Post by VinMan on Jan 8, 2010 1:24:52 GMT -5
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT
EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 27, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the Royal Rumble is shown from Sunday night and then the show beings with pyro going off as fans chant “ECW, ECW, ECW.”
Paul Heyman is standing in the middle of the ring holding a microphone and carrying a championship belt.
Heyman: Welcome to the very first installment of the new ECW. My name is Paul Heyman and I would like to personally thank each and every one of you here in this arena tonight and those of you watching at home for being here. As you can see I am holding what will soon be in the possession of one of our Superstars. This is the ECW Championship. Tonight in this very ring we start on the Road to WrestleMania and the road to an ECW Championship match. Beginning tonight and continuing over the course of the next four weeks we will determine which two Superstars of ECW will get those coveted slots to compete for this ECW Title at WrestleMania XX. Tonight nine Superstars will compete in a Gauntlet match. Two men will start. Once a winner has been declared, another man will enter. This will continue until all nine men have competed,. The final victor will advance to the semi-finals. Anyway without further ado I would like to direct you to the broadcast area and introduce you to the voice of extreme, Mr. Joey Styles and a Hardcore Icon, Mr. Mick Foley!
Styles: You have entered the land of the extreme. Hello everyone I am Joey Styles along with the one and only Mick Foley and this is ECW! Tonight we are live here at the sold out Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on a night where a Gauntlet has been laid down.
Foley: Paul Heyman doesn’t like to waste any time as we follow our own yellow brick road to WrestleMania where we will determine who is the ECW Champion!
Styles: Right now let’s send it up to the most extreme ring announcer I know, Howard Finkel.
9 MAN GAUNTLET MATCH
Finkel: The following is the Gauntlet Match to determine the first semi-finalist for the opportunity at the ECW Championship! Introducing first from Hanover, West Virginia weighing in at 215 pounds, Jamie Noble!
Styles: Well the cats out of the bag on our first entrant in the form of Jamie Noble. We have not been told ahead of time who is competing in this match nor have we been given the complete ECW roster. So we know that Noble is part of ECW and we hope to have the roster for you by the end of the night. Let’s find out now who Noble is facing to kick things off.
Finkel: His opponent from New York City weighing in at 175 pounds Spike Dudley!
Styles: The runt of the litter as far as the Dudley Boyz goes is Spike Dudley and we have our first two opponents in the gauntlet. Remember if either one of these men plan to get to the semi-finals they will have to defeat eight opponents in a row here.
Foley: it’s going to be tough for either of these men, but what they lack in size, they make up for in skill and determination as we have seen in the past from both of these Superstars. This should be a good one.
Noble starts to pound on Spike. He sends him in, but Spike reverses. Noble ducks under and kicks Spike and then drills him with a knee. Noble misses an elbow drop. Spike takes him over with a hiplock and connects with a dropkick. Spike fires away with forearm shtos and then kicks Jamie Noble. Spike nails him and goes for the Dudley Dog, but Noble shoves him into the corner and then plants him with a back suplex for a near fall.
Styles: In this type of situation you have to bet that the Superstars are going to go for quick victories knowing what lies ahead. Spike went for the Dudley Dog early, but Noble has taken control once again.
Jamie Noble stomps on Spike an drops a leg to the back of the neck. Noble makes the cover, but Spike kicks out. Noble delivers a suplex and follows with another leg drop for a two count.
Foley: We know that Spike Dudley is a member of the ECW roster, but where oh where might D-Von and Bubba find themselves.
Styles: Well after last night’s Raw revealed their talent roster, we know that they have to either be here in ECW or on Smackdown.
Foley: Speaking of Smackdown Joey, this Friday Night we are going to hear from the winner of the Royal Rumble, the Rated R Superstar Edge as he makes his decision on which Champion he will face at WrestleMania. Will it be World Champion Kurt Angle or will it be WWE Champion Bret Hart?
Styles: Certainly that is one tough decision that Edge will have to make. Right now though jamie Noble is doing a number on Spike Dudley as both of these men look for the chance to get into the semi-finals for a shot at the ECW Title.
Noble pounds on Spike. Spike gets out from under and connects with a neck breaker. Spike kicks Noble and plants him with a DDT. Spike quickly goes up to the top. He comes off with a big elbow, but Noble moves. Noble delivers a side Russian leg sweep. Noble drops an elbow and gets a near fall. Jamie Noble hit’s a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Noble sends Spike into the turnbuckle. He lifts Spike up top. Spike leaps off into a sunset flip for a two count. Spike rams his head into Noble’s chest. He does it again. Spike connects with a knee lift and then goes back to the top rope. Spike leaps off with a double stomp to the chest and covers Noble. Noble kicks out. Spike sends Noble into the corner. Spike moves in, but Noble moves. Spike goes up and over and sets up the Dudley Dog, but Jamie Noble counters into a face drop and then hooks in Spike for the Tiger Bomb. Noble has the cover and gets a three count.
Winner: Jamie Noble.
Styles: Jamie Noble puts away Spike Dudley with an impressive victory, but Noble is about to find out who is next in-line in the gauntlet. He will find out with the rest of us when ECW continues.
-Commercial Break-
Out from the stage comes Daivari.
Styles: Well it’s the former partner-in-crime of Muhammad Hassan who is still competing on Raw. Daivari has landed here in ECW and what an opportunity this is for him as we welcome you back to the innaugural edition of ECW.
Noble nails Daiviari coming into the ring and he clotheslines him back out over the top. Noble connects with a baseball slide dropkick. Noble slides out and kicks and pounds on Daivari. Noble rams Daivari to the apron and pushes him into the ring. Noble rolls in, but Daiviari greets him with kicks and stomps. Daivari plants Noble with a reverse Russian leg sweep and gets a near fall. Daiviari sends in Noble and nails him with an elbow. Daiviari drops the knee and then clotheslines him to the back of the head. He makes the cover, but Noble kicks out. Daivari slams Noble and goes to the top. Daivari comes off with a sommersault dive, but Noble moves. Noble sling shots him into the corner. Daivari jumps up onto the second turnbuckle. Noble nails him from behind and gets up on the second rope as well and connects with a side Russian leg sweep back to the canvas. Noble covers Daivari hooking the leg and picks up the three count.
Winner: Jamie Noble.
Foley: Wow you have to hand it to Jamie Noble. He is geared up like I’ve never seen him before. Two down for Noble on his quest to become ECW Champion.
Styles: Daivari couldn’t get out of the blocks here and he was taken out in a hurry.
Hardcore Holly is shown watching a monitor in the back. Meanwhile the next opponent for Jamie Noble comes out and it is Tajiri.
Styles: Here comes another ECW alumni in the form of the Japanese Buzzsaw Tajiri. Tajiri vs. Noble should be quite the contest.
Foley: You have to watch out for those fast moving feet of Tajiri.
Styles: Also moments ago we saw Hardcore Holly looking on, so apparently he is part of ECW now.
Tajiri goes right after Jamie Noble with kicks and chops. He sends him in, but Noble reverses. Tajiri ducks and kicks Noble again. He spins around with another kick and makes a cover, but Noble kicks out. Tajiri chops Noble and nails him with forearms. Tajiri goes to the ropes, but Noble catches him with a power slam. Noble drops a leg, but Tajiri moves. Tajiri dropkicks Noble in the face and then delivers a standing moonsault for a near fall. Tajiri goes for a power bomb, but Noble shoves him into the corner. Noble charges in, but Tajiri catches him coming in with the Tarantula.
Styles: Vintage Tajiri as he returns to ECW and looks to climb the proverbial ladder to the ECW Championship at WrestleMania.
Tajiri releases the hold and is out on the apron. He kicks Noble in the head and then spring boards in, but Noble moves. Tajiri lands on his feet and takes Noble with an arm drag. He takes him over the other way and connects with a spinning head scissors. Noble bounces into the corner. Tajiri delivers a hand spring elbow followed by a heel kick for a near fall. Tajiri whips Noble in. Noble moves. Tajiri kicks, but Noble blocks it. Noble goes for a DDT, but Tajiri blocks and kicks Noble. Tajiri hooks Noble and hit’s a tornado DDT out of the corner. Tajiri hooks the leg and gets the win.
Winner: Tajiri.
Styles: After a great run over Spike Dudley and Daiviari, Jamie Noble has succumbed to the Japanese Buzzsaw. Tajirii gets the duke here and is now on his own quest to ECW gold.
Foley: Tajiri would make a very formidable ECW Champion. But Joey who will Tajiri have to face in order to advance?
Styles: We will find out next!
-Commercial Break-
“On Sunday March 14, Madison Square Garden will come unglued as World Wrestling Entertainment proudly presents WrestleMania XX. This is where it all begins again. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of history. Don’t miss WrestleMania XX live March 14 only on pay per view.”
Styles: We are back here on ECW as the Gauntlet match continues. Tajiri is in the ring awaiting his next opponent.
“My name is Finlay and I love to fight.”
Foley: Well here comes the fighting Irish. It’s Finlay!
Finlay is on the ring apron. Tajiri dropkicks Finlay in the leg. Finlay falls from the apron knocking against it on the way down to the floor. Tajiri hit’s a corkscrew moonsault out of the ring. Tajrii sends him in, but Finlay reverses him into the ring post. Finlay sends Tajiri into the post again. Finlay delivers an atomic drop into the post and then pushes Tajiri into the ring.
Styles: Tajiri hit that beautiful corkscrew moonsault, but after that Finlay just starting going to town on Tajiri.
Finlay rolls back into the ring. Finlay drops down with a senton on Tajiri. Finlay scoops up Tajiri and then delivers the forward roll into the mat. Finlay gets Tajiri up again and this time plants him with the Celtic Cross. Finlay makes the cover and gets the three count.
Winner: Finlay.
Foley: My My how the tides have changed. Tajiri has been put down and now it’s Finlay who awaits the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of this ECW Championship competition.
Styles: So who is going to be next to take on the Belfast Bruiser known as Finlay?
Out to the ring comes Maven.
Styles: This is a surprise Mick. Maven was an up and coming Superstar who sort of disappeared from everyone’s radar, but here he is, back in the mix right here in ECW.
Foley: Well here’s Maven’s chance to prove to everyone what he’s made of. This is a golden opportunity for all of the Superstars in ECW.
Maven jumps into the ring, and is met by knees from Finlay. Finlay continues to knee Maven and then drops him with a short arm clothesline. Finlay covers Maven, but he kicks out. Finlay pounds on Maven and delivers a shoulder breaker. Finlay knees him again and gets a near fall. Finlay goes for a suplex, but Maven goes up and over and rolls up Finlay for a count of one. Maven dropkicks Finlay and pounds away. He kicks Finlay and sends him into the corner. Maven charges in and Finlay back drops Maven over the top to the floor.
Styles: That was a bad bump for Maven and he is in serious trouble now.
Maven gets up on the apron. Finlay grabs him and nails him with a hard shot before pulling him back into the ring. Finlay rams Maven face first into the canvas. Finlay gets Maven up and drills him with the Celtic Cross. Finlay makes the cover and gets the win.
Winner: Finlay.
Styles: Well it just wasn’t meant to be for Maven. Finlay has just put down another ECW competitor in his quest to go to WrestleMania and compete for the ECW Championship.
Foley: Well there are four more Superstars set to compete in this Gauntlet and Finlay is going to have to continue to make quick work of the opposition so that he doesn’t run out of gas.
Styles: We’ll see if Finlay’s tank stays full when ECW continues…
-Commercial Break-
Paul London heads to the ring.
Styles: We are back live here in Scranton, Pennsylvania on ECW. The reigning WWE Cruiserweight Champion Paul London is our next competitor in the Gauntlet. He is about to meet Finlay.
Foley: Paul London is one heck of an athlete, but how will he fare against the fighting Irishman?
London slides into the ring. He kicks Finlay. He pounds on Finlay and goes to the ropes. Finlay nails hi mwith an elbow. Finlay rams him to the buckle and then whips him across. London moves and connects with a dropsault. London delivers a leg drop and gets a near fall.
Styles: Paul London delivers that amazing dropsault, a move that I don’t think I’ve ever seen out of anybody else.
London delivers a dropkick knocking Finlay out of the ring. London then hit’s a sommersault plancha to the outside and pushes Finlay back into the ring.
Foley: Does Paul London want this or what?
London climbs up top. He gets set for the 450 splash. Finlay moves and London sees and drops down from the turnbuckle. London nails Finlay and sends him in. He reverses. London ducks and connects with a heel kick. London delivers a cross body for a near fall. London kicks and chops away. Finlay swings, but London slides under and rolls up Finlay for a two count. London takes Finlay over with a hiplock and then a Japanese arm drag. London sends Finlay into the corner and delivers another heel kick. London hit’s a standing moonsault and gets a near fall.
Styles: Paul London has to be one of the most exciting young Superstars in all of the WWE.
London goes for a suplex, but Finlay reverses it. Finlay drills London with a double knee drop. Finlay pounds on London and connects with a back suplex. Finlay drops a number of elbows for a near fall. Finlay delivers forearm shots and then a back breaker. Finlay drops down on London for another near fall. Finlay then hangs London upside down in the corner. Finlay knees London and then lifts him up and delivers the forward dive into the mat for a near fall.
Foley: Finlay has come back throwing everything at London, but there is no quit in the Cruiserweight Champion. What it would mean for someone like Paul London to be in the ECW Championship main event at WrestleMania?
Styles: It would have to mean the world. Anyone who can attain that would have to be ecstatic.
Finlay pounds on Paul London. He nails him with a big knee lift and then snap mares him over. Finlay knees him again. Finlay uses a double underhook suplex for a near fall. Finlay gets London up. He sets the Celtic Cross, but London shifts and plants Finlay with a DDT. London hit’s a dropkick. He connects with another knocking Finlay into the corner. London sends him in, but Finlay reverses. London leaps up into the corner and comes back with a sunset flip for a near fall. London connects with a spinning kick and then goes up top. He comes off with the 450 splash and holds Finlay down for the three count.
Winner: Paul London.
Styles: A well deserved and super hard fought victory for Paul London. He beat a grizzled, tough veteran in Finlay and now Paul London advances. There are still three competitors left to compete in this gauntlet. Only one man can advance into the semi-finals. We’ll see who Paul London’s next opponent is when ECW continues.
-Commercial Break-
Styles: ECW is back and we are live in Scranton, Pennsylvania for the rebirth of Extreme Championship Wrestling. We are in the middle of the Gauntlet Match to determine one of four semi-finalist who will compete to determine which two ECW Superstars face off for the ECW Title at WrestleMania.
Billy Gunn comes out ready to compete.
Foley: Here comes another veteran of the ring. Billy Gunn is a tough customer. I should know, because the Funker and I had to deal with the New Age Outlaws and some garbage a number of WrestleMania’s back.
Billy Gunn comes in and punches away at London. He sends him in. London reverses. Gunn leaps over and comes back with a dropkick. Gunn press slams London and then delivers a suplex for a near fall.
Styles: Paul London cannot match power with Billy Gunn. He is going to have to go to that quickness.
Billy Gunn rams London into the turnbuckle. He rams him again and then sends him in. Gunn catches London with a side slam and gets a two count. Billy Gunn hooks London and plants him with the One and Only. He makes the cover, but Finlay pulls Gunn out of the ring and rams him into the steps.
Styles: What in the hell is going on here. Finlay is still at ringside and apparently he’s not happy.
Finlay jumps into the ring and nails Paul London. He delivers the Celtic Cross. The referee calls for the bell.
Foley: I think we may have a double disqualification here and if that is the case then I am assuming the final two participants would compete for that semi-final slot.
Styles: I don’t know what the decision is here. Oh wait here comes Paul Heyman. Perhaps he will clear this up for us.
Paul Heyman grabs the microphone.
Heyman: This is ECW! We are not going to allow interference to determine who advances. I will not stand for that. This match will continue!
Styles: Paul Heyman has made the right decision here and thankfully Finlay’s interference is not going to ruin both Paul London and Billy Gunn’s chances.
Billy Gunn rolls back in and goes for the Famouser on London, but he turns it into a power bomb. London goes all the way to the top rope. Billy Gunn follows and nails him. Gunn climbs and delivers a superplex. Gunn makes the cover, but London kicks out. Gunn pounds on London. He sends him in for a clothesline. He nails him again and then lifts him up, but London slips out and rolls Gunn up for a near fall. Billy Gunn plants London face first. He sends him in and goes for a tilt o whirl, but London lands on his feet and leaps up onto Billy Gunn’s shoulders and spins around and rolls him up for the three count.
Styles: Oh my Gawd! Paul London does it again. Paul London beats Billy Gunn after a grueling match against Finlay. Paul London has come here to win this thing. You have to be pulling for Paul London.
Foley: Hey Joey I’m not pulling for anyone here, but I certainly would not disagree with Paul London continuing to prove what kind of a man he is.
Styles: Well Paul London has certainly proven himself to me thus far here on our very first broadcast. Right now we are going to find out just who he has to face next.
Sycho Sid comes out from the entrance area.
Styles: Oh boy! I think the end may be near for Paul London.
Foley: The nearly seven foot, three hundred pound lunatic named Sid is here in ECW and he’s a fresh man. Paul London has already competed in two grueling matches. If Sid wins here, he only has to get by one additional opponent. London would have to go through two more to get to the semi-finals.
Sid steps over the top rope into the ring. Paul London dropkicks Sid. Sid gets caught up into the rope and falls down into the ring. London quickly heads to the top. London comes off with the Shooting Star press and covers Sid. The referee counts one, two, three!
Styles: London wins! London has defeated Sid! Paul London is having the night of his life!
Foley: Dreams do come true Joey Styles right here in ECW!
Styles: Sid can’t believe it. Paul London has the opportunity to leave here tonight standing in the driver’s seat. He has one man left standing in his way. We’ll find out who it is, next!
-Commercial Break-
Styles: Welcome back to what has been an amazing night here in ECW. Paul London, the reigning Cruiserweight Champion has already defeated Finlay, Billy Gunn, and Sycho Sid in this Gauntlet Match. He has one opponent left. The man who wins this final contest advances to the semi-finals. The two semi-final winners will compete one-on-one at Madison Square Garden on March 14 at WrestleMania!
Foley: Here we go Joey. Let’s find out who it is.
“I think I’m cute, I know I’m sexy….”
Styles: Are you kidding me? The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels is here in ECW! Shawn Michaels is in ECW and he is the man who is about to face Paul London.
Foley: The Showstopper, the Icon, the Main Event. Shawn Michaels is Mr. WrestleMania in a lot of circles and well he certainly hasn’t come here to lose.
Styles: Let us also not forget that Paul London was a student of Shawn Michaels. Michaels actually trained Paul London. This is going to be more interesting.
Michaels and London hook up. Michaels applies the head lock. London sends him in. HBK knocks him down and goes to the ropes. London leaps up and over and then goes for a hip lock, but Michaels blocks it and takes London over. London kicks up at HBK and then takes him over with a hp lock. Michaels kicks London and hip locks him again. Shawn then clotheslines London. Michaels chops London and sends him in. HBK connects with a hard elbow and hammers aay. Michaels whips him in, but London reverses him into the corner. Shawn Michaels gets his feet up and plants London with a bulldog. Michaels scoops him up and slams him down. HBK climbs up top.
Styles: Michaels looks to be going for the big elbow here.
London gets up and he climbs up and nails HBK. He delivers a huracanrana off the top rope and makes the cover, but Michaels kicks out. London connects with a cross body for a one count. He goe sto the ropes. Michaels ducks under and then sends London to the ropes. London goes over, but skins the cat and comes back, but HBK catches him with the inverted atomic drop. Shawn nails him and sends him in. London reverses, but Michaels connects with the flying forearm.
Styles: This is patented Shawn Michaels.
Michaels kips up and starts tuning up the band. Michaels goes for Sweet Chin Music, but London ducks and delivers a heel kick. London sling shots Michaels in, but he lands on the turnbuckle and then comes back with a moonsault for a near fall. Michaels rams London to the buckle. He lifts him up, but London goes over and then whips HBK in. Michaels goes upside down into the turnbuckle and then London connects with an inverted atomic drop. London delivers a northern lights suplex, but Michaels bridges up at two and turns him into a back slide for a near fall. London quickly hooks Michaels in a small package for a two count. Shawn delivers a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Michaels chops London and sends him in. London slides under and then sends Michaels in. London spring boards off the rope and lands an enzugiri on HBK. London covers Michaels, but he gets a shoulder up. London hit’s a Michinoku Driver and then climbs up top. London comes off with the 450 splash, but Michaels moves and London manages to land on his feet. London turns and Shawn Michaels blasts him with Sweet Chin Music. Michaels covers him. One…two…three!
Foley: Wow what an exclamation point to an amazing Gauntlet. Paul London delivered a career making performance here tonight, but ultimately Shawn Michaels has come out on top and he advances one step further into what could be another WrestleMania main event for the Heartbreak Kid.
Tazz goes to the ring and talks to Shawn Michaels.
Tazz: Shawn Michaels, first off welcome to ECW and secondly wow what a statement you just made here.
HBK: Tazz, I have to admit when I found out that ECW was the place that HBK was going to lace up the boots I wasn’t that thrilled at the prospect, but after seeing what ECW has to offer, after competing out here against Paul London who has more talent than most people I’ve seen over the years, I am truly excited to be here. Everyone should be applauding Paul London. You are looking at a future Champion. I mean sure HBK wasn’t about to let his WrestleMania moment slip away, but I’ll be damned if I don’t end up having to defend the ECW Championship down the line against him. I don’t know who’s waiting for me in the semi-finals, but I’ll be watching and I’ll be waiting, because Mr. WrestleMania is up for the challenge.
Styles: This has been a night to remember here in ECW. We thank you so much for being here. We’ll see you next week. Good night!
ECW ROSTER
Daivari
Tommy Dreamer
Bubba Dudley
D-Von Dudley
Spike Dudley
Howard Finkel
Finlay
Mick Foley
Chavo Guerrero
Billy Gunn
Gregory Helms
Christy Hemme
Paul Heyman
Hardcore Holly
Marty Jannetty
Mark Jindrak
Brian Kendrick
Billy Kidman
Paul London
Balls Mahoney
Dean Malenko
Maven
Joey Mercury
Shawn Michaels
Shannon Moore
Jamie Noble
Nunzio
William Regal
Rhyno
Steven Richards
Sabu
Sandman
Sycho Sid
Joey Styles
Tajiri
Tazz
Ultimo Dragon
Greg Valentine
Rob Van Dam
Val Venis
EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 27, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the Royal Rumble is shown from Sunday night and then the show beings with pyro going off as fans chant “ECW, ECW, ECW.”
Paul Heyman is standing in the middle of the ring holding a microphone and carrying a championship belt.
Heyman: Welcome to the very first installment of the new ECW. My name is Paul Heyman and I would like to personally thank each and every one of you here in this arena tonight and those of you watching at home for being here. As you can see I am holding what will soon be in the possession of one of our Superstars. This is the ECW Championship. Tonight in this very ring we start on the Road to WrestleMania and the road to an ECW Championship match. Beginning tonight and continuing over the course of the next four weeks we will determine which two Superstars of ECW will get those coveted slots to compete for this ECW Title at WrestleMania XX. Tonight nine Superstars will compete in a Gauntlet match. Two men will start. Once a winner has been declared, another man will enter. This will continue until all nine men have competed,. The final victor will advance to the semi-finals. Anyway without further ado I would like to direct you to the broadcast area and introduce you to the voice of extreme, Mr. Joey Styles and a Hardcore Icon, Mr. Mick Foley!
Styles: You have entered the land of the extreme. Hello everyone I am Joey Styles along with the one and only Mick Foley and this is ECW! Tonight we are live here at the sold out Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on a night where a Gauntlet has been laid down.
Foley: Paul Heyman doesn’t like to waste any time as we follow our own yellow brick road to WrestleMania where we will determine who is the ECW Champion!
Styles: Right now let’s send it up to the most extreme ring announcer I know, Howard Finkel.
9 MAN GAUNTLET MATCH
Finkel: The following is the Gauntlet Match to determine the first semi-finalist for the opportunity at the ECW Championship! Introducing first from Hanover, West Virginia weighing in at 215 pounds, Jamie Noble!
Styles: Well the cats out of the bag on our first entrant in the form of Jamie Noble. We have not been told ahead of time who is competing in this match nor have we been given the complete ECW roster. So we know that Noble is part of ECW and we hope to have the roster for you by the end of the night. Let’s find out now who Noble is facing to kick things off.
Finkel: His opponent from New York City weighing in at 175 pounds Spike Dudley!
Styles: The runt of the litter as far as the Dudley Boyz goes is Spike Dudley and we have our first two opponents in the gauntlet. Remember if either one of these men plan to get to the semi-finals they will have to defeat eight opponents in a row here.
Foley: it’s going to be tough for either of these men, but what they lack in size, they make up for in skill and determination as we have seen in the past from both of these Superstars. This should be a good one.
Noble starts to pound on Spike. He sends him in, but Spike reverses. Noble ducks under and kicks Spike and then drills him with a knee. Noble misses an elbow drop. Spike takes him over with a hiplock and connects with a dropkick. Spike fires away with forearm shtos and then kicks Jamie Noble. Spike nails him and goes for the Dudley Dog, but Noble shoves him into the corner and then plants him with a back suplex for a near fall.
Styles: In this type of situation you have to bet that the Superstars are going to go for quick victories knowing what lies ahead. Spike went for the Dudley Dog early, but Noble has taken control once again.
Jamie Noble stomps on Spike an drops a leg to the back of the neck. Noble makes the cover, but Spike kicks out. Noble delivers a suplex and follows with another leg drop for a two count.
Foley: We know that Spike Dudley is a member of the ECW roster, but where oh where might D-Von and Bubba find themselves.
Styles: Well after last night’s Raw revealed their talent roster, we know that they have to either be here in ECW or on Smackdown.
Foley: Speaking of Smackdown Joey, this Friday Night we are going to hear from the winner of the Royal Rumble, the Rated R Superstar Edge as he makes his decision on which Champion he will face at WrestleMania. Will it be World Champion Kurt Angle or will it be WWE Champion Bret Hart?
Styles: Certainly that is one tough decision that Edge will have to make. Right now though jamie Noble is doing a number on Spike Dudley as both of these men look for the chance to get into the semi-finals for a shot at the ECW Title.
Noble pounds on Spike. Spike gets out from under and connects with a neck breaker. Spike kicks Noble and plants him with a DDT. Spike quickly goes up to the top. He comes off with a big elbow, but Noble moves. Noble delivers a side Russian leg sweep. Noble drops an elbow and gets a near fall. Jamie Noble hit’s a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Noble sends Spike into the turnbuckle. He lifts Spike up top. Spike leaps off into a sunset flip for a two count. Spike rams his head into Noble’s chest. He does it again. Spike connects with a knee lift and then goes back to the top rope. Spike leaps off with a double stomp to the chest and covers Noble. Noble kicks out. Spike sends Noble into the corner. Spike moves in, but Noble moves. Spike goes up and over and sets up the Dudley Dog, but Jamie Noble counters into a face drop and then hooks in Spike for the Tiger Bomb. Noble has the cover and gets a three count.
Winner: Jamie Noble.
Styles: Jamie Noble puts away Spike Dudley with an impressive victory, but Noble is about to find out who is next in-line in the gauntlet. He will find out with the rest of us when ECW continues.
-Commercial Break-
Out from the stage comes Daivari.
Styles: Well it’s the former partner-in-crime of Muhammad Hassan who is still competing on Raw. Daivari has landed here in ECW and what an opportunity this is for him as we welcome you back to the innaugural edition of ECW.
Noble nails Daiviari coming into the ring and he clotheslines him back out over the top. Noble connects with a baseball slide dropkick. Noble slides out and kicks and pounds on Daivari. Noble rams Daivari to the apron and pushes him into the ring. Noble rolls in, but Daiviari greets him with kicks and stomps. Daivari plants Noble with a reverse Russian leg sweep and gets a near fall. Daiviari sends in Noble and nails him with an elbow. Daiviari drops the knee and then clotheslines him to the back of the head. He makes the cover, but Noble kicks out. Daivari slams Noble and goes to the top. Daivari comes off with a sommersault dive, but Noble moves. Noble sling shots him into the corner. Daivari jumps up onto the second turnbuckle. Noble nails him from behind and gets up on the second rope as well and connects with a side Russian leg sweep back to the canvas. Noble covers Daivari hooking the leg and picks up the three count.
Winner: Jamie Noble.
Foley: Wow you have to hand it to Jamie Noble. He is geared up like I’ve never seen him before. Two down for Noble on his quest to become ECW Champion.
Styles: Daivari couldn’t get out of the blocks here and he was taken out in a hurry.
Hardcore Holly is shown watching a monitor in the back. Meanwhile the next opponent for Jamie Noble comes out and it is Tajiri.
Styles: Here comes another ECW alumni in the form of the Japanese Buzzsaw Tajiri. Tajiri vs. Noble should be quite the contest.
Foley: You have to watch out for those fast moving feet of Tajiri.
Styles: Also moments ago we saw Hardcore Holly looking on, so apparently he is part of ECW now.
Tajiri goes right after Jamie Noble with kicks and chops. He sends him in, but Noble reverses. Tajiri ducks and kicks Noble again. He spins around with another kick and makes a cover, but Noble kicks out. Tajiri chops Noble and nails him with forearms. Tajiri goes to the ropes, but Noble catches him with a power slam. Noble drops a leg, but Tajiri moves. Tajiri dropkicks Noble in the face and then delivers a standing moonsault for a near fall. Tajiri goes for a power bomb, but Noble shoves him into the corner. Noble charges in, but Tajiri catches him coming in with the Tarantula.
Styles: Vintage Tajiri as he returns to ECW and looks to climb the proverbial ladder to the ECW Championship at WrestleMania.
Tajiri releases the hold and is out on the apron. He kicks Noble in the head and then spring boards in, but Noble moves. Tajiri lands on his feet and takes Noble with an arm drag. He takes him over the other way and connects with a spinning head scissors. Noble bounces into the corner. Tajiri delivers a hand spring elbow followed by a heel kick for a near fall. Tajiri whips Noble in. Noble moves. Tajiri kicks, but Noble blocks it. Noble goes for a DDT, but Tajiri blocks and kicks Noble. Tajiri hooks Noble and hit’s a tornado DDT out of the corner. Tajiri hooks the leg and gets the win.
Winner: Tajiri.
Styles: After a great run over Spike Dudley and Daiviari, Jamie Noble has succumbed to the Japanese Buzzsaw. Tajirii gets the duke here and is now on his own quest to ECW gold.
Foley: Tajiri would make a very formidable ECW Champion. But Joey who will Tajiri have to face in order to advance?
Styles: We will find out next!
-Commercial Break-
“On Sunday March 14, Madison Square Garden will come unglued as World Wrestling Entertainment proudly presents WrestleMania XX. This is where it all begins again. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of history. Don’t miss WrestleMania XX live March 14 only on pay per view.”
Styles: We are back here on ECW as the Gauntlet match continues. Tajiri is in the ring awaiting his next opponent.
“My name is Finlay and I love to fight.”
Foley: Well here comes the fighting Irish. It’s Finlay!
Finlay is on the ring apron. Tajiri dropkicks Finlay in the leg. Finlay falls from the apron knocking against it on the way down to the floor. Tajiri hit’s a corkscrew moonsault out of the ring. Tajrii sends him in, but Finlay reverses him into the ring post. Finlay sends Tajiri into the post again. Finlay delivers an atomic drop into the post and then pushes Tajiri into the ring.
Styles: Tajiri hit that beautiful corkscrew moonsault, but after that Finlay just starting going to town on Tajiri.
Finlay rolls back into the ring. Finlay drops down with a senton on Tajiri. Finlay scoops up Tajiri and then delivers the forward roll into the mat. Finlay gets Tajiri up again and this time plants him with the Celtic Cross. Finlay makes the cover and gets the three count.
Winner: Finlay.
Foley: My My how the tides have changed. Tajiri has been put down and now it’s Finlay who awaits the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of this ECW Championship competition.
Styles: So who is going to be next to take on the Belfast Bruiser known as Finlay?
Out to the ring comes Maven.
Styles: This is a surprise Mick. Maven was an up and coming Superstar who sort of disappeared from everyone’s radar, but here he is, back in the mix right here in ECW.
Foley: Well here’s Maven’s chance to prove to everyone what he’s made of. This is a golden opportunity for all of the Superstars in ECW.
Maven jumps into the ring, and is met by knees from Finlay. Finlay continues to knee Maven and then drops him with a short arm clothesline. Finlay covers Maven, but he kicks out. Finlay pounds on Maven and delivers a shoulder breaker. Finlay knees him again and gets a near fall. Finlay goes for a suplex, but Maven goes up and over and rolls up Finlay for a count of one. Maven dropkicks Finlay and pounds away. He kicks Finlay and sends him into the corner. Maven charges in and Finlay back drops Maven over the top to the floor.
Styles: That was a bad bump for Maven and he is in serious trouble now.
Maven gets up on the apron. Finlay grabs him and nails him with a hard shot before pulling him back into the ring. Finlay rams Maven face first into the canvas. Finlay gets Maven up and drills him with the Celtic Cross. Finlay makes the cover and gets the win.
Winner: Finlay.
Styles: Well it just wasn’t meant to be for Maven. Finlay has just put down another ECW competitor in his quest to go to WrestleMania and compete for the ECW Championship.
Foley: Well there are four more Superstars set to compete in this Gauntlet and Finlay is going to have to continue to make quick work of the opposition so that he doesn’t run out of gas.
Styles: We’ll see if Finlay’s tank stays full when ECW continues…
-Commercial Break-
Paul London heads to the ring.
Styles: We are back live here in Scranton, Pennsylvania on ECW. The reigning WWE Cruiserweight Champion Paul London is our next competitor in the Gauntlet. He is about to meet Finlay.
Foley: Paul London is one heck of an athlete, but how will he fare against the fighting Irishman?
London slides into the ring. He kicks Finlay. He pounds on Finlay and goes to the ropes. Finlay nails hi mwith an elbow. Finlay rams him to the buckle and then whips him across. London moves and connects with a dropsault. London delivers a leg drop and gets a near fall.
Styles: Paul London delivers that amazing dropsault, a move that I don’t think I’ve ever seen out of anybody else.
London delivers a dropkick knocking Finlay out of the ring. London then hit’s a sommersault plancha to the outside and pushes Finlay back into the ring.
Foley: Does Paul London want this or what?
London climbs up top. He gets set for the 450 splash. Finlay moves and London sees and drops down from the turnbuckle. London nails Finlay and sends him in. He reverses. London ducks and connects with a heel kick. London delivers a cross body for a near fall. London kicks and chops away. Finlay swings, but London slides under and rolls up Finlay for a two count. London takes Finlay over with a hiplock and then a Japanese arm drag. London sends Finlay into the corner and delivers another heel kick. London hit’s a standing moonsault and gets a near fall.
Styles: Paul London has to be one of the most exciting young Superstars in all of the WWE.
London goes for a suplex, but Finlay reverses it. Finlay drills London with a double knee drop. Finlay pounds on London and connects with a back suplex. Finlay drops a number of elbows for a near fall. Finlay delivers forearm shots and then a back breaker. Finlay drops down on London for another near fall. Finlay then hangs London upside down in the corner. Finlay knees London and then lifts him up and delivers the forward dive into the mat for a near fall.
Foley: Finlay has come back throwing everything at London, but there is no quit in the Cruiserweight Champion. What it would mean for someone like Paul London to be in the ECW Championship main event at WrestleMania?
Styles: It would have to mean the world. Anyone who can attain that would have to be ecstatic.
Finlay pounds on Paul London. He nails him with a big knee lift and then snap mares him over. Finlay knees him again. Finlay uses a double underhook suplex for a near fall. Finlay gets London up. He sets the Celtic Cross, but London shifts and plants Finlay with a DDT. London hit’s a dropkick. He connects with another knocking Finlay into the corner. London sends him in, but Finlay reverses. London leaps up into the corner and comes back with a sunset flip for a near fall. London connects with a spinning kick and then goes up top. He comes off with the 450 splash and holds Finlay down for the three count.
Winner: Paul London.
Styles: A well deserved and super hard fought victory for Paul London. He beat a grizzled, tough veteran in Finlay and now Paul London advances. There are still three competitors left to compete in this gauntlet. Only one man can advance into the semi-finals. We’ll see who Paul London’s next opponent is when ECW continues.
-Commercial Break-
Styles: ECW is back and we are live in Scranton, Pennsylvania for the rebirth of Extreme Championship Wrestling. We are in the middle of the Gauntlet Match to determine one of four semi-finalist who will compete to determine which two ECW Superstars face off for the ECW Title at WrestleMania.
Billy Gunn comes out ready to compete.
Foley: Here comes another veteran of the ring. Billy Gunn is a tough customer. I should know, because the Funker and I had to deal with the New Age Outlaws and some garbage a number of WrestleMania’s back.
Billy Gunn comes in and punches away at London. He sends him in. London reverses. Gunn leaps over and comes back with a dropkick. Gunn press slams London and then delivers a suplex for a near fall.
Styles: Paul London cannot match power with Billy Gunn. He is going to have to go to that quickness.
Billy Gunn rams London into the turnbuckle. He rams him again and then sends him in. Gunn catches London with a side slam and gets a two count. Billy Gunn hooks London and plants him with the One and Only. He makes the cover, but Finlay pulls Gunn out of the ring and rams him into the steps.
Styles: What in the hell is going on here. Finlay is still at ringside and apparently he’s not happy.
Finlay jumps into the ring and nails Paul London. He delivers the Celtic Cross. The referee calls for the bell.
Foley: I think we may have a double disqualification here and if that is the case then I am assuming the final two participants would compete for that semi-final slot.
Styles: I don’t know what the decision is here. Oh wait here comes Paul Heyman. Perhaps he will clear this up for us.
Paul Heyman grabs the microphone.
Heyman: This is ECW! We are not going to allow interference to determine who advances. I will not stand for that. This match will continue!
Styles: Paul Heyman has made the right decision here and thankfully Finlay’s interference is not going to ruin both Paul London and Billy Gunn’s chances.
Billy Gunn rolls back in and goes for the Famouser on London, but he turns it into a power bomb. London goes all the way to the top rope. Billy Gunn follows and nails him. Gunn climbs and delivers a superplex. Gunn makes the cover, but London kicks out. Gunn pounds on London. He sends him in for a clothesline. He nails him again and then lifts him up, but London slips out and rolls Gunn up for a near fall. Billy Gunn plants London face first. He sends him in and goes for a tilt o whirl, but London lands on his feet and leaps up onto Billy Gunn’s shoulders and spins around and rolls him up for the three count.
Styles: Oh my Gawd! Paul London does it again. Paul London beats Billy Gunn after a grueling match against Finlay. Paul London has come here to win this thing. You have to be pulling for Paul London.
Foley: Hey Joey I’m not pulling for anyone here, but I certainly would not disagree with Paul London continuing to prove what kind of a man he is.
Styles: Well Paul London has certainly proven himself to me thus far here on our very first broadcast. Right now we are going to find out just who he has to face next.
Sycho Sid comes out from the entrance area.
Styles: Oh boy! I think the end may be near for Paul London.
Foley: The nearly seven foot, three hundred pound lunatic named Sid is here in ECW and he’s a fresh man. Paul London has already competed in two grueling matches. If Sid wins here, he only has to get by one additional opponent. London would have to go through two more to get to the semi-finals.
Sid steps over the top rope into the ring. Paul London dropkicks Sid. Sid gets caught up into the rope and falls down into the ring. London quickly heads to the top. London comes off with the Shooting Star press and covers Sid. The referee counts one, two, three!
Styles: London wins! London has defeated Sid! Paul London is having the night of his life!
Foley: Dreams do come true Joey Styles right here in ECW!
Styles: Sid can’t believe it. Paul London has the opportunity to leave here tonight standing in the driver’s seat. He has one man left standing in his way. We’ll find out who it is, next!
-Commercial Break-
Styles: Welcome back to what has been an amazing night here in ECW. Paul London, the reigning Cruiserweight Champion has already defeated Finlay, Billy Gunn, and Sycho Sid in this Gauntlet Match. He has one opponent left. The man who wins this final contest advances to the semi-finals. The two semi-final winners will compete one-on-one at Madison Square Garden on March 14 at WrestleMania!
Foley: Here we go Joey. Let’s find out who it is.
“I think I’m cute, I know I’m sexy….”
Styles: Are you kidding me? The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels is here in ECW! Shawn Michaels is in ECW and he is the man who is about to face Paul London.
Foley: The Showstopper, the Icon, the Main Event. Shawn Michaels is Mr. WrestleMania in a lot of circles and well he certainly hasn’t come here to lose.
Styles: Let us also not forget that Paul London was a student of Shawn Michaels. Michaels actually trained Paul London. This is going to be more interesting.
Michaels and London hook up. Michaels applies the head lock. London sends him in. HBK knocks him down and goes to the ropes. London leaps up and over and then goes for a hip lock, but Michaels blocks it and takes London over. London kicks up at HBK and then takes him over with a hp lock. Michaels kicks London and hip locks him again. Shawn then clotheslines London. Michaels chops London and sends him in. HBK connects with a hard elbow and hammers aay. Michaels whips him in, but London reverses him into the corner. Shawn Michaels gets his feet up and plants London with a bulldog. Michaels scoops him up and slams him down. HBK climbs up top.
Styles: Michaels looks to be going for the big elbow here.
London gets up and he climbs up and nails HBK. He delivers a huracanrana off the top rope and makes the cover, but Michaels kicks out. London connects with a cross body for a one count. He goe sto the ropes. Michaels ducks under and then sends London to the ropes. London goes over, but skins the cat and comes back, but HBK catches him with the inverted atomic drop. Shawn nails him and sends him in. London reverses, but Michaels connects with the flying forearm.
Styles: This is patented Shawn Michaels.
Michaels kips up and starts tuning up the band. Michaels goes for Sweet Chin Music, but London ducks and delivers a heel kick. London sling shots Michaels in, but he lands on the turnbuckle and then comes back with a moonsault for a near fall. Michaels rams London to the buckle. He lifts him up, but London goes over and then whips HBK in. Michaels goes upside down into the turnbuckle and then London connects with an inverted atomic drop. London delivers a northern lights suplex, but Michaels bridges up at two and turns him into a back slide for a near fall. London quickly hooks Michaels in a small package for a two count. Shawn delivers a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Michaels chops London and sends him in. London slides under and then sends Michaels in. London spring boards off the rope and lands an enzugiri on HBK. London covers Michaels, but he gets a shoulder up. London hit’s a Michinoku Driver and then climbs up top. London comes off with the 450 splash, but Michaels moves and London manages to land on his feet. London turns and Shawn Michaels blasts him with Sweet Chin Music. Michaels covers him. One…two…three!
Foley: Wow what an exclamation point to an amazing Gauntlet. Paul London delivered a career making performance here tonight, but ultimately Shawn Michaels has come out on top and he advances one step further into what could be another WrestleMania main event for the Heartbreak Kid.
Tazz goes to the ring and talks to Shawn Michaels.
Tazz: Shawn Michaels, first off welcome to ECW and secondly wow what a statement you just made here.
HBK: Tazz, I have to admit when I found out that ECW was the place that HBK was going to lace up the boots I wasn’t that thrilled at the prospect, but after seeing what ECW has to offer, after competing out here against Paul London who has more talent than most people I’ve seen over the years, I am truly excited to be here. Everyone should be applauding Paul London. You are looking at a future Champion. I mean sure HBK wasn’t about to let his WrestleMania moment slip away, but I’ll be damned if I don’t end up having to defend the ECW Championship down the line against him. I don’t know who’s waiting for me in the semi-finals, but I’ll be watching and I’ll be waiting, because Mr. WrestleMania is up for the challenge.
Styles: This has been a night to remember here in ECW. We thank you so much for being here. We’ll see you next week. Good night!
ECW ROSTER
Daivari
Tommy Dreamer
Bubba Dudley
D-Von Dudley
Spike Dudley
Howard Finkel
Finlay
Mick Foley
Chavo Guerrero
Billy Gunn
Gregory Helms
Christy Hemme
Paul Heyman
Hardcore Holly
Marty Jannetty
Mark Jindrak
Brian Kendrick
Billy Kidman
Paul London
Balls Mahoney
Dean Malenko
Maven
Joey Mercury
Shawn Michaels
Shannon Moore
Jamie Noble
Nunzio
William Regal
Rhyno
Steven Richards
Sabu
Sandman
Sycho Sid
Joey Styles
Tajiri
Tazz
Ultimo Dragon
Greg Valentine
Rob Van Dam
Val Venis