Extreme Championship Wrestling 2001

[The LBTN Express]

ECW News & Notes

- Well after much speculation over the past couple of weeks, Jerry Lynn has finally signed with the WWF. He has reportedly signed a three year deal. We’re not sure on when it starts but it’s certain that he’ll see out his remaining dates with ECW, which go up into the middle of April ending about a week after the scheduled Cyberslam Fan Convention. Lynn had been stuck in two minds over what to do but in the end he couldn’t turn down a guaranteed contract and the WWF is offering way over the odds at the moment to stop people going to WCW once the Fusient takeover goes through. It has been rumoured that some sort of talent deal between the WWF and ECW is likely with the WWF expected to make a few more moves for ECW talent over the coming months. It is expected to be something like the Al Snow deal a few years back. We did report a few weeks ago that William Regal was expected to make a few appearances but that fell through when Regal injured his back.

- More news on the television deal. The official start date is Thursday 8th March at 10pm just a few days before the Living Dangerously PPV on the 11th. It could bode well for ECW going on straight after Smackdown ends on UPN but how many of those will go from UPN to USA after is uncertain. This week’s Hardcore TV will be the final one and it’s pretty much a throw away show from what we’ve heard as much has been saved for the debut on USA. The final two matches on Hardcore TV will be Tajiri vs. Chris Hamrick and Da Baldies vs. York & Matthews.

- Speaking of the television deal it has been confirmed the show will be called ECW on USA: Hardcore Revolution. The main event of the first show has been confirmed and will see ECW World Heavyweight Champion Rhino defend the title against The Sandman, only a couple of days before he meets Jerry Lynn and Rob Van Dam in a three way at Living Dangerously. With it being the first show on USA and the last show before the PPV expect a number of major angles to be shot as the PPV line-up at this moment is far from complete. All that has been announced at the moment is Rhino vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam for the ECW title as well as CW Anderson vs. The Sandman which was announced on the ECW website last night. Not confirmed, but expected is Simon & Swinger vs. Kid Kash & Super Crazy, Whipwreck & Tajiri vs. Hot Commodity and something involving Scott Hall, New Jack, Tommy Dreamer & The New Impact Players.

[The LBTN Express]

ECW: Hardcore TV

Friday, March 2nd 2001

- Yoshihiro Tajiri (w/ Mikey Whipwreck & Sinister Minister) d. Chris Hamrick (w/ EZ Money, Julio Dinero & Elektra). Styles noted before the match that Tajiri had just split from his wife, don’t know whether that’s true or whether it’s storyline. Anyway, Tajiri was stiffer than usual absolutely brutalising Hamrick with kicks. They did a nice reversal-nip up-stand off routine and in the end Tajiri simply kicked Hamrick in the head and Hamrick took a great spiralling bump and the crowd loved it. Tajiri then got distracted and Hamrick used it to his advantage taking Tajiri down with a springboard dropkick. Hamrick put Tajiri in a headlock but Tajiri just dropped Hamrick on his head with a release dragon suplex. Tajiri went to cover Hamrick but Elektra climbed up onto the ropes distracting the referee. Whipwreck pulled her down and he and Hot Commodity got into a fracas on the outside. In the confusion Hamrick low blowed Tajiri and rolled him up only to get a two count. Hamrick then whipped Tajiri into the ropes, but Tajiri moved as Hamrick ran in. Tajiri then locked in the Tarantula before hitting Hamrick with the brainbuster for the win.

- After the match, EZ Money and Julio Dinero hit the ring having already laid out Mikey Whipwreck at ringside. Money and Dinero beat down Tajiri. EZ put Tajiri in the Pendulum Of Pain and then Dinero hit a sliding dropkick to the face of Tajiri whilst he was in the hold, leaving him down and out in the ring.

- Backstage Rob Van Dam was stood ready to cut a promo. Van Dam said he had nothing to fear going up against Rhino and Jerry Lynn at the PPV ‘Why would the World’s Greatest Wrestler, Mr. PPV, have anything to fear’. RVD said he knew he could beat them both, even going up against them at the same time. Van Dam then said one of his best friends would be returning to help him out at Living Dangerously.

- The Sandman cut a promo backstage. He berated CW Anderson for attacking him when all he wanted to do was call out Rhino. The Sandman said he didn’t mind though because now he’s got the best of both worlds, not only has he got a shot against Rhino next week for the World Heavyweight Title but just a few days later he’ll also get to kick CW’s ass on PPV as World Heavyweight Champion.

- In a night full of promos, Simon Diamond, Swinger, Dawn Marie, Blue Boy & Jasmin St Clare were all backstage lounging about with Dawn Marie looking smoking hot as usual, pouting in the background. They were talking about Kid Kash & Super Crazy. Simon said ‘That immigrant Super Crazy needs to learn some respect’ regarding Crazy saving Kash last week from a certain beat down. Kid Kash & Super Crazy entered the room and they all get into a face off. Kash then said it’d be him and Super Crazy versus Diamond & Swinger at the PPV.

- Da Baldies NC York & Matthews. In a rematch from the match that never got started at Wrestlepalooza, Da Baldies and York & Matthews went to another no contest. At least this one got started. York & Matthews did a double tope suicida onto Angel and DeVito whilst they were making their entrance. York whipped DeVito into the rail and then clotheslined him over, whilst Matthews whipped Angel over the rail. They had a brief brawl in the crowd. Which saw York hit a swinging DDT on DeVito into a load of chairs. Finally in the ring, Matthews went for a dive off the top but DeVito caught him and hit him with a sit-out urange for a two count. York then vaulted in with a headscissors takedown and the match BROKEDOWN~! despite only being under control for a matter of minutes. York & Matthews looked to be on top, hitting a pair of double knees in the corner on DeVito. They then had Angel set up for a double team torture rack DDT, but DeVito stopped that with a chair shot. Da Baldies then went wild on York & Matthews hitting them with multiple chair shots. DeVito pulled a fork out and it was clear they were just in this to hurt the two rookies. DeVito began to dig the fork into the forehead of Christian York but stopped when Tommy Dreamer hit the ring. Dreamer kicked DeVito off, but was clocked in the back with a chair from Angel. Dreamer though fought back and hit DeVito & Angel with DDT’s. Da Baldies quickly left as Dreamer helped a bloody York & Matthews back to their feet for a nice standing ovation to end the show and the last Hardcore TV as Dreamer’s music played out.

Edited December 15, 2005 by LBTN™

[The LBTN Express]

ECW on USA: Hardcore Revolution

Thursday, 8th March 2001

on the USA Network, 10pm

- Joey Styles started the very first ECW on USA: Hardcore Revolution in the ring. Styles welcomed everyone to the show and took a few subtle shots at TNN saying with USA they were now on a network that appreciates them, that they were now on a network that would promote them and that they were now on a network that wouldn’t sell them down the river for ROLLERJAM~! Joey said ECW was in the position to change the face of professional wrestling all over again. At this point Joey was interrupted by The New Impact Players, Justin Credible, Steve Corino and Jack Victory. Joey asked them what they were doing, and Credible responded by saying ‘You don’t know why we’re out here Joey? We’re out here because we’re here to make an impact, you think we’d let someone beat us to it?’ Corino then took the microphone and the crowd chanted ‘YOU SUCK DICK!’ Corino berated the fans and said that they were the new face of ECW and what better way was there start the first show of a new era than with them?

‘Natural Born Killas’ hit the sound system, to the delight of the fans, but instead of just ‘The Original Gangsta’ New Jack both Scott Hall and Tommy Dreamer came out with him. All six men got into a stand off and a brawl erupted. They all spilled to the outside and Hall, Dreamer and New Jack got the better of The New Impact Players up until Da Baldies (DeVito & Angel) hit the ring swaying the odds in favour of the bad guys. They all beat down on Hall, Dreamer and New Jack until York & Matthews hit the ring to even the odds as the clusterfuck got even bigger. Everyone brawled around ringside but The New Impact Players and Da Baldies came out on top. Da Baldies put Dreamer through a table on the outside and then followed that by putting Joey Matthews through a table. Steve Corino and Jack Victory took New Jack out with a double chairshot and Credible and Corino then gave Christian York a spiked piledriver. Da Baldies then brought a table into the ring and Corino helped Credible get Hall up onto the second rope. Credible then hit the That’s Incredible Tombstone Piledriver on Hall sending him through the table. The New Impact Players and Da Baldies stood tall over the fallen bodies of Scott Hall, Tommy Dreamer, New Jack, Joey Matthews & Christian York with Corino and Credible in the classic Impact Players pose.

- Spike Dudley (w/ Nova) defeated Little Guido (w/ Tony Mamaluke & Big Sal). Spike Dudley defeated one half of the tag team champions in the first match on the USA Network. The match started with a reversal routine that saw Guido knee Spike hard in the head before hitting a bulldog for a two count. Spike then reversed an irish whip sending Guido into the corner and followed in with a flying forearm. Spike stomped around the ring beating his chest as Guido fell to the mat. Spike then stood on Guido and proceeded to run on him, stomping Guido’s chest. Spike then hit a swinging DDT off the middle rope and went to cover but Tony Mamaluke pulled him off. Nova then attacked Mamaluke on the outside and whipped him into the rail sending him into the first row. Big Sal then scooped up Nova and went to run him into the turnbuckle, but Nova escaped and Sal ran right into the turnbuckle, knocking himself silly. Back with the in ring action, Guido hit Spike with a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Guido then locked in the Sicilian Crab but Spike managed to make the ropes. Guido then ascended the turnbuckle and came off the second with the Sicilian Slice but Spike managed to move out of the way. Spike then grabbed Guido and ran up the turnbuckle hitting him with the Acid Drop for the win.

- Backstage Simon Diamond, Swinger, Dawn Marie, Blue Boy & Jasmin St. Clare were all hanging out. Simon was hyping Swinger up saying they had to win because they were finally been given a chance. Here it was the first show on USA and they actually had a match. Swinger told Simon not to worry.

- Simon Diamond (w/ Dawn Marie) & Swinger (w/ Blue Boy & Jasmin St Clare) defeated Super Crazy & Kid Kash. Match started with a headlock takedown by Swinger and Crazy just nipped up and hit a basement dropkick to the face of Swinger. Crazy then took Swinger down with a flying headscissors takedown and followed with a standing moonsault for a two. Kash then tagged in and hit a springboard clothesline. Crazy tagged back in and hit a springboard dropkick. Kash then tagged in and hit a springboard hurracanrana as the two tried to out-do each other. Crazy then tagged in and hit a springboard sky twister press. Crazy and Kash then posed for the crowd as they gave them a standing ovation but Simon took them both down from behind and started to put the boots to Super Crazy in the corner, whilst Swinger put the boots to Kash. They both went to whip Kash and Crazy but they both reversed and Simon and Swinger ran into each other. Blue Boy hit the ring and Crazy took him down with a flapjack. Kash then hit the Money Maker on Swinger and Crazy went to the top rope but both Jasmin and Dawn climbed onto the apron and shook the ropes as Simon took Kash out with a chair. Simon then cracked Crazy over the head with the chair and then DDT’d the INSANE~! Super Crazy from the top rope onto the chair for the win.

- Backstage The F.B.I. were irate about Guido losing to Spike Dudley. Guido said that at Living Dangerously on Sunday it would be him and Tony Mamaluke versus Spike & Nova in a tag team match, but they wouldn’t be putting the titles on the line.

- Rhino © (w/ Cyrus) defeated The Sandman to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Title. Just like their match at Wrestlepalooza, Rhino attacked The Sandman as soon as he’d hopped the rail after his elongated entrance. Thankfully they didn’t kill themselves as much in this match like they did at the PPV, well they did but there was no senton from the top onto a ladder with no give that was suspended in the air that could have so easily gone terribly wrong. Rhino whipped The Sandman into the rail and them RAN HIM RIGHT THROUGH IT~! The two brawled through the crowd. The Sandman used a beer can to pound the head of Rhino busting him open before suplexing him into a load of chairs. Rhino writhed around in agony as The Sandman climbed some steps. Sandman then leapt from about 10 feet with a legdrop but Rhino moved and The Sandman landed hard on the concrete, butt first. Well you couldn’t say The Sandman never gave it his all, but I can guarantee you he’ll find it hard walking in the morning, let alone getting out of bed. Rhino then brutalised Sandman with a steel chair before scooping him up and running him into some dry walling leaving a huge dent in it. They both made there way back to the ring. Rhino set a table up in the corner but when he turned The Sandman cracked him over the head with his Singapore Cane. Rhino no sold, so Sandman hit a few more times and then hit the White Russian Legsweep through the table that was set up in the corner. The Sandman looked to have had it won, but at that moment CW Anderson hit the ring. The Sandman though immediately cracked him with the cane. Jerry Lynn then hit the ring and The Sandman hit him with the cane too. But it was too much as The Sandman turned into a Spinebuster from CW. Rhino then GORED~! The Sandman and covered him to retain his title.

- After the match had ended Rhino called out Van Dam saying that he didn’t want to wait till the PPV and wanted to kick his ass, right here, right now. ‘Walk’ by Pantera hit the sound system and Rob Van Dam walked out with a huge grin on his face. He took the time to slap the hands of the fans at ringside before finally getting in the ring. He got face to face with Rhino but was taken down from behind by CW Anderson and Jerry Lynn. They then both held Van Dam up as Rhino set up for the GORE~! but as he ran in The Sandman swung and connected with a cane shot. Van Dam then broke free as BILL ALFONSO~! ran down the ramp making his return, blowing his whistle and holding a chair. Van Dam hit CW with a spinkick and hit Lynn with a spinkick as well sending them from the ring. Alfonso then threw Van Dam the chair and he tossed it at Rhino, who caught it, which is something you should never do as Van Dam immediately hit him with the VAN DAMINATOR~! sending Rhino spiralling from the ring. Rhino, Lynn and CW Anderson with Cyrus all backed up the ramp staring back at Rob Van Dam who was now celebrating in the ring with Fonzie and The Sandman.

[The LBTN Express]

ECW Living Dangerously

Live on Pay Per View, 11th March 2001

from the O'Neill Center, Danbury, Connecticut

MAIN EVENT

ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Rhino © vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn

Scott Hall vs. Justin Credible

SIX MAN TAG

Da Baldies & Steve Corino vs. York & Matthews & Tommy Dreamer

CW Anderson vs. The Sandman

NON-TITLE

The F.B.I (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) © vs. Nova & Spike Dudley

The Unholy Alliance (Yoshihiro Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck) vs. Hot Commodity (EZ Money & Chris Hamrick)

Simon & Swinger vs. Kid Kash & Super Crazy

[The LBTN Express]

ECW: Living Dangerously

Live on Pay Per View, 11th March 2001

from the O'Neill Center, Danbury, Connecticut

- The show starts with Joey Styles on his lonesome in the ring. Styles welcomes everyone to Living Dangerously but is soon interrupted by The Blue Boy & Jasmin St Clare. The Blue Boy tells Joey that he’s out here to introduce the hottest product in wrestling today, Swinger. Swinger makes his way out with a huge grin on his face, He gets in the face of Joey Styles and looks like he’s about to hit him when Kid Kash & Super Crazy hit the ring. They are closely followed by Simon Diamond who hits the ring to get the first match of the evening under way.

- Super Crazy & Kid Kash defeated Simon & Swinger (w/ Dawn Marie, Jasmin St Clare & Blue Boy). All four slug it out until Kash & Crazy get the upper hand sending Simon & Swinger to the outside. Kash then leaps over the ropes with a hurracanrana to Simon whilst Crazy hits an asai moonsault from the top onto Swinger & Blue Boy. Simon then reverses an irish whip sending Kash into the rail as Crazy hits a head scissors taking Swinger down. Simon then attacks Crazy and he and Swinger double team him. They have him set up for the elevated DDT when Kash gets back in the ring and takes Simon down with a springboard clothesline, but is soon taken down by Swinger who hits him with The Swing Thing. Swinger then poses for the crowd taking all the time in the world but is rolled up by Super Crazy the three.

- Backstage, Cyrus is talking to Rhino and Jerry Lynn. Cyrus says that despite what happened on ECW on USA the plan was still working perfectly and that tonight as soon as they have eliminated Van Dam from the matchup all that would be left to do was for Jerry Lynn to lay down for Rhino to allow him to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Title. Lynn seemed none too pleased at the plan but said he’d go along with it.

- Hot Commodity (EZ Money & Chris Hamrick) (w/ Julio Dinero & Elektra) defeated The Unholy Alliance (Yoshihiro Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck) (w/ Sinister Minister). Money and Hamrick attacked Tajiri and Whipwreck whilst Stephen DeAngelis was introducing them in the ring giving them the early advantage. Money clotheslined Tajiri to the outside leaving Hamrick in the ring working over Whipwreck. Hamrick hit a jawbreaker and followed it up with a dropkick before tagging EZ Money in. Money vaulted over the ropes into a rolling clothesline for a two count. EZ whipped Mikey into the ropes and Whipwreck ducked a clothesline attempt and took EZ down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Tajiri tagged in and took EZ to school with numerous kicks before hitting a dragon suplex for a two count that was broken up by Hamrick. Whipwreck took down Hamrick with a dropkick and then hit a crazy vaulting somersault senton onto him and Dinero on the outside overshooting and hitting the barricade on the way down. Tajiri went for a brainbuster on EZ but EZ blocked and hoisted Tajiri up into the air and dropped him forward with a release suplex. Money went to the top rope but Tajiri was quickly up to take him off with an armdrag. Money slowly pulled himself to his feet using the ropes but Tajiri was quickly on him with a Tarantula but was broken off by Elektra when she hit him in the head with her shoe. Money then hit Tajiri with a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Whipwreck crawled back into the ring, holding his back. Whipwreck ducked a clothesline from Money and hit him with the Whippersnapper and covered, but it was broken at two when Hamrick came flying off the top rope with a legdrop. Whipwreck went to hit the Whippersnapper on Hamrick, but Hamrick pushed him off into the ropes where Dinero hit him in the back with a chair. Whipwreck staggered forward into a Yakuza Kick from Hamrick. Hamrick and Money then double teamed Tajiri, who despite a brief comeback with a handspring back elbow, was unable to overcome the odds and was eventually pinned after the Cha Ching Powerbomb from EZ Money.

After the match Tajiri was seemingly pissed at anyone and everyone, he threw a few chairs around before storming off to the back leaving Mikey Whipwreck and the Sinister Minister behind.

- York & Matthews & Tommy Dreamer defeated Da Baldies (DeVito & Angel) & Steve Corino (w/ Jack Victory). Match started with Dreamer and Corino, but Corino decided to tag out to Angel deciding he wanted no part of Dreamer just yet. Dreamer and Angel tied up and Dreamer put Angel in a hammerlock before pushing him to the turnbuckle and hitting a few chops before tagging out to Matthews. Matthews came in and whipped Angel into the turnbuckle and hit a pair of high knees before bulldogging Angel for a two count. DeVito came in and pummeled Matthews with forearms allowing Angel to tag Corino. Corino came in and cockily beat on Matthews hitting a stalling suplex for a two count. Corino then whipped Matthews into the ropes but missed on the follow in and Matthews tagged out to Christian York who springboarded in with a dropkick to Corino. Corino immediately tagged out to DeVito. York & DeVito tied up and DeVito whipped York into the ropes who came back with a flying forearm taking DeVito down. York then went to the top, but Corino shook the ropes allowing DeVito to climb the ropes and hit a superplex. Dreamer tried to get in the ring but the ref held him back as Corino snuck in and he and DeVito double teamed York. Dreamer then pushed past the ref and the match BROKEDOWN~! Everything spilled to the outside where York & Matthews hit a double tope suicida onto DeVito and Angel as Dreamer and Corino brawled at ringside. Dreamer hit Corino with a glass of beer and went to whip Corino into the rail, but Corino reversed. Corino then dropped Dreamer nuts first onto the rail and then hit him with a chair across the back as Victory held him up. Back in the ring York & Matthews had DeVito down on the mat and hit a double dive & legdrop combo on him, but Corino managed to break the count. Corino then hit York with the Old School Expulsion but Matthews broke the count and got superkicked for his troubles. Dreamer managed to get back into the ring and he whipped Corino into the ropes but Corino came back with a lariat. Corino then went for the Old School Expulsion but Dreamer turned it into a DDT but only got a two count as Angel saved. Angel though was hit with a missile dropkick from York who then cradled him for the three and the win.

After the match had ended though Corino, Victory and DeVito climbed back into the ring armed with chairs and laid out York & Matthews and then laid out Dreamer as well. They continued to beat them down until some very familiar music hit the sound system and New Jack came walking down the aisle. As the ring cleared of everyone New Jack was left with Jack Victory in the ring.

- New Jack defeated Jack Victory in an impromptu match. Victory got the first shot in, but that was going to be the only offence he got in on New Jack tonight as Jack threw a computer monitor at him and then cracked him over the head with a keyboard. New Jack then pulled his guitar out of the garbage can and it exploded on Victory’s head as he hit him with it. New Jack then covered Victory for the win.

- Nova & Spike Dudley defeated The F.B.I. © (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) (w/ Big Sal) in a non-title match Nova and Spike defeated The FBI in a non-title contest meaning they’ll no doubt get a shot at the tag titles in the coming weeks. Match started with Nova and Guido, they did a reversal routine but fucked up half way through it, the crowd began to chant ‘You Fucked Up!’ but soon stopped when Nova powerbombed Guido into the turnbuckle. Nova then hit a series of clotheslines before tagging out to Spike. Spike came in and immediately went for the Acid Drop but Guido blocked it and dropped Spike with a high angle backdrop. Guido and Mamaluke then tagged back and forth working over the back of little Spike Dudley. Spike made a comeback on Tony using a running head butt to the gut followed by a neckbreaker, Spike went to make the tag but Mamaluke grabbed him by the ankle stopping him. Nova tried to hit the ring but the referee stopped him and Guido came in behind the ref’s back without making a tag. Guido used a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count and then hit a tornado single arm DDT for another close fall. Guido then had Spike up for a powerbomb but Spike went over the top and rolled Guido up but instead of hanging on for a cover Spike jumped off and tagged in Nova who went wild with clotheslines on the FBI. Nova then hit Mamaluke with two rolling piledrivers before finishing with a spinning powerbomb. Nova running on adrenaline, dived over off the top rope onto Big Sal with a Swanton Bomb, actually taking the big man off his feet whilst in the ring Spike hit Guido with the Acid Drop for the three count.

- Backstage, Simon Diamond was arguing with Swinger. Simon was saying that Swinger was thinking he was bigger than he actually is. Simon put Swinger in his place saying that his role is to support him and as long as he’s here in ECW that’ll be as high as Swinger gets up the ladder.

- CW Anderson defeated The Sandman. After The Sandman’s usual long entrance he and CW got into a standoff in the ring. The Sandman struck first with a right then CW responded with a left. They went back and forth pounding on each other before CW got the better of The Sandman ducking a punch and then hitting a wicked left hand. CW pushed The Sandman into the corner and hit a number of chops before whipping The Sandman across the ring and hitting him with a lariat. CW then went to work on the arm and shoulder of The Sandman putting the boots to it. CW then rammed Sandman shoulder first into the turnbuckle. The Sandman rolled out of the ring and CW closely followed. CW whipped Sandman into the rail and then used a chair to further damage the Sandman’s shoulder hitting him three or four times. The Sandman then reversed a whip and sent CW crashing into the rail. The Sandman grabbed his cane but CW ducked an attempted shot and suplexed The Sandman onto the concrete. CW put a couple of chairs in the ring before rolling The Sandman in. CW put The Sandman’s shoulder in a chair and stomped on it. CW then went to the second turnbuckle and went for a flying stomp but The Sandman managed to get out of the way. Sandman came back with a series of punches and then whipped CW into the corner. Sandman sat CW on the top rope and went up with him, CW hit a few punches but The Sandman just head butted him before hitting a top rope frankensteiner. The Sandman then went for a cover but CW managed to kick out. Sandman went for a suplex but CW blocked it and hit a wheelbarrow suplex for a two count. CW then set a chair up in the ring and atomic dropped The Sandman onto it and whilst he was on it CW hit him in the shoulder again with a chair and followed that with a shoulder stunner. CW then locked in an armbar and The Sandman looked close to tapping but fought it off and eventually got to the ropes. The Sandman came back hitting a DDT. Sandman then grabbed his cane and hit CW in the head with it and went for the White Russian Legsweep but CW managed to grab a hold of one of the ropes and The Sandman went down without him. Sandman dodged a superkick and went to whip CW into the ropes but CW reversed it and hit The Sandman with the Spinebuster. CW then fell on top of The Sandman for the three and the win, to the surprise of many in attendance.

- In the back Lou E. Dangerously, CW’s former manager approached him along with Chris Chetti. Lou E. said he thought CW needed a manager to go along with his new found fame having beaten Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman on consecutive pay per views. CW said he’d been doing better than ever without Lou E. so why would he need him now. Lou E. said he could get CW a date with Elektra, but CW turned him down.

- Justin Credible defeated Scott Hall (w/ Francine). Justin attacked Hall at the bell taking him down from behind as he posed for the crowd after his introduction. The former ECW Champion Justin Credible whipped Hall into the ropes and as he staggered out Credible hit him with a swinging neckbreaker. Credible then mounted Hall and began to punch him as Hall tried to cover up. Credible then pulled Hall to his feet and went for the That’s Incredible trying to get this done early but Hall escaped and pushed Credible off before hitting him with a side slam. Hall then hit a discuss punch sending Credible into the corner and Hall then hit a super fall away slam on Credible for a two count. Hall then whipped Credible into the turnbuckle but Credible got his foot up. Credible then went for an axehandle off the second rope but Hall caught Credible in a position to chokeslam him but Credible escaped by kicking Hall low and then hitting a swinging DDT for a near fall. Francine climbed up onto the apron to try and distract Justin. Justin went over to her and dragged her into the ring. Credible was about to give Francine the That’s Incredible when Hall made it back to his feet saving her, which the fans actually booed. Hall threw Credible across the ring and then hit a hard clothesline for a two count. Hall then suplexed Credible before going for The Outsider’s Edge but Credible managed to wriggle free and drop down behind Hall. Credible then low blowed Hall for the second time in the match and with Hall winded he was able to scoop him up and hit the That’s Incredible for the pinfall and the win.

- Rhino © (w/ Cyrus) defeated Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) & Jerry Lynn in a three way dance to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Title. Cyrus accompanied Rhino to the ring and Jerry Lynn seemed non to pleased with that fact, he even argued with Cyrus briefly during his entrance upset about having to take a dive for Rhino. Van Dam was against the odds from the outset as Lynn and Rhino began to double team him. He made some brief comebacks but it wasn’t until a mistake from Lynn and Rhino that he got on an even footing. Rhino was going for the GORE~! but Van Dam managed to move at the last second and Rhino ended up GORING~! Lynn. Van Dam then kicked Rhino sending him tumbling from the ring before covering Lynn for the three, eliminating him. Lynn argued with Cyrus again before storming off to the back. Cyrus ran over to Rhino to get him back up, seemingly worried that his plan was falling apart. As Cyrus was with Rhino, Van Dam suddenly came out of nowhere jumping over the top rope with a somersault onto both of them on the outside, crowd chanted ‘Holy Shit’ as Van Dam barely just missed the rail. Van Dam then whipped Rhino into the rail and followed up but Rhino backdropped him over the rail onto the fans in the front row. Rhino followed and slammed Van Dam on the concrete. Rhino then hit Van Dam over the back with a chair before throwing him over the rail and back to ringside as Cyrus egged him on. Rhino then ran at Van Dam but Van Dam used a drop toe hold to take Rhino down. Alfonso then laid a chair on Rhino as RVD used the rail as a springboard to hit a spinning legdrop. Van Dam then dropped Rhino gut first onto the rail. Van Dam then went for spinning legdrop over the apron but Cyrus pulled Rhino out of the way and Van Dam connected with the rail. Alfonso then jumped Cyrus to the delight of all in attendance and the two rolled about until Rhino pulled Alfonso off Cyrus. Rhino threatened to hit Alfonso until Van Dam literally threw a chair at his head. With Rhino staggered Alfonso held a chair up whilst Van Dam used the rail again to leap off to kick the chair into the face of Rhino. Van Dam then rolled Rhino into the ring and covered for a two. Van Dam then hit a monkey flip sending Rhino back first onto a chair and then hit a split legged moonsault for a two count. Van Dam seemed to be firing on all cylinders but missed a rolling senton allowing Rhino to hit a stiff lariat. Rhino then powerslammed Van Dam and grabbed a table from ringside and slid it into the ring, propping it up in the corner. Rhino scooped Van Dam up and went to run him through the table but Van Dam escaped. Rhino then charged at Van Dam GOREING~! him through the table. Rhino covered, but Van Dam managed to kick out at two. Rhino then pulled Van Dam up to his feet and went for a piledriver, but Van Dam escaped. Alfonso then threw Van Dam a chair, who in turn tossed it at Rhino who caught it, VAN DAMINATOR~! Van Dam then climbed the turnbuckle and hit the Five Star Frogsplash, the ref started to count but was suddenly pulled out of the ring by Cyrus, who slapped him and then kicked him to the floor. As both men were slowly making it back to their feet Jerry Lynn came sauntering back to the ring with a chair in his hand. Lynn seemed in two minds as he stood between Rhino and Vam Dam with the chair and teased hitting Rhino with it as the fans seemingly wanted him to do so. In the end though he cracked Van Dam hard over the head with it and left the ring. Rhino then hit a piledriver on Van Dam onto the chair that Lynn had left and covered him for the three count. The PPV then went off the air with Rhino celebrating with his World Title.

Edited December 21, 2005 by LBTN™

[The LBTN Express]

ECW News & Notes

- Not much in the way of news this week coming out of ECW. The biggest story is that Roadkill could very well be on his way to the WWF within the next month. Apparently Jim Ross called Paul Heyman saying they needed someone for an upcoming role they had planned and Heyman suggested Roadkill would be the best person for them. Whilst they haven’t had an ‘official’ meeting, Ross and Roadkill are said to have spoken on the phone and agreed to a verbal deal at this point. Roadkill is expected to sign a letter of intent this coming week. With Gertner, Lynn and now Roadkill all headed to the WWF with more expected to follow it is still expected that ECW will be compensated in some way.

- We actually have some ratings news for you this week seeing as ECW is now back on national television. The debut on USA did a 1.4 which is around 1,100,000 viewers, WCW did a 2.6 for Nitro whilst RAW did 5.2. All parties are said to be delighted with the figure as it beat anything ECW did on TNN. Wrestlepalooza had a 0.21 buy rate which is around 85,000 buys. Again they are said to be very happy with that figure. As a comparison WCW’s Superbrawl PPV in February did a 0.26 buyrate so ECW very nearly beat them. ECW were expecting a 0.30 for Living Dangerously which seems a little high but with a strong show on USA before they went on it is very likely they could hit that number.

[The LBTN Express]

ECW on USA: Hardcore Revolution

Thursday, 15th March 2001

on the USA Network, 10pm

- The show started with Cyrus stood in the ring with the ECW World Champion Rhino and Jerry Lynn. Lynn looked pissed off as Cyrus raised Rhino’s arm in the ring and told everyone that Rhino was still the World Champion after beating Rob Van Dam at Living Dangerously. Everyone booed that. Cyrus then said it was a close scrape but Jerry Lynn came through for them and did what was needed. Cyrus then told Jerry he was an integral part of the team that was needed to ensure Rhino stays World Champion. Lynn at this point left the ring and headed to the back as Cyrus tried to call him back. As Lynn headed through the curtain ‘Walk’ by Pantera hit the PA system and Rob Van Dam came down to the ring. Van Dam said he was the better man at Living Dangerously and he had Rhino beat and that Rhino knows it, he knows it and everyone watching knows it. Van Dam then challenged Rhino to a rematch, right here and right now. Rhino then snatched the microphone from Van Dam, ‘You want a rematch, you want a fucking rematch!? Well…’ but before Rhino finished, Rob Van Dam was suddenly taken down from behind by CW Anderson. Rhino and CW then put the boots in to the delight of Cyrus. CW then held Van Dam up as Rhino prepared to hit him with a GORE~! when The Sandman’s music hit and he came running from the back. Cyrus, CW and Rhino all bailed from the ring and quickly headed to the back as The Sandman checked on Van Dam in the ring.

- Simon Diamond, Swinger, Dawn Marie, Jasmin St. Clare & The Blue Boy were shown hanging out backstage. Simon was discussing his recent problems with Swinger, as Dawn Marie and Blue Boy were having an arm wrestling contest behind them. Simon said he knows the two of them have had their problems over the past month and that they needed to put it all behind them and concentrate on working their way to the tag titles because they’re the best tag team around today and they deserve it. Then in the background Dawn Marie leaped up celebrating having beaten Blue Boy in the arm wrestling contest.

- Simon Diamond (w/ Dawn Marie) & Swinger (w/ The Blue Boy & Jasmin St. Clare) defeated The Prodigy and Bilvis Wesley. This had squash written all over it. Simon & Swinger worked well as a team showing they had put their differences behind them and used the elevated DDT double team move to finish of The Prodigy inside two minutes.

- Joey Styles announced that Rob Van Dam & The Sandman vs. Rhino & CW Anderson would be tonight’s main event.

- Scott Hall then came out with ’The Queen Of Extreme’ Francine to cut a promo. Hall talked abut being on the losing end at Living Dangerously and that he was outplayed by Justin, who won the match after resorting to a low blow. Hall said he was glad that Justin put him in his place because over the past couple of weeks he’d been too cocky and it was time to roll up the sleeves and get down to the hard work. Hall said he’d heard of this little thing called Cyberslam coming up and he wanted a rematch against Justin Credible. This drew Justin Credible, Steve Corino & Jack Victory out from the back. Credible in no uncertain terms told Hall he wouldn’t give him a rematch because he has nothing left to prove because after all, he did beat him and he’s got nothing to gain and everything to lose. The New Impact Players then began to leave and headed up the aisle where they were met by Tommy Dreamer & New Jack who looked ready to fight. Steve Corino grabbed a microphone and had a right go at Hall. Corino said they’re not prepared to fight tonight but that he wanted to cut a deal. Corino said that next week, it’ll be him and Justin versus Hall and Dreamer and that if Hall and Dreamer actually managed to win, Hall would get a shot one on one with his good buddy Justin again. Hall agreed to the match saying he’d now have the chance to kick Justin’s ass twice.

- Nova (w/ Spike Dudley) defeated Little Guido (w/ Tony Mamaluke & Big Sal), EZ Money (w/ Elektra, Chris Hamrick & Julio Dinero) & Yoshihiro Tajiri (w/ Sinister Minister & Mikey Whipwreck) in a four way dance. The match didn’t stay a four way for very long as everyone got involved and Tajiri was eliminated first after getting squashed and splashed by Big Sal and then dropped on his head by EZ Money with a brainbuster. EZ Money was then close behind as he took an Acid Drop from Spike Dudley and then a swanton bomb from Nova. The match then came down to Nova and Little Guido as the ref managed to restore some order to the bout. Guido got the heat on Nova working over the arm but Nova came back and hit some innovative maneuvers that he supposedly invented and got a near fall with a spinning powerbomb. The match then broke down again as everyone piled into the ring. Spike hit Mamaluke with an Acid Drop to the outside through a table. Nova then hit a missile dropkick from the top rope to Big Sal as Spike was knelt behind him sending the big man spiraling to the outside and then Nova hit Guido with a Kryptonite Krunch for the win, pinning one half of the tag team champions giving he and Spike a third win over the over at least one of the tag champions in as many weeks.

- After the match whilst Nova was celebrating in the ring, Tajiri was shown just getting up on the outside. Whipwreck was trying to help him but Tajiri just shoved him away and stormed off to the back looking angry.

- Backstage Jerry Lynn was shown leaving the arena with his bags packed. He ran into Cyrus who he told he’d had enough and was leaving for good. Cyrus tried to call him back but to no avail.

- Balls Mahoney defeated Tony DeVito (w/ Angel). The match actually started out with a nice wrestling sequence and Balls Mahoney got the better of Tony DeVito taking him down a with headlock takedown. Balls continued to dominate until Angel tripped Balls allowing DeVito to crack Balls with a chair Angel had slid into the ring earlier. DeVito then hit a sit-out uranage onto the chair for a two count. DeVito then went for a moonsault but missed. Balls got a near fall with a top rope legdrop. The match spilled to the outside and Balls hit DeVito with a glass of beer and tossed him into the crowd. Angel then attacked Balls but Balls got the better of him and then cracked him over the head with his custom made chair. Balls then grabbed DeVito and put him back in the ring, but as Balls was getting back in himself DeVito stomped a mudhole in him and set him up for what looked like a DVD but Balls escaped and hit a superkick and followed that up with a super stiff chair shot for the three count.

- After the match Angel & DeVito started beating on Balls Mahoney when York & Matthews ran in to make the save. Before they could make the save though they were attacked by the returning Vic Grimes. Grimes beat the living hell out of them and powerbombed Matthews through a table at ringside. Angel, DeVito and Grimes then all stood in the ring laughing manically as the crowd chanted for New Jack. New Jack’s music then hit and Da Baldies high tailed it through the crowd before New Jack could even get through the curtain.

- A skit involving the returning Al Snow aired. It involved him taking ‘head’ on a date to a local bowling alley. A tall chiseled man was making fun of him for talking to a mannequin head. Snow tried to ignore him at first but in the end just snapped and attacked the guy. Snow then propped the guy up against the wall and spread his legs and bowled the bowling bowl into his crotch.

- Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) & The Sandman defeated Rhino & CW Anderson (w/ Cyrus). The match started before The Sandman had even made it to the ring as Rhino and CW Anderson attacked Rob Van Dam during The Sandman’s entrance. Rhino and CW did a good number on RVD busting him wide open just as The Sandman got to the ring. The Sandman cracked them both with hard singapore cane shots but Rhino no sold a second shot and scooped up The Sandman and ran him into the corner. As Rhino turned however he was caught with a spinning heel kick from Van Dam sending him from the ring. Van Dam then leapt up onto the top rope and dived onto Rhino on the outside. Back in the ring CW and The Sandman started exchanging punches and CW got the better of The Sandman and took him down with a hard left. CW whipped The Sandman into the corner and then followed up with a superplex for a near fall. On the outside Van Dam crotched Rhino on the rail and kicked a chair into Rhino’s face. Van Dam then climbed up onto the apron and was about to dive onto Rhino again when CW grabbed him by the hair and then suplexed him into the ring. CW hit Van Dam with a wheelbarrow suplex but was blindsided by a Sandman comeback. The Sandman started laying into CW Anderson with hard cane shots to the head. In total I believe he hit 12 or 14, he went absolutely crazy. The Sandman however then turned into a GORE~! from Rhino. Van Dam was then groggily getting up when he too was also GORED~! by Rhino. Then just like at the PPV Jerry Lynn hit the ring with a chair in hand. He stared down with Rhino as Van Dam was groggily getting up. Lynn then swung and missed Van Dam and then turned and clocked Rhino with a hard shot and also took out CW with a hard shot as well. Lynn then left the ring, shoving Cyrus to the floor in the process. Van Dam then went up top and hit a Five Star Frogsplash on Rhino to pin the World Heavyweight Champion to end the show.

[Guest Preston]

i was reading through this just other day and i was about to post a comment but then i saw that it hadn't been updated for a few months. and then the next day there is an update. this is very good stuff, and as an ECW fan post-death (i start watching stuff after they died) i am very interested.

[The LBTN Express]

ECW News & Notes

- ECW ran it’s most successful PPV this past week since Heatwave ’99 crossing the 100,000 barrier for only the third time. Living Dangerously headlined by a three way between Rhino, Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn managed 115,000 buys as of press time, which is a 0.29. This is just about on the 0.30 mark that was predicted by the company for the show. There isn’t another ECW PPV for two months now as the next ‘major’ show - Cyberslam - will only be available as a live stream over the internet for $9.95. The main event is set to be Rhino vs. Rob Van Dam with Jerry Lynn somehow involved. Cyberslam will be Lynn’s last major show before he leaves for the WWF. He is contracted to work the TV show after Cyberslam but it's not certain he'll be booked on the show.

- As we noted last week, Roadkill was due to sign a letter of intent with the WWF this past week. Yesterday he signed a two year deal to start work immediately with the WWF which is the reason he and Doring haven’t been used over the past few weeks as it was expected he'd sign the deal and be gone. There's no official word on how Roadkill will be used but he is expected to feud with Too Cool as part of a new tag team. Doring on the other hand will remain in ECW and it is expected that he will form a new tag team.

- If you saw the latest edition of ECW on USA you’ll know Al Snow is headed back to ECW very soon. He’s taped a number of skits like the one that was on this past week. He’s scheduled to start in the ring just before the next PPV. He’s currently on loan from the WWF as part of a deal that was expected with the WWF taking a number of ECW stars (it seems there are more set to go to the WWF). There is scheduled to be another WWF talent headed to ECW soon as well that has been appearing on TV on a regular basis as well as someone from OVW, with The Machine and Nick Dinsmore being hinted at as most likely.

- Whilst on the subject of returns, Vic Grimes re-signed with ECW this past week and appeared on the last ECW on USA. He’s signed a six month deal and is back as part of Da Baldies and is expected to feud with New Jack. Grimes was on loan from the WWF during his last run with the company where he and New Jack formed some serious heat during a match at Living Dangerously last year. Due to miscommunication both very nearly ended up dying live on PPV after falling 20 feet off of some scaffolding. New Jack, whilst still holding a grudge against Grimes has agreed to work with him. It’ll be interesting to see how far Jack takes it in the ring.

[JStarr]

lol, america