s a chance I’m willin’ to take!” The fans EXPLODE as Tommy leaps onto the apron, and his about to climb through the ropes, until Cyrus promptly warns him once again, standing back with his hands out, gesturing for Tommy to stop in his tracks.
Cyrus The Virus: “Trust me; you don’t wanna be doing this!”
Dreamer steps through, and is about to grab Cyrus, until THE ELIMINATORS stop him in his tracks! Saturn spins Dreamer around and the duo lay him out in the centre of the ring with the TOTAL ELIMINATION~! Kronus and Saturn before leap up to their feet as Cyrus grins from ear-to-ear, with the fans chanting “fuck you” loudly.
Cyrus The Virus: “What’d I say, Dreamer?! WHAT DID I SAY?! Don’t screw with Cyrus, you pathetic piece a’ trash, don’t screw with me. Screw with me and face … total … ELIMINATION!”
He places the microphone down in the ring, and poses by the sides of Saturn and Kronus as we go to Joey Styles, who is at his announcers booth.
Segment Rating: 68%
Joey Styles: “Cyrus and The Eliminators have ELIMINATED Dreamer once again in a damn ambush! I hope they get what’s comin’ to ‘em. Cyrus can’t hide behind Saturn and Kronus forever!”
As Styles speaks, 12 Stones' “Fade Away” hits and CHRISTIAN YORK emerges from the back, dressed to wrestle.
Joey Styles: “Oh great. Speaking of guys I can’t stand, here comes Christian York – our very own anti-ECW spokesperson. And guess who he’s against? My FAVOURITE wrestler…”
Styles looks absolutely disgusted at this point. He continues, speaking rather quickly with obvious distaste.
Joey Styles: “… Mike Awesome.”
2. Christian York vs. Mike Awesome
As soon as the two men square off, it becomes quite evident that York is no match for the big-man. Awesome dominates York with a few power moves; from powerslams, to tilt-a-whirl slams to backbreakers. Awesome eventually decides that enough is enough and pulls York up to his feet and slams him down with a huge Awesome Bomb in the centre of the ring, before covering; …1…2…, he lifts York’s shoulder up! He wants the punishment to go on! Some of the fans actually applaud this, wanting York to get a good beating. Awesome drives York down into the mat with another Awesome Bomb before going up top and flying with a huge Awesome Splash, crushing York in the centre of the ring! Awesome promptly hooks the leg; …1…2…3!
Winner: Mike Awesome
Match Rating: 55%
Joey Styles: “And in the end, Christian York was no match for the Judas.”
Styles scoffs, as suddenly, the speakers come to life once again.
Journey with meinto the mind of a maniac
doomed to be a killer
The reaction is HUGE as the “Original Gangsta” NEW JACK steps out from the back, busting a few moves to the beats, holding that trash can full of foreign objects which have the sole intent of inflicting pain. Awesome is halfway up the ramp, and looks to just walk past New Jack, but eats a pool queue shot to the skull from New Jack, which knocks him back into the guard rail! Awesome steps forward and eats a HUGE trash can shot to the skull, which knocks him for six! Awesome hits the floor as New Jack turns his attention to Christian York, who leans back on the ropes for support rather groggily in the ring.
Joey Styles: “New Jack has got somethin’ in mind for Christian York! And damn, it’ll hurt!”
New Jack tosses the trash can of weapons over the top rope and into the ring before entering himself. York just staggers towards New Jack, trying to keep himself standing by using New Jack as support. New Jack just looks at York and sneers, before dropping him with a quick DDT on the canvas! The fans cheer loudly, chanting “New Jack!” as the Original Gangsta empties his trash can of fun and retrieves a pair of scissors! He turns back to York, who is now out of the ring and staggering off up the aisle, not wanting anymore of New Jack. New Jack leans over the ropes, mouthing off at York, telling him he's a "dead man!" It's apparent that New Jack seriously dislikes York, for some reason or another.
We then go to a transmission to hype up the Wrestlepalooza ECW pay per view event, which is set to take place at the end of the month.
3. #1 Contender for TV Title: Big Stevie Cool vs. Little Guido vs. Simon Diamond vs. Spike Dudley
The four men take it to each other with a wild brawl from the start. However, in true ECW fashion, the first elimination is rather quick and spontaneous. Simon knocks Stevie out of the ring with a clothesline, but Guido runs up and bundles him over the top rope to where Vito, Mamaluke and Sal go stand. Guido turns around and his luck promptly runs out, as he eats a kick to the gut followed by an acid drop from Little Spike Dudley! Spike covers and gets the three count, to eliminate Little Guido from the match up.
Big Vito and Tony Mamaluke of the FBI promptly enter the ring and give Spike a good beating, with Mamaluke hitting him with the superkick, knocking him into Vito who promptly dishes out a sit-out powerbomb to the runt of the Dudley litter. Simon, sensing the opportunity, crawls back into the ring and lifts Guido up, giving him a Simonizer for good measure before going for the cover; ..1…2…3! Spike Dudley has been eliminated.
Stevie and Diamond exchange blows within the squared circle. Johnny Swinger tries to get involved on behalf of Simon, but runs into trouble in the form of the Blue World Order! Nova and Meanie keep Swinger at bay. Simon takes control of the brawl and looks for the Simonizer, but Meanie quickly gets into the ring to club him in the back! Simon drops down and eats a double-arm DDT from Stevie! Stevie climbs to his feet and falls back into the corner, and stops his foot ala Shawn Michaels, as Diamond climbs to his feet. Diamond walks forward and eats a Stevie Kick to the face, which knocks him straight down to the canvas, almost taking his head off in the process! Richards hooks the leg; …1…2…3! He’s got ‘em!
Winner: Big Stevie Cool
Match Rating: 69%
Stevie leaps to his feet as the Blue World Order enter, embracing with their partner, celebrating the victory. It looks as though Stevie Richards will have a shot at Super Crazy with the Television title on the line, but when will he take it?
Joey Styles: “The Blue World Order are livin’ it large! They’re taking over!”
Styles begins to chuckle.
Joey Styles: “And guess what? We’ve still gotta’ hell-of-a lot more to come TONIGHT on ECW on The Network! The ‘new’ Rob Van Dam goes one-on-one with one half of the ECW Tag Team Champions, the ‘Angry Amish’ Roadkill!”
But before Styles can continue, we go backstage.
4. Lightening doesn’t strike three times.
We go backstage, to the locker rooms, to where we see The Sandman sitting down, having a beer. Sandman looks up into the camera and begins to speak.
The Sandman: “What happened to your promises, Credible? Hospital? Suckin’ through a straw? What happened to those threats? They were as empty as your bladder, after I beat the piss outta’ ya.”
Sandman smirks, patting the ECW Title which lies over his shoulder.
The Sandman: “Speakin’ of promises, Rob Van Dam, you said you’d take the title at Resurrection. What did you do? I won the title and you ran the f*ck away, ran to the hills.”
He nods his head.
The Sandman: “But then you came back and kicked MY belt into MY face. I’ve got the scar, Van Dam.”
Sandman points to the scar on his forehead and sneers.
The Sandman: “And when I’ve got my hands onto ya, you’ll have a few scars too. A few broken bones, irreparable scar tissue. You’ll have it all, and damn, I’ll enjoy givin’ it to ya.”
SMACK! JUSTIN CREDIBLE WITH THE SINGAPORE CANE SHOT TO THE HEAD OF SANDMAN! A DAMN AMBUSH! CREDIBLE JUST AMBUSHED THE SANDMAN!
Justin Credible: “And when I’ve finished with you, Sandman, that title will belong to ME; it’ll lie around MY waist! The scars? They’ll be on your forehead. The broken bones will belong to YOU! Lightening don’t strike three times, Sandman. You WILL be suckin’ out of a damn straw!”
Credible smirks confidently before laying into the ECW Champion with the Singapore Cane for a few moments, leaving him in a heap on the floor. The cane eventually breaks and Credible stops, satisfied with his attack.
Justin Credible: “And that’s not just because I’m the coolest, it’s not just because I’m the best … that my friend, that’s because I’m Justin Credible!”
He grins, nodding his head in satisfaction, before heading out of the locker room with the damage evidently being done. We go back to the ring, for the main event.
Segment Rating: 75%
5. Roadkill with Danny Doring vs. Rob Van Dam with Bill Alfonso
Roadkill and Doring are out first, with the ECW Tag Team titles in their grasps. The fans respond warmly to the champions, applauding them. A few “CHICKENZ~!” chants start as we await Rob Van Dam’s entrance. And then it happens. Pantera’s “Walk” hits as Rob Van Dam, with the obnoxious rat-like “Manager of Champions” Bill Alfonso by his side, blowing his whistle furiously. Van Dam looks more confident than usual, stopping on the bottom of the ramp as the fans boo him and nodding his head nonchalantly, not giving a damn.
Joey Styles: “Can someone take that damn whistle of Fonzie and stick it somewhere where we’ll NEVER have to hear again?! Dammit it’s annoying.”
Van Dam enters the ring and does the “that title is mine” gesture, with his hands and waist, before doing his pre-match spin kick and the thumb taunts – “Rob – Van – Dam”, it’s a shame that he and Fonzie are the only two men who join in. Van Dam just shrugs his shoulders as Alfonso hurriedly leaves the ring, and promptly takes Doring down with a big spin kick in the middle of the ring! Dastardly Danny Doring isn’t even involved in the damn match! That was a cheap shot! Roadkill runs across the ring and flattens Van Dam up against the corner with a big body splash. Van Dam staggers forward and walks into a sidewalk slam, but Roadkill only gets the “two” on the resulting cover. The match continues with Roadkill using his strength advantage to keep on top of his opponent, taking him down with a few slams, but fails to get the vital three count. Roadkill kicks Van Dam in the gut and looks for the Amish Bomb, but RVD succeeds in countering, sliding down behind his opponent and rolling him up with a school boy pin, but Roadkill quickly kicks out. Both men climb to their feet, with RVD ducking a clothesline and levelling Roadkill with a wheel kick on the return! Roadkill hits the deck as Alfonso retrieves a chair from one of the fans, snatching it off him, and sliding it into the ring, to Van Dam. Roadkill slowly climbs to his feet and unwisely catches the chair, as Van Dam looks for the Van Daminator, but Roadkill ducks it! Roadkill lifts the chair, ready to take Van Dam’s head off, but the Whole F’n Show springs into action … VAN DAMINATOR~! Roadkill falls and hits the canvas as Van Dam goes up top, before flying with the Five Star Frog Splash as the fans jeer loudly! It connects! Van Dam immediately makes the cover as Alfonso prevents Doring from making the save; …1…2…3! Van Dam picks up the win!
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Match Rating: 77%
Joey Styles: “Rob Van Dam picks up the victory tonight, but the fans boo. One of ECW’s most loved superstars has become one of the most hated men within the promotion. The fans don’t like RVD one bit!”
6. I’m here for the ECW World Title.
Alfonso takes a microphone and hands it to Rob Van Dam as the fans boo furiously.
Rob Van Dam: “You people don’t appreciate me anymore, do ya? Good. ‘Cause I don’t appreciate you. Ya see, instead of performing in front of two-thousand of you in here, I should be over in Madison Square Garden performing in front of tens-of-thousands of people with the W-W-E!”
At this point, the boos are DEAFENING!
Rob Van Dam: “But guess what? Once I’ve got the World Title Paul, I’ll take it to Vince in Connecticut and receive my cheque, and a brand new WWE contract. I’ll become the biggest player in the whole wide wrestling world, not just the biggest player in this sh*t-hole!”
He nods his head, extremely confident of himself.
Rob Van Dam: “And that’s because I’m the WHOLE – F**KING – SHOW!”
He nods his head, ever-so-smugly, passing the microphone to Alfonso.
Bill Alfonso: “YA KNOW WHAT, DADDAY?! YA KNOW WHAT, PAUL E?! MY MAIN MAN, ROB – VAN – DAM AIN’T WRASSLIN’ FOR YOU NO MORE!”
Alfonso nods his head, as he shouts into the microphone.
Bill Alfonso: “My main man Robbie V ain’t gonna’ wrassle’ for you again until he gets his WORLD TITLE SHOT, BABY!”
Alfonso begins to leap around the ring, blowing his whistle with fury. This man needs some psychological help. Suddenly, he stops in his tracks as he sets his eyes on the entrance way. The fans pop LOUDLY, chanting “PAUL E! PAUL E!” with delight. The camera pans around and sets focus on ECW’s “Executive Producer”, the leather jacket and baseball cap wearing PAUL HEYMAN. Heyman has a microphone. He paces around on the aisle and begins to speak.
Paul Heyman: “Is that so, Bill? Is that so, Rob? You’re not wrestling in ECW until you get a title shot, is that right? Well Van Dam, you want your dues, you have to earn ‘em!”
The fans pop.
Paul Heyman: “I spoke to Vince McMahon about your little situation, and damn, sure, he wants you but because of the written agreement you have with me, he can’t steal you like he did with Kash. In fact, your ‘release clause’ will be activated on winning the ECW title, as you know, right?”
Van Dam nods his head, smirking.
Paul Heyman: “I’m a fair man, Rob. Earn your shot and you can have it! But as for not wrestling for me and for ECW until you get that shot? Ha, what a load of bullsh*t! You’ll wrestle when I say, and if you refuse, you can f*ck off to Florida and be ‘Mr Total Nonstop Action’ there under Jay-Jay’s glass ceiling!”
Paul is dead serious at this point.
Paul Heyman: “It’s your choice, Rob. Earn your shot or walk through the damn door – and if you choose the latter, you won’t EVER have the chance of winning the ‘BIG ONE’, you’ll never be the ‘Whole F**cking Show’.”
Paul nods his head.
Paul Heyman: “Think about it Rob; I made you, I can break you.”
This draws a HUGE pop from the fans. Heyman simply sets the microphone down on the ramp, as Van Dam and Alfonso stand in the ring, both looking absolutely shocked. The show fades to a close.
Segment Rating: 84%
Show Rating: 73%
-
Extreme Championship Wrestling Newswire
2nd July 2006 Edition
- ECW on The Network’s debut yesterday on the USA Network brought in a 4.73 rating; a rating which the network was apparently happy with. However, the one thing which the network wasn’t happy with was the risky nature of the ECW product. Apparently, Paul Heyman has been warned about the type of content he airs on the show, from the language to the ‘hardcore’ action. If ECW continues to push the boundaries, it is rumoured that the USA Network would be willing to cut the show.
- In a shock move, The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) were reunited on Saturday. Apparently, the duo were willing to put their past differences aside in order to resurrect their wrestling careers, seeing the return of Extreme Championship Wrestling under the WWE umbrella as the ideal opportunity.
- ECW is set to return to pay per view on the 30th of July, this month, with Wrestlepalooza. Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman are set to begin promoting the event from the 11th of this month, in the New York area. The event is set to run from the Hammerstein Ballroom, as the ECW on The Network tapings do. However, don’t expect ECW to run regularly in the Hammerstein for long – this is apparently a temporary measure until the “ECW Arena” is renovated.
- As you heard on ECW on The Network yesterday, Kid Kash was pulled from the event. Apparently, this was due to an injury which WWE Cruiserweight Champion Paul London sustained at a house show. Kash, the man who London defeated for the gold, is seen as a possibility to regain the championship on this Friday Night’s SmackDown event, where the title will be on-the-line in an over-the-top-rope battle royal.
- Two matches for next Saturday’s ECW on The Network have already been announced on ecwrestling.com.
- Roadkill vs. Rob Van Dam
- #1 Contender for the TV Title: Big Stevie Cool vs. Little Guido vs. Simon Diamond vs. Spike Dudley
-
ECW on the Network
1st of July 2006
1. The legacy of Extreme Championship Wrestling.
No introduction, no credits, no hype. We go straight into a video package which was well put together by the production team, highlighting some of ECW’s greatest moments. The video starts off slowly, with Shane Douglas standing in the centre of the ring, with the NWA Title and a microphone in hand.
“It's no question about it Too Cold Scorpio, you are one hell of a competitor and I will not be a champion that hides. I stand here, before God and my father in Heaven tonight, as I said I would be: World's Heavyweight champion.”
We are shown footage of old NWA matches, including Flair versus Steamboat.
“In the tradition of Lou Thesz; in the tradition of Jack Brisco; all of the Brisco Brothers; of Dory Funk Jr, of Terry Funk, the man who will never die; and the real “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers upstairs tonight. From the Harley Races, to the Barry Windhams, to the... Ric Flairs, I accept this heavyweight title.”
We are shown a montage of the former NWA Champions, from Lou Thesz to Barry Windham, to Ric Flair, to Rick Steamboat.
“Wait a second... wait a second, of Kerry Von Erich, of the fat man himself Dusty Rhodes... this is it tonight Dad, God that's beautiful...and Rick Steamboat...”
The footage starts to get distorted, flickering; black and white between various chair shots and table spots.
“… and they can all kiss my ass!”
THIS IS EXTREEEMMMMEEE!!!
We go to footage of Dreamer knocking the cigarette into Sandman’s eye, before levelling him in the other eye with a Singapore Cane. The footage quickly cuts to that of The Sandman, who was apparently blinded, removing his sunglasses and eye mask, before levelling Dreamer with the foreign object, in the ECW arena.
“Because, I am not the man who accepts the torch to be handed down to me from an organization that died R.I.P. seven years ago! "The Franchise" Shane Douglas is the man who ignites the new flame of the SPORT of professional wrestling.”
The infamous promo is used as a voice over, as various clips of infamous happenings in ECW are shown. Footage of The Eliminators giving New Jack the TOTAL ELIMINATION between two tables is shown.
“Tonight, before God and my father as witness, I declare... myself, “the Franchise,” as the new ECW heavyweight champion of the world!”
Taz gets the three receipts on Sabu, breaking Sabu’s neck with the Taz-Plex through the table. Shane Douglas offers Taz money, Francine and a place in the Triple Threat. All rejected. Taz beats Douglas for the ECW World Title at Guilty as Charged.
“We have set out to change the face of professional wrestling.”
Quick flashes of the infamous Tommy Dreamer versus Raven feud. Stevie Richards brings Beulah out.
“So, tonight, let the new era begin!”
The chair shot heard ‘round the world.
“The era of the sport of professional wrestling.”
We are shown various high-flying spots, from the likes of Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Rey Misterio Jr, Super Crazy and Psicosis.
“The era of the Franchise.”
Douglas throws down the NWA Title in the centre of the ring. This quickly cuts into quick footage of ECW action, featuring the likes of Taz, the Public Enemy, the Blue World Order and Sabu.
“The era of the E-C-W!”
Segment Rating: 61%
As soon as the footage ends, the fans EXPLODE with delight. The pop is huge. The Hammerstein Ballroom is almost full, the tiers are packed. The fans chant “EC-Dub” loudly. Yes, Extreme Championship Wrestling is back! The camera pans around before settling on the traditional ECW ring with stands in the centre of the Hammerstein. In that ring stands Joey Styles, with a wide smirk on his face and with a microphone in hand. Styles looks around, obviously deeply absorbed by the nostalgia, and the preciousness of the moment. ECW is back for good, or until Vince McMahon thinks otherwise.
Joey Styles: “Oh my god!”
The fans continue to cheer, now chanting “Joey! Joey!” Styles smiles.
Joey Styles: “I don’t believe it. When One Night Stand hit the screens, I thought ‘nah’, a one off. Then the Extreme Resurrection began! Think about it, it’d have never happened if it was for each and every one of you.”
Styles points at the fans who are situated to the left of him, behind the barricade which is situated behind the timekeepers table.
Joey Styles: “If the ‘Rise and Fall of ECW’ DVD hadn’t had sold as well as it did, One Night Stand would have never happened and none of us would be where we are today! ECW is BACK!”
Another massive pop for Styles.
Joey Styles: “And damn, have we got a show for you! Tonight on ‘ECW on The Network’, which you’ll be seeing every Saturday night from now on – yeah, Velocity didn’t cut it in Connecticut.”
He smugly smirks.
Joey Styles: “As I was saying, before I got sidetracked, we have got one helluva’ show for you tonight! Masato Tanaka and *a disgusted tone engulfs Joey’s voice* Mike Awesome *his voice returns to normal, after a brief pause* collide one more time in an ECW ring!”
The fans pop big-time, chanting Tanaka’s name.
Joey Styles: “The ECW Title will be on-the-line as The Sandman, who recently won the gold at ECW Resurrection last month, defends the gold against the former champion, the man who took the title off the “Man-Beast” at ”The Franchise’s” Hardcore Homecoming Two event, Justin Credible in our main event!”
This gets another monster pop from the fans. However, Joey’s facial expression suddenly transforms into one of bitterness.
Joey Styles: “However, one matched which was announced will go under some changes. The Blue World Order will no longer go up against Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney and Kid Kash. Why? Because Vinnie Mac decided that a Cruiserweight Title shot was more important to Kid Kash than ECW.”
He shakes his head, looking absolutely disgusted.
Joey Styles: “So, as the show must go on, we found Balls and Axl a new tag team partner for the match, a man they call the ‘Giant Killer’ … Little Spike Dudley!”
The mention of Spike gets somewhat of a pop from the fans.
Joey Styles: “Let’s get this show on the road!”
The fans chant “Joey!” a few more times as Styles nods and places the microphone on the mat. As he does, the Blue World Order’s music hits.
2. Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney & Spike Dudley vs. The Blue World Order
After each of the entrances we are treated to a wild brawl. Rotten and Balls slug it out with Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie in the ring, as Spike and Nova exchange blows on the outside. Spike takes control of Nova with a knee across the gut, before slamming him face-first down into the mats which are on the outside of the ring. Joey once again reminds as that the New York Wrestling Commissions regulations require that mats are used, even though ECW generally disagrees with there use. In the ring, Balls clotheslines Meanie down in the ring, but eats a Stevie Kick to the face from Richards! Axl spins Richards around and looks for a clothesline, but Stevie goes under and almost decapitates Rotten with another big Stevie Kick! Spike re-enters the ring and catches Richards in the gut with quick kick, before grabbing him via the head and running up the turnbuckle, before turning and dropping him with the Acid Drop in the centre of the ring! Little Spike Dudley is the only man standing at the moment!
Suddenly, Spike turns and takes a Double Arm DDT from Christian York! The fans jeer at their fullest, as York climbs to his feet wearing his yellow wrestling tights and a white shirt. York reaches down in the corner of the ring and picks up the microphone, before turning to the ramp as the fans start with the “York sucks dick” chants.
Christian York: “I don’t care, call me what you want. Ya see, the fact of the matter is this. All of you sons-of-bitches ruined my life without a care in the world. While I was bustin’ my nuts tryin’ to make somethin’ of myself in this business, you sat back and applauded every single chair-shot I took. You sat back and applauded the blood as it ran from my head. With every scar I gained, with every bit of blood which dropped from my forehead, came your cheers. You didn’t care about me, you ruined my life. That’s why I disappeared from this piece of shit busine—“
Journey with meinto the mind of a maniac
doomed to be a killer
York’s face drops! The fans EXPLODE with delight as “Natural Born Killaz” by Ice Cube and Dr Dre hits, meaning only one thing… NEW JACK! The Original Gangsta steps out from the back, with a trash can full of weapons, dancing to the beat as the music keeps on playing. Jack walks down the aisle, with the fans STILL popping big-time for him. He throws the trash can over the top rope and into the ring as York panics, looking for an escape, but as he almost finds the exit, Balls Mahoney pushes him into a STOP SIGN SHOT TO THE SKULL from New Jack! New Jack drags York up off the mat and pulls a cheese grater out of his trash can of fun, and begins to grate the flesh on York’s forehead away! Oh my god! That’s SICK! Blood trickles from York’s head, with the cameras failing to hide it, as this is a live broadcast to celebrate the return of ECW. New Jack drops the foreign object and proceeds to DDT York right onto the trash can in the centre of the ring! Balls decides to join in the fun, and takes a steel chair, before swinging it at New Jack, only for the OG to duck and clothesline Mahoney over the top rope and to the outside, while tumbling out himself!
Spike climbs to his feet but Nova takes him over the top with a clothesline. Axl is up and eats another Stevie Kick from Big Stevie Cool! Axl hits the deck as The Blue Meanie goes up top, and flies with a huge 300lbs PLUS Meaniesault! Meanie almost instantaneously covers his fallen opponent, hooking the leg; …1…2…3!
Winners: The Blue World Order
Match Rating: 60%
3. He’s not just the coolest, he’s not just the best, he’s the future ECW World Heavyweight Champion!
We go straight backstage to the locker room area, to where we see Justin Credible sitting on a bench, staring directly into the camera which opposes him, looking focused. Of course, Credible, who wears his “got blood?” t-shirt, has a Singapore Cane in hand. Francine and Jason aren’t far behind Credible, who begins to speak.
Justin Credible: “Sandman, you got lucky. You caught me off guard. On the 10th of June last month I went through hell, fuck, I went TO hell to claim my rightful prize, the ECW Championship. However, things don’t work out has planned, and Paul E FORCED me to defend my title against you the following night. I wasn’t one-hundred-percent, I shouldn’t have had to fight and I wasn’t ready.”
He nods his head as Francine massages his shoulders.
Justin Credible: “It’s been nineteen long days and sleepless nights since I’ve lost my title. I ain’t slept since. I’ve been thinkin’ about the agony which I’m gonna’ inflict on you, Sandman. I’ve been thinkin’ of the absolute pain you’re going to feel at MY hands. Got blood, Sandman? You’re ice cold man, but tonight, you’ll bleed.”
Credible confidently nods his head.
Justin Credible: “That title will return to its daddy tonight, ‘cause let’s face it, your time is running out. Enjoy the last, what? Forty minutes or so, they’ll be your last with my baby before I get it back. ‘Cause lets face it champ, after tonight you’ll be lyin’ in a hospital bed, suckin’ through a straw!”
He confidently smirks, letting out a little chuckle, before leaping up to his feet.
Justin Credible: “And Sandman, that ain’t just ‘cause I’m the coolest, it ain’t just because I’m the best, that my friend, that’s because I’m Justin-fucking-Credible!”
Credible nods his head as Francine smiles, standing behind her man. Jason also nods his head as we go back to the ring for our next match up.
Segment Rating: 70%
4. Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome
Joey does nothing but express his distain for Mike Awesome, showing no compassion at all. Joey even goes as far to say he’d die a happy man if Masato left Awesome in a wheelchair. Joey says that Awesome has no right to be here, in ECW, especially after what he did in his first stint. The fans jeer Awesome as well, chanting a mixture of “you sold out” and “you suck dick” at him. Awesome tells the fans to shove it as Masato Tanaka sprints out from the back, giving his chest a quick slap before sliding into the ring. Awesome quickly drops a double axe handle but Masato rolls out of the way and kips up to his feet, before taking Awesome down with a hard, stiff-looking clothesline. Awesome climbs off the mat clutching his back and walks into a kick to the mid-section from Tanaka, who proceeds to drill Awesome with a DDT in the centre of the ring! The fans begin to chant “Tanaka” as he lifts Awesome up and looks towards the timekeepers table which is situated on the outside of the ring. Tanaka stuffs Awesome’s head between his legs and lifts him up for a powerbomb, but Awesome slips down behind his Japanese opponent and spins him around, before kicking him in the gut. Awesome then lifts Tanaka up and runs towards the ropes, looking for an Awesome Bomb, but Tanaka is able to slip down behind his opponent just in time! Awesome turns and eats a ROARING ELBOW from Tanaka! Awesome hits the deck and Tanaka makes the first cover of the match, but only gets the “two”.
Tanaka goes to the outside and pulls the timekeepers table towards the ring, and pushes the steel guardrail further away, before re-entering. Tanaka takes a kick to the gut from Awesome, who then proceeds to toss Tanaka over the top rope and to the outside of the ring. Awesome follows and drags Tanaka to his feet, but Tanaka kicks Awesome in the gut and lifts him up for a powerbomb, and sends him crashing through the table! What a powerbomb! That was vicious! Tanaka drags Awesome to his feet and rolls him back into the ring before making the cover; …1…2, kick out! Awesome got the shoulder up! Tanaka lifts Awesome up and looks for a powerslam, but Awesome counters and lifts Tanaka up before scoop slamming him in the centre of the ring. Awesome then runs across the ring and comes off the ropes with a leg drop, dropping a leg onto Tanaka’s throat! The Japanese superstar kicks the air on impact, before rolling around with his hands on his throat. Awesome proceeds to reach down and lift Tanaka up from the canvas, before drilling him with a huge Awesome Bomb in the centre of the ring! Tanaka is down and out! Awesome senses the opportunity as Joey tries to will Tanaka on, pleading for him to get up and “beat the living crap out of that Judas”. Awesome goes up top and flies with an Awesome Splash, landing on Tanaka in the centre of the ring! Tanaka kicks the air as Awesome hooks the leg; …1..2…, KICK OUT! Tanaka kicked out once again!
Joey Styles: “How the hell did he kick out of THAT?! Come on Tanaka, COME ON! I know I’m supposed to be impartial and whole, but Awesome deserves a good beating!”
Awesome goes to the outside, looking somewhat infuriated, and goes under the ring before returning with a table. Awesome slides the wood into the ring before going back under and returning with a LADDER! Awesome enters the ring and sets the ladder up in the corner, turns, and eats a Tornado DDT from Tanaka! Tanaka climbs to his feet, groggily, and sets the table up a few feet away from the ladder. Tanaka lifts Awesome up and lays him across the table, before slowly ascending up the ladder towards the top, ready to cause some serious damage. Awesome quickly climbs to his feet and slowly climbs up the ladder, underneath Tanaka and gets him on his shoulders … AWESOME BOMB ON TANAKA, FROM THE LADDER AND THROUGH THE TABLE!!! “EC-DUB! EC-DUB! EC-DUB!” Tanaka is down and out, he’s broken! Awesome sprawls on top of Tanaka as the referee counts; …1…2…3!!
Winner: Mike Awesome
Match Rating: 70%
Awesome climbs to his feet and slowly climbs to the outside, before walking off up the aisle. The fans applaud Tanaka who returns to his feet in the ring, completely refusing to acknowledge Awesome’s victory. Awesome stops on the ramp, and looks at Styles, who is at the commentary position. Awesome nods at Styles and smirks, infuriating the commentator, before heading off towards the back.
Joey Styles: “Can you believe the audacity of that man?! I wish someone would knock his damn block off!”
Styles brushes off his shirt and sighs.
Joey Styles: “Anyway, ECW is BACK and better than ever! Tanaka put up a great fight there, and was unfortunate to lose to *Joey speaks under his breath* Mike Awesome.”
He takes a moment, after stacking together his papers, before looking straight up at the camera.
Joey Styles: “Oh, don’t go away. You don’t wanna do that. Ya see, the ECW Title WILL be on the line in the main event as The Sandman defends the gold against Justin Credible! Yes folks, you don’t need a hearing-aid, this is ECW! No minors, no exceptions. The hardcore revolution. Remember the name, ‘cause we’re BACK!”
5. Innovation.
As Joey continues to speak, Alice In Chains’ “Man in the Box” plays. The fans explode with cheers as the “Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer emerges from the back, with a wide smile on his face. He looks around at the fans and nods his head, “we’re back baby, oh yeah, we’re back!” Dreamer walks down the aisle, slapping a few hands on his way, before entering the ring and retrieving a microphone as Styles dubs Dreamer as the “heart of ECW”. The music cuts out and Dreamer speaks.
Tommy Dreamer: “EC-Fuckin’-W!”
The fans once again cheer loudly, chanting “EC-Dub!” this time.
Tommy Dreamer: “If you asked me if ECW was comin’ back about eighteen months ago, I’d have laughed in your face an’ told ya to move on, ECW was dead. One Night Stand revived it, Resurrection cemented it and now we’re here to stay! ECW is back, nothin’ can stop us now!”
Dreamer nods his head as the fans continue to chant his name.
Tommy Dreamer: “We’re back in full force. Paul E, thanks. Each and every one of you crazy bastards…”
Dreamer turns and points to the fans.
Tommy Dreamer: “Th—“
“Well, isn’t that TREMENDOUS?!”
The boos begin to chime in loudly as none other than Cyrus The Virus steps out from the back, with a microphone in hand, looking as smug as ever. Cyrus is back! He’s back in the professional wrestling scene, and he’s here in Extreme Championship Wrestling! Joey goes ape shit at ringside, questioning why Cyrus was back – “he wasn’t even invited!”
Cyrus The Virus: “Tommy, nice speech lad, but let’s face it, this little resurrection thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, is it?”
He shakes his head, as he continues on his way down to the ring.
Cyrus The Virus: “You see Dreamer, I’ve heard people say that The Sandman embodied ECW, I’ve heard ‘em say that guys like Sabu and Van Dam WERE ECW, and that you were the heart of ECW…”
He stops just outside of the ring.
Cyrus The Virus: “… and I was the voice of ECW, and I didn’t even get a damn invite! Paul Heyman, I know you’re intimidated, I know Joey Styles is intimidated and I know that each and every one of these troglodytes in attendance tonight is intimidated by my sheer intellectual prowess, and the prospect of receiving a rightful verbal lashing from yours truly. Paul Heyman wanted to keep me away to keep the fans happy, and to keep the truth away. I speak the truth, Dreamer.”
He nods his head, but Dreamer speaks before he can continue.
Tommy Dreamer: “Bullshit.”
Cyrus looks baffled.
Cyrus The Virus: “What was that? Oh, you said I was speaking BS, right? Fact of the matter is, is that I, the Extreme Intellectual, am the only man here in this building with a voice. I am totally right, Dreamer. No, I’m not working for the USA Network or anything, ‘cause nobody needs their fix of Roller Jam anymore.”
He sniggers.
Cyrus The Virus: “But I am here to spread the word, to spread the truth. Dreamer, I’m totally in the right; I’m ALWAYS in the right. I AM ECW! I am the voice of the people, and what I say … should go. And you Dreamer? You should go. You’re past it.”
Dreamer shakes his head.
Cyrus The Virus: “No, don’t doubt my words my friend, embrace them. This is the truth. I’m totally right, and you’re … you’re … you are TOTALLY … ELIMINATED!”
TOTAL ELIMINATION TO DREAMER~!!! SATURN AND KRONUS ARE BACK TOGETHER! THE ELIMINATORS ARE BACK! Cyrus cackles on the outside as The Eliminators pull Dreamer up off the mat and set him up once again.
Joey Styles: “TOTAL ELIMINATION! THE ELIMINATORS ARE BACK IN ECW AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THEY’RE DOING CYRUS’ DIRTY WORK! Oh my GOD!”
Cyrus enters the ring and puts a quick, cheap stomp to Dreamer before raising Saturn and Kronus’ arms and mouthing “TREMENDOUS!” at the top of his voice. Cyrus and The Eliminators have made an impact tonight on ECW On The Network!
Segment Rating: 58%
6. ECW World Title: The Sandman © vs. Justin Credible
We return from a quick intermission, which had the sole purpose to put WWE Raw and SmackDown over, and return for the main event. Justin Credible is already in the ring, up on the top rope, with the Singapore Cane in hand. Jason and Francine are on the outside. Credible climbs off the top and waits for a few moments until the fans roar prematurely. Then, suddenly, “Enter Sandman” by Metallica hits to a MASSIVE pop from the ECW faithful. The fans begin to sing along with the music as The Sandman appears in the crowd, with the ECW title around his waist. He smokes a cigarette and downs a Budweiser before walking down the stairs. Then, he stops and smashes the can over his head, busting himself wide open! Sandman eventually makes his way through the crowd of people, after disposing of the can and the cigarette, and hops over the guardrail. Jason immediately runs towards him but eats a cane shot to the skull! Jason hits the deck like a sack of shit. Sandman turns his attention to Credible, who holds the cane like a sword, ready to fight.
Joey Styles: “The Sandman versus Justin Credible, ECW World Title on the line … right now! They’re ready to FIGHT!”
Sandman enters the ring and drops the ECW title on the mat. He then gestures for Credible to “bring it on”. Credible does as he is told and runs at Sandman, but takes a kick to the gut. Sandman proceeds to drive Credible head first into the mat with a quick DDT, before rolling over into an early cover, which gets a “one”. Sandman pulls Credible up and whips him across the ring and into the ropes. Credible comes flying back with a forearm smash, to knock the Hardcore Icon down to the canvas. Credible then lifts Sandman up and tosses him into the corner before picking the Singapore Cane up. Credible charges towards Sandman and takes a boot to the face! Sandman steps out of the corner and wraps the cane around Credible’s throat, before looking for the White Russian Leg Sweep, but Credible fights out of it with a low blow! The boos reel in as Credible wraps the cane around Sandman’s throat and takes him out with his own variation of the White Russian Leg Sweep! Sandman could be down for the count here! Credible covers; …1…2…, kick out! Francine slides a table into the ring, after a few failed attempts, and with some assistance from Jason. Credible sets the table up, turns and takes a kick to the mid-section from Sandman, who proceeds to look for a powerbomb, until Credible leaps down behind him. Sandman turns and he is almost beheaded via a superkick straight to the jaw from Credible! He almost decapitated the champion! Credible picks Sandman up, with the damage done, and nails him with the That’s Incredible spinning tombstone piledriver in the centre of the ring! He quickly covers, sensing that he has the victory in his grasp, as referee Jim Molineaux gets into position to count; …1…2…, kick out!
Joey Styles: “THE SANDMAN KICKS OUT! Credible thought he had ‘em!”
Credible picks the cane up and picks Sandman up; perhaps looking to finish him o—WHITE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! THE SANDMAN CONNECTS WITH THE WHITE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP ON CREDIBLE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! OH MY GOD! Sandman falls on top of Credible; …1…2…, Jason breaks it up! Jason pulls Sandman up and looks for a thrust kick, but Sandman blocks and nails Jason over the head with the cane, busting him wide open! Jason hits the deck and rolls to the outside as Credible returns to his feet. Sandman turns to Credible and takes a kick to the gut. Credible proceeds to hook Sandman up and suplexes him through the table! Sandman is down, lying amongst the broken wood! Credible moves into the cover; …1…2…, KICK OUT! The Sandman somehow survived once again! Credible climbs to his feet, he can’t believe it! He can’t believe The Sandman’s resilience! Credible looks to finish Sandman off, but Sandman begins to mount a fight back! Francine rushes into the ring with a chair, and accidentally cracks Credible in the skull with it, busting him wide open! Sandman disposes of Francine, throwing her to the outside, before finishing off Credible with ANOTHER White Russian Leg Sweep, this time onto the steel chair! The Sandman covers as the fans cheer loudly, they’re ecstatic, The Sandman could have it won here! Molineaux counts; …1…2…3!
Winner: The Sandman
Match Rating: 65%
The referee hands an exhausting looking Sandman the belt, and the champion looks at the gold, with a smile on his face. He’s done well to retain the gold tonight, in his first title defence since defeating Credible last month to capture the gold. The celebrations are cut short.
Joey Styles: “HEY! That’s ROB VAN DAM!!”
RVD slides into the ring behind The Sandman, and waits for him to turn, before kicking the belt into his face! Van Dam just laid the champion out with the Van Daminator!!
The fans jeer loudly as the first ever edition of “ECW on the Network” fades to a close.
Show Rating: 64%
-
Extreme Championship Wrestling in review.
“A Roster In Review”
30th of June 2006 edition.
When you think of Extreme Championship Wrestling, you’re inclined to associate it with the likes of The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, Rob Van Dam, Shane Douglas, Taz, Sabu and Raven; as it was those superstars who rose to the top of their respective wrestling mountain in Philadelphia. However, it would be crude to associate a mere seven superstars with a promotion which was at one-time, the third of the three in the United States, and the only promotion with a rabid, extreme cult following. Extreme Championship Wrestling as like no other – it had real attitude.
A superstar who characterises ECW for what it is worth is Axl Rotten. Rotten doesn’t have the technical attributes, no is he a physical “masterpiece”, but the fact of the matter is, you don’t need to be. Axl is always up for a fight, and to give or receive a good old fashioned beating. He takes no prisoners with his extreme style and his hardcore nature. He and his partner Balls Mahoney, who is very similar to Rotten in his take-no-prisoners brawling style, make up the tag team of the Chair Swinging Freaks.
When you think of Beulah McGillicutty, you think of Dreamer or Raven. Beulah was perhaps one of the first ladies of Extreme Championship Wrestling, with her quite clearly not looking to take the easy way out of situations. She was brought into the promotion by Stevie Richards, and quickly became Raven’s valet in a well-devised mind-game plan to get one over on Dreamer. The story goes that back in summer camp, Beulah was fat and Dreamer kept knocking back her advances. Raven ended up sleeping with her. Then, as the years went on, Beulah changed and ended up appearing in Penthouse. This led to Raven accepting her, but it also led to her moving on to align herself with Tommy Dreamer, who she later married.
They are as Italian as apple pie itself. The Full Blooded Italians are made up of Little Guido, Big Sal E Graziano, Tony Mamaluke and Big Vito (who was formally known as Skull Von Krush). Guido and Sal are actually Italian, Mamaluke is as American as apple pie and Vito, well, nobody knows nor do they care. The fans of Extreme Championship Wrestling, despite their chants of “pizza”, have accepted the FBI as somewhat of a joke, despite what they are all capable of within the squared circle.
At the ECW Resurrection event we saw the return of Christian York. York was once a blue chipper with a bright future ahead of him, along with former Tag Team partner Joey Matthews (who has now gone on to become a WWE superstar). However, the blue chipper returned to ECW with a chip on his shoulder. He blamed ECW for his lack of career success, and inevitably held a grudge for his more successful former partner. Along with Elektra, who appeared by his side at the pay per view, York certainly has a clear game-plan, but what will he do to achieve it?
“The Enforcer” CW Anderson is one of the most dangerous superstars to set-foot into ECW. Anderson’s hard-hitting style is unforgiving, and before ECW’s initial demise in 2001, he was set to move onto bigger things. Surprisingly, after ECW folded, Anderson wasn’t picked up by the WWE and was left to flock around the independent wrestling scene and Japan. Now that ECW has returned, and after CW racked up an impressive victory over Tommy Dreamer at ECW Resurrection, you must consider the possibility of 2006 being the year of The Enforcer.
The ECW Tag Team Champions are the mismatched duo of Danny Doring and the “Angry Amish” Roadkill. These two, despite being somewhat oddities, are a very capable tag team. With Roadkill’s cry of “CHICKENZ~!” and with Doring’s over-bearing confidence, this team is nothing short of being capable. They are technically the longest reigning ECW Tag Team Champions to date, having won the titles on the 26th of August 2000 – almost six years ago! How will this team fair, after a certain degree of absence from each other, in 2006?
He’s not just the coolest, he’s just not the best, he’s not just a former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, he’s Justin Credible! Credible, along with Jason and the “Head Cheerleader” Francine by his side, is a dangerous competitor. He can match up his cockiness with the callousness he displays in the ring. He defeated Rhino at Shane Douglas’ Hardcore Homecoming II event to capture the ECW World Championship, but lost it to The Sandman at ECW Resurrection the night after. Credible is not a man to let grudges and rivalry go, so he will certainly do his utmost to re-capture the gold from The Sandman come ECW’s indefinite return.
The hard-hitting Japanese superstar Masato Tanaka may be best remembered for his bloody, violent brawls with Mike Awesome during ECW and at last years ECW One Night Stand event. However, some seem to forget that Tanaka is VERY capable of achieving big things, as he is a former ECW World Heavyweight Champion. However, his on-going commitments in Japan somewhat got the better of him during his ECW career, and he was eventually defeated by Awesome. With the return of ECW, Tanaka has signed a deal to indefinitely keep him with the promotion – Tanaka has one thing on his mind, to take the ECW title back.
Mike Awesome is perhaps the most legitimately hated man within ECW. Awesome left ECW as the World Heavyweight Champion for a multi-million dollar contract in Eric Bischoff’s World Championship Wrestling, and showed up as the ECW Champion on WCW Television. This left Awesome as a man hated by many in the ECW locker room. However, one condition of Vince McMahon’s funded ECW return was for Heyman to give Awesome an undeserved second chance. Heyman reluctantly agreed, and now Mike Awesome is once again a full-fledged ECW star.
When Natural Born Killaz hits you know you’re in for a fight. The “Original Gangsta” New Jack is known for doing whatever it takes to get the win, whether it be mutilating his opponents with various foreign objects, or from diving from the balconies onto his enemies, New Jack is one crazed son-of-a-gun. A man with justifiable homicides to his name and the man who was deeply involved in the infamous “Mass Transit” incident, New Jack is a livewire, a man with an extremely short-fuse. This as made him popular with the ECW fans, and his return to the wrestling fold at ECW Resurrection generated excitement amongst the ECW faithful, who had called to see the Original Gangsta in an ECW ring once again.
“We’ve got three words for ya. We’re taking over!” The Blue World Order, made up of Big Stevie Cool, Da Buy Guy and Hollywood Nova, are a parody of WCW’s most marketable success, the New World Order. However, the difference is, the Blue World Order are well and alive, and “don’t require walking-frames and heavy medication”, according to Stevie Richards. With ECW back in full force, will the Blue World Order finally take over?
He’s the “Whole F’n Show”, “Mr Monday Monday Night”, “Mr Pay Per View”, he’s Rob Van Dam! RVD is probably the most popular man in the promotion, having racked up an impressive 23 month run with the Television Championship before being forced to forfeit it via injury. However, at ECW Resurrection, the attitude which made the man hated by many in ECW at the beginning of his tenure within the promotion has seemingly returned – he cares more about himself than the company itself, and will do anything to return to the bigger leagues and become “Mr Monday Night” once again. With Bill Alfonso by his side, and with his formidable athleticism, you have got to wonder whether anyone will be able to stop the Whole F’n Show in his quest to return to the “big league”.
Simon Diamond has a problem. So does Johnny Swinger, who seemingly has a problem with anyone who Simon has a problem with. Simon’s arrogance, and his “Simon Says” shtick, is obnoxious and irritating, but as any ECW fan knows, Simon is very capable once he enters the ring. Ignore the third-person, ignore his voice, heck, just ignore him out of the ring, and you have a very bright athlete on your hands. Oh, and you also have Swinger.
Little Spike Dudley is the runt of the Dudley littler. A man who made a name for himself within ECW for his “never say never” attitude, and his refusal to back down from a fight. This attitude made Spike Dudley the “Giant Killer”. Since ECW’s demise, Spike hasn’t been able to capture the success he once had in Philly, and now strives to emulate it as he re-enters the promotion.
ECW Television Champion Super Crazy is one of the brightest superstars to make a successful crossover from Mexico to the United States. Crazy’s high-flying nature within the ring as made him the “Insane Luchadore”, with him doing whatever it takes to win matches. He even defeated Rhino at Hardcore Homecoming II earlier on in the month to capture the TV title, in what some would call a huge upset. Super Crazy will obviously be looking to move onto bigger things in the promotion – could he mount a, which some would call impossible, World Title challenge as ECW restarts? Only time will tell.
The “Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer is one of ECW’s most seasoned-professionals and the heart of the promotion. Dreamer is renowned for his bitter feud with Raven, which spanned over several years, and even went on to capture the ECW Title, for a matter of minutes, towards the end of ECW’s tenure. The veteran passed out to a CW Anderson submission at ECW Resurrection a few weeks ago, but one thing Dreamer can stick by, is the fact that he’s never quit. Will he look for payback?
The ECW World Heavyweight Champion is the man who embodies the promotion like no other, The Sandman. The Sandman is a multi-time former World Champion, and recently beat Justin Credible at ECW Resurrection to re-capture the gold. The alcohol loving veteran is once again at the top of the ECW ladder, making him the most wanted man in ECW. Will the Singapore Cane wielding Hardcore Icon re-capture the success he had over six years ago, before the promotion closed, or was his title win over Justin Credible a “one off”? ECW is set to return, and it’ll return with the Hardcore Icon at the top of the mountain.
-
It was apparent that Vince McMahon wanted to attach the brand new ECW brand to the legacy it once had, when it was its own entity. Prior to Shane Douglas’ “Hardcore Homecoming II” event, fans were wondering why McMahon had enabled several of the WWE contracted workers, including Stevie Richards, Super Crazy, Little Guido and Tommy Dreamer, to work the show. It was apparent that it came with a price, so the sole wrestling event could act as an entity which would enable the title transitions from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling superstars to World Wrestling Entertainment superstars. Logically, if matches were held to crown new champions without the existing champions in the mix, people would have questioned whether or not the winner was the “real” champion.
In another shock move at ECW Resurrection, we saw Rob Van Dam turn on his Extreme Championship Wrestling heritage. One minute he was the best thing since sliced bread to the fans, but when he began to “shoot” on Heyman and ECW, the respect was seemingly lost.
“Why am I out here, eh Paul E? I have my reasons, and no, it isn’t a back-dated paycheque. Ya see Paul, that’s the past. A few years ago I’d have bitten your arm off for that, but not now. I’m here to collect a prize which has eluded me for my career, the ECW World Title. Sure, in prestige terms, it runs at the same level as the WWE Intercontinental Title, which I’ve held, but I bet it’d rake in some dollar.”“Paul, I was the biggest player in ECW before it closed – if it wasn’t for me, it’d have died a lot more prematurely. Hell, if you threw the World Title on me, we’d probably be around today – but you’re a paranoid old fool, you thought I was gonna do an ‘Awesome’ with the belt. (The fans start to boo) Hey! HEY! I hope you aren’t jeering me, ‘cause let’s face it, I’m the reason you’ve took a sick day of your run-of-the-mill job, in your run-of-the-mill life, to be here! You’re here to see me, Rob – Van – Dam!”
“ECW, I owe you nothing. Paul Heyman, you and ECW owe me EVERYTHING! Including those cheques. Yeah, I worked for free. That World Title Paul, it’ll belong to me. It’ll be around my waist before the nights over, whether you or your bounced cheques like it or not. I’ll be back on Monday Nights or on Thursday Nights before you knew it – it’s where I belong; at the top! Heyman, I could’ve gone to WCW when ECW was in full-flow, I could’ve accepted Bischoff’s offers and took my talents to the mainstream, but I was too blinded by my ‘love’ for EC-F’n-W to do that. If WCW was around, and if Bischoff flashed his million dollar rubber cheque book at me now … there’s no chance in hell I’d turn it down!”
"It's no longer about (mockingly does the thumbs) E-C-Dub, it's about (thumbs) Rob - Van - Dam!"
- Rob Van Dam @ ECW Resurrection -
Marching into 2006
The rest of 2005 was engulfed in tragedy, surrounding the shock death of Eddie Guerrero. After a week of memorial shows, things continued as normal for World Wrestling Entertainment. Eddie Guerrero is truly missed by the professional wrestling community.
In 2006 itself, Vince McMahon had an idea. An idea which was set to take place on the 11th of June of that year, the same weekend which saw the “One Night Stand” event. ECW was set to rise from the ashes once again, due to the success of the prior year’s event. The event was formally announced in January, and was immediately surrounded by hype. Would it be able to out-do the first One Night Stand event? Would it be able to capture the promotions spirit once again?
However, things weren’t looking promising. Superstars who were able to appear on the prior years event, such as Rhino, Sabu and The Dudley Boys, had all found their way to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. There names were immediately struck off the list. Lance Storm had fully retired from the business, opting to focus solely on running his wrestling school and his family life. Chris Jericho was on indefinite hiatus from the business. Tajiri had headed back to Japan to focus on a new career, and on family life, much like Lance Storm. Many of the names which made the first event a success were unavailable.
On top of this, Shane Douglas decided to run “Hardcore Homecoming II”, the follow up to last years event which was quite clearly made with the intent to compete with One Night Stand, on the same weekend as the new ECW event – and due to his ties with TNAW, the contracted workers were able to appear. This instantly stole some of the thunder from the WWE backed event.
On the Saturday, the day before “ECW Resurrection”, in a shock move, Rhino (who was contracted to TNAW) lost the ECW World Championship to Justin Credible in the main event, after losing the ECW Television Championship earlier on in the night to WWE contracted worker Super Crazy. Rumours circulated around the wrestling community, suggesting that ECW was set to return full-time.
ECW Resurrection Results11th June 2006
Joey Styles and Mick Foley call the action.
1. ECW Television Champion Super Crazy defeated Mikey Whipwreck & Little Guido in a “Three Way” match to retain the title.
The match was back and forth between the three competitors. Whipwreck was the first to be eliminated after a roll-up from Super Crazy. Big Sal Graziano and Tony Mamaluke tried to get involved, wearing the FBI attire, to help Guido, but inevitably cost him the match as Mamaluke’s errant Superkick hit Guido straight in the jaw. This enabled Crazy to capitalise, hitting the trifecta moonsaults, from each of the buckles in the corner, on Guido for the win.
2. Heyman explains all.
Paul Heyman comes out from the back wearing his leather jacket and baseball cap to a chorus of “Paul E” chants. Heyman explains that there isn’t going to be any “shooting” tonight, just a lot of straight talking. Heyman says that Rhino lost the World and Television Championships to Super Crazy and Justin Credible, respectively, at Shane Douglas’ event last night. Heyman says that “the boys in Florida were scared that our barbed wire was legitimate” so its contracted stars, such as Sabu, Lynn and The Dudleys, weren’t able to appear. Heyman says that he loves the fans, he loves the ECW roster, and damn, he loves EC-Fucking-W! He tells the fans to enjoy the show, because as always, EC-Fucking-W has no minors and it definitely has no exceptions!
3. Rob Van Dam wants his due.
Rob Van Dam comes out as Heyman looks to head off out of the arena. Rob stops Heyman and asks him about his reward for being the most successful Television Champion in ECW’s history. And no, he doesn’t want his back-dated paycheque. Rob says that Heyman never gave him another shot at the World Title, because he was afraid that Rob would do a “Mike Awesome”. Van Dam said that it was bullshit, because he was one wrestler who was truly ECW for life. He didn’t use the term loosely. He worked for free, because without R-V-D, ECW would have died a lot more prematurely. Van Dam says that he doesn’t owe ECW anything, ECW owes him. The fans start to get on Van Dam’s back. Van Dam says that he’s the Whole Fucking Show, and tonight he’ll claim the gold – whether Heyman makes the match or not. Van Dam then leaves, with the fans jeering heavily.
4. ECW Tag Team Champions Danny Doring and Roadkill defeat Spike Dudley & New Jack, and Balls & Axl
The ban on New Jack in New York has apparently been lifted. He’s no longer a wanted man. Spike came out without a partner to begin things, but was ambushed by Doring and Roadkill. Axl and Balls came out and began to take it to everyone, until Natural Born Killaz hit to the big “mark-out” moment of the show. The fans began to sing along with the music as New Jack, with his “trash can full of chaos” according to Joey Styles, began to take it to everyone who got into his way. Balls, Axl, Roadkill and New Jack were all left bloodied around the outside, as Doring flattened Spike with a flying leg drop, onto a steel chair and onto Spike Dudley, for the win.
5. Christian York has something to say.
Christian York came out from the back, along with Elektra, both looking bitter. York says that what Dreamer told him five or so years ago was exactly right; none of this was worth it. York says that his very own tag team partner ditched him, “enjoying the BIG Tag Titles, Joey?” York goes onto says that the scars he gained in ECW lost him employment. Nobody wanted him because of his ECW past. ECW was a joke, ECW was a disgrace; he hates everything about ECW!
6. Tommy Dreamer defeats Christian York
Dreamer comes out to a huge pop and gets into York’s face. York strikes first, but after a few moments, it is quite clear that he is no match for the veteran Innovator of Violence. Dreamer flattens York with the Spicolli Driver and gets the three count.
7. CW Anderson defeats Tommy Dreamer by knock-out.
Dreamer is in the ring, celebrating, but CW Anderson ambushes him from behind with a vicious chair shot to the back of the head! Anderson says that it’s been “five long years”, and “revenge is on the menu”. Anderson lifts Dreamer up and drills him with an Anderson Spinebuster before taking the chair and using it to apply some sort of camel clutch on Dreamer. Dreamer refuses to tap out as the fans get behind him. Joey informs us that Anderson must be still bitter about losing that “I Quit” match to Dreamer at Guilty as Charged back in 2001. Dreamer eventually passes out to the pain, and a referee raises his arm three times, before awarding the win to Anderson.
8. The Sandman defeats ECW World Champion Justin Credible to become the NEW champion.
Sandman and Credible go at it, brawling. Jason tries to intervene as Sandman takes control, but eats a Singapore Cane shot to the skull. Sandman plants Credible with a White Russian Leg Sweep but Lance Storm gets involved. Storm takes it to Sandman until Chris Jericho, clad with the Lionheart attire, runs out from the back to chase Storm away! We’re eventually left with Credible and Sandman, both bleeding, looking to take the advantage. A ladder finds its way into the ring. Credible lifts Sandman up and plants him with the “That’s Incredible” but Sandman kicks out on ‘two’. Credible goes for another That’s Incredible but Sandman counters with a huge back body drop, sending Credible crashing on the ladder! Francine enters the ring and hits Sandman with a low blow, until Beulah runs in to take her out! CAAAAAATFIIIIIGHT~! Credible looks to take control but the Blue World Order of Richards, Meanie and Nova run in! Richards takes Credible down with a superkick and covers, but Credible kicks out on two! Balls, Axl and Kid Kash enter the ring and take it to the Blue World Order. Credible climbs to his feet and takes a White Russian Leg Sweep from Sandman, onto the ladder! Sandman covers; …1..2…3! New ECW Champion!
9. Celebration.
Sandman grabs a few beers and downs them, raising the ECW Title into the air with tears in his eyes. The ECW locker room spill out from the back and enter the ring, all celebrating with The Sandman. Dreamer and Balls Mahoney lift Sandman up onto their shoulders, as he still drinks the beer. Sandman raised the title into the air as Rob Van Dam emerged from the back, hands on hips, as ECW Resurrection faded to a close.
And once again, it was a success. The fans loved it. On the grand scheme of things, so did Vince McMahon. The Rise and Fall of ECW DVD had been a success, One Night Stand had been a success and now ECW Resurrection was a success. Vince McMahon had the opportunity to bleed the ECW name dry, to milk as much money from it as possible and to denounce the hype which currently surrounded Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He didn’t even consult Heyman.
On the following nights Raw, Joey Styles outlined that ECW was once again a success. Later on in the show, a video package was played – ECW was set to takeover Saturday Nights, to take over Velocity’s rejuvenated one hour timeslot on the USA Network.
ECW was ready to return.
-
Extreme Championship Wrestling 2006
The Resurrection
In 1997 Extreme Championship Wrestling struck a pot of gold by ensuring a pay per view deal. It showcased its first pay per view event on the 13th of April 1997 with Barely Legal, a night which would forever remembered by every collective soul who had something to do with ECW, whether it be Paul Heyman, the wrestlers or the fans; it was a night which was to never be forgotten. Terry Funk captured the ECW World Heavyweight Championship after beating The Sandman and Stevie Richards in a triangle match, before going on to beat the champion Raven in the main event to take the gold. Shockingly, if the show had run for a few extra minutes, the generators would have blown and the pay per view would have gone off the air, before its huge climax. Luckily, that wasn’t the case.
Extreme Championship Wrestling on pay per view was a success.
However, as the show went on, its makers left the fold. Raven flocked to World Championship Wrestling, along with Stevie Richards and the lucha libre superstars which Paul Heyman had brought to Philadelphia. Heyman and ECW didn’t have the billion dollar budget which Ted Turner could hand-feed Eric Bischoff with in WCW, so he couldn’t compete with their offers, and ultimately, he lost some of his biggest names to the billion dollar enterprises. He lost some of the superstars which were key parts of the ECW roster to his sworn enemy Eric Bischoff, the man who bled ECW’s talent roster dry.
Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and Psicosis were all recognised due to their stints in ECW, and were eventually transported down South to Georgia to compete under Bischoff and WCW. Raven, The Sandman, Stevie Richards, Lance Storm, Chris Candido, Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow, Perry Saturn and Mike Awesome all went to World Championship Wrestling at one point or another, and some had more successful stints than others.
Heyman, the ECW alumni and the fans had to cross a long-winding road with many twists and turns. It wasn’t going to be easy for them, especially since ECW lacked the larger than life budgets which its ‘opposition’ had to work with. Paul Heyman didn’t have Ted Turner’s pay-cheque, nor did he inherit the biggest wrestling promotion in North America from his father. He took Eastern Championship Wrestling and moulded it into something of his own. When Shane Douglas took the NWA Heavyweight Championship, after defeating Too Cold Scorpio, and threw it down onto the canvas like a piece of trash, Heyman’s masterpiece came-to-be.
“Tonight, before God and my father as witness, I declare... myself, “the Franchise,” as the new ECW heavyweight champion of the world! We have set out to change the face of professional wrestling. So, tonight, let the new era begin! The era of the sport of professional wrestling. The era of the “Franchise.” The era of the E-C-W!” – “The Franchise” Shane DouglasAs The Franchise confidently spoke in the centre of the NWA ring, to the shocked spectators, it was evident that something big was in full flow. And it was. The words which The Franchise spoke were to be the words which would inevitably redefine professional wrestling forever. This was ECW, but not longer Eastern by name, this was Extreme.
The cornerstones of Extreme Championship Wrestling.Shane Douglas instantly became the cornerstone of the promotion, quickly capturing the Television Championship. Douglas went onto become one of the promotions most notorious stars, taking shots at the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair at any chance possible, and capturing the ECW World Heavyweight Championship on numerous occasions.
There was also Taz, a man despite his size, who was built up to be one of the promotions most dominant superstars. No fancy gimmick, no over the top entrance, just a one man wrecking crew.
Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal. The death-defying Sabu, a man whose body was lined with scars, scars which told the story of each of the gruelling battles he had endured over his career. Sabu is the nephew of the Original Sheik, and often shows his gratitude to the man who trained him by pointing to the sky, after putting his life on the line during his matches.
Nobody embodied ECW like The Sandman. A man who drank with the fans during his entrance, as Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” played, while smoking a cigarette. The Sandman brawled, he got busted open and he won titles. After each bout, he came back stronger. Maybe the alcohol took out the sting? One thing is for sure, the fans loved the Hardcore Icon.
The Sandman might have embodied the spirit of ECW, but the “Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer was the heart of the promotion. Dreamer cried for ECW, he sweat for ECW and he bled for ECW. There was no superstar more loyal to the cause than Dreamer, who surprisingly started off as a ‘pretty boy’ rookie for the promotion, with the fans on his back, but things changed when Dreamer proved that he had heart. After a Singapore Cane match with The Sandman, Dreamer refused to let The Sandman let-off with the cane shots and called for more despite the agony he endured. From this point onwards, Tommy Dreamer because one of the most widely associated names with the promotion. He became the Innovator of Violence.
The promotion built its foundations on a wrestling veteran, a man who became a Hardcore Legend, Terry Funk. Everyone wanted to see Funk succeed, and when he finally did at Barely Legal 1997, ECW’s first pay per view, the fans were ecstatic. A bloody Terry Funk celebrated with the fans, having finally won the big one within the promotion.
The biggest star which ECW created was perhaps the dark, brooding figure of Raven. Raven was involved in some of ECW’s biggest feuds, including one which lasted for numerous years against his arch-enemy Tommy Dreamer. In another feud, Raven stole The Sandman’s family (Sandman’s wife Lori and his son Tyler), and even went onto crucify the hardcore icon, in an act which would disgust many. Raven was ECW’s most dominant figures during his two tenures there. He eventually left to WCW, after losing to Dreamer in a “loser leaves town” match, but returned in 1999 on an episode of ECW on TNN by helping his arch enemy defeat The Dudley Boys, who were heading to the World Wrestling Federation, to capture the ECW Tag Team Titles.
Many other superstars were also synonymous with the promotion. The Public Enemy, The Dudley Boys, New Jack, Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten, just to name a few. Among itself, ECW created many names, names which would do their all for the company. They bled ECW until its death on the 7th of January 2001, with its last event Guilty as Charged.
Prior to the event, hope was lost as ECW lost its network television deal with TNN, who wanted to bring in Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation on a billion dollar contract. Heyman continued to push the envelope with the promotion, feeling that it wasn’t giving ECW sufficient promotion, and ended up delivering a ‘shoot interview’ live on air.
Without the television deal, ECW lost the cash it needed to survive. The budgets were running low, and some of the workers continued to work for free. Guilty as Charged saw the promotions last official event.
ECW Guilty as Charged – January 7th 2001
- Bilvis Wesley defeated Mike Bell
- Cyrus The Virus & Jerry Lynn defeated Christian York & Joey Matthews
- Doring & Roadkill defeated Hot Commodity to retain the ECW Tag Team Titles
- Nova defeated Chris Hamrick
- Tommy Dreamer defeated CW Anderson in a “I Quit” match
- Yoshihiro Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck defeated Kid Kash & Super Crazy, and the FBI in a “three way” match
- Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger versus Chilly Willy & Balls Mahoney went to a no contest
- The Sandman defeated Steve Corino and Justin Credible in a three way “tables, ladders, chairs and canes” match to win the ECW World Title.
- ECW Television Champion Rhino defeated The Sandman to capture the ECW World Title.
- Rob Van Dam defeated Jerry Lynn
Extreme Championship Wrestling was dead. Gone. Over. It remained that way for over four years, until Vince McMahon decided to resurrect it for one night only, for a “One Night Stand”. One Night Stand was set to feature superstars from the promotions past – but unfortunately, due to contractual obligations with the other promotions in North America, and due to the fact that some of ECW’s workers had moved on away from their ECW roots, and even due to the general dislike of Paul Heyman and his methods, some of ECW’s most precious alumni (Raven, Jerry Lynn, New Jack and Shane Douglas to name a few) weren’t able to appear at the event.
However, despite this, it was a success. The fans in the Hammerstein Ballroom ate the nostalgia up, the ECW chants prevailed once again.
ECW One Night Stand – June 12th 2005
- Lance Storm w/ Dawn Marie defeated Chris Jericho
- Super Crazy defeated Tajiri & Little Guido in a Three Way match.
- Rey Mysterio defeated Psychosis
- Sabu w/ Bill Alfonso defeated Rhino
- Chris Benoit defeated Eddie Guerrero
- Mike Awesome defeated Masato Tanaka
- The Dudley Boys defeated Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman
Also, littered throughout the night, were clips of ECW’s historic past. We also saw two “shoot interviews”, one from Rob Van Dam and one from Paul Heyman. ECW was back and in full force, despite the fact that the event lasted for a few hours. The spirit of the promotion was well and truly alive.
-
What is Angels and Airwaves?
-
10. InMe - "Safe In A Room"
9. Nine Inch Nails - "Every Day Is Exactly The Same"
8. Roadrunner United - "The End"
7. Trivium - "The Deceived"
6. Bullet For My Valentine - "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow"
5. Mudvayne - "Happy?"
4. Sevendust - "Hero"
3. Sevendust - "Failure"
2. Trivium - "Like Light To The Flies"
1. Nine Inch Nails - "Right Where It Belongs"
-
Sevendust
- Pieces
- The Last Song
- T.O.A.B
- Face to Face
- Home
- Rumble Fish
- Black
- Speak
- Face
- Born to Die
Machine Head
- Imperium
- Seasons Wither
- Davidian
-
5. Hours by Funeral For a Friend
Key Tracks: Streetcar & Roses For The Dead
4. Mesmerize by System of a Down
Key Tracks: Sad Statue, Lost in Hollywood & Radio Video
3. With Teeth by Nine Inch Nails
Key Tracks: The Hand That Feeds, Right Where It Belongs & Everyday is Exactly The Same
2. Next by Sevendust
Key Tracks: Failure, Never & The Last Song
1. Hypnotize by System of a Down
Key Tracks: Kill Rock N Roll, Soldier Side & Dreaming
World Wrestling Federation 2002
in The Dome Retro Room
Posted · Edited by LK.
World Wrestling Federation RAW
Monday 8th April 2002
Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler call the action.
1. If you’re not with me, you’re against me.
We open up the show with Ric Flair standing in the ring. No introduction, no video, no music. Flair stands, neck brace on, microphone in hand with a solemn look on his face. He looks as if he’s hurting; obviously still feeling the effects from the stunner he received last week from the “Texas Rattlesnake” Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Flair: “Stone Cold, I don’t appreciate what’cha did last week, pal.”
He nods his head, but feels a twinge, and promptly cringes with the pain.
Flair: “Ya see Steve, I’m the boss-man around here – and I don’t appreciate being attacked! Sure, you’re a rebel, you’re a bad-ass, and quite frankly, you don’t give a damn … but we coulda’ worked together, Steve. It doesn’t have to be Austin versus Vinnie Mac version two, it can be Austin and Flair … an alliance!”
He pauses for a moment.
Flair: “We can work together Steve, for the good of Ric Flair’s Monday Night Ra—“
#GLASS SHATTERS# The fans explode with a HUGE pop as Stone Cold Steve Austin storms out from the back, with his cut jeans and vest on. Austin, as usual, doesn’t acknowledge the fans; he just enters the ring and goes up onto each of the turnbuckles to “salute” everyone. He hops down and calls for a microphone as Flair steps back.
Austin: “What? You think you an’ I could be good ol’ buddies, eh Flair?”
Flair gives Austin a thumbs up.
Austin: “AH-AH! When you decided ta’ take me out of that Undisputed Title battle royal last week, when you replaced me with Big Show, we stopped bein’ buddies!”
He nods his head, storming around the squared circle.
Austin: “Ya see Flair, I don’t gi’ a RATS-ASS about the n-W-o! I don’t care! Ah-AH! Ol’ Stone Cold don’t care! See, I want the Undisputed Title! I wanna be the Undisputed Champion, Ric. I know you wan’ me ta’ open a can-a-whoopass on Hogan and co, but it ain’t happenin’! I ain’t doin’ your biddin’, Flair. If the New World Order cross me, they’ll get their asses kicked! If they don’t … I won’t strike!”
Austin nods his head, but Flair quickly fires back out of desperation.
Flair: “Steve, Steve … I forgot to tell ya your match for tonight.”
Austin looks at Flair, looking a bit confused.
Flair: “It’ll be you and Kane against … Kevin Nash and Scott Hall of the nWo!”
Ross comments on how it seems as though Flair wants Austin on his side to combat the New World Order.
Flair: “Woo—“
Austin snatches the microphone away from Flair. The tension is noticeable. Both men stand face to face for a few moments, silently. Austin then gives Flair the middle fingers – it’s all still silent. No word is spoken. We go to the commercial break. (OR: 89%)
2. Brock Lesnar defeats Raven & Tommy Dreamer
Brock came down to the ring with Heyman and went on “kill-spree” mode. He dominated Raven and Dreamer for a few moments with powerbombs, suplexes and every other move you can think of, until he hit Dreamer with the F5. Raven escaped to the outside, not wanting anymore of Heyman’s fierce rookie, as the big-man finished Dreamer off with another F5 for the three count and the victory. (OR: 69%)
3. That’s SO not your colour!
We go backstage to the locker room area, to where we see Billy and Chuck standing with each other. Billy is parading around in an increasingly tight pair of blue wrestling tights. Chuck has his hand on his head, thinking “oh my.”
Chuck: “Dude, that’s SO not your colour! Blue like, SO doesn’t justify that butt of yours.”
Billy: “Why not, Chuck? It’s GREAT! It brings out the best in me. Hell, Mr Ass is back, son! Look at it!”
Chuck: “Man, your fashion sense as SO gone down lately. The colours are WRONG, man, wrong!”
Billy can’t believe what he’s hearing. He looks shocked.
Chuck: “Listen Billy, no offence, but I’ve hired us someone who could help us BOTH out. Ya know, a stylis—“
“Heeeyyy BOYS!”
Suddenly, a man with wolverine-esque sideburns flamboyantly enters the room, hands on hips, limp-wristed and all of that. The man wears a tight leopard skin suit, with no shirt underneath.
Chuck: “Billy, this is Rico!”
Rico begins to eye up Billy’s ass.
Rico: “Yeah Chucky-poo, I see what you mean … blue is SO not Billy’s colour!”
Suddenly, Rico slaps Gunn’s ass, with Gunn leaping up into the air, looking shocked. Chuck just laughs a little as Rico continues.
Rico: “Red would do that FINE, cute, PERFECT butt of yours more justice, okay?”
Billy sheepishly nods as we go elsewhere. (OR: 57%)
4. The X-Rated Superstar.
We go to the corridors to where we see Val Venis standing by with The Coach. Venis looks dead serious.
Coach: “You wanted to spea—“
Venis quickly snatches the microphone off Coach, pushing the announcer out of the way.
Venis: “Yeah, I wanted to speak. Ya see, the adult movie industry as done NOTHIN’ but hinder my career. It’s held me back. Instead of winnin’ titles, I was winnin’ women. They didn’t care about my wrestling ability, they cared about my repertoire. They didn’t care about Val Venis the wrestler; they cared about Val Venis triple-X super-stud.”
He shakes his head.
Venis: “Not anymore. I’m all about business. I don’t care who I have ta’ stop, who I have ta’ beat or who I have ta’ bloody … it’s all about wrestling. I mean business. I’m Val Venis, the X-Rated superstar: brutal, violent and uncut! Monday Night Raw, get your damn censors ready, ‘cause a new and improved Val Venis is back…”
He waits for a moment.
Venis: “With a BANG!”
Venis walks away, with Coach looking a little puzzled, as we go back to the ring for the next match-up. (OR: 68%)
5. Val Venis defeats Test
The match is back and forth until its climax. Test misses with the Big Boot, which Venis ducks, before planting the big man with a quick DDT. Venis then goes up top and flies with the Money Shot, but Test gets the knees up. Venis falls back and Test looks for the Test Drive, but Venis counters with a school boy roll up, and throws his feet on the ropes for leverage. The referee doesn’t notice and counts the three, giving Val the cheap victory. The referee raises Venis’ arm high into the air as we go to another commercial. (OR: 62%)
6. Thou shalt not mess with Morgan Dudley
We go backstage to where Bubba Ray Dudley is standing by, sadistic look in his eyes, with his big little brother Morgan Dudley. Bubba stands in front of Morgan, eyes focused on the camera, with Morgan standing in the background, with an old school purple-esque trance Dudley Boyz sleeveless t-shirt on. Bubba grins as Morgan gets himself pumped.
Bubba: “Bradshaw, Faarooq … the Acolyte Protection Agency. Fact is, no one’s gonna’ be protectin’ either of ya tonight when my little brother, the monster Morgan Dudley hits the ring to kick some ass. Ya see, Morgan is an animal and tonight Faarooq, he’s gonna be UNLEASHED onto you!”
Bubba smirks.
Bubba: “When we were kids, Morgan was left at my pop’s house, in the basement, ‘cause they said he was insane. They said he didn’t have the marbles. See, my mother got around – they were seven of us. Morgan was the forgotten half-brother. They tried to tranquilise him with pills, they tried ta’ put him in a padded cell … but damn, not anymore.”
Morgan nods his head, grinning.
Bubba: “He’s back and he’s bad, he’s ready to make the kill. Faarooq, it’s your unlucky night. Don’t disrespect the Dudleys. Don’t disrespect me, don’t disrespect Morgan. Don’t mess with me, don’t mess with him…”
He cackles.
Bubba: “Faarooq, though shalt not mess with Morgan Dudley.”
Another pause.
Bubba: “Thou shalt not mess with the Dudleys!”
Bubba slaps Morgan on the chest and the duo walk, heading to the ring for the upcoming match. (OR: 61%)
7. Morgan Dudley defeats Faarooq
Faarooq takes it to his larger opponent with a series of clubbing blows. He gets the upper-hand with a running DDT, but Bubba leaps onto the apron for the distraction, preventing Faarooq from getting the cover. Bradshaw rushes to the ring and takes it to Bubba on the outside as Morgan raises to life. Faarooq turns and takes a kick to the gut, followed by the sit-out Spinebuster for the three count. Meanwhile, on the outside, Bradshaw connects with the Clothesline From Hell on Bubba, taking him out as we go to a commercial break. (OR: 57%)
8. The New World Order are ready, are you?
We go backstage to the New World Order’s locker room, to where we see Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Big Show and X-Pac all hanging out, doing different things. Hall and Nash are talking.
Hall: “Kev, it’s time.”
Nash: “The Outsiders are back in business, baby!”
Hall: “Damn right, chico. And tonight, we’re gonna’ be chalkin’ one up for da bad guys!”
Both men share a laugh as Hogan joins in the conversation.
Hogan: “That’s right BROTHERS! Tonight is the night when the New World Order get back into the swing of things – tonight is the beginnin’ of n-W-o DOMINATION! Screw Flair, screw Kane, screw Austin… we’re takin’ over!”
Hall and Nash nod their heads. Show stands up.
Big Show: “And no one’s gonna stop us.”
The New World Order members laugh as we go to the ring. (OR: 85%)
8. The Undisputed Champion of the world.
Motorhead’s “The Game” plays as Triple H steps out from the back, to a huge pop from the fans. The heavy guitar plays in the background as the lights flash. Triple H climbs onto the apron, belt around waist, and spits the water in trademark fashion before entering the ring. The fans keep chanting for The Game as he takes a microphone from Lillian Garcia. The music cuts.
HHH: “I’m the man everyone wants.”
Pause.
HHH: “I’m America’s Most Wanted. I’m the man each and every WWF superstar is gunning to takedown. Kurt Angle, The Undertaker – they both want to take me out and take the only thing which matters away from me. They want to take MY Undisputed Championship.”
He nods his head.
HHH: “Thing is, it ain’t happening.”
He laughs.
HHH: “This belt is staying with me, where it belongs. The Undertaker might have a decade of destruction under his belt – but the fact of the matter is, I’m the number one superstar in the business right now. Same for Kurt Angle and his Olympic Gold Medals… past accolades don’t matter when you’re in the ring with The Game because I am that damn good.”
He nods his head firmly. The fans are eating his words from the palm of his hands.
HHH: “And at Backlash, we collide. It’s Triple H, the Undisputed Champion of the world, versus Kurt Angle and The Undertaker. Triple threat match… three men, one winner. Me.”
#Deadman walkin’…” The fans respond with a mixed reaction, leaning towards more of a pop, as The Undertaker surges out from the back on his motorcycle. The roaring engines come to a halt at the bottom of the ramp. Taker climbs off the motorcycle and enters the ring, after taking a microphone. The American Bad-Ass goes face to face with Triple H, wearing his beanie and sunglasses, before beginning to speak.
Undertaker: “You’re the top dog, huh Hunter?”
Pause.
Undertaker: “You’re the big dog in The Undertaker’s yard, right? You’re the king, you’re the pitbull and me and Angle are the annoyin’ little terriers, right? We’re bitin’ at your ankles lookin’ to take control, but you’re shruggin’ us off ‘cause we’re small – right?”
Triple H confidently nods his head. “Oh yeah.”
Undertaker: “Thing is Hunter, the big dog might have the bark … but he ain’t always got the bite.”
Taker smirks. This gets a pop from the fans. The Cerebral Assassin quickly responds.
HHH: “I can assure you Taker, I’ve got the bite. I beat Jericho for the Undispu—“
Undertaker: “You beat Jericho, but you ain’t beat me, son.”
The pop is THUNDEROUS! The Undertaker wants that Undisputed Championship and he wants it bad!
HHH: “Yeah, but I will. At Backlash Taker, that title won’t be goin’ up with you or Angle … it’ll be leavin’ with me.”
Undertaker: “It’s the whole bark thing again, Hunter. Actions speak louder than words, and that title, hold it champ … hold it real close, ‘cause at Backlash, it’ll belong to me. You’re reign will be dead, gone. You’ll be the terrier and I’ll be the big dog in the yard once again.”
He cackles before getting close into Triple H’s ear and whispering.
Undertaker: “Keep the title close, ‘cause it’s comin’ home at Backlash.”
Taker drops the microphone. He’s confident. Who will walk away with the gold at Backlash – the champion, Kurt Angle or The Undertaker? JR goes on hype mode for the event as the production team take over. (OR: 81%)
10. Laying the SmackDown!
A video takes over Raw, hyping up SmackDown by showing clips from last weeks episode. We see Angle attacking Triple H, The Rock beating Credible and Christian and Storm beating Kidman and Crash amongst other things. We are reminded to tune into SmackDown this Thursday night for the “best action in Sports Entertainment”. The video ends with “the #1 brand”. (OR: 95%)
11. The Outsiders versus Edge & Kane goes to a no contest.
Ric Flair comes to the ring, with a microphone in hand, looking increasingly pissed off. Kane stands behind him, adjusting his glove. The fans “woo” as Flair stands in the ring. Flair announces that Austin left the building, so Kane will have a replacement partner … Edge! “Never Gonna Stop” hits as the King of the Ring 2001 winner makes his way out to the ring to partner Kane for this match up.
The New World Order are out next with the strobe lighting effects in full-flow. Blows are quickly exchanged between the two teams, with the referee never gaining authority over the competitors. The match is a brawl until from out of nowhere Edge lays Hall out with a spear in the middle of the ring. The fans pop big-time as Edge leaps to his feet, ready to level Nash, but Nash gets there first to connect with a big boot to the face of Edge! Nash turns straight into a chokeslam from the Big Red Machine! Kane is the only man standing! Kane looks to cover, until X-Pac leaps onto the apron! Kane grabs X-Pac by the hair and throws him over the top and into the ring. X-Pac climbs to his feet and takes a chokeslam from Kane! Suddenly, Big Show hits the ring and clubs the referee down. Kane turns … chokeslam from the Big Show! Hulk Hogan joins in the party, wearing the black and white New World Order colours, as a beat-down ensues. Hall, Nash, Big Show, X-Pac and Hogan beat Kane and Edge down in the ring. Suddenly, X-Pac reaches down and PULLS KANE’S MASK OFF! Kane gets his hands over his face and scrambles to the outside, running off up the ramp to hide his face. The fans can’t believe it. They jeer loudly as JR puts the nWo over as savage animals.
Hogan and co continued to put a beat-down on Edge as X-Pac paraded around the ring wearing Kane’s mask to loud jeers from the fans. The show faded to a close with the announcers silent, with the New World Order standing tall. (OR: 80%)
Show Rating: 73%