ECW - Survival of the Most Extreme (fantasy booking)

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So the TNN deal was supposed to be what saved ECW. As we all know, due to a lack of promotion, a lack of budget and a lack of trust, the deal did not work out. While many put the blame solely on TNN, ECW was unable to keep Taz or The Dudleys, not due to money, but because Heyman simply wouldn't fight for them. But what if...?

What if Heyman did what he had to do to keep Taz and The Dudleys in ECW? What if TNN, seeing that Heyman believed in the show, gave ECW more promotion? A bigger budget? And gave Heyman more freedom to do as he wanted? And what if the injury bug didn't hit Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn, two of the company's biggest names, at the worst possible time? Would things have been different? That's what I hope to find out.

ECW Roster
Taz – ECW World Champion
Rob Van Dam w/ Bill Alfonzo – ECW Television Champion
Sabu w/ Bill Alfonzo
Jerry Lynn
Justin Credible w/ Jason
Lance Storm w/ Dawn Marie
Masato Tanaka
Tommy Dreamer w/ Francine – ECW World Tag Team Champion
Raven – ECW World Tag Team Champion
Bubba Ray Dudley w/ Sign Guy Dudley
D-Von Dudley w/ Sign Guy Dudley
Little Spike Dudley
Balls Mahoney
Axl Rotten
New Jack
Rhino
Steve Corino w/ Jack Victory
Yoshihiro Tajiri
Super Crazy
Little Guido Maritato w/ Big Sal E. Graziano
Kid Kash
Danny Doring w/ Miss Congeniality
Amish Roadkill
Nova
Chris Chetti
Simon Diamond
Skull Von Crush
CW Anderson
Billy Wiles
Tony DeVito
Jazz
Tom Marquez
Chris Candido w/ Tammy Lynn Sytch

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I will be using Hardcore TV mainly to give non-featured talent a chance to shine. In addition, I'm going with a block taping system, where three or four shows are taped in a single night. So, for example, the first four episodes of ECW on TNN were taped on August 27th in New York at the Elk's Lodge. Meanwhile, the Hardcore TV episodes in that same block are from the ECW Arena on August 28th, except for the first one, which features matches from August 26th in New York. Only the first episode on TNN will be live, the rest will usually be taped the Friday and/or Saturday after a PPV. So for the block of shows following Anarchy Rulz, the 9/24/99 show will be highlights from Anarchy Rulz. Then the next four shows (9/30, 10/7, 10/14 and 10/21) will be taped on the 24th in Buffalo, while that same block of Hardcore TV episodes, featuring wrestlers not highlighted on TNN, will be taped on the 25th in Plymouth, Michigan. I know it's confusing, but I've put enough thought into it that it should work out.

ECW on TNN
Live Series Premiere Episode
New York City, New York
August 27th, 1999
The show opens with Justin Credible and Jason already on their way to the ring. Joey Styles announces that we are live on TNN and to kick things off, we are going to have an ECW Television Championship match. Rob Van Dam is out next, accompanied by Bill Alfonzo. After ring announcer Stephen DeAngelis does the introductions, referee John Finegan calls for the opening bell.

The match starts off slow, with a collar and elbow tie-up, followed by RVD transitioning into a side headlock. Credible pushes him off and into the ropes, RVD bounces back, leap frog over Credible, who turns into a spinning back kick from RVD. Irish whip by the Champion, Credible off the rebound into a back elbow, then Van Dam springboard’s off the ropes into a cross body block. As they hit the mat, RVD hooks the leg, but Credible kicks out just after two.

Now the pace picks up, as Van Dam goes up top. Credible catches him coming off the ropes with a power slam, but only gets a two count. Van Dam runs the ropes, ducking a Credible clothesline attempt, then coming back with a leap frog, then hitting the ropes again and delivering a diving clothesline. Credible rolls outside, but Van Dam dives over the top rope onto him! RVD is handed a chair by a fan and uses it to crack Credible over the head. However, as he takes a moment to play to the crowd, Lance Storm clobbers the Champion from behind, then throws him head first into the ring steps.

The Impact Players throw Van Dam back in the ring, then proceed to initiate the double team. Double Irish whip into the ropes, then they catch Van Dam with a double falling stun gun across the top rope. RVD collapses, clutching his throat, as Credible is handed his Singapore cane by Jason and begins to use it to beat the crap out of Van Dam. Meanwhile, Storm is setting up a table. Storm and Credible throw RVD onto the table, but the lights go out! When they come back on, Sabu is the ring! Sabu chucks a chair at Storm, knocking him to the mat, but RVD shoves Sabu down!

In a flash, Sabu is back up and in Van Dam’s face. As the two argue, Fonzie tries to make peace, only for Dawn Marie to slide in with a low blow! Credible and Storm waylay RVD and Sabu, then Credible and Storm take Sabu out with a double suplex through the table. Jason and Dawn slide a second table into the ring, as Storm and Credible hammer away on Van Dam. Storm sets up the table, as Credible works over RVD. With the table in position, Credible pulls him up on the table, only for Jerry Lynn to run down the aisle and into the ring!

Lynn takes down Storm with a Superkick, as Van Dam shoves Credible off the table, causing him to hit the top rope chest first. As Credible whiplash’s backwards, Van Dam grabs him and rolls him onto the table, then leaps to the top rope, for the Five Star Frog Splash! 1! 2! 3! RVD retains the Television Championship!

Jerry Lynn goes to raise RVD’s hand, but Van Dam shoves him down and grabs the mic.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Jerry! We may have tagged last month at the PPV, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re still a rival for this Television Title! I will take on any and all comers anytime, anywhere. And the reason for that is because while everyone else is just part of the show, I’m Rob! Van! Dam! And I’m the Whole f***in’ Show!”

The crowd cheers this, as Jerry, back to his feet, just glares. Suddenly, The Impact Players ambush both men with chair and cane shots, respectively. Credible tosses Van Dam to the outside, as Storm starts kicking the leftover debris from the match out of the way. He grabs the mic.

“Get a f***in’ ref out here!”

Storm stomps away at Lynn, who tries to cover up as best he can. John “Pee-Wee” Moore comes running down the aisle, frantically signaling for the bell. Storm pulls Lynn up for a cradle piledriver, but Lynn fights out of it, then back body drop’s Storm over the top rope. Storm lands on the apron and as Lynn turns around, connects with a forearm to the jaw. Storm steps back in the ring and grabs Lynn, Irish whip into the turnbuckle. Lynn hits the corner, Storm charges, cross body! Lynn staggers forward, into a DDT from Storm, who covers, but only gets a 2-count.

Storm pulls Lynn up and shoots him into the ropes again, but Lynn ducks the clothesline attempt, the bounds off the other side with a diving clothesline of his own! Both men are down! Moore begins the ten count, but Lynn breaks it at six. Both men up now, chop by Lynn, punch by Storm, chop, punch, chop, punch, punch, chop, chop, chop, chop, Irish whip into the ropes, back body drop! Storm gets to his feet while clutching his back. Lynn with a kick to the midsection then he sets up for his own cradle piledriver, only for Credible to crack him upside the head with the Singapore cane! Lynn goes down in a heap, Storm pulls him up, cradle piledriver! 1! 2! 3! Lance Storm pins Jerry Lynn!

As The Impact Players celebrate, Sabu comes running back out, his ribs taped up, chair in hand. He tosses the chair into the ring, Storm grabs it. From out of nowhere, RVD hits a Van-Daminator! Sabu tackles Credible to the mat and rains down punches until Jason pulls his charge from the ring. Fonzie and RVD have to hold Sabu back, as Lynn slowly gets to his feet, looking frustrated. He spins Van Dam around by the shoulders and shoves him, then points at the TV Title, making it known he wants next…

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After some ads for ECW home video and upcoming events, we go to The Dudley Boys, walking backstage with the ECW World Tag Team Championship. Sign Guy brags that his boys regained the belts last night in New York and took out their rotten baby brother Spike in the process. Bubba says that they are the most dominant team in the company, this is their eighth title reign, the most of any one team in any major company. As the team talks, highlights of the previous night’s match air. After D-Von testifies, we cut to the final five minutes of the match, including the finish, where D-Von and Bubba 3-D’s Spike through a flaming table to recapture the titles. We then cut to Spike and Balls backstage. Spike says he’s in rough shape, but once he’s cleared by doctors, they’re coming for their titles back…

We’re back in the arena now, as The Dudley Boys hit the ring. Nova and Chris Chetti, and Danny Doring and Roadkill, are in the ring, waiting for their match to start, but the Champs take out both teams! Bubba grabs the mic and calls Spike a disgrace to the Dudley name. He goes on to claim nearly all of the ECW roster are a bunch of “p*****s, singling out Tommy Dreamer as the biggest one. “Well, other than his girlfriend’s! Not the current one, the one who’s neck we broke last year!” Dreamer is seen trying to come down the aisle, but is stopped by Paul Heyman, Francine and others. Bubba and D-Von continue to goad Dreamer, as Francine tearfully proclaims that Tommy isn’t medically cleared to compete. After one final dig at Tommy, saying he’ll go down as “wrestling’s ultimate p****”, Tommy grabs the mic and says, “f*** you, get me a referee!”

The Dudleys lay the Tag Titles on the mat, officially accepting the challenge of Dreamer. Referee Jim Molineaux reluctantly heads to the ring, as Dreamer rolls in, only to be ambushed by The Dudleys! Molineaux calls for the bell as Bubba and D-Von mercilessly punch and kick his back. However, when they go for the 3-D, Dreamer manages to DDT D-Von! A cheer goes up and before Bubba can do anything to help his brother, RAVEN hops the barricade, slides into the ring and DDT’s him! He drapes Dreamer’s arm over Bubba, 1! 2! 3! We have new ECW World Tag Team Champions! Tommy Dreamer and… Raven?!

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Cutting to Joey Styles and Joel Gertner in the announce booth, they start hyping ECW’s next pay-per-view event, on September 19th, from Villa Park, Illinois. While no matches have officially been announced, Jerry Lynn has challenged Rob Van Dam for the Television Championship. The Dudleys then barge in and Bubba screams that they want their rematch with Dreamer and Raven and they want it next week! As his former charges leave, Gertner segues into talking about the ECW World Heavyweight Champion Taz and his reign of dominance…

This takes us to a video highlighting Taz’s greatest moments and signature moves, set to the Champion’s entrance theme. This then transitions back to the arena, as Taz makes his way to the ring for the main event, a title defense against Skull Von Crush. Skull is never really able to get into second gear, as Taz just tosses him around with suplex after suplex, before locking in the Taz-Mission to retain the title.

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After a short break, we again go to Styles and Gertner, who recap the events we witnessed on the broadcast. Styles reveals that RVD has accepted Jerry Lynn’s challenge and he will defend the title against his long-time rival next week! Finally, Gertner throws to comments from Taz.

Now dressed in street clothes, Taz is standing in the parking lot, the ECW Championship slung over his shoulder. He proclaims a new era for ECW, now on TNN. After promising to take TNN to the extreme, he asks the question on everyone’s mind: who will be the next to try and take his title? He doesn’t have an answer to that. But next week, he wants to know who will be challenging him at Anarchy Rulz. Whoever it is, they can beat him if they can… but survive, if he lets you…

ECW Hardcore TV
August 28th, 1999
Quick Results
The Dudley Boys def. ECW Tag Team Champions Spike Dudley and Balls Mahoney to win the titles
ECW World Champion Taz def. Yoshihiro Tajiri to retain

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ECW on TNN
Taped August 27th
New York City, New York
September 3rd, 1999
Last week on ECW…

- Rob Van Dam defeated Justin Credible to retain the ECW Television Championship, while Lance Storm defeated Jerry Lynn. Later in the show, a pissed off Lynn challenged Van Dam to a match

- The Dudley Boys provoked Tommy Dreamer into a fight, where Dreamer shockingly won the ECW Tag Team Championship with a most-unlikely tag team partner… Raven?!

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Joey Styles and Joel Gertner are in the ring as the show begins. After going through Gertner’s raunchy ring intro, Styles brings out one half of the new ECW Tag Team Champions, Raven. Raven gets a nice ovation as he hops the guardrail and sits in the corner of the ring. Styles recaps what happened last week when Raven made his surprise return to the company and helped Tommy Dreamer defeat The Dudleys to win the Tag Team titles. Joey asks Raven why he would help the man who forced him out of ECW in the first place? Raven gestures for a mic and is handed Gertner’s.

“Joey, everybody wants to know why I helped Tommy Dreamer last week. But nobody wants to know why I’m back in ECW. Isn’t anyone interested in that story?”

Joey tries to say that the story is headline news in the dirtsheets, but Raven cuts him off.

“No, Joey! Nobody knows my story! The story of a man named Raven, who nobody ever believed in. Oh sure, people believed in Scott Levy, but only when he was being this flamboyant pretty boy, Scotty Flamingo. Or being the egocentric Scotty The Body. Oh, how about Johnny Polo? He was really over in New York, wasn’t he?”

The fans boo the mention of Raven’s past gimmicks.

“But nobody wanted Scott Levy as he was. Nobody wanted me as I was. What about me? What about Raven?! Why didn’t anyone want me?!

But one man who wanted me and trusted my vision of who I was, was Paul Heyman. Paul never once tried to make me someone I wasn’t. He took a chance on Raven when the rest of the world was too scared to. And how did Raven repay him? By jumping ship at the height of this company’s popularity for the greener pastures of Turner Tower. And how did that go?

Eric Bischoff wanted to tone me down, wanted to tweak who I was. Oh sure, he pretended to get who Raven was for a little bit. At least until the big orange devil on his left shoulder told him to kill Raven’s heat. “Break up The Flock. Brother. The kid ain’t that over. Dude. Have him do the rich kid gimmick again. Jack. Squash that jabroni before he gets to my level, because I can’t hang with Raven!”

And that’s when Raven realized that Eric didn’t have Raven’s best intentions in mind, only his friends’. And when Raven spoke about it, Eric took him off TV. Cooled him off. But when I returned, I was still over! Eric, you couldn’t kill my heat! So then he took me off TV again and wanted to bring back as the fourth wheel in a vehicle for Vampiro and a pair of rapping clowns. And that was when Raven had enough. Raven walked out. Walked out on Eric Bischoff. Walked out on WCW. Walked out on every greedy, business-minded booker who only wanted him to be a midcarder! And Raven. Came.

Home. Back to ECW. Back to where his career… no, back to where his LIFE, truly began. And who was the first person I saw upon walking out in the stands last week? Tommy Dreamer. Tommy. We can never escape each other, can we? It’s as if we’re destined to do this forever. But I decided to change it up. Add a bit of spice to an old recipe. Because instead of being at war with one another, now you and I are at war with everybody else! We’re brothers-in-arms and brothers-in-blood, whether you like it or not! Because let’s face it, Tommy. Who else have you got? The Snake? Dude’s too bruised and boozed to help himself, let alone you. Funk? You blew that one up all on your own, Tommy! The Franchise? I mean, maybe in a couple of months, after he pisses off Bischoff again…

It was me, Tommy! It was always me! I’m back and now, instead of being your doom, I’m going to be your salvation. Because it’s you and me, Tommy. You and me…

Until death…

Do us part…

Quoth the Raven.

Nevermore.”

Raven drops the mic and rolls out of the ring, exiting through the crowd from which he came. Joey and Gertner speculate about later tonight, as The Dudleys have demanded their rematch for the titles. We go to a network-sponsored break.

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Jerry Lynn is making his way to the ring when ECW returns, as our opening contest is for the Television Championship. “Walk” then plays as Rob Van Dam makes his way to the ring to defend his title against a very familiar opponent.

The following match consists of clipped highlights for the TV audience, due to time constraints

- Van Dam and Lynn jockey for position out of the lockup, with Lynn getting Van Dam in a hammerlock. A foot on the back of the knee forces Van Dam down, where Lynn uses his knees to work over the Champion’s back. Still holding the hammerlock, Lynn pulls Van Dam back up and works his arm out of the hold, then Irish whip’s him into the ropes. A running start by Lynn, but he collides with the turnbuckle only, as RVD moves just in time.

As Lynn rolls out of the ring, Van Dam leaps over the top rope onto him! Lynn falls back against the guardrail and Van Dam turns him around, so that he’s leaning over the barricade. RVD then climbs back up on the apron and comes down on Lynn with a spinning leg drop!

- Back in the ring, RVD grabs a chair and sets it up in the middle of the ring. As Lynn attempts a charge, Van Dam catches him and goes to swing him into the chair, but Lynn reverses and shoots Van Dam into the corner, then launches off the chair with a somersault senton into a frankensteiner, which sends Van Dam back first onto the chair!

- Lynn holds the chair as Van Dam, busted open now, tries to get to his feet. Lynn measures the shot, but as he swings, Van Dam ducks, then hits the Van Damminator! He goes for the cover! 1! 2! Kickout!

Van Dam can’t believe it, that was his big desperation move and it failed. He grabs the chair and throws it out of the ring in frustration, then yells at Fonzie to give it back to him. Fonzie tosses it back, Van Dam catches it… dropkick by Lynn! The chair bounces off Van Dam’s face, then Lynn scoops him up and hits the cradle piledriver! Cover! 1! 2! Kickout!

Now it’s Lynn’s turn to be frustrated, because Van Dam just kicked out of his best move!

- As Lynn kicks the ropes in frustration, The Impact Players run out and attack both Champion and challenger! Credible works over Lynn with the cane, as Storm pulls Van Dam up and hoists him onto the top turnbuckle. He climbs up with him, superplex on the folded up chair!

- The match has now turned into a tag team contest. Storm has Van Dam in the single leg crab. Credible is on the apron, cheering on Storm, while in the opposite corner, Lynn, big welts on his back from the cane, is urgently imploring Van Dam to get to the ropes. RVD looks like he’s about to tap, only to then use his last ounce of strength to propel himself and Storm into the corner! Storm’s face hits the top turnbuckle and he falls backwards, as Van Dam reaches out and tags Lynn! Storm manages to roll over and tag in Credible!

Lynn and Credible trade punches, before Credible goes for an Irish whip into the ropes. Lynn reverses it, then hits a sloppy overhead armdrag to the rebounding Credible. However, as Lynn gets to his feet, Storm drops him with a Superkick, then drapes Credible over him! 1! 2! 3! The Impact Players win, avenging their loss from Heatwave!

The Impact Players celebrate, but the lights go out! When they come back on, Sabu is in the ring and he rams a chair into Jason’s head! Credible rolls to the outside, as Sabu lunges for Storm, but Storm shoves the rising Lynn in front of him. Sabu nails Lynn instead, as the Impact Players hurry up the aisle to the safety of the locker room. In the ring, Sabu and Van Dam are arguing, as Fonzie tries to get them to shake hands. They finally, begrudgingly, do as Fonzie asks, only for Lynn to fell Sabu with a superkick, then warn Van Dam that things are far from settled between them…

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When we come back from commercial, Taz and Paul Heyman are seated at a table, surrounded by reporters and photographers. Cyrus The Virus is also there, seated on the opposite side of Taz, as an “Office Representative”. Several questions are asked, all pertaining to TNN, but whenever Taz or Heyman try to answer, Cyrus speaks over them, pushing the narrative that Taz and ECW are very happy to be on TNN. When the topic of questioning turns to the World Title, Cyrus first answers, pushing names like Ulf Herman, Uganda and Super Calo as potential opponents for the Champ. Heyman then throws out some more realistic names, like Super Crazy, Steve Corino, Rhino, Little Guido, etc.

It’s at that point that Judge Jeff Jones walks into the press conference, alongside Japanese sensation Masato Tanaka. Jones announces himself as Tanaka’s representative and presents a contract, signed by Tanaka, for a title shot against Taz. Heyman questions the validity of the contract, but Jones promises it’s very legal and just needs Taz’s signature. Heyman tries to read it over, while Cyrus is seen trying to talk Taz out of signing. However, the ECW Champion grabs the contract from Heyman and signs it, then stomps over to Tanaka. As he shoves the contract in Jones’ hands, he then holds up the belt, which Tanaka stares at, longingly, before turning his attention back to Taz. At Anarchy Rulz, these two will square off for the ECW Championship…

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Joey Styles and Joel Gertner announce that next week on TNN, Rob Van Dam will defend the Television Title against Lance Storm, as The Dudleys storm the ring, still pissed off after losing the Tag Team Titles last week. Bubba grabs the mic and begins inciting the crowd, when Raven comes running in from the opposite side of the arena he entered and exited from earlier. He nails both brothers with chairshots, as John Finegan calls for the bell. Raven continues to attack both men, before the numbers game gets to much for him. “Man in the Box” hits over the speakers, as Tommy Dreamer and Francine make their way out. Dreamer quickly hands Francine his belt, then dives into the ring, right into Bubba’s waiting arms.

Bubba scoops up Dreamer and slam’s him. D-Von, meanwhile, has Raven in the corner, punching him, then pulling him back up. Bubba throws Dreamer into the opposite corner. The Dudleys go for the Irish whips, but the Champs reverse it and send Bubba and D-Von careening into one another! As the Dudleys stagger back, Dreaner and Raven hit simultaneous DDTs on the two. Sign Guy Dudley comes in, but eats a double DDT, before Raven and Dreamer finally face off. As the old rivals stare down, the fans aren’t sure what to expect. Raven raises his arms in his signature pose. Dreamer eyes Raven cautiously, before responding in kind with his own pose! The fans cheer the united former rivals, who turn and pull up the former Champs for more punishment.

Raven and Dreamer set the Dudleys up for stereo piledrivers, but Bubba and D-Von back body drop out of them! Dreamer is dispatched to the outside, while Sign Guy Dudley slides a table in the ring. D-Von sets it up, while Bubba batters Raven with a chair. As they prepare to hit the 3D on Raven, Francine gets in the ring and delivers a kick to Bubba, straight through the uprights! D-Von grabs her by the hair, but Dreamer comes back in with a chair, knocking D-Von off of Francine and straight into the waiting arms of Raven, who hits the Evenflow! 1! 2! 3! The Champs retain!

Dreamer, Raven and Francine all go into the crowd to celebrate their win, as The Dudleys are left nursing their wounds to end the show…

ECW Hardcore TV
Taped August 28th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 4th, 1999
This edition of Hardcore TV contains a promo from Danny Doring, Roadkill and Miss Congeniality, as they continue their feud with Nova and Chris Chetti. Doring warned Chetti to keep his hands off of his girl, while Congeniality was shaving her legs in the background, much to disgust of Roadkill… CHICKENS!

Later in the broadcast, Steve Corino, Jack Victory, Rhino and Tajiri had choice words for Taz, Paul Heyman and Cyrus, after they were passed over for a World Title match. Corino then challenged Tanaka to a match next week on Hardcore TV.

Finally, Bill Alfonzo revealed that at Anarchy Rulz, Sabu has been cleared to return to the ring and he will take on Justin Credible!

Quick Results
Danny Doring and Roadkill def. Nova and Chris Chetti
Rhino def. Skull Von Crush
Super Crazy def. Yoshihiro Tajiri

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter - 9/6/99

- TNN was pleased with the ratings for the first episode of the new ECW show. However, what they weren't pleased about was Paul Heyman incorporating parts of the show into the following day's episode of Hardcore TV. TNN believed they would be getting exclusive content, in order to encourage fans to watch the show every week. So executives were not happy when Tommy Dreamer and Raven winning the Tag Team Titles was shown on the syndicated program. Joey Styles and Paul Heyman both took jabs at TNN over the complaint during the 9/3 episode, but it's worth noting that the companion episode of Hardcore TV didn't contain any TNN footage.

- Rumor has it that Mike Awesome was set to challenge Taz for the ECW World Title at Anarchy Rulz, but WCW was able to poach him from ECW before that occurred. This explains why the previously babyface Masato Tanaka was being advised by heel Jeff Jones on the 9/3 episode. Heyman has been working on locking down as much talent as possible. Going into the summer, Taz and The Dudleys were rumored to be in talks with the WWF, but those talks seem to have fallen through. We are hearing that Taz has been bored with his role in ECW, but Heyman pitched him an idea that he really liked. As for the Dudleys, they apparently only wanted a one dollar raise to stay in Philly.

- Despite managing to keep Taz and The Dudleys, all is not rainbows and unicorns for ECW backstage. Notorious for their lack of money, there have been rumors of a number talents being several months behind on pay. Heyman apparently held a meeting before the first TNN show and offered anyone who wanted to leave the opportunity to do so. While nobody took up the offer that evening, we have learned that Skull Von Crush, Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch have been negotiating with the WWF (Von Crush) and WCW (all three). Awesome's departure actually occurred before the first show, but wasn't announced until this past week. Supposedly, most of the roster had no idea until the press conference actually aired.

- The current angle between Raven and Tommy Dreamer was said to be Raven's idea. It is believed that it will eventually build Raven assembling a new Flock and feuding with Dreamer once again. Potential members of the group could include recent House of Hardcore graduate, Tom Marquez, who would play the Stevie Richards role.

- A number of possible angles have been discussed for Marquez, including a feud with Chris Chetti, a fellow graduate of the school. In addition, there was talk of pairing him with Simon Diamond, reportedly the latest Heyman project to be getting an entourage, which typically results in a major push. The other idea I've heard being thrown around for Marquez is that he would debut as Little Guido's partner in a new version of the Full-Blooded Italians, but that seems the least likely of the ideas I've heard.

- Cyrus was officially mentioned to be an "Office Representative" during the 9/3 TNN show. Cyrus (Don Callis, formerly The Jackyl in the WWF) is set to play a major role on ECW TV going forward, as a heel authority figure to counter Paul Heyman as the "people's boss". We've heard talk of him being linked to Steve Corino's growing entourage (yep, another one of those. Why does Heyman think every heel needs a stable??) as they push him to the top of the company.

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

ECW on TNN
Taped August 27th
New York City, New York
September 10th, 1999
We open deep in the bowels of the arena, where we find Tommy Dreamer, Francine and Raven gathered together. Last week, Dreamer accepted Raven as his tag team partner and the two defeated The Dudleys to retain the titles. Raven is seated against the wall, Dreamer on a chair next to him, Francine on his lap. Dreamer talks about the shock he felt when his biggest rival ever made his shocking return to ECW and helped him win the Tag Team Championship. And while at first, Tommy believed it was a ruse, he heard what Raven had to say last week and he was right. Every partner Dreamer has ever had has left him in the lurch. He’s been abandoned so many times, he’s lost count. But the one person who came back, was Raven. So as far as Dreamer’s concerned, he and Raven are now spiritually bonded for life. He and Raven ARE destined to do this forever and when all is said and done, they will go down in history as the greatest Tag Team Champions in ECW history. Raven cracks a grin. “Quoth the Raven. Nevermore...”

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After the intro video, we go straight to the ring, where Little Guido and Big Sal are making their entrance. The fans chant “Where’s my pizza?” as Guido gets in the ring, then Tajiri makes his way to the ring. Referee Pee-Wee Moore calls for the opening bell.

The match begins with a collar and elbow tie-up, with Guido taking Tajiri down into a headlock. Tajiri counters out of it with a head scissors, then both men pop up, but Tajiri kicks Guido in the midsection. Japanese whip into the ropes, as Joey Styles calls it, into a flapjack by Tajiri on Guido. Tajiri with the cover, 1! Kickout!

Tajiri throws Guido to the outside and things are about to get extreme! Tajiri grabs a chair and cracks Guido over the back. Big Sal grabs the chair as Tajiri goes for a second shot, but Tajiri spits green mist in his face! As Sal stumbles around, blinded, Guido low-blow’s Tajiri! Tajiri drops to his knees, as Guido delivers an elbow to the back of the head, then throws Tajiri back in the ring. Grabbing a chair, Guido throws it at Tajiri, who barely avoids being knocked silly. Guido rolls back in, Tajiri runs the ropes, but Guido catches him going for the springboard back elbow and delivers a full-nelson release suplex! Cover by Guido! 1! 2! Kickout!

Guido grabs the chair and sets it between the top and middle turnbuckles. Italian whip by Guido sends Tajiri back first into the chair. Guido charges, but Tajiri moves, causing Guido to crash head first into the chair! Tajiri grabs Guido and again bashes his head into the chair! Guido is busted open now, as Tajiri shoves him to his knees, then hits the Buzzsaw kick! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Tajiri gets the win!

As Tajiri celebrates, Big Sal comes in and starts attacking Tajiri! Big powerslam by Sal, then he pulls Guido off the mat and orders him to go to the top rope. As Guido climbs, Super Crazy comes running down the aisle and shoves Guido off the top rope! Guido crashes into the guardrail, as Crazy climbs up top himself. Crazy goes to jump off the top, but Sal catches him! He goes to slam him down, but Tajiri with the low blow! Sal drops Crazy, then the two long-time rivals deliver a double dropkick to Sal, sending him crashing through the ropes to the outside.

Crazy jumps on the top rope to celebrate, but Tajiri pulls him down and delivers a spinning roundhouse kick, then locks in the Octopus Hold! Tajiri leaves Crazy laying as he walks up the aisle, content in the chaos left in his wake…

------------------------------------

In the locker room, Danny Doring and Roadkill are standing outside the bathroom. Doring begins talking about how he and Roadkill are gunning for the Tag Team Championship. “Tommy Dreamer, Raven, I’m sure you two are riding high right now after winning those Tag Team Titles from The Dudleys. But you’d be idiots to underestimate the rest of the division. The way we see it, The Dudleys should go to the back of the line. And since the Impact Players are more focused on the TV Title, that makes us the next top ranked contenders! After all, we’ve been kicking Chris Chetti and Nova’s asses for months, now! So Dreamer, Raven, I know you two need a team to face at Anarchy Rulz. Well, Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill are right here and we are ready to fight!”

The bathroom door opens and Miss Congeniality walks out, holding her stomach and fanning her nose. “Ugh… I wouldn’t go in there if I were you!”

Roadkill peeks his head in the bathroom, then quickly pulls back, a look of disgust on his face.

“Hey! You know sushi makes me gassy!”

Doring puts an arm around his fiance. “Forget it babe. Let’s go make plans for us to become Tag Team Champions!”

As the two walk off, Roadkill stares at the camera.

“CHICKENS!!”

------------------------------------

Back in the arena, Judge Jeff Jones is in the ring, announcing Masato Tanaka, as Joey Styles and Joel Gertner talk up Tanaka challenging Taz for the ECW World Championship at Anarchy Rulz. Tanaka’s match tonight is more or less a warmup for the PPV, as he takes on Tony DeVito. Tanaka goes through a truncated version of the greatest hits, concluding with a roaring elbow to get the win.

After the match, as Jones talks up Tanaka, a familiar riff plays, followed by the words ”Beat me if you can, survive… if I let you!” Taz makes his way to the ring, as Jones holds Tanaka back. Taz grabs the mic and asks for a referee and a victim. As John Finegan runs out, CW Anderson steps through the curtain, looking to be more than just a victim.

The bell sounds as Taz and Anderson lock up. Jones and Tanaka remain at ringside, watching as Anderson whips Taz into the ropes. On the rebound, Anderson delivers a spinebuster, but Taz pops right back up and delivers a head and arm Taz-plex. He grabs Anderson, hardway Taz-Plex! Then the Tazmission gets locked in and it’s all over. As Taz gets his hand raised, Tanaka grabs him and spins him around. As the two shove one another, Jones and the ECW referee team get between them, as the match will saved for Anarchy Rulz in nine days time…

------------------------------------

Lance Storm and Dawn Marie make their way to the ring as it’s time for the TV Championship to be defended. Rob Van Dam is out next and the bell sounds for our main event on TNN!

Storm and Van Dam quickly start trading punches in the middle of the ring, as Joey Styles puts over the hatred between these two men. Storm delivers a knee to the midsection, then a lifting back suplex. RVD back to his feet, he charges Storm, who ducks the clothesline attempt. But as he turns around, Van Dam hits a jump spinning back kick to the face, knocking Storm into the ropes! Dawn Marie jumps on the apron to check on Storm, but has to quickly jump back down, as Van Dam delivers a springboard missile dropkick! Storm falls to the mat, but manages to roll out of the ring. Van Dam follows him out, as Fonzie hands him a chair. Van Dam lays it on the floor, then pulls Storm up and throws him against the guardrail. Van Dam charges, monkey flip on the chair! Van Dam throws Storm back in the ring, then climbs up on the apron. Springboard spinning leg drop, cover! 1! 2! Justin Credible nails Van Dam with a Singapore cane shot!

Credible pulls Van Dam up, then uses the cane as leverage to deliver a pumphandle slam! Storm crawls over for the cover, 1! 2! Kickout!

Storm and Credible both work over RVD, but Jerry Lynn runs out to even the odds! Lynn delivers a superkick to Credible, knocking him to the outside. Van Dam grabs the chair and tosses it to Storm, then kicks it in his face, Van Damminator! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Van Dam retains!

Van Dam gets his hand raised, but as he does, Lynn rams the chair into his ribcage, then hoists him up for the cradle piledriver! Lynn stands over Van Dam, then picks up the belt and stares at it, longingly, lustfully…

------------------------------------

Backstage, we see Little Guido and Big Sal E. Graziano. Both men are looking battered after tonight’s opening contest. Guido looks up at the camera. “Tajiri, Super Crazy, you two stupidos wanna mess wit da full blooded Italian of ECW, Little Guido? Well, I have an idea for both of yous! See, I know you two are from some other country, MexiPan, Japaco? Somewhere like dat? Well, here in ECW, we have a little tradition yous two probably ain’t evah heard of. We call it the three-way dance! So I’m thinkin’, at Anarchy Rulz, the three of us get together and have us a three-way dance! Three men enter, one man wins! I’ll see both of yous on the 19th!”



We cut to Chris Chetti posing in front of a mirror in his locker room.

“I’m the prettiest looking guy in this company! This face? Belongs in movies, I’ll tell ya!”

We then go to Danny Doring and Miss Congeniality in the back of the Extreme Bus. They are deep into each other’s tonsils. Roadkill walks in, sees them, shakes his head and walks back out.

We go back to Chetti at the mirror.

“I’m the Ricky Martin of Extreme! The Leonardo DiCaprio of Hardcore! And next Sunday at Anarchy Rulz, I’m gonna show all the women in that locker room what they’re missing by not answering my calls! Chris Candido, if you’re not careful, I might even take off with your girl after I beat you!”

We then go to Simon Diamond.

“Simon… has… a problem! You see, that ring out there, it’s a man’s world. The only way a woman should be there is if she’s flaunting her assets for the world. So I have a problem with you, Jazz! You don’t belong in the ring, you belong in the kitchen!”

We cut to Jazz.

“Simon Diamond, who the f*** do you think you are?! You wanna tell Jazz her place in the kitchen? My place is in that ring, kickin’ your ass at Anarchy Rulz!”

We go back to Simon.

“Anarchy Rulz? Please. Jazz, I am too much of a gentleman to lay a hand on a lady!

Lucky for me, you are no lady! I will see you in Chicago, bitch!”

We go back to Doring and Miss Congeniality in the bus.

“Danny, my stomach still feels bubbly...”

“Babe, it’s all good. Let’s just get back under the covers...”

Danny pulls the blanket over his head. Miss Congeniality shrugs. “If you say so...”

We hear a loud noise, as Miss Congeniality smiles, looking relieved. Danny pops back up.

“God damn girl!”

Miss Congeniality rolls over and kisses him.

We then cut to Spike Dudley.

“I may be small, but don’t ever underestimate me! Send me the biggest mother f***er there is and I’ll chop him down! At Anarchy Rulz, I want another giant to slay!”

We then cut to Judge Jeff Jones in a courtroom.

“So Little Spike Dudley wants to fight a giant? He is sentencing himself to be squashed, squished and flattened! And as the Judge, I say… sentence…. Upheld!” Jones slams his gavel on the podium.

Finally, we go to Steve Corino, Jack Victory and Rhino. Corino stands center stage as he addresses the camera.

“I am getting so tired of the injustice here in ECW! I should be the number one contender! I should be facing Taz at Anarchy Rulz! Who the hell does Masato Tanaka think he is?! But if I can’t get Taz at Anarchy Rulz, then I’ll begrudgingly set my sights a little lower. Tommy Dreamer, Raven, you two represent everything wrong with this company! Blood, chairs, thumbtacks, barbed wire… how is that professional wrestling?! And now you two are Tag Team Champions, but you don’t even like each other! In Chicago, Rhino and I want you two! We will take your titles!”

Rhino snarls as the camera…

------------------------------------

Finally, to end the show, we go to Paul Heyman in his “office”.

“My name is Paul Heyman. I am the owner and executive producer of ECW. Next Sunday night, September 19th, ECW will present Anarchy Rulz, LIVE on pay-per-view! And after what we witnessed earlier tonight, I have decided that the ECW Television Championship will be defended in an ECW staple, the 3-Way Dance, between Rob Van Dam, Jerry Lynn and Lance Storm. And since two teams have laid a claim for the Tag Team Championships, I am announcing that Danny Doring and Roadkill will face Steve Corino and Rhino, with the winners taking on Dreamer and Raven. And that match will take place next week, right here on T. N. N.”

ECW Hardcore TV
Taped August 28th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 11th, 1999
This week on Hardcore TV, Joey Styles hypes the undercard of Anarchy Rulz, including Chris Candido vs. Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond vs. Jazz, and Spike Dudley vs. Judge Jeff Jones’ giant.

Quick Results
Spike Dudley def. PN News
Nova and Chris Chetti def. CW Anderson and Billy Wiles

[bob]

Jun 17, 2022 20:00:55 GMT -5 Wardlow on Wardlow 54 said:

ECW on TNN
Taped August 27th
New York City, New York
September 10th, 1999
We open deep in the bowels of the arena, where we find Tommy Dreamer, Francine and Raven gathered together. Last week, Dreamer accepted Raven as his tag team partner and the two defeated The Dudleys to retain the titles. Raven is seated against the wall, Dreamer on a chair next to him, Francine on his lap. Dreamer talks about the shock he felt when his biggest rival ever made his shocking return to ECW and helped him win the Tag Team Championship. And while at first, Tommy believed it was a ruse, he heard what Raven had to say last week and he was right. Every partner Dreamer has ever had has left him in the lurch. He’s been abandoned so many times, he’s lost count. But the one person who came back, was Raven. So as far as Dreamer’s concerned, he and Raven are now spiritually bonded for life. He and Raven ARE destined to do this forever and when all is said and done, they will go down in history as the greatest Tag Team Champions in ECW history. Raven cracks a grin. “Quoth the Raven. Nevermore...”

------------------------------------

After the intro video, we go straight to the ring, where Little Guido and Big Sal are making their entrance. The fans chant “Where’s my pizza?” as Guido gets in the ring, then Tajiri makes his way to the ring. Referee Pee-Wee Moore calls for the opening bell.

The match begins with a collar and elbow tie-up, with Guido taking Tajiri down into a headlock. Tajiri counters out of it with a head scissors, then both men pop up, but Tajiri kicks Guido in the midsection. Japanese whip into the ropes, as Joey Styles calls it, into a flapjack by Tajiri on Guido. Tajiri with the cover, 1! Kickout!

Tajiri throws Guido to the outside and things are about to get extreme! Tajiri grabs a chair and cracks Guido over the back. Big Sal grabs the chair as Tajiri goes for a second shot, but Tajiri spits green mist in his face! As Sal stumbles around, blinded, Guido low-blow’s Tajiri! Tajiri drops to his knees, as Guido delivers an elbow to the back of the head, then throws Tajiri back in the ring. Grabbing a chair, Guido throws it at Tajiri, who barely avoids being knocked silly. Guido rolls back in, Tajiri runs the ropes, but Guido catches him going for the springboard back elbow and delivers a full-nelson release suplex! Cover by Guido! 1! 2! Kickout!

Guido grabs the chair and sets it between the top and middle turnbuckles. Italian whip by Guido sends Tajiri back first into the chair. Guido charges, but Tajiri moves, causing Guido to crash head first into the chair! Tajiri grabs Guido and again bashes his head into the chair! Guido is busted open now, as Tajiri shoves him to his knees, then hits the Buzzsaw kick! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Tajiri gets the win!

As Tajiri celebrates, Big Sal comes in and starts attacking Tajiri! Big powerslam by Sal, then he pulls Guido off the mat and orders him to go to the top rope. As Guido climbs, Super Crazy comes running down the aisle and shoves Guido off the top rope! Guido crashes into the guardrail, as Crazy climbs up top himself. Crazy goes to jump off the top, but Sal catches him! He goes to slam him down, but Tajiri with the low blow! Sal drops Crazy, then the two long-time rivals deliver a double dropkick to Sal, sending him crashing through the ropes to the outside.

Crazy jumps on the top rope to celebrate, but Tajiri pulls him down and delivers a spinning roundhouse kick, then locks in the Octopus Hold! Tajiri leaves Crazy laying as he walks up the aisle, content in the chaos left in his wake…

------------------------------------

In the locker room, Danny Doring and Roadkill are standing outside the bathroom. Doring begins talking about how he and Roadkill are gunning for the Tag Team Championship. “Tommy Dreamer, Raven, I’m sure you two are riding high right now after winning those Tag Team Titles from The Dudleys. But you’d be idiots to underestimate the rest of the division. The way we see it, The Dudleys should go to the back of the line. And since the Impact Players are more focused on the TV Title, that makes us the next top ranked contenders! After all, we’ve been kicking Chris Chetti and Nova’s asses for months, now! So Dreamer, Raven, I know you two need a team to face at Anarchy Rulz. Well, Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill are right here and we are ready to fight!”

The bathroom door opens and Miss Congeniality walks out, holding her stomach and fanning her nose. “Ugh… I wouldn’t go in there if I were you!”

Roadkill peeks his head in the bathroom, then quickly pulls back, a look of disgust on his face.

“Hey! You know sushi makes me gassy!”

Doring puts an arm around his fiance. “Forget it babe. Let’s go make plans for us to become Tag Team Champions!”

As the two walk off, Roadkill stares at the camera.

“CHICKENS!!”

------------------------------------

Back in the arena, Judge Jeff Jones is in the ring, announcing Masato Tanaka, as Joey Styles and Joel Gertner talk up Tanaka challenging Taz for the ECW World Championship at Anarchy Rulz. Tanaka’s match tonight is more or less a warmup for the PPV, as he takes on Tony DeVito. Tanaka goes through a truncated version of the greatest hits, concluding with a roaring elbow to get the win.

After the match, as Jones talks up Tanaka, a familiar riff plays, followed by the words ”Beat me if you can, survive… if I let you!” Taz makes his way to the ring, as Jones holds Tanaka back. Taz grabs the mic and asks for a referee and a victim. As John Finegan runs out, CW Anderson steps through the curtain, looking to be more than just a victim.

The bell sounds as Taz and Anderson lock up. Jones and Tanaka remain at ringside, watching as Anderson whips Taz into the ropes. On the rebound, Anderson delivers a spinebuster, but Taz pops right back up and delivers a head and arm Taz-plex. He grabs Anderson, hardway Taz-Plex! Then the Tazmission gets locked in and it’s all over. As Taz gets his hand raised, Tanaka grabs him and spins him around. As the two shove one another, Jones and the ECW referee team get between them, as the match will saved for Anarchy Rulz in nine days time…

------------------------------------

Lance Storm and Dawn Marie make their way to the ring as it’s time for the TV Championship to be defended. Rob Van Dam is out next and the bell sounds for our main event on TNN!

Storm and Van Dam quickly start trading punches in the middle of the ring, as Joey Styles puts over the hatred between these two men. Storm delivers a knee to the midsection, then a lifting back suplex. RVD back to his feet, he charges Storm, who ducks the clothesline attempt. But as he turns around, Van Dam hits a jump spinning back kick to the face, knocking Storm into the ropes! Dawn Marie jumps on the apron to check on Storm, but has to quickly jump back down, as Van Dam delivers a springboard missile dropkick! Storm falls to the mat, but manages to roll out of the ring. Van Dam follows him out, as Fonzie hands him a chair. Van Dam lays it on the floor, then pulls Storm up and throws him against the guardrail. Van Dam charges, monkey flip on the chair! Van Dam throws Storm back in the ring, then climbs up on the apron. Springboard spinning leg drop, cover! 1! 2! Justin Credible nails Van Dam with a Singapore cane shot!

Credible pulls Van Dam up, then uses the cane as leverage to deliver a pumphandle slam! Storm crawls over for the cover, 1! 2! Kickout!

Storm and Credible both work over RVD, but Jerry Lynn runs out to even the odds! Lynn delivers a superkick to Credible, knocking him to the outside. Van Dam grabs the chair and tosses it to Storm, then kicks it in his face, Van Damminator! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Van Dam retains!

Van Dam gets his hand raised, but as he does, Lynn rams the chair into his ribcage, then hoists him up for the cradle piledriver! Lynn stands over Van Dam, then picks up the belt and stares at it, longingly, lustfully…

------------------------------------

Backstage, we see Little Guido and Big Sal E. Graziano. Both men are looking battered after tonight’s opening contest. Guido looks up at the camera. “Tajiri, Super Crazy, you two stupidos wanna mess wit da full blooded Italian of ECW, Little Guido? Well, I have an idea for both of yous! See, I know you two are from some other country, MexiPan, Japaco? Somewhere like dat? Well, here in ECW, we have a little tradition yous two probably ain’t evah heard of. We call it the three-way dance! So I’m thinkin’, at Anarchy Rulz, the three of us get together and have us a three-way dance! Three men enter, one man wins! I’ll see both of yous on the 19th!”



We cut to Chris Chetti posing in front of a mirror in his locker room.

“I’m the prettiest looking guy in this company! This face? Belongs in movies, I’ll tell ya!”

We then go to Danny Doring and Miss Congeniality in the back of the Extreme Bus. They are deep into each other’s tonsils. Roadkill walks in, sees them, shakes his head and walks back out.

We go back to Chetti at the mirror.

“I’m the Ricky Martin of Extreme! The Leonardo DiCaprio of Hardcore! And next Sunday at Anarchy Rulz, I’m gonna show all the women in that locker room what they’re missing by not answering my calls! Chris Candido, if you’re not careful, I might even take off with your girl after I beat you!”

We then go to Simon Diamond.

“Simon… has… a problem! You see, that ring out there, it’s a man’s world. The only way a woman should be there is if she’s flaunting her assets for the world. So I have a problem with you, Jazz! You don’t belong in the ring, you belong in the kitchen!”

We cut to Jazz.

“Simon Diamond, who the f*** do you think you are?! You wanna tell Jazz her place in the kitchen? My place is in that ring, kickin’ your ass at Anarchy Rulz!”

We go back to Simon.

“Anarchy Rulz? Please. Jazz, I am too much of a gentleman to lay a hand on a lady!

Lucky for me, you are no lady! I will see you in Chicago, bitch!”

We go back to Doring and Miss Congeniality in the bus.

“Danny, my stomach still feels bubbly...”

“Babe, it’s all good. Let’s just get back under the covers...”

Danny pulls the blanket over his head. Miss Congeniality shrugs. “If you say so...”

We hear a loud noise, as Miss Congeniality smiles, looking relieved. Danny pops back up.

“God damn girl!”

Miss Congeniality rolls over and kisses him.

We then cut to Spike Dudley.

“I may be small, but don’t ever underestimate me! Send me the biggest mother f***er there is and I’ll chop him down! At Anarchy Rulz, I want another giant to slay!”

We then cut to Judge Jeff Jones in a courtroom.

“So Little Spike Dudley wants to fight a giant? He is sentencing himself to be squashed, squished and flattened! And as the Judge, I say… sentence…. Upheld!” Jones slams his gavel on the podium.

Finally, we go to Steve Corino, Jack Victory and Rhino. Corino stands center stage as he addresses the camera.

“I am getting so tired of the injustice here in ECW! I should be the number one contender! I should be facing Taz at Anarchy Rulz! Who the hell does Masato Tanaka think he is?! But if I can’t get Taz at Anarchy Rulz, then I’ll begrudgingly set my sights a little lower. Tommy Dreamer, Raven, you two represent everything wrong with this company! Blood, chairs, thumbtacks, barbed wire… how is that professional wrestling?! And now you two are Tag Team Champions, but you don’t even like each other! In Chicago, Rhino and I want you two! We will take your titles!”

Rhino snarls as the camera…

------------------------------------

Finally, to end the show, we go to Paul Heyman in his “office”.

“My name is Paul Heyman. I am the owner and executive producer of ECW. Next Sunday night, September 19th, ECW will present Anarchy Rulz, LIVE on pay-per-view! And after what we witnessed earlier tonight, I have decided that the ECW Television Championship will be defended in an ECW staple, the 3-Way Dance, between Rob Van Dam, Jerry Lynn and Lance Storm. And since two teams have laid a claim for the Tag Team Championships, I am announcing that Danny Doring and Roadkill will face Steve Corino and Rhino, with the winners taking on Dreamer and Raven. And that match will take place next week, right here on T. N. N.”

ECW Hardcore TV
Taped August 28th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 11th, 1999
This week on Hardcore TV, Joey Styles hypes the undercard of Anarchy Rulz, including Chris Candido vs. Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond vs. Jazz, and Spike Dudley vs. Judge Jeff Jones’ giant.

Quick Results
Spike Dudley def. PN News
Nova and Chris Chetti def. CW Anderson and Billy Wiles

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

Jun 17, 2022 20:05:04 GMT -5 bob said:

Jun 17, 2022 20:00:55 GMT -5 Wardlow on Wardlow 54 said:

ECW on TNN
Taped August 27th
New York City, New York
September 10th, 1999
We open deep in the bowels of the arena, where we find Tommy Dreamer, Francine and Raven gathered together. Last week, Dreamer accepted Raven as his tag team partner and the two defeated The Dudleys to retain the titles. Raven is seated against the wall, Dreamer on a chair next to him, Francine on his lap. Dreamer talks about the shock he felt when his biggest rival ever made his shocking return to ECW and helped him win the Tag Team Championship. And while at first, Tommy believed it was a ruse, he heard what Raven had to say last week and he was right. Every partner Dreamer has ever had has left him in the lurch. He’s been abandoned so many times, he’s lost count. But the one person who came back, was Raven. So as far as Dreamer’s concerned, he and Raven are now spiritually bonded for life. He and Raven ARE destined to do this forever and when all is said and done, they will go down in history as the greatest Tag Team Champions in ECW history. Raven cracks a grin. “Quoth the Raven. Nevermore...”

------------------------------------

After the intro video, we go straight to the ring, where Little Guido and Big Sal are making their entrance. The fans chant “Where’s my pizza?” as Guido gets in the ring, then Tajiri makes his way to the ring. Referee Pee-Wee Moore calls for the opening bell.

The match begins with a collar and elbow tie-up, with Guido taking Tajiri down into a headlock. Tajiri counters out of it with a head scissors, then both men pop up, but Tajiri kicks Guido in the midsection. Japanese whip into the ropes, as Joey Styles calls it, into a flapjack by Tajiri on Guido. Tajiri with the cover, 1! Kickout!

Tajiri throws Guido to the outside and things are about to get extreme! Tajiri grabs a chair and cracks Guido over the back. Big Sal grabs the chair as Tajiri goes for a second shot, but Tajiri spits green mist in his face! As Sal stumbles around, blinded, Guido low-blow’s Tajiri! Tajiri drops to his knees, as Guido delivers an elbow to the back of the head, then throws Tajiri back in the ring. Grabbing a chair, Guido throws it at Tajiri, who barely avoids being knocked silly. Guido rolls back in, Tajiri runs the ropes, but Guido catches him going for the springboard back elbow and delivers a full-nelson release suplex! Cover by Guido! 1! 2! Kickout!

Guido grabs the chair and sets it between the top and middle turnbuckles. Italian whip by Guido sends Tajiri back first into the chair. Guido charges, but Tajiri moves, causing Guido to crash head first into the chair! Tajiri grabs Guido and again bashes his head into the chair! Guido is busted open now, as Tajiri shoves him to his knees, then hits the Buzzsaw kick! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Tajiri gets the win!

As Tajiri celebrates, Big Sal comes in and starts attacking Tajiri! Big powerslam by Sal, then he pulls Guido off the mat and orders him to go to the top rope. As Guido climbs, Super Crazy comes running down the aisle and shoves Guido off the top rope! Guido crashes into the guardrail, as Crazy climbs up top himself. Crazy goes to jump off the top, but Sal catches him! He goes to slam him down, but Tajiri with the low blow! Sal drops Crazy, then the two long-time rivals deliver a double dropkick to Sal, sending him crashing through the ropes to the outside.

Crazy jumps on the top rope to celebrate, but Tajiri pulls him down and delivers a spinning roundhouse kick, then locks in the Octopus Hold! Tajiri leaves Crazy laying as he walks up the aisle, content in the chaos left in his wake…

------------------------------------

In the locker room, Danny Doring and Roadkill are standing outside the bathroom. Doring begins talking about how he and Roadkill are gunning for the Tag Team Championship. “Tommy Dreamer, Raven, I’m sure you two are riding high right now after winning those Tag Team Titles from The Dudleys. But you’d be idiots to underestimate the rest of the division. The way we see it, The Dudleys should go to the back of the line. And since the Impact Players are more focused on the TV Title, that makes us the next top ranked contenders! After all, we’ve been kicking Chris Chetti and Nova’s asses for months, now! So Dreamer, Raven, I know you two need a team to face at Anarchy Rulz. Well, Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill are right here and we are ready to fight!”

The bathroom door opens and Miss Congeniality walks out, holding her stomach and fanning her nose. “Ugh… I wouldn’t go in there if I were you!”

Roadkill peeks his head in the bathroom, then quickly pulls back, a look of disgust on his face.

“Hey! You know sushi makes me gassy!”

Doring puts an arm around his fiance. “Forget it babe. Let’s go make plans for us to become Tag Team Champions!”

As the two walk off, Roadkill stares at the camera.

“CHICKENS!!”

------------------------------------

Back in the arena, Judge Jeff Jones is in the ring, announcing Masato Tanaka, as Joey Styles and Joel Gertner talk up Tanaka challenging Taz for the ECW World Championship at Anarchy Rulz. Tanaka’s match tonight is more or less a warmup for the PPV, as he takes on Tony DeVito. Tanaka goes through a truncated version of the greatest hits, concluding with a roaring elbow to get the win.

After the match, as Jones talks up Tanaka, a familiar riff plays, followed by the words ”Beat me if you can, survive… if I let you!” Taz makes his way to the ring, as Jones holds Tanaka back. Taz grabs the mic and asks for a referee and a victim. As John Finegan runs out, CW Anderson steps through the curtain, looking to be more than just a victim.

The bell sounds as Taz and Anderson lock up. Jones and Tanaka remain at ringside, watching as Anderson whips Taz into the ropes. On the rebound, Anderson delivers a spinebuster, but Taz pops right back up and delivers a head and arm Taz-plex. He grabs Anderson, hardway Taz-Plex! Then the Tazmission gets locked in and it’s all over. As Taz gets his hand raised, Tanaka grabs him and spins him around. As the two shove one another, Jones and the ECW referee team get between them, as the match will saved for Anarchy Rulz in nine days time…

------------------------------------

Lance Storm and Dawn Marie make their way to the ring as it’s time for the TV Championship to be defended. Rob Van Dam is out next and the bell sounds for our main event on TNN!

Storm and Van Dam quickly start trading punches in the middle of the ring, as Joey Styles puts over the hatred between these two men. Storm delivers a knee to the midsection, then a lifting back suplex. RVD back to his feet, he charges Storm, who ducks the clothesline attempt. But as he turns around, Van Dam hits a jump spinning back kick to the face, knocking Storm into the ropes! Dawn Marie jumps on the apron to check on Storm, but has to quickly jump back down, as Van Dam delivers a springboard missile dropkick! Storm falls to the mat, but manages to roll out of the ring. Van Dam follows him out, as Fonzie hands him a chair. Van Dam lays it on the floor, then pulls Storm up and throws him against the guardrail. Van Dam charges, monkey flip on the chair! Van Dam throws Storm back in the ring, then climbs up on the apron. Springboard spinning leg drop, cover! 1! 2! Justin Credible nails Van Dam with a Singapore cane shot!

Credible pulls Van Dam up, then uses the cane as leverage to deliver a pumphandle slam! Storm crawls over for the cover, 1! 2! Kickout!

Storm and Credible both work over RVD, but Jerry Lynn runs out to even the odds! Lynn delivers a superkick to Credible, knocking him to the outside. Van Dam grabs the chair and tosses it to Storm, then kicks it in his face, Van Damminator! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Van Dam retains!

Van Dam gets his hand raised, but as he does, Lynn rams the chair into his ribcage, then hoists him up for the cradle piledriver! Lynn stands over Van Dam, then picks up the belt and stares at it, longingly, lustfully…

------------------------------------

Backstage, we see Little Guido and Big Sal E. Graziano. Both men are looking battered after tonight’s opening contest. Guido looks up at the camera. “Tajiri, Super Crazy, you two stupidos wanna mess wit da full blooded Italian of ECW, Little Guido? Well, I have an idea for both of yous! See, I know you two are from some other country, MexiPan, Japaco? Somewhere like dat? Well, here in ECW, we have a little tradition yous two probably ain’t evah heard of. We call it the three-way dance! So I’m thinkin’, at Anarchy Rulz, the three of us get together and have us a three-way dance! Three men enter, one man wins! I’ll see both of yous on the 19th!”



We cut to Chris Chetti posing in front of a mirror in his locker room.

“I’m the prettiest looking guy in this company! This face? Belongs in movies, I’ll tell ya!”

We then go to Danny Doring and Miss Congeniality in the back of the Extreme Bus. They are deep into each other’s tonsils. Roadkill walks in, sees them, shakes his head and walks back out.

We go back to Chetti at the mirror.

“I’m the Ricky Martin of Extreme! The Leonardo DiCaprio of Hardcore! And next Sunday at Anarchy Rulz, I’m gonna show all the women in that locker room what they’re missing by not answering my calls! Chris Candido, if you’re not careful, I might even take off with your girl after I beat you!”

We then go to Simon Diamond.

“Simon… has… a problem! You see, that ring out there, it’s a man’s world. The only way a woman should be there is if she’s flaunting her assets for the world. So I have a problem with you, Jazz! You don’t belong in the ring, you belong in the kitchen!”

We cut to Jazz.

“Simon Diamond, who the f*** do you think you are?! You wanna tell Jazz her place in the kitchen? My place is in that ring, kickin’ your ass at Anarchy Rulz!”

We go back to Simon.

“Anarchy Rulz? Please. Jazz, I am too much of a gentleman to lay a hand on a lady!

Lucky for me, you are no lady! I will see you in Chicago, bitch!”

We go back to Doring and Miss Congeniality in the bus.

“Danny, my stomach still feels bubbly...”

“Babe, it’s all good. Let’s just get back under the covers...”

Danny pulls the blanket over his head. Miss Congeniality shrugs. “If you say so...”

We hear a loud noise, as Miss Congeniality smiles, looking relieved. Danny pops back up.

“God damn girl!”

Miss Congeniality rolls over and kisses him.

We then cut to Spike Dudley.

“I may be small, but don’t ever underestimate me! Send me the biggest mother f***er there is and I’ll chop him down! At Anarchy Rulz, I want another giant to slay!”

We then cut to Judge Jeff Jones in a courtroom.

“So Little Spike Dudley wants to fight a giant? He is sentencing himself to be squashed, squished and flattened! And as the Judge, I say… sentence…. Upheld!” Jones slams his gavel on the podium.

Finally, we go to Steve Corino, Jack Victory and Rhino. Corino stands center stage as he addresses the camera.

“I am getting so tired of the injustice here in ECW! I should be the number one contender! I should be facing Taz at Anarchy Rulz! Who the hell does Masato Tanaka think he is?! But if I can’t get Taz at Anarchy Rulz, then I’ll begrudgingly set my sights a little lower. Tommy Dreamer, Raven, you two represent everything wrong with this company! Blood, chairs, thumbtacks, barbed wire… how is that professional wrestling?! And now you two are Tag Team Champions, but you don’t even like each other! In Chicago, Rhino and I want you two! We will take your titles!”

Rhino snarls as the camera…

------------------------------------

Finally, to end the show, we go to Paul Heyman in his “office”.

“My name is Paul Heyman. I am the owner and executive producer of ECW. Next Sunday night, September 19th, ECW will present Anarchy Rulz, LIVE on pay-per-view! And after what we witnessed earlier tonight, I have decided that the ECW Television Championship will be defended in an ECW staple, the 3-Way Dance, between Rob Van Dam, Jerry Lynn and Lance Storm. And since two teams have laid a claim for the Tag Team Championships, I am announcing that Danny Doring and Roadkill will face Steve Corino and Rhino, with the winners taking on Dreamer and Raven. And that match will take place next week, right here on T. N. N.”

ECW Hardcore TV
Taped August 28th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 11th, 1999
This week on Hardcore TV, Joey Styles hypes the undercard of Anarchy Rulz, including Chris Candido vs. Chris Chetti, Simon Diamond vs. Jazz, and Spike Dudley vs. Judge Jeff Jones’ giant.

Quick Results
Spike Dudley def. PN News
Nova and Chris Chetti def. CW Anderson and Billy Wiles

Thank you

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

Wrestling Observer Newsletter - 9/13/99

- There have been rumblings of Paul Heyman planning a shock title change for Anarchy Rulz. With Taz being rumored to be bored with his creative direction, it seems most likely that he would drop the World Title to Masato Tanaka, then move on to either chasing the gold or a non-title program. There is said to be "little to zero chance" of Rob Van Dam losing the Television Championship anytime soon, while Raven and Dreamer could be dethroned at any time. With Heyman looking to get big ratings on the new TNN show, anything has to be considered possible right now.

- Expect to see Rhino getting bigger opportunities in the near future. Heyman sees him as the brightest star in the bunch of new talent introduced this year. It's expected that Rhino could be the man to eventually end Van Dam's record-setting Television Title reign.

- Danny Doring, Roadkill and Miss Congeniality have been getting more screen time in recent weeks. Heyman sees something in Miss Congeniality (real name, Amy Dumas) and wants to make her one of the top female performers in the company. But it's well known that Dumas is the girlfriend of WWF tag team star Matt Hardy, and that her goal is to get signed by the WWF. It remains to be seen if this increased push will convince her to stay when and if Jim Ross and Bruce Prichard come calling...

- There has been speculation over who might be called in to serve as Spike Dudley's opponent at Anarchy Rulz. There are some who believe the "giant killer" gimmick is step back for Spike, who was involved in the tag team title scene just a few weeks ago. None of my sources seem to have any idea who Heyman could possibly get to lose to Spike that would be remotely interesting at this stage.

- You may want to get used to seeing PN News in ECW, because he may be sticking around. Nothing is certain, but News impressed Paul Heyman, Taz and Tommy Dreamer, among others, with his work ethic in his squash match loss to Spike Dudley. He was able to generate heat when many expected him to be booed out the building. It remains to be seen if and when he will return to ECW.

- With just days to go before Anarchy Rulz, this is the currently announced card: Taz defending the World Title against Masato Tanaka, Rob Van Dam facing Lance Storm and Jerry Lynn in a 3-way dance for the TV Title, Justin Credible vs. Sabu, Little Guido, Super Crazy and Tajiri meeting in a three-way dance, Chris Chetti taking on Chris Candido, Simon Diamond vs. Jazz, and Spike Dudley facing a mystery "giant". It's expected that Raven and Tommy Dreamer will defend the Tag Team Titles against Corino and Rhino, as well.

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

ECW on TNN
Taped August 27th
New York City, New York
September 17th, 1999

We open cold in the arena this week as the trio of Danny Doring, Roadkill and Miss Congeniality are making their way to the ring.

Joey Styles: “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will determine the number one contenders for the ECW Tag Team Titles, and the team that will face Tommy Dreamer and Raven in two nights’ time at Anarchy Rulz. Tonight, we will see the Human Suplex Machine Taz, the reigning ECW World Champion, in action. Tonight, Tajiri will face Super Crazy in a Japanese Death Match. Ladies and gentlemen, this is ECW on TNN!”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=THvLcnB8fX0

After the intro video, Steve Corino, Rhino and Jack Victory make their way to the ring for tonight’s opening contest, a number one contenders match for a shot at the ECW Tag Team Championship this Sunday at Anarchy Rulz. The bell sounds as Corino and Doring start off the match.

Corino and Doring tie up at the opening bell and Corino executes a crisp headlock takeover, sending Doring to the mat. Corino holds the headlock on Doring and forces his shoulders down, only for Doring to get the right one up at 2. Doring then rolls Corino up for another 2-count, which also forces him to break the hold. Both men up, Corino with a kick to the midsection, then some jabs to the chin. Doring shaky, Corino hits the ropes, looking for a running kneelift, but Doring side-steps, then hits a neckbreaker on the surprised Corino! Roadkill has his hand out, Doring makes the tag! In comes the big man, who mows Corino over with his massive frame, then hits an elbow drop for another 2-count. Corino rolls over and tags in Rhino, who is frothing at the mouth.

Rhino and Roadkill trade punches, with the bigger Roadkill winning the exchange. Irish whip into the ropes, Roadkill catches Rhino with a powerslam! Doring tags back in and goes up top. Roadkill stands in front of the turnbuckle, as Doring climbs onto his shoulders and delivers a leg drop! Cover! 1! 2! Corino breaks it up!

All four men begin brawling, Roadkill and Corino fighting in one corner, while Rhino and Doring fight into the other. Rhino and Corino take the advantage and go to send Doring and Roadkill into one another, but it’s reversed at the last second and Corino and Rhino collide! Corino tumbles into the ropes and is tied up, while Rhino is staggered. Roadkill scoops up Rhino in a wheelbarrow hold and Doring hits the Danaconda Drop! Cover by Doring! 1! 2! Jack Victory in with a chair to break up the pin!

Roadkill is sent through the ropes with a running chairshot, then Victory works to untangle Corino. However, Miss Congeniality low-blow’s Victory! As she stands over him, taunting him, however, she doesn’t see Rhino getting to his feet. As she turns around, GORE!!!!! Rhino yanks Corino out of the ropes, before Doring spins him around into another neckbreaker! Corino then sneaks up behind Doring and hits the Old School Expulsion! Cover! 1! 2! 3! Corino and Rhino earn a title shot at Anarchy Rulz!

As Corino and Rhino collect themselves after the match, “Come Out and Play” hits over the PA system as Raven walks out, holding one of the Tag Team Championships. After a few moments, the music switches to “Man in the Box” as Tommy Dreamer and Francine join him in the aisle. Corino and Rhino taunt the Champions, who holds up the titles in a show of acceptance of the challenge that awaits them two nights from now…

------------------------------------

We cut backstage to The Dudley Boys. Bubba Ray, D-Von and Sign Guy Dudley have been in a foul mood since losing the ECW Tag Team Championship on the premiere episode of ECW on TNN. Bubba goes on a tirade, promising they will regain their belts, while D-Von “testifies” that Raven and Dreamer will taste wood at their hands…

It’s then over to another part of the arena, as Danny Doring, Roadkill and Miss Congeniality are licking their wounds after losing the opening match. Doring says they’re not giving up their pursuit of the titles, before Nova passes the trio, getting in the frame of the camera. Doring shoves Nova, who shoves him back, before Roadkill punches him. Doring and Roadkill beat Nova down until Chris Chetti rescues his tag team partner…

------------------------------------

”Survive… if I let you...”

The ECW World Champion, Taz, makes his way to the ring for the next match. Tony DeVito already made his entrance during the last commercial break. Taz wastes no time making quick work of his opponent, finishing him off with the Taz-Mission. Taz grabs the mic after the match.

“Masato Tanaka, I know you and your keeper are in the house tonight! Since you’re here and I’m here, I’m kinda wondering why we should even bother waiting until Sunday. So why don’t you get your ass out here and do this right now?!”

The crowd loves this idea and it seems that Tanaka and Judge Jeff Jones do, as well. Unfortunately, Paul Heyman quickly runs out and blocks Tanaka’s entrance. He can be heard telling Tanaka he needs to wait until Sunday. Jones argues, but Heyman whispers something to him that causes him to change his mind. Jones and Tanaka leave, and Heyman looks to follow suit, but…

“Hey Paul! What gives, man? Why are you so deadset against me facing real competition? I had to fight you tooth and nail to get the match I wanted for Anarchy Rulz, then the day before we announce the match, you go, “oh yeah, forgot to tell you, Awesome signed with WCW!” So I asked for Tanaka and I get him Sunday. But in the mean time, TNN wants ME on the show every week. Instead of showcasing me to my fullest potential, you’re giving me the scrubs, the guys who’s asses I kick in the training sessions every week! I’m beating guys in under a minute on TNN, while you’re letting Van Dam, Storm and Lynn put on 20, 30 minute matches. We only got 45 minutes a week on the network, why is the World Champ only getting a couple minutes?!”

Heyman points at his wrist, indicating something about time.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m cutting into the time for your precious main event. Gotta have the extreme death match stuff, I know. But here’s the thing, Paul. I have this...” Taz holds up the World Title. “Which should give me as much time as f***ing want! Now, it ain’t no secret that we got “creative differences”, that’s the word the dirtsheets are gonna be using, I’m sure. But are you really gonna put those problems ahead of the show? Because I don’t think the Network is gonna be too happy about that. If I’m not mistaken, they wanted ME featured heavily on this show. And I’m not so sure they’d be thrilled to find out that I’m being buried over a personal vendetta. So here it is, Paul. I don’t wanna play politics with you, but if I have to stoop to that level, I will. I want real competition on this show next week, otherwise, you, me and the TNN executives are gonna be having a very interesting chat...”

Taz throws down the mic and heads up the aisle, shoving past Heyman, who follows him to the back, screaming at him.

------------------------------------

After the break, we come back to Heyman and Taz screaming at one another in a hallway, as wrestlers and referees are seen standing between them, in the event things dare get physical. Heyman tells Taz he’s fining him $5000 for disrupting the show. Taz doesn’t care about the money. “Treat me like the star that I am, Paul! That’s all I’m asking!” Heyman tells Taz that IF he’s still ECW World Champion after Sunday, they’ll talk about featuring him better…

And we go back to the ring, where the Japanese Death Match between Tajiri and Super Crazy is already in progress. Joey Styles apologizes to the viewers for the match starting in progress, but we are running short on time, thanks to Taz’s unscripted “antics” as Styles puts it.

Tajiri has set up a chair in the corner, on the middle ropes, so that it lays flat. He picks up Crazy and slams him to the mat, before pulling him up and sitting him on the chair. Tajiri backs up to the opposite corner, then goes for a running side splash, but Crazy moves and Tajiri damn-near shatters his tailbone on the chair. As Tajiri clutches his lower back in agony, Crazy grabs the chair and inelegantly flings it at Tajiri, hitting him in the back of the head. Down goes Tajiri and Crazy makes the cover! 1! 2! Kickout!

Crazy rolls out of the ring and grabs a table, which he slides into the ring. He sets it up and then goes to grab Tajiri, who sprays green mist in his eyes! As Crazy, blinded, stumbles backwards, Tajiri hooks him in the Octopus! Crazy fights, but Tajiri has it locked in good. Suddenly, Little Guido comes running down the aisle! He dives into the ring and kicks Tajiri in the head to break the hold. He then grabs the blinded Super Crazy and delivers a double underhook suplex! Tajiri charges Guido with the chair, but Guido moves and the chair rebounds off the top rope, hitting Tajiri in the face! Guido lays out Tajiri with the Sicilian Slice, then rolls Crazy on top. 1! 2! 3! Super Crazy wins!

Big Sal then comes in and stomps both men, before stacking them on the table, as Guido climbs to the top rope. Guido dives off the top, driving both men and himself through the table! Sal picks up Guido and holds him up on his shoulders, as we go to Joey Styles and Joel Gertner in the crow’s nest. The two run down the complete card for this Sunday’s Anarchy Rulz pay-per-view event:

ECW World Championship Match
Taz (c) vs. Masato Tanaka

Three Way Dance for the ECW Television Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Lance Storm vs. Jerry Lynn

Sabu vs. Justin Credible

ECW World Tag Team Championship Match
Tommy Dreamer and Raven (c) vs. Steve Corino and Rhino

Three Way Dance
Super Crazy vs. Little Guido vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Chris Chetti vs. Chris Candido

Inter-Gender Match
Jazz vs. Simon Diamond

Spike Dudley vs. Judge Jeff Jones’ “giant”

It all comes your way at Anarchy Rulz, live, Sunday, September 19th, on pay-per-view!

ECW Hardcore TV
Taped August 28th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 18th, 1999
This week on Hardcore TV, it’s the preview show for ECW Anarchy Rulz tomorrow night! A special look at all the big matches is shown, as well as matches highlighting Jazz, Masato Tanaka and Spike Dudley.

Quick Results
Spike Dudley def. One Man Gang (from October 1998)
Jazz def. Jason (from Heatwave 1999)
Masato Tanaka def. Mike Awesome (from Heatwave 1998)

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

So, quick update on this. I plan to start working on Anarchy Rulz probably tomorrow. I have everything laid out in my head, re: match results and angles. I did some serious brainstorming today and laid out every PPV up through Living Dangerously 2000. I had a few more out there ideas that I've opted to leave in the trash bin. But what's still on the table right now has me very excited to get to the actual writing phase.

Also, I'm sketching out plans for a WCW diary set at the start of the Russo Era, which will be kind of a companion to this. Before I can really do any serious writing on that, I have to torment myself do research, by watching late-1999, early-2000's episodes of Nitro. I have some ideas, but I need to get a feel for the shows and an understanding of the politics in play at the time. I will say that I actually have a way to possibly save the New Blood/Millionaire's Club angle, so I'll leave this on that little tease...

[Wardlow on Wardlow 54]

SPECIAL WCW NEWS REPORT - FALL BRAWL 1999

Many in the wrestling world were left shaking their heads by the end of Fall Brawl last Sunday. A lackluster pay-per-view, which didn't even feature the event's signature WarGames match, let's take a look at what exactly went down at the show:

The show opened by running back the Road Wild six man tag with the trio of Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman defeating Vampiro and The Insane Clown Posse. Why wrestling companies continue to make those two be a thing is beyond me. Leave them in the world of punk metal, where I never have to listen to them.

Next, the once-great Cruiserweight division presented Lenny Lane vs. Kaz Hayashi. Woof. Bad enough WCW is trying to push this Lenny and Lodi BS, worse that they stunk up a PPV match with it.

Next, were two BLAH matches in a row, as Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobbs, of all people, defeated Revolution members Shane Douglas and Dean Malenko. This was followed by Rick Steiner defeating Revolution member Perry Saturn to retain the TV Title. And their bad night isn't over yet...

Next, Berlyn (Alex Wright) was set to face Buff Bagwell, but the story was that Bagwell wasn't there, so instead, Jim Duggan wrestled in his place. This match was AWFUL. Duggan didn't sell a thing for Wright and made him look like a real chump. And then, to add insult to injury, Bagwell showed up when the match was over to confront Berlyn.

Next, Harlem Heat beat The Windham Brothers to win their... I don't know, seventy-fifth Tag Team Title? Nothing against Stevie Ray, but I think a lot of people would prefer to see Booker in a major single program then rehashing old accomplishments with even older opponents. But that's just me.

And to complete the trifecta of the Revolution getting jobbed out, Chris Benoit lost the US Title to Sid.

DDP vs. Goldberg was next, but Halloween Havoc 1998 this match was not. It was still probably the strongest effort of the night, which isn't saying much. Goldberg overcame the odds of the Jersey Triad to win.

And finally, the mother of all bullshit. Hogan vs. Sting for the World Title. Ugh. This was atrocious. A complete over-booked mess. Interference by four guys, including a completely unannounced Bret Hart, who was last seen making what sounded like a retirement speech. In addition, DDP, Sid and Lex Luger all did run-ins. It's worth noting that other than Bret, every run-in was in Sting's favor, but they still had him "officially" turn heel to win the match.

Horrible show. And even worse because two days earlier, Eric Bischoff was fired as WCW President, but because the show must go on, the committee still ran this card, but turned it into a total travesty. This show could've been good. So what went wrong?

- Bryan Alvarez