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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 18:11:02 GMT -5
Let's take a look at a world where WCW and ECW don't go out of business in 2001. How would the landscape be different today? I'll be going year by year with this, covering the three (four, eventually) major promotions, with a wrap-up post at the end of each year to explain why I made some of the choices I did. I'm aiming to cover twenty years, but seeing how big of a project this is, I'm not committing to anything. But I do have 2001 finished and ready to post, as well as a good amount of plans up through 2005, at least. So, it seems only appropriate to begin with the biggest promotion in the world and see how they are affected by NOT getting to purchase their two biggest competitors... The Evolution of Attitude 2001 Coming out of WrestleMania X-Seven, the WWF finds itself at a crossroads. While the Attitude Era has unquestionably been the most profitable time in the history of the company, there is little doubt that a refresh is going to be needed sooner, rather than later. Therefore, the company took an enormous gamble at WrestleMania, by turning their biggest star, Stone Cold Steve Austin, heel, in his hometown, against the soon-to-be-departing-for-Hollywood Rock. Austin aligned with Vince McMahon and savagely beat The Rock with a chair to capture his fifth WWF World Championship. Now, the question is, how can the WWF keep the momentum going after what many are already calling the greatest PPV in the history of the company?
Raw is War, April 2nd, 2001 Steve Austin teases attacking Vince McMahon, only to hug the Chairman of the Board. The Rock challenges Austin to a rematch tonight, which Vince says will happen in a Steel Cage Match. Later that night, Austin and The Rock tear into one another inside a 15 foot high steel cage, but the end comes when Triple H interferes. Feigning that he’ll go after Austin, The Game lays out The Great One, instead, allowing Austin to retain.
Over the course of the month of April, there is an upheaval of the company’s Championships in rapid succession: Triple H captures the Intercontinental Championship from Chris Jericho, then goes on to drop it to Jeff Hardy, before regaining the following week. Kane drops the Hardcore Championship to Big Show, but then. Alongside his brother The Undertaker, wins the Tag Team Championship later that same night. Eddie Guerrero loses the European Championship to Matt Hardy, in the midst of a feud between Guerrero and Raven.
With The Rock “suspended indefinitely” by Vince McMahon, The Undertaker steps up as the next man to challenge for the WWF World Championship. With Undertaker, Kane, Triple H and Austin all holding gold, a Triple Header match is announced as the main event for Backlash, with The Brothers of Destruction defending their Tag Team Championship against The Two Man Power Trip’s World and Intercontinental Championships. Other matches featured prominently on the card include Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit in an Ultimate Submission Match, Chris Jericho vs. William Regal in a Dutchess of Queensbury Match and Big Show defending the Hardcore Championship against Shane McMahon in a Last Man Standing Match.
Backlash results Heat: X-Pac def. Light Heavyweight Champion Crash Holly to win the title Heat: Lita def. Molly Holly The Dudley Boyz def. Rikishi and Haku Albert def. Raven William Regal def. Chris Jericho in a Dutchess of Queensbury Match Chris Benoit def. Kurt Angle in a 30-Minute Ultimate Submission Match Shane McMahon def. Big Show in a Last Man Standing Match (during the match, Test attacked Show and pinned him for the Hardcore Championship) European Champion Matt Hardy def. Eddie Guerrero and Christian to retain World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Intercontinental Champion Triple H def. Tag Team Champions The Brothers of Destruction to retain and win the titles
Heading into Judgment Day, the Power Trip-Brothers of Destruction feud continues in the form of two singles rivalries, Undertaker vs. Austin, and Kane vs. Triple H. In addition, the Angle/Benoit rivalry continues when Benoit steals Angle’s Olympic Gold Medals, leading to a Two-Out-Of-Three Falls match for the medals being announced for the upcoming PPV event. Other matches being heavily promoted for the show include Test vs. Big Show for the Hardcore Championship, Lita vs. Chyna for the Women’s Championship, and six team gauntlet match to determine the number one contenders for the Tag Team Championship.
Judgment Day results Heat: Raven def. Val Venis Heat: The Holly Cousins def. Kai En Tai William Regal def. Rikishi Kurt Angle def. Chris Benoit in a Two-Out-Of-Three Falls Match Big Show def. Hardcore Champion Test to win the title (after the match, Raven attacked Big Show, but Show fought him off; However, this allowed Test to recover and regain the title) Lita def. Women’s Champion Chyna to win the title (Chyna’s final WWF appearance) Kane def. Intercontinental Champion Triple H in a Chain Match to win the title Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit def. Edge and Christian, The Hardy Boyz, The APA, The Dudley Boyz and The Radicalz in a Number One Contenders Tag Team Turmoil Match World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred Match to retain
The following night on Raw, Austin and Triple H defend the Tag Team Championship against Jericho and Benoit. During the course of the match, Triple H injures his quadriceps breaking up the Walls of Jericho on Austin. Despite Triple H finishing the match, Jericho and Benoit go on to win the titles. Their reign is short-lived, however, as, with Triple H out for the rest of the year, Vince McMahon forces them to fight over the Number One Contendership to the WWF Championship. Eventually, a Triple Threat Match is signed for King of the Ring, while Benoit and Jericho drop the titles to The Dudley Boyz, thanks to Austin’s interference.
During Angle’s Medal Celebration, Shane McMahon interrupts. After calling Angle a wuss, Angle attacks him, setting up a match between the two at King of the Ring. However, Angle will not have an easy night, as he is also competing in his second King of the Ring tournament, looking to win his second crown. In the semifinals, Angle will battle Christian, while Edge takes on Big Show. In another heavily featured match, The Undertaker is slated to go one-on-one with Vince McMahon, with his future Championship opportunities hanging in the balance.
King of the Ring results Heat: Jeff Hardy def. Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac to win the title Kurt Angle def. Christian in a King of the Ring Semifinal Edge def. Big Show in a King of the Ring Semifinal (Raven interfered and cost Show the match) The Dudley Boyz def. The Holly Cousins in a Tables Match Edge def. Kurt Angle to win the King of the Ring Tournament Vince McMahon def. The Undertaker in a Street Fight (Big Show and Stone Cold Steve Austin interfered on Vince’s behalf) (Big Show def. Hardcore Champion Test to win the title) Kurt Angle def. Shane McMahon in a Last Man Standing Match (Raven def. Hardcore Champion Big Show to win the title) World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit to retain
With Chris Benoit out for at least nine months for neck surgery, Chris Jericho continues to pursue the WWF Championship, challenging Austin to a match at Fully Loaded. Meanwhile, The Undertaker, now locked out of future World Title opportunities, shows a more aggressive side of himself, attacking the likes of Scotty Too Hotty, Essa Rios and K-Kwik. Kane attempts to calm his brother down, even suggesting they team up to challenge The Dudley Boyz at Fully Loaded. As for Kurt Angle, after defeating Shane McMahon, he wants revenge for the one loss on his record at King of the Ring and challenges Edge to a King of Kings match. Other matches hyped for the event include a Hardcore Championship Triple Threat between Raven, Big Show and Test, and Lita defending the Women’s Championship against Trish Stratus, who has been attempting to sink her claws into Jeff Hardy, the brother of Lita’s boyfriend, Matt.
Fully Loaded results Heat: Christian def. Scotty Too Hotty Kurt Angle def. Edge in a King of Kings Match Steve Bradley def. Al Snow Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. The Brothers of Destruction to retain European Champion Matt Hardy def. Albert to retain Test def. Hardcore Champion Raven and Big Show to win the title Trish Stratus def. Women’s Champion Lita to win the title (Jeff Hardy grabbed Lita’s leg as she was going for the Litasault, allowing Trish to hit a springboard bulldog to win the title Perry Saturn def. Dean Malenko (Malenko’s retirement match; Terri tried to attack Saturn, but Moppy and Terri got into a “catfight”, as Saturn tapped Malenko out with the Rings of Saturn) World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Chris Jericho to retain
The following night on Raw, Linda McMahon announces that the Board of Directors has elected to reinstate The Rock, citing a lack of options to challenge Austin for the Championship. At SummerSlam, it will be the biggest rematch in WWF history, as Austin battles The Rock for the WWF Championship. The Undertaker captures the Hardcore Championship from Test on Raw, then later attacks Kane following a successful Intercontinental Championship defense against Hardcore Holly. At SummerSlam, both titles will be on the line in a Championship Unification Match. Following Fully Loaded, a frustrated Chris Jericho and a jubilant Kurt Angle get into a confrontation, leading to a SummerSlam match being announced. After months of attacking one another over the Hardcore Championship, Raven and Big Show will meet, without the title involved, in a Raven’s Rules match. Also hyped for SummerSlam, an intergender tag team match pitting Matt Hardy and Lita against Jeff Hardy and Trish Stratus, up-and-coming rookie Steve Bradley, now managed by Terri, facing Perry Saturn, and Commissioner William Regal stepping in the ring to face Test.
SummerSlam results Heat: Albert def. Scotty Too Hotty Steve Bradley def. Perry Saturn (after the match, Bradley “killed” Moppy by breaking her over his knee) Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. Edge and Christian, and The APA to retain Big Show def. Raven in a Raven’s Rules Match (Raven’s last match until 2002) Matt Hardy and Lita def. Jeff Hardy and Trish Stratus (Jeff refused to tag into the match, causing Trish to get pinned; afterwards, Team Xtreme made up) William Regal def. Test Hardcore Champion The Undertaker def. Intercontinental Champion Kane in a title unification match Kurt Angle def. Chris Jericho The Rock def. World Heavyweight Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin by disqualification (Vince McMahon and Big Show interfered)
The night after SummerSlam, The Rock demands a rematch, but instead, Vince books him against Austin and Big Show in a handicap match, but Kurt Angle, who had earlier been denied a title shot, joins The Rock in a standard tag team encounter. Angle and Rock later fight to a no-contest in a Number One Contenders match, leading to a Triple Threat at Unforgiven. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Angle has a lot of fan support based on his pro-USA character, while The Rock is slowly losing fan support due to being seen as “too Hollywood” for the WWF…
Unforgiven results Heat: Val Venis def. Steven Richards Christian def. Edge (Christian used a one man con-chair-to on Edge while the referee was knocked out) Steve Bradley def. Billy Gunn Intercontinental Champion The Undertaker def. European Champion Matt Hardy in a title unification match Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. The APA to retain Big Show def. Chris Jericho Kane def. William Regal Kurt Angle def. World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to win the title
Austin demands a rematch with Angle on the Raw the following night, but is defeated clean by the Angle Lock. The following week, Austin brutally assaults Angle, setting the stage for a No-Holds-Barred match for the title at No Mercy. Meanwhile, Chris Jericho snaps after suffering loss after loss since King of the Ring, and demands that Commissioner Regal name him the number one contender. Instead, Regal sets up a match between him and The Rock for No Mercy, with the winner earning a title shot at Survivor Series. Other prominent matches in the No Mercy build include The Dudley Boyz defending the Tag Team Championship against The Hardy Boyz, The Undertaker defending the Intercontinental Championship against Kane and Big Show in a triple threat match, and Edge and Christian meeting in a rematch, inside of a steel cage.
No Mercy results Heat: The Godfather def. Bull Buchanan by disqualification after Steven Richards interfered (Val Venis made the save to set up the next match) Heat: Val Venis and The Godfather def. Steven Richards and Bull Buchanan Edge def. Christian in a Steel Cage Match Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Molly Holly to retain The Hardy Boyz def. Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz to win the titles Steve Bradley def. Test Intercontinental Champion The Undertaker def. Kane and Big Show to retain Chris Jericho def. The Rock in a Number One Contenders Match (Jericho used a chair on The Rock behind the ref’s back) World Champion Kurt Angle def. Stone Cold Steve Austin in a No-Holds-Barred Match to retain
Chris Jericho goes on a meanstreak in the leadup to Survivor Series, injuring Scotty Too Hotty and Hardcore Holly in the process. Angle, still nursing injuries from his matches with Austin, asks Commissioner Regal for another No-Holds-Barred match, but Regal refuses. The Rock finds himself contending with The Undertaker for the Intercontinental Championship, while Austin gets into a rivalry with Edge, after a skirmish backstage at Smackdown. Other matches for the event include The Hardys and The Dudleys in a Tables match for the Tag Team Championship, Trish defending the Women’s Championship against Lita, Molly Holly and Jacqueline in an elimination match, and a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match, pitting Kane, The APA and Test against Big Show, William Regal, Steve Bradley and the returning Goldust.
Survivor Series results Heat: Val Venis, The Godfather, Crash Holly and Perry Saturn def. Bull Buchanan, Steven Richards, Albert and X-Pac in a Traditional Survivor Series Match (Godfather pinned Richards, X-Pac pinned Crash, Albert pinned Saturn, Venis pinned X-Pac, Godfather pinned Albert, Venis pinned Buchanan) Christian def. Maven (Tough Enough Winner, this match was his prize for winning) The Dudley Boyz def. Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz in a Tables Match Big Show, William Regal, Steve Bradley and Goldust def. Kane, The APA and Test in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match (Bradley pinned Test, Big Show pinned Faarooq, Bradshaw pinned Goldust, Bradley pinned Bradshaw, Kane pinned Big Show, Bradley pinned Kane) Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Lita, Molly Holly and Jacqueline to retain in an Elimination Match (Molly pinned Jacqueline, Lita pinned Molly, Trish pinned Lita) Intercontinental Champion The Undertaker def. The Rock to retain Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Edge World Champion Kurt Angle def. Chris Jericho to retain
A Fatal 4-Way Match for the World Title will headline the final PPV of the year, Vengeance. Kurt Angle will defend against Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Chris Jericho, under sudden death rules. Also, The Undertaker will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Edge. Other prominent matches include Kane vs. Steve Bradley, William Regal vs. Goldust, The Dudley Boyz vs. The APA for the Tag Team Championship, and Trish defending the Women’s Championship against Tough Enough Winner Nidia.
Vengeance results Heat: Scotty Too Hotty and Funaki def. Bull Buchanan and Big Bossman Big Show def. Rikishi Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. The APA to retain Christian def. Al Snow Steve Bradley def. Kane Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Nidia to retain Intercontinental Champion The Undertaker def. Edge to retain Goldust def. William Regal Stone Cold Steve Austin def. World Champion Kurt Angle, The Rock and Chris Jericho to win the title (Triple H appeared after the match to confront Austin)
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 19:21:23 GMT -5
From The Ashes 2001 Following the decision by Turner executive Jamie Kellner to cancel all WCW programming, the fate of WCW looked bleak. After all, without TV, what good was the company? But an angel fell on the shoulder of Eric Bischoff, just days before he was due to make the announcement the locker room had been dreading. Hours before Greed, Bischoff addressed the roster backstage and passed along the word. The following night on Nitro, the fans would learn the news as well: The March 26th Nitro would be the final one broadcast on TNT and would be a celebration of both Nitro and WCW as a whole. There would also be an announcement concerning the future of WCW…
WCW Nitro, March 26th, 2001 The night starts of with WCW President Ric Flair in the ring. He cuts an emotional promo about the history of WCW, then challenges Sting to a match later in the show. A few matches take place, including successful defenses of the Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championships, while Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman earn a shot at the Cruiserweight Tag Team Championships later on. Sting defeats Flair to end the first hour and the two men embrace in the middle of the ring. The second hour opens with a United States Championship match, as Booker T defeats Jeff Jarrett to retain. In a fantastic rematch from Greed, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kidman capture the Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship from Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo.
Scott Steiner comes out to the ring for what is purportedly a WCW Championship main event. Steiner takes the mic and crows about everyone he’s beaten and says there’s nobody left and after tonight, there won’t even be a WCW. He proclaims himself the final Champion in WCW history, but Eric Bischoff comes out. Bischoff says that the rumors of WCW’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Tonight is the final episode of Nitro. On TNT. But Bischoff said WCW isn’t going anywhere! And on May 6th, live on PPV, fans will bear witness to the NEW WCW! And Bischoff announces that Scott Steiner will defend the WCW World Championship on May 6th, when he faces his past demons. Booker T. Sting. Kevin Nash. Diamond Dallas Page. And GOLDBERG!!!!!
May 6th – The Big Bang Eric Bischoff starts the night by thanking the fans for coming out to see what the new WCW has to offer. He promises a company that will listen to it’s fans and that starts with our opening contest, as he brings out Jamie Knoble. Tonight, Knoble will be in action and the fans will get to voice their opinion on who he faces. Bischoff announces the options: Michael Modest, Lance Storm or Mike Sanders. Going by the fan reactions, Bischoff announces that Knoble will be taking on Storm. Lance Storm def. Jamie Knoble Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak def. The Mamalukes Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. to retain A special ceremony is held to honor the legends that paved the way for the new WCW. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes comes out and each get a chance to speak. However, Mike Awesome interrupts. After laying out Funk, he turns his attention to Anderson. Flair and Dusty both make the save, but Flair takes a big boot. Awesome then destroys Dusty, culminating with an Awesome Bomb through a table. Dustin Rhodes runs out to check on his father, vowing to take out Awesome for what he did… Hugh Morrus def. Rick Steiner (Rick’s last match with WCW) Kanyon def. The Cat Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman def. The Jung Dragons to retain Tag Team Champions Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo def. The Boogie Knights to retain Eric Bischoff came back out before the main event and announced that Nitro will be returning in July, on FX! Booker T def. World Champion Scott Steiner, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Sting and Diamond Dallas Page to win the title
On WCW’s website, an announcement is made that at The Great American Bash, Booker T and Scott Steiner will meet one-on-one for the WCW Championship. Other matches advertised on the site include Goldberg vs. Buff Bagwell, Palumbo and O’Haire vs. Jindrak and Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler in their corner) for the Tag Team Championship, Shane Helms vs. Mike Sanders for the Cruiserweight Championship and a special tournament entitled the New Star Initiative Invitational. Also, Dustin Rhodes challenges Mike Awesome to a match, after what Awesome did to Dusty at The Big Bang.
Great American Bash results New Talent Initiative Qualifiers (winners advance to battle royal): Monty Brown def. Prince Justice Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. The Shane Twins Mr. Wrestling Nick Dinsmore def. Rob Conway Teddy Hart def. Mike Quackenbush Matt Stryker def. RJ Brewer Sonny Siaki, Redd Dawg and Chris Harris def. James Storm, Jorge Estrada and Pepper Parks Mark Shraeder def. Shark Boy Tag Team Champions Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo def. Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak to retain Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Mike Sanders to retain Bill Goldberg def. Buff Bagwell Chris Harris won a ten man battle royal to earn a Championship match of his choosing on the first episode of Nitro on FX Mike Awesome def. Dustin Rhodes (Dustin’s last WCW match) World Champion Booker T def. Scott Steiner to retain
Following the Great American Bash, WCW.com announces that the following talents have been signed: Monty Brown, Teddy Hart, Matt Stryker, Sonny Siaki, Redd Dawg, Chris Harris, James Storm, Mark Shraeder and Shark Boy.
Eric Bischoff announces a tournament to begin on Nitro to decide the next number one contender for the WCW Championship. In order to focus on WCW’s future, none of the participants in the tournament will be former World Champions.
Chris Harris elects to challenge Booker T on Nitro for the United States Championship.
On the first Nitro, Booker T retains, but endorses Harris as a future superstar. In the first round of the number one contenders tournament, Billy Kidman defeats Buff Bagwell, Kanyon defeats The Cat, Lance Storm defeats Hugh Morrus and Mike Sanders defeats Chavo Guerrero Jr. In addition, Scott Steiner demands another shot at Booker T, but instead gets Goldberg. Goldberg calls Steiner poison and promises to flush him out of WCW once and for all. Palumbo and O’Haire turn heel by attacking Air Raid after a hard-fought battle between the two teams.
In the coming weeks, Kidman and Kanyon advance to the final of the tournament, while Air Raid earn a title shot. Jamie Knoble climbs the cruiserweight ranks, setting up a match with Shane Helms. Chris Harris and James Storm form a tag team, while Chavo Guerrero Jr. begins competing in the heavyweight division. Kanyon defeats Kidman to earn a title shot against Booker T at Bash at the Beach. Mike Awesome makes Diamond Dallas Page his next target. On the Nitro before the PPV, Lance Storm defeats Booker T for the United States Championship, following interference by Kanyon.
Bash at the Beach results Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Jamie Knoble to retain Chris Harris and James Storm def. The Boogie Knights (After the match, Scott Hudson interview’s Bob Sapp at ringside, but Alex Wright and Disco Inferno get in his face, with Monty Brown coming to Sapp’s aid) Mike Awesome def. Diamond Dallas Page Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Hugh Morrus (Lance Storm issues an open challenge for the United States Championship, which Crowbar accepts) United States Champion Lance Storm def. Crowbar to retain Tag Team Champions Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo def. Air Raid to retain Bill Goldberg def. Scott Steiner (Steiner’s last WCW match) World Champion Booker T def. Kanyon to retain
The following night on Nitro, Buff Bagwell confronts Booker T, saying that he NEEDS to win the World Title. He challenges him to a match at Envy in August. Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman have a wild couple of weeks, as they lose the Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles to Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm, but then earn a shot at Palumbo and O’Haire the following week. Torrie Wilson also returns to WCW, reuniting with Kidman and replacing Konnan as their manager. Chavo Guerrero Jr. challenges Lance Storm for the United States Championship. Mike Awesome puts David Flair out of action, leading to Ric Flair seeking revenge for his son. Fleisch and Storm are challenged by The Jung Dragons, while Mark Shraeder earns a shot at Shane Helms’ Cruiserweight Championship.
Envy results Scoot Andrews def. Teddy Hart, Michael Modest and Matt Stryker The Gridiron Giants def. The Boogie Knights Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Mark Shraeder to retain Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr. def. Tag Team Champions Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire to win the titles Mike Awesome def. Ric Flair Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. United States Champion Lance Storm to win the title Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. The Jung Dragons to retain World Champion Booker T def. Buff Bagwell to retain
On Nitro, Goldberg defeats Diamond Dallas Page, Sting and Kanyon to earn a shot at the WCW Championship at Fall Brawl. Kronik returns to crash Kidman and Mysterio’s celebration, challenging them to a match at Fall Brawl. After losing the Tag Team Championship, Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo go their separate ways. O’Haire finds himself facing Diamond Dallas Page, while Palumbo feuds with The Cat. Scoot Andrews challenges Shane Helms, while a six way match is announced, featuring Jamie Knoble, Matt Stryker, Michael Modest, Shark Boy, and newcomers Frankie Kazarian and The Amazing Red. A four-way tag team match is also announced, featuring Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg, Chris Harris and James Storm, Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak, and The Gridiron Giants. New United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. is challenged by former Champion Lance Storm, while Kanyon and Sting feud.
Fall Brawl results Michael Modest def. Jamie Knoble, Matt Stryker, Shark Boy, Frankie Kazarian and Amazing Red The Cat def. Chuck Palumbo Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. Chris Harris and James Storm, Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak, and The Gridiron Giants Kanyon def. Sting Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Scoot Andrews to retain Sean O’Haire def. Diamond Dallas Page Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman def. Kronik to retain United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Lance Storm to retain World Champion Booker T def. Bill Goldberg to retain (After the match, Mike Awesome attacked Goldberg and Awesome-Bombed him through a table, then brawled with Booker T to end the show)
Following his attack on Goldberg and Booker T, Mike Awesome is granted the World Championship match at Halloween Havoc. Kanyon is flying high after defeating Sting, but Sting challenges him to a rematch. Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page and Buff Bagwell are set to meet in a Number One Contenders Triple Threat. Chavo Guerrero Jr. finds himself challenged by Hugh Morrus. Lance Storm and Sean O’Haire get into a scuffle backstage, which sets up a match between the two for Halloween Havoc. Michael Modest cashes in his title shot, but Scoot Andrews has made it known he wants a rematch. Andrews will have his hands full with Jamie Knoble at Halloween Havoc, while Air Raid challenge Fleisch and Storm. Siaki and Redd Dawg will get their shot at Kidman and Mysterio, while Harris and Storm find themselves scheduled against Jindrak and Stasiak.
Halloween Havoc results Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. Air Raid to retain United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Hugh Morrus to retain Chris Harris and James Storm def. Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak Scoot Andrews def. Jamie Knoble Bill Goldberg def. Diamond Dallas Page and Buff Bagwell in a Number One Contenders match Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms def. Michael Modest to retain Sean O’Haire def. Lance Storm Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman def. Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg to retain Sting def. Kanyon World Champion Booker T def. Mike Awesome by disqualification to retain (Awesome used a chair as a weapon, but after the match, Goldberg ran out and Speared Awesome off the stage through a stack of tables)
Goldberg is the number one contender for the World Championship, but Mike Awesome has vowed to destroy anyone who gets between him and the title. At Mayhem, the two will meet in a Number One Contenders Match. As for Booker T, he will defend his title against Sting. Sean O’Haire continues his hot streak as he is set to face The Cat. Shane Helms finds himself with both Scoot Andrews and Michael Modest coming after him, setting up a triangle match for Mayhem. A battle of respect will take place for the Tag Team Championship, as Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman will defend against Chris Harris and James Storm. Diamond Dallas Page challenges Chavo Guerrero Jr, while the number one contender will be decided between Lance Storm, Kanyon, Chuck Palumbo and Jamie Knoble. After getting beat down by Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm and their new ally Rob Conway, Amazing Red promises to bring in some friends to even the score. In a special attraction, Teddy Hart will face Matt Stryker, and in tag team action, The Gridiron Giants take on Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg.
Mayhem results The SAT def. Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm and Rob Conway Sean O’Haire def. The Cat Lance Storm def. Chuck Palumbo, Jamie Knoble and Kanyon in a Number One Contenders match Scoot Andrews def. Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms and Michael Modest to win the title The Gridiron Giants def. Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Diamond Dallas Page to retain Teddy Hart def. Matt Stryker Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman def. Chris Harris and James Storm to retain Mike Awesome def. Bill Goldberg in a Number One Contenders Match (Goldberg’s last WCW match) World Champion Booker T def. Sting to retain
The stage is set for Starrcade, as Booker T and Mike Awesome will meet in a No-Disqualifications match for the World Championship. Lance Storm will challenge Chavo Guerrero for the United States Championship. Scoot Andrews will defend the Cruiserweight Championship against the former Champion Shane Helms. Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman will defend the Tag Team Championship against Siaki and Redd Dawg, Harris and Storm, and Kronik in a four way match. The SAT will challenge Fleisch and Storm for the Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship. Sean O’Haire will face Sting. Jamie Knoble will take on Kanyon. Teddy Hart will face Amazing Red. Diamond Dallas Page will meet Chuck Palumbo. And The Gridiron Giants will face Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak.
Starrcade results Amazing Red def. Teddy Hart Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak def. The Gridiron Giants (Stacy Keibler sprayed hairspray in Bob Sapp’s eyes, allowing Jindrak to get the pin) Jamie Knoble def. Kanyon Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. The SAT to retain Diamond Dallas Page def. Chuck Palumbo Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Shane Helms to retain Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. Tag Team Champions Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman, Chris Harris and James Storm, and Kronik to win the titles Sting def. Sean O’Haire Lance Storm def. United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. to win the title Mike Awesome def. World Champion Booker T to win the title
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 20:27:35 GMT -5
Extreme Rebirth 2001 After January 7th’s Guilty as Charged PPV, the fate of ECW seemed certain. The company had been unable to pay the talent for months. Rob Van Dam had infamously left the company in October, only to return at Guilty as Charged as a favor to Paul Heyman. And Rhino had thrown down the Television Championship, declaring it worthless, as the company wasn’t even on TV. Indeed, things looked bleak and when the company held it’s show in Buffalo, New York six days later, the roster even treated it with a sense of finality. Those who even bothered to attend the show gathered in the ring after the main event and toasted the crowd and the company. And it seemed like that was it.
But Paul Heyman wasn’t ready to give up on his baby just yet. ECW.com insisted that Living Dangerously would still happen on March 11th. Many were skeptical. For one thing, where was the money going to come from?? Well, that question was answered in late February, as Universal Music Group loudly and proudly touted their acquisition of ECW, both online and via a press conference, which featured Paul Heyman, Rob Van Dam, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer. During said press conference, it was announced that ECW would return to television, on the USA Network, every Wednesday night at 9PM, beginning on March 14th. When questioned why they weren’t going on Mondays, Heyman explained that Monday nights are already crowded enough. While ECW wants to compete with the WWF and WCW, there’s no winning if they try to jump into the Monday Night War.
The discussion eventually came around to the ECW Championship, and who would challenge Rhino at Living Dangerously. Both Rob Van Dam and Sandman had a valid claim, Heyman said, so at Living Dangerously, the two were set to meet one on one, and the winner would challenge Rhino that same night for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Regarding the Television Championship, also held by Rhino, Heyman said that USA wanted to heavily promote the belt and to that end, they had personally signed a match to take place at Living Dangerously: In a 4-Way Dance, it was to be Super Crazy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Kid Kash vs. Mikey Whipwreck, with the winner headlining the first episode of Hardcore TV on USA, challenging Rhino for the Television Championship. As the number one contenders following their win at Guilty As Charged, The Full Blooded Italians would also get their shot at the Tag Team Championship at Living Dangerously, against the team that took the titles from them, Danny Doring and Roadkill. Other matches announced included Da Baldies taking on Joey Matthews and Christian York, collectively known as The Badstreet Boys, Nova joining forces with Spike Dudley to face Hot Commodity, and a match featuring a newcomer to ECW, Low Ki, taking on the Extreme Referee H.C. Loc. Tommy Dreamer mentioned he would also be at the show and looking for a fight…
Living Dangerously results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner start in the ring, as is tradition. But in the middle of yet another raunchy Gertner introduction, Jerry Lynn, who came through the crowd, obscured by a hoodie and a group of “security officers”, nearly takes his head off with a Singapore cane! Lynn continues the attack, until Tommy Dreamer runs down, armed with a steel chair. As Lynn bails, Rhino slips into the ring behind Dreamer. Dreamer turns around… GORE! GORE! GORE! Cyrus is standing on the stage, flanked by Da Baldies, laughing like a madman. CW Anderson then runs down to help Dreamer, before challenging Lynn to a match on the spot) Jerry Lynn def. CW Anderson (Rhino took out Anderson with a Gore, allowing Lynn to then hit the cradle piledriver for the victory. Afterwards, Dreamer came back in the ring to help Anderson fight off Lynn and Rhino, before bludgeoning most of Lynn’s entourage with chairs. Da Baldies then come in and start brawling with Dreamer and Anderson, before The Bad Street Boyz make the save, leading right into the next match) The Bad Street Boys def. Da Baldies (a lot of outside interference in this one, from Cyrus, Lynn, Dreamer, Anderson and finally, The New Impact Players, Steve Corino and Justin Credible. Credible and Corino lay out Da Baldies with dual cane shots, allowing York and Matthews to score the double pin, but Credible and Corino, alongside Jack Victory and Francine, beat down Matthews, York and Dreamer. But when Anderson tries to stop them, Credible and Corino back off, winking at Anderson, who looks confused) (We get a video showcasing Low Ki (utilizing footage from his recent Super 8 Tournament win) ahead of his ECW debut) Low Ki def. H.C. Loc Nova and Spike Dudley def. Hot Commodity (Chris Hammerick and Elektra tried to interfere on behalf of EZ Money and Julio Dinero, but an ill-timed chair shot from Hammerick to Money allowed Nova to get the win. After the match, Chris Chetti and Lou E. Dangerously attacked Nova, until security intervened) (Simon… has… a problem. Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger and Dawn Marie make their way to the ring, complaining about the apparent “hierarchy” in ECW, which means they don’t even get a match on the company’s most important show. The lights go out and “Natural Born Killaz” plays on the PA, popping the crowd. New Jack comes out, with his signature garbage can full of weapons. Right behind him are Balls Mahoney and Chilly Willy, as we get ten minutes of brawling through the arena, in and out of the ring. At some point, it becomes a match of some kind, when a referee joins the fray) New Jack, Balls Mahoney and Chilly Willy def. Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger Kid Kash def. Super Crazy, Yoshihiro Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck in a 4-way dance (After the match, Jerry Lynn, flanked by the security that didn’t get beaten down earlier, lays out Kash with a cane, a superkick and a cradle piledriver) Tag Team Champions Danny Doring and Roadkill def. The Full Blooded Italians to retain The Sandman def. Rob Van Dam to earn an ECW Championship match with Rhino (Rhino, Jerry Lynn and Da Baldies attacked both men as soon as the bell sounded and beat them down. Rhino then threw Sandman on top of RVD and forced the ref to make the count) World Champion Rhino def. The Sandman to retain (Rhino immediately started setting up tables in the ring, as Da Baldies put a beating on Sandman. Jerry Lynn and RVD brawled into the crowd and out of sight, leaving Sandman alone. Somehow, he managed to mount a comeback, taking out DeVito and Angel, then grabbing his trademark Singapore cane. After blistering the backs of Da Baldies, Rhino went for a Gore, only get caught by Sandman, who hit a DDT for a two count. More cane-based offense ensues and Sandman looks like he might actually be able to do it. But then the lights go out. It’s chaos, as the fans are anticipating something huge, but probably not favorable. When they come back on, Jerry Lynn and his security guards are back in the ring. Lynn uses his own cane to bludgeon The Sandman, then Rhino finishes him off with the Gore to retain) (After the match, Rhino, Lynn, Cyrus, Da Baldies and the security guards stand over Sandman as they are pelted with garbage. But then, The New Impact Players arrive to a mixed reaction after earlier and brawl with Da Baldies. Cyrus gets on the mic and says nobody can stop Rhino. Kid Kash runs out to try and get at his opponent for Wednesday, but gets Gored. Finally, RVD returns, armed with a chair and chases off Cyrus and Lynn. While Rhino wants to fight, Cyrus convinces him otherwise and the two depart, leaving the ring to RVD as the show ends)
On the first episode of ECW Hardcore TV on USA, Rhino defends the Television Championship against Kid Kash. Kash puts up a brave fight against the Man-Beast, but in the end, a Gore through a table ends the match with Rhino’s hand being raised. But, as Rhino celebrates, a chair comes flying into the ring, hitting him in the head. RVD is here! RVD and Rhino brawl until Lynn, Cyrus and Da Baldies run out. RVD gets beaten down in the middle of the ring, until “Enter Sandman” plays on the speakers, signaling the arrival of The Sandman! Sandman chases off Cyrus and company, Rhino again needing to be convinced to walk away. Sandman and RVD stand tall, but the tension in the air is a reminder that both men want the ECW Championship, even if they have to go through each other to get it. Again.
In a stark contrast to the WWF and WCW, ECW puts more emphasis on their TV product and as such, while they do clearly build towards their pay-per-views, important things still happen on Hardcore TV:
March 14th: The New Impact Players def. The Bad Street Boys; The Unholy Alliance def. The FBI to earn a title shot the following week; Low Ki def. Julio Dinero (EZ Money and Chris Hammerick bicker at ringside, distracting Dinero); Nova demands the reinstatement of Chris Chetti
March 21st: CW Anderson def. Jerry Lynn in a Living Dangerously rematch; The Unholy Alliance def. Danny Doring and Roadkill to win the Tag Team Championship; Low Ki def. EZ Money (Chris Hammerick pushed Money off the top rope, allowing Ki to get the win); Lou E. Dangerously announces that Chris Chetti’s lawyer will be meeting with Paul Heyman this week
March 28th: The Sandman def. Justin Credible to earn a shot at the ECW Championship on April 4th; CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. Da Baldies, then get attacked by The New Impact Players (after Anderson refused their offer to join them the previous week); Roadkill and Danny Doring attack The Unholy Alliance and The Sinister Minister backstage; Rob Van Dam def. Little Guido Maritato; Paul Heyman announces that Chris Chetti vs. Nova has been signed for Hardcore Heaven, if Chetti wins, he’ll be reinstated, but if he loses, he will be banned for life
April 4th: Rhino def. The Sandman to retain the World Title; Justin Credible def. Tommy Dreamer in a bloodbath; Roadkill and Doring def. The Bad Street Boys in a Number One Contenders match; Low Ki def. Chris Hammerick (EZ Money costs Hammerick the match)
April 11th: Hardcore Heaven is confirmed for May 13th; Rob Van Dam and The Sandman def. Da Baldies (because RVD scored the pin, he will challenge Rhino next week for the title); CW Anderson def. Steve Corino in another blood bath; Rhino def. Super Crazy to retain the TV Title
April 18th: USA Network announces that next week, there will be a roster-wide battle royal to decide Rhino’s next challenger for the TV Title; EZ Money challenges Chris Hammerick to a match at Hardcore Heaven; The Unholy Alliance def. Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger (Doring and Roadkill attack the Champs after the match); Low Ki def. Nova (Chris Chetti and Lou E. Dangerously distract Nova, who falls prey to the Warrior’s Way); Rhino def. Rob Van Dam to retain the World Title (Jerry Lynn and his security team attacked RVD on the ramp and beat him down, including a cradle piledriver through a table. Rhino then pinned him after three Gores. Cyrus said that RVD will never get another shot at the title)
April 25th: With RVD out of the title picture, Rhino proclaims he’s defeated the entire ECW roster, only for Bam Bam Bigelow to make his shocking return! Bigelow challenges Rhino for Hardcore Heaven, which is accepted; The Battle Royal takes up the remainder of ECW’s one hour time slot; During the match, various stories play out: Dreamer and Anderson brawl to the back with Credible and Corino early on; Roadkill goes on a tear, eliminating Tajiri and Whipwreck, Matthews and York, and Kid Kash, before getting tossed by the combined efforts of Super Crazy, The FBI, Nova, Balls Mahoney, Chilly Willy and Spike Dudley; Da Baldies enter late and clean house, dumping Mahoney, Spike, Willy, The FBI and Danny Doring, before New Jack also shows up late and demolishes his former rivals with an array of weaponry; Chris Hammerick eliminates Julio Dinero, but then gets tossed himself by EZ Money; New Jack eliminates DeVito and Angel, before Jerry Lynn’s security team swarms the ring and beats him down; Lynn tosses New Jack; Dreamer, Anderson and The Impact Players eventually return, still brawling at ringside; After some more eliminations, the final four are: Low Ki, Jerry Lynn, CW Anderson and The Sandman; Lynn and his security eliminate Sandman, while Ki gets tossed by Anderson; Lynn’s security attacks Anderson, but Tommy Dreamer runs back out to help fight them off; Anderson tosses Lynn to earn the title shot next week
May 2nd: CW Anderson def. Rhino to win the TV Title (Da Baldies make the first run-in, attacking Anderson on the ramp, but The Impact Players chase them off; Dreamer runs out to attack both teams, followed by Sandman, who goes after Rhino; Jerry Lynn comes in and attacks Anderson, until RVD chases him off; Bam Bam Bigelow then attacks Rhino, hitting the Greetings From Asbury Park; Anderson finally gets the win after an Anderson Spinebuster); Paul Heyman announces that at Hardcore Heaven, RVD will face Jerry Lynn in what he calls a “Ladder War”; Chris Hammerick def. H.C. Loc (after the match, EZ Money attacked Hammerick, while Dinero tried to play peacemaker); Low Ki def. Spike Dudley
May 9th: The final card was announced for Hardcore Heaven: Rhino vs. Bigelow for the World Title; Impact Players vs. Dreamer and Anderson; RVD vs. Jerry Lynn in a Ladder War; EZ Money vs. Chris Hammerick; Nova vs. Chetti with Chetti’s ECW future on the line; Unholy Alliance vs. Doring and Roadkill for the Tag Team Championship; The FBI vs. The Bad Street Boys vs. Swinger and Simon in a Number One Contenders Match; and the debut of Christopher Daniels; Low Ki def. Balls Mahoney; Bam Bam Bigelow def. H.C. Loc (after the match, Rhino attacked Bigelow, but got put through a table for his troubles); Jerry Lynn cut a promo on RVD, talking about the ways he can hurt him with a ladder; CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. Da Baldies (after the match, The New Impact Players attacked both teams); a hype video aired for Christopher Daniels, featuring his 1999 and 2000 Super 8 performances
Hardcore Heaven results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner start the show in the ring, per usual. Gertner gets through his intro, before Simon… has… a problem. Diamond doesn’t understand why he and Swinger have to face a team that lost the titles and a team that never wins to get their title shot. The Bad Street Boys run out, starting the match. Guido and Mamaluke take their time getting to the ring, but eventually join the fray) The Bad Street Boys def. Simon and Swinger, and The FBI in a 3-Way Dance (Mamaluke pinned Swinger, Matthews pinned Guido) Chris Chetti def. Nova to get reinstated in ECW (Swinger and Diamond, upset after being eliminated first, jumped Nova on the ramp, before Spike Dudley chased them off with a chair. Later on, Dawn Marie low-blowed Nova, allowing Chetti to lock in the Katahageme to score the win) Christopher Daniels def. Kid Kash EZ Money def. Chris Hammerick (Julio Dinero, done being peacemaker, hit Hammerick with a chair, calling him the weak link in Hot Commodity) (After the match, Elektra looks down at Hammerick, then calls him a loser. She has a new man, who’s twice the competitor he is and ten times the man he’ll ever be… Michael Shane) Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. Danny Doring and Roadkill to retain Rob Van Dam def. Jerry Lynn in a Ladder War Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson def. The New Impact Players (Da Baldies attacked The Impact Players before the bell, but Dreamer and Anderson made the save. Later, DeVito came back out and laid out Corino with a waffle iron, allowing Anderson to pin him for the win) World Champion Rhino def. Bam Bam Bigelow to retain (Da Baldies and Jerry Lynn interfered in the match, helping Rhino put Bam Bam down. RVD ran out to help Bam Bam, but got beat down by Da Baldies. The New Impact Players, however, came out to chase off Da Baldies, but Credible still leveled RVD with a cane shot, maintaining their wild card status. Finally, the lights went out and Enter Sandman hit on the PA system. With the fans on their feet, Sandman chased away Lynn and Da Baldies, while Cyrus had to drag Rhino away from the fray.)
May 16th: Footage is shown from after Hardcore Heaven went off the air. As the ring crew came out to disassemble the ring, while the crowd was still filing out, Da Baldies came out started beating on them, just for fun; Hardcore TV opens with the ring not yet assembled as two members of the ring crew, Dunn and Marcos, stand where the ring should be. They say they won’t set up the ring until Da Baldies come out here so and fight them like men. A wild brawl breaks out, with no ring, they have the entire area to work with, as well as the tools that would normally be used to assemble to the ring to use as weapons. It takes security (real security, not Jerry Lynn’s guys) to break them up; While the ring is being put up by a backup crew and some of the wrestlers, we go to Rob Van Dam talking about his Ladder War with Jerry Lynn and his involvement with the main event of Hardcore Heaven. RVD challenges Justin Credible to face him in the main event tonight; Elsewhere, CW Anderson is proudly wearing the TV Title. He says that he’s an easy man to find and anyone who wants a shot just has to ask; Bam Bam Bigelow says he has no regrets about how his match with Rhino went… well, just one: next time, he’s going to break Cyrus’ neck; The Sinister Minister and The Unholy Alliance are backstage. The Minister warns The Badstreet Boys that by winning the number one contenders spot, they signed their death certificates…; The Sandman warns Jerry Lynn that there’s only room for one cane wielding SOB in ECW…; Low Ki says that he came to ECW to win titles and up his cred. CW Anderson has something he wants…; Super Crazy cuts a promo mostly in Spanish, but the gist is clear: he wants the World Title…; With the ring ready to go, Joey Styles informs us that our scheduled opener between Christopher Daniels and Spike Dudley, as well as a tag team match pitting Swinger and Simon against Hot Commodity, have been moved to next week; Rob Van Dam def. Justin Credible (Steve Corino interfered on Credible’s behalf, which brought out Da Baldies. Dunn and Marcos also joined the fray, Dunn nailing Credible with a pair of pliers to the forehead, allowing RVD to hit the Five Star Frog Splash for the win. After the match, Jack Victory joined the fight, as did Jerry Lynn, Rhino, Super Crazy and Bam Bam Bigelow. Then “Enter Sandman” hit, signaling The Sandman’s entrance. This time, everyone got nailed, face or heel, except Rhino, who was ushered away by Cyrus and Lynn’s security guards)
May 23rd: The show opens this week and… Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger are outraged that their match was bumped from last week’s show and blame the unprofessional actions of the ring crew. They demand that Dunn and Marcos come out and apologize personally to them for causing their match to be canceled. Dunn and Marcos do indeed come out, but rather than an apology, they want a match with Swinger and Simon right now; Swinger and Simon def. Dunn and Marcos (Da Baldies interfere, attacking Dunn and Marcos, allowing Swinger and Simon to get the win. The New Impact Players then come out and attack all three teams. This brought out RVD, who challenges Steve Corino to a match on the spot); Steve Corino def. Rob Van Dam (Rhino interfered, hitting the Gore on RVD, which allowed Credible to then get the pin after That’s Incredible. Super Crazy then came down and challenged Rhino, but Bam Bam Bigelow also arrived on the scene and argued with Crazy. “Enter Sandman” then hit and The Sandman came through the crowd. He started caning anything that moved, but Cyrus once again forced Rhino to back off.); Elektra and Michael Shane were in the parking lot, having arrived earlier in the day. Shane says that he’s here in ECW to continue his family’s legacy. He cousin is the legendary Shawn Michaels, but Shane says he knows he’s way above the level of HBK and now, he’s going to prove it…; The Badstreet Boys talked about getting an opportunity at the Tag Team Championship in two weeks. York and Matthews express no fear of The Sinister Minister or The Unholy Alliance; Christopher Daniels def. Spike Dudley; Paul Heyman appears to announce two big matches for next week’s show: CW Anderson will defend the TV Title against Low Ki, while Super Crazy, Bam Bam Bigelow and The Sandman will meet to decide the number one contender for the World Title.
May 30th: Michael Shane def. David Young; Da Baldies come out after the match. Shane and Elektra bail, as DeVito and Angel beat down Young. The say they’re sick of kicking The Impact Players’ asses, so they challenge them to a fight right here and now. Instead, The Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) come out and begin brawling with Da Baldies. Credible and Corino come out and watch from the stage…; CW Anderson def. Low Ki to retain the TV Title (after the match, Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger attack Anderson, but Tommy Dreamer and Rob Van Dam make the save); Danny Doring and Roadkill, despite two straight losses to The Unholy Alliance, vow to come after the winners of next week’s Tag Team Championship match; Super Crazy def. The Sandman and Bam Bam Bigelow to earn an ECW Championship match (Sandman pinned Bigelow after a DDT on a chair. Jerry Lynn and his security team came out and attacked Sandman, allowing Crazy to get the pin after a triple moonsault. Afterwards, Crazy and Bigelow help Sandman fight off Lynn, but get caned for their troubles); Rhino and Cyrus promise the destruction of Super Crazy when he and Rhino meet for the ECW Championship; Paul Heyman announces that next week, The Unholy Alliance will defend the Tag Team Championship against The Badstreet Boys and Da Baldies will face the Ring Crew Express.
June 6th: Da Baldies def. The Ring Crew Express (The New Impact Players attack both teams during the match. DeVito manages to steal a pin on Marcos during the ensuing brawl, but then gets beaten bloody by Credible and his cane); Super Crazy reminds the audience that he’s beaten Rhino before and promises to do it again for the ECW Championship; Christopher Daniels def. Tyson Dux; Chris Chetti, flanked by Swinger and Simon, Dawn Marie and Lou E. Dangerously, challenged CW Anderson for a TV Title match; Paul Heyman announces that next week, The New Impact Players and Da Baldies will meet in a steel cage match; The Unholy Alliance def. The Bad Street Boys to retain the Tag Team Championship
June 13th: Chris Chetti def. Tommy Dreamer (Swinger and Simon interfered, costing Dreamer the match. CW Anderson made the save, then accepted Chetti’s challenge for the TV Title for next week); Michael Shane def. Spike Dudley; A video aired, hyping a newcomer named Spanky; Paul Heyman announces that next week, in addition to CW Anderson vs. Chris Chetti for the TV Title, Super Crazy will face Jerry Lynn, and Low Ki will be in action; Da Baldies def. The New Impact Players in a Steel Cage match (DeVito pinned Credible after a spike piledriver off the cage through a table)
June 20th: Super Crazy def. Jerry Lynn (Lynn’s security guys attacked Crazy, but The Sandman came through the crowd and tore through Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer, before busting open Lynn with his cane. Crazy then hit the triple Moonsault to win); Another vignette aired to promote Spanky, highlighting his lighthearted comedic personality; Backstage, Michael Shane and Elektra are having a makeout session, when Chris Hammerick interrupts. He calls Elektra a whore and hopes Shane gets herpes. This sparks a brawl between the two; Low Ki def. Tony Kozina; Paul Heyman announces that Da Baldies are the new number one contenders for the Tag Team Championship and will face The Unholy Alliance at Heatwave on July 15th; CW Anderson def. Chris Chetti to retain the Television Championship (Swinger and Simon tried to interfere, but Tommy Dreamer and RVD made the save. Anderson went on to pin Chetti with an Anderson Spinebuster to retain; Paul Heyman announced that next week, Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney will take on Hot Commodity, Christopher Daniels will be in action, and Nova will face Bam Bam Bigelow
June 27th: Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney come out for their match, but are attacked by Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer. Jerry Lynn then comes out and challenged The Sandman to face him. Instead, Bam Bam Bigelow comes out and gets in Lynn’s face. Nova, who was set to face Bam Bam tonight, also comes out to face off with Lynn. Willy and Mahoney then attack the heels from behind, sparking an impromptu eight man tag; Bam Bam Bigelow, Nova, Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney def. Jerry Lynn, Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer (Da Baldies came out to help Lynn’s team, but The Unholy Alliance came out to fight them off. Rhino ran down and Gored Nova, but Super Crazy made the save, as the match turned into a ten man tag. Then, The Sandman came through the crowd and began cleaning house with his cane. Eventually, Willy was able to drape an arm over Collyer to get the win); A vignette showed Spanky hanging out at a club, causing the women to swoon, but pissing off their boyfriends…; Earlier today, ECW’s new roving reporter, Becky Bayless, caught up with The Ring Crew Express as they were setting up the ring. They said that while Da Baldies and The New Impact Players may have resolved their issues two weeks ago, they weren’t done with either team. Dunn and Marcos then challenged Justin Credible and Steve Corino to a match at Heatwave; Christopher Daniels def. Jayson Reign; With the scheduled main event having been changed, Hot Commodity, who had been scheduled for the opener, came out and called out CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer. EZ Money challenged Anderson for the TV Title next week, which Anderson accepted, but then decided why wait until next week when they can fight right now?; CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. Hot Commodity (after the match, Money put Anderson through a table); Paul Heyman announced that next week, Anderson will defend the TV Title against EZ Money, Michael Shane will be in action, and The Ring Crew Express will face The FBI
July 4th: The show opened with the Ring Crew Express setting up tables at ringside. When questioned by Becky Bayless, Dunn explained that they want to show The Impact Players just how extreme they can get; The Ring Crew Express def. The FBI (after the match, Credible and Corino attacked Dunn and Marcos, putting them through two of the tables they had set up earlier); In a continuation of last week’s vignette, Spanky successfully fights off the boyfriends of the women who were fawning over him. He then announces that next week, he’s coming to ECW!; Michael Shane def. Billy Fives; In a promo filmed in the parking lot, Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney challenged The Sandman; CW Anderson def. EZ Money to retain the TV Title; Paul Heyman announced that next week, on the Heatwave go-home show, The Sandman will face Balls Mahoney, Spanky will make his in-ring debut, Nova, Bam Bam Bigelow, Kid Kash and Christopher Daniels will meet in a number one contenders match for the TV Title, and Swinger, Simon and Chris Chetti will take on CW Anderson, Tommy Dreamer and Rob Van Dam
July 11th: Bam Bam Bigelow def. Nova, Kid Kash and Christopher Daniels in a 4-Way Dance (Daniels pinned Kash, Nova pinned Daniels, Bigelow pinned Nova to win the match); Backstage, Chilly Willy helped Ball Mahoney get psyched up for his match with The Sandman; Spanky def. Mike Sullivan; The Unholy Alliance promised to take Da Baldies to the extreme at Heatwave, with Mikey Whipwreck warning DeVito and Angel they could get burned…; Rob Van Dam, CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger (Lou E Dangerously and Dawn Marie interfered on behalf of Chetti, Simon and Swinger. Van Dam eventually pinned Swinger after a Five Star Frog Splash, but was attacked by Chetti with a chair after the match); The full card for Heatwave is announced via a hype video: Rhino vs. Super Crazy for the World Title; Jerry Lynn vs. The Sandman; The Unholy Alliance vs. Da Baldies for the Tag Team Titles, The New Impact Players vs. The Ring Crew Express, CW Anderson vs. Bam Bam Bigelow for the TV Title, Michael Shane vs. Chris Hammerick, a four way dance to decide the number one contenders for the Tag Team Titles, between Doring and Roadkill, The FBI, The Badstreet Boys and Swinger and Simon, and just announced, Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Chetti; The Sandman def. Balls Mahoney (Sandman bludgeoned Mahoney with his cane, then tried to do the same to Chilly Willy before Jerry Lynn and his security team ran out to attack Sandman. Willy helped Mahoney to the back, while Sandman wore out his cane on the backs of Northcut, Onyx and Collyer, while Jerry Lynn looked on from ringside)
Heatwave results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner’s introduction is interrupted by Danny Doring and Roadkill, who talked about how they will regain their titles, but then The FBI come out. Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke haven’t forgotten how Doring and Roadkill took their titles from them and they still want revenge, but Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger say it’s not fair that two teams who have already won the titles get to compete tonight for another shot, when they haven’t had the same chance. The Badstreet Boys then come out, but rather than talking, they attack all three teams, starting the match) Swinger and Simon def. Doring and Roadkill, The FBI and The Badstreet Boys in a 4-way dance (Joey Matthews pinned Danny Doring, Simon Diamond pinned Tony Mamaluke, Johnny Swinger pinned Christian York) Michael Shane def. Chris Hammerick (A vignette aired promising that a new wrestler was coming and his name is… The American Dragon) The New Impact Players def. The Ring Crew Express (Credible pinned Marcos after a That’s Incredible through a table covered in thumbtacks) Television Champion CW Anderson def. Bam Bam Bigelow to retain the title Rob Van Dam def. Chris Chetti Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. Da Baldies to retain Jerry Lynn def. The Sandman (Sandman took out Northcut, Onyx and Collyer, but then Chilly Willy came out and hit him with a chair, allowing Lynn to get the pin) World Champion Rhino def. Super Crazy to retain (interference happened, first with Jerry Lynn and Cyrus, then Bam Bam Bigelow, followed by Rob Van Dam, then Da Baldies, then Kid Kash, then the lights went out… and JEFF JARRETT was in the ring! He broke a guitar over the head of Super Crazy, allowing Rhino to get the win and retain)
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 20:29:07 GMT -5
July 18th: Cyrus leads Rhino, Jerry Lynn, Da Baldies, Ryan Northcut, Onyx, Chad Collyer and Jeff Jarrett to the ring to kick of Hardcore TV. Cyrus proclaims his group to be known as The Viral Network and that they are here to make ECW “get with the program”. Cyrus begins listing the names Rhino has knocked off, including The Sandman, Rob Van Dam, Bam Bam Bigelow and Super Crazy. He then promises that none of those guys will even sniff the World Title again as long as Rhino is Champion. Da Baldies are going to take the Tag Team Titles, whether they have to murder The Unholy Alliance or beat Simon and Swinger, they don’t care. Jerry Lynn is going to take the TV Title from CW Anderson (confirming Lynn as Anderson’ next challenger). And Jeff Jarrett is the insurance policy, brought in to make sure everything goes as planned. This brings out Kid Kash, who says he’s not afraid of Rhino or his stooges. He wants a title shot. Cyrus says he has to earn it, so tonight, Kash can face Chad Collyer. If he wins, they’ll consider him for an opportunity…; Low Ki def. Rob Eckos; Another vignette airs to promote the upcoming debut of The American Dragon; Becky Bayless catches up with Chilly Willy, who says that The Sandman made an enemy of him when he took out Balls Mahoney. While he hated helping Jerry Lynn, he had to send a message to The Sandman; Swinger and Simon def. Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance to win the titles (Dawn Marie distracted Tajiri with a striptease, allowing Swinger to hit a neckbreaker for the win. Afterwards, Tajiri spit green mist in Dawn Marie’s face); Paul Heyman announced that next week, Christopher Daniels will take on Nova, Spanky will battle Michael Shane, and The Badstreet Boys will face The FBI; Kid Kash def. Chad Collyer (after the match, Onyx and Ryan Northcut beat Kash down, as Cyrus promised Kash will “never” get a shot at the World Title…
July 25th: Paul Heyman opens the show with a statement. He says that Cyrus has no authority in the “new” ECW and that nothing he says is to be taken as official. To that end, Heyman announces that on August 15th, Kid Kash WILL challenge Rhino for the World Title! Furthermore, tonight, Kash will team Nova and Spike Dudley next week to take on Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer; Christopher Daniels def. Nova (after the match, Daniels declared himself to be the future of ECW and throws his hat into the ring for a TV Title shot); Another vignette to promote The American Dragon airs, this time giving a date: August 15th; Joey Styles announces the significance of August 15th, as on that night, ECW will expand to two hours every Wednesday night, right here on the USA network!; The Badstreet Boys def. The FBI (after the match, The Badstreet Boys issued a challenge to Simon and Swinger, but were attacked from behind by Doring and Roadkill, who say THEY get the next shot. Da Baldies then come out and beat up Roadkill and Doring, making it clear that they’re not done with the title picture just yet…); Rob Van Dam gets some airtime to talk about his future in ECW. His goal is still the World Title, until he wins that, he can never call his career complete. He knows that Cyrus and Rhino “banned” him from a future title shot, but thanks to Paul Heyman’s statement earlier, he figures it’s just a matter of time before he gets his chance. But before he does, he knows he needs to take down The Viral Network. So he proposes a series of matches between him and Network members. If he loses any match, he will not challenge as long as Rhino is Champion. But if he wins, each member of The Network that he beats will be barred from ringside when he does get his shot…; Spanky def. Michael Shane (after the match, as Spanky celebrated, Michael Shane and Elektra attacked him and beat him bloody with a steel chair; Paul Heyman announced that he has accepted RVD’s proposal, despite the risk inherent if RVD loses any match. On August 15th, RVD will face Ryan Northcut in the first of those matches…
August 1st: Kid Kash, Nova and Spike Dudley def. Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer; Backstage, Chilly Willy is walking when The Sandman jumps him from out of nowhere and lays into him with the cane. When he’s done, Willy is a bloodied heap and Sandman walks away, smirking as he says he’ll see Willy on the 15th…; Super Crazy def. Chris Chetti; Backstage, The Badstreet Boys, Roadkill and Doring, and Da Baldies were all trying to plead their case for a title shot to Paul Heyman. Heyman told them that next week, there will be a three-way dance and the winner will challenge Swinger and Simon on August 15th; Michael Shane brags about “ruining” Spanky’s face last week and says that there’s only room for one pretty face in ECW and that’s the “Real Deal Sex Appeal” Michael Shane; Bam Bam Bigelow def. Chris Hammerick; Cyrus and Rhino complain about Paul Heyman undermining the Viral Network, but promise to make him regret it as they destroy his favorites, one by one, until only Rhino remains, the true King of ECW…
August 8th: Da Baldies def. Roadkill and Doring, and The Badstreet Boys in a 3-way dance (Roadkill pinned Christian York, Angel pinned Doring); CW Anderson announced that since both Jerry Lynn and Christopher Daniels have angled for a title shot, he’s going to quote his friend, Tommy Dreamer: “I’ll take ‘em both, I’m hardcore!”; Low Ki def. Ty Street; Super Crazy cut a promo in half Spanish, half English, challenging Jeff Jarrett to a match next week; Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger, along with Dawn Marie, complain about the lack of screen time they’ve gotten since winning the Tag Team Titles three weeks ago. And it’s probably just a given that they’ll lose to Da Baldies, because they’re just “transitional” champions, but they promise to prove that they are the real deal and deserve to be Champions; Paul Heyman announces a stacked card for next week’s first two hour show: Rhino vs. Kid Kash for the World Title, CW Anderson vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Jerry Lynn for the TV Title, Swinger and Simon vs. Da Baldies for the Tag Team Titles, Super Crazy vs. Jeff Jarrett, The Sandman vs. Chilly Willy, Rob Van Dam vs. Ryan Northcut, and the debut of The American Dragon; The New Impact Players def. The Unholy Alliance
August 15th: Joey Styles and Joel Gertner start the show in the ring, but are quickly forced to exit as The Sandman, swinging his cane and drinking beer, storms to the ring; The Sandman def. Chilly Willy (after the match, Sandman viciously attacked Willy with the cane until he had to be stretchered out); Simon and Swinger def. Da Baldies to retain the Tag Team Titles; Rob Van Dam def. Ryan Northcut; Backstage, Spanky, sporting a nose protector, lamented the loss of his good looks, but promised to make Michael Shane look even uglier when he finishes with him…; CW Anderson def. Jerry Lynn and Christopher Daniels to retain the TV Title (Anderson pinned Daniels, Anderson pinned Lynn); Jeff Jarrett def. Super Crazy; The American Dragon def. Tony Kozina; Rhino def. Kid Kash to retain the World Title (after the match, a big brawl broke out involving Rhino, Kash, Super Crazy, Jeff Jarrett, Da Baldies, Jerry Lynn, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Rob Van Dam, which ended with RVD standing tall, as Cyrus forced Rhino up the ramp and away from the ring)
August 22nd: ECW returns to pay-per-view on October 7th, with Anarchy Rules. Paul Heyman announces that he has organized a tournament to decide Rhino’s opponent at that show, featuring: Super Crazy, The Sandman, Kid Kash, Bam Bam Bigelow, Nova, Jerry Lynn, Justin Credible and Steve Corino. Cyrus and Rhino protest the involvement of men that Rhino already beat, but Heyman reminds them that he makes the matches, not them. Tonight, we will see Super Crazy take on The Sandman in the first round. In addition, Heyman announces that next week, Rob Van Dam will face Onyx in the second match of his series against The Viral Network; The Badstreet Boys def. The Ring Crew Express; Michael Shane def. Johnny Webb (after the match, Spanky, wearing a Phantom of the Opera style mask, ran down to chase Shane and Elektra away with a steel chair); Low Ki def. Chris Divine (after the match, Low Ki said he was tired of fighting “scrubs” and he wants some “real” competition…); Bam Bam Bigelow cut a promo on hi opponent next week, Kid Kash. He says he respects Kash fro what he can do in the ring, but warns him that he’s not someone Kash wants to mess with; Doring and Roadkill def. The Unholy Alliance (Tajiri accidentally sprayed green mist in Whipwreck’s face, causing him to fall prey to the Buggy Bang); EZ Money def. Spike Dudley; The Sandman def. Super Crazy to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament
August 29th: We open backstage with Spanky, who is shrouded in the darkness of his locker room, only his face-protector visible. He says that very soon, Michael Shane is going to learn what it means to be ugly. He challenges him to a First Blood Match…; Doring and Roadkill def. The Badstreet Boys in a Number One Contenders match; Rob Van Dam def. Onyx; The American Dragon def. Tyson Dux; Chilly Willy speaks from his home, where he is still recuperating from his injuries at the hands of The Sandman. He says that he’ll be back and he challenges The Sandman to a Stretcher Match at Anarchy Rules; Christopher Daniels def. Quiet Storm; Next week, Nova and Jerry Lynn meet in a Number One Contenders Tournament match; Bam Bam Bigelow def. Kid Kash to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament
September 5th: ECW begins and… Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger make their way to the ring, Dawn Marie in tow. They talk about having to defend their Tag Team Titles against Doring and Roadkill at Anarchy Rules. They complain about once again being seen as the underdogs, despite being the Champions. It’s time to prove everyone wrong…; Simon and Swinger def. Divine Storm; Chris Hammerick vs. H.C. Loc never got started, because The Sandman came through the crowd and attacked both men. After clearing the ring, Sandman accepted Chilly Willy’s challenge for Anarchy Rules; Michael Shane cut a promo, accepting Spanky’s challenge for a First Blood Match next week on Hardcore TV; Low Ki def. Don Montoya (after the match, Low Ki issued an open challenge for next week, wanting higher level competition…); Super Crazy and Kid Kash def. The Unholy Alliance (Mikey Whipwreck threw a fireball in Tajiri’s face. After the match, Mikey and The Sinister Minister beat Tajiri down); Nova def. Jerry Lynn to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament; Rhino, Cyrus and Jeff Jarrett are backstage. Rhino says it doesn’t matter who wins the tournament, because he is the most dominant Champion in ECW history. Jarrett says that anyone who thinks they can hang with Rhino is out of the their mind, because this is Rhino’s World, everyone else is just living in it...
*The September 12th episode is postponed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On ECW’s website, Paul Heyman posts a tribute to the victims of the attack and explains that in the wake of such a tragic event, this week’s ECW wasn’t the right thing to air. The episode (which was taped three weeks ago) will instead air on September 19th.*
September 19th: The show opens with a video paying tribute to the victims of the September 11th attacks, followed by a disclaimer by Paul Heyman, highlighting the graphic nature of tonight’s show; The Sinister Minister and Tajiri talked about why they attacked Tajiri. Minister said Tajiri lost his edge and is no longer the sadistic SOB that attracted him and Mikey in the first place. But Mikey is more of a monster than he’s even been and at Anarchy Rules, Tajiri is going to find out all about his sadistic side…; Low Ki def. Chris Chetti; Doring and Roadkill discuss their match for the Tag Team Championship coming at at Anarchy Rules. Doring promises that it’s just a matter of time before the belts are back where they belong…; Chilly Willy def. David Young (after the match, The Sandman attacks Willy, beating him down with the cane); Michael Shane def. Spanky in a First Blood Match (Electra passes Shane a hair pick, which he uses to puncture Spanky’s forehead for the win. After the match, Shane puts on Spanky’s face protector to mock him); CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer are backstage. Dreamer says Anderson’s defeated everyone in his path. Anderson says there is ONE opponent he hasn’t defeated yet. To Dreamer’s surprise and chagrin, Anderson challenges him to a match at Anarchy Rules, for the TV Title…; The Badstreet Boys def. Hot Commodity; Paul Heyman announces that next week on ECW, we will see both Number One Contenders Tournament Semifinal Matches, as well as Rob Van Dam taking on the final member of Jerry Lynn’s security squad, Chad Collyer; Justin Credible def. Steve Corino to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament
September 26th: The episode opens with Quiet Storm and Chris Divine in the ring, awaiting their opponents. However, The Sandman comes out and bludgeons both men with his cane. Sandman says there’s no chance Chilly Willy will be at Anarchy Rules, and since he has nothing better to do that night, he figures he might as well win the tournament and challenge for the World Title…; The Sandman def. Bam Bam Bigelow to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament; Tommy Dreamer talks about having to face his protege, CW Anderson, for the TV Title at Anarchy Rules. Dreamer knows Anderson has something to prove to himself, but warns him that it’ll be solely on him if he walks out of the event without the gold…; Kid Kash def. Jayson Reign (after the match, Low Ki came out and challenged Kash to face him at Anarchy Rules); Rob Van Dam def. Chad Collyer (after the match, Jerry Lynn and Da Baldies beat RVD down); Backstage, Michael Shane continued to wear Spany’s face protector, mocking him and his injury; Mikey Whipwreck def. Mike Sullivan; Doring and Roadkill def. The Ring Crew Express; Spanky responded to Michael Shane’s recent actions, by challenging him to another match at Anarchy Rules. But to up the ante, the loser of the match must wear a mask for thirty days…; Nova def. Justin Credible to advance in the Number One Contenders Tournament
October 3rd: Paul Heyman narrates a preview of this Sunday’s Anarchy Rules PPV: Rhino will defend the World Title against either The Sandman or Nova, CW Anderson will defend the TV Title against Tommy Dreamer, Simon and Swinger will defend the Tag Team Titles against Doring and Roadkill, Rob Van Dam faces Jerry Lynn in a Whole F’n Show match, former partners Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri explode, Low Ki takes on Kid Kash, Michael Shane and Spanky battle in a match where the loser must wear a mask for 30 days, and, provided he can make it to the show, Chilly Willy will face The Sandman in a Stretcher Match; American Dragon def. Julio Dinero; The Bad Street Boys def. The FBI; Jerry Lynn promised Rob Van Dam that his dream of the World Title ends in the ultimate 2-out-of-3 falls match: First fall: Pin or Submission, second fall: Falls Count Anywhere, and not that it’ll be needed, but the third fall will be a Steel Cage Match…; Christopher Daniels def. Billy Fives; Nova def. The Sandman to win the Number One Contenders Tournament (Chilly Willy attacked The Sandman, laying him out with several chair shots, allowing Nova to get the win. After the match, Rhino attacked Nova, but the number one contender fought back, until Cyrus forced The Man-Beast into retreat...
Anarchy Rules results Joey Styles and Joel Gertner are in the ring to start the show. Once Gertner has completed his intro, Low Ki stomps to the ring, all business. Low Ki def. Kid Kash (after the match, The FBI attacked both men, but Super Crazy made the save, setting up the next match) Super Crazy def. Tony Mamaluke Spanky def. Michael Shane (because of the loss, Shane must now wear a mask for the next thirty days) Tag Team Champions Simon and Swinger def. Danny Doring and Roadkill to retain Chilly Willy def. The Sandman in a Stretcher Match Television Champion CW Anderson def. Tommy Dreamer to retain Mikey Whipwreck def. Yoshihiro Tajiri (Whipwreck won after burning Tajiri with a fireball) Rob Van Dam def. Jerry Lynn in a Whole F’n Show match (RVD pinned Lynn after a Five Star Frog Splash off a ladder to win the first fall; Lynn pinned RVD with a Cradle Piledriver on the hood of a car in the parking lot to win the second fall; RVD pinned Lynn with a Frog Splash off the top of the cage to win the third fall) World Champion Rhino def. Nova to retain (Nova had the match won with the Nova-Cain, but Jeff Jarrett laid him out with a guitar shot, which was followed by a Rhino Gore for the win)
October 10th: Following the events of Anarchy Rules, The Viral Network once again takes to the ring to boast about their dominance. Cyrus does point out that Jerry Lynn and his boys failed to take care of Rob Van Dam, but promises that Da Baldies hold the key to finally taking RVD out of commission. Rhino is still World Champion, something that won’t be changing anytime soon. Out comes Chilly Willy, who challenges Rhino. Cyrus says that Willy needs to prove himself first, so tonight, if he and Balls Mahoney can defeat Da Baldies, he’ll get his shot…; Low Ki, Kid Kash and Super Crazy def. The FBI; Christopher Daniels def. Michael Shane (Shane’s mask got turned around, allowing Daniels to hit the Angel’s Wings for the win. After the match, Elektra walked out on Shane); CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. The Ring Crew Express (after the match, Spanky came out to challenge Anderson to a TV Title match); American Dragon def. Ken Anderson; Next week, Low Ki faces Tony Mamaluke one-on-one, RVD meets DeVito of Da Baldies, and a four way dance to decide the Number One Contenders for the Tag Team Titles; Mikey Whipwreck def. Quiet Storm; Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney def. Da Baldies (RVD interfered, attacking Da Baldies, which set them up for Willy to get the win. After the match, Rhino Gored Mahoney through a table, before walking into a Willy chairshot...
October 17th: Paul Heyman opens the show by announcing that November To Remember will take place on November 11th. In the main event, Rhino will defend the World Title against Chilly Willy; EZ Money def. Shawn Daivari; Low Ki def. Tony Mamaluke (after the match, The FBI beat Low Ki down, until The Ring Crew Express made the save); Backstage, Mikey Whipwreck and The Sinister Minister discuss their plans for the future, which include the Television Championship…; Super Crazy and Kid Kash def. Divine Stom, Doring and Roadkill and The Badstreet Boys in a Number One Contenders Match (Roadkill pinned Quiet Storm, Kid Kash pinned Christian York, Super Crazy pinned Danny Doring); Paul Heyman announces that next week, Spanky will challenge CW Anderson for the Television Title; Rob Van Dam def. Tony DeVito (RVD won with a Van Damminator, using a baking sheet. After the match, Angel attacked RVD, slicing him open with a cheese grater. He then told him he’d see him in the ring next week)
October 24th: Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney are walking through the parking lot. Willy says that he’s been through hell in ECW for the last year. With everything going on in this country, a World Title hardly seems like the most important thing in the world these days. But Rhino is a bane to the existence of ECW. Since last year, he’s been on an unstoppable rampage and it’s about time someone stopped him. At November To Remember, the rampage comes to an end… or Chilly Willy will leave ECW…; The FBI def. The Ring Crew Express (Big Sal interfered for the FBI, leading Low Ki to make the save); American Dragon def. Michael Shane (Shane was still having trouble with his mask, allowing Dragon to get the win with Cattle Mutilation); CW Anderson def. Spanky to retain the TV Title (after the match, Becky Bayless came out to comfort Spanky. Anderson shook his opponent’s hand, but when he went to leave, Mikey Whipwreck popped up from under the ring and threw a fireball in his face!); Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger come out, flanked by Dawn Marie, Chris Chetti and Lou E. Dangerously. It seems like every week, they get ignored on TV in favor of bigger names, like Super Crazy and Kid Kash. Diamond says that he and Swinger are just as good as them and they’ll prove it on November 11th…; Yoshihiro Tajiri def. Ken Anderson (after the match, Cyrus and Jerry Lynn came to the ring and invited Tajiri to join the Viral Network. After some consideration, Tajiri accepted the offer, to the fans’ chagrin); Rob Van Dam def. Angel (DeVito interfered, but Van Dam fought him off, before taking out DeVito with the Van Terminator for the win. After the match, Cyrus brought out the Viral Network’s newest member, Tajiri, saying RVD has to face him next week...)
October 31st: Backstage after last week’s attack, CW Anderson is being tended to by the medical staff, when Tommy Dreamer enters. He demands a piece of Mikey Whipwreck, which will happen on tonight’s episode…; Super Crazy and Kid Kash def. Roadkill and Doring (Simon and Swinger attacked Crazy and Kash after the match); Christopher Daniels def. Shawn Daivari; Rhino and Cyrus cut a promo, vowing to rid ECW of Chilly Willy at November To Remember…; Rob Van Dam def. Yoshihiro Tajiri (Jerry Lynn and Cyrus both interfered, but RVD fought them off. After the match, Jeff Jarrett broke a guitar over RVD’s head and told him he’ll see him at November To Remember); The FBI cut a promo challenging Low Ki and The Ring Crew Express to a match at November To Remember; Spanky def. Eric Young; EZ Money def. Michael Shane (Shane’s mask once again obscures his vision, allowing Money to pick up the win); Mikey Whipwreck def. Tommy Dreamer (Whipwreck burned Dreamer with a fireball to win. After the match, CW Anderson came out and accepted Whipwreck’s challenge for November To Remember)
November 7th: Michael Shane throws his mask in a trash barrel. We then see Mikey Whipwreck and The Sinister Minister enter. Mikey lights the barrel on fire as the three laugh maniacally; Little Guido Maritato def. Marcos; Christopher Daniels def. EZ Money (after the match, Michael Shane attacked both men. American Dragon ran out to stop the attack, but also got beaten down); Jerry Lynn and Yoshihiro Tajiri def. Divine Storm; Bam Bam Bigelow def. Ken Anderson (Bigelow was away in Japan for the last month, but made his return tonight.); The full card is announced for November To Remember: Rhino vs. Chilly Willy for the World Title, with Chilly Willy’s ECW career on the line, CW Anderson vs. Mikey Whipwreck for the TV Title, Simon and Swinger defend the Tag Team Titles against Super Crazy and Kid Kash, Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Jarrett, The FBI vs. Low Ki and The Ring Crew Express, a 4-way dance between Michael Shane, EZ Money, Christopher Daniels and American Dragon, and the debuting Paul London vs. Spanky; Rhino and Jeff Jarrett def. Chilly Willy and Balls Mahoney (Rhino Gored Mahoney through a table to win. After the match, Da Baldies, Jerry Lynn and Tajiri came out to beat Willy down, but RVD, Bam Bam Bigelow and Nova made the save. The Sandman then came through the crowd to chase off the Viral Network, then he toasted Chilly Willy in a show of respect...)
November To Remember results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner did the intro for the show, before The Viral Network stormed the ring. Cyrus ranted and raved about the returns of The Sandman and Bam Bam Bigelow on Hardcore TV. Bigelow and Nova came out to confront the group, with Sandman then coming through the crowd. An impromptu six man tag match then takes place) The Sandman, Bam Bam Bigelow and Rhino def. Jerry Lynn and Da Baldies (Tajiri, Northcut, Onyx and Collyer all interfered, but Sandman, Bigelow and Nova fought them off) Michael Shane def. Christopher Daniels, EZ Money and American Dragon in a 4-Way Dance (Dragon submitted Money, Shane pinned Daniels, Shane pinned Dragon) Paul London def. Spanky Tag Team Champions Simon and Swinger def. Super Crazy and Kid Kash to retain (after the match, The New Impact Players stormed the ring and beat everyone down, before laying out their challenge for the Tag Team Titles) Low Ki and The Ring Crew Express def. The FBI Television Champion CW Anderson def. Mikey Whipwreck to retain (after the match, Whiprwreck and Michael Shane beat Anderson down) Rob Van Dam def. Jeff Jarrett World Champion Rhino def. Chilly Willy to retain (as a result of this loss, Chilly Willy must leave ECW. After the match, as Rhino celebrated, Rob Van Dam came out and grabbed the mic. He announced that on December 16th, ECW will be in Detroit, Michigan, for their final PPV of the year, Massacre on 34th Street. And at that show, Rhino will defend the World Title against Mr. PPV, The Whole F’n Show, Rob. Van. Dam!)
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 20:30:05 GMT -5
November 14th: A video opens the show, with Paul Heyman hyping the hell out of RVD vs. Rhino at Massacre on 34th Street on December 16th; Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane def. Divine Storm; Low Ki def. Chad Collyer; Paul London def. Tony Mamaluke (after the match, Mamaluke and Little Guido beat up London until Spanky makes the save); The Sandman cut a promo on Jerry Lynn, saying he never forgot about him. At Massacre on 34th Street, he’s challenging Lynn to a Tables, Ladders and Canes match…; American Dragon def. Shawn Daivari; Simon… has… a problem. Simon and Swinger come out and announce that they’re not going to sit back and wait for The New Impact Players to come for them. Simon calls out Justin Credible, setting up an impromptu match; Justin Credible def. Simon Diamond; Paul Heyman announces that next week, CW Anderson will defend the Television Title against Michael Shane, Paul London and Spanky will take on The FBI, and Low Ki will battle Onyx; Yoshihiro Tajiri def. Bam Bam Bigelow (Jerry Lynn and his security team interfered, but were chased off by The Sandman. Jeff Jarrett then sneaked in and broke a guitar over Bigelow’s head, allowing Tajiri to get the win)
November 21st: Nova def. Julio Dinero (after the match, EZ Money attacks Dinero, effectively ending Hot Commodity); The New Impact Players cut a promo on Simon and Swinger, calling them “fluke Champions” whose time is up at Massacre on 34th Street; Low Ki def. Onyx; Bam Bam Bigelow is backstage. He talks about having Tajiri beat last week, until Jeff Jarrett broke a guitar over his head. Bigelow challenges Jarrett to a match at Massacre On 34th Street; Paul London and Spanky def. The FBI; The Viral Network are in the parking lot. Cyrus talks about Rhino, Jerry Lynn and Jeff Jarrett’s matches that have already been announced for the PPV. He says that there is no way they lose their stranglehold on the World Title, and Lynn and Jarrett will take care of two more thorns in their side…; American Dragon def. Chris Divine; Paul Heyman announces that next week, EZ Money will take on Julio Dinero, Low Ki battles Ryan Northcut, The Impact Players take on Super Crazy and Kid Kash, and The Sandman battles Tajiri; CW Anderson def. Michael Shane to retain the TV Title (Mikey Whipwreck attempted to interfere, but Tommy Dreamer stopped him. Anderson went on to win the Anderson Spinebuster)
November 28th: A promo kicks off the show, as Rob Van Dam is working out in the gym. He says he’s ready for Rhino at Massacre On 34th Street, but he’s not coming alone, because he will have members of the Detroit Redwings in his corner for this match…; EZ Money def. Julio Dinero; Nova is backstage, when he’s approached by Christopher Daniels. Daniels is looking for a big match at the PPV and challenges Nova to face him, one-on-one, which is accepted; Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson def. Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane; Low Ki def. Ryan Northcut (after the match, Jerry Lynn attacks Low Ki); The New Impact Players def. Super Crazy and Kid Kash (Simon and Swinger attack Credible and Corino after the match); The Sandman def. Yoshihiro Tajiri (there are run-ins by Jerry Lynn, Low Ki, Jeff Jarrett, Bam Bam Bigelow, Rhino and Rob Van Dam. Sandman eventually pins Tajiri after a DDT on a chair)
December 5th: EZ Money cuts a promo to open the show. He says that he’s finally dropped all the dead weight, but he’s feeling a bit too light now. He challenges CW Anderson to a TV Title match at Massacre on 34th Street; American Dragon def. Quiet Storm; Nova talks about being challenged by Christopher Daniels. He’s honored to be considered worthy of a “big match”, but warns Daniels that he’s not to be taken lightly and he plans to win next Sunday…; Simon and Swinger def. Spanky and Paul London (The New Impact Players attacked both teams, but then laid out Simon and Swinger after the bell); The Sinister Minister is with Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane. The Minister says he sees something in Shane that Elektra never could. There’s a monster locked in there and he’s just the man to help let it out…; Bam Bam Bigelow def. H.C. Loc; The Badstreet Boys def. Roadkill and Doring; Paul Heyman announces that next week, Johnny Swinger will face Steve Corino, EZ Money will take on Tommy Dreamer, Nova will be in action, and Super Crazy, Kid Kash and American Dragon will take on Onyx, Ryan Northcut and Chad Collyer; Jerry Lynn def. Low Ki (Tajiri interfered to help Lynn win. This set up run-ins by The Sandman, Jeff Jarrett, Rhino, Bam Bam Bigelow and RVD. Cyrus then laid down the challenge for an eight man tag next week)
December 12th: We open with Paul Heyman announcing that at Massacre on 34th Street, Tajiri will take on Low Ki; Kid Kash, Super Crazy and American Dragon def. Ryna Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer (after the match, Da Baldies attacked the winners. This led to Kash and Crazy challenging them to a match at the PPV); Nova def. Brian XL (Christopher Daniels watched the match from the entrance way); Paul Heyman announced a pair of Number One Contenders matches for the PPV: Doring and Roadkill vs. The Ring Crew Express vs. Whipwreck and Shane vs. The Badstreet Boys in a Tag Title Contenders Match, and American Dragon vs. Little Guido Maritato vs. Paul London in a TV Title Contenders Match; EZ Money def. Tommy Dreamer (after the match, CW Anderson comes out to check on Dreamer and have a staredown with Money); Steve Corino def. Johnny Swinger (both Simon Diamond and Justin Credible get involved in the match, which Corino wins with the Old School Expulsion); Rhino, Jerry Lynn, Jeff Jarrett and Yoshihiro Tajiri def. Rob Van Dam, The Sandman, Bam Bam Bigelow and Low Ki; We close the show with a video hyping Massacre on 34th Street. The card: Rob Van Dam challenges Rhino for the World Title, Jerry Lynn vs. The Sandman in a Tables, Ladders and Canes Match, The New Impact Players challenge Simon and Swinger for the Tag Team Championship, Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Jeff Jarrett, Nova vs. Christopher Daniels, CW Anderson defends the TV Title against EZ Money, Low Ki vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri, Da Baldies vs. Kid Kash and Super Crazy, Doring and Roadkill vs. The Ring Crew Express vs. Whipwreck and Shane vs. The Badstreet Boys, and American Dragon vs. Little Guido vs. Paul London
Massacre on 34th Street results (Paul Heyman comes out to the ring to start the show. He thanks the fans for coming to this show, one Heyman calls a milestone event for ECW, as tonight, for the first time in his ECW career, RVD will challenge for the World Title against Rhino! He then brings out Joey Styles and Joel Gertner to do their introductions. However, before Gertner can complete his dirty limerick, they’re interrupted by a commotion in the crowd, as a group of young men in one of the middle sections seem to have gotten a bit too rowdy. Security removes them, as we get ready for our opening contest) Low Ki def. Yoshihiro Tajiri (the revelers from earlier are still in the parking lot, getting blitzed) Da Baldies def. Super Crazy and Kid Kash Christopher Daniels def. Nova The Badstreet Boys def. Danny Doring and Roadkill, The Ring Crew Express and Michael Shane and Mikey Whipwreck in a Number One Contenders match (at the start of the match, the guys who were kicked out at the start of the show ran in and attacked all four teams, before once again being removed from the arena. Roadkll pinned Shane, Matthews pinned Marcos, York pinned Doring) Bam Bam Bigelow def. Jeff Jarrett Paul London def. American Dragon and Little Guido in a Number One Contenders Match (Dragon submitted Guido, London pinned Dragon) EZ Money def. TV Champion CW Anderson to win the title The Sandman def. Jerry Lynn Tag Team Champions Simon and Swinger def. The Impact Players to retain Rob Van Dam def. World Champion Rhino to retain (after the 30+ minute match, Jerry Lynn, Jeff Jarrett, Tajiri, Da Baldies and Lynn’s security team ran out to attack RVD, but Sandman, Bam Bam Bigelow, Low Ki, Super Crazy, Kid Kash, Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson made the save, with the faces standing tall to end the show)
December 19th: A loud “RVD!” chant fills the arena to open the show as the new World Champion makes his way to the ring. RVD is thrilled to finally be on top of ECW again, this time with the top belt to prove his superiority. Cyrus and The Viral Network come out to crash the party, but Paul Heyman stops them in their tracks, threatening an indefinite suspension if they touch the Champion. Next week, on the final show of the year, Rhino will get his rematch for the title. As for tonight, Heyman books a tag team match, pitting RVD and Low Ki against Jerry Lynn and Tajiri; Michael Shane def. Julio Dinero; Nova comes out to congratulate Christopher Daniels on defeating him at Massacre On 34th Street. However, he was bothered by the fact that Daniels didn’t shake his hand after the match. He asks Daniels to come out, but Daniels refuses, instead speaking from the top of the stage, accompanied by shapely brunette woman. Daniels says he doesn’t owe Nova, or anyone else in ECW, the courtesy of a handshake. His superiority has been a well-kept secret for most of the year, but in 2002, the world will see a different side of Christopher Daniels. All hail the “Fallen Angel”…; Super Crazy, Kid Kash and Bam Bam Bigelow def. Ryan Northcut, Onyx and Chad Collyer (after the match, as the losing team argues, Jerry Lynn comes out and fires all three of them as his security team); Spanky def. Brian XL (the kids who were kicked out of the arena on Sunday are seen in the crowd, watching this match. On commentary, Joey Styles mentions that they were House of Hardcore dropouts who couldn’t keep up with the rigorous training required to be a pro wrestler…); Paul London def. Little Guido Maritato (after the match, Guido, Tony Mamaluke and Big Sal beat London down, until American Dragon made the save); A vignette promotes the upcoming debut of a new tag team, known as Da Hit Squad (Monsta Mack and Mafia); Rob Van Dam and Low Ki def. Jerry Lynn and Tajiri (Rhino interfered, taking out RVD with a Gore, but Ki went on to pin Tajiri after a Mushroom Stomp to get the win)
December 26th: Paul Heyman narrates a video celebrating ECW’s success over the last year. New talent, including Low Ki, Christopher Daniels, Paul London, Spanky and American Dragon are highlighted, while names such as RVD, Sandman, Bam Bam Bigelow, Jerry Lynn and Rhino also share plenty of screentime. Heyman promises that in 2002, the company will continue to take it to the extreme…; Christopher Daniels def. Spanky (Daniels is accompanied by the woman from last week, now identified as Allison Danger. After the match, Daniels refuses to shake Spanky’s hand); In the crowd, there’s a commotion, as the House of Hardcore Dropouts are “raving” in the back of the arena. Paul Heyman and security approach the group, who are removed from the arena once again; The Badstreet Boys def. Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane (after the match, Simon and Swinger attacked York and Matthews); Another video promotes Da Hit Squad, who will debut at Guilty as Charged on January 13th; Paul London and American Dragon def. The FBI (after the match, London was attacked by EZ Money); Low Ki cut a promo calling The Viral Network a poison, and says that he’s the cure…; Rob Van Dam def. Rhino to retain the World Title (after the match, Jeff Jarrett attacked Rhino and RVD, then declared himself the number one contender for Guilty as Charged…)
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 20:47:21 GMT -5
2001: Author’s Take 2001 was a monumental year for wrestling. The closure of WCW and ECW meant there was only one game in town. But what if that wasn’t the case. What if both companies’ Hail Mary plays had paid off? Where would they have gone in the year that followed? In five years? Ten? Twenty? That’s what I hope we’re going to find out. I hope you have enjoyed this “what if?” scenario so far, because I had a blast writing it. But I wanted to let the readers inside my head and try to explain why I made some of the choices I did.
Starting with The WWF, this was undoubtedly the hardest one to write. Considering the entire second half of the year was focused on the two companies they put out of business, I struggled trying to suss out where storylines would have gone. The decision to keep Austin as the top heel was made because it seemed, purchase or not, the direction they had already decided to go in. With how last minute the WCW sale was, I believe that the results of WrestleMania were already finalized and regardless, I don’t see any booking that looked like a response to the WCW purchase. So heel Austin stayed intact. As far as ECW castoffs who joined the company after Guilty As Charged 2001, I opted to simply not have those occur. As far as how WWF was affected, obviously, Rhino was a big player on TV, but I gave much of his role to Big Show. (fun fact: while writing this section, I realized that I screwed up and had Spike Dudley appear on two PPVs, while under contract to ECW. Whoops.)
When it comes to the streamlining of the midcard Championships, this was something that happened a year later, anyway. It just seemed silly to have three titles serving the same purpose. The European Title makes no sense when the one European wrestler on the roster isn’t even wrestling for it. And the Hardcore division was really played out by 2001 and needed to go. Having Undertaker merge the titles was done to give him the accolade that eluded him his whole career, the IC Title, while also elevating the title back to it’s pre-Attitude Era level of prestige. As far as Taker and Jericho’s heel turns, both felt in desperate need of a character change by 2001, plus, but the end of the year, both men were heels anyway.
Giving Angle an extended title run made sense to me, because I couldn’t see having Austin run wild with the belt for such a long time, plus I think Austin, chasing the title and determined to get it back no matter what, is the most dangerous heel a company can possibly have. One thing I realized, however, is that a WWF in 2001, without the WCW and ECW rosters, feels a lot like the WWF in 2021: no upward trajectory and no real reason to NEED to do anything differently. Look at it this way: they still win the war. WCW had to go into ANOTHER reboot, lost their TV deal and a number of big names. And ECW is rising, but they wouldn’t have been a threat to the WWF the way WCW was. So if the WWF looks stagnant, that’s because it would’ve been. And, spoilers? I don’t think it’s going to improve much in 2002…
As for WCW, this required some serious outside the box thinking, since there is very little out there about what Bischoff would have done if he bought the company. Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett and Kevin Nash peacing out almost immediately seemed about right, to me, though. And Goldberg being gone by the end of the year is realistic. I actually went back and forth on who to put the title on, Goldberg or Booker T, and actually did do the writeup with Goldberg as the top guy. But I think with Booker T on top, it flows better. Plus, it allowed me to give Lance Storm more of a push than he got in the Goldberg scenario. As for Mike Awesome, I always had him winning the belt at Starrcade, no matter who was Champion.
I think the most interesting part of this, at least to me, the writer, is who ended up being added to the roster. America’s Most Wanted felt like a natural fit for the tag division, while Matt Stryker and Scoot Andrews are two guys who never got a shot in real life. Michael Modest and Mark Shraeder, too. I did a lot of research to see who was on the indy scene at the time and tried to figure out where I thought they’d end up, if they had options. I felt like The SAT would thrive in a company that put emphasis on the cruiserweight division, which is why they went here. Plus, with how stacked ECW got, I needed to throw WCW a bone. That’s also why Steve Bradley got pushed in the WWF, btw.
Honestly, a lot of the guys who end up in WCW post-Great American Bash could’ve gone to ECW, but it would have screwed WCW over. Now, I have a foundation to build upon in 2002, with people who are ready to be pushed up the card.
And then, there’s ECW. No secret here, I’m basically trying to turn them into early ROH. I felt like I had momentum at the beginning, then things started to flounder when I was having trouble coming up with TV matches that weren’t repetitive, but also that wouldn’t give away future storyline ideas. I think I hit my stride again after November To Remember, since I’m now clearly beginning to adopt the ROH influences into my booking. And yes, I’m going to be doing a lot of the ROH angles and stories, but with my own twist on them, since it’s a weekly cable broadcast.
As far as turnover on the rosters go, here is my list of who left each promotion in 2001:
WWF: Brian Christopher, K-Kwik, Eddie Guerrero, Chyna, Haku, Dean Malenko, Steve Blackman, Chaz and Tiger Ali Singh
WCW: Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, Bill Goldberg, Jeff Jarrett, Ron and Don Harris, Rick Steiner, Dustin Rhodes, Road Warrior Animal, Terry Funk, Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow, Stevie Ray, Lex Luger, Randy Savage, Sid Vicious, Buff Bagwell, Vampiro, Jim Duggan, Konnan, David Flair, Crowbar, Curt Hennig and Brian Knobbs
ECW: New Jack, Chris Hammerick, Chilly Willy, Jazz and Elektra
Notable wrestling deaths in 2001: Kung Fu, Villano I, Terry Gordy, Dennis Coralluzzo, Rhonda Sing, Chris Adams, Russ Haas, Mike Davis
We do have to mention that the XWF does still start up in this timeline, as a DVD only company, but has about the same amount of success. Many of the names who work for them will show up elsewhere in 2002, however.
WWA does not happen and the talent not already working for the Big 3 that showed up there instead end up in XWF.
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 13, 2021 21:11:12 GMT -5
Rosters heading into 2002:
WWF Roster Stone Cold Steve Austin – WWF World Heavyweight Champion Triple H The Rock Chris Jericho Kurt Angle Big Show Chris Benoit The Undertaker – WWF Intercontinental Champion Kane Edge Christian William Regal Rikishi Test Steve Bradley The One Billy Gunn Albert Perry Saturn Val Venis The Godfather Steven Richards D’Lo Brown Goldust Al Snow Maven X-Pac Raven The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) – WWF World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy – WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) The APA (Faarooq and Bradshaw) Bull Buchanan and Bossman Scotty Too Hotty and Funaki The Holly Cousins (Hardcore Holly and Crash Holly) Trish Stratus – WWF Women’s Champion Lita Ivory Jacqueline Molly Holly Nidia Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley Debra Terri Vince McMahon Shane McMahon Shawn Michaels Jim Ross Jerry Lawler Tazz Michael Cole Jonathan Coachman
WCW Roster Mike Awesome – WCW World Heavyweight Champion Booker T Sting Diamond Dallas Page Lance Storm – WCW United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. Kanyon Sean O’Haire Hugh Morrus Mike Sanders The Wall The Cat Chuck Palumbo Rob Conway Scoot Andrews – WCW Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms Mark Shraeder Michael Modest Matt Stryker Jamie Knoble Frankie Kazarian Amazing Red Teddy Hart Lash LeRoux Shark Boy Kwee Wee Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki – WCW World Tag Team Champions Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr. Kronik (Bryan Clark and Brian Adams) Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak Chris Harris and James Storm Gridiron Giants (Monty Brown and Bob Sapp) The Mamalukes (Johnny The Bull and Big Vito) The Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disco Inferno) Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions The SAT (Joel Maximo and Jose Maximo) 3 Count (Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias) Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo Air Raid (Air Paris and Air Styles) Stacy Keibler Torrie Wilson Eric Bischoff Tony Schiavone Scott Hudson Mike Tenay Mark Madden Dusty Rhodes Arn Anderson Ric Flair
ECW Roster Rob Van Dam – ECW World Heavyweight Champion Rhino The Sandman Bam Bam Bigelow Low Ki Jerry Lynn Jeff Jarrett Yoshihiro Tajiri EZ Money – ECW World Television Champion Paul London Christopher Daniels The American Dragon Nova Spanky Chris Chetti Spike Dudley Balls Mahoney Julio Dinero H.C. Loc Brian XL Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger – ECW World Tag Team Champions The Badstreet Boys (Joey Matthews and Christian York) The New Impact Players (Justin Credible and Steve Corino) Danny Doring and Roadkill Kid Kash and Super Crazy Da Baldies (Angel and DeVito) Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson Michael Shane and Mikey Whipwreck The FBI (Little Guido Maritato and Tony Mamaluke) Da Hit Squad (Monsta Mack and Mafia) Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) Divine Storm (Chris Divine and Quiet Storm) Jerry Lynn’s Security Team (Ryan Northcut, Chad Collyer and Onyx) Cyrus Lou E. Dangerously The Sinister Minister Jack Victory Sal E. Graziano Izzy, Dixie, Angel Dust and Deranged Dawn Marie Francine Allison Danger Paul Heyman Joey Styles Joel Gertner Becky Bayless
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 14, 2021 17:13:47 GMT -5
So, working on 2002 WWF now. I just made what can only be described as... a choice. Like, it's probably where they going IRL, too, but still...
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 18, 2021 8:32:39 GMT -5
I'm aiming to have 2002 ready some time Monday. WCW was a royal pain in the ass to write and I will need to do a massive brainstorm before 2003. ECW should be simple, since I know where things are going. And then there's TNA lol
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:10:56 GMT -5
The Evolution of Attitude 2002 2001 was a year of both change and non-change. While the roles of some of the WWF’s top stars may have altered slightly, their position on the card did not. The company began and ended the year with basically the same names on top. But in 2002, they were going to have to put themselves out there if they wanted to keep the fans from switching over to the competition. WCW and ECW were pushing new talent and had compelling storylines going on. WWF had Austin, Rock, and Triple H on top. Still. Something had to change. It was time. Time for the Next Big Thing…
Heading towards the Royal Rumble, Kurt Angle announces that he’ll be exercising his rematch clause to challenge Austin for the World Title. As for Triple H, who had returned at the end of Vengeance, he declares his entrance in the Royal Rumble match, as does The Rock. Mr. Perfect is also announced as returning for the Rumble. Other matches on the card include The Undertaker defending the Intercontinental Championship against Goldust, The Dudley Boyz defending the Tag Team Titles against the makeshift pairing of Billy Gunn and Test, and Trish Stratus putting the Women’s Title on the line against a mystery opponent.
Royal Rumble results Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. Test and Billy Gunn to retain Intercontinental Champion The Undertaker def. Goldust to retain Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Jazz to retain (Jazz’s debut) World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Kurt Angle to retain Triple H won the Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Chris Jericho
Vince McMahon comes out on Raw after the Royal Rumble, flanked by Stone Cold and Big Show. Vince says that Triple H has no chance in hell at WrestleMania, but Chris Jericho says HE deserves the title shot. Vince tells him that if he can beat Triple H at No Way Out, he’ll get the title shot at WrestleMania. Kurt Angle and The Undertaker cross paths after the Rumble, setting up a match for the Intercontinental Title. The Rock, meanwhile, wins a mini-tournament to challenge Austin at the event. Other matches include The Dudley Boyz facing Al Snow and Maven for the Tag Team Titles, Edge taking on Commissioner Regal, and Big Show vs. Goldust. Also, the initials for No Way Out, N-W-O are given particular emphasis during the build to the show…
No Way Out results Heat: Light Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy def. Crash Holly to retain Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty def. The APA, Bull Buchanan and Big Bossman, and Val Venis and The Godfather in a Number One Contenders Match Big Show def. Goldust Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. Al Snow and Maven to retain (after the match, Razor Ramon and Diesel returned to confront The Dudley Boyz) Kurt Angle def. The Undertaker to win the Intercontinental Championship William Regal def. Edge Triple H def. Chris Jericho to remain the Number One Contender for WrestleMania World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. The Rock to retain (After the match, Hulk Hogan returned to the WWF for the first time in nearly nine years to challenge The Rock to a match at WrestleMania)
The stage is set for three epic clashes at WrestleMania, as Stone Cold Steve Austin defends the World Title against Triple H, The Rock collides with Hulk Hogan, and The Dudley Boyz put the Tag Team Titles on the line against Razor Ramon and Diesel. Meanwhile, Kurt Angle begins facing former IC Champions, in an effort to prove he’s the most deserving Champion. He picks up wins over D’Lo Brown, Goldust and Rikishi, but is challenged by Mr. Perfect for WrestleMania. Other matches include The Undertaker facing Big Show, Chris Jericho vs. Kane, Trish Stratus and Lita both challenging Jazz (who won the title in February) for the Women’s Title, Edge facing William Regal with Regal’s Commissioner position on the line, and Jeff Hardy defending the Light Heavyweight Title against his brother Matt.
WrestleMania X8 results Heat: Rikishi, Scotty Too Hotty and Test def. Albert, Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan Intercontinental Champion Kurt Angle def. Mr. Perfect to retain Matt Hardy def. Light Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy to win the title Christian and Steve Bradley def. The APA Chris Jericho def. Kane The Undertaker def. Big Show Edge def. William Regal Goldust def. Billy Gunn Razor Ramon and Diesel def. Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz to win the titles The Rock def. Hulk Hogan Women’s Champion Jazz def. Trish Stratus and Lita to retain Triple H def. World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the title (Razor, Diesel and X-Pac interfered after a ref bump to attack Austin, then they gave Triple H the Kliq handsign. After a Pedrigree, we had a new Champion and Triple H embraced his friends to end the show)
The night after WrestleMania, Hulk Hogan gets a standing ovation from the Toronto crowd, but then the newly-reformed Kliq comes out to confront him. Triple H mocks all his catchphrases, before The Rock comes out to defend Hogan. The Kliq attack both men, before Stone Cold makes the save! A six man tag headline’s the night, with Hogan, The Rock and Stone Cold defeating Triple H, Razor and Diesel by disqualification after X-Pac interferes.
Heading towards Backlash, The Rock uses his influence to get Hulk Hogan named the Commissioner of the WWF. Hogan’s first act is to announce a triple threat match for the World Title between Triple H, Rock and Austin at Backlash. Hogan and Vince McMahon almost immediately begin butting heads backstage, a story that will play out for several months in the background. Other matches for Backlash include Billy Gunn taking on X-Pac, after decrying The Kliq’s hostile takeover at WrestleMania, Razor and Diesel defending the Tag Team Titles against The APA, Jazz vs. Trish for the Women’s Title, Edge challenging Kurt Angle for the Intercontinental Championship, The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy, newcomer Brock Lesnar facing The Dudley Boyz in a handicap match, and Christian and Steve Bradley facing Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty.
Backlash results Heat: Light Heavyweight Champion Matt Hardy def. Funaki to retain Christian and Steve Bradley def. Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty X-Pac def. Billy Gunn Women’s Champion Jazz def. Trish Stratus to retain Brock Lesnar def. The Dudley Boyz in a handicap match Intercontinental Champion Kurt Angle def. Edge to retain Tag Team Champions Razor Ramon and Diesel def. The APA to retain The Undertaker def. Jeff Hardy World Champion Triple H def. Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to retain
Just a few weeks after Backlash, the WWF is renamed WWE, due to legal reasons. The same week, Mr. Perfect and Razor Ramon are released for incidents that occurred on a flight from England to the United States, dubbed “The Plane Ride From Hell” by business insiders.
After Backlash, The Rock departs for Hollywood once more, while Steve Austin misses TV over “creative” issues. Therefore, a new challenger has to be drafted for Triple H, in the form of Kane. Kane runs through X-Pac, Razor (before his release) and Diesel, with the help of Billy Gunn and Test. Gunn and Test are granted a shot at the Tag Titles, with X-Pac subbing for Razor as Diesel’s partner. The Edge/Angle rivalry escalates, with their match at Judgment Day not only being for the IC Title, but also carrying a hair vs. hair stipulation. A fresh-faced third generation rookie by the name of Randy Orton debuts on Smackdown, earning the ire of Hardcore Holly quickly, setting up a match between the two. The Undertaker’s quest to end Jeff Hardy takes an unexpected detour when Raven makes a surprise return to attack The American Badass on Raw, setting up a Hardcore match between them. Other matches set for Judgment Day include Brock Lesnar vs. Goldust, Chris Jericho vs. the returning Mark Henry, Al Snow vs. disgruntled Tough Enough Finalist Christopher Nowinski, and Steve Bradley taking on his former ally Christian.
Judgment Day results Heat: Women’s Champion Jazz def. Ivory to retain Christopher Nowinski def. Al Snow Brock Lesnar def. Goldust Randy Orton def. Hardcore Holly Billy Gunn and Test def. Tag Team Champions Diesel and X-Pac to win the titles Steve Bradley def. Christian Mark Henry def. Chris Jericho Edge def. Intercontinental Champion Kurt Angle in a Hair vs. Hair Match to win the title The Undertaker def. Raven in a Hardcore Match (Jeff Hardy interfered, but accidentally took out Raven) World Champion Triple H def. Kane to retain
Steve Austin briefly returns after Judgment Day, only to leave again, in protest of creative decisions. This time, he is buried on the air and will not be seen again for some time...
With the month of June comes King of the Ring, and this year’s tournament carries more weight than normal, as Commissioner Hogan announces that the winner will challenge for the World Title at SummerSlam. Placing in the semifinals this year are last year’s winner and current Intercontinental Champion Edge, Christian, Chris Jericho and rookie monster Brock Lesnar.
Triple H and The Kliq continue to dominate the WWF and they only get more powerful when Shawn Michaels returns in a managerial role for the unit. As for King of the Ring, Mark Henry is granted a title shot after his victory at Judgment Day over Chris Jericho. The three-way psychological battle between The Undertaker, Jeff Hardy and Raven continues as the three are set to face in a Hardcore Match. Other matches to take place at the event: Kurt Angle vs. Steve Bradley, Test and Billy Gunn defend the Tag Team Titles against The Dudley Boyz, Maven vs. Christopher Nowinski, and Trish Stratus (who regained the Women’s Title on Smackdown after Judgment Day) defending against Molly Holly, who has adopted a holier-than-though attitude towards her fellow Divas.
King of the Ring results Heat: Light Heavyweight Champion Matt Hardy def. Crash Holly to retain Edge def. Chris Jericho in a King of the Ring Semifinal Brock Lesnar def. Christian in a King of the Ring Semifinal Christopher Nowinski def. Maven Molly Holly def. Women’s Champion Trish Stratus to win the title Steve Bradley def. Kurt Angle Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn and Test def. The Dudley Boyz to retain (The Dudleys had a miscommunication and argued after the match) Brock Lesnar def. Edge to win the King of the Ring Tournament The Undertaker def. Raven and Jeff Hardy in a Hardcore Match World Champion Triple H def. Mark Henry to retain (After the match, The Rock came out to call the next shot at Triple H for next month’s Vengeance PPV)
On July 15th, Vince McMahon ushers in the “Ruthless Aggression Era” of WWE, following Diesel tearing his quad and the release of X-Pac the previous week. On the heels of this speech, John Cena debuts with an impressive showing in defeat against Kurt Angle, while Batista becomes yet another unstoppable force on WWE programming.
Heading into Vengeance, The Rock and The Undertaker both feel they deserve a shot at the World Title. As a result, a triple threat is announced for the PPV. Brock Lesnar, heading to SummerSlam with a World Title shot, targets fellow unstoppable monster Steve Bradley. Chris Jericho challenges Edge for the IC Title. Chris Benoit returns from his neck injury and forms partnership with Kurt Angle that can only be described as dysfunctional, but somehow effective. The two are set to meet The Dudley Boyz at Vengeance. The rivalry between Jeff Hardy and Raven continues into Vengeance with a Hardcore Match. Other matches include The APA challenging Billy Gunn and Test for the Tag Team Titles, newcomer John Cena battles Christian, Mark Henry takes on William Regal, and Molly Holly defends the Women’s Title against Jacqueline.
Vengeance results Heat: Batista def. Steven Richards Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn and Test def. The APA to retain Mark Henry def. William Regal Brock Lesnar def. Steve Bradley (Bradley’s last WWE appearance) John Cena def. Christian Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit def. The Dudley Boyz Women’s Champion Molly Holly def. Jacqueline to retain Jeff Hardy def. Raven in a Hardcore Match Intercontinental Champion Edge def. Chris Jericho The Rock def. World Champion Triple H and The Undertaker to win the title
New World Champion The Rock will face a tall task at SummerSlam against Brock Lesnar. As well, the fans who had been slowly turning on the Champion a year ago and at WrestleMania are now fully against The Great One, making Brock the defacto fan-favorite ahead of their match. Triple H attacks Shawn Michaels the night after Vengeance, blaming him for his title loss. Michaels, although beaten badly, announces a one-night-only comeback to face his former friend at SummerSlam. Jeff Hardy attacks The Undertaker the night after Vengeance, saying their issue isn’t settled yet. At SummerSlam, Hardy wants a Buried Alive Match…
After months of clashing backstage, the Hogan/McMahon conflict spills out in front of the crowd, when Hogan has to physically manhandle Vince during an in-ring confrontation. Vince informs Hogan that he’s in violation of the Commissioner’s office, but instead of firing him, he challenges him to a match at SummerSlam. If Hogan wins, he remains Commissioner, but if he loses, he’s fired.
Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit become the Number One Contenders for the Tag Team Titles, earning a shot at Test and Billy Gunn at SummerSlam. Chris Jericho attacks Edge on Raw, setting up a rematch for the two at SummerSlam. Jericho brings his band, Fozzy into the feud, which causes Edge to recruit the singer of his entrance theme, Rob Zombie, to be his corner-man. After a couple of months of tension, Bubba Ray Dudley challenges D-Von to a match at SummerSlam, hoping to get the fighting out of their system, so they can go back to being the best tag team in the world. And rounding out the show, Trish Stratus gets a rematch against Molly Holly for the Women’s Title, but this will be her last shot as long as Molly wears the gold…
SummerSlam results Heat: John Cena def. William Regal Intercontinental Champion Edge def. Chris Jericho (Rob Zombie laid out Jericho with a punch behind the referee’s back, then Edge hit the Spear to get the win) Bubba Ray Dudley def. D-Von Dudley (after the match, the half-brothers shook hands and embraced) Trish Stratus def. Women’s Champion Molly Holly to win the title (after the match, a tall, muscular newcomer attacked Trish; Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler recognized her as The Godfather’s former ho, Victoria) Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit def. Tag Team Champions Test and Billy Gunn to win the titles Jeff Hardy def. The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match (The Undertaker takes time off while his wife prepares to give birth) Vince McMahon def. Hulk Hogan (Big Show returned after a several months’ absence to help Vince get the win; as a result, Hogan was fired as Commissioner) Shawn Michaels def. Triple H in a non-sanctioned Street Fight (after the match, Triple H hit Michaels in the back with his sledgehammer, causing Michaels to be stretchered out of the arena) Brock Lesnar def. World Champion The Rock to win the title (The Rock’s last match until 2003)
Coming out of SummerSlam, the landscape of WWE has changed drastically. Brock Lesnar is the youngest World Champion in the history of the company, while The Rock is again leaving for Hollywood, and it doesn’t seem as though the fans are going to miss him. With The Undertaker also taking time off, and Steve Austin walking out of the company a few months prior, there is a dearth of challengers available at the main event level. This allows Jeff Hardy to step up, following his victory at SummerSlam, and make the challenge for Unforgiven. In the build to the show, Matt Hardy keeps insisting that Jeff needs his help, that the problem isn’t “attitude”, it’s “Mattitude”!
Elsewhere, Triple H brags about putting Shawn Michaels back on the shelf, permanently. This earns him the ire of many on the roster, from Mark Henry to John Cena to Edge. Edge is the one who confronts Triple H, setting the stage for a match at Unforgiven. However, the Intercontinental Title will not be a part of that match, as Edge drops it to Chris Jericho on Raw two weeks before the PPV. As for Jericho, he finds himself contending with Cena, who is hoping to bring home his first title at Unforgiven. Another feud heading into Unforgiven is Hulk Hogan and Big Show, after Big Show helped Vince McMahon at SummerSlam. As well, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit find themselves defending against an admittedly very shallow tag team division. At Unforgiven, Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty will get the title shot against the Champs. Also on the show, Trish will defend the Women’s Title against Molly Holly, Test battles William Regal, Christian faces Randy Orton, and Batista makes his PPV debut vs. Mark Henry.
Unforgiven results Heat: The Dudley Boyz def. Bull Buchanan and Albert Christian def. Randy Orton Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Molly Holly to retain Batista def. Mark Henry Tag Team Champions Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit def. Rikishi and Scotty Too Hotty to retain William Regal def. Test Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho def. John Cena to retain Hulk Hogan def. Big Show Triple H def. Edge Jeff Hardy def. World Champion Brock Lesnar by disqualification (Matt Hardy attacked Jeff, claiming he lacked the “Mattitude” needed to be a Champion)
The Light Heavyweight Title is finally done away with, as the division had been stagnant for months, possibly even years. Matt Hardy now ascends to a main event spot alongside his brother…
Brock Lesnar is not happy following Unforgiven. Although he is still Champion, Matt Hardy got involved in his business. A triple threat match is announced for No Mercy, with Lesnar defending against both Matt and Jeff. Triple H and Edge’s issues aren’t over after Unforgiven, either. After Triple H attempts to break Edge’s back the same way he did Michaels, Edge demands a rematch at No Mercy and this time, he wants No-Holds-Barred…
Angle and Benoit come out, practically begging for some competition for the Tag Team Titles. Their request is answered, when OVW’s Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin accept the challenge. Victoria targets Trish for the Women’s Title, while Raven begins stalking the third-generation rookie Randy Orton. Chris Jericho is challenged for the IC Title by Goldust. Test vs. Big Show and Christian and William Regal vs. The Dudley Boyz rounds out the show.
No Mercy results Heat: Bradshaw def. D’Lo Brown Christian and William Regal def. The Dudley Boyz Raven def. Randy Orton Women’s Champion Trish Stratus def. Victoria by disqualification to retain Big Show def. Test Tag Team Champions Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit def. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin to retain Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho def. Goldust to retain Edge def. Triple H in a No-Holds-Barred Match (Shawn Michaels, who was in the crowd, attacked Triple H, allowing Edge to then hit a Spear for the win) World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 and Jeff Hardy to retain
With Survivor Series right around the corner, and Brock Lesnar still posing a threat to everyone in his path, Vince McMahon devises a new match concept to give Brock a “real” challenge: The Elimination Chamber! Brock will be locked inside the Chamber with five challengers, with the last man standing being declared the World Champion. And Brock’s opponents are former World Champions Triple H, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, the returning Kane, and Big Show.
The feud between the Hardys leads to a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match being scheduled, pitting Jeff, Edge, John Cena, Randy Orton and Test against Matt, Christian, William Regal, Batista and Raven. Also on the card, Trish defends the Women’s Title against Victoria in a Hardcore Match, Angle and Benoit meet The Dudley Boyz in a Tables Match for the Tag Team Titles, Hulk Hogan will make a huge announcement about his future, and we will see a major debut in Madison Square Garden!
Survivor Series results Heat: Goldust def. Christopher Nowinski The Dudley Boyz def. Tag Team Champions Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit in a Tables Match to win the titles (Hulk Hogan came out to announce his retirement, but The Rock interrupted. He called Hogan a Legend… not quite as good as The Rock, but hey, who is? He says it was an honor to kick Hogan’s ass at WrestleMania and wishes him the best in his future endeavors, before going on to plug The Scorpion King before leaving) Victoria def. Women’s Champion Trish Stratus in a Hardcore Match to win the title Matt Hardy, Christian, William Regal, Batista and Raven def. Jeff Hardy, Edge, John Cena, Randy Orton and Test in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match (Test pinned Raven, Batista pinned Test, Batista pinned Orton, Batista was counted out, Edge pinned Christian, Regal pinned Edge, Matt pinned Jeff after Cena turned on him) (It was time for the much-hyped debut. D’Lo Brown stood in the ring, not sure what was going on, when a siren blasted over the PA and SCOTT STEINER walked out!) Scott Steiner def. D’Lo Brown World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Kane and Big Show in the Elimination Chamber Match to retain (Kane pinned Big Show, Triple H pinned Kane, Michaels pinned Triple H, Michaels pinned Jericho, Lesnar pinned Michaels after Triple H snuck back in and hit him with the sledgehammer)
The final PPV of the year is Armageddon, an appropriate title with the card: The night after Survivor Series, Big Show attacks Brock Lesnar and Chokeslam’s him through the announce table. On Smackdown, the match is set, Lesnar vs. Show for the title at Armageddon. As for Triple H and Shawn Michaels, after Triple H cost Michaels the chance to complete his miraculous comeback with a title win, it was announces the two will meet in a Hell in a Cell Match at Armageddon. After John Cena’s betrayal at Survivor Series, brought about because Cena had a “Mattitude” adjustment, Jeff Hardy challenges Cena, who is accompanied by Jeff’s brother Matt. Jeff will have Edge in his corner to compensate. After regaining the Tag Team Titles at Survivor Series, The Dudley Boyz face the challenge of three teams at once, as Angle and Benoit, Regal and Christian, and Haas and Benjamin all seek to capture the gold. In addition, Chris Jericho defends the Intercontinental Title against Kane, Scott Steiner battles Steven Richards, and Batista takes on Test.
Armageddon results Heat: Randy Orton def. Goldust Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, and William Regal and Christian, to win the titles Scott Steiner def. Steven Richards Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho def. Kane to retain Batista def. Test John Cena def. Jeff Hardy World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Big Show to retain Triple H def. Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell Match
On the final live Raw of the year, a blockbuster main event is booked, a Brock Lesnar defends the World Title against Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle. Even though Lesnar takes out Benoit with the F5, Angle stuns him with an Angle Slam, then steals the pin on Benoit to capture the gold.
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:14:01 GMT -5
From The Ashes 2002 2001 was an important year for WCW. The company had been close to going out of business after losing their TV deal, but thanks to Eric Bischoff’s quick thinking and ability to sell the company like nobody else, they were able to survive. On the surface, 2001 looked very similar to 2000, with Booker T as World Champion, Mike Awesome and Lance Storm being a fixture in the midcard, and the usual names throwing tantrums backstage when they didn’t like the script. But 2002 was going to be different. Most of the poisonous influences were gone from the locker room and someone else’s problem. Mike Awesome had captured the WCW World Championship at Starrcade, and there were new stars on the rise…
The year begins with some shakeups among the divisions. Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr. mutually agree to part ways, in an effort to pursue singles success. Shane Helms follows in Chavo Guerrero Jr.’s footsteps and moves up to the US Title level. And Sean O’Haire’s unfinished business with Sting looks to elevate him quickly up the card.
Heading into January’s Rampage PPV, Booker T still pursues the World Title, setting up a rematch against Mike Awesome. Sean O’Haire tears through the roster, deadset on getting his hands on Sting. But before that can happen, Shane Helms steps up, challenging O’Haire to a match at Rampage. Mike Sanders wins a number one contender’s match for the right to face Lance Storm at the PPV. Kanyon and DDP renew hostilities from two years ago, while Billy Kidman is set to take on Chuck Palumbo. Mark Shraeder challenges Scoot Andrews for the Cruiserweight Title, while a six man contenders match is also announced, involving Michael Modest, Matt Stryker, Amazing Red, Jamie Knoble, Teddy Hart and Rey Mysterio Jr. James Storm and Chris Harris will challenge Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg for the Tag Team Titles, and Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm will defend the Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles against Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias.
Rampage results Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch def. 3-Count to retain Billy Kidman def. Chuck Palumbo Rey Mysterio Jr. def. Michael Modest, Matt Stryker, Amazing Red, Jamie Knoble and Teddy Hart Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. James Storm and Chris Harris to retain Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Mark Shraeder to retain Kanyon def. Diamond Dallas Page United States Champion Lance Storm def. Mike Sanders to retain Sean O’Haire def. Shane Helms World Champion Mike Awesome def. Booker T to retain
In non-wrestling news, some releases are announced via WCW.com: Big Vito, Johnny The Bull, The Wall, Kwee-Wee, Kid Romeo, and Mark Madden
In the build to SuperBrawl, Mike Awesome defeats all-comers, before The Cat steps up. Despite not being much of a factor in 2001, The Cat says that he won’t stand by as Mike Awesome tears through WCW. Sean O’Haire and Sting are set for their rematch at SuperBrawl, while DDP challenges Kanyon to a Falls-Count-Anywhere Match. Booker T finds himself involved in issues with Chavo Guerrero Jr., Billy Kidman contends with Mike Sanders, and Michael Modest steps up to the heavyweight ranks to challenge Lance Storm for the United States Title. Rey Mysterio Jr. challenges Scoot Andrews for the Cruiserweight Title, while Teddy Hart begins feuding with Frankie Kazarian. In the tag division, Kronik returns once again to challenge Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg, while The Jung Dragons will face Fleisch and Storm.
SuperBrawl results Frankie Kazarian def. Teddy Hart Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch def. The Jung Dragons to retain Billy Kidman def. Mike Sanders United States Champion Lance Storm def. Michael Modest to retain Diamond Dallas Page def. Kanyon in a Falls-Count-Anywhere Match Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. Kronik to retain (Kronik’s final WCW appearance) Booker T def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Rey Mysterio Jr. to retain Sean O’Haire def. Sting World Champion Mike Awesome def. The Cat to retain
On Nitro the night after SuperBrawl, Mike Awesome asks if there’s anyone in the back who can provide him with a challenge. Billy Kidman steps up, challenging Awesome for the upcoming Spring Breakout PPV. Sean O’Haire, after defeating Sting at SuperBrawl, comes after Lance Storm’s US Title. Kanyon moves on from DDP to Booker T, challenging the former World Champion to a match at Spring Breakout. As for DDP, he finds himself going against Mike Sanders. In a battle of recent newcomers, Bobby Rude will take on Hotstuff Hernandez. Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak, who have been on winning streak since Starrcade, challenge Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg to a Tag Title match. And in the cruiserweight division, three matches are set up for the show: Scoot Andrews will defend the Cruiserweight Title against Frankie Kazarian, Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch will defend the Cruiserweight Tag Titles against Air Raid, and a four corners match will see Teddy Hart, Shark Boy, The Amazing Red and Elix Skipper will compete a future title shot.
Spring Breakout results Bobby Rude def. Hotstuff Hernandez Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch def. Air Raid to retain Mike Sanders def. Diamond Dallas Page Sean O’Haire def. United States Champion Lance Storm to win the title The Amazing Red def. Elix Skipper, Teddy Hart and Shark Boy Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak to retain Kanyon def. Booker T Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Frankie Kazarian to retain World Champion Mike Awesome def. Billy Kidman to retain
Heading into April’s Clash Of The Champions PPV, Mike Awesome finds himself getting a good number of cheers from the audience. But the fans are solidly behind Awesome’s challenger, Sting, heading into the PPV. Ric Flair is brought in to be the special guest referee, which is seen as a give-away by many fans. Lance Storm is the next to step up to face Kanyon, who has been on quite the hot-streak. As for the new US Champion Sean O’Haire, his first challenger is someone stepping up from the cruiserweight division, in the form of Jamie Knoble. Booker T, coming off a number of high profile recent losses, starts to turn on the fans, lashing out at them when they cheer Billy Kidman over him in a match on Nitro. A rematch is announced for Clash of the Champions, with Booker T promising to prove he’s still a World Championship-level competitor. Shane Helms, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Michael Modest, three cruiserweights competing in the heavyweight division, are booked in a triangle match, with the winner earning a US Title match at Slamboree. Amazing Red will challenge Scoot Andrews for the Cruiserweight title, while a ten man tag team match will showcase the depth of the division, with Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm, Shannon Moore, Evan Karagias and Elix Skipper taking on Teddy Hart, Shark Boy, Air Raid and Matt Stryker. And in another cruiserweight division showcase, Mark Shraeder will battle Rey Mysterio Jr. For the Tag Team Titles, Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg will defend against The SAT. And rounding out the card, Bobby Rude will face Hugh Morrus, and John Walters (formerly known as RJ Brewer) will take on Chuck Palumbo.
Clash of the Champions results Teddy Hart, Shark Boy, Matt Stryker and Air Raid def. Jonny Storm, Jody Fleisch, Elix Skipper and 3-Count John Walters def. Chuck Plaumbo Shane Helms def. Michael Modest and Chavo Guerrero Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. The SAT to retain Mark Shraeder def. Rey Mysterio Jr. Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. The Amazing Red to retain Bobby Rude def. Hugh Morrus Lance Storm def. Kanyon United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. Jamie Knoble to retain Booker T def. Billy Kidman (Booker T low-blowed Kidman behind the referee’s back, the hit the Book-End for the win) World Champion Mike Awesome def. Sting to retain (guest referee Ric Flair stopped the match after Awesome delivered five consecutive Awesome Bombs to Sting, who was unable to defend himself. After the match, Awesome attacked Flair, driving him through the announce table)
The night after Clash of the Champions, Diamond Dallas Page calls out Mike Awesome, taking exception to Awesome’s actions against Sting and Ric Flair. Page challenges Awesome to a title match at Slamboree. Lance Storm confronts Booker T after his cheating to defeat Billy Kidman. Booker says that guys like Kidman and Storm haven’t paid their dues, unlike him. Storm challenges Booker to a match at Slamboree. Shane Helms will challenge Sean O’Haire for the US Title, the second PPV clash between the two in 2002. After being absent for several months, Rob Conway returns, only to meet the ire of his former associates Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch. The two challenge Conway to find a partner to face them at Slamboree. Kayon, having suffered his first loss in months to Lance Storm, becomes unhinged, doubling down on his “Who Betta Than Kanyon” shtick. Jamie Knoble steps up to challenge him, setting up their match at Slamboree. In the cruiserweight division, Mark Shraeder gets another shot at the Cruiserweight Title. Teddy Hart and Shark Boy form an unlikely pairing, coming out of the last two months of interactions between the two. At Slamboree, the two are set to face Air Raid in a number one contenders match for a Cruiserweight Tag Title shot. As for the other Tag Team Titles, Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg boast about running through everyone, but are challenged by The Gridiron Giants. Filling out the card, Bobby Rude will take on Michael Modest, John Walters takes on Hotstuff Hernandez, and old rivals collide when Rey Mysterio Jr. takes on Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Slamboree results Teddy Hart and Shark Boy def. Air Raid John Walters def. Hotstuff Hernandez Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore def. Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Mark Shraeder to retain Bobby Rude def. Michael Modest Kanyon def. Jamie Knoble Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. The Gridiron Giants to retain Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Rey Mysterio Jr. Booker T def. Lance Storm United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. Shane Helms to retain World Champion Mike Awesome def. Diamond Dallas Page to retain (DDP’s last match as a full-time wrestler)
The night after Slamboree, Ric Flair returns and demands a match with Mike Awesome at the Great American Bash. Booker T continues to target the younger stars of WCW. This time, Shane Helms is his target. Booker’s previous targets, Lance Storm and Billy Kidman, will be part of a number one contenders four corners match, which will also feature Kanyon and Chavo Guerrero Jr. The winner will face Awesome for the World Title at Bash at the Beach. Sean O’Haire’s next challenger for the US Title will be “Hurricane” John Walters, who has impressed since debuting a few months back. After defeating the Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions at Slamboree, Nick Dinsmore and Rob Conway will challenge Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg at the Great American Bash. As for Fleisch and Storm, they will have to contend with the odd couple pairing of Shark Boy and Teddy Hart for their titles. In the Cruiserweight division, Scoot Andrews has been a dominant Champion since November. At the Great American Bash, he will face Matt Stryker in Stryker’s first shot at the title. Rounding out the card, Bobby Rude takes on Jamie Knoble, Mark Shraeder faces Michael Modest, Frankie Kazarian takes on Elix Skipper, and Air Raid face newcomers Chase Stevens and Cassidy O’Reilly, The Hotshots, who will be joined by their manager, Traci Brooks.
Great American Bash results The Hotshots def. Air Raid (after the match, AJ Styles attacks Air Paris, breaking up the team) Michael Modest def. Mark Shraeder United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. John Walters to retain Bobby Rude def. Jamie Knoble Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg def. Nick Dinsmore and Rob Conway to retain Frankie Kazarian def. Elix Skipper Teddy Hart and Shark Boy def. Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm to win the titles Booker T def. Shane Helms Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews def. Matt Stryker to retain Billy Kidman def. Lance Storm, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Kanyon in a Number One Contenders Match World Champion Mike Awesome def. Ric Flair to retain
In a bit of housekeeping, Chris Harris and James Storm leave WCW to join Jeff Jarrett’s fledgling NWA:TNA promotion.
Heading into Bash at the Beach, Billy Kidman is the number one contender to challenge Mike Awesome for the World Title. Awesome’s path of destruction is highlighted in the leadup, as is Kidman’s history in WCW, from enhancement talent to Flock member to cruiserweight standout to stalwart Filthy Animal to challenging for the title at one of WCW’s tentpole events. Sting returns from the injuries caused by Mike Awesome and confronts his friend Booker T over his attitude change. Booker accuses Sting of conspiring to hold him down for years and challenges him to a match at Bash at the Beach. Lance Storm makes another run at the US Title, challenging the man he lost the title to in Sean O’Haire. Scoot Andrews finds himself facing multiple challengers for the Cruiserweight Title, with Amazing Red, Frankie Kazarian, Elix Skipper and Mark Shraeder all getting the chance to challenge in a Ladder Match. With Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg having beaten just about every team in WCW, the company looks to New Japan Pro Wrestling for new challengers, as Tencozy (Hiroshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) stop by as part of an international excursion. Also on excursion from Japan is Katsuyori Shibata, who will face Rey Mysterio Jr. Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy will defend their titles against The SAT, while former partners AJ Styles and Air Paris collide one-on-one. Rounding out the card will be Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Shane Helms, Kanyon vs. John Walters, Bobby Rude vs. Matt Stryker, and Jamie Knoble vs. Mike Sanders.
Bash at the Beach results Rey Mysterio Jr. def. Katsuyori Shibata Bobby Rude def. Matt Stryker Jamie Knoble def. Mike Sanders United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. Lance Storm to retain Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Shane Helms Tencozy def. Tag Team Champions Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg to win the titles AJ Styles def. Air Paris Kanyon def. John Walters Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy def. The SAT to retain Amazing Red def. Cruiserweight Champion Scoot Andrews, Mark Shraeder, Elix Skipper and Frankie Kazarian in a Ladder Match to win the title Booker T def. Sting Billy Kidman def. World Champion Mike Awesome to win the title
Billy Kidman has finally reached the top of the mountain, capturing the World Title from Mike Awesome, ending a seven month reign by the monster. Kanyon is the first man to step up and challenge Kidman at the High Noon PPV. As for the former Champion, he will have to deal with Sting, who is seeking revenge after Awesome put him out of action at Clash of the Champions. Lance Storm and Chavo Guerrero Jr. will meet in a number one contenders match, to determine who will challenge for the World Title at Fall Brawl. And Booker T singles out Ric Flair as another name who held him down for much of his career, setting up a match between them at the PPV. Bobby Rude makes a run at the US Title, while Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak challenge Tencozy for the Tag Team titles. In the cruiserweight division, Amazing Red will face Elix Skipper for the title, and the hostilities between AJ Styles and Air Paris continue to ramp up, as the former friends will meet in a Hardcore Match at High Noon. Rounding out the card: Rey Mysterio Jr., Teddy Hart and Shark Boy vs. Katsuyori Shibata and the Jung Dragons, Mike Sanders vs. Shane Helms, Michael Modest vs. Jamie Knoble, The Gridiron Giants vs. Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg, and Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm vs. The SAT.
High Noon results The SAT def. Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm Shane Helms def. Mike Sanders Tag Team Champions Tencozy def. Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak to retain The Gridiron Giants def. Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg Air Paris def. AJ Styles in a Hardcore Match Jamie Knoble def. Michael Modest Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red def. Elix Skipper to retain Rey Mysterio Jr., Teddy Hart and Shark Boy def. Katsuyori Shibata and The Jung Dragons United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. Bobby Rude to retain Booker T def. Ric Flair Lance Storm def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. in a Number One Contenders Match Mike Awesome def. Sting World Champion Billy Kidman def. Kanyon to retain
Heading into Fall Brawl, Lance Storm and Billy Kidman become embroiled in a rivalry that is built out of respect, yet becomes quite intense, with the World Title at stake. Booker T makes it clear that he believes he should be the one challenging for the title, but instead, finds himself set to take on Jamie Knoble. Mike Awesome targets the monster on the rise, Sean O’Haire for the US Title. The feud between AJ Styles and Air Paris reaches a head, as the two are set to meet in a Texas Death Match at Fall Brawl. In the cruiserweight division, we will see something of a dream match, as Amazing Red defends against Rey Mysterio Jr. In the tag team division, Tencozy will defend their titles against Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch. In other matches, Kanyon will take on John Walters, Michael Modest will face Shane Helms, Chavo Guerrero Jr. will battle Katsuyori Shibata, and Scoot Andrews will face Matt Stryker.
Fall Brawl results Matt Stryker def. Scoot Andrews Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch def. Tag Team Champions Tencozy to win the titles Shane Helms def. Michael Modest Katsuyori Shibata def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. Kanyon def. John Walters AJ Styles def. Air Paris in a Texas Death Match Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red def. Rey Mysterio Jr. to retain Booker T def. Jamie Knoble Mike Awesome def. United States Champion Sean O’Haire to win the title World Champion Billy Kidman def. Lance Storm to retain (after the match, Booker T attacked both men)
With Halloween Havoc coming up at the end of October, Booker T makes his case to be the number one contender, citing his win streak over the past year. Lance Storm take umbrage, however, with Booker T attacking him at the end of Fall Brawl. A match on Nitro sees Booker T emerge victorious, thereby earning his shot at Kidman for the PPV. As for Storm, he, Kanyon and Chavo Guerrero Jr. will meet in a number one contenders triangle match for a title shot at Mayhem. Sting returns to TV and ends up in a feud with Bobby Rude. Mike Awesome is the new US Champion, but Sean O’Haire isn’t taking the loss quietly, as a rematch is already set for Halloween Havoc, in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Fleisch and Storm, the new Tag Team Champions, find themselves having to contend with old rivals The SAT for the titles, while Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy will defend against The Hotshots. Amazing Red’s next challenger is Frankie Kazarian. Rounding out the card will be Jamie Knoble vs. Scoot Andrews, Shane Helms vs. Katsuyori Shibata, Matt Stryker and Mark Shraeder vs. The Jung Dragons, John Walters vs. Mike Sanders, and Michael Modest vs. AJ Styles.
Halloween Havoc results AJ Styles def. Michael Modest Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy def. The Hotshots to retain John Walters def. Mike Sanders Matt Stryker and Mark Shraeder def. The Jung Dragons Jamie Knoble def. Scoot Andrews Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. The SAT to retain Katsuyori Shibata def. Shane Helms Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red def. Frankie Kazarian to retain Sting def. Bobby Rude United States Champion Mike Awesome def. Sean O’Haire in a Falls Count Anywhere Match Lance Storm def. Kanyon and Chavo Guerrero Jr. in a Number One Contenders Match Booker T def. World Champion Billy Kidman to win the title
After Halloween Havoc, Booker T is now the five time (five time, five time, five time, five time!) WCW Champion. Lance Storm, still upset about being attacked by the new Champion at Fall Brawl, won the right to challenge for the title at Mayhem and has requested to make it a No-Holds-Barred match. Former Champion Billy Kidman must deal with a previous rival in Kanyon, while Chavo Guerrero Jr. finds himself in a four corners contenders match, consisting of former cruiserweight Champions in himself, Shane Helms, Jamie Knoble and Rey Mysterio Jr. The winner will face the World Champion at Starrcade in Decemember. The Mike Awesome/Sean O’Haire rivalry ramps up, as the two will meet once again for the US Title at Mayhem, in a Stretcher Match. In tag team competition at the PPV, Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm will defend the Tag Team Titles against former Champions Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki. For the Cruiserweight Title, Amazing Red will defend against John Walters. Rounding out the card, Katsuyori Shibata takes on Scoot Andrews, Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore meet The Gridiron Giants, Matt Stryker faces Frankie Kazarian, and Michael Modest, Mark Shraeder and AJ Styles will meet in a triangle match.
Mayhem results Matt Stryker def. Frankie Kazarian The Gridiron Giants def. Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore AJ Styles def. Michael Modest and Mark Shraeder Katsuyori Shibata def. Scoot Andrews Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki to retain Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red def. John Walters to retain Rey Mysterio Jr. def. Jamie Knoble, Shane Helms and Chavo Guerrero Jr. in a Number One Contenders Match Billy Kidman def. Kanyon Sean O’Haire def. United States Champion Mike Awesome in a Stretcher match to win the title World Champion Booker T def. Lance Storm to retain
Booker T vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. will headline Starrcade 2002. In the leadup to this match, Booker T and Billy Kidman again cross paths, with Booker beating Kidman down, fueling Rey’s desire to defeat him even more. The feud between Sean O’Haire and Mike Awesome is set to culminate at Starrcade, via an I Quit Match for the US Title. The Cruiserweight Title will be on the line, when Katsuyori Shibata challenges Amazing Red. The Gridiron Giants will challenge Fleisch and Storm for the Tag Team Titles. Jamie Knoble will face Chavo Guerrero Jr. Kanyon takes on Jamie Knoble, Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy defend against The SAT, The Jung Dragons and The Hotshots. AJ Styles battles Frankie Kazarian. Scoot Andrews faces John Walters. Bobby Rude meets Mark Shraeder. And in tag team competition, Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore will face Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki.
Starrcade results AJ Styles def. Frankie Kazarian The SAT def. Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Teddy Hart and Shark Boy, The Jung Dragons and The Hotshots to win the ttiles Bobby Rude def. Mark Shraeder Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore def. Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red def. Katsuyori Shibata to retain (Shibata’s last match in WCW before returning to Japan) John Walters def. Scoot Andrews Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm def. The Gridiron Giants to retain Jamie Knoble def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. Shane Helms def. Kanyon United States Champion Sean O’Haire def. Mike Awesome in an I Quit Match to retain World Champion Booker T def. Rey Mysterio Jr. to retain
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:15:43 GMT -5
Extreme Rebirth 2002 2001 had been all about establishing the ECW brand to new viewers who may not have been able to watch the company prior to it’s move to the USA Network. The first year on the cable giant had been a success, as new stars were created and fans finally got to see Rob Van Dam win the ECW World Title. But in 2002, there would have to be some big changes. While, for the most part, USA and UMG were pleased with ECW, they had to admit that the product did make it hard to draw in advertisers. While wrestling being hard to sell was nothing new, ECW provided a very different issue, due to it’s very bloody content and the foul-mouthed tirades much of the roster tended to go on. At the same time, however, it was undeniable that the in-ring action was turning heads in the right direction. It was a matter of finding a happy medium between “edgy” and “too extreme”…
January 2nd: In the parking lot, Rob Van Dam is arriving at the building, only to be attacked by Jeff Jarrett! Jarrett throws Van Dam onto the hood of a parked car, shattering the windshield. He tells RVD that next Sunday, he’s taking his title; The Badstreet Boys def. Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane; Low Ki talks about his match coming up at Guilty as Charged, where he will take on Jerry Lynn. He says that the Viral Network went unchecked for too long, but now that they no longer control the World Title, it’s time to strike…; American Dragon def. Brian XL (after the match, as Brian XL dejectedly walks towards the back, he spots the House of Hardcore dropouts in the crowd, passing a bottle of clear liquid between them. One of them makes eye contact with Brian and nods for him to join them…); Kid Kash def. Julio Dinero (after the match, Kash gets on the mic and challenges Christopher Daniels to a match at Guilty as Charged, promising that he will force Daniels to shake his hand); Paul London, Spanky, Nova and Spike Dudley def. EZ Money, Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger; CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer cut a promo backstage, saying that it’s time for them to go after the Tag Team Titles…; Rhino def. Bam Bam Bigelow (Rhino spike piledrove Bigelow through a table off the apron. Afterwards, Bigelow was stretchered out, writing him off TV to deal with injuries and personal issues)
January 9th: Rhino, Jerry Lynn, Tajiri and Cyrus are backstage. Cyrus acknowledges that Da Baldies are no longer with the Viral Network, before addressing their various enemies. Cyrus says that Jeff Jarrett made an enemy of Rhino when he called his shot at the title, while RVD is on borrowed time as Champion. As for Low Ki, his attempts to shut them down will stop when Jerry Lynn defeats him this Sunday…; Christopher Daniels def. Spike Dudley (after the match, Daniels and Alison Danger accepted Kid Kash’s challenge for Guilty as Charged); Paul London talked about his desire to become TV Champion, saying that EZ Money is good, but he’s better and this Sunday, he’s gonna become a TV star; Spanky and Nova def. Divine Storm; In a scene from earlier in the day, the House of Hardcore dropouts are seen being denied entry into the building. As they walk away, looking dejected, they spot Brian XL, who calls them over for a chat…; Low Ki def. Chris Chetti (after the match, Jerry Lynn and Tajiri attacked Low Ki, beating him down and promising he had no chance this Sunday); A medical update on Bam Bam Bigelow reveals that Bigelow suffered a severe neck injury and will be out of action for several months; Simon Diamond def. Joey Matthews; The final card is announced for Guilty as Charged: RVD defends the World Title against Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lynn faces Low Ki, Paul London challenges EZ Money for the TV Title, Kid Kash faces Christopher Daniels, Simon and Swinger face the Badstreet Boys for the Tag Team Titles, a four way dance between Dreamer and Anderson, Doring and Roadkill, The Ring Crew Express and The Impact Players, American Dragon vs. Spanky, and the debut of Da Hit Squad
Guilty as Charged results (As Joey Styles and Joel Gertner introduce the event, they are interrupted by the arrival of the House of Hardcore dropouts and Brian XL. XL explains that he trained with these guys and he was the only one who graduated from the school. But he can’t imagine being a wrestler without his buddies around, so he pulled some strings and got them signed with ECW! They are Special K and they are here to own everyone! As the group calls for a rave, however, Da Hit Squad make their way to the ring. Mafia and Monsta Mack clean house on most of Special K, before settling into a tag team match against two members of the group) Da Hit Squad def. Special K (the two unnamed members of the team show zero skill or technique, instead opting to throw themselves around. Their teammates decide to join in the fun, launching themselves off the apron and top rope onto Mafia and Mack. Eventually, however, Da Hit Squad begin to simply overpower Special K and pick up the win) American Dragon def. Spanky Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson def. Danny Doring and Roadkill, The Ring Crew Express and The Impact Players (Steve Corino pinned Dunn, Dreamer pinned Roadkill, Anderson forced Justin Credible to submit. After the match, Credible and Corino argued, while Francine and Jack Victory attempted to play peacemakers) The Badstreet Boys def. Tag Team Champions Simon and Swinger to win the titles Kid Kash def. Christopher Daniels (after the match, Kash offered Daniels a handshake, but Daniels and Allison Danger instead attacked him) Television Champion EZ Money and Paul London fought to a 20 minute time limit draw Jerry Lynn def. Low Ki (Ki had Lynn on the ropes for much of the match, even thwarting Tajiri’s interference attempts, but Rhino interfered, Goring Low Ki and allowing Lynn to get the win) World Champion Rob Van Dam def. Jeff Jarrett to retain (after the match, Rhino Gored both men, then spike piledrove Jarrett through a table off the apron; Jarrett’s last ECW appearance)
January 16th: Paul Heyman opens the show with the announcement that ECW will now be producing monthly PPVs, with the next event scheduled for February 10th, WrestlePalooza. At that show, Rob Van Dam will defend the World title against Rhino in a Last Man Standing Match; Spike Dudley and Balls Mahoney fought to a no-contest (Rhino attacked both men, then spike piledrove Mahoney through a table; Balls Mahoney’s last ECW appearance); Rhino cut a promo, where he promised that RVD wouldn’t be able to walk after he was finished with him. Low Ki, seeking revenge for what happened at Guilty as Charged, came out and attacked Rhino, setting up an impromptu match; Rhino def. Low Ki (Ki managed to get Rhino in position for the Mushroom Stomp, but Jerry Lynn and Tajiri attacked him. Rhino won with the Gore, then wanted to spike piledrive Low Ki through a table. RVD ran out to make the save before that could happen, however…); Christopher Daniels and Alison Danger sat in a dimly lit room. Daniels wears a robe with a hood, leaning fully into his “Fallen Angel” persona. He says that just because Kid Kash beat him, doesn’t mean he earned his respect. Daniels doesn’t hand out respect to anyone. He KNOWS how good he is and he came to ECW to prove it. And next week, he wants a rematch with Kash, to prove last Sunday was a fluke…; The FBI def. Special K (Divine Storm were supposed to be in this match, but Special K jumped them in the aisle. Brian XL and a member of the group identified as Deranged instead took their spot, but were defeated. After the match, Divine Storm returned to the ring but were again beaten down by Special K); Backstage, Justin Credible vented to Francine about The Impact Players’ inability to gain any traction for nearly a year. Francine says that they need to get on the same page, but Credible puts the blame solely on Corino…; Paul London def. Doug Williams; Backstage, RVD is checking on Low Ki. He calls Rhino a menace and says that his rampage stops at WrestlePalooza…; Tag Team Champions The Badstreet Boys def. Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson to retain (Da Hit Squad ran out and attacked both teams during the match, but York was able to recover to score the pin on Dreamer. After the match, Da Hit Squad declared themselves the future of ECW’s tag team division…); Super Crazy is backstage. He is approached by Paul Heyman, who says he has a very special match in mind for WrestlePalooza. He was able to sign someone and he wants to debut him in a huge way. He asks Super Crazy if he would like the honor of initiating this new talent into ECW. Crazy agrees, then Heyman drops the bomb: the new signing is… EDDIE GUERRERO!!!!
January 23rd: After last week’s huge announcement, the locker room is buzzing about the signing of Eddie Guerrero. Cyrus says he would be thrilled to have Eddie in the Viral Network, even though Rhino is visibly irked by this suggestion. Christopher Daniels claims Guerrero is one of the few wrestlers in the world worthy of his respect. Low Ki welcomes the chance to face Guerrero in the future. Super Crazy says he is honored to be chosen as Guerrero’s first opponent, and still a little stunned that this is happening. Finally, RVD says he adopted Guerrero’s Frog Splash, even if he does it better, and cites Guerrero as a huge influence of his. He would love to defend the World Title against him some day…; Quiet Storm and Chris Divine storm the ring as the show begins and call out Special K, setting up an impromptu opening contest; Divine Storm def. Izzy and Angel Dust (All six members of Special K get involved, but Izzy and Angel Dust are designated as the legal competitors. After the match, Special K beat down Divine and Storm, until Spanky, Paul London and American Dragon make the save); Steve Corino and Jack Victory are talking backstage. Corino says Credible isn’t as great as he says he is, he just had a lot of talented people covering for his weaknesses. Victory says The Impact Players are supposed to be ECW’s most dominant team. Corino retorts that maybe The Impact Players are dead…; Da Hit Squad def. The Ring Crew Express (after the match, Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson attack Mafia and Monsta Mack); Doug Williams enters Paul Heyman’s office and asks about possibly receiving a full-time contract. Heyman says that Williams impressed last week, but he wants to see more out of him. Next week, Williams will face Chris Chetti. Williams asks if he gets a contract if he wins, but Heyman says they’re just going to call this a tryout for now…; Nova def. Little Guido (This was a TV Title Number One Contenders Match); Paul London, Spanky and American Dragon challenge Special K to a six man tag team match next week; Christopher Daniels def. Kid Kash (Kash had the match won, but Alison Danger put Daniels’ foot on the bottom rope. After the restart, Daniels won with the Angel’s Wings. Afterwards, he continued to attack Kash until officials forced him to leave the ring); Paul Heyman announced that next week, Simon and Swinger will face Doring and Roadkill in a Number One Contenders Match, and Jerry Lynn and Tajiri will face RVD and Low Ki.
January 30th: Eddie Guerrero delivers a taped promo, saying that he’s excited to return to ECW. He knows a lot has changed since he was there last, but he’s also changed. He’s not the man he used to be, addled by addiction. ECW is a fresh start for him and he can’t wait for WrestlePalooza…; American Dragon, Spanky and Paul London def. Dixie, Elax and Deranged (another wild match involving Special K, who pull out every flippy move they can think of, but in vain, as Dragon manages to ground, pound and submit Deranged); EZ Money cuts a promo on his next challenger, Nova. Money says he took Paul London to the limit and walked away with the title. Money says that he’s going to do one better at WrestlePalooza, he’s going to beat Nova; Doring and Roadkill def. Simon and Swinger in a Number One Contenders Match; Backstage, Special K were licking their wounds after their latest loss. They’re frustrated, but it soon becomes apparent that they aren’t upset about losing, they don’t have anymore of “the stuff”. Izzy says he knows where they can score some more…; Chris Chetti def. Doug Williams; Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson challenge Da Hit Squad to a match at WrestlePalooza; Rob Van Dam and Low Ki def. Jerry Lynn and Yoshihiro Tajiri (Ki pinned Tajiri after a Mushroom Stomp. After the match, Rhino attacked RVD, while Lynn and Tajiri beat down Low Ki)
February 6th: The full card for WrestlePalooza is announced: Eddie Guerrero faces Super Crazy in his ECW return match, RVD vs. Rhino in a Last Man Standing Match for the World Title, Low Ki vs. Tajiri vs. Jerry Lynn in a 3-Way Dance, Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson take on Da Hit Squad, EZ Money defends the TV Title against Nova, Christopher Daniels will face Kid Kash in Two-Out-Of-Three-Falls match, The Badstreet Boys defend the Tag Team Titles against Doring and Roadkill, and Special Ki will face Paul London, Spanky, American Dragon and Divine Storm in a “scramble” match; The Ring Crew Express def. Michael Shane and Mikey Whipwreck; Special K are holding a rave in the parking lot. Their numbers have increased, as a number of “fans” have joined the party, as well as ECW interviewer, Becky Bayless. Deranged says this is the best “stuff” he’s ever taken. Izzy says “his guy” has never let him down; Spanky and Paul London def. The FBI; Kid Kash says that he’s the man who’s going to beat respect into Christopher Daniels, no matter what it takes; Super Crazy def. Julio Dinero; Nova says that he’s been in ECW for six years and has yet to win any kind of title. At WrestlePalooza, that changes, because he’s going to defeat EZ Money…; Rhino def. Spike Dudley (Rhino Gored Spike through a table to win. After the match, he spike piledrove Spike through a table. RVD ran out and brawled with Rhino as Spike was carted out of the arena; Spike is written out to change his gimmick, as WWE has trademarked the “Dudley” character)
WrestlePalooza results (After the introductions by Joey Styles and Joel Gertner, Special K make their way to the ring. They are joined by new members Lit and Becky Bayless) Brian XL, Dixie, Izzy, Deranged and Angel Dust def. Paul London, Spanky, American Dragon and Divine Storm (Spanky turned on his partners and helped Dixie pin Quiet Storm. After the match, it was revealed that Spanky is Special K’s “supplier” and he joined them for a celebratory rave) Tag Team Champions The Badstreet Boys def. Danny Doring and Roadkill to retain Christopher Daniels def. Kid Kash in a Two-Out-Of-Three-Falls Match (Daniels won the first fall after an Angel’s Wings. Kash won the second fall with a Brainbuster. Daniels won the final fall by forcing Kash to submit to a crossface chicken wing. After the match, Daniels offered a handshake, but when Kash went to accept, Alison Danger low-blowed him and the two once again beat Kash down) Television Champion EZ Money def. Nova to retain Da Hit Squad def. Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson Jerry Lynn def. Low Ki and Yoshihiro Tajiri in a 3-Way Dance (Tajiri pinned Low Ki after a Buzzsaw Kick, then Lynn pinned Tajiri with a Cradle Piledriver after Tajiri tried to celebrate them “co-winning” the match) World Champion Rob Van Dam def. Rhino in a Last Man Standing Match to retain (Rhino tried to take out RVD with a spike piledriver, but Van Dam reversed it into a back body drop on the concrete floor. After that, Van Dam delivered a chair-assisted Five Star Frog Splash to get the win) Eddie Guerrero def. Super Crazy (Guerrero forced Crazy to submit to his “Lasso From El Paso” submission hold. After the match, Guerrero and Crazy shook hands as many members of the locker room came out to congratulate Eddie and welcome him to ECW…)
February 13th: In footage filmed after WrestlePalooza went off the air, Eddie Guerrero remained in the ring soaking in the applause from the crowd. As he went to leave, however, Jerry Lynn and Cyrus barged in to confront Guerrero. As Lynn and Guerrero jaw-jacked at one another, Tajiri ran out to attack Lynn, looking for revenge after Lynn’s earlier betrayal. Tonight, Lynn and Tajiri go one-on-one…; Spanky and Special K held a rave in the ring to start the show. Paul London and American Dragon interrupted, wanting a piece of Spanky after he turned on them to join Special K. This sets up an impromptu tag team contest; Paul London and American Dragon def. Spanky and Lit; The Badstreet Boys are walking backstage when Da Hit Squad step into their path. York and Matthews are ready for a fight, but Mafia and Monsta Mack simply tell them that Paul Heyman has granted them a title shot next week. All four men exchange tense handshakes…; Chris Sabin def. Julio Dinero (Sabin’s debut); Backstage, Doug Williams confronts Paul Heyman, asking what he has to do to earn an ECW contract. Heyman tells him to be here next week. If he wants a tryout match, he’ll get one…; Justin Credible def. Chris Chetti (after the match, Steve Corino confronted Credible, sparking a brawl that Jack Victory and Francine desperately tried to break up); A vignette hypes the upcoming debut of Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere, collectively known as The Backseat Boyz; Jerry Lynn def. Yoshihiro Tajiri; Joey Styles interviews Eddie Guerrero in the ring. Joey asks what’s next for Eddie, when Rob Van Dam comes out. RVD says that, like Eddie, he’s lacking in an opponent for Living Dangerously on March 10th. RVD asks the crowd if they want to see him vs. Eddie Guerrero for the title, which they clearly do. Eddie likes the idea, but then Christopher Daniels and Alison Danger interrupt. Daniels says that Eddie may be a great wrestler, but that doesn’t mean he gets to jump the line. Daniels has been here for nearly a year and has yet to be rewarded with any type of title opportunity. If anyone is challenging for the title on March 10th, it’s him. This brings Cyrus and Jerry Lynn back out. Cyrus says that Lynn is the rightful number one contender, after his domination of talents like Low Ki, Tajiri and others. Low Ki then comes out, saying that he should be the next number one contender. Paul Heyman finally intercedes and announces that next week, it will be Eddie Guerrero vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Low Ki in a 4-way dance, with the winner facing RVD at Living Dangerously!
February 20th: The Sinister Minister, Mikey Whipwreck and Michael Shane are in the ring to start the show. The Minister talks about the Unholy Alliance needing to step it up to the next level to hang with the talent influx in ECW. To that end, he went out and found a pair of new recruits: Homicide and Boogalou, The Natural Born Sinners; The Natural Born Sinners def. Divine Storm; In the parking lot, Special K are hosting a rave. Spanky says that everyone in ECW is buzzing about the big 4-way dance and Eddie Guerrero, but Special K is buzzing 24/7. Spanky says that he wants a piece of Eddie Guerrero, to prove that Special K is “4Real”; Doug Williams def. Jimmy Rave (Williams earns an ECW contract); Backstage, The Impact Players are being held apart by Jack Victory and Francine. Francine says that they need to get on the same page if they’re going to dominate ECW like they’re supposed to. Credible and Corino snipe at each other, blaming one another for the team’s shortcomings. Finally, Francine snaps and tells them that they can settle this at Living Dangerously, one-on-one. But after March 10th, they need to decide if the Impact Players live on… or die a gruesome death…; Tag Team Champions The Badstreet Boys and Da Hit Squad fought to a no-contest (H.C. Loc and Tony DeVito attacked both teams. Afterwards, DeVito declared that The Carnage Crew is here); Backstage, The American Dragon says that he sees the shift in what ECW stands for. He’s watched for months as newcomers like himself have tried to find their place on the roster. The day is coming where ECW will no longer stand for “Extreme”. And he wants to be one of the leaders of that charge. At Living Dangerously, American Dragon is challenging EZ Money for the TV Title. Because if anyone is going to be the face Hardcore TV, it’s him…; Jerry Lynn def. Low Ki, Christopher Daniels and Eddie Guerrero in a 4-Way Dance to become the number one contender for the World Title (Daniels pinned Low Ki after a kick between the legs; Guerrero pinned Daniels after a Frog Splash; Lynn pinned Guerrero after Special K attacked Guerrero)
February 27th: In footage from after last week’s show went off the air, Eddie Guerrero is in the back, throwing boxes around. Paul Heyman tries to calm him down, but Eddie says he wants Spanky at Living Dangerously. Heyman says he’s got it…; In the arena, Dunn and Marcos are finishing checking out the ring, when The Carnage Crew come down to interrupt. They get into a confrontation with Dunn and Marcos, before erupting into a full-fledged brawl. Soon enough, officials are out to break them up, with Paul Heyman warning them of fines and suspensions…; Paul London def. Mikey Whipwreck (Michael Shane tried to interfere in the match several times, but London overcame it for the win); Low Ki cut a promo on Christopher Daniels, saying he respects nobody but himself. At Living Dangerously, Ki is going to beat respect into him…; American Dragon def. Nova (after the match, Dragon and Nova shook hands); An advertisement airs for ECWA’s Super 8 Tournament; The Backseat Boyz def. Divine Storm (Backseat Boyz’s debut. After the match, Special K attacked both teams); Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson are hanging out when The Natural Born Sinners attack them. The Sinister Minister cackles in the background as they beat down the two ECW Originals…; Chris Sabin def. Ace Steel; In the back, Doug Williams is shaking hands with Super Crazy and Kid Kash, who welcome him to the full roster. The feelgood moment is ruined, however, when Christopher Daniels confronts him. Calling him naive for shaking hands and being respectful, Daniels says he’s where he is in this company because he took what he wanted. Williams smirks, before challenging Daniels to a match next week; Jerry Lynn and Rhino def. Rob Van Dam and Yoshihiro Tajiri (Lynn pinned RVD after a Cradle Piledriver, following a ton of interference by Cyrus)
March 6th: Michael Shane def. Paul London (Shane got an assist from The Sinister Minister, who whacked London with his cane); Special K are holding a rave in the rafters of the arena. Spanky talks about how most of the roster doesn’t like them, because they enjoy having fun. Eddie Guerrero is a buzzkill who needs to lighten up, Spanky even offers him some recreational aid. As for Divine Storm and The Backseat Boyz, Izzy and Dixie will handle them in the 3-Way Scramble at Living Dangerously…; CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer def. The Natural Born Sinners; Eddie Guerrero cuts a promo in response to Special K’s earlier promo. He says that he used be an addict, but that’s in the past. He takes personal offense to Spanky even suggesting he use the “crap” they put in their bodies. At Living Dangerously, he’s going to teach Spanky a hard lesson about abuse…; The Carnage Crew and The Ring Crew Express fought to a no-contest (the two teams brawled into the crowd and began swinging weapons. Paul Heyman, concerned about crowd endangerment and recent edicts from USA Network, ordered security to shut the match down…); The Badstreet Boys expressed no fear about being locked inside a steel cage with Da Hit Squad this Sunday. Rather, they welcomed the chance to settle things once and for all and said may the best team win…; Christopher Daniels def. Doug Williams (Alison Danger distracted the referee during the match, allowing the debuting Donovan Morgan to run in and attack Williams. Daniels then won with a moonsault); A video highlights the full card for Living Dangerously: Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn for the World Title, Eddie Guerrero vs. Spanky, Rhino vs. Tajiri, American Dragon vs. EZ Money for the TV Title, Justin Credible vs. Steve Corino, Low Ki vs. Christopher Daniels, Da Hit Squad vs. The Badstreet Boys in a steel cage match for the Tag Team Titles, and The Backseat Boyz vs. Divine Storm vs. Izzy and Dixie in a 3-Way Scramble
Living Dangerously results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner run through the show introduction, before Special K come out. Joey tells them their match isn’t until later in the night, but they want to throw a party. Spanky offers Joey and Gertner some “party enhancers”, but Joey declines. Gertner wants to partake, but then a familiar tune plays over the PA system… “Enter Sandman”. The crowd goes nuts, chanting “Welcome back!” as The Sandman makes his way through the crowd to the ring. At first, he acts like he wants to join Special K’s party, but then starts caning members of the group! Lit gets busted open, while Angel Dust and Brian XL both end up with lacerations across the chests and back. The group retreats as Sandman toasts the audience with a couple of beers to kick off the show) Christopher Daniels and Donovan Morgan def. Low Ki and Doug Williams (this started as Daniels vs. Low Ki, until Donovan Morgan interfered. Williams made the save, as the match turned into a tag team contest. On commentary, Joey Styles mentions that Morgan already wrestled three matches earlier today when he won ECWA’s Super 8 Tournament. Daniels gets the win for his team by pinning Williams after the Angel’s Wings) Rhino def. Yoshihiro Tajiri Izzy and Dixie def. Divine Storm and The Backseat Boyz in a 3-Way Scramble (Izzy pinned Quiet Storm to win the match, after interference by Deranged and Elax) Justin Credible def. Steve Corino (Credible won by handcuffing Corino to the ropes, then caning him until the ref stopped the match. After the bell sounded, Corino told Credible to keep hitting him. Credible laughed, until Corino spit in his face. Credible looked pissed, before dropping the cane and uncuffing Corino. Corino could barely stand, but the two men got face to face… then hugged. The Impact Players are reunited at Living Dangerously!) American Dragon def. Television Champion EZ Money to win the title Eddie Guerrero def. Spanky (Special K tried to interfere, but were stopped by The Sandman, Divine Storm and The Backseat Boyz. Guerrero then forced Spanky to submit to the Lasso From El Paso) Da Hit Squad def. Tag Team Champions The Badstreet Boys in a Steel Cage Match to win the titles World Champion Rob Van Dam def. Jerry Lynn to retain
March 13th: Paul Heyman opens the show to speak about recent happenings between ECW and the USA Network. USA has asked ECW to tone down it’s content recently, due to advertisers pulling out of the show. Heyman was reluctant at first, because ECW was built on pushing the envelope. But in recent weeks, he has seen his pride and joy get out of control, with wild brawls, non-conclusive match endings and a number of career-ending injuries. He hates to admit it, but the Network is right. Heyman says that in the coming weeks, he will be reevaluating what ECW was, what it is, and what it needs to be going forward. He promises that his company will not become watered down. Rather, it will evolve…; Kid Kash def. Julio Dinero; American Dragon is backstage, cradling the TV Title in his arms. He says that to him, this title means as much, if not more, than the World Title. He swears to defend the title as often as possible and live up to his status as the face of Hardcore TV; The Backseat Boyz def. Elax and Lit (after the match, the rest of Special K attacked Acid and Kashmere, until Divine Storm made the save. Chris Divine then challenged Special K to an eight-man Scramble match next week); Christopher Daniels, Donovan Morgan and Alison Danger are backstage. Daniels says that his movement continues to grow. He sees the direction ECW is taking, what Paul Heyman calls an “evolution”. But Daniels calls it a farce. Professional wrestling is all about doing whatever it takes to beat your opponent, by any means necessary. Shaking hands, sportsmanship and respect, none of that wins matches. Daniels found like minded people in Donovan Morgan and Alison Danger, people who believe in The Prophecy. One day, very soon, Daniels will be at the top of ECW. Then, he’ll get to dictate how things will be done…; The Carnage Crew def. Simon and Swinger (after the match, The Ring Crew Express attacked H.C. Loc and Tony DeVito. Paul Heyman and officials interceded, but in the chaos, Heyman was hit with a chair by Marcos, knocking him out); It’s madness backstage as EMTs are checking on Heyman, while Marcos keeps swearing it was an accident. Staff member Lou D’angeli tells the wrestlers to clear the area, then informs Marcos that he is suspended indefinitely…; Paul London def. Jimmy Rave; The Impact Players are back and stronger than they’ve ever been. Justin Credible says that they had their issues, but Steve Corino proved to him that he’s the real deal. Corino, in turn, says that Credible is one bad SOB and someone he’d rather be with, than against. They warn Da Hit Squad that they’re coming after them and their Tag Team Titles…; Eddie Guerrero def. Nova (the two shook hands after the match, but were attacked by Christopher Daniels, Donovan Morgan and Alison Danger. The Prophecy beat both men down, until Low Ki and Doug Williams ran out to make the save. Daniels and Morgan retreated, but Daniels shouted that the day is coming. The evolution will fall…. And The Prophecy will take hold...)
March 20th: Joey Styles provides an update on ECW owner Paul Heyman. Heyman suffered a concussion from the chairshot last week and is at home recovering. They hope he will be back in the next couple of weeks; Chris Sabin def. Tony Mamaluke; Special K are in the parking lot, “preparing” for their match tonight. Spotted in the crowd is the former Spike Dudley, Matt Hyson…; The Badstreet Boys def. Danny Doring and Roadkill; Da Hit Squad have a short, simple message for The Impact Players: bring it; Divine Storm and The Backseat Boyz def. Spanky, Izzy, Dixie and Deranged in a Scramble Match (Matt Hyson was present with the group, identified as LSD); Backstage, The Prophecy say that what they did last week to Eddie Guerrero and Nova was an act of rebellion, not an act of malice. While Daniels respects Guerrero, he’s part of a system that The Prophecy exists to render obsolete. Daniels promises that their numbers will continue to grow, as they welcome any like-minded wrestlers to join their crusade…; American Dragon def. Super Crazy to retain the TV Title (before the match, Dragon said he heard what Christopher Daniels had to say and his response was to shake Crazy’s hand before AND after the match); The Viral Network came to the ring after the break to discuss their recent downswing in success. Jerry Lynn and Rhino accuse one another of being the weak link, when The Prophecy come out. Daniels asks them if they heard what he had to say earlier. Cyrus and Lynn play like they didn’t hear or care, but Rhino suddenly Gores both men! He says he heard Daniels’ speech and it was very convincing. And since the ECW system is what caused him to lose his title, he thinks it’s only right to give the system the middle finger by joining The Prophecy; Doug Williams def. Donovan Morgan (Williams had Low Ki in his corner, while Daniels, Rhino and Alison Danger were in Morgan’s corner. Williams won the match with a Chaos Theory, but The Prophecy attacked Williams and Low Ki, until Eddie Guerrero made the save. Guerrero then challenged The Prophecy to a six man tag team match at Barely Legal on April 7th); Rob Van Dam came out to the ring to address the fans. He said that with Paul Heyman laid up at home, there’s nobody to decide who gets the next shot at the World Title. But RVD says he wants someone… ANYONE… to step up and challenge him. Paul London comes out to a nice ovation and says that if RVD needs an opponent, he’s more than willing to step up. RVD offers a handshake, accepting the challenge for Barely Legal…
March 27th: The Prophecy come to the ring to start the show. Christopher Daniels says that they are not part of the system that is controlling ECW. They cannot be controlled, because they are the controllers. Daniels says that any one of them would be deserving of being the face of ECW and Hardcore TV. They then issue a challenge to American Dragon for the TV Title, right now. Not one to back down from a fight, Dragon comes out and says he’ll take on whoever wants the shot. Donovan Morgan steps forward and Dragon offers a handshake, which is refused. Dragon then gets on the mic and says that if they had any honor, they’d keep this match one-on-one. When Daniels says they don’t believe in what he calls honor, Dragon says he thought they’d say that. Eddie Guerrero, Low Ki and Doug Williams then come out to be in Dragon’s corner, to prevent The Prophecy from interfering; American Dragon def. Donovan Morgan to retain the TV Title; Backstage, The Sinister Minister is with Mikey Whipwreck, Michael Shane and The Natural Born Sinners. He says that his Unholy Alliance is starting to get lost in the shuffle. Between The Prophecy and Special K, there are too many factions trying to steal their thunder. Michael Shane says that in a just world, he’d be the one challenging for the World Title, not Paul London, who he beat. The Minister says that they should be the ones in control and it’s time for them to do something about it…; Chris Sabin def. Little Guido; In the parking lot, Special K are hyping themselves up for their match later tonight. Spanky says that their newest recruit, LSD, is a welcome addition to their ranks. And at Barely Legal, they are going to continue their streak as Kings of the Scramble, when Dixie and Izzy take on The Backseat Boyz, Divine Storm and The Badstreet Boys. And Spanky is officially throwing out a challenge to American Dragon for the TV Title. After all, is there a better face to highlight on Hardcore TV?; The Impact Players def. Simon and Swinger; The Carnage Crew have been doing a lot of thinking after the Heyman Incident. They say that Heyman was in the wrong place, wrong time and deserved to get hit with that chair. They are here to cause trouble for ECW and anyone who gets in their way will suffer the same fate…; Deranged, Brian XL and Angel Dust def. Ace Steel, Jimmy Rave and Julio Dinero; Paul London cuts a promo, saying that he never dreamed that less than a year into his ECW tenure, he’d be challenging for the World Title on a PPV. Rob Van Dam is a great wrestler and one of London’s heroes, but London didn’t come here to get starstruck, he came here to be a star. And at Barely Legal, he is taking the World Title from Mr. PPV…
April 3rd: The show opens with a brawl taking place in the parking lot. As Special K are partying nearby, Marcos and Dunn are brawling with The Carnage Crew. Officials rush to break it up, with Lou D’angeli threatening to call the cops on Marcos. Paul Heyman then enters and says that Marcos’ suspension is lifted. He then announces that he is allowing an unsanctioned match between The Carnage Crew and The Ring Crew Express to take place at Barely Legal, but after this, no more between the two teams, unless it’s officially sanctioned competition…; EZ Money def. Jimmy Jacobs; Eddie Guerrero, Low Ki and Doug Williams cut a promo about their match this Sunday with The Prophecy. Eddie said that the wrestling business was built on respect for your opponent and for the fans. But The Prophecy have shown they respect nobody. Low Ki says that if he has to personally beat respect into each member of the group, he will. Williams is the new guy here, but he respects his partners for what they have accomplished and are still capable of accomplishing. That’s why he fights with them and that’s why they will beat The Prophecy this Sunday…; Trent Acid def. Joey Matthews, Quiet Storm and Dixie in a 4-Way match (Dixie pinned Matthews, Acid pinned Storm and Acid pinned Dixie to win the match); American Dragon talked about his history with Spanky going into this Sunday. They trained together under the legendary Shawn Michaels. Their first match was against one another. They were tag team partners as well, even becoming Champions briefly before they both made it to ECW. But then Spanky betrayed him back at WrestlePalooza. Spanky ruined their relationship and Dragon can’t understand how it was worth it. To sell party drugs to rich assholes? At Barely Legal, Dragon promises to teach Spanky a lesson he won’t forget; Paul London def. Pepper Parks; Da Hit Squad were seen walking backstage, when The Impact Players attacked them from behind with Singapore canes, cracking Mafia and Monsta Mack across the back of the head. Credible and Corino beat the Champions down, then said they’d see them Sunday…; The Prophecy def. Kid Kash, Super Crazy and Nova; The full card for Barely Legal is rundown: Rob Van Dam defends the World Title against Paul London, The Prophecy battle Eddie Guerrero, Low Ki and Doug Williams, American Dragon defends the TV Title against Spanky, Da Hit Squad defend the Tag Team Titles against The Impact Players, a 4-Way Scramble match between Special K, The Backseat Boyz, Divine Storm and The Badstreet Boys, Chris Sabin vs. EZ Money, and The Ring Crew Express will face The Carnage Crew in an unsanctioned match
Barely Legal results (After Joey Styles and Joel Gertner ran through their introductions, The Prophecy made their way to the ring. Daniels said he knows their match isn’t until later, but he came out here to address the growing numbers of his crusade. Tonight, they welcome the newest member of The Prophecy and the ECW roster in general, Xavier. Xavier comes out and wants to know where all the top notch wrestlers he heard about are. Or is someone going to hit him with a frying pan or a flaming chair? Instead, “Enter Sandman” hits and The Sandman makes his way to the ring, sparking an impromptu match) Xavier def. The Sandman (The Prophecy interfered on Xavier’s behalf. After the match, as The Prophecy beat down Sandman, Eddie Guerrero, Low Ki and Doug Williams ran out to make the save) The Ring Crew Express def. The Carnage Crew in an unsanctioned match Chris Sabin def. EZ Money The Backseat Boyz def. Divine Storm, Special K and The Badstreet Boys in a Scramble Match (Izzy pinned Christian York, Dixie pinned Chris Divine, and Johnny Kashmere pinned Dixie to win the match) Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad def. The Impact Players to retain Television Champion American Dragon def. Spanky to retain Christopher Daniels, Donovan Morgan and Rhino def. Eddie Guerrero, Low Ki and Doug Williams (Xavier and Alison Danger interfered on behalf of The Prophecy) (After the match, Paul Heyman made his way to the ring. He informed Daniels that while he may have won the previous match, his attempts at taking over ECW stop now. Heyman promised to reveal the new ECW Code of Conduct this Wednesday on Hardcore TV, along with a new Commissioner to maintain that code.) World Champion Rob Van Dam def. Paul London to retain
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:18:19 GMT -5
(Changing the format from here on out to one similar to what I used for WWE and WCW. The week by week format has been fun, but it’s time consuming and I’m trying to do 20 years worth of booking here lol)
ECW Hardcore TV – April 10th Paul Heyman opens the show in the ring, as the crowd chants “ECW!” Heyman explains that in recent months, ECW has become more chaotic than ever before, with brawls breaking out in parking lots, locker rooms and the audience. There have been constant run-ins and gang attacks, “not to mention God knows what that Special K does in the parking lot”. Heyman then introduces the legendary Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, who will be serving as ECW’s new Commissioner. Steamboat thanks Heyman for the opportunity, then reads off the official Code of Conduct:
1. All matches should begin and end with a handshake, as a show of respect for your opponent
2. Respect the referees and officials
3. Keep the playing field level
Steamboat says that failure to follow the Code of Conduct can result in fines and in extreme cases, suspensions, for offenders. Heyman then asks Rob Van Dam and American Dragon to join them in the ring. Heyman explains that going forward, ECW wants to support the new, cutting-edge technical style that the likes of Dragon, Low Ki, Daniels and others have perfected. However, he does not want the company to forget it’s roots, because there is still a place for gritty, hardcore matches. Therefore, ECW will now recognize two World Championships, the World Pure Championship and the World Extreme Championship. Both belts will be considered of equal prestige. Steamboat then explains that the Code of Conduct will be in play for the Extreme Title, but that referees will be instructed to be more lax with enforcing the rules of the match itself.
Heyman then says that they have to decide how these titles will be decided. As World Champion, RVD gets first choice: If he wishes to pursue the Pure Championship, then next week, RVD and Dragon will compete in a unification match. The Extreme Title will then be decided via other means.
But if RVD chooses the Extreme Championship, then Dragon will have to make a decision. Unsurprisingly, RVD chooses the Extreme Title. Heyman then explains to Dragon that if he also chooses the Extreme Title, then the TV Title will be vacated and become the Pure Title, while Dragon and RVD will have a Hardcore match next week. But if he chooses the Pure Title, then BOTH titles will be vacated and contested in tournaments, with RVD and Dragon each receiving a first round bye. Dragon opts to pursue the Pure Title. Heyman then announces that next week, the Pure Tournament’s first round will take place, with the Extreme Tournament the following week. The quarterfinals and semifinals of each will take place back to back weeks, with the finals both taking place at Respect Is Earned on May 12th.
ECW World Pure Championship Tournament results Round One American Dragon receives a first round bye Donovan Morgan def. Nova Christopher Daniels def. Doug Williams Low Ki def. EZ Money Steve Corino def. Chris Sabin Xavier def. CW Anderson Eddie Guerrero def. Little Guido Jerry Lynn def. Simon Diamond
Quarterfinals American Dragon def. Donovan Morgan Christopher Daniels def. Low Ki Xavier def. Steve Corino Eddie Guerrero def. Jerry Lynn
Semifinals American Dragon def. Christopher Daniels Eddie Guerrero def. Xavier
World Extreme Championship Tournament results Round One Rob Van Dam receives a first round bye Justin Credible def. Yoshihiro Tajiri Spanky def. Kid Kash Joey Matthews def. Christian York Rhino def. Super Crazy Tommy Dreamer def. Homicide The Sandman def. Bam Bam Bigelow Paul London def. Michael Shane
Quarterfinals Rob Van Dam def. Justin Credible Spanky def. Joey Matthews Rhino def. Tommy Dreamer Paul London def. The Sandman
Semifinals Rob Van Dam def. Spanky Rhino def. Paul London
With the stage set for the Pure Title and Extreme Title matches, the rest of the card takes shape as follows:
Following cheating by The Prophecy members in the Pure Title Tournament, which results in ECW’s first disqualification in years during the Donovan Morgan-American Dragon match, Ricky Steamboat orders a six man tag team contest for Respect Is Earned, pitting The Prophecy against some of the enemies they have made recently, in Low Ki, Doug Williams and Paul London. Steamboat then adds that he will be sitting ringside for the match and if The Prophecy try to pull any underhanded tactics, they will face suspension or even termination from ECW…
After winning the Scramble at Barely Legal, The Backseat Boyz are rewarded with a Tag Team Title match for Respect is Earned. Da Hit Squad promise to run through Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere, but the two remind Mafia and Monsta Mack that they have to catch them first…
Special K have the first match of the “new” era of ECW, facing Divine Storm on April 10th. Special K show no regard for the Code of Conduct, ignoring the pre-match and post-match handshakes, using cheap tactics from ringside, and having the entire stable (now reaching nWo level numbers!) at ringside for the match. Ricky Steamboat reprimands them backstage, but they tell him to loosen up and offer him some stuff to help him do that. Instead, Steamboat begins appearing at ringside for their matches to enforce the Code of Conduct, ejecting non-competing members of the group from ringside, confiscating their “enhancers” during matches and generally doing his best to keep a level playing field for their opponents. Special K instead begin getting in Steamboat’s face, until The Ring Crew Express come to Ricky’s aid, setting up Dunn and Marcos vs. Izzy and Dixie at Respect is Earned.
Other matches announced for the show are Michael Shane vs. Chris Sabin, The Impact Players vs. The Carnage Crew, and Jerry Lynn vs. Bam Bam Bigelow vs. The Sandman in a Hardcore Match
A Nigerian Prince has been spotted in the front row at ECW shows over the last month, scouting matches. Who is he and what interest does he have in ECW?
Respect is Earned results (Joey Styles and Joel Gertner introduce the show, before Gertner announces that he wants to talk to the Nigerian Prince in the front row. The Prince’s security, a pair of men in suits and sunglasses, prevent Gertner from getting close, but the Prince does take the microphone from him. He introduces himself as Prince Nana, Ahante Royalty. He has come to ECW to buy his way to the top of the company. He is looking to form a stable of wrestlers who he can lead to the top and use them to take over ECW. He says he already has a few names in mind and he will be watching closely tonight, as some of them will be in action…) The Ring Crew Express def. Dixie and Izzy Jerry Lynn def. The Sandman and Bam Bam Bigelow in a Hardcore 3-Way Dance (Sandman pinned Bigelow, Lynn pinned Sandman. After his elimination, Bigelow was approached by Prince Nana, then led to the back by one of the security guys) The Impact Players def. The Carnage Crew Michael Shane def. Chris Sabin (Bam Bam Bigelow came back out during the match and attacked Sabin while Prince Nana distracted the referee from the crowd. Afterwards, Nana announced that Shane and Bigelow were the first two members of The Embassy. The Sinister Minister sent Mikey Whipwreck and The Natural Born Sinners to the ring to go after Nana, but they were beaten down by Shane and Bigelow) World Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad def. The Backseat Boyz to retain Low Ki, Doug Williams and Paul London def. Christopher Daniels, Donovan Morgan and Xavier (Ricky Steamboat was ringside during the match. Alison Danger accompanied The Prophecy, but kept her distance, thanks to Steamboat’s presence. Daniels did try to cheat, using a pair of brass knucks to knock Williams out, but Steamboat caught him and informed the referee, who disqualified The Prophecy. After the match, Daniels got in Steamboat’s face, but Steamboat suspended him for thirty days!) World Extreme Championship – Rob Van Dam def. Rhino to win the title World Pure Championship – Eddie Guerrero def. American Dragon to win the title (After the match, RVD came out and shook Guerrero’s and Dragon’s hands. All three men stood in the ring and bowed as the show went off the air)
With the new era of ECW officially underway, the top storylines in the company focus primarily on the two World Titles, as well as The Prophecy’s crusade against this new era. Heading into Hardcore Heaven, Donovan Morgan has taken up the fight in the absence of leader Christopher Daniels and is pursuing the World Pure Title, held by Eddie Guerrero. American Dragon and Low Ki also find themselves caught up in the fight against The Prophecy, with the two set to take on Xavier and Rhino at Hardcore Heaven. Due to the nature of the rivalry, Ricky Steamboat has decided that the tag team match will be contested as a “Fight Without Honor”, knowing that this one will get ugly.
As for the World Extreme Title, it’s Jerry Lynn, RVD’s long-time rival, who steps up to challenge for the title at Hardcore Heaven. Lynn won a 3-Way Dance at Respect is Earned, putting him at the front of the line. Ricky Steamboat has already begun the process of finding the next challenger, however, by scheduling a Hardcore Match for the PPV, between Paul London and Embassy Crown Jewel Michael Shane.
In the Tag Team Division, Da Hit Squad are challenged by The Ring Crew Express, coming off a win over Special K last month. Dunn and Marcos will be going for their first Championship in this match, while Mafia and Monsta Mack look to continue their path of destruction through the ECW roster…
Other matches set to take place at Hardcore Heaven include Special K facing perennial rivals Divine Storm, along with The Backseat Boyz and Kid Kash, in a ten man scramble match, Chris Sabin facing Doug Williams, and The Impact Players, The Badstreet Boys and The Natural Born Sinners will meet in a Number One Contenders 3-Way Dance.
Hardcore Heaven results (After the introductions by Joey Styles and Joel Gertner, The Natural Born Sinners and The Sinister Minister storm to the ring. The Minister makes it clear that there will be a day of reckoning for Michael Shane and The Embassy, but tonight, he men are going to become the number one contenders for the Tag Team Titles…) The Natural Born Sinners def. The Badstreet Boys and The Impact Players in a Number One Contenders 3-Way Dance (Justin Credible pinned Christian York, Homicide pinned Steve Corino) Doug Williams def. Chris Sabin Spanky, LSD, Dixie, Izzy and Deranged def. Kid Kash, The Backseat Boyz and Divine Storm in a Scramble Match World Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad def. The Ring Crew Express to retain Michael Shane def. Paul London in a Number One Contenders Hardcore Match World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero def. Donovan Morgan to retain (after the match, Christopher Daniels came out of the crowd to attack Guerrero. Daniels announces that his suspension was up three days ago and he will replacing Xavier in the Fight Without Honor) Christopher Daniels and Rhino def. American Dragon and Low Ki in a Fight Without Honor (a miscommunication between Low Ki and Dragon allowed Rhino to Gore Ki, while Daniels hit the Angel’s Wings on Dragon to get the win) World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Jerry Lynn to retain
Heading into Heatwave, Rob Van Dam’s opponent for the World Extreme Title, Michael Shane, along with Prince Nana and Bam Bam Bigelow, look to make life as difficult as possible for Mr. PPV. In a match on Hardcore TV, Bigelow puts RVD through two stacked tables, cracking two of Van Dam’s ribs. Michael Shane goes on to brag that at Heatwave, he’ll crack the rest of his ribs if he has to, to become World Extreme Champion…
In the case of World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero, his opponent is unknown coming out of Hardcore Heaven. Low Ki, Christopher Daniels and American Dragon all make cases for why it should be them, but Steamboat, seeing the existing issues between the three and not wanting them to hamper a potential PPV main event, instead signs a 3-Way Dance for Heatwave, with the winner going on to challenge for the title at the August PPV. As far as Eddie’s challenger for Heatwave goes, Steamboat names Doug Williams as the number one contender, citing his recent win over Chris Sabin, as well as wins over Xavier and Tajiri on Hardcore TV, as reason for giving him the nod.
The Natural Born Sinners are the new number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles, meaning they will challenge Da Hit Squad at Heatwave. Moving forward in the division, Ricky Steamboat has announced a tag team gauntlet to take place at the PPV, featuring Special K, The Backseat Boyz, Divine Storm, The Carnage Crew, The Ring Crew Express and The FBI.
Other matches announced are Chris Sabin vs. newcomer Alex Shelley, CW Anderson vs. Mikey Whipwreck, and Kid Kash vs. Spanky.
Heatwave results (The tradition of Joey Styles and Joel Gertner opening the PPV in the ring sadly ends, as we hop right into the action tonight) Spanky def. Kid Kash CW Anderson def. Mikey Whipwreck (The Sinister Minister was ordered to the back after he tried to interfere on Whipwreck’s behalf. After the match, he returned, alongside a large man in black prison garb and a leatherface mask. The man attacked Anderson, then laid out Tommy Dreamer when he attempted to make the save) Chris Sabin def. Alex Shelley The Carnage Crew won the Number One Contenders Gauntlet (Special K def. Divine Storm, The Backseat Boyz def. Special K, The Backseat Boyz def. The FBI, The Backseat Boyz def. The Ring Crew Express, The Carnage Crew def. The Backseat Boyz) World Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad def. The Natural Born Sinners to retain (Boogalou’s last ECW appearance, after suffering a shoulder injury during the match) World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Michael Shane to retain World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero def. Doug Williams to retain American Dragon def. Christopher Daniels and Low Ki in a Number One Contenders 3-Way Dance (Daniels pinned Low Ki, Dragon forced Daniels to submit)
Coming out of Heatwave, nothing seems to be settled following the main event 3-Way Dance. American Dragon is the Number One Contender for the World Pure Title, but Low Ki and Christopher Daniels were responsible for each other’s elimination from the match. Ricky Steamboat, having had enough of the ongoing war between Low Ki and The Prophecy, announces a match between Low Ki and Daniels for Glory By Honor, in a Fight Without Honor. Meanwhile, Eddie Guerrero and American Dragon engage in a respectful rivalry, as Eddie seeks to continue his title reign, while Dragon looks to win his first World Title…
As far as Rob Van Dam’s World Extreme Title is concerned, he faces a challenge from an unexpected source, as Homicide, now wrestling as a singles star following the injury to his partner Boogalou, attacks him with a weed whacker on Hardcore TV. Homicide backs up his actions with impressive wins over Kid Kash and Tajiri on Hardcore TV to earn his shot at Glory By Honor.
The Carnage Crew put Da Hit Squad on notice after winning the number one contendership at Heatwave. Loc and DeVito pick up several hardfought wins over the teams they beat in the gauntlet, en route to Glory By Honor, which looks to be a wild brawl between two hard-hitting teams…
At Heatwave, The Sinister Minister debuted a new monster, who attacked CW Anderson and Tommy Dreamer after Anderson defeated Mikey Whipwreck. At Glory By Honor, the two teams will collide in a Hardcore Rules Match.
Paul London and Michael Shane have had two high profile clashes so far in 2002, with Shane coming out on top in both encounters. London, not done with Shane yet, goes to Ricky Steamboat to request a Two-Out-Of-Three-Falls Match against his rival at Glory By Honor.
The Prophecy have had no shortage of enemies since they formed in ECW. Doug Williams and Nova have been feuding the group for months, but at Glory By Honor, they will have an unlikely partner in Jerry Lynn. After Lynn was betrayed by Rhino earlier in the year, Lynn has been forced to climb back up the ranks. Now, without Cyrus by his side, Lynn will team with Williams and Nova to face Rhino, Xavier and Donovan Morgan in a six man war.
Rounding out the card for Glory By Honor, Ricky Steamboat has announced the first-ever every-man-for-himself Scramble Match, with the winner earning a shot at the World Extreme Championship. We will see Spanky, Chris Sabin, Little Guido, Joey Matthews, Trent Acid, Johnny Kashmere, Jimmy Rave and EZ Money battle it out in an every man for himself, first pin wins match.
Glory By Honor results Spanky def. Chris Sabin, Little Guido, Joey Matthews, Trent Acid, Johnny Kashmere, Jimmy Rave and EZ Money in a Scramble Match The Unholy Alliance def. Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson in a Hardcore Match Paul London def. Michael Shane in a Two-Out-Of-Three-Falls Match (Shane pinned London after Bam Bam Bigelow pushed London off the top rope, allowing Shane to hit a flying leg drop; London pinned Shane after a Shooting Star Press; London pinned Shane after a tornado DDT) World Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad def. The Carnage Crew to retain Jerry Lynn, Doug Williams and Nova def. Rhino, Xavier and Donovan Morgan (after the match, The Prophecy attacked Lynn, Williams and Nova, and Rhino Gored Lynn through a table) World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Homicide to retain Low Ki def. Christopher Daniels in a Fight Without Honor (Daniels got his foot on the rope as the referee was completing the three count. After the match, a furious Daniels attacked the ref. Ricky Steamboat then fired Daniels on the spot for assaulting an official) World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero def. American Dragon to retain
Spanky, flanked by his Special K buddies, is officially the new number one contender for Rob Van Dam’s World Extreme Title at Death Before Dishonor. Ricky Steamboat is forced to issue multiple warnings to Spanky after Special K repeatedly interferes in RVD’s matches. Only when Steamboat threatens to revoke his title shot, however, does Spanky rein his guys in, telling them they need to chill out until after the PPV…
Paul London is named the number one contender for the Pure Title, following his victory over Michael Shane at Glory By Honor. Eddie Guerrero is excited at the prospect of facing the talented youngster, but Low Ki feels he deserves a title shot. Ricky Steamboat explains that while Ki is deserving, his last high profile win was a Fight Without Honor, which is counter to what the Pure Title represents. Ki isn’t happy, but accepts this explanation. Steamboat does grant Low Ki a match against Doug Williams at Death Before Dishonor, with the winner getting the next shot at the title.
After being Gored through a table at Glory By Honor, Jerry Lynn has challenged Rhino to a Hardcore Match at Death Before Dishonor. Rhino accepted and has vowed to destroy his former ally…
On Hardcore TV, The FBI pick up a shocking win over The Backseat Boyz to earn a Tag Team Title shot at Death Before Dishonor. Big Sal promises that his team is full of surprises, as Mafia and Monsta Mack will find out…
Prince Nana browbeats Michael Shane for losing to Paul London at Glory By Honor, but agrees to give him a second chance. At Death Before Dishonor, Shane and Bam Bam Bigelow will take on The Ring Crew Express, targeted after they refused a job with Nana as his personal shoeshine boys.
After being defeated at Glory By Honor, Homicide ends up in a confrontation with The Impact Players’ Steve Corino, setting the stage for a match between the two at Death Before Dishonor.
Rounding out the card is a 4-Way Dance between Chris Sabin, Nova, Alex Shelley and Joey Matthews.
Death Before Dishonor results Joey Matthews def. Chris Sabin, Nova and Alex Shelley in a 4-Way Dance (Shelley pinned Nova, Sabin pinned Shelley, and Matthews pinned Sabin to win the match) Steve Corino def. Homicide (Justin Credible hit Homicide with his Singapore Cane, allowing Corino to hit the Old School Expulsion for the win) The Ring Crew Express def. Michael Shane and Bam Bam Bigelow (after the match, Nana ordered Bigelow to attack Shane) The FBI def. World Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad to win the titles (The FBI were assisted by a distraction from a newcomer who came out of the crowd, and direct interference from the returning Vito LaGrosso) Rhino def. Jerry Lynn in a Hardcore Match (After the match, Rhino spike piledrove Lynn through a table; this was to write Lynn out to let some injuries heal) Low Ki def. Doug Williams in a Number One Contenders Match World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero def. Paul London to retain World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Spanky to retain (Special K tried to interfere, but an incensed Spanky screamed at them to leave. RVD went on to win with a Van Damminator, then a Five Star Frog Splash. Special K attacked RVD after the match, but Spanky forced them to stop, then shook RVD’s hand before leaving the ring)
Heading in Anarchy Rules, Low Ki has become the number one contender for Eddie Guerrero’s World Pure Championship. Unlike American Dragon and Paul London before him, while Low Ki operates within the Code of Conduct, he does display a surprising lack of respect towards Guerrero, taking pot shots at his drug and alcohol abuse, as well as making reference to him getting fired from WWE. For his part, Eddie owns his past mistakes and makes it clear that he’s not that man anymore. And at Anarchy Rules, he plans to make sure Low Ki knows exactly what kind of man he is now…
Rhino declares his intent to challenge Rob Van Dam at Anarchy Rules, but Jerry Lynn inserts himself into the title conversation. Ricky Steamboat, pointing out that both men have challenged already in singles matches, makes the call to book a 3-Way Dance for the World Extreme Title at the PPV.
After calling off Special K at Death Before Dishonor, Spanky has begun reevaluating his place in ECW and Special K. Paul London approaches Spanky, telling him he has to focus on number one, not numbers two through ten. Later, London is wrestling LSD, when Special K (sans Spanky) interfere, getting the match thrown out. Spanky is conflicted, before finally jumping in the ring to fight off his now-former friends. At Anarchy Rules, London and Spanky will face Izzy and Dixie in a Scramble Match.
Donovan Morgan and Xavier have been protesting the firing of Christopher Daniels for the last two months. American Dragon and Doug Williams, sick of hearing from them, challenge the two to a tag team match at Anarchy Rules.
After being kicked out of The Embassy at Death Before Dishonor, Michael Shane has challenged Bam Bam Bigelow, looking to exact some revenge for Prince Nana’s betrayal…
Following Justin Credible’s interference in his match with Steve Corino, Homicide has challenged the other half of The Impact Players to a Hardcore Match at Anarchy Rules.
The Ring Crew Express have issued a challenge to the new World Tag Team Champions, The FBI, for the PPV, looking to finally capture gold in ECW.
Ricky Steamboat has announced a 4-Way Scramble for Anarchy Rules, as Da Hit Squad, The Backseat Boyz, Divine Storm and The Carnage Crew vie for a shot at the World Tag Team Titles.
Anarchy Rules results The Backseat Boyz def. Divine Storm, Da Hit Squad and The Carnage Crew in a Number One Contenders Scramble Bam Bam Bigelow def. Michael Shane (Jimmy Rave came out during the match and held Shane’s foot down while Bigelow pinned him. Afterwards, Prince Nana named Rave the new Crown Jewel of The Embassy) World Tag Team Champions The FBI def. The Ring Crew Express to retain Justin Credible def. Homicide in a Hardcore Mach (after the match, The Impact Players offered handshakes to Homicide, who instead spit in their faces and promised that their war was just getting started...) Paul London and Spanky def. Izzy and Dixie in a Scramble Match World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Jerry Lynn and Rhino in a 3-Way Dance to retain Donovan Morgan and Xavier def. American Dragon and Doug Williams (during the match, there was a commotion in the crowd. While at first, it was assumed to be a fan getting too caught up in the event, it soon becomes apparent that Christopher Daniels is in the crowd! Late in the match, Daniels manages to fight off security, with help from Rhino and the surprise appearance of Steve Bradley. Daniels then makes it to ringside, where he manages to lay out Daniels with brass knuckles behind the referee’s back, allowing Morgan to get the pin) World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero def. Low Ki to retain
Christopher Daniels has returned to ECW, but Ricky Steamboat refuses to reinstate him. Only problem is, Daniels now has so many enemies that the roster is petitioning Steamboat to rehire him. Finally, under duress, Steamboat gives in, but Daniels’ first match will be against American Dragon at November To Remember. Dragon wants it to be a Number One Contenders match, confident in his ability to beat Daniels and wanting a big reward for doing so. Steamboat relents and the match is set to headline ECW’s November tradition.
Eddie Guerrero, fed up with The Prophecy and their disrespect, puts together a team to challenge them at November To Remember. It will be Eddie Guerrero, Doug Williams, Jerry Lynn and Low Ki vs. Donovan Morgan, Xavier, Rhino and Steve Bradley in a Fight Without Honor at the PPV.
After Spanky left Special K, the group has been out to get their former leader for abandoning them. The issue has gotten to the point where a sixteen man Scramble Match is announced, pitting Spanky, Paul London, Rob Van Dam, Divine Storm, Da Hit Sqauad, and Joey Matthews against Special K.
Jimmy Rave is the new Crown Jewel of The Embassy, but the old Crown Jewel is looking for revenge. At November To Remember, it will be Michael Shane vs. Jimmy Rave, one on one.
The Backseat Boyz have earned another Tag Team Title shot and will face The FBI at the PPV. With the recent additions of Vito Lograsso and Little Sal, the Italians have been more dangerous than ever. Can Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere overcome the numbers game to walk out World Tag Team Champions?
With no clear-cut challenger for the World Extreme Title apparent, Ricky Steamboat announces a six-way Scramble between Joey Matthews, Nova, Kid Kash, Tajiri, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley to determine the number one contender.
The final match announced for the show is a number one contenders match for the World Tag Team Titles, featuring The Carnage Crew, The Impact Player, The Unholy Alliance and The Ring Crew Express.
November To Remember results Joey Matthews def. Nova, Kid Kash, Tajiri, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley in a Number One Contenders 6-Way Scramble Match Jimmy Rave def. Michael Shane The Unholy Alliance def. The Impact Players, The Carnage Crew and The Ring Crew Express in a Number One Contenders 4-Way Dance (Tony DeVito pinned Steve Corino, following interference by Homicide; Marcos pinned H.C. Loc; Abyss pinned Dunn to win the match) The Backseat Boyz def. World Tag Team Champions The FBI to win the titles Paul London, Spanky, Rob Van Dam, Divine Storm, Da Hit Squad and Joey Matthews def. Dixie, Izzy, Deranged, Angel Dust, Lit, LSD, Elax and Brian XL in a Scramble Match Eddie Guerrero, Doug Williams, Jerry Lynn and Low Ki def. Donovan Morgan, Xavier, Rhino and Steve Bradley in a Fight Without Honor Christopher Daniels def. American Dragon in a Number One Contenders Match
Since the dawn of ECW’s new era, Christopher Daniels has been hellbent on taking over and molding the company in his own image. Despite suspensions and being fired, Daniels’ Prophecy has run roughshod on ECW for months. At November To Remember, Daniels defeated American Dragon to become the Number One Contender for the World Pure Title. At Final Battle, Daniels and Eddie Guerrero will meet one-on-one, with the title on the line. The future of ECW may very well hang in the balance…
ECW’s other World Champion, Rob Van Dam, has been undefeated in singles competition since Massacre On 34th Street last year, when he unseated Rhino when there was only one World Title. Now, as World Extreme Champion, Van Dam has battled all comers and that will be no exception at Final Battle, when he defends against Joey Matthews in what is sure to be a wild encounter.
At November To Remember, The Backseat Boyz finally reached the top of the mountain and captured the World Tag Team Titles. But they will have no time to rest, as at Final Battle, they will be challenged by The Sinister Minister’s Unholy Alliance of Mikey Whipwreck and Abyss…
The Impact Players were the first team eliminated at November To Remember, thanks to the interference of Homicide. After promising the war had just begun, Homicide went out and found himself an ally in Tajiri. At Final Battle, these two teams will meet in a Fight Without Honor.
At November To Remember, Rhino and Jerry Lynn were on opposite sides of a wild eight man war. But now, it’s clear that ECW isn’t big enough for both men. At Final Battle, Lynn and Rhino will meet in a No-Holds-Barred, Loser-Leaves-ECW Match.
Prince Nana’s Crown Jewel, Jimmy Rave, has issued an open challenge for Final Battle. Who will accept a match against the cocky youngster?
Rounding out the card: a Six Team Scramble, featuring Paul London and Spanky, Divine Storm, Dixie and Izzy, Da Hit Squad, The Carnage Crew and The Ring Crew Express; the debut of Samoa Joe, who takes on Chris Sabin, and a special grudge match between Doug Williams and Donovan Morgan.
Final Battle results Paul London and Spanky def. Divine Storm, Dixie and Izzy, Da Hit Squad, The Carnage Crew and The Ring Crew Express in a Six Team Scramble Match Samoa Joe def. Chris Sabin (Joe’s debut) Doug Williams def. Donovan Morgan Homicide and Tajiri def. The Impact Players in a Fight Without Honor (Low Ki interfered, assisting Homicide and Tajiri. Afterwards, Ki paid proper respect to Homicide, his trainer…) American Dragon def. Jimmy Rave Rhino def. Jerry Lynn in a Loser-Leaves-ECW Match World Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz def. The Unholy Alliance to retain World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Joey Matthews to retain Christopher Daniels def. World Pure Champion Eddie Guerrero to win the title
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:20:09 GMT -5
The Fourth Option2002After leaving ECW in January, Jeff Jarrett and his father, Jerry, launch NWA: Total Nonstop Action in June. Focusing on being an alternative to the three main companies, NWA:TNA runs a weekly PPV product, featuring mostly talent that was cast off from the Big Three.In their first six months, NWA:TNA establish their main event scene as including former WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock (the inaugural NWA World Champion of the TNA era), Sabu, Ron “The Truth” Killings (the former K-Kwik, who wins the title in August), Malice (the former Wall), Brian Lawler, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett (who ends the year with the title). In November, Curt Hennig joins the company and looks to be a future challenger for Jarrett going into 2003. In the tag team scene, Chris Harris and James Storm, now going by the name America’s Most Wanted, make an immediate impact, becoming NWA Tag Team Champions by September. After fending off challenges by teams such as The Shane Twins, The Harris Brothers, Lenny and Lodi, and The Dupps, they face a new challenge in the form of Brian Lee and Slash, managed by Elektra, Also, there are rumblings online that former NWA Tag Team Legends The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and The Road Warriors will soon be making their way to the NWA… In lieu of a Cruiserweight or Light Heavyweight division, TNA has what they call the X-Division, which they say is not about weight limits, it’s about no limits. The inaugural Champion is Psicosis, who embarks on a months long feud with Juventud Guerrera. Other contenders include Crowbar, Bruce (the former Kwee-Wee, who is the third man in Lenny and Lodi), Jorge Estrada, Lash LeRoux, Kaos, Kid Romeo and Onyx. In September, a new contender arrives in the form of Sean Waltman, who wins the title for three weeks before dropping it to Juventud in a three-way Ladder Match. Other names who make an impact in NWA:TNA include BG James (Road Dogg), Marcus “Buff” Bagwell, Konnan, and Vampiro. Names to watch include Chad Collyer, Kevin Northcut, Apolo, Ryan Wilson and Joe E. Legend. 2002: Author’s TakeSo, 2002. Yeah, this was a weird year to write. For WWE, it was actually pretty simple, since there was enough that could be adapted from real life, that I didn’t have to go too outside the box. It only got complicated with the main event scene, because I was merging Raw and Smackdown’s main storylines into one show. I’m happy with the end result, a shock win for Kurt Angle at the end of the year. And I enjoyed Angle and Benoit as Tag Champs during that time, as well. It was interesting, not having a number of key players, like RVD, Booker T and Eddie at my disposal, but I’m pleased with it. WCW… good lord, that was awful lol I like a lot of those individual wrestlers, but I just did not know how to write them outside the WWF system. And having nothing to base my writing on made it more difficult. Booker T’s heel turn was honestly the only thing that had a pulse while I writing. Kidman’s title run should have been a lot better and I really feel like I dropped the ball with Storm, Kanyon and Chavo as main eventers. I was happy with the Awesome/O’Haire feud, though. Obviously, you guys reading will be the judges, but I wasn’t happy with it. ECW… I had too much fun with ECW. I will admit to being influenced by not only ROH, but by Jed Schaeffer’s Rewriting The Book. He had the two world titles idea for one of his stories and I thought it was really cool. I tried to go in different directions with the characters and angles, since I had to incorporate actual ROH stars with ECW stars who were in WWE at the time. But I’m very pleased with the Eddie/RVD dual World Champion run and the rise of The Prophecy. The moment I realized I had actually built up Daniels, Low Ki and Dragon was the moment things took off. I had promised myself going in that I wasn’t going to force it, they’d move up when it felt right. I enjoyed creating this strange hybrid wrestling company and all it’s fun angles. Special K were a lot of fun once I decided to stop emphasizing that they were on drugs and made it more about the goofball aspect. Paul London’s under-the-radar rise was fun, as was that eureka moment I had when I realized he was a top guy. Also, Spike Dudley in Special K. Shoulda been obvious, I didn’t think of it until I was already all in with Spanky lol TNA will probably get a more in depth look in 2003. With the overview I did, I was mainly just establishing where characters ended up and filling in voids left by basically not having the X Division guys. Like I did with 2001, here’s my compiled list of everyone who left the Big Three in 2002: WWF: Mr. Perfect, Scott Hall, Steve Austin, X-Pac, Steve Bradley, Big Bossman, Perry Saturn and The Godfather WCW: Big Vito, Johnny The Bull, The Wall, Kwee-Wee, Kid Romeo, Mark Madden, Diamond Dallas Page, Chris Harris, James Storm, The Cat and Lash LeRoux ECW: Spanish Angel, Jeff Jarrett, Ryan Northcut, Onyx, Chad Collyer, Balls Mahoney, Boogalou, Cyrus, Christian York, and Jerry Lynn (Chris Chetti and Lou E. Dangerously don’t leave the company, but instead settle into backstage positions, Chetti as a trainer and Dangerously as a road agent) And the following people sadly passed away in 2002: Mighty Igor, Nelson Royal, Swede Hansen, Dino Casanova, Troy Graham, Bobby Managoff, Stanley Weston, Wahoo McDaniel, Lou Thesz, Randy Anderson, George Gordienko, Shoichi Arai, Big Dick Dudley, Davey Boy Smith, Don Owen, Rocco Rock, and Billy Travis. It will be a bit before I have 2003 ready. I need to take some time to assess WCW and what I want to do with it going forward. WWE and ECW, I actually have a plan for both and TNA… well, like I said, it’ll take a bit. But I’m enjoying writing this, headaches and all. And it will be continuing.
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 21, 2021 22:23:44 GMT -5
Rosters heading into 2003:
WWE Kurt Angle – WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit Brock Lesnar Big Show Triple H Shawn Michaels Kane Scott Steiner The Undertaker The Rock Diesel Chris Jericho – WWE Intercontinental Champion Edge Jeff Hardy Matt Hardy Version 1.0 John Cena Randy Orton Batista Test Raven Mark Henry Goldust Christopher Nowinski Steven Richards D’Lo Brown Funaki Crash Holly Val Venis Hardcore Holly Billy Gunn Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas – WWE World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) Christian and William Regal The APA (Faarooq and Bradshaw) Bull Buchanan and Albert Scotty Too Hotty and Rikishi Al Snow and Maven Victoria – WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus Molly Holly Ivory Jacqueline Nidia Jazz Lita Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley Terri Vince McMahon Shane McMahon Hulk Hogan Jim Ross Jerry Lawler Tazz Michael Cole Jonathan Coachman
WCW Booker T – WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm Billy Kidman Kanyon Chavo Guerrero Jr. Sting Ric Flair Mike Awesome – WCW United States Champion Sean O’Haire Jamie Knoble Shane Helms Bobby Rude John Walters Michael Modest Mike Sanders Hugh Morrus Chuck Palumbo Hotstuff Hernandez Amazing Red – WCW Cruiserweight Champion AJ Styles Rey Mysterio Jr. Katsuyori Shibata Matt Stryker Scoot Andrews Frankie Kazarian Mark Shraeder Elix Skipper Air Paris Jonny Storm and Jody Fleisch – WCW World Tag Team Champions Redd Dawg and Sonny Siaki Rob Conway and Mr. Wrestling Nick Dinsmore Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak Gridiron Giants (Monty Brown and Bob Sapp) The Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disco Inferno) Tencozy (Hiroshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) Teddy Hart and Shark Boy – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions The Hotshots (Cassidy O’Reilly and Chase Stevens) The SAT (Joel Maximo and Jose Maximo) 3 Count (Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias) Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) Stacy Keibler Torrie Wilson Traci Brooks Eric Bischoff Tony Schiavone Scott Hudson Mike Tenay Dusty Rhodes Arn Anderson
ECW Christopher Daniels – ECW World Pure Champion Rob Van Dam – ECW World Extreme Champion Eddie Guerrero The American Dragon Rhino Doug Williams Steve Bradley Jimmy Rave Michael Shane Joey Matthews Kid Kash Samoa Joe Chris Sabin Bam Bam Bigelow Nova Alex Shelley EZ Money The Sandman Super Crazy Julio Dinero Ace Steel Jimmy Jacobs The Backseat Boyz (Johnny Kashmere and Trent Acid) – ECW World Tag Team Champions Paul London and Spanky Homicide, Low Ki and Tajiri The New Impact Players (Justin Credible and Steve Corino) The Prophecy (Donovan Morgan and Xavier) Da Hit Squad (Monsta Mack and Mafia) The Carnage Crew (H.C. Loc and Tony DeVito) Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) Special K (Brian XL, Izzy, Dixie, Elax, Angel Dust, LSD, Lit and Deranged) Divine Storm (Chris Divine and Quiet Storm) The Unholy Alliance (Mikey Whipwreck and Abyss) The FBI (Little Guido Maritato, Tony Mamaluke, Vito LoGrasso and Little Sal) Danny Doring and Roadkill Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger Tommy Dreamer and CW Anderson The Sinister Minister Prince Nana Jack Victory Sal E. Graziano Dawn Marie Francine Allison Danger Becky Bayless Paul Heyman Ricky Steamboat Joey Styles Joel Gertner
NWA:TNA Jeff Jarrett – NWA World Champion Ron “The Truth” Killings Curt Hennig Brian Lawler Sabu Ken Shamrock Malice Scott Hall BG James Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Konnan New Jack Vampiro Ryan Wilson Joe E Legend Apolo Ryan Northcut Chad Collyer Juventud Guerrera – TNA X Division Champion Psicosis Sean Waltman Crowbar Lash LeRoux Kid Romeo Bruce Jorge Estrada Onyx Kaos America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) – NWA World Tag Team Champions Brian Lee and Slash The Dupps (Bo Dupp and Stan Dupp) The Harris Brothers (Ron Harris and Don Harris) The Shane Twins (Mike Shane and Todd Shane) Lenny and Lodi Midajah Trinity Elektra
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Sept 29, 2021 18:25:18 GMT -5
2003 will probably be coming Friday or Saturday at the latest. I have WWE and WCW done (finally getting into a groove with WCW) and I'm getting started with ECW before Dynamite starts. As for TNA, I'm not sure exactly how to do the writeups for the weekly PPV era yet. I'm toying with the idea of a general "This is TNA in 2003" writeup, which will continue for 2004, since the weekly PPVs continued until I think November. I am very excited about the developments ECW will be going through, though. I have a rough outline with some feuds I'm hoping to do, as well as a few marquee matches for throughout the year. This is the year of The Prophecy and I feel like it may end up being one of the best...
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Oct 3, 2021 10:46:12 GMT -5
The Evolution of Attitude 2003 For WWE, the story continues with Kurt Angle as World Champion, following a title change on the final Raw of 2002. Going into 2003, Brock Lesnar is the front-runner for the Royal Rumble win, while Triple H and Shawn Michaels, having ended their issue inside Hell in a Cell, will (presumably) move on to other feuds. As well, The Rock is expected to return for the run-up to WrestleMania, while Steve Austin is rumored to be signing with the company once again…
Heading into the Royal Rumble, Chris Benoit defeats Big Show to earn a title match in Boston. Brock Lesnar will be entering the Royal Rumble, while a number of big returns are confirmed for the match, including The Undertaker and The Rock. Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho are also considered favorites in the match. As well, outside odds are placed on Kane and Scott Steiner as possible winners.
A special tag team street fight is set for the Rumble, as Jeff Hardy and Edge will face Matt Hardy Version 1.0 and John Cena. In addition, new Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin are set to defend against William Regal and Christian, and Trish Stratus will get her rematch against Women’s Champion Victoria.
Royal Rumble results Jeff Hardy and Edge def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 and John Cena in a Street Fight (John Cena’s last WWE appearance) Women’s Champion Victoria and Trish Stratus fought to a no-contest (Jazz returned from injury to attack both women) Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. William Regal and Christian to retain World Champion Kurt Angle def. Chris Benoit to retain Brock Lesnar won the Royal Rumble Match
The day after the Rumble, Raven, John Cena, D’Lo Brown and Crash Holly are released by WWE.
The big story coming out of the Royal Rumble is not who won the match, but the surprise return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, as well as Hulk Hogan entering the match to eliminate The Rock. Austin would make it to the final two, before being eliminated by Lesnar.
Heading into No Way Out, Angel is set to defend the World Title against Austin, much to the chagrin of Lesnar. Hogan and The Rock are set to meet in a rematch from WrestleMania, but Rock and Austin have been engaging in a war of insults in the weeks leading up to the show. Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels were the first two men in the Rumble match, where Jericho ambushed Michaels and eliminated him. With Michaels out of commission, Jericho has been feuding with Test over the Intercontinental Title. The two were set to meet at No Way Out, but after Test missed the previous Raw due to a snow storm, he was replaced by Jeff Hardy. Another match set for No Way Out was Edge vs. Matt Hardy Version 1.0, but rumors of Edge needing neck surgery left his status for the show uncertain.
Triple H and Scott Steiner, who got into it at the Rumble, are set to meet one-on-one. In recent weeks, Triple H has taken an interest in Batista and Randy Orton, it remains to be seen what his intentions are for the two. Jazz and Trish Stratus will meet in a Number One Contenders Match, while Haas and Benjamin defend the Tag Team Titles against The APA.
No Way Out results Heat: Scotty Too Hotty and Rikishi def. Bull Buchanan and Albert Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho def. Jeff Hardy to retain (Jeff Hardy’s last WWE appearance) Jazz def. Trish Stratus in a Number One Contenders Match Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. The APA to retain (after the match, Bradshaw attacked Faarooq, breaking up the team) Triple H def. Scott Steiner (Randy Orton and Batista assist Triple H, forming a stable that will be called Evolution) Hulk Hogan def. The Rock (Steve Austin interfered, attacking The Rock while the referee was knocked out) Chris Benoit def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 (Benoit substituted for Edge, who will miss 9 months for neck surgery) World Champion Kurt Angle def. Stone Cold Steve Austin to retain (The Rock attacked Austin behind the referee’s back; after the match, Brock Lesnar laid out Angle)
Two weeks after No Way Out, Jeff Hardy is released, ostensibly due to substance abuse issues.
Going into WrestleMania, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle are set to face off for the World Title on a show that is promoting FIVE main event-level matches. Also on tap: The Rock vs. Stone Cold, one last time, Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: Once In A Lifetime for the Intercontinental Title, Triple H vs. Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker vs. Scott Steiner. In the case of the latter two matches, Triple H and Hogan had a face-off on Raw the night after No Way Out, while Steiner attacked The Undertaker (out of kayfabe, plans to bring in Rick Steiner for a match with Evolution fell through).
Other matches include a six man ladder match, with a guaranteed World Title at stake. This is being called a “Money in the Bank” match. Competing will be Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy Version 1.0, Christian, Kane, Test and John Bradshaw Layfield (a repackaged Bradshaw; Ron Simmons settles into a road agent role, retiring from wrestling); Trish Stratus defeats Victoria in a non-title match, getting herself added to the title match at WrestleMania, alongside Jazz; Haas and Benjamin will defend the Tag Team Titles against the newly debuting Kimo and Ekmo, The Island Boyz; Randy Orton and Batista will face The Dudley Boyz; Mark Henry, recently turned heel, will face Goldust; and Big Show takes on the recently-debuted Nathan Jones.
WrestleMania XIX results Heat: Val Venis def. Stevie Richards Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. Kimo and Ekmo to retain Mark Henry def. Goldust Kane def. Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy Version 1.0, Christian, Test and John Bradshaw Layfield Nathan Jones def. Big Show Trish Stratus def. Women’s Champion Victoria and Jazz to win the title Randy Orton and Batista def. The Dudley Boyz The Undertaker def. Scott Steiner (after the match, Goldberg debuted by attacking The Undertaker) Shawn Michaels def. Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho to win the title Hulk Hogan def. Triple H The Rock def. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Austin’s last match in WWE) Brock Lesnar def. World Champion Kurt Angle to win the title (Lesnar suffers a concussion during this match after a botched Shooting Star Press attempt; Angle takes time off for experimental neck surgery after this)
The night after WrestleMania, Steve Austin announces he will be retiring from active competition, due to his neck issues, going back to SummerSlam 1997. The Rock returns to Hollywood, where he begins spending much more time…
Scott Steiner wins a battle royal to become the Number One Contender for Brock Lesnar’s World Title. Lesnar misses two weeks after WrestleMania, but returns to rescue Chris Benoit from a Steiner beatdown. After his debut at WrestleMania, Goldberg and The Undertaker are set to meet one-on-one at Backlash. Kane, the Money in the Bank holder, begins feuding with Christian, who tries multiple times to steal the briefcase. Chris Jericho tries to petition for a rematch with Shawn Michaels, but Vince McMahon forces him to honor the Once-in-a-Lifetime stipulation. Instead, Jericho and Test resume their hostilities from before No Way Out, setting up a match for Backlash.
Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin find themselves in the crosshairs of Evolution, following a perceived slight towards Triple H, when they refer to Kurt Angle as the greatest modern-pro wrestler ever. Orton and Batista will challenge them at Backlash. As for Triple H, he finds himself dealing with old rival Shawn Michaels and returning buddy, Diesel, who sides with Michaels. Diesel will be in Michaels’ corner for his Intercontinental Title defense against Triple H at Backlash. Jazz will challenge Trish Stratus for the Women’s Title. And Chris Benoit will face John Bradshaw Layfield.
Backlash results Heat: Matt Hardy Version 1.0 def. Val Venis (Lita made her return to TV following her neck surgery, assisting Matt with the win) Kane def. Christian by disqualification (Christian hit Kane with the Money in the Bank briefcase, then ran off with it) Jazz def. Women’s Champion Trish Stratus to win the title John Bradshaw Layfield def. Chris Benoit Chris Jericho def. Test Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. Randy Orton and Batista to retain (after the match, Orton and Batista beat down Haas and Benjamin) Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels def. Triple H to retain (Triple H tried to use the sledgehammer as a weapon, but Diesel stopped him) Goldberg def. The Undertaker World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Scott Steiner to retain (after the match, Nathan Jones attacked Lesnar)
At Backlash, Nathan Jones called his shot at Brock Lesnar for the World Title, the two will meet at Judgment Day. Triple H and Diesel will go one-on-one in a No-Holds-Barred Match, while Shawn Michaels defends the Intercontinental Title against John Bradshaw Layfield. Chris Jericho and Christian (in possession of Kane’s Money in the Bank briefcase) form a team and challenge Haas and Benjamin.
At Backlash, Lita returned to assist Matt Hardy Version 1.0 in defeating Val Venis on Heat. At Judgment Day, Hardy will take on Chris Benoit in singles competition. New Women’s Champion Jazz will defend the title in a four-way match against Trish, Victoria and Molly Holly. Kimo and Ekmo will battle The Dudley Boyz. Mark Henry, now being guided by former referee Teddy Long, gets into a confrontation with Test, setting up their Judgment Day match.
A number of new faces begin to arrive en masse on Raw and Smackdown: Rico, a flamboyant stylist and his assistant, Jackie Gayda; La Resistance, a pair of young Frenchmen who chastise American athletes for being “violent and power-hungry”; vignettes air for the debut of Gail Kim, who appears to have a Matrix-type gimmick; and The Basham Brothers (Doug Basham and “The Damaja” Danny Basham), who have been racking up wins on Heat and Velocity.
Judgment Day results Heat: The Basham Brothers def. Al Snow and Maven Kimo and Ekmo def. The Dudley Boyz Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels def. John Bradshaw Layfield to retain Matt Hardy Version 1.0 def. Chris Benoit (Lita tripped up Benoit, allowing Hardy to hit the Twist of Fate for the win) Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. Chris Jericho and Christian to retain (after the match, La Resistance attacked Haas and Benjamin) Mark Henry def. Test Women’s Champion Jazz def. Trish Stratus, Victoria and Molly Holly to retain Triple H def. Diesel in a No-Holds-Barred Match (Evolution attacked Diesel, allowing Triple H to get the win. Afterwards, Shawn Michaels came out to help Diesel, but the two got beat down) World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Nathan Jones to retain
Going into June’s King of the Ring event, previous year’s winner and World Champion Brock Lesnar says that he wants the winner of the tournament to get a shot against him at SummerSlam. As for Lesnar’s opponent at King of the Ring, Big Show once again targets Lesnar, setting up their match for the PPV.
In the King of the Ring Tournament, the quarterfinals will return to PPV. We will see Chris Benoit take on Scott Steiner, John Bradshaw Layfield battle Mr. Money in the Bank Kane, Matt Hardy Version 1.0 face Test, and Maven battles Mark Henry.
Outnumbered in their feud with Evolution, Shawn Michaels and Diesel bring in a most unlikely ally in Mick Foley, returning to the ring for the first time in over three years! The trio will face Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista at King of the Ring.
Other matches announced for the show are Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin defending against La Resistance, and Women’s Champion Jazz defending against Gail Kim.
King of the Ring results Heat: Rico def. Funaki Chris Benoit def. Scott Steiner in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match John Bradshaw Layfield def. Kane in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match Test def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match Mark Henry def. Maven in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match La Resistance def. Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin to win the titles Chris Benoit def. John Bradshaw Layfield in a King of the Ring Semifinal Match Mark Henry def. Test in a King of the Ring Semifinal Match Gail Kim def. Women’s Champion Jazz to win the title (Jazz suffers a dislocated shoulder during this match) Diesel, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley def. Evolution Mark Henry def. Chris Benoit to win the King of the Ring Tournament World Champion Brock Lesnar and Big Show fought to a no-contest (Brock superplexed Show and the ring collapsed)
Kurt Angle’s return is announced for the July 3rd Smackdown, along with a rematch for the Tag Team Titles, between Haas and Benjamin and La Resistance. Angle inserts himself into the World Title picture, setting up a Triple Threat with Big Show and Brock for Vengeance. And Haas and Benjamin regain the titles, but will have to face The Bashams at Vengeance.
The night after Vengeance, Mick Foley is honored in Madison Square Garden with the Hardcore Title, but later in the night, is attacked and thrown down a flight of stairs by Randy Orton. Orton and Batista then challenge Michaels and Diesel to a match at Vengeance. As for Triple H, he calls out Goldberg, not seen since Backlash, and challenges him. Goldberg, working as a freelance tweener, accepts the challenge for Vengeance.
Also returning is The Undertaker, who confronts Nathan Jones. He wants to train Jones, but Jones instead attacks The American Badass, setting up a match between them. Kane, wanting his Money in the Bank briefcase back, demands a match with Christian, who will only accept if it’s a tag team match, and if Kane puts his mask on the line. In the end, the match is Kane and Test vs. Christian and Jericho, with Kane’s mask at stake if he and Test lose…
New Women’s Champion Gail Kim quickly forms a strained partnership with Trish Stratus, as they try to fend off Molly Holly and Victoria. A tag team match is set for Vengeance. And in a rematch from the King of the Ring final, Mark Henry battles Chris Benoit.
Vengeance results Heat: The Dudley Boyz def. Kimo and Ekmo in a Tables Match Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. The Basham Brothers to retain Mark Henry def. Chris Benoit Molly Holly and Victoria def. Trish Stratus and Gail Kim The Undertaker def. Nathan Jones Kane and Test def. Christian and Chris Jericho (Kane regains the Money in the Bank briefcase and keeps his mask) Randy Orton and Batista def. Shawn Michaels and Diesel Goldberg def. Triple H (Mick Foley returns and costs Triple H the match) World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Kurt Angle and Big Show to retain
At SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar will defend the World Title against King of the Ring winner Mark Henry. As for the two previous challengers, they will meet in a Number One Contenders Match at SummerSlam, as Kurt Angle takes on Big Show. After costing Triple H his match with Goldberg, Mick Foley will face The Game at SummerSlam, with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the guest referee. Shawn Michaels will defend the Intercontinental Title against Randy Orton. Kane will face Batista. Gail Kim will defend the Women’s Title against Trish Stratus. Haas and Benjamin will defend the Tag Team Titles in a Fatal 4-Way against The Dudley Boyz, Kimo and Ekmo, and Jericho and Christian. Goldberg will face Diesel. The Undertaker is set to take on John Bradshaw Layfield. And in a special six man tag team attraction, Chris Benoit, Test and Maven will face Matt Hardy Version 1.0, Scott Steiner, and Nathan Jones.
SummerSlam results Heat: Garrison Cade def. Orlando Jordan Chris Benoit, Test and Maven def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0, Scott Steiner and Nathan Jones Women’s Champion Gail Kim def. Trish Stratus to retain (Molly Holly held Gail’s hands during the pin, turning Gail heel) Batista def. Kane The Undertaker def. John Bradshaw Layfield Randy Orton def. Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels to win the title Goldberg def. Diesel (Diesel’s last WWE match) Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. The Dudley Boyz, Kimo and Ekmo and Chris Jericho and Christian to retain (Kimo and Ekmo’s last WWE match) Triple H def. Mick Foley (Randy Orton tried to interfere, but was taken down by guest referee Stone Cold Steve Austin; while Austin was distracted, Ric Flair made his debut and helped Triple H beat Foley) Kurt Angle def. Big Show in a Number One Contenders Match World Champion Brock Lesnar def. Mark Henry to retain
Brock Lesnar has a surprise heel turn on Kurt Angle heading into Unforgiven, where the two are to meet in a 60 minute Iron Man Match. After Ric Flair cost Mick Foley his match with Triple H at SummerSlam, the two are scheduled for a match at Unforgiven. Shawn Michaels challenges Goldberg, after he ran Diesel out of the company. As for Triple H, he and Kane end up at odds, leading to a Mask vs. Hair match at the PPV. New Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton will defend against Chris Benoit. Trish Stratus and Molly Holly will both challenge Gail Kim for the Women’s Title in a Triple Threat Match. After a confrontation on Raw, Matt Hardy Version 1.0 and The First Lady of Mattitude Lita are set to face Rico and Jackie Gayda, Lita’s first match in over a year. And Tag Team Champions Haas and Benjamin will defend against The Dudley Boyz.
Unforgiven results Heat: Scott Steiner def. Test Rico and Jackie Gayda def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 and Lita Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton def. Chris Benoit to retain Ric Flair def. Mick Foley (Batista interfered and Powerbombed Foley, allowing Flair to get the win) Molly Holly def. Women’s Champion Gail Kim and Trish Stratus to win the title The Dudley Boyz def. Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin to win the titles Goldberg def. Shawn Michaels Triple H def. Kane in a Mask vs. Hair Match (Kane was forced to unmask; he proceeded to attack Triple H, then the referee and several officials) Kurt Angle def. World Champion Brock Lesnar in an Iron Man Match to win the title
The night after No Mercy, the newly unmasked Kane attacks both Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, then cashes in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the World Title. At No Mercy, Kane will defend against Angle one-on-one. Brock finds himself dealing with The Undertaker, after a Brock temper tantrum is answered by The Deadman. Mick Foley challenges Batista to a match at No Mercy. Triple H and Shawn Michaels renew their rivalry from last year. Randy Orton will defend the Intercontinental Title against Maven. New Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz will face The Basham Brothers. Molly Holly defends the Women’s Title against Trish Stratus. Chris Benoit will face Nathan Jones. And John Bradshaw Layfield battles Test.
No Mercy results Heat: Billy Gunn def. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 The Basham Brothers def. Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz to win the titles (the debuting Linda Miles helps The Bashams win the titles) John Bradshaw Layfield def. Test Women’s Champion Molly Holly def. Trish Stratus to retain (Gail Kim interferes, helping Molly get the pin) Chris Benoit def. Nathan Jones (Jones’ last WWE match) Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton def. Maven to retain Triple H def. Shawn Michaels Batista def. Mick Foley Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker fought to a no-contest (Brock and Undertaker fought through the arena until security was able to break them up) World Champion Kane def. Kurt Angle to retain
Heading into Survivor Series, Kane is still World Champion. His challenger is a rather unlikely one, as Chris Benoit steps up to the plate. In a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match, Evolution will battle Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, and The Rock (the latter appearing for the first time since WrestleMania). Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker are set to meet in a Buried Alive Match. Goldberg’s next opponent is Big Show, who he will face at Survivor Series. In another Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match, Trish Stratus, Nidia, Jackie Gayda and unlikely partner Victoria will face Molly Holly, Gail Kim, Lita and Ivory. New Tag Team Champions The Basham Brothers will join forces with Christian and Chris Jericho to face The Dudley Boyz, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match. And in singles action, John Bradshaw Layfield will face Maven.
Survivor Series results Heat: Matt Hardy Version 1.0 def. Orlando Jordan The Dudley Boyz, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin def. The Basham Brothers, Chris Jericho and Christian in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match (Benjamin pinned Doug Basham, Bubba pinned Christian, Haas pinned Danny Basham, D-Von pinned Jericho) John Bradshaw Layfield def. Maven Trish Stratus, Nidia, Jackie Gayda and Victoria def. Molly Holly, Gail Kim, Lita and Ivory in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match (Kim pinned Gayda, Trish pinned Ivory, Molly pinned Nidia, Victoria pinned Lita, Kim pinned Trish, Victoria pinned Kim, and Molly was counted out) Goldberg def. Big Show World Champion Kane def. Chris Benoit Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle and The Rock def. Evolution in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match (Angle submitted Flair, Orton pinned Michaels, Batista pinned Angle, Batista was disqualified, Rock pinned Triple H, Foley pinned Orton) Brock Lesnar def. The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match (Kane interfered while both men were down, Chokeslamming Undertaker into the grave and shoveling dirt on top of him, giving Brock the win)
The Undertaker disappears after being buried at Survivor Series.
At Armageddon, Kane will defend the World Title in a Fatal 4-Way Match, facing Triple H, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. Mick Foley will challenge Randy Orton for the Intercontinental Title. The Basham Brothers will defend the Tag Team Titles against both The Dudley Boyz and Haas and Benjamin. Molly Holly will defend the Women’s Title against Victoria. Shawn Michaels will face Batista. Chris Benoit steps up to face Goldberg. John Bradshaw Layfield, Christian, Chris Jericho, Matt Hardy Version 1.0, Rico, Test, Mark Henry and Scott Steiner, among others, will be part of a Battle Royal, the winner challenging for the Intercontinental Title on Raw.
Armageddon results Heat: Scotty Too Hotty and Rikishi def. La Resistance to qualify for the Battle Royal Chris Jericho won a 20-Man Number One Contenders Battle Royal Women’s Champion Molly Holly def. Victoria to retain Batista def. Shawn Michaels Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton def. Mick Foley to retain Tag Team Champions The Basham Brothers def. The Dudley Boyz, and Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin to retain Goldberg def. Chris Benoit Triple H def. World Champion Kane, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle to win the title
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Oct 3, 2021 10:49:25 GMT -5
From The Ashes 2003 2002 was a lackluster year for WCW, the latest in a string of those. Eric Bischoff just wasn’t able to capture the magic that made WCW the number one company in the mid-to-late 90s. Compounding his problems was that WWE was still firmly at the top of the charts, ratings and product-wise. The fans had enjoyed the rise of Brock Lesnar and the departures of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock had made the product more unpredictable. And ECW had a bold new direction that was bringing in the viewers in droves. So Bischoff already had an uphill battle at the start of 2003, but things weren’t going to get any easier…
Finding that they were actually losing more money with twelve pay-per-views a year, Bischoff made the call at the end of 2002 to streamline their calendar to just a small amount of events: SuperBrawl, Spring Stampede, The Great American Bash, Bash at the Beach, Halloween Havoc and Starrcade would remain, giving WCW six major shows for 2003. As a result, Nitro gets more marquee matches and angles. There is also talk of Fox giving WCW a one hour timeslot on the main network, but for the time being, the focus is on building storylines and evening out the company’s bottom line. While not as dire as 1999/2000, there are rumors online that it could be just a matter of time for the company…
Booker T begins the year as World Champion and the company’s number one heel. Sting is the first person to step up to Booker in 2003, rehashing their 2002 program, but now for the title. Sting, working on a part-time basis as of late, is named the number one contender for SuperBrawl. On the final Nitro of January, promoted as a “supershow” of sorts, Harlem Heat reunites as Stevie Ray, recently re-signed as a road agent, teams with his brother in a loss to Sting and Ric Flair.
Lance Storm, one of the company’s top faces for most of the previous year, turns heel at the start of 2003, reforming his old Team Canada stable. This time, the members are Canadian, consisting of Storm, Bobby Rude and the debuting Joe E. Legend. With this new stable behind him, Storm begins feuding with Billy Kidman, setting the stage for a match at SuperBrawl. In the leadup, Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr. defeat Rude and Legend on Nitro, only for Storm to join in a 3-on-2 beatdown.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. turns face after nearly two years as a heel, when he rescues Cruiserweight Champion Amazing Red from beatdown by the reunited Three Count. Guerrero will team with Red’s cousins, the Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions The SAT, to face Shane Helms, Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore at SuperBrawl.
Following a failed attempt to capture the World Title, Kanyon sets his sights a bit lower, challenging Mike Awesome to a US Title match. While at first, it seems like this would be a mismatch, Kanyon holds his own with Awesome in their first meeting on Nitro. After going the distance, a rematch is announced for SuperBrawl, with no disqualifications…
On the first Nitro of 2003, Mike Sanders calls out Sean O’Haire, Chuck Palumbo, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak, the latter two accompanied by their manager, Stacy Keibler. Sanders says that with the exception of O’Haire, none of them have had much in the way of success in the last couple of years. They can either go down as five talented young wrestlers who just couldn’t hack it in the big leagues, or they can change the narrative. Sanders suggests reforming The Natural Born Thrillers. While Palumbo, Stasiak and Jindrak are on board, O’Haire walks out, refusing to rejoin. The following week, O’Haire gets jumped by his former friends, but is rescued by Rob Conway, Nick Dinsmore and Hugh Morrus. This sets the stage for an 8-Man Tag Team war at SuperBrawl…
After going on a meanstreak at the end of 2002, AJ Styles is rewarded with a Cruiserweight Title match at SuperBrawl, facing The Amazing Red.
A six man Cruiserweight Contenders match is announced for SuperBrawl, featuring Teddy Hart, Jamie Knoble, Frankie Kazarian, Michael Modest, Elix Skipper and the debuting Sonjay Dutt.
Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm, the WCW World Tag Team Champions, lack new challengers in the new year, having run through pretty much every viable contender. Therefore, the two issue an open challenge for SuperBrawl, (non-title, they’re sure to mention), against any team they have not already defeated…
SuperBrawl results Michael Modest def. Elix Skipper, Frankie Kazarian, Jamie Knoble, Teddy Hart and Sonjay Dutt in a Number One Contenders Match Chavo Guerrero and The SAT def. Three Count AJ Styles def. Cruiserweight Champion The Amazing Red to win the title The Natural Born Thrillers def. Sean O’Haire, Hugh Morrus, Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore Danny Doring and Roadkill def. Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm (Doring and Roadkill’s surprise debut) United States Champion Mike Awesome def. Kanyon to retain in a No-Disqualifications Match Lance Storm def. Billy Kidman (Team Canada interfered, roughing up Torrie Wilson to distract Kidman, who falls prey to a Superkick) World Champion Booker T def. Sting to retain
Booker T, the reigning World Champion, claims there is nobody who can take the title away from him. Ric Flair steps up, but Booker says he’s tired of the geezers being the only ones to give him a fight. He agrees to face Flair on Nitro, defeating him in a hard-fought contest. Afterwards, Booker and Stevie Ray continue to attack Flair, until Sean O’Haire makes the save. Booker backs off from O’Haire, but says he wants to put Flair down once and for all, challenging him to a Title vs. Career match at Spring Stampede.
Fresh off a win over Billy Kidman at SuperBrawl, Lance Storm challenges former tag team partner Mike Awesome to a US Title match. Kidman interferes, however, furious at Storm’s Team Canada allies for laying hands on Torrie Wilson. Kidman and Storm have a No-Holds-Barred rematch on Nitro, with Kidman coming out on top. This leads to a Triangle Match for the US Title at Spring Stampede.
Kanyon targets Sean O’Haire, attacking him after a match on Nitro. While O’Haire may have the World Championship in his sights, he’ll have to make a detour at Spring Stampede, when he goes one-on-one with Kanyon…
In the cruiserweight ranks, 3-Count, Chavo Guerrero, AJ Styles and The SAT are the focal points of the division. After AJ defeats Michael Modest on Nitro, Chavo Guerrero steps up as the next challenger, following a singles win over Shane Helms. Meanwhile, Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore become the number one contenders for The SAT’s Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles. Both of those title matches will happen at Spring Stampede.
After making their surprise debut at SuperBrawl, Danny Doring and Roadkill challenge Fleisch and Storm to a Tag Team Title match. The Champs manage to retain, thanks to some underhanded tactics. But Doring and Roadkill quickly work their way back up the ladder and are Number One Contenders by Spring Stampede.
The Natural Born Thrillers set their sights on Teddy Hart as a target, hoping to make their name at the expense of the legendary family. However, Hart gets back up in the form of his cousins, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Nattie Neidhart, and family friend TJ Wilson. At Spring Stampede, the Hart Family will take on Chuck Palumbo, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak in a six man tag team contest.
A Cruiserweight Rankings Battle Royal is the last match announced for Spring Stampede, featuring Amazing Red, Frankie Kazarian, Jamie Knoble, Matt Stryker, Mark Shraeder, Shark Boy, Sonjay Dutt, Scoot Andrews, Elix Skipper and Rey Mysterio Jr.
Spring Stampede results Jamie Knoble won the Cruiserweight Rankings Battle Royal (placements were: 2. Amazing Red, 3. Elix Skipper, 4. Scoot Andrews, 5. Frankie Kazarian, 6. Mark Shraeder, 7. Matt Stryker, 8. Shark Boy, 9. Rey Mysterio Jr., 10. Sonjay Dutt) 3-Count def. Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions The SAT to win the titles Cruiserweight Champion AJ Styles def. Chavo Guerrero Jr. to win the title Danny Doring and Roadkill def. Tag Team Champions Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm to win the titles Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson def. Chuck Palumbo, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak United States Champion Mike Awesome def. Billy Kidman and Lance Storm to retain Sean O’Haire def. Kanyon World Champion Booker T def. Ric Flair to retain in a Title vs. Career match (afterwards, Sean O’Haire came out to confront the Champion, but was beaten down by Harlem Heat and The Gridiron Giants)
After Spring Stampede, Sean O’Haire has Booker T firmly in his sights. However, with The Gridiron Giants now aligned with the five time (FIVE TIME FIVE TIME FIVE TIME FIVE TIME) WCW Champion, O’Haire has a steep hill to climb. With Hugh Morrus as his partner, O’Haire loses to Bob Sapp and Monty Brown, but still has a title shot against Booker at The Great American Bash…
The issue between Lance Storm and Billy Kidman continues to escalate. The two have a Stretcher Match on Nitro that ends with Kidman TECHNICALLY winning, but both men end up hospitalized afterwards. However, both men will be cleared to compete by the Great American Bash, where they will face off inside a solid steel cage…
Kanyon begins a rivalry with Hugh Morrus, still trying to get inside the head of Sean O’Haire. A match between Kanyon and Morrus is signed for the Great American Bash, with potential Championship ramifications.
The Tag Team Title reign of Danny Doring and Roadkill ends up being short-lived, as eight days after Spring Stampede, they lose the titles on Nitro to The Natural Born Thrillers’ Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak. Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm make a case for getting a rematch, while Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson also insert themselves in the picture. The end result is a four corners match being signed for the Great American Bash…
The feud between Chavo Guerrero and 3-Count continues on Nitro, with Shane Helms beating Chavo clean eight days after Spring Stampede. Chavo goes on to win a rematch the following week, but 3-Count lay Chavo out after the match. Helms is then rewarded with a US Title match against Mike Awesome at the Great American Bash.
With the new Cruiserweight top ten rankings, the competition becomes more fierce than ever, as wins and losses matter. On the Nitro after Spring Stampede, Frankie Kazarian defeats Elix Skipper. Because of that, Kazarian moves to number 3 in the rankings, pushing everyone else down a spot. Jamie Knoble calls his shot for the Great American Bash, while numbers 2 through 5 will meet in a round robin style match to decide the next number one contender...
Great American Bash results Frankie Kazarian def. Amazing Red, Elix Skipper and Scoot Andrews in a Round Robin Match (Kazarian earns 4 points, Skipper earns 2 points, Andrews earns 2 points, while Red scores no points) Cruiserweight Champion AJ Styles def. Jamie Knoble to retain United States Champion Mike Awesome def. Shane Helms to retain Tag Team Champions Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak def. Danny Doring and Roadkill, Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm, and Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson to retain Kanyon def. Hugh Morrus Billy Kidman def. Lance Storm in a Steel Cage Match Sean O’Haire def. World Champion Booker T to win the title
After the Great American Bash, Booker T takes time off from in-ring competition, instead managing The Gridiron Giants, who start making a serious run at the Tag Team Titles. As well, Mark Shraeder retires from wrestling.
Kanyon disrupts Sean O’Haire’s victory celebration, challenging him for the title at Bash at the Beach. O’Haire accepts the challenge, setting up the main event of WCW’s next PPV. A number one contenders match is also signed for Bash at the Beach, between Billy Kidman, Lance Storm and US Champion Mike Awesome
The Gridiron Giants, under the tutelage of the legendary Harlem Heat, begin making waves in the tag team division, setting up a title match with the Natural Born Thrillers for Bash at the Beach.
The rivalry between Shane Helms and Chavo Guerrero intensifies, with neither man willing to back down. Eventually, a Ladder Match between the two is set for Bash at the Beach, with the winner becoming the number one contender for the US Title.
Frankie Kazarian, who has been on a roll in the Cruiserweight Division, challenges AJ Styles for Bash at the Beach. As well, the number nine and ten spots in the rankings will be filled, when Teddy Hart, Michael Modest, Air Paris and Jimmy Yang compete in a Round Robin match. The top two scores will earn the ninth and tenth spots in the rankings. As well, a Number One Contenders Match between Amazing Red and Elix Skipper is set up, after Red beats Scoot Andrews to move back up the rankings.
Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm, trying to get back into the title picture, begin a rivalry with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson, setting up a match for the PPV. As well, The SAT battle 3-Count for the Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles.
Bash at the Beach results Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions 3-Count def. The SAT to retain Teddy Hart def. Michael Modest, Air Paris and Jimmy Yang in a Round Robin Match (Hart scored 6 points, Modest scored 4 points, Yang scored 2 points, and Paris scored zero points) Elix Skipper def. Amazing Red for the top spot in the Cruiserweight rankings Frankie Kazarian def. Cruiserweight Champion AJ Styles to win the title TJ Wilson and Davey Boy Smith Jr. def. Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Shane Helms in a Ladder Match The Gridiron Giants def. Tag Team Champions Shawn O’Haire and Mark Jindrak to win the titles Lance Storm def. Billy Kidman and Mike Awesome in a Number One Contenders Match World Champion Sean O’Haire def. Kanyon to retain
Heading into Halloween Havoc, Lance Storm and Team Canada have been targeting Sean O’Haire. The run-ins and beatdowns get so out of control that Eric Bischoff declares that the World Title match at Halloween Havoc will be a Steel Cage Match, Storm’s second one this year.
Both having suffered tough losses at Bash at the Beach, Billy Kidman and Kanyon pair off against one another. Kidman has talked about going for his second World Title win, but first, he’ll have to go through Kanyon…
Having finally put Shane Helms behind him, Chavo Guerrero has refocused his efforts on winning back the United States Championship. Mike Awesome, viewing Chavo as a threat, goes into full monster mode, attacking anything that moves, leading up to their match at Halloween Havoc.
After defeating former Champions Fleisch and Storm at Bash at the Beach, TJ Wilson and Davey Boy Smith Jr., backed by Teddy Hart and Nattie Neidhart, challenge The Gridiron Giants for the Tag Team Titles at Halloween Havoc.
Elix Skipper, now the top ranked Cruiserweight in the division, challenges Frankie Kazarian for Halloween Havoc. In addition, two other matches with Cruiserweight Title implications are announced. In a match for the top spot, it will be Amazing Red vs. Scoot Andrews, with the winner going on to challenge for the title at Starrcade. And in a match to determine the number ten spot in the rankings, it will be a five-way battle between Air Paris, Jimmy Yang, newcomers Tyson Dux and Johnny Swinger, and Jamie Knoble.
AJ Styles, the former Cruiserweight Champion, leaves the division and moves up to the heavyweight ranks. His first major opponent will be John Walters, in a battle of former Cruiserweight contenders. And finally, in six man tag team action, Shawn Stasiak, Chuck Palumbo and Mark Jindrak of the Natural Born Thrillers will take on Danny Doring, Roadkill and the recently debuted Lance Diamond.
Halloween Havoc The Natural Born Thrillers def. Danny Doring, Roadkill and Lance Diamond (after the match, Doring and Roadkill attacked Diamond, but Johnny Swinger made the save) AJ Styles def. John Walters Tyson Dux def. Air Paris, Jimmy Yang, Johnny Swinger and Jamie Knoble to earn a spot in the Cruiserweight Rankings Scoot Andrews def. Amazing Red for the top spot in the Cruiserweight Rankings Cruiserweight Champion Frankie Kazarian def. Elix Skipper to retain Tag Team Champions The Gridiron Giants def. TJ Wilson and Davey Boy Smith Jr. to retain Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. United States Champion Mike Awesome to win the title Billy Kidman def. Kanyon World Champion Sean O’Haire def. Lance Storm in a Steel Cage Match to retain
In the buildup to Starrcade, Eric Bischoff announces a number one contenders tournament for a shot at the World Title. In the end, Mike Awesome defeats Billy Kidman in the final, thanks to interference by Team Canada, to earn the shot at Sean O’Haire.
In addition to costing Kidman the tournament final, Team Canada also attempt to sabotage a Cruiserweight Rankings match between Amazing Red and Tyson Dux (the newest member of the stable), as well as causing Rey Mysterio Jr. to drop down the rankings. This leads to Bischoff reviving an old favorite in War Games at Starrcade, pitting Kidman, Mysterio, Red and The SAT against Lance Storm, Joe E. Legend, Bobby Rude, Tyson Dux and other new recruit Eric Young.
Kanyon sets his sights on Chavo Guerrero Jr. and the United States Title, setting up a match at Starrcade.
After the interference by Booker T and Stevie Ray at Halloween Havoc, The Hart Family challenge Harlem Heat to come out of retirement to face them. At Starrcade, they get their wish, as Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson will take on Booker T and Stevie Ray in a special challenge match.
Cruiserweight Champion Frankie Kazarian will take on the number one ranked Scoot Andrews at Starrcade, while Matt Stryker, Shark Boy, Sonjay Dutt and Teddy Hart will meet in a Round Robin Exhibition Match.
The Gridiron Giants will defend the Tag Team Titles against The Natural Born Thrillers, Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore, and 3-Count.
After the trio of Danny Doring, Roadkill and Lance Diamond imploded at Halloween Havoc, Doring and Roadkill have been feuding with Diamond and Johnny Swinger, setting up a grudge match for Starrcade.
Rounding out the card are two singles exhibition matches: Shane Helms will face Jamie Knoble, while AJ Styles takes on Hugh Morrus.
Starrcade AJ Styles def. Hugh Morrus Jamie Knoble def. Shane Helms Lance Diamond and Johnny Swinger def. Danny Doring and Roadkill Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore def. Tag Team Champions The Gridiron Giants, The Natural Born Thrillers, and 3-Count to win the titles Shark Boy def. Sonjay Dutt, Matt Stryker and Teddy Hart in a Round Robin Match (Shark Boy earned 4 points, Stryker earned 4 points (but lost the tie-breaker), Dutt earned 2 points, and Hart earned zero points) Cruiserweight Champion Frankie Kazarian def. Scoot Andrews to retain Davey Boy Smith Jr. and TJ Wilson def. Harlem Heat United States Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Kanyon to retain Team Canada def. Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio Jr., The Amazing Red and The SAT in a War Games Match World Champion Sean O’Haire def. Mike Awesome to retain
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Oct 3, 2021 10:53:57 GMT -5
Extreme Rebirth 2003In 2002, ECW underwent what many called an evolution. Known primarily for the bloodbaths and bingo hall brawls, the red-headed stepchild of mainstream wrestling changed it’s philosophy and as a result, charted it’s own course. Now known as the home of not just hardcore wrestling, but brilliant scientific contests, as well as boasting an impressive roster of ECW Originals and newcomers who quickly became household names, the company was on a roll when the calendar switched from 2002 to 2003. And they were ready to show the world exactly what they were all about…2002 ended with Christopher Daniels capturing the World Pure Championship from Eddie Guerrero in the Wrestling Observer’s 2002 Match of the Year at Final Battle. The year begins with The Prophecy smugly declaring that they are in charge of ECW now. Ricky Steamboat takes umbrage with that claim, however, and puts The Prophecy in a six man tag team match, pitting Daniels, Donovan Morgan and Xavier against the newly-formed trio of Homicide, Low Ki and Tajiri. Low Ki pins Xavier to win the match for his team, which Steamboat decides is enough to earn him a title shot at Guilty as Charged. Daniels protests, but Ki promises that Daniels is going to get his head kicked in… Low Ki won’t be the only member of his trio going for gold at Guilty as Charged, as Homicide, after defeating Tommy Dreamer in a bloody brawl on Hardcore TV, is named the number one contender to the World Extreme Title, held by Rob Van Dam. RVD says that Homicide might be more violent than him, but he’s certainly not more extreme than him. And at Guilty as Charged, Homicide will find out why nobody gets higher than Rob… Van… Dam. No longer the World Pure Champion, Eddie Guerrero begins a change in attitude. No longer the humble, but proud reborn wrestling Champion he was for the last year, he begins to show shades of the “Latino Heat” of old. American Dragon, now using his real name, Bryan Danielson, challenges Guerrero to a match at Guilty as Charged, hoping to reignite the spark Eddie had in 2002, as well as put on a Match of the Year of his own. At Final Battle, Samoa Joe debuted with an impressive win over Chris Sabin. Not only were the fans impressed, but so were Steve Corino and Justin Credible, The Impact Players. They offer Joe a spot in their group, and while Joe initially declines the offer, he reconsiders after Corino and Credible save him from a three-on-one beating by The FBI. This sets up a five on five match for Guilty as Charged, as Corino, Credible, Joe, Jack Victory and Francine take on Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, Big Sal, Little Sal and Vito LaGrosso. After their Scramble win at Final Battle, Paul London and Spanky decide that they want to challenge The Backseat Boyz. Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere are up for the challenge, so London suggests they take it a step further and make it a Ladder War. The Backseat Boyz accept and the match is set for Guilty as Charged. The Embassy find themselves being forced to backpedal after Jimmy Rave’s loss to Bryan Danielson at Final Battle. They regroup by attacking Doug Williams after a match on Hardcore TV, setting up Williams vs. Rave at Guilty as Charged. On Hardcore TV, two brothers by the name of Jay and Mark Briscoe make their debut, wrestling against one another. The match is quickly thrown out, however, when an angry Hit Squad attack the two. The following week, during a match between Da Hit Squad and The Carnage Crew, The Briscoes attack Monsta Mack and Mafia, then challenge them to a match at Guilty as Charged. A Six-Man Scramble is announced for the PPV, involving Michael Shane, Joey Matthews, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, LSD and Xavier. Guilty as Charged results(The show starts with Special K in the parking lot, having one of their raves. The Carnage Crew, bitter about not being booked, while Special K is, attack the party boys, the two men easily having their way with the eight members of Special K. They fight into the building, where The Ring Crew Express join the fray. Ricky Steamboat comes out and announces a 3-Way Dance to begin right away.) The Carnage Crew def. Izzy and Dixie, and The Ring Crew Express in a 3-Way Dance (H.C. Loc pinned Dixie, Tony DeVito pinned Dunn) (After the match, Special K tried to continue their rave, but Joey Matthews came out to confront them. Alex Shelley, Michael Shane, Chris Sabin and Xavier also arrived, leading into the Six-Man Scramble.) Alex Shelley def. Michael Shane, Chris Sabin, Joey Matthews, LSD and Xavier in a Six-Man Scramble The Briscoes def. Da Hit Squad Doug Williams def. Jimmy Rave World Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz def. Paul London and Spanky to retain in a Ladder War The Impact Players def. The FBI in a ten-person tag team match Eddie Guerrero def. Bryan Danielson (Eddie held Danielson’s tights during a roll-up to get the win) World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam def. Homicide to retain World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Low Ki to retain (after the match, the Prophecy attacked Low Ki, but Homicide and Tajiri made the save. As the two teams brawled, Justin Credible, Steve Corino and Samoa Joe came out and fought with both groups to end the show.) After the huge brawl that ended Guilty as Charged, a non-title 3-Way Fight Without Honor takes place on Hardcore TV, with Christopher Daniels defeating Tajiri and Justin Credible. After that match, Doug Williams challenges Daniels to a title match at Supercard of Extreme. Daniels accepts the challenge, but insists Williams face Xavier first. Williams wins the match by forcing Xavier to tap out, much to Daniels’ chagrin… Spiraling from the brawl at Guilty as Charged, Low Ki faces Samoa Joe in a Hardcore Match on Hardcore TV, with the winner getting to challenge for the World Extreme Title at Supercard of Extreme. Joe picks up the win, earning a congratulations from Rob Van Dam. Joe, however, warns RVD that at the PPV, he’s getting choked out and his title is coming home with Joe… The Guilty as Charged Brawl continues to affect the Supercard of Extreme, as Homicide and Steve Corino’s hostilities ramp up, leading to a Hardcore Match between The Impact Players and The Rottweilers, Homicide and Low Ki’s official team name. After a controversial finish to their match at Guilty as Charged, nothing seems to have been settled between Bryan Danielson and Eddie Guerrero. Danielson calls Eddie a cheater and says he knows he’s better than that. Eddie tells Danielson that he knows he’s better than Danielson, then slap’s him across the face. Danielson snaps, tearing into Eddie until the two are separated. In the weeks that follow, Danielson and Eddie trade brutal barbs with one another, nearly coming to blows on several occasions. Ricky Steamboat is hesitant to sign a rematch, until Danielson threatens to hold Hardcore TV hostage. At Supercard of Extreme, the two will meet, in a Fight Without Honor… BJ Whitmer debuts on Hardcore TV, picking up an impressive win over Nova. After the match, he gets into a staredown with CW Anderson as he makes his way to the ring for a match against Ace Steel. The following week, Whitmer challenges Anderson, who accepts the match for Supercard of Extreme. With Christopher Daniels holding the World Pure Title, The Prophecy decide it’s time to add more gold to their collection, so Donovan Morgan and Xavier challenge The Backseat Boyz to a title match at Supercard of Extreme. At Guilty as Charged, Alex Shelley was victorious in the Six-Man Scramble. One man who takes exception to Shelley winning, however, is Michael Shane. Shane claims he had the match won, before Shelley “screwed him over”, even though the video of the match clearly shows no such thing. Shane challenges Shelley to a match at Supercard of Honor, which Shelley accepts. Special K target Joey Matthews for, in their minds, crashing their party restart at Guilty as Charged. Matthews gets attacked by the group for several weeks, before finally gaining backup in the form of Chris Sabin, Nova and Divine Storm. A ten man Scramble is then announced for Supercard of Extreme. The Briscoes, fresh off a win over Da Hit Squad at Guilty as Charged, issue a challenge to the ECW locker room. Dunn and Marcos, The Ring Crew Express, accept the challenge, promising to give The Briscoes their “official” welcome to ECW... On the January 22nd episode of Hardcore TV, the wrestling world is shocked when Raven, released by WWE just two days earlier, is seen sitting in the crowd. Paul Heyman quickly tries to have him removed from the building, but Raven isn’t alone. From a few rows back, CM Punk, Alexis Laree and Julio Dinero come to Raven’s aid, as they beat down the security forces. Raven then grabs Heyman by the neck and tells him that soon, he’ll understand. The following week, the group is spotted in the parking lot, lurking in the shadows during a Special K prematch party. When he spots the camera, Raven simply mouths the words, “Supercard of Extreme”… Supercard of Extreme results(The show opens with a live shot of the crowd, as Paul Heyman’s voice can be heard through the headsets, asking where they are. The camera shakes as it pans the crowd, before focusing in on it’s target, Raven and his followers, sitting opposite the hard camera at ringside. Heyman soon walks out in front of the crowd and grabs the mic from ring announcer Bob Artese. He demands Raven explain why he’s here, since he’s not employed by ECW. Raven glares at Heyman, then nods at Punk, who jumps the barricade and grabs Heyman in a chokehold. Alexis takes the mic and hands it to Raven: {Spoiler}{Spoiler}“Paul, you wanna know what I’m doing here? I’ll tell you, but first, I want to take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember when I first arrived in ECW, Paul? At the time, you were relying on a past-his-prime “legend”, a pair of also-ran’s who couldn’t hack it in the big leagues, and a drunken never-was who was in ECW because he wasn’t good enough to go anywhere else. You were having those guys put on these piss-poor excuses for “hardcore wrestling” matches for about a hundred fans in a sweltering Bingo Hall that never had running water.
And then… I came along. And suddenly, your little promotion got interesting, didn’t it, Paul? Because when I came along, I started turning your ragtag group of misfits into overnight sensations. Tommy Dreamer, became ECW’s heart and soul. Sandman, became a working man’s hero. Stevie Richards, the lovable putz. Mick Foley, I brought out his star potential, Paul. Me! The Dudleys, wouldn’t even exist if not for me. Blue Meanie, Nova, they owe their careers to me. Hell, YOU owe me a debt that you can’t afford. Just like you couldn’t afford to pay me when I came back in 1999, huh? But hey, I’m not gonna hold that against you, since we both know I was only here to kill time for a year. But even so, that doesn’t excuse what you did, Paul.
Everything I did for you. I gave my body for you. I invented the Bingo Hall Classic. You know, ten false finishes, twenty weapon shots, fifty run-ins and ending it with a small package? I PERFECTED that, Paul. And how did you thank me? By unzipping your fly and taking a piss on my hard work! On everything I stood for! You pissed on me, Paul! Because you took the spirit of ECW, the spirit of Raven, and you went and sold it all for a million bucks and a national cable deal! You decided that ECW was too extreme and sold out your principles and MY LEGACY!!! All so you can lay your head down in a three story suburb home instead of a two story!!
Well, what about me?! WHAT ABOUT RAVEN?!
I f***ing killed myself, Paul! I killed myself, took years off my career, off my LIFE!!! I developed an addiction to painkillers in the name of ECW!!! All because of you!!! And then I flip to USA and see you promoting a toned-down, “evolved” ECW? Well, I say bullshit, Paul! You sold out! You sold out!
I was willing to die for this company! I WOULD HAVE GIVEN MY f***ING LIFE FOR YOU, PAUL!!! AND YOU REPAY ME BY SELLING OUT??!!!!
You wanna know why I’m here, Paul? I’m here…
...to watch you die...” Raven climbs over the rail, but as he grabs Heyman by the throat, Tommy Dreamer comes charging down the aisle with a chair. He bashes Dinero with it, then Punk. Raven and Dreamer begin trading punches at ringside, as the crowd rapidly cheers. But Alexis jumps on Dreamer’s back, distracting him enough to allow Raven to wrest away the chair and bust Dreamer open with it. Raven, Punk, Dinero and Alexis drag Dreamer up the aisle, when “Enter Sandman” hits on the speaker. Sandman comes through the crowd, cane in hand. Raven and Alexis continue with Dreamer, while Punk and Dinero run to meet Sandman. Sandman canes both men, but Raven and Alexis are still able to chain Dreamer’s arms to the large railing looking over the entrance area. Raven nails Dreamer with several chairshots, before Sandman gets to them. Raven and Alexis bail, while Sandman calls for a beer, as staff rush to free Dreamer. Heyman is seen screaming at someone to “cut to the video”, before we indeed cut to the intro video for the show.) Izzy, Dixie, Brian XL, LSD and Deranged def. Joey Matthews, Chris Sabin, Nova and Divine Storm in a Scramble Match (Special K were assisted by new member, a young black man wearing a headband) Alex Shelley def. Michael Shane The Briscoe Brothers def. The Ring Crew Express BJ Whitmer def. CW Anderson (Christopher Daniels and Rhino stood in the entrance, watching the match. After Whitmer won, Daniels simply nodded in approval, while Rhino just snarled menacingly) World Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz def. Donovan Morgan and Xavier to retain Bryan Danielson def. Eddie Guerrero in a Fight Without Honor (Danielson forced Guerrero to submit to the Cattle Mutilation. After the match, Danielson continued to go after Guerrero, including mounting him and laying in elbows until Guerrero was bloody) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Doug Williams to retain (Rhino Gored Williams on the floor while Daniels distracted the ref. Rhino then threw Williams back in the ring, where the Angel’s Wings put him down for the pin) The Rottweilers def. The Impact Players in a Hardcore Match (Homicide and Corino fought to the area over the entrance that Raven and Dreamer fought on at the start of the show. Homicide ended up hitting a Cop Killa on Corino off the platform, through a stack of tables below, taking both men out. In the ring, Ki submitted Credible with the Dragon Clutch to give The Rottweilers the win) Samoa Joe def. World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam to win the title (after the match, Joe and RVD shook hands in a show of respect) Following Supercard of Extreme, we have a new World Extreme Champion in Samoa Joe. Joe doesn’t get much chance to celebrate his win, however, as he is challenged by The Prophecy’s Rhino, looking to bring both World Titles to Christopher Daniels’ stable. Rhino carves his path of destruction through ECW for the next month, including taking out Steve Corino’s longtime friend and ally, Jack Victory. Joe promises to avenge The Impact Players’ fallen comrade at Living Dangerously. As for the World Pure Championship, Corino targets Daniels following the hit on Jack Victory. The Impact Players promise to honor their friend by taking control of both World Titles. Daniels, however, has many challengers coming for him. Low Ki still seeks a World Championship, while Bryan Danielson feels he’s earned a shot after defeating Eddie Guerrero last month. As well, Doug Williams is still looking for revenge against The Prophecy after being screwed at Supercard of Extreme. Daniels sends Xavier, Donovan Morgan and Steve Bradley after the three would-be challengers, who will be forced to get on the same page for this pivotal six man tag at Living Dangerously. Away from The Prophecy’s rivalries with The Impact Players and The Rottweilers, former World Extreme Champion Rob Van Dam finds himself outside the Championship picture for the first time in well over a year. Seeing the former Champion finally defeated, Prince Nana decides to use him as an example, sending Jimmy Rave and Bam Bam Bigelow after him. Van Dam, incensed by The Embassy’s gall, challenges Rave to a match at Living Dangerously. At Supercard of Extreme, Raven made his intentions to take out Paul Heyman known. Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman rescued Heyman from what could’ve been a very bad situation, but Dreamer took a beating in the process. Raven sends his new followers, CM Punk and Julio Dinero, alongside Alexis Laree, after the Extreme Icons in what Raven refers to as “The Gathering’s” “blood baptism”… After some impressive performances, including wins over Da Hit Squad and The Ring Crew Express at back-to-back PPVs, The Briscoe Brothers are rewarded with a shot at the World Tag Team Titles, challenging The Backseat Boyz at Living Dangerously. The feud between Joey Matthews and Special K continues, with Matthews challenging LSD to a match. At Supercard of Extreme, Special K gained a new member, Hydro, who helped them win a huge Scramble Match. During the Matthews/LSD match, Special K once again gang up on Matthews, but Paul London and Spanky make the save. They are joined by Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and The Carnage Crew, setting up a massive seven vs. seven Scramble for Living Dangerously. BJ Whitmer looks to continue his impressive run at Living Dangerously, when he takes on the veteran Kid Kash one-on-one. Living Dangerously resultsJoey Matthews, Paul London, Spanky, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and The Carnage Crew def. Izzy, Dixie, Brian XL, Derenaged, Angel Dust, LSD and Hydro in a Scramble Match (during the match, Becky Bayless and Lit tried to interfere, only to be taken out by a huge dive by Sabin.) World Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz def. The Briscoe Brothers to retain BJ Whitmer def. Kid Kash (after the match, Kash offered a handshake, but Whitmer brushed it off) Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman def. CM Punk and Julio Dinero in a Hardcore Match (after the match, Raven planted Punk with a DDT on a chair) Rob Van Dam def. Jimmy Rave World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe def. Rhino to retain Bryan Danielson, Low Ki and Doug Williams def. Donovan Morgan, Xavier and Steve Bradley (after the match, as Danielson, Low Ki and Williams celebrated, Eddie Guerrero, who hasn’t been seen since Supercard of Extreme, came through the crowd to attack Danielson) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Steve Corino to retain (Corino seemed to have the match won with the Old School Expulsion, but BJ Whitmer pulled the referee out of the ring. As Corino looked confused, Rhino snuck in and Gored him, allowing Daniels to hit the Best Moonsault Ever for the win) Several big stories impacting the main event scene come out of Living Dangerously. Firstly, Eddie Guerrero is back and he’s out for Bryan Danielson’s scalp. After Danielson put him on the shelf for a month, Guerrero returned at Living Dangerously and delivered a beating to Danielson. Guerrero says that Danielson’s last win over him didn’t count, because the Code of Honor wasn’t in play. And if it had been, Guerrero would’ve won, because Danielson snapped. Guerrero says he can tap Danielson out anytime he wants, so Ricky Steamboat announces a Submission Match between the two for Barely Legal. BJ Whitmer has joined The Prophecy, after helping Christopher Daniels to retain the World Pure Championship. Doug Williams, taking offense to this, challenges Whitmer to a match on Hardcore TV. Whitmer is disqualified when The Prophecy gets involved, but Williams is rescued by Da Hit Squad. In a subsequent six man tag, Williams pins Donovan Morgan, who Daniels then brutally excommunicates from The Prophecy. Williams is then granted a title shot at Barely Legal, while Whitmer and Rhino are set to take on Da Hit Squad in tag team action. As for World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe, his next challenge will come from Low Ki. The Rottweiler attacks Joe after the Champion wins a non-title exhibition against Jimmy Jacobs. Ki says that he knows Daniels won’t fight fair, so he’s setting his sights on a “real” Champion, as he puts it. For his part, Joe appreciates the compliment, but promises to make Ki regret sneak attacking him… At Living Dangerously, Raven promised a “blood baptism” for CM Punk and Julio Dinero and that was certainly what happened. But after the match, Raven drilled Punk with the Evenflow. On Hardcore TV, Raven asked Punk what he was going to do about it. Punk considered, then dropped to his knees and kissed Raven’s feet. Raven then ordered Dinero to face The Sandman one-on-one. After he was soundly beaten, Raven delivered and Evenflow to Dinero. The following week, Dinero also kissed Raven’s foot. Raven then asked Alexis Laree what she had to offer. In a shocking display, she showed her back to Raven, who blasted her with a steel chair. Laying on the mat, in pain, she crawls to Raven and kisses his feet. Satisfied by their sacrifices, Raven christens his Gathering. He then challenges Dreamer to a one-on-one street fight at Barely Legal. On the Hardcore TV following Living Dangerously, John Cena makes his debut, defeating Ace Steel. Cena racks up wins in the following weeks over the likes of Nova and EZ Money, impressing many in the locker room, especially one Prince Nana, who immediately sees his potential. Cena will take on CW Anderson at Barely Legal, and Nana has promised that his Embassy will be ringside, watching… Since last November, The Backseat Boyz have dominated the competition for their World Tag Team Championship. At Barely Legal, they find themselves defending the titles for the first time ever in a five team Scramble, facing Izzy and Dixie, Paul London and Spanky, The Carnage Crew and The FBI. Barely Legal resultsIzzy and Dixie def. World Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz, The Carnage Crew, The FBI and Paul London and Spanky to win the titles John Cena def. CW Anderson (after the match, Prince Nana invited Cena to join The Embassy. Hesitant at first, Cena shakes Nana’s hand, solidifying his membership, much to the chagrin of the instantly-worried Jimmy Rave) BJ Whitmer and Rhino def. Da Hit Squad (Mafia turned on Monsta Mack and helped The Prophecy get the win) Raven def. Tommy Dreamer in a Street Fight (The Gathering and The Sandman all interfered in the match. Punk delivered a top rope Pedigree to Dreamer through a table, which Raven followed up with an Evenflow on a chair for the win) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Doug Williams to retain (after the match, Mafia, Rhino and BJ Whitmer attacked Williams, but Rob Van Dam made the save) World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe def. Low Ki to retain (after the match, Low Ki shook Joe’s hand, but then he and Homicide beat Joe down in the middle of the ring) Eddie Guerrero def. Bryan Danielson in a Submission Match (the referee got knocked out. Guerrero used a chair to bludgeon Danielson, then locked in the Lasso From El Paso as the ref came to. The ref checked Danielson’s arm, then called the match in Guerrero’s favor) Eddie Guerrero brags about his victory over Bryan Danielson at Barely Legal, ignoring the fact that he obviously cheated to get the win. One man who won’t ignore that fact is Samoa Joe, the World Extreme Champion. He offers Eddie a title shot, in exchange for getting to beat some respect into him. It will all go down at the appropriately named Respect is Earned PPV event. Meanwhile, Rob Van Dam, who made the save for Doug Williams at Barely Legal, challenges Christopher Daniels for the World Pure Title. So at Respect is Earned, the first-ever World Pure Champion will challenge for the World Extreme Title, while the first-ever World Extreme Champion challenges for the World Pure Title. The events of Barely Legal surrounding The Prophecy, lead to three matches being announced for Respect is Earned. Former Prophecy member Donovan Morgan challenges Rhino to a match, looking for revenge after being kicked out. In tag team action, The Rottweilers will take on BJ Whitmer and the former Mafia, now going by the name Dan Maff. And Doug Williams, still seeking to end The Prophecy’s campaign against The Code of Conduct, challenges Xavier to a match. But there will be an added stipulation: if Williams loses, he will be forced to join The Prophecy… At Barely Legal, Izzy and Dixie of Special K captured the World Tag Team Titles in a Scramble match. But notably, neither Trent Acid or Johnny Kashmere was pinned. As a result, Ricky Steamboat has granted The Backseat Boyz a rematch for the titles at Respect is Earned. After helping Raven to a victory over Tommy Dreamer at Barely Legal, The Gathering have their first official match in the tag team division, defeating Divine Storm. After the match, Raven orders them to destroy their opponents. When they hesitate, Raven lays them out, then single-handedly and systematically destroys Divine Storm, running them out of the company. The Sandman then challenges Raven, but he won’t be coming alone. The Impact Players will be in his corner, a show of respect after the three men’s ladder match at Guilty as Charged 2001. The Embassy, now consisting of Jimmy Rave, John Cena and Bam Bam Bigelow will take on Joey Matthews, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley at Respect is earned. Prince Nana still views Rave as his Crown Jewel, but the paranoid Rave fears losing his spot to Cena. Bigelow, meanwhile, simply follows Nana’s orders and accepts his payment. Finally, Michael Shane declares himself the greatest talent to come out of the Texas Wrestling Academy. Spanky, taking exception to this, challenges Shane to a match at Respect is Earned. Respect is Earned resultsMichael Shane def. Spanky (Shane pinned Spanky with his feet on the ropes, after missing a Superkick, then countering Sliced Bread II into a rollup) Joey Matthews, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley def. Jimmy Rave, John Cena and Bam Bam Bigelow Rhino def. Donovan Morgan World Tag Team Champions Izzy and Dixie def. The Backseat Boyz to retain (LSD, Hydro, Deranged and Brian XL interfered, helping Izzy and Dixie win the match) Xavier def. Doug Williams (as a result of this loss, Williams was forced to join The Prophecy) Raven def. The Sandman in a Hardcore Match (The Gathering interfered, helping Raven by beating down The Impact Players. After the match, Alexis Laree slashed Francine’s face with a railroad spike, causing her to need medical attention) Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer def. The Rottweilers (Steve Bradley tried to interfere, but Monsta Mack came out to even the odds. Maff would use a pair of brass knuckles behind the referee’s back to knock out Homicide for the win) World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe def. Eddie Guerrero to retain World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Rob Van Dam to retain The Prophecy are the center of much of the build to June’s Hardcore Heaven event. With Daniels still the World Pure Champion, he has recently strengthened The Prophecy with the additions of BJ Whitmer, Dan Maff and reluctant member Doug Williams. After the departure of Steve Bradley (who retires from wrestling), Rhino, Xavier and Alison Danger are still firmly aligned with Daniels’ twisted image for ECW. But their dominance has earned them many enemies. Heading into Hardcore Heaven, Ricky Steamboat announces that Daniels will team with Whitmer, Rhino and Xavier to take on Rob Van Dam, The Rottweilers, and former Prophecy member Donovan Morgan. As well, Dan Maff will battle his former tag team partner Monsta Mack in a Hardcore Loser-Leaves-Town Match. Samoa Joe has been a destructive force as World Extreme Champion, defeating everyone in his path thus far. For Hardcore Heaven, however, Joe will join forces with his Impact Player allies Justin Credible and Steve Corino, as they seek revenge for Francine, who was hospitalized after having her face slashed by Alexis Laree. At Hardcore Heaven, it will be Joe, Credible and Corino vs. Raven, CM Punk and Julio Dinero in a Hardcore War. After his loss to Samoa Joe at Respect is Earned, Eddie Guerrero becomes unhinged. He claims to have ended Bryan Danielson’s career and says he would’ve beaten Joe if the match had been under pure wrestling rules. Chris Sabin confronts Guerrero, concerned for his mental well-being. Eddie attacks him, then challenges him to a match at Hardcore Heaven. Michael Shane brags about his win over Spanky at Respect is Earned, but old rival Paul London confronts him. He says that just because his cousin ran the Texas Wrestling Academy, that didn’t make him the best student. London said he didn’t feel he was the best student either, but he was willing to step up and humble Shane one more time at Hardcore Heaven… After a mishap at Respect is Earned cost them a victory, The Embassy are forced to regroup. Prince Nana wants Rave and Cena to become a cohesive tag team, so he has gotten them signed for a match at Hardcore Heaven against the visiting NOAH tag team of KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji. Special K, the reigning World Tag Team Champions, issue a challenge for Hardcore Heaven, for a Scramble Invitational. Teams that accept include former Champions The Backseat Boyz, The FBI, The Carnage Crew, The Briscoe Brothers, and The Ring Crew Express. Hardcore Heaven resultsMichael Shane def. Paul London (Spanky tried to prevent Shane from interfering, but inadvertently caused London to fall prey to a Superkick, then a 450 Splash to give Shane the win) Jimmy Rave and John Cena def. KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji (Cena delivered a fireman’s carry driver to KENTA, but Rave tagged himself and got the pin) Dan Maff def. Monsta Mack in a Loser-Leaves-Town Match (Alison Danger interfered after Doug Williams refused to help Maff cheat. Danger sprayed hairspray in Mack’s face, allowing Maff to finish him off with the Burning Hammer, ending Monsta Mack’s ECW tenure) Eddie Guerrero def. Chris Sabin (after the match, Guerrero continued to attack Sabin, until “Ride of the Valkyries” played on the PA. Bryan Danielson made his return after a two months hiatus, brawling with Guerrero, until Eddie decided to bail out) Rob Van Dam, Homicide, Low Ki and Donovan Morgan def. Christopher Daniels, BJ Whitmer, Rhino and Xavier (Morgan pinned Daniels to win the match for his team) Raven, CM Punk and Julio Dinero def. Samoa Joe, Justin Credible and Steve Corino (Alexis Laree took Joe out of commission early on with a chloroformed-soaked cloth. Later, Francine, her face bandaged on one side, attacked Laree, sparking a catfight. In the confusion, Raven hit the Evenflow on Credible for the win) World Tag Team Champions Izzy and Dixie def. The Backseat Boyz, The FBI, The Carnage Crew, The Briscoe Brothers and The Ring Crew Express to retain in a Scramble Match (After the match, Mikey Whipwreck and Abyss returned to ECW, attacking everyone in the ring, then The Sinister Minister demanded Ricky Steamboat give them a title match right then and there. Steamboat is reluctant, but LSD says they accept) The Unholy Alliance def. World Tag Team Champions Izzy and Dixie to win the titles At Hardcore Heaven, Bryan Danielson returned from his injuries, inflicted by Eddie Guerrero back at Barely Legal. Guerrero backed off at Hardcore Heaven, but at Heatwave, there will be nowhere to run, when Eddie and Danielson meet in a Steel Cage Match. While neither World Title was defended at Hardcore Heaven, both Champions were on the losing side of tag team contests. Christopher Daniels was pinned by Donovan Morgan in an eight man tag and as a result, will defend the World Pure Title against his former Prophecy partner at Heatwave. As for Samoa Joe, though he was not pinned, he was the on the losing side of an encounter between The Impact Players and The Gathering. Raven, who scored the pin, will now face Joe for the World Extreme Title at Heatwave. Hardcore Heaven ended chaotically, first with a six team Scramble match, before The Unholy Alliance proceeded to lay waste to all six teams. The Sinister Minister then demanded a match for his men, which LSD accepted on behalf of the Champions. Mikey Whipwreck and Abyss would then go on to capture the titles in a three minute curbstomp battle. Izzy and Dixie, a bit sour over LSD speaking for them, tell the rest of Special K to stay home when they challenge the new Champions at Heatwave. Another match that comes out of the Prophy’s eight man tag team loss at Hardcore Heaven is a Fight Without Honor, which will pit The Rottweilers against BJ Whitmer and his new tag team partner, Dan Maff. As well, Rob Van Dam will face Xavier in singles action Meanwhile, as a result of the events during the six man Hardcore Match, a six person inter-gender Hardcore Match is announced, pitting The Impact Players and Francine against The Gathering and Alexis Laree. At Hardcore Heaven, Michael Shane defeated yet another fellow graduate of the Texas Wrestling Academy, when he beat Paul London, after a botched interference attempt by Spanky. London, incensed by Spanky costing him, attacks his friend on Hardcore TV, then demands a match with him at Heatwave. Prince Nana continues to get Jimmy Rave and John Cena booked as a team, despite the tension between the two. At Heatwave, they will face former Tag Team Champions The Backseat Boyz in an exhibition. Finally, in a battle of up and comers, there will be a four-way dance between Alex Shelley, Joey Matthews, Hydro and the debuting Nigel McGuinness. Heatwave resultsJoey Matthews def. Alex Shelley, Hydro and Nigel McGuinness in a 4-Way Dance (Matthews pinned Hydro, Shelley pinned McGuinness, Matthews pinned Shelley) The Backseat Boyz def. Jimmy Rave and John Cena (Cena hit his modified Death Valley Driver on Acid, but Rave tagged himself in. The two argued, giving Acid time to recover and catch Rave in a small package for the win) Paul London def. Spanky (Michael Shane tried to interfere, but was laid out by both men. London then hit the Shooting Star Press to get the win) The Impact Players and Francine def. The Gathering and Alexis Laree in a Hardcore Match (Francine hit her own version of That’s Incredible on Laree to get the win) World Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. Izzy and Dixie to retain (LSD and Lit, acting against Izzy and Dixie’s wishes, came to the ring during the match, but were confronted by the rest of the group. The distraction allowed Mikey to hit a Whipper Snapper on Izzy, followed by a Blackhole Slam from Abyss, for the win) Rob Van Dam def. Xavier (Alison Danger and Rhino ordered Doug Williams to help Xavier win, but he refused. RVD won the Five Star Frog Splash. After the match, The Prophecy beat Williams down, until The Briscoe Brothers made the save) Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer def. The Rottweilers in a Fight Without Honor World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe def. Raven to retain (The Gathering tried to interfere, but were turned back by Joe, who then submitted Raven with the Coquina Clutch. After the match, The Rottweilers attacked Joe. Homicide asked Joe if he forgot about them, as Ki cinched in the Dragon Clutch on Joe) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Donovan Morgan to retain Bryan Danielson def. Eddie Guerrero in a Steel Cage Match At Heatwave, Bryan Danielson ended his war with Eddie Guerrero in a brutal steel cage match. Ricky Steamboat rewards Danielson with a shot at the World Pure Championship at Glory by Honor. Christopher Daniels mockingly objects, saying that a cage match shouldn’t be considered criteria for the Pure Title. He says he doesn’t care about the Code of Conduct or about how Danielson picked up an impressive victory. All that matters is that The Prophecy stays on top… After Samoa Joe defeated Raven at Heatwave, he was attacked by Homicide and Low Ki, resuming their feud from earlier in the year. Homicide wants a crack at the World Extreme Champion and will get his shot at Glory by Honor… Following his loss to Samoa Joe at Heatwave, Raven takes out his frustrations on The Gathering. He forces them into a three on two contest against Ace Steel and Jimmy Jacobs on Hardcore TV, which Punk, Dinero and Laree win. Afterwards, Raven handcuffs both men to the ropes and orders Punk and Dinero to cane them. Dinero does a number on Jacobs, but Punk refuses to assault Steel, his trainer. Raven, incensed, orders Punk to do it… instead, Punk hits Raven! Dinero and Laree attack Punk and then Raven hits the Evenflow. The following week, Punk challenges Raven to a match for Glory by Honor. Ace Steel will be in Punk’s corner, while Raven will have Dinero and Laree in his. The rivalry between the Texas Wrestling Academy graduates intensifies. Paul London and Spanky’s tag team has been broken up, and Michael Shane is now after both men, following Heatwave. Ricky Steamboat announces a three-way dance between them at Glory by Honor. Following their loss at Heatwave, Special K begin fighting amongst themselves. LSD, Lit, Becky Bayless and Elax find themselves at odds with the rest of the stable, leading to a six man Losers-Leave-Special K Scramble Match at Glory by Honor, with Izzy, Dixie and Brian XL having the full backing of the remaining Special K members. At Heatwave, Doug Williams was attacked by Prophecy members Rhino and Xavier after he refused to help them cheat. The Briscoes made the save, but on Hardcore TV, The Prophecy insist that they own Williams’ contract, because of the match at Respect is Earned. Ricky Steamboat, however, makes an eight man tag for Glory by Honor, which will see Williams team with The Briscoes and Rob Van Dam to face Rhino, Xavier, BJ Whitmer and Dan Maff. And if Williams’ team wins, he will be freed from his obligations to The Prophecy. After picking up a win over The Embassy at Heatwave, The Backseat Boyz are named the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles at Glory by Honor, where they will have the face the monstrous pairing of Mikey Whipwreck and Abyss to try and win back their titles. Speaking of The Embassy, Prince Nana is determined the mend the fences and requests Ricky Steamboat book Jimmy Rave, John Cena and Bam Bam Bigelow in a six man tag at Glory by Honor. Steamboat agrees, pitting them against Nigel McGuinness, Nova and Chris Sabin. Two additional exhibition matches are announced, one pitting Joey Matthews against Tajiri, making his return after a stint in Japan, and the other featuring Alex Shelley taking on Donovan Morgan. Glory by Honor resultsJoey Matthews def. Tajiri Izzy, Dixie and Brian XL def. LSD, Lit and Elax in a Scramble Match (Izzy, Dixie and Brian XL were aided by the other members of Special K, as well as debuting members Cheech, Lacey and Cloudy; this is Lit and Elax’s last ECW appearance) Alex Shelley def. Donovan Morgan Jimmy Rave, John Cena and Bam Bam Bigelow def. Chris Sabin, Nova and Nigel McGuinness (Cena hit the Death Valley Driver on Sabin, then tagged Rave, who hit his own Death Valley Driver on Nova for the win) Michael Shane def. Spanky and Paul London in a 3-Way Dance (Spanky pinned London, Shane pinned Spanky) World Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. The Backseat Boyz to retain Raven def. CM Punk in a Hardcore Match (Jimmy Jacobs interfered, helping Raven by attacking Punk. Afterwards, Raven, Dinero, Jacobs and Laree beat down Punk and Ace Steel) Doug Williams, Rob Van Dam and The Briscoe Brothers def. Rhino, Xavier, BJ Whitmer and Dan Maff (as a result of winning, Doug Williams is no longer forced to be a member of The Prophecy) World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe def. Homicide to retain (after the match, Low Ki attacked Joe and challenged him to a match at next month’s Death Before Dishonor event) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Bryan Danielson to retain (Danielson had the match won on several occasions, but thanks to Daniels’ ring presence, as well as interference by Alison Danger and Xavier, Danielson can never quite put him away. Eventually, Daniels hits The Angel’s Wings off the top rope to get the win) At Glory by Honor, Samoa Joe successfully defended his World Extreme Title against Homicide. After the match, however, Low Ki attacked the Champion, then challenged him to a match at Death Before Dishonor. Joe has accepted the challenge and we will have a huge rematch from Barely Legal. In the main event of Glory by Honor, Christopher Daniels relied on every dirty trick he knows to defeat Bryan Danielson and retain his title. Joey Matthews confronts Daniels on Hardcore TV, saying he can’t win without breaking the rules. Daniels says the Champion can do whatever he wants. Matthews challenges him to a title match at Death Before Dishonor, which is confirmed by Ricky Steamboat. Eddie Guerrero makes his return to ECW for the first time since losing to Bryan Danielson at Heatwave. Eddie says that he carried ECW on his back for a year and deserves to be respected. Rob Van Dam takes exception to this, since he was also a World Champion during that time. Guerrero says that his title was a WRESTLING title, not a garbage title. RVD challenges Eddie to a match at Death Before Dishonor, promising to show him just how good a wrestler he is… The feud between the Texas Wrestling Academy graduates gains another layer when Bryan Danielson confronts Michael Shane, Spanky and Paul London. He claims they’re just fighting for second best, because he’s the best in the world. Ricky Steamboat sanctions a four-way dance for Death Before Dishonor, hoping they can settle the issue once and for all. Free from his obligations to The Prophecy, Doug Williams makes it his mission to take down every member of the group, one by one. At Death Before Dishonor, he will start with Xavier… At Glory by Honor, Raven defeated CM Punk thanks to the interference of Julio Dinero, Alexis Laree and his new follower, Jimmy Jacobs. Afterwards, The Gathering attacked Punk and his trainer, Ace Steel. Steel, knowing they needed to even the odds, called up one of his other students, Colt Cabana, as well as Colt’s girlfriend, Lucy. Calling themselves the Second City Saints, they will face The Gathering in a Street Fight at Death Before Dishonor. The Briscoes challenge The Unholy Alliance to a Tag Team Title match. They say they’re not the same team they were the first time they challenged, when The Backseat Boyz were Champions. They are ready to defeat Mikey and Abyss and get their first taste of gold in ECW… A Scramble Match is announced for Death Before Dishonor, featuring Donovan Morgan, Nova, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Nigel McGuinness and Tajiri. And rounding out the card, it will be a three-way dance to determine the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles between The Backseat Boyz, Izzy and Dixie and The Embassy’s Jimmy Rave and John Cena. Death Before Dishonor resultsJimmy Rave and John Cena def. The Backseat Boyz and Izzy and Dixie in a 3-Way Dance (Johnny Kashmere pinned Dixie, Rave pinned Trent Acid) Donovan Morgan def. Nova, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Nigel McGuinness and Tajiri in a Scramble Match World Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. The Briscoe Brothers to retain Doug Williams def. Xavier (after the match, Rhino Gored Williams) Spanky def. Bryan Danielson, Michael Shane and Paul London in a 4-Way Dance (Danielson submitted Shane, Danielson submitted London, Spanky pinned Danielson) Raven, Jimmy Jacobs and Julio Dinero def. CM Punk, Colt Cabana and Ace Steel in a Street Fight (Raven pinned Punk after an Evenflow through a table. After the match, Alexis Laree handed Raven can of beer, which he poured over Punk’s face) Eddie Guerrero def. Rob Van Dam by disqualification (Eddie brought a chair into the ring, tossed it to Van Dam, then fell down, making the ref think RVD hit him with the chair, causing the DQ) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Joey Matthews to retain Low Ki def. World Extreme Champion Samoa Joe to win the title (after the match, Homicide and Low Ki celebrated. Ki offered Joe a handshake, but Joe, weary after last time, declines, but does grab the mic and pay him respect and congratulate him) At Death Before Dishonor, a new World Extreme Champion was crowned, when Low Ki defeated Samoa Joe in a hard-hitting fight that left both men more than a little bruised. Ki’s friend, tag team partner and mentor, Homicide, is quick to put Low Ki over as “one tough son of a bitch”, but that sentiment is not shared by Nigel McGuinness, who steps up to challenge Ki for the title. Ki and Homicide are taken aback by the brazenness of the relative newcomer, but Homicide tells him, “it’s your funeral, man”. Despite losing the World Extreme Title, Samoa Joe sees this as a chance to refocus his efforts towards the goal he was brought into the Impact Players to accomplish: taking down The Prophecy. Steve Corino and Joe win a match over Christopher Daniels and Xavier on Hardcore TV, after which Joe challenges Daniels for the World Pure Title at Anarchy Rules. At Death Before Dishonor, Eddie Guerrero used shady tactics to defeat Rob Van Dam. Van Dam, not impressed by Eddie’s acting abilities, challenges Guerrero to a rematch at Anarchy Rules, but this time, in RVD’s element: a Hardcore match. CM Punk is given TV time to talk about the beer incident with Raven at Death Before Dishonor. Punk explains that he’s Straight-Edge and talks about his childhood and history with alcohol abuse in family. Raven did more than just disrespect him when he poured that beer over him… he unleashed a monster, one that he can’t even hope to tame. At Anarchy Rules, Punk promises to take his pound of flesh from Raven… Jimmy Rave and John Cena, under the guidance of Prince Nana, earned a World Tag Team Title match at Anarchy Rules. Rave and Cena still don’t exactly get along, but they’ll need to be on the same page to contend with Abyss and Mikey Whipwreck, The Unholy Alliance. At Death Before Dishonor, Spanky was the winner of the 4-Way Dance between the graduates of the Texas Wrestling Academy. Michael Shane, however, continues to claim his superiority as the school’s best student. Spanky reminds Shane that he beat him at Anarchy Rules two years ago, before saying he’ll do it again this year… Doug Williams’ one-man mission to take down The Prophecy continues as he prepares to battle Rhino at Anarchy Rules. Rhino attacked Williams after his win over Xavier at Death Before Honor, now the Man-Beast prepares to finish the job… A 4-Way Dance is announced to determine the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles, featuring The Backseat Boyz, Special K, The Briscoes and The Carnage Crew. As well, a Scramble Match will pit Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Paul London, Joey Matthews, Tajiri, and the debuting Jack Evans against each other. Finally, Super Crazy returns to ECW for the first time in over a year, to take on Nova in singles competition. Anarchy Rules resultsPaul London def. Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Joey Matthews, Tajiri and Jack Evans in a Scramble Match Super Crazy def. Nova The Carnage Crew def. The Backseat Boyz, The Briscoes and Special K(Cheech and Cloudy) in a 4-Way Dance (Jay Briscoe pinned Cloudy, Trent Acid pinned Mark Briscoe, Tony DeVito pinned Johnny Kashmere) Michael Shane def. Spanky (Shane was assisted by another graduate of the Texas Wrestling Academy, former WCW midcarder Hernadez) Raven def. CM Punk in a Street Fight (The Gathering and The Second City Saints all interfered in the match. Raven finally pinned Punk after a Piledriver on the concrete floor. Punk was taken out on a stretcher...) World Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance def. Jimmy Rave and John Cena to retain (Rave and Cena collided on the apron, leaving Cena to fall prey to a roll-up by Whipwreck for the win. After the match, Rave lashed out at Cena, Prince Nana and Bam Bam Bigelow, before storming off without them) Doug Williams def. Rhino (Williams won after hitting Chaos Theory. After the match, he called out Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer. It looked like a two-on-one fight, until Bryan Danielson ran out to back Williams. The Prophecy back down, but Whitmer promises it’s not over...) Rob Van Dam def. Eddie Guerrero in a Hardcore Match (Van Dam won with a Five Star Frog Splash off a ladder through a table) World Extreme Champion Low Ki def. Nigel McGuinness to retain (McGuinness hung in there with Ki, but eventually fell to the Mushroom Stomp after a hard-fought match. Afterwards, Ki offered a hand to McGuinness, who declined, then spit in Homicide’s face, earning him a Cop Killah for his troubles) World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe fought to a 30 minute time limit draw (The fans chanted for five more minutes, but Daniels bailed out, Alison Danger, Xavier, Rhino, Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer covering him. Ricky Steamboat came out and announced that at November To Remember, Joe will get a rematch and this time, there will be NO TIME LIMIT!!) With the World Pure Title rematch set for November to Remember, the Prophecy/Impact Players feud escalates, with Rhino putting Justin Credible out of action (writing him off TV, as he has elected not to renew his contract). Corino seeks revenge for his fallen comrade, setting up a match between Corino and Rhino for November to Remember. Doug Williams has found an ally in his crusade against The Prophecy, in Bryan Danielson. At November to Remember, the pair will join forces to take on Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer, the next Prophecy members on Williams’ list. Low Ki’s next challenger for the World Extreme Title will be his and Homicide’s former ally, Tajiri. Feeling like he was forgotten about after he returned from his hiatus earlier in the year, Tajiri sees a chance to get a bit of payback against his former friends and win a World Title in the process… At Anarchy Rules, Michael Shane brought in an old friend in the form of Hernandez. Spanky, looking for a bit of payback on his fellow Texas Wrestling Academy graduates, patches things up with Paul London to challenge the duo to a match at November to Remember. The Carnage Crew are the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles at November to Remember, after winning the four-way dance at Anarchy Rules. The Sinister Minister says his Unholy Alliance are not afraid of Carnage, so Loc and Devito can bring it on. Rob Van Dam was victorious over Eddie Guerrero at Anarchy Rules in a violent Hardcore Match. Both men were banged up afterwards, with Guerrero suffering cracked ribs. With Eddie out for a month, RVD finds himself taking on The Embassy’s John Cena in a special attraction match. Raven once again defeated CM Punk at Anarchy Rules, not only winning, but injuring Punk in the process. Raven takes delight in his actions, but Joey Matthews confronts him. Matthews calls Punk a friend and says that Raven is just a pathetic excuse for a human being. Raven annihilates Matthews, but “saves just enough” for the PPV… In what is becoming a staple of ECW PPVs, due to the size of the roster, a six man Scramble is announced between Donovan Morgan, Xavier, Nigel McGuinness, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Jack Evans. And in a number one contenders 3-Way Dance, it will be The Briscoes, The Backseat Boyz and The FBI, battling for the chance to face the Champs at Final Battle in December… November to Remember resultsXavier def. Donovan Morgan, Nigel McGuinness, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Jack Evans in a Scramble Match The Briscoes def. The Backseat Boyz and The FBI in a 3-Way Dance (Jay Briscoe pinned Little Guido, Mark Briscoe pinned Trent Acid) Raven def. Joey Matthews (Raven made quick work of Matthews with an Evenflow on a chair, then continued to attack him after the bell. Finally, CM Punk ran out to save Mercury from the assault and forced Raven and The Gathering to retreat) Michael Shane and Hernandez def. Spanky and Paul London Rob Van Dam def. John Cena (Jimmy Rave tried to interfere, but he and Cena collided again, allowing Van Dam to hit a spinning heel kick, then a Five Star Frog Splash for the win. After the match, Cena and Rave brawled, until Prince Nana got between them. He made them shake hands, only to then have Bam Bam Bigelow attack Cena from behind! The Embassy beat Cena down, before Rave place a foot on his chest, a show of blatant disrespect for his now-former ally) The Carnage Crew def. World Tag Team Champions The Unholy Alliance to win the titles (this was Mikey Whipwreck’s last match as a full-time wrestler for ECW) Rhino def. Steve Corino (Rhino Gored Corino through the guardrail, then Piledrove him off the middle rope for the win) World Extreme Champion Low Ki def. Tajiri to retain Doug Williams and Bryan Danielson def. Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels def. Samoa Joe to retain (Rhino, Xavier and Alison Danger interfered in the match at every turn. Even after Ricky Steamboat ordered them to the back, threatening to strip Daniels of the title if they didn’t leave, Daniels was able to use a chain Danger slipped him to knock Joe out, then hit the Best Moonsault Ever for the win. After the match, Doug Williams came out and told Daniels that he would see him at Final Battle) Doug Williams has spent the better part of 2003 waging war on The Prophecy. Despite being defeated multiple times by Christopher Daniels and even being forced to join The Prophecy at one point, Williams has persevered and now, at Final Battle, will get one last shot at the World Pure Title. But in order to get Daniels to agree to the match, Williams was forced to put his career on the line, so at Final Battle, it will be The Anarchist vs. The Fallen Angel, career vs. title… After his emphatic victory at November to Remember, Rhino has stated he wants to get back into the title picture. At Final Battle, he gets his chance when he challenges Low Ki for the World Extreme Title. Rhino has ended careers and put people on the shelf, most recently The Impact Players. Will Low Ki be able to stop the rampage, or will we have a new World Extreme Champion? Since returning to ECW in February, Raven has crusaded against Paul Heyman and his company’s evolution. Longing for the days when he mutilated people for fun, all of Raven’s matches have been uncomfortable callbacks to the ECW of olden days. But in the midst of his crusade, CM Punk was the follower who didn’t march to the tune Raven was playing. And when Raven made it personal by attacking Punk’s beliefs, Punk swore revenge. At Final Battle, the two will meet in a Steel Cage match to settle things once and for all. Rob Van Dam and Eddie Guerrero each have one win in their rivalry. Guerrero used underhanded tricks to beat Van Dam at Death Before Dishonor, while RVD won a wild and brutal Hardcore Match at Anarchy Rules. Guerrero would miss a month of action due to that match, but returned with a vengeance, attacking RVD with a ladder. Ricky Steamboat then announced the two will meet in a Ladder War at Final Battle. The Prophecy have been a near-unstoppable force in ECW for most of 2002, thanks mainly to their numbers advantage and the leadership of Christopher Daniels. But there have been men who have stood against them and at Final Battle, three of those men will men will join forces for a six man war, as Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson and Donovan Morgan take on Dan Maff, BJ Whitmer and Xavier. At November to Remember, The Carnage Crew captured the World Tag Team Titles for the first time and ended the Unholy Alliance’s reign of terror in the process. But The Briscoes, who have been perennial title contenders all year, won a 3-Way Dance at that same event to earn a title shot at Final Battle. The Champions will have their work cut out for them when Loc and DeVito battle Mark and Jay Briscoe. Embassy members Jimmy Rave and John Cena have never gotten along, with Rave always paranoid that Cena was going to usurp him as Prince Nana’s Crown Jewel. After a loss to the World Tag Team Champions at Anarchy Rules, Rave seemed to be on the outs with The Embassy, until November to Remember, when he was at ringside with Prince Nana and Bam Bam Bigelow for Cena’s match with Rob Van Dam. Rave’s interference again cost Cena, but Nana appeared to patch things up between them, until The Embassy double-crossed Cena. Rave, Bigelow and Nana beat him down after the match. At Final Battle, Cena has challenged Rave to a one-on-one match, to settle things once and for all. Another rivalry that has raged on for months has been Michael Shane’s mission to prove he was the best graduate from the Texas Wrestling Academy. He holds singles wins over Spanky and Paul London, as well as a win over both in a 3-Way Dance, and a tag team win over them at November to Remember, thanks to the help of his friend and fellow graduate Hernandez. But London and Spanky have challenged them to a rematch and this time, the Code of Honor is suspended, as it will be London and Spanky vs. Shane and Hernandez in a Fight Without Honor. Since losing the World Tag Team Titles at November to Remember, The Sinister Minister has been dealing with an uncontrollable monster in the form of Abyss, who has run roughshod on anyone and everyone who gets in his way. At Final Battle, he will face CW Anderson in his one-on-one PPV match. In a special tag team attraction, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin will team up to face the pairing of Jack Evans and Nova. Nigel McGuinness battles Kid Kash in singles action, and in a Melee Scramble, it will be Cheech and Cloudy vs. Izzy and Dixie vs. The Backseat Boyz vs. Jimmy Jacobs and Julio Dinero vs. The FBI vs. The Ring Crew Express. Under melee rules, each participant must be pinned or submitted until only one man or team remains. Final Battle resultsThe Backseat Boyz def. The Gathering, The FBI, Cheech and Cloudy, Izzy and Dixie and The Ring Crew Express in a Melee Scramble (Marcos pinned Cloudy, Izzy pinned Little Guido, Jimmy Jacobs pinned Dunn, Izzy pinned Marcos, Trent Acid pinned Cheech, Dixie pinned Tony Mamaluke, Julio Dinero pinned Izzy, Johnny Kashmere pinned Dixie, Jacobs pinned Kashmere, Acid pinned Dinero, and Acid pinned Jacobs to win the match) Nigel McGuinness def. Kid Kash (Nigel pinned Kash after a Tower of London) Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin def. Jack Evans and Nova (after the match, Evans refused to shake hands with Shelley and Sabin, until Nova forced him to. Nova offered to mentor Evans, who laughed in his partner’s face before walking away) Abyss def. CW Anderson (Abyss defeated Anderson in two minutes with a Blackhole Slam) Paul London and Spanky def. Michael Shane and Hernandez in a Fight Without Honor (London pinned Shane after a Shooting Star Press through a table) John Cena def. Jimmy Rave (Bam Bam Bigelow and Prince Nana tried to interfere, but Cena fought them off, including a Death Valley Driver to Bigelow off the entrance ramp to the concrete floor. Cena went on to pin Rave with another Death Valley Driver; this is Bigelow’s final ECW appearance) World Tag Team Champions The Carnage Crew def. The Briscoes to retain (Loc pinned Jay Briscoe after a Carnage Driver to retain the titles) Eddie Guerrero def. Rob Van Dam in a Ladder War (Eddie positioned RVD across two chairs, then delivered a Frog Splash off a ladder to get the win) Samoa Joe, Donovan Morgan and Bryan Danielson def. Dan Maff, BJ Whitmer and Xavier (Alison Danger tried to interfere, but was stopped by former Special K valet Becky Bayless. As the two fought to the back, Maff and Whitmer tried to set up a table, but Ricky Steamboat came out and threatened to suspend them if they did it. In the end, Joe, Danielson and Morgan scored simultaneous submissions on Maff, Whitmer and Xavier to get the win) CM Punk def. Raven in a Steel Cage Match (Punk won with a Pedigree off the top of the cage, a move referred to as The Pepsi Plunge) World Extreme Champion Low Ki def. Rhino to retain (Low Ki absorbed a Gore through a table and held a Guillotine on Rhino, before transitioning into the Dragon Clutch to get the win, when Rhino tapped out) Doug Williams def. World Pure Champion Christopher Daniels to win the tittle (after a 40 minute classic, Williams finally hit a Chaos Theory on Daniels in the center of the ring to capture the title)
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Post by Celexa Bliss on Oct 3, 2021 10:56:51 GMT -5
Titillating Nonstop Action 2003 NWA-TNA was in it’s first full year of operation in 2003. Still running a weekly PPV model, the company had set up a deal in the UK for a syndicated show called Xplosion, which would show highlights from the weekly shows, which non-US viewers were unable to see. But with their limited exposure around the world, the new company still ran a distant fourth to the “Big 3” in 2003…
The year begins with Jeff Jarret facing oncoming challenges from the likes of Curt Hennig, Scott Hall, BG James, Ron “The Truth” Killings and Brian Lawler. A Jarrett/Hennig match is set for the February 13 PPV, but sadly, Hennig passes away on February 10th at the age of 44. The company pays tribute to the fallen legend, but this is wrestling, where the show must go on. That night, a four corners match sees Scott Hall defeat BG James, Ron “The Killings” and Brian Lawler to earn a title shot the following week. In a truly tasteless moment, Jarrett says he “might” see Hall next week, but if he doesn’t, “tell Curt I would’ve beat him AND you.” In said title match, Jarrett does defeat Hall, who leaves the company a few short weeks later, due to his own personal demons, exacerbated by the death of his mentor. But after the match, D’Lo Brown, fresh from being released by WWE, arrives on the scene to challenge Jarrett.
Finding himself facing too many challengers, Jarrett goes to his good friend, Vince Russo, for assistance. In the coming weeks, a new faction appears on TNA PPVs, Sports Entertainment Xtreme (S.E.X… fun with acronyms, kids). Comprising the group is everyone’s favorite Nazi twin tag team, The Harris Brothers, Brian Lee (who ends his association with Slash for this), Malice, and Triple X (in this timeline, the group is comprised of Kaz Hayashi, Kaos and Onyx). Notably, Russo does not act as a leader for the group, but certainly remains an on-screen presence for most of the year. Instead, Russo’s role is that of a mad creator, a Wizard of Oz-type character who grants the wishes of his talent. Slash needs a new partner? Here’s Sinn Bodhi! The Shane Twins want more screen-time? They’re The Johnsons, now! Jorge Estrada has nothing to do? Meet your new partners, Sonny Siaki and Redd Dawg, The Flying Elvises!! (unsurprisingly, The Shane Twins and Estrade leave the promotion in short order. Siaki, Redd Dawg and Slash opt to stick it out, though)
In March, Triple X win the Tag Team Titles from America’s Most Wanted, before dropping them two weeks later when the Road Warriors make their surprise debut. Unfortunately, due to his own personal demons, Hawk is forced to leave the company after a month. Animal ends up losing the titles back to Kaos and Onyx, after Hayashi “substitutes” for Hawk. Animal is also gone by the end of the month. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express come in for a cup of coffee, but are unable to make much of an impact before they also leave.
In the X Division, it’s Jerry Lynn who makes the biggest impact, capturing the title in February and going on to hold it well into the summer. Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera and Sean Waltman all depart the company during this time, while Lynn finds his biggest challenges coming from Apolo and Christian York, including the creation of the first-ever Ultimate X Match, a ladder match without the ladders. York walks away as the new Champion heading into the fall.
As for Jarrett, after a months-long feud with D’Lo Brown, he finds himself facing the likes of Diamond Dallas Page, Brian Lawler, Ken Shamrock and Sabu. Lawler will be gone by September, as will Jarrett’s ally, Malice, both due to personal demons, which is quickly becoming the company’s biggest heel.
Many names come and go in 2003, including Perry Saturn, Mike Lockwood, Chyna and Don Callis, none of whom last the year in TNA. By year’s end, the roster is smaller than ever, but the company is already talking about running it’s first three-hour Sunday night PPV, Bound For Glory, in March of 2004. The headline match? NWA World Champion Jeff Jarrett vs. ...Hulk Hogan...
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