Post by King Richius on May 19, 2014 14:06:57 GMT -5
DISCLAIMER: This is an extremely detailed write-up for my first ECW PPV: Hardcore Heaven ‘14. I didn’t intend for it to be so long but once I sat down and started typing it flowed like water over Niagara Falls. I know this is not a style that will appeal to everybody so if you would prefer to read a short recap of match results and highlights, I suggest you check out my ECW General Info thread here: [Richius'] ECW text fed You might also browse that thread if you want to read the weekly shows with the build-up to the Hardcore Heaven ‘14 PPV.
Thanks to anyone who reads the detailed write-up and I hope it reminds you of the atmosphere that surrounded the late 90s ECW events. Thanks to all the others who just read the short recaps. I hope all of you find the results enjoyable and keep following my text fed.
Richius
Joey Styles opens the PPV in the ring: “Welcome to ECW Hardcore Heaven ’14!!! The first PPV of the new Extreme revolution. Tonight you will see four new champions crowned. The Dudleys versus Christopher Daniels and Kazarian of E.G.O. for the Tag Team titles. Rob Van Dam and Seth Rollins go at it for the ECW World TV title. The Nature Boy Ric Flair battles Hulk Hogan for the ECW Legends title. And our main event features two of the best in the business ever as CM Punk battles Kurt Angle for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. It’s sure to be a night to remember and…”
Joey is cut off by Sandman’s entrance music. He makes his way down through the crowd as Tommy Dreamer comes down the ramp to join him. Dreamer grabs the mic from a nervous looking Joey Styles: “Relax, Joey. The three of us are as close to icons of ECW as you will ever get and we thought there would be no better way to celebrate the return of ECW to PPV than for us to share a beer to start the show.”
Sandman pulls several beers out of his pants and passes them out. Joey, Dreamer, and Sandman open them up and raise them high. All three shout together “E! C! W!” They drink the beers Sandman style (meaning more ends up on their clothes than in their mouths), although Joey takes a pass on smashing his empty can into his forehead. Sandman sees this, grabs Joey’s hand with the beer can, and smashes it into Joey’s forehead for him.
Joey Styles makes his way to the announcers table and picks up the commentary as Saturn & Droz of Raven’s Flock head to the ring.
Joey: Once again, welcome to ECW Hardcore Heaven ’14. I’m Joey Styles and I have a headache…thanks Sandman. Joining me tonight on commentary is one of the greatest ECW champions, Tazz!
Tazz: Come on Joey, get it right. I am THE greatest ECW champion and I am still the FTW champion. See, I have the belt with me tonight. Fifteen years as unbeaten, undisputed FTW champion.
Joey: If I have learned anything over the years, it is to not argue with you Tazz so I welcome the greatest ECW champion and the current FTW champion to the announcing booth.
Tazz: Thats better. Now lets get to work. Dreamer and Sandman are in the ring facing off against Perry Saturn and Droz of the Flock. The hate between Dreamer and Raven remains after all these years. I know Tommy would like nothing better than to beat the snot out of any and all Flock members on his way to Raven. Sandman is a great partner for him because he’s a drunk who loves to fight. This is going to be a good old fashioned extreme fight.
1) Tommy Dreamer & Sandman vs Saturn & Droz
The match starts with several collar & elbow lock-ups where Dreamer and Saturn alternate pushing the other to the mat. Dreamer gains the advantage switching to a side headlock and throws punches to Saturn’s head.
Dreamer whips Saturn into the ropes and hits a clothesline. Dreamer does several elbow drops. Saturn rolls out of the last one and does a springboard leg drop onto Dreamer. Saturn puts an armbar on Dreamer and tags in Droz. They double team Dreamer up to the five count. Droz powerslams Dreamer and tags Saturn back in. Saturn hits a top rope elbow drop. Saturn sends Dreamer over the top rope to the floor. Saturn hits a springboard somersault splash to Dreamer on the floor.
Sandman hits Saturn with multiple chair shots, then whips him into the ring steps. Sandman helps Dreamer back into the ring, but Droz is waiting and suplexes Dreamer. Droz goes to the floor to help Saturn. They both grab chairs and chase Sandman around the ring. Dreamer slides out on the far side of the ring, grabs two kendo sticks from under the ring. He hits Saturn and Droz with one, throws the other to Sandman, and they hit their opponents repeatedly until they are both busted open. Saturn and Droz crawl under the ring to escape.
Saturn and Droz spend the next few minutes running away from Dreamer and Sandman. Finally, Saturn and Droz get into the ring and try to jump Dreamer and Sandman as they climb through the ropes. Sandman falls back to the floor but Dreamer makes it into the ring. Saturn grabs the top rope and slingshots over into a splash onto Sandman. Dreamer smacks Droz with the kendo stick several times, then holds it between Droz’s legs and yanks upward repeatedly.
Dreamer DDTs Droz onto a steel chair in the ring. On the floor, Sandman gets a ladder from under the ring and hits Saturn with it. Dreamer brings the ladder into the ring and drops it onto Droz. Sandman jumps over the top rope and lands a senton on the ladder, crushing Droz underneath. Dreamer and Sandman set the ladder up in the middle of the ring. Dreamer climbs up one side while Sandman lifts Droz up the other side. Dreamer DDT to Droz off the ladder! Dreamer covers Droz and the ref counts…1…2…3! Dreamer and Sandman win!
Tommy Dreamer & Sandman defeat Saturn & Droz by pinfall at 10:36
Joey: Oh no, this isn’t over. Raven and his Flock are charging the ring.
Abyss is swinging a chain like a maniac. Sandman tries to escape the chain but walks right into a superkick from Stevie Richards. Raven is ordering Kidman to attack Dreamer. Kidman looks reluctant, but yes…he takes the chair and nails Sandman. Raven gathers his Flock and gets Dreamer and Sandman into the ring. Kidman hits the shooting star press to Sandman while Abyss hits Dreamer with the black hole slam.
Loud music hits…Enter New Jack with a trash can full of weapons. New Jack enters the ring. He hits members of the Flock with weapons: stop sign to Droz, then Saturn, smashes a guitar over Abyss’s head. Raven tries to get his Flock back together but Dreamer and Sandman are back up with kendo sticks. New Jack throws Abyss out of the ring and fights him back towards the arena entrance. He smashes a trash can over Abyss’s head, then places him on a table. Heyman runs out and shouts for New Jack to stop. The owner will not approve. New Jack ignores Paul, climbs up to the top of the entrance, gets a running start and jumps down onto Abyss. A panicked Paul Heyman frantically calls for help from backstage for Abyss and New Jack.
Joey: Oh my god! New Jack just killed Abyss…and maybe himself too.
Back in the ring, the Flock has once again gained the advantage. Each member is doing their finishers to Dreamer and Sandman. They finally leave Dreamer and Sandman lying in the middle of the ring bloodied and surrounded by the wreckage of chairs, tables, ladder, guitar, etc. Paul Heyman goes to the ring and summons more medical help from backstage.
Paul Heyman grabs a mic: Everybody needs to listen to what I am saying right now! This may be ECW, but the new owner will not tolerate such blatant violence before or after the matches! If you have problems, settle them in the ring during the match! If this post match mayhem continues there will be fines, suspensions, or firings!
Joey: Well Tazz, after that match I’d say ECW is definitely back but Paul’s announcement signals some changes.
Tazz: It certainly does, Joey. It looks like the extra-curricular activities will stop or there could be some broke, unemployed wrestlers.
Joey: While our crew cleans up the ring for our next match, lets roll the tape of Ric Flair…
Ric Flair: Wooooooooo! The Nature Boy is back! I’ve wrestled in many promotions for many titles but tonight will be my first time in an ECW ring. Its fitting that a legend like myself would be one of the first men to wrestle for the Legends Championship. Wooooooo! This may be a new title, but it will be the most prestigious in the world once I beat Hulk Hogan and put that gold around my waist. Remember what I used to say: To be the man you have to beat the man. Well, after tonight its going to be: To be the legend you have to beat the legend! Wooooooooooooooo! Bring it on Hogan…you don’t have chance against the jet flying, wheeling and dealing, kiss stealing Nature Boy. I’m going to take you to Space Mountain and throw you off the top! Wooooooooooo! (walks away from camera saying “Nature Boy Ric Flair, Legends champion. Has a nice ring to it. Woooooooo!)
Tazz: Flair certainly seems ready to go later tonight for that Legends title. Hogan vs Flair in ECW…who would have ever thought that could happen?
Joey: Its a new ECW and the Legends title is going to be unlike any other in the business. I’ve heard some of the names Paul Heyman has contacted about challenging tonights winner and let me just say it is one impressive list. But now its time to get back to the ring for our second match of the night.
2) Sabu w/ Captain Lou Albano vs Austin Aries
Joey: E.G.O. has had its problems with RVD and Sabu going all the way back to our first show. E.G.O. has suffered too many defeats at the hands of those two and tonight Aries needs to win to gain a measure of respect from the locker room and fans.
Tazz: Very true, Joey. If E.G.O. doesn’t get some wins tonight their stay in ECW could be very short.
Joey: The bell has rung and both wrestlers are ready to go.
Chain wrestling to start the match with lots of counters and reversals but nobody gaining an advantage. A fan gives Captain Lou a whistle, but he says he isn’t Bill Alfonso and doesn’t want it. After 5 minutes or so, Aries finally gets an advantage after he hits Sabu with a dropkick. Sabu is hanging halfway off the ring apron. Aries hits an over the rope leg drop to Sabu. From the floor, he hits a running knee to the side of Sabu’s head. Aries pulls Sabu to the floor and whips him into the barriers. They fight on the floor for a few minutes until Sabu manages to reverse a whip and send Aries into the ring steps. Sabu does a triple jump moonsault from a chair to the barriers to Aries on the floor. Sabu pushes Aries back into the ring along with a couple of chairs.
Sabu climbs the turnbuckles and hits Aries with an arabian face buster. He goes for a pin…1…2…Aries kicks out. Aries goes to the floor and pulls a table from under the ring. As he tries to get it into the ring, Sabu hits a triple jump dive onto Aries. Sabu rigs the table between the ring and barriers. He places Aries onto the table. Sabu goes back into the ring for a triple jump DDT through the table. Both men are down and slow to recover. They throw some weak kicks and punches as they try to get back to their feet. Aries grabs a piece of the table and hits Sabu with it. Aries lifts Sabu up and drops him crotch first onto the barricade. Aries goes into the ring and tries his own triple jump suicide dive but Sabu has moved and he crashes into the barricade. Sabu pushes Aries into the ring and goes for the triple jump moonsault. Aries gets his knees up blocking the moonsault and quickly rolls up Sabu, grabbing his tights for leverage. 1…2…3! Aries wins!
Austin Aries defeats Sabu by pinfall at 15:44.
Joey: I don’t believe it. After that great match, Aries wins by pulling the tights. Is that how he expects to earn respect in ECW?
Tazz: Joey, it isn’t cheating if you don’t get caught. A win is a win and thats all that matters. Score one for E.G.O.
Joey: Daniels and Kazarian seem to agree because they have rushed to the ring to congratulate their partner on his big victory. Appletini’s for everyone…oh how civilized.
The Dudleys come to ringside. Bubba Ray has a mic. “Hey E.G.O., don’t drink too many of those because you have to deal with us right now! We are the greatest tag team of all time. We are going to beat you within an inch of your life. We are going to be the ECW Tag Team Champions…again!”
Daniels responds: “This is just what I would expect from you. No respect for Austin after he just beat Sabu. No respect for a civilized celebration. Maybe you’d prefer if we threw a beer bash with chicken wings and strippers.“ Daniels throws his Appletini in Bubba’s face.
Bubba Ray: “In case you didn’t know, we don’t need a stripper because we have the Duchess of Dudleyville right here. And the only bash that is going to happen tonight is us bashing your heads in!”
The Dudleys charge the ring. After a brief 6 man brawl, the ref gets Aries and Spike out of the ring and rings the bell for the next match.
Joey: Okay, we’ve already seen that these two teams don’t see eye to eye on celebration ideas. I wouldn’t expect a very technical match after that exchange.
Tazz: I gotta agree with you Joey. Daniels and Kazarian would prefer a civilized match but they are facing the Dudleys. It is guaranteed to break down and turn into a fight. It is also worth noting that both of these tag teams lost their warm-up matches. They all have to be feeling some butterflies going into this match.
3) ECW World Tag Team Championship match: The Dudleys w/ Stacy & Spike vs Christopher Daniels & Kazarian w/ Austin Aries
Daniels and Kazarian have an early advantage as they use their speed and athleticism to avoid the Dudleys and hit them with high impact moves. The advantage is lost when Kazarian tries a top rope hurricanrana but Bubba Ray turns it into a bubba bomb. The Dudleys keep the advantage for the next 5 minutes. Daniels tries the best moonsault ever but Stacy shakes the ropes and Daniels falls to the mat. Devon hits the “Wassup” diving headbutt to Daniels. Bubba Ray calls for the tables. Stacy and Devon get a table into the ring. They set Daniels up for the 3D, but Kazarian tries a flying body press off the top rope. Devon catches him in midair and Kazarian gets 3D’d through the table. Devon goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Dudleys win!
Dudley Boys defeat Daniels/Kazarian by pinfall at 11:48 to win the ECW Tag Team Championships.
Joey: The Dudley Boys have done it! They are the new ECW tag Team Champions!
Tazz: Congratulations to the Dudleys. I have my problems with them, but I can admit that they deserve the belts after that finish. Amazing 3D move. It is nice to have a couple of ECW originals on top but who knows how long that will last with teams like E.G.O. and Jay Lethal & John Morrison hanging around.
Joey: Should be plenty of great matches to look forward to. So that is one championship match down, three to go. Now we have some words from one of the two men who will competing for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in the main event.
CM Punk is sitting in a darkened locker room with his hood pulled down over his eyes. “Best in the world. It isn’t a catchphrase. [Punk flips the hoodie back but continues to look down] It is a fact. I am the Best in the World. I can beat anyone anytime anyplace. That is what the best in the world means. Kurt Angle knows a little about this. When he won his Olympic gold medal he got to be the best in the world…for one night. But that was a long time ago and he isn’t the best anymore. [Punk looks up directly into the camera] I am the BEST in the WORLD now! Its True, Kurt. Its DAMN true! When you walk into the ring tonight you will believe me when I say it. Best…in…the…world!”
Tazz: CM Punk is one intense dude. If I was Kurt, I’d be a little scared right now.
Joey: No doubt about it, tonight’s main event is going to be epic. But right now its time to solve some problems extreme style. The Triple Threat and the Impact Players want to rip each others heads off and they will get their chance next. But three ROH veterans may throw a huge monkey wrench into their plans as we go dancing ECW style.
The Triple Threat (Shane Douglas, Chris Candido, Bam Bam Bigelow, Velvet Sky), the Impact Players (Justin Credible, Rhino, Lance Storm, Molly Holly), and the team of Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, and Jay Lethal make their way to the ring.
Joey: Holy crap…Molly Holly is coming out with the Impact Players. I can’t remember the last time I saw anywhere near a wrestling ring.
Tazz: I can’t either but I’m not going to complain. First Velvet and now Molly…its twice as many pigeons.
4) 3 Way Dance: AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Jay Lethal vs Triple Threat w/ Velvet Sky vs Impact Players w/ Molly Holly
The ref rings the bell and the match starts. All nine wrestlers start fighting. The ref tries to restore some order but nobody is paying attention. The first five minutes are a huge melee highlighted by Samoa Joe hitting a muscle buster on Bigelow, Justin Credible hitting the corkscrew piledriver on Shane Douglas, and AJ Styles flipping off the apron into a reverse neck breaker on Rhino. Several pin attempts but there is too much interference to get a 3 count. Finally, order is restored and it is Jay Lethal vs Chris Candido in the ring.
After a minute or two, Jay gets the upper hand and hits the lethal combination to Candido. Candido crawls to a corner to tag but its the Impact Players corner. He tags Justin Credible, but all three Impact Players beat on Candido and drag him to the floor. Rhino gores him through the barriers. Shane and Bam Bam come over and all six brawl at ringside. Jay does a suicide dive onto them all. Just as they all get up, Samoa Joe hits them with a suicide dive. Again, they struggle to get up, but just as they all are standing AJ Styles hits a spiral tap off the top rope.
The Triple Threat retreat to their corner and start to search under the ring. They pull out a table and set it up in the ring. Meanwhile, Samoa Joe and Rhino fight back to the entrance ramp. Styles and Lethal double team Storm and put him out of action, then drag Justin Credible into the ring. Jay tags in AJ, but as he enters the ring Shane attacks him. Jay turns to help but Velvet grabs his legs. Shane hits AJ with a Belly to Belly suplex. Shane and Candido turn their attention to Justin laying on the table. Molly has pulled Velvet off of Jay and they are fighting at ringside. Jay does a flying body press onto Shane and Candido. Then he picks up Justin and sets him up for AJ, who is on the top turnbuckle. AJ hits the Styles clash on Credible through the table, then goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Credible is pinned and the Impact Players are eliminated.
Impact Players eliminated at 12:38
Bam Bam is pulling Molly off of Velvet and throws her into the ring. Molly Holly tries to hit a cartwheel back elbow to Velvet, but Velvet kicks her in the back of her head. Molly falls to the mat. Bam Bam does his top rope moonsault to Molly. Justin and Lance grab Molly and head for the entrance stage. On the entrance stage, Rhino gores Samoa Joe off the stage and the Impact Players get some cheap shots in before exiting.
Joey: This is some insane action. It looks like the Triple Threat is really mad that AJ got the pinfall on Justin and they took that out on poor Molly.
Tazz: I think you’re right Joey. This match wasn’t about a title or adding to your win column. This is a serious grudge match and the Triple Threat wanted to be the ones to eliminate the Impact Players.
Shane Douglas and Jay Lethal are the legal men in the ring now. Jay gets the upper hand with a dropkick, then tries the lethal injection. Shane counters into a german suplex. Shane tags in Bam Bam. Bam Bam power bombs Jay and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Bam Bam drops an elbow and tags in Shane. Shane hits a belly to belly suplex and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Shane hits another belly to belly suplex and tags in Candido. Candido drops an elbow from the top turnbuckle. Pin attempt. 1…2…save by AJ Styles. AJ keeps the Triple Threat at bay and Jay tags in Samoa Joe. As Joe enters, Candido charges him. Joe sidesteps and drops Candido with a side slam.
Joe hoists Candido onto the turnbuckle and hits the musclebuster. He goes for the pin. 1…2…save by Bam Bam. Joe and Bam Bam trade punches and chops. Joe hits an insiguri and Bam Bam rolls out of the ring. Candido tags in Shane. Shane and Joe exchange punches and chops. Joe goes for another insiguri but Shane ducks. Shane gets an armbar on Joe and holds him down so Bam Bam can hit a moonsault. AJ and Jay charge into the ring and all six men are fighting.
The ref has lost control and can’t even remember who was legal. Samoa Joe hits Bam Bam with clothesline taking both over the top rope down to the floor. AJ hits the Pele kick to Candido and both men go to the floor. Jay goes for the lethal injection to Shane but Velvet trips him. Velvet passes a chair to Shane. Shane hits Jay with a belly to belly suplex onto the chair and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Shane hits Jay with a piledriver onto the chair and goes for another pin. 1…2…3! Triple Threat wins! AJ and Joe tried to make the save but couldn’t get there in time. The dejected team of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Jay Lethal exit the arena while the Triple Threat celebrate.
Triple Threat w/ Velvet defeat AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Jay Lethal at 17:29.
Joey: The Triple Threat showed what they are made of tonight and got a small measure of revenge.
Tazz: The Impact Players better watch their backs because this isn’t done, not by a long shot. The Triple Threat still want a piece of them.
Joey: That is something to watch for next week. Now its time for some words from the Hulkster.
Hulk Hogan: “Oh yeah brother, its time for the Hulkster and all his Hulkamaniacs. Tonight is the night. The Legends championship is on the line. This title could be the most important one I’ve ever fought for. Think about it…Legends Champion! Winning this title makes you the champion of champions, the most legendary of the legends. I was born for this. All the Hulkamaniacs will give me their power tonight as I take on Ric Flair. Let me tell you brother, Flair is no joke but he doesn’t have the Hulkamaniacs on his side. I will take everything you can give me and use to beat Flair and take my place in history. Whatcha gonna do Flair, when Hulkamania runs wild on you!?!?!?”
Joey: Whatcha gonna do Tazz when Hulkamania runs wild on ECW?
Tazz: Puke?
Joey: Okay…on that note lets move on to our next match. It is the second title match of the night. Rob Van Dam vs Seth Rollins for the ECW World TV Championship.
5) ECW World TV Championship: Seth Rollins vs Rob Van Dam
RVD poses for the crowd and gets some RVD chants. Rollins waits it out instead of attacking. Rollins offers to shake hands ROH style. RVD shrugs and shakes Rollins’ hand. Rollins and RVD go through a series of standing holds and counters. Then they go through a series of mat holds and counters. Cut and dry technical stuff as they feel each other out for the first 5-10 minutes of the match. Each hits some punches, kicks, and such but neither does any real damage.
RVD is the first to get the upper hand when Rollins catches his kick but RVD catches him with his free foot. RVD hits several corkscrew leg drops. RVD tries for a side kick off the top turnbuckle but Rollins gets out of the way. Rollins gets a few punches in and then hits a DDT. Rollins climbs to the top turnbuckle and tries the flying knee, but RVD avoids it and counters with a spinning heel kick. RVD hits rolling thunder. He tries to go for the pin but Rollins rolls out of the ring. RVD gets a quick pose in and then hits a somersault dive over the top rope. He drops Rollins stomach first over the barriers. RVD hits a corkscrew leg drop from the apron to Rollins. RVD gets back on the apron and does some more posing.
Rollins grabs RVDs leg and pulls him off the apron. Rollins hits RVD with a series of chops and then whips him into the barriers. Rollins gets on the apron and hits a running knee to RVD. Then he mocks RVDs pose. RVD grabs a chair and hits Rollins with a weak chair shot. Both men crawl back into the ring.
Over the next few minutes, both men are fatigued and beat up. They try some weak pin attempts but either kick out or reach the ropes. RVD gets Rollins backed into a corner and goes for the monkey flip, but Rollins counters slamming RVD’s head into the turnbuckle. While RVD gets back to his feet, Rollins sets up for and hits a flying knee off the top turnbuckle. Rollins goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. RVD rolls out of the ring. He stumbles around until he finds a chair and sits in it. Rollins does a flying curb stomp off the apron slamming RVD’s head into the barriers. He rolls RVD back into the ring along with the chair. Rollins places the chair on RVD, climbs the turnbuckles, and goes for the 450 splash but RVD rolls out of the way.
RVD hits a split legged moonsault and goes for the pin. 1…2…Rollins grabs the ropes. RVD whips Rollins into the ropes and takes him down with the leg scissors pin attempt. 1…2…kick out! RVD grabs the chair and tosses it to Rollins. He goes for the Van Daminator but Rollins sidesteps and hits RVD with the chair. Rollins goes to the top and hits RVD with the curb stomp. He goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out! Rollins gets up and walks to the ropes, slumping over them with that “what do I have to do” look. He turns around, but RVD throws the chair to him and hits the Van Daminator.
RVD goes to the top turnbuckle but he is slow and even stops to pose for the crowd so Rollins gets to the turnbuckle too. They exchange punches on the turnbuckle. Rollins hits a german superplex, then follows it up with two more german suplexes. He bridges on the last one for the pin but is too weak to hold it. He rolls over for a lateral press. 1…2… SMACK chair shot to Rollins. After the last suplex, RVD landed right next to the chair which he grabbed and hit Rollins with. RVD jumps onto the top turnbuckle, almost loses his balance but regains it and hits the five star frog splash. RVD goes for the pin. 1…2…3! RVD wins and is the ECW World TV Champion!
RVD defeats Seth Rollins by pinfall at 26:46 to win the ECW World TV Championship.
After the match, Seth offers to shake RVDs hand again. They shake hands, then hug, and Rollins raises Robs hand in victory. Seth leaves the ring, but turns around one last time and says “Next time I will win and take that belt from you!”
Joey: Incredible match! Rob Van Dam has reclaimed the ECW World TV Championship he once held for 23 months and only lost due to injury.
Tazz: That was intense. Rob and Seth left it all in the ring tonight. Two great competitors putting it all on the line.
Paul Heyman comes out to the entrance stage: “I’m here to explain the new ECW cage match rules: You must pin or submit your opponent inside the cage. Escaping the cage means nothing. You will have to re-enter the cage and continue the match until there is a decision. Also, this is Extreme Championship Wrestling, so we will be placing a few toys for you to play with inside the cage. One more thing. Jerry Lynn and Raven need to know that under orders of the anonymous owner, if anyone interferes in this match they will be fired. Tonight there will be a clear winner and loser.”
Joey: The boss has spoken and these rules really change the complexion of a cage match. There is no easy way out by escaping through the door over over the top.
Tazz: That is huge, Joey. I thought Jerry had an advantage on Raven because his athleticism would make it easier for him to go over the top but that is negated by this new stipulation.
Joey: I’m not too sure that Jerry wanted to win by escape anyway. These two have some bad blood between them and Jerry is intent on ending it.
[The cage is ready. Jerry Lynn and Raven are introduced and enter the steel cage. The ref closes the door, locks it, and signals for the bell.
6) Steel Cage Match: Jerry Lynn vs Raven
Both men immediately start throwing haymakers at each other in the middle of the ring. Lynn hits Raven with a standing dropkick. Lynn whips Raven into the ropes and hits a hurricanrana. Lynn picks up Raven and throws him over the ropes into the cage. Lynn grinds Raven’s face across the steel bars. Lynn whips Raven across the ring into the cage again. Raven is half standing against the cage. Lynn gets a running start and hits a flying dropkick slamming Raven’s head into the cage again. Lynn grabs Raven’s head and drags him to the turnbuckle smashing his head into the turnbuckle multiple times. He hoists Raven onto the turnbuckle and hits a top rope hurricanrana. Lynn doesn’t attempt a pin.
Instead, he looks around the ring and grabs one of the “toys” Heyman provided. He picks up a steel chair and turns back to Raven. He moves towards Raven to hit him with the chair but Raven picked up his leather jacket. Raven uses the jacket to trip Lynn and then wraps it around Lynn’s head. Raven picks up the chair and hits Lynn multiple times. Raven DDTs Lynn but he does not go for the pin.
Raven surveys the ring and finds a baseball bat wrapped in barbwire. He goes back to Lynn and pulls the jacket off Lynn’s head. Raven scrapes the bat across Lynn’s forehead getting the blood flowing. Lynn reacts to his own blood and hits Raven with a low blow. Lynn grabs the bat and takes a big swing into Raven’s stomach, then his back. Lynn places the bat on the mat, picks up Raven and hits a cradle piledriver onto the bat. Raven is busted open and starts to bleed.
Lynn does not go for a pin yet. He climbs the cage all the way to the top and turns towards the ring. Raven is up and stumbling around the ring. Lynn takes off and hits Raven with a flying body press. It takes Lynn some time to recover before he can attempt a cover. 1…2…kick out. They both try to get up, but Lynn’s leg seems hurt and he falls down again. Raven takes advantage and kicks Lynn several times. Raven sets up the chair in the ring. Raven gets Lynn to his feet and whips him into the ropes. Raven hits the drop toe hold onto the steel chair. Raven picks up Lynn and DDTs him onto the steel chair. He covers for the pin. 1…2…kick out.
A clearly frustrated Raven gets another “toy” from around the ring: a table. He sets the table up in the ring. Lynn is still down, so Raven picks him up and carries him over to the table. Raven starts to climb to the top rope. He turns to face the ring to see that Lynn was faking how bad he was hurt. Lynn is on his way up the ropes next to Raven. They trade punches until Lynn knees Raven in the crotch. Lynn grabs Raven’s head and jumps off hitting a DDT through the table. He goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Jerry Lynn wins!
Jerry Lynn defeats Raven by pinfall at 13:42
After getting the pin, Lynn handcuffs Raven to the cage and hits him with a series of chairshots. The Flock surrounds the cage but Heyman comes out again and reminds them that if anything happens to Jerry Lynn there will be fines, suspensions, or firings. He then tells Lynn that if he doesn’t stop the beating and leave the cage he will be fired. The anonymous owner will not tolerate these actions in the new ECW. Lynn keeps the chair at the ready as he exits the cage and walks past the Flock. The Flock enter the cage and help Raven backstage.
Joey: I know Jerry Lynn is a high flying technical wrestler, but tonight we did not see that. He wanted to fight and fight he did. Raven is one of the nastiest men to face in a brawl and Jerry Lynn just took him to school.
Tazz: Absolutely correct. I can’t remember the last time I saw Jerry use a low blow, much less two in one match. He proved something to Raven and everyone else. Don’t mess with the New F’n Show.
Joey: Only two matches left and both are for championship belts featuring four of the best wrestlers ever. Lets roll the tape of Kurt Angle while the ring crew takes care of business.
Kurt Angle: “So this is Extreme Championship Wrestling. I’m not impressed. You all seem to think hitting someone with a chair or putting them through a table or cutting them with barbwire is extreme. It’s not. I’ll tell you what is extreme. Winning an Olympic Gold medal with broken freakin’ neck! In the dictionary there is a picture of me next to the word extreme. My picture is also next to the word champion. That is why I am the perfect man to be the Extreme Champion. I define both. CM Punk, I don’t care if you think you are the best in the world. On this night I’m going to show that I am the best in ECW. Oh, its true. Its damn true!”
Tazz: I’ve been in the ring with Angle and let me tell you something. If he brings his best he is one tough bastard to beat. I hope Punk is ready because other than myself, Kurt has the best suplexes in wrestling.
Joey: The main event is a match I am really excited to see. But first, we have the ECW Legends Championship match between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.
Ric Flair comes to the ring first and takes plenty of time to remove his robe. Hulk Hogan comes out and wastes no time ripping off his shirt and flexing his muscles for the crowd. The ref enters the ring with a microphone: “The ECW legends Championship will be contested under normal rules, not extreme rules. Keep it clean or I will disqualify you. Keep it in the ring or I will count you out.” The ref signals for the bell.
7) ECW Legends Championship: Ric Flair vs Hulk Hogan
Both men exchange punches and chops to start the match. Hogan gets the upper hand and whips Flair into the ropes leading to a clothesline. Hogan backs Flair into the corner with more punches. The ref asks for a clean break but Flair pokes Hogan in the eyes. Flair suplexes Hogan and drags him to the ropes. Flair props Hogan’s leg on the bottom rope and stomps on it repeatedly. Flair wraps Hogan’s leg around the round and twists it as hard as he can. The ref calls for the break. Hogan rakes his nails across Flair’s back but the Ref doesn’t see it. Hogan drags Flair’s eyes across the top rope hiding his actions from the ref with his body. Hogan whips Flair into the corner and Flair goes tumbling over the turnbuckle to the apron. Hogan hits him with a big boot that sends Flair to the floor.
Hogan goes to the floor and punches Flair several times before body slamming Ric to the floor. Hogan picks up Flair and rolls him back in the ring. Hogan hits Flair with several elbow drops. Hogan picks Flair up to body slam him but Flair hits a low blow that the ref doesn’t see. Flair chops Hogan a bunch of times and then chop blocks his leg. Flair goes to the apron and climbs to the top turnbuckle, but of course Hogan gets there and press slams him halfway across the ring. Hogan drops an elbow onto Flair and covers him. 1…2…kick out!
Hogan whips Flair into the ropes and hits the back body drop. Hogan tries another elbow drop but Flair moves out of the way. Flair very quickly puts the figure four leg lock on Hogan. Hogan fights it for a minute or two and finally reverses the hold forcing Flair to break it. Flair starts to work over Hogan’s leg again. After a minute or two of this, Flair chop blocks Hogan who falls to the mat. Flair goes to apply the figure four but Hogan kicks him away.
Hogan “Hulks up”, flexing and wagging his finger in Flair’s face. Hogan hits a bunch of heavy punches, whips Flair into the ropes and hits him with the big boot. Flair goes down. Hogan goes for the leg drop but Flair moves out of the way. Hogan is on the mat and Flair locks in the figure four leg lock again. Hogan tries to reverse it but Flair rolls through and keeps it locked on tight. Hogan tries to reach the ropes but Flair pulls him to the center of the ring and locks it on again. Hogan has to tap out. Flair wins!
Ric Flair defeats Hulk Hogan by submission at 14:30 to win the ECW Legends Championship.
Joey: The first ever ECW Legends Champion, the Nature Boy Ric Flair!
Tazz: ECW is now stylin’ and profilin’. Naitch will be a great Legends champ and I can’t wait to see who his first challenger will be.
Joey: There are dozens of possibilities and Paul has promised me some surprises. Definitely something to look forward to. Speaking of something to look forward to, its time! The finals of the ECW World Heavyweight Championship tournament is now! CM Punk! Kurt Angle! Oh my god!
Kurt Angle comes to the ring with Brooke Tessmacher. The crowd sings “You suck” to his entrance theme which angers Kurt. CM Punk comes out to the ring with AJ Lee and Luke Gallows. The ref checks each wrestler before the match and then tells Punk that AJ can stay since she is a manager but Gallows has to go back to the locker room. Punk argues a little but he tells Luke to do what the ref says. The bell rings and the match is on.
8) ECW World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs Kurt Angle
Angle gets the early advantage with a series of chops followed by a quick belly to belly overhead suplex. Angle follows up with a series of German suplexes. Angle is looking for a quick finish as he goes to the top turnbuckle for a moonsault. Punk gets his knees up and Angle gets the worst of it. Punk locks on the anaconda vice but Kurt is too close to the ropes and the hold is broken by the ref. Kurt is still down on the mat as Punk approaches him, but Angle gets a single leg takedown and locks in the ankle lock. Punk is able to flip around and kicks Kurt into the corner. Punk runs in and hits the high knee to Kurt followed by a bulldog. He goes for the cover. 1…kick out!
Kurt gets to his knees in the center of the ring but Punk hits a series of kicks to the chest and back. Punk hits one last kick to Kurt’s head which knocks Kurt down flat on the mat. Punk climbs the turnbuckle and hits the flying elbow drop. Punk covers. 1…2…kick out!
Punk tries to lift Kurt up but Kurt pulls Punk down for a weak stunner. Kurt gets up and bounces off the rope to clothesline Punk but Punk ducks and lifts Kurt up into a fireman’s carry. Punk tries to do the GTS but Kurt elbows Punk’s head until Punk drops him. Kurt rolls out of the ring to the floor. Punk does suicide dive through the ropes and both men hit the barriers hard.
They struggle to their feet and use the apron to balance themselves while exchanging punches. Kurt makes a desperation move and hits the olympic slam on the floor. Punk is down. Kurt picks him and whips him into the ring steps. Kurt is getting his second wind now. He moves the ring steps next to the announcers table. Kurt goes back to Punk and they exchange punches again but Kurt is stronger now. He gets Punk on his shoulders and carries him over to up the steps. Kurt is going for the olympic slam through the announcers table but Punk slides down his back and hits a sunset flip power bomb to the floor. Angle is stunned and just lays there.
Punk struggles to get a table from under the ring and slide it into the ring. Kurt has finally struggled to his feet and drives Punk into the ring apron and then the ring post. Kurt lifts Punk onto his shoulders and climbs the ring steps again. Before he can hit the olympic slam, Punk manages to get a sleeper hold on Kurt. Kurt fights it but Punk is determined and tightens the hold. Kurt fades and Punk positions him on the announcers table. Punk climbs up to the top turnbuckle and hits a flying elbow drop which shatters the announcers table.
Punk slowly makes his way back into the ring and sets the table up in the center of the ring. He goes back to the floor and puts a chair in the ring next to the turnbuckles. Punk then grabs Kurt and pushes him into the ring. Kurt is wobbly but gets to his feet. Punk hits a slingshot clothesline and Kurt goes down. Punk puts Kurt on the table and climbs the turnbuckles but he is too slow. Kurt gets up and with a burst of energy climbs the turnbuckles to grab Punk. Kurt hits the belly to belly overhead suplex smashing Punk through the table.
Angle locks the ankle lock on Punk. Punk is in serious trouble and almost taps, but somehow Punk finds the strength to flip to his back and break the hold. Kurt falls back into the corner and Punk follows him in with a high knee. Kurt falls to the mat. Punk locks on the anaconda vice and it is Kurt who almost taps. Kurt can’t break the hold or reach the ropes, but he does manage to grab a piece of the broken table. Kurt hits Punk with the table piece until Punk breaks the hold.
Punk grabs the chair from the corner of the ring and hits Kurt several times. Punk climbs the turnbuckles and hits Kurt with an elbow drop using the chair. Punk covers Kurt. 1…2…kick out. Punk is furious now and lifts Kurt up for the GTS but Kurt reverses it into a DDT. Kurt takes the straps down and lifts Punk up for an olympic slam onto the chair. Kurt covers Punk. 1…2…kick out!
Punk kicks Kurt in the head and then hits the GTS, but Kurt falls out of the ring. Punk gets a running start for a suicide dive. Kurt catches Punk and drives him into the ring apron. Again both men are down and dazed.
After a long pause, both make their way back into the ring. They exchange punches in the middle of the ring. Punk lands another big kick to Kurt’s head and lifts him up for a GTS. Kurt slides down Punks back and locks in the ankle lock. Punk is fighting it and almost reaches the ropes, but Kurt pulls him back to the center of the ring and then grapevines Punk’s leg. Punk tries to hold on but can’t and has to tap. Angle wins!
Kurt Angle defeats CM Punk by submission at 27:19 to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
AJ Lee helps Punk back to the locker room while Brooke dances around the ring doing bad cheers for Kurt. Paul Heyman comes out to personally present Kurt Angle with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship belt.
Joey: Kurt Angle made Punk tap out! He is the new ECW World Heavyweight champion!
Tazz: I’m sure Kurt will be a fine champion, at least until he has to face the FTW champion. Lots of respect for Punk too. That match could have gone either way.
Joey: I’m sure a rematch will happen and we will be here to show it. What a great main event to end our first PPV. Wait, what’s going on?
A large man in a hoodie comes out of the crowd and enters the ring. He flips the hood back to reveal that he is Ezekiel Jackson. He removes the hoodie to reveal his ECW WHC belt which he takes off and holds in front of Kurt Angle. Jackson shouts “You aren’t the real ECW champion until you beat me!” Kurt, who can barely stand without help from Brooke, holds up his belt and replies: “I’m ready whenever you are.” Heyman gets between the two men and stops any physical confrontation as we fade to black.
Thanks to anyone who reads the detailed write-up and I hope it reminds you of the atmosphere that surrounded the late 90s ECW events. Thanks to all the others who just read the short recaps. I hope all of you find the results enjoyable and keep following my text fed.
Richius
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ECW Hardcore Heaven ’14 (5/20/14)
Joey Styles opens the PPV in the ring: “Welcome to ECW Hardcore Heaven ’14!!! The first PPV of the new Extreme revolution. Tonight you will see four new champions crowned. The Dudleys versus Christopher Daniels and Kazarian of E.G.O. for the Tag Team titles. Rob Van Dam and Seth Rollins go at it for the ECW World TV title. The Nature Boy Ric Flair battles Hulk Hogan for the ECW Legends title. And our main event features two of the best in the business ever as CM Punk battles Kurt Angle for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. It’s sure to be a night to remember and…”
Joey is cut off by Sandman’s entrance music. He makes his way down through the crowd as Tommy Dreamer comes down the ramp to join him. Dreamer grabs the mic from a nervous looking Joey Styles: “Relax, Joey. The three of us are as close to icons of ECW as you will ever get and we thought there would be no better way to celebrate the return of ECW to PPV than for us to share a beer to start the show.”
Sandman pulls several beers out of his pants and passes them out. Joey, Dreamer, and Sandman open them up and raise them high. All three shout together “E! C! W!” They drink the beers Sandman style (meaning more ends up on their clothes than in their mouths), although Joey takes a pass on smashing his empty can into his forehead. Sandman sees this, grabs Joey’s hand with the beer can, and smashes it into Joey’s forehead for him.
Joey Styles makes his way to the announcers table and picks up the commentary as Saturn & Droz of Raven’s Flock head to the ring.
Joey: Once again, welcome to ECW Hardcore Heaven ’14. I’m Joey Styles and I have a headache…thanks Sandman. Joining me tonight on commentary is one of the greatest ECW champions, Tazz!
Tazz: Come on Joey, get it right. I am THE greatest ECW champion and I am still the FTW champion. See, I have the belt with me tonight. Fifteen years as unbeaten, undisputed FTW champion.
Joey: If I have learned anything over the years, it is to not argue with you Tazz so I welcome the greatest ECW champion and the current FTW champion to the announcing booth.
Tazz: Thats better. Now lets get to work. Dreamer and Sandman are in the ring facing off against Perry Saturn and Droz of the Flock. The hate between Dreamer and Raven remains after all these years. I know Tommy would like nothing better than to beat the snot out of any and all Flock members on his way to Raven. Sandman is a great partner for him because he’s a drunk who loves to fight. This is going to be a good old fashioned extreme fight.
1) Tommy Dreamer & Sandman vs Saturn & Droz
The match starts with several collar & elbow lock-ups where Dreamer and Saturn alternate pushing the other to the mat. Dreamer gains the advantage switching to a side headlock and throws punches to Saturn’s head.
Dreamer whips Saturn into the ropes and hits a clothesline. Dreamer does several elbow drops. Saturn rolls out of the last one and does a springboard leg drop onto Dreamer. Saturn puts an armbar on Dreamer and tags in Droz. They double team Dreamer up to the five count. Droz powerslams Dreamer and tags Saturn back in. Saturn hits a top rope elbow drop. Saturn sends Dreamer over the top rope to the floor. Saturn hits a springboard somersault splash to Dreamer on the floor.
Sandman hits Saturn with multiple chair shots, then whips him into the ring steps. Sandman helps Dreamer back into the ring, but Droz is waiting and suplexes Dreamer. Droz goes to the floor to help Saturn. They both grab chairs and chase Sandman around the ring. Dreamer slides out on the far side of the ring, grabs two kendo sticks from under the ring. He hits Saturn and Droz with one, throws the other to Sandman, and they hit their opponents repeatedly until they are both busted open. Saturn and Droz crawl under the ring to escape.
Saturn and Droz spend the next few minutes running away from Dreamer and Sandman. Finally, Saturn and Droz get into the ring and try to jump Dreamer and Sandman as they climb through the ropes. Sandman falls back to the floor but Dreamer makes it into the ring. Saturn grabs the top rope and slingshots over into a splash onto Sandman. Dreamer smacks Droz with the kendo stick several times, then holds it between Droz’s legs and yanks upward repeatedly.
Dreamer DDTs Droz onto a steel chair in the ring. On the floor, Sandman gets a ladder from under the ring and hits Saturn with it. Dreamer brings the ladder into the ring and drops it onto Droz. Sandman jumps over the top rope and lands a senton on the ladder, crushing Droz underneath. Dreamer and Sandman set the ladder up in the middle of the ring. Dreamer climbs up one side while Sandman lifts Droz up the other side. Dreamer DDT to Droz off the ladder! Dreamer covers Droz and the ref counts…1…2…3! Dreamer and Sandman win!
Tommy Dreamer & Sandman defeat Saturn & Droz by pinfall at 10:36
Joey: Oh no, this isn’t over. Raven and his Flock are charging the ring.
Abyss is swinging a chain like a maniac. Sandman tries to escape the chain but walks right into a superkick from Stevie Richards. Raven is ordering Kidman to attack Dreamer. Kidman looks reluctant, but yes…he takes the chair and nails Sandman. Raven gathers his Flock and gets Dreamer and Sandman into the ring. Kidman hits the shooting star press to Sandman while Abyss hits Dreamer with the black hole slam.
Loud music hits…Enter New Jack with a trash can full of weapons. New Jack enters the ring. He hits members of the Flock with weapons: stop sign to Droz, then Saturn, smashes a guitar over Abyss’s head. Raven tries to get his Flock back together but Dreamer and Sandman are back up with kendo sticks. New Jack throws Abyss out of the ring and fights him back towards the arena entrance. He smashes a trash can over Abyss’s head, then places him on a table. Heyman runs out and shouts for New Jack to stop. The owner will not approve. New Jack ignores Paul, climbs up to the top of the entrance, gets a running start and jumps down onto Abyss. A panicked Paul Heyman frantically calls for help from backstage for Abyss and New Jack.
Joey: Oh my god! New Jack just killed Abyss…and maybe himself too.
Back in the ring, the Flock has once again gained the advantage. Each member is doing their finishers to Dreamer and Sandman. They finally leave Dreamer and Sandman lying in the middle of the ring bloodied and surrounded by the wreckage of chairs, tables, ladder, guitar, etc. Paul Heyman goes to the ring and summons more medical help from backstage.
Paul Heyman grabs a mic: Everybody needs to listen to what I am saying right now! This may be ECW, but the new owner will not tolerate such blatant violence before or after the matches! If you have problems, settle them in the ring during the match! If this post match mayhem continues there will be fines, suspensions, or firings!
Joey: Well Tazz, after that match I’d say ECW is definitely back but Paul’s announcement signals some changes.
Tazz: It certainly does, Joey. It looks like the extra-curricular activities will stop or there could be some broke, unemployed wrestlers.
Joey: While our crew cleans up the ring for our next match, lets roll the tape of Ric Flair…
Ric Flair: Wooooooooo! The Nature Boy is back! I’ve wrestled in many promotions for many titles but tonight will be my first time in an ECW ring. Its fitting that a legend like myself would be one of the first men to wrestle for the Legends Championship. Wooooooo! This may be a new title, but it will be the most prestigious in the world once I beat Hulk Hogan and put that gold around my waist. Remember what I used to say: To be the man you have to beat the man. Well, after tonight its going to be: To be the legend you have to beat the legend! Wooooooooooooooo! Bring it on Hogan…you don’t have chance against the jet flying, wheeling and dealing, kiss stealing Nature Boy. I’m going to take you to Space Mountain and throw you off the top! Wooooooooooo! (walks away from camera saying “Nature Boy Ric Flair, Legends champion. Has a nice ring to it. Woooooooo!)
Tazz: Flair certainly seems ready to go later tonight for that Legends title. Hogan vs Flair in ECW…who would have ever thought that could happen?
Joey: Its a new ECW and the Legends title is going to be unlike any other in the business. I’ve heard some of the names Paul Heyman has contacted about challenging tonights winner and let me just say it is one impressive list. But now its time to get back to the ring for our second match of the night.
2) Sabu w/ Captain Lou Albano vs Austin Aries
Joey: E.G.O. has had its problems with RVD and Sabu going all the way back to our first show. E.G.O. has suffered too many defeats at the hands of those two and tonight Aries needs to win to gain a measure of respect from the locker room and fans.
Tazz: Very true, Joey. If E.G.O. doesn’t get some wins tonight their stay in ECW could be very short.
Joey: The bell has rung and both wrestlers are ready to go.
Chain wrestling to start the match with lots of counters and reversals but nobody gaining an advantage. A fan gives Captain Lou a whistle, but he says he isn’t Bill Alfonso and doesn’t want it. After 5 minutes or so, Aries finally gets an advantage after he hits Sabu with a dropkick. Sabu is hanging halfway off the ring apron. Aries hits an over the rope leg drop to Sabu. From the floor, he hits a running knee to the side of Sabu’s head. Aries pulls Sabu to the floor and whips him into the barriers. They fight on the floor for a few minutes until Sabu manages to reverse a whip and send Aries into the ring steps. Sabu does a triple jump moonsault from a chair to the barriers to Aries on the floor. Sabu pushes Aries back into the ring along with a couple of chairs.
Sabu climbs the turnbuckles and hits Aries with an arabian face buster. He goes for a pin…1…2…Aries kicks out. Aries goes to the floor and pulls a table from under the ring. As he tries to get it into the ring, Sabu hits a triple jump dive onto Aries. Sabu rigs the table between the ring and barriers. He places Aries onto the table. Sabu goes back into the ring for a triple jump DDT through the table. Both men are down and slow to recover. They throw some weak kicks and punches as they try to get back to their feet. Aries grabs a piece of the table and hits Sabu with it. Aries lifts Sabu up and drops him crotch first onto the barricade. Aries goes into the ring and tries his own triple jump suicide dive but Sabu has moved and he crashes into the barricade. Sabu pushes Aries into the ring and goes for the triple jump moonsault. Aries gets his knees up blocking the moonsault and quickly rolls up Sabu, grabbing his tights for leverage. 1…2…3! Aries wins!
Austin Aries defeats Sabu by pinfall at 15:44.
Joey: I don’t believe it. After that great match, Aries wins by pulling the tights. Is that how he expects to earn respect in ECW?
Tazz: Joey, it isn’t cheating if you don’t get caught. A win is a win and thats all that matters. Score one for E.G.O.
Joey: Daniels and Kazarian seem to agree because they have rushed to the ring to congratulate their partner on his big victory. Appletini’s for everyone…oh how civilized.
The Dudleys come to ringside. Bubba Ray has a mic. “Hey E.G.O., don’t drink too many of those because you have to deal with us right now! We are the greatest tag team of all time. We are going to beat you within an inch of your life. We are going to be the ECW Tag Team Champions…again!”
Daniels responds: “This is just what I would expect from you. No respect for Austin after he just beat Sabu. No respect for a civilized celebration. Maybe you’d prefer if we threw a beer bash with chicken wings and strippers.“ Daniels throws his Appletini in Bubba’s face.
Bubba Ray: “In case you didn’t know, we don’t need a stripper because we have the Duchess of Dudleyville right here. And the only bash that is going to happen tonight is us bashing your heads in!”
The Dudleys charge the ring. After a brief 6 man brawl, the ref gets Aries and Spike out of the ring and rings the bell for the next match.
Joey: Okay, we’ve already seen that these two teams don’t see eye to eye on celebration ideas. I wouldn’t expect a very technical match after that exchange.
Tazz: I gotta agree with you Joey. Daniels and Kazarian would prefer a civilized match but they are facing the Dudleys. It is guaranteed to break down and turn into a fight. It is also worth noting that both of these tag teams lost their warm-up matches. They all have to be feeling some butterflies going into this match.
3) ECW World Tag Team Championship match: The Dudleys w/ Stacy & Spike vs Christopher Daniels & Kazarian w/ Austin Aries
Daniels and Kazarian have an early advantage as they use their speed and athleticism to avoid the Dudleys and hit them with high impact moves. The advantage is lost when Kazarian tries a top rope hurricanrana but Bubba Ray turns it into a bubba bomb. The Dudleys keep the advantage for the next 5 minutes. Daniels tries the best moonsault ever but Stacy shakes the ropes and Daniels falls to the mat. Devon hits the “Wassup” diving headbutt to Daniels. Bubba Ray calls for the tables. Stacy and Devon get a table into the ring. They set Daniels up for the 3D, but Kazarian tries a flying body press off the top rope. Devon catches him in midair and Kazarian gets 3D’d through the table. Devon goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Dudleys win!
Dudley Boys defeat Daniels/Kazarian by pinfall at 11:48 to win the ECW Tag Team Championships.
Joey: The Dudley Boys have done it! They are the new ECW tag Team Champions!
Tazz: Congratulations to the Dudleys. I have my problems with them, but I can admit that they deserve the belts after that finish. Amazing 3D move. It is nice to have a couple of ECW originals on top but who knows how long that will last with teams like E.G.O. and Jay Lethal & John Morrison hanging around.
Joey: Should be plenty of great matches to look forward to. So that is one championship match down, three to go. Now we have some words from one of the two men who will competing for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in the main event.
CM Punk is sitting in a darkened locker room with his hood pulled down over his eyes. “Best in the world. It isn’t a catchphrase. [Punk flips the hoodie back but continues to look down] It is a fact. I am the Best in the World. I can beat anyone anytime anyplace. That is what the best in the world means. Kurt Angle knows a little about this. When he won his Olympic gold medal he got to be the best in the world…for one night. But that was a long time ago and he isn’t the best anymore. [Punk looks up directly into the camera] I am the BEST in the WORLD now! Its True, Kurt. Its DAMN true! When you walk into the ring tonight you will believe me when I say it. Best…in…the…world!”
Tazz: CM Punk is one intense dude. If I was Kurt, I’d be a little scared right now.
Joey: No doubt about it, tonight’s main event is going to be epic. But right now its time to solve some problems extreme style. The Triple Threat and the Impact Players want to rip each others heads off and they will get their chance next. But three ROH veterans may throw a huge monkey wrench into their plans as we go dancing ECW style.
The Triple Threat (Shane Douglas, Chris Candido, Bam Bam Bigelow, Velvet Sky), the Impact Players (Justin Credible, Rhino, Lance Storm, Molly Holly), and the team of Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, and Jay Lethal make their way to the ring.
Joey: Holy crap…Molly Holly is coming out with the Impact Players. I can’t remember the last time I saw anywhere near a wrestling ring.
Tazz: I can’t either but I’m not going to complain. First Velvet and now Molly…its twice as many pigeons.
4) 3 Way Dance: AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Jay Lethal vs Triple Threat w/ Velvet Sky vs Impact Players w/ Molly Holly
The ref rings the bell and the match starts. All nine wrestlers start fighting. The ref tries to restore some order but nobody is paying attention. The first five minutes are a huge melee highlighted by Samoa Joe hitting a muscle buster on Bigelow, Justin Credible hitting the corkscrew piledriver on Shane Douglas, and AJ Styles flipping off the apron into a reverse neck breaker on Rhino. Several pin attempts but there is too much interference to get a 3 count. Finally, order is restored and it is Jay Lethal vs Chris Candido in the ring.
After a minute or two, Jay gets the upper hand and hits the lethal combination to Candido. Candido crawls to a corner to tag but its the Impact Players corner. He tags Justin Credible, but all three Impact Players beat on Candido and drag him to the floor. Rhino gores him through the barriers. Shane and Bam Bam come over and all six brawl at ringside. Jay does a suicide dive onto them all. Just as they all get up, Samoa Joe hits them with a suicide dive. Again, they struggle to get up, but just as they all are standing AJ Styles hits a spiral tap off the top rope.
The Triple Threat retreat to their corner and start to search under the ring. They pull out a table and set it up in the ring. Meanwhile, Samoa Joe and Rhino fight back to the entrance ramp. Styles and Lethal double team Storm and put him out of action, then drag Justin Credible into the ring. Jay tags in AJ, but as he enters the ring Shane attacks him. Jay turns to help but Velvet grabs his legs. Shane hits AJ with a Belly to Belly suplex. Shane and Candido turn their attention to Justin laying on the table. Molly has pulled Velvet off of Jay and they are fighting at ringside. Jay does a flying body press onto Shane and Candido. Then he picks up Justin and sets him up for AJ, who is on the top turnbuckle. AJ hits the Styles clash on Credible through the table, then goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Credible is pinned and the Impact Players are eliminated.
Impact Players eliminated at 12:38
Bam Bam is pulling Molly off of Velvet and throws her into the ring. Molly Holly tries to hit a cartwheel back elbow to Velvet, but Velvet kicks her in the back of her head. Molly falls to the mat. Bam Bam does his top rope moonsault to Molly. Justin and Lance grab Molly and head for the entrance stage. On the entrance stage, Rhino gores Samoa Joe off the stage and the Impact Players get some cheap shots in before exiting.
Joey: This is some insane action. It looks like the Triple Threat is really mad that AJ got the pinfall on Justin and they took that out on poor Molly.
Tazz: I think you’re right Joey. This match wasn’t about a title or adding to your win column. This is a serious grudge match and the Triple Threat wanted to be the ones to eliminate the Impact Players.
Shane Douglas and Jay Lethal are the legal men in the ring now. Jay gets the upper hand with a dropkick, then tries the lethal injection. Shane counters into a german suplex. Shane tags in Bam Bam. Bam Bam power bombs Jay and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Bam Bam drops an elbow and tags in Shane. Shane hits a belly to belly suplex and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Shane hits another belly to belly suplex and tags in Candido. Candido drops an elbow from the top turnbuckle. Pin attempt. 1…2…save by AJ Styles. AJ keeps the Triple Threat at bay and Jay tags in Samoa Joe. As Joe enters, Candido charges him. Joe sidesteps and drops Candido with a side slam.
Joe hoists Candido onto the turnbuckle and hits the musclebuster. He goes for the pin. 1…2…save by Bam Bam. Joe and Bam Bam trade punches and chops. Joe hits an insiguri and Bam Bam rolls out of the ring. Candido tags in Shane. Shane and Joe exchange punches and chops. Joe goes for another insiguri but Shane ducks. Shane gets an armbar on Joe and holds him down so Bam Bam can hit a moonsault. AJ and Jay charge into the ring and all six men are fighting.
The ref has lost control and can’t even remember who was legal. Samoa Joe hits Bam Bam with clothesline taking both over the top rope down to the floor. AJ hits the Pele kick to Candido and both men go to the floor. Jay goes for the lethal injection to Shane but Velvet trips him. Velvet passes a chair to Shane. Shane hits Jay with a belly to belly suplex onto the chair and goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. Shane hits Jay with a piledriver onto the chair and goes for another pin. 1…2…3! Triple Threat wins! AJ and Joe tried to make the save but couldn’t get there in time. The dejected team of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Jay Lethal exit the arena while the Triple Threat celebrate.
Triple Threat w/ Velvet defeat AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Jay Lethal at 17:29.
Joey: The Triple Threat showed what they are made of tonight and got a small measure of revenge.
Tazz: The Impact Players better watch their backs because this isn’t done, not by a long shot. The Triple Threat still want a piece of them.
Joey: That is something to watch for next week. Now its time for some words from the Hulkster.
Hulk Hogan: “Oh yeah brother, its time for the Hulkster and all his Hulkamaniacs. Tonight is the night. The Legends championship is on the line. This title could be the most important one I’ve ever fought for. Think about it…Legends Champion! Winning this title makes you the champion of champions, the most legendary of the legends. I was born for this. All the Hulkamaniacs will give me their power tonight as I take on Ric Flair. Let me tell you brother, Flair is no joke but he doesn’t have the Hulkamaniacs on his side. I will take everything you can give me and use to beat Flair and take my place in history. Whatcha gonna do Flair, when Hulkamania runs wild on you!?!?!?”
Joey: Whatcha gonna do Tazz when Hulkamania runs wild on ECW?
Tazz: Puke?
Joey: Okay…on that note lets move on to our next match. It is the second title match of the night. Rob Van Dam vs Seth Rollins for the ECW World TV Championship.
5) ECW World TV Championship: Seth Rollins vs Rob Van Dam
RVD poses for the crowd and gets some RVD chants. Rollins waits it out instead of attacking. Rollins offers to shake hands ROH style. RVD shrugs and shakes Rollins’ hand. Rollins and RVD go through a series of standing holds and counters. Then they go through a series of mat holds and counters. Cut and dry technical stuff as they feel each other out for the first 5-10 minutes of the match. Each hits some punches, kicks, and such but neither does any real damage.
RVD is the first to get the upper hand when Rollins catches his kick but RVD catches him with his free foot. RVD hits several corkscrew leg drops. RVD tries for a side kick off the top turnbuckle but Rollins gets out of the way. Rollins gets a few punches in and then hits a DDT. Rollins climbs to the top turnbuckle and tries the flying knee, but RVD avoids it and counters with a spinning heel kick. RVD hits rolling thunder. He tries to go for the pin but Rollins rolls out of the ring. RVD gets a quick pose in and then hits a somersault dive over the top rope. He drops Rollins stomach first over the barriers. RVD hits a corkscrew leg drop from the apron to Rollins. RVD gets back on the apron and does some more posing.
Rollins grabs RVDs leg and pulls him off the apron. Rollins hits RVD with a series of chops and then whips him into the barriers. Rollins gets on the apron and hits a running knee to RVD. Then he mocks RVDs pose. RVD grabs a chair and hits Rollins with a weak chair shot. Both men crawl back into the ring.
Over the next few minutes, both men are fatigued and beat up. They try some weak pin attempts but either kick out or reach the ropes. RVD gets Rollins backed into a corner and goes for the monkey flip, but Rollins counters slamming RVD’s head into the turnbuckle. While RVD gets back to his feet, Rollins sets up for and hits a flying knee off the top turnbuckle. Rollins goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out. RVD rolls out of the ring. He stumbles around until he finds a chair and sits in it. Rollins does a flying curb stomp off the apron slamming RVD’s head into the barriers. He rolls RVD back into the ring along with the chair. Rollins places the chair on RVD, climbs the turnbuckles, and goes for the 450 splash but RVD rolls out of the way.
RVD hits a split legged moonsault and goes for the pin. 1…2…Rollins grabs the ropes. RVD whips Rollins into the ropes and takes him down with the leg scissors pin attempt. 1…2…kick out! RVD grabs the chair and tosses it to Rollins. He goes for the Van Daminator but Rollins sidesteps and hits RVD with the chair. Rollins goes to the top and hits RVD with the curb stomp. He goes for the pin. 1…2…kick out! Rollins gets up and walks to the ropes, slumping over them with that “what do I have to do” look. He turns around, but RVD throws the chair to him and hits the Van Daminator.
RVD goes to the top turnbuckle but he is slow and even stops to pose for the crowd so Rollins gets to the turnbuckle too. They exchange punches on the turnbuckle. Rollins hits a german superplex, then follows it up with two more german suplexes. He bridges on the last one for the pin but is too weak to hold it. He rolls over for a lateral press. 1…2… SMACK chair shot to Rollins. After the last suplex, RVD landed right next to the chair which he grabbed and hit Rollins with. RVD jumps onto the top turnbuckle, almost loses his balance but regains it and hits the five star frog splash. RVD goes for the pin. 1…2…3! RVD wins and is the ECW World TV Champion!
RVD defeats Seth Rollins by pinfall at 26:46 to win the ECW World TV Championship.
After the match, Seth offers to shake RVDs hand again. They shake hands, then hug, and Rollins raises Robs hand in victory. Seth leaves the ring, but turns around one last time and says “Next time I will win and take that belt from you!”
Joey: Incredible match! Rob Van Dam has reclaimed the ECW World TV Championship he once held for 23 months and only lost due to injury.
Tazz: That was intense. Rob and Seth left it all in the ring tonight. Two great competitors putting it all on the line.
Paul Heyman comes out to the entrance stage: “I’m here to explain the new ECW cage match rules: You must pin or submit your opponent inside the cage. Escaping the cage means nothing. You will have to re-enter the cage and continue the match until there is a decision. Also, this is Extreme Championship Wrestling, so we will be placing a few toys for you to play with inside the cage. One more thing. Jerry Lynn and Raven need to know that under orders of the anonymous owner, if anyone interferes in this match they will be fired. Tonight there will be a clear winner and loser.”
Joey: The boss has spoken and these rules really change the complexion of a cage match. There is no easy way out by escaping through the door over over the top.
Tazz: That is huge, Joey. I thought Jerry had an advantage on Raven because his athleticism would make it easier for him to go over the top but that is negated by this new stipulation.
Joey: I’m not too sure that Jerry wanted to win by escape anyway. These two have some bad blood between them and Jerry is intent on ending it.
[The cage is ready. Jerry Lynn and Raven are introduced and enter the steel cage. The ref closes the door, locks it, and signals for the bell.
6) Steel Cage Match: Jerry Lynn vs Raven
Both men immediately start throwing haymakers at each other in the middle of the ring. Lynn hits Raven with a standing dropkick. Lynn whips Raven into the ropes and hits a hurricanrana. Lynn picks up Raven and throws him over the ropes into the cage. Lynn grinds Raven’s face across the steel bars. Lynn whips Raven across the ring into the cage again. Raven is half standing against the cage. Lynn gets a running start and hits a flying dropkick slamming Raven’s head into the cage again. Lynn grabs Raven’s head and drags him to the turnbuckle smashing his head into the turnbuckle multiple times. He hoists Raven onto the turnbuckle and hits a top rope hurricanrana. Lynn doesn’t attempt a pin.
Instead, he looks around the ring and grabs one of the “toys” Heyman provided. He picks up a steel chair and turns back to Raven. He moves towards Raven to hit him with the chair but Raven picked up his leather jacket. Raven uses the jacket to trip Lynn and then wraps it around Lynn’s head. Raven picks up the chair and hits Lynn multiple times. Raven DDTs Lynn but he does not go for the pin.
Raven surveys the ring and finds a baseball bat wrapped in barbwire. He goes back to Lynn and pulls the jacket off Lynn’s head. Raven scrapes the bat across Lynn’s forehead getting the blood flowing. Lynn reacts to his own blood and hits Raven with a low blow. Lynn grabs the bat and takes a big swing into Raven’s stomach, then his back. Lynn places the bat on the mat, picks up Raven and hits a cradle piledriver onto the bat. Raven is busted open and starts to bleed.
Lynn does not go for a pin yet. He climbs the cage all the way to the top and turns towards the ring. Raven is up and stumbling around the ring. Lynn takes off and hits Raven with a flying body press. It takes Lynn some time to recover before he can attempt a cover. 1…2…kick out. They both try to get up, but Lynn’s leg seems hurt and he falls down again. Raven takes advantage and kicks Lynn several times. Raven sets up the chair in the ring. Raven gets Lynn to his feet and whips him into the ropes. Raven hits the drop toe hold onto the steel chair. Raven picks up Lynn and DDTs him onto the steel chair. He covers for the pin. 1…2…kick out.
A clearly frustrated Raven gets another “toy” from around the ring: a table. He sets the table up in the ring. Lynn is still down, so Raven picks him up and carries him over to the table. Raven starts to climb to the top rope. He turns to face the ring to see that Lynn was faking how bad he was hurt. Lynn is on his way up the ropes next to Raven. They trade punches until Lynn knees Raven in the crotch. Lynn grabs Raven’s head and jumps off hitting a DDT through the table. He goes for the pin. 1…2…3! Jerry Lynn wins!
Jerry Lynn defeats Raven by pinfall at 13:42
After getting the pin, Lynn handcuffs Raven to the cage and hits him with a series of chairshots. The Flock surrounds the cage but Heyman comes out again and reminds them that if anything happens to Jerry Lynn there will be fines, suspensions, or firings. He then tells Lynn that if he doesn’t stop the beating and leave the cage he will be fired. The anonymous owner will not tolerate these actions in the new ECW. Lynn keeps the chair at the ready as he exits the cage and walks past the Flock. The Flock enter the cage and help Raven backstage.
Joey: I know Jerry Lynn is a high flying technical wrestler, but tonight we did not see that. He wanted to fight and fight he did. Raven is one of the nastiest men to face in a brawl and Jerry Lynn just took him to school.
Tazz: Absolutely correct. I can’t remember the last time I saw Jerry use a low blow, much less two in one match. He proved something to Raven and everyone else. Don’t mess with the New F’n Show.
Joey: Only two matches left and both are for championship belts featuring four of the best wrestlers ever. Lets roll the tape of Kurt Angle while the ring crew takes care of business.
Kurt Angle: “So this is Extreme Championship Wrestling. I’m not impressed. You all seem to think hitting someone with a chair or putting them through a table or cutting them with barbwire is extreme. It’s not. I’ll tell you what is extreme. Winning an Olympic Gold medal with broken freakin’ neck! In the dictionary there is a picture of me next to the word extreme. My picture is also next to the word champion. That is why I am the perfect man to be the Extreme Champion. I define both. CM Punk, I don’t care if you think you are the best in the world. On this night I’m going to show that I am the best in ECW. Oh, its true. Its damn true!”
Tazz: I’ve been in the ring with Angle and let me tell you something. If he brings his best he is one tough bastard to beat. I hope Punk is ready because other than myself, Kurt has the best suplexes in wrestling.
Joey: The main event is a match I am really excited to see. But first, we have the ECW Legends Championship match between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.
Ric Flair comes to the ring first and takes plenty of time to remove his robe. Hulk Hogan comes out and wastes no time ripping off his shirt and flexing his muscles for the crowd. The ref enters the ring with a microphone: “The ECW legends Championship will be contested under normal rules, not extreme rules. Keep it clean or I will disqualify you. Keep it in the ring or I will count you out.” The ref signals for the bell.
7) ECW Legends Championship: Ric Flair vs Hulk Hogan
Both men exchange punches and chops to start the match. Hogan gets the upper hand and whips Flair into the ropes leading to a clothesline. Hogan backs Flair into the corner with more punches. The ref asks for a clean break but Flair pokes Hogan in the eyes. Flair suplexes Hogan and drags him to the ropes. Flair props Hogan’s leg on the bottom rope and stomps on it repeatedly. Flair wraps Hogan’s leg around the round and twists it as hard as he can. The ref calls for the break. Hogan rakes his nails across Flair’s back but the Ref doesn’t see it. Hogan drags Flair’s eyes across the top rope hiding his actions from the ref with his body. Hogan whips Flair into the corner and Flair goes tumbling over the turnbuckle to the apron. Hogan hits him with a big boot that sends Flair to the floor.
Hogan goes to the floor and punches Flair several times before body slamming Ric to the floor. Hogan picks up Flair and rolls him back in the ring. Hogan hits Flair with several elbow drops. Hogan picks Flair up to body slam him but Flair hits a low blow that the ref doesn’t see. Flair chops Hogan a bunch of times and then chop blocks his leg. Flair goes to the apron and climbs to the top turnbuckle, but of course Hogan gets there and press slams him halfway across the ring. Hogan drops an elbow onto Flair and covers him. 1…2…kick out!
Hogan whips Flair into the ropes and hits the back body drop. Hogan tries another elbow drop but Flair moves out of the way. Flair very quickly puts the figure four leg lock on Hogan. Hogan fights it for a minute or two and finally reverses the hold forcing Flair to break it. Flair starts to work over Hogan’s leg again. After a minute or two of this, Flair chop blocks Hogan who falls to the mat. Flair goes to apply the figure four but Hogan kicks him away.
Hogan “Hulks up”, flexing and wagging his finger in Flair’s face. Hogan hits a bunch of heavy punches, whips Flair into the ropes and hits him with the big boot. Flair goes down. Hogan goes for the leg drop but Flair moves out of the way. Hogan is on the mat and Flair locks in the figure four leg lock again. Hogan tries to reverse it but Flair rolls through and keeps it locked on tight. Hogan tries to reach the ropes but Flair pulls him to the center of the ring and locks it on again. Hogan has to tap out. Flair wins!
Ric Flair defeats Hulk Hogan by submission at 14:30 to win the ECW Legends Championship.
Joey: The first ever ECW Legends Champion, the Nature Boy Ric Flair!
Tazz: ECW is now stylin’ and profilin’. Naitch will be a great Legends champ and I can’t wait to see who his first challenger will be.
Joey: There are dozens of possibilities and Paul has promised me some surprises. Definitely something to look forward to. Speaking of something to look forward to, its time! The finals of the ECW World Heavyweight Championship tournament is now! CM Punk! Kurt Angle! Oh my god!
Kurt Angle comes to the ring with Brooke Tessmacher. The crowd sings “You suck” to his entrance theme which angers Kurt. CM Punk comes out to the ring with AJ Lee and Luke Gallows. The ref checks each wrestler before the match and then tells Punk that AJ can stay since she is a manager but Gallows has to go back to the locker room. Punk argues a little but he tells Luke to do what the ref says. The bell rings and the match is on.
8) ECW World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs Kurt Angle
Angle gets the early advantage with a series of chops followed by a quick belly to belly overhead suplex. Angle follows up with a series of German suplexes. Angle is looking for a quick finish as he goes to the top turnbuckle for a moonsault. Punk gets his knees up and Angle gets the worst of it. Punk locks on the anaconda vice but Kurt is too close to the ropes and the hold is broken by the ref. Kurt is still down on the mat as Punk approaches him, but Angle gets a single leg takedown and locks in the ankle lock. Punk is able to flip around and kicks Kurt into the corner. Punk runs in and hits the high knee to Kurt followed by a bulldog. He goes for the cover. 1…kick out!
Kurt gets to his knees in the center of the ring but Punk hits a series of kicks to the chest and back. Punk hits one last kick to Kurt’s head which knocks Kurt down flat on the mat. Punk climbs the turnbuckle and hits the flying elbow drop. Punk covers. 1…2…kick out!
Punk tries to lift Kurt up but Kurt pulls Punk down for a weak stunner. Kurt gets up and bounces off the rope to clothesline Punk but Punk ducks and lifts Kurt up into a fireman’s carry. Punk tries to do the GTS but Kurt elbows Punk’s head until Punk drops him. Kurt rolls out of the ring to the floor. Punk does suicide dive through the ropes and both men hit the barriers hard.
They struggle to their feet and use the apron to balance themselves while exchanging punches. Kurt makes a desperation move and hits the olympic slam on the floor. Punk is down. Kurt picks him and whips him into the ring steps. Kurt is getting his second wind now. He moves the ring steps next to the announcers table. Kurt goes back to Punk and they exchange punches again but Kurt is stronger now. He gets Punk on his shoulders and carries him over to up the steps. Kurt is going for the olympic slam through the announcers table but Punk slides down his back and hits a sunset flip power bomb to the floor. Angle is stunned and just lays there.
Punk struggles to get a table from under the ring and slide it into the ring. Kurt has finally struggled to his feet and drives Punk into the ring apron and then the ring post. Kurt lifts Punk onto his shoulders and climbs the ring steps again. Before he can hit the olympic slam, Punk manages to get a sleeper hold on Kurt. Kurt fights it but Punk is determined and tightens the hold. Kurt fades and Punk positions him on the announcers table. Punk climbs up to the top turnbuckle and hits a flying elbow drop which shatters the announcers table.
Punk slowly makes his way back into the ring and sets the table up in the center of the ring. He goes back to the floor and puts a chair in the ring next to the turnbuckles. Punk then grabs Kurt and pushes him into the ring. Kurt is wobbly but gets to his feet. Punk hits a slingshot clothesline and Kurt goes down. Punk puts Kurt on the table and climbs the turnbuckles but he is too slow. Kurt gets up and with a burst of energy climbs the turnbuckles to grab Punk. Kurt hits the belly to belly overhead suplex smashing Punk through the table.
Angle locks the ankle lock on Punk. Punk is in serious trouble and almost taps, but somehow Punk finds the strength to flip to his back and break the hold. Kurt falls back into the corner and Punk follows him in with a high knee. Kurt falls to the mat. Punk locks on the anaconda vice and it is Kurt who almost taps. Kurt can’t break the hold or reach the ropes, but he does manage to grab a piece of the broken table. Kurt hits Punk with the table piece until Punk breaks the hold.
Punk grabs the chair from the corner of the ring and hits Kurt several times. Punk climbs the turnbuckles and hits Kurt with an elbow drop using the chair. Punk covers Kurt. 1…2…kick out. Punk is furious now and lifts Kurt up for the GTS but Kurt reverses it into a DDT. Kurt takes the straps down and lifts Punk up for an olympic slam onto the chair. Kurt covers Punk. 1…2…kick out!
Punk kicks Kurt in the head and then hits the GTS, but Kurt falls out of the ring. Punk gets a running start for a suicide dive. Kurt catches Punk and drives him into the ring apron. Again both men are down and dazed.
After a long pause, both make their way back into the ring. They exchange punches in the middle of the ring. Punk lands another big kick to Kurt’s head and lifts him up for a GTS. Kurt slides down Punks back and locks in the ankle lock. Punk is fighting it and almost reaches the ropes, but Kurt pulls him back to the center of the ring and then grapevines Punk’s leg. Punk tries to hold on but can’t and has to tap. Angle wins!
Kurt Angle defeats CM Punk by submission at 27:19 to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
AJ Lee helps Punk back to the locker room while Brooke dances around the ring doing bad cheers for Kurt. Paul Heyman comes out to personally present Kurt Angle with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship belt.
Joey: Kurt Angle made Punk tap out! He is the new ECW World Heavyweight champion!
Tazz: I’m sure Kurt will be a fine champion, at least until he has to face the FTW champion. Lots of respect for Punk too. That match could have gone either way.
Joey: I’m sure a rematch will happen and we will be here to show it. What a great main event to end our first PPV. Wait, what’s going on?
A large man in a hoodie comes out of the crowd and enters the ring. He flips the hood back to reveal that he is Ezekiel Jackson. He removes the hoodie to reveal his ECW WHC belt which he takes off and holds in front of Kurt Angle. Jackson shouts “You aren’t the real ECW champion until you beat me!” Kurt, who can barely stand without help from Brooke, holds up his belt and replies: “I’m ready whenever you are.” Heyman gets between the two men and stops any physical confrontation as we fade to black.
