October 2001

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #888
October 1, 2001
Gary, Indiana

House Show Report and News Update

An Exhausted Sam Holiday loses by countout!!

While the main event tonight in Gary was a bloody steel cage match between Steve Corino and Stan Baker, it was the Sam Holiday vs. Jesse Hennig match that really has people talking.

It was the semi-main event match, and it appered to be a bit of a mismatch with RCW legend and champion Sam Holiday taking on mid-carder Jesse Hennig. To make things even worse for Hennig, his buddy Stan Baker was busy getting ready for his important main event match, and the Graduates had already been battered and bruised earlier in the night by Hardamann and DDP. So outside interference would not be a factor tonight.
As the match progressed it was pretty clear that Holiday was superior. However, through a mix of cheating and last moment kick-outs Hennig survived past 20 minutes still alive and kicking. Holiday was pressing the action though and tried to finish off Hennig with a cross body block. Hennig ducked under and Holiday glanced off of Hennig and sailed right over the ropes to the floor below.
Ring side observers said that Holiday did not seem to land too hard, but when he tried to get to his feet he looked plain exhausted. Inside the ring Hennig took the opportunity to catch his breath and recover, never dreaming I'm sure of what was about to happen.
With his hands on the bottom rope Holiday tried to pull himself into the ring, but to no avail. He was too tired, and Wayne Hart counted to 10.
Jesse Hennig was awarded the match by countout. A huge upset. Sure, Holiday held onto the championship but you wouldn't have known it from Hennig's celebration.
After the match several internet rag reporters tried to get an interview with the usually obliging Sam Holiday. The champ rebuked all attempts to get him to comment and left the arena in a hurry.

The Main Event might have been anti-climatic except the two men fought a terrific war. In the end Sinister Stan Baker was just too much for the much smaller Steve Corino. Baker won the match by ref stoppage due to blood loss after nearly 20 minutes in the steel cage.

The remainder of the card went as follows;
*Diamond Dallas Page and Al Hardamann joined forces and defeated the Graduates - Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms, despite the outside interference by Madusa. Hardamann pinned Helms after hitting him with the Vertebreaker. Post match Hardamann humiliated Madusa with an across the knee spanking.
*The Spinebusters continued their war of attrition against the Amazing Malenkos. In a 2 out of 3 falls title defense, Joe Malenko pinned Bryan Caruthers after a swinging neckbreaker in quick fashion after only about 2 minutes. After that The Spinebusters really became vicious. However, neither team could muster up another fall victory before time ran out at 30 minutes. Officially the match ends as a draw.
*The Patriot entered into his match against Kamala still favouring his back and knee. Kamala used that to his advantage and wore the Patriot down. Kamala won by pinfall after a big splash about 8 minutes into the match.
*Balls Mahoney made his official return to RCW but his match against Menele was ruled a no-decision when it was thrown out due to both mens refusal to stop brawling outside the ring.
*Dirty Don Spartan got a popular win over Max Pain following a piledriver after about 10 minutes.
*In a battle between two fan favorite tag teams, The Extremists (Ace Darling/Devon Storm) defeated the Young Guns (Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine) after 15 high flying minutes. Devon Storm pinned Johnny Devine.
*J.J. Extreme won easily over Alex Rider after a moonsault in about 6 minutes.

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #889
October 6, 2001
Winnipeg, Manitoba

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Ed. Note] This show was edited for the Oct 8th house show in Brandon. As such it may contain some local content that varies from other channels.

<<<cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza are in the ring to begin the show. Brunzell says that he is very upset at Raymond Bingham for his actions last week interfering in the main event after Brunzell had specifically warned all talent not to interfere. Brunzell says that later in the hour Bingham will have a chance to explain his actions and then any discipline that needs to be taken by the office will be handed out. Brunzell then updates the fans as to the improbable loss by Sam Holiday to Jesse Hennig on October 1st in Gary by countout. Brunzell says that he hasn't heard from Holiday since, and his phone calls have been ignored. Holiday is scheduled to appear in Brandon on Monday. He says Holiday has always been the consummate professional and he isn't worried about him no-showing any events. However, if he does than he may have to forfeit the RCW title.

<<<cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs >>>
RCW Television champion Al Hardamann comes to the ring, interrupting Brunzell. He looks pissed off and swipes the mic from the Commish's hand. Hardamann rails against Brunzell. He says that Sam Holiday has been the heart and soul of this promotion for the last 2 years when the promotion was dying a slow death. Furthermore, he was the workhorse. Now what does he get in return? He gets threats and disloyalty. Brunzell looks dumbfounded, and Hardamann just tosses his mic to the mat and shakes his head in disgust.

<<<cue "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n the Tears>>>
Jesse Hennig comes to ringside with a mic. He of course brags about his win over Holiday and now claims to be the #1 contender. He claims to have put Holiday out to pasture, and once that old man is stripped of the belt it should go to him. But since Holiday is too chicken to face him tonight he suggests that Hardamann put the Television title on the line instead. Hardamann agrees, and the match is set for tonight's main event.


[commercial break]

<<< cue "Burning Heart" by Survivor>>>
Coming to the ring at a combined weight of 500 pounds, the team of Al Collins and "Gung Ho" Joe Blum !!!
The fans cheer as the veterans make their way to the ring, hi-fives to the fans as they pass.

<<< cue "Choke" by Kittie >>>
And their opponents, at a combined weight of 405 pounds, Pistol Greg Pawluk, Hotshot Johnny Devine, the Young Guns !!
The fans give the Young Guns a mixed reaction as the youngsters run to the ring.

Collins starts the match against Pawluk. Since Pawluk keeps the match clean Collins seems determined to do likewise, but mat wrestling isn't his strength so the much smaller Pawluk grabs the advantage early with some takedowns and armlocks. Collins roars back with some elbows and then goes for a swinging neckbreaker, but it's deftly countered by Pawluk into a DDT. Pawluk tags out to Devine who continues to press the advantage with a series of dropkicks and a ropeflip moonsault. But Devine makes the mistake of using some punches and kicks on Collins, which opens the door for the bigger man to fire back. Collins unleashes his usual plethora of punches on Devine followed by an inverted atomic drop, which sets up a big clothesline. Collins covers but only gets a 2 count. Devine attacks the knees of Collins with kicks to make enough of a comeback to tag in Pawluk. Collins tags in Blum.
Pawluk hits Blum with a clothesline, but it's shrugged off. Blum fires right back with a clothesline of his own knocking Pawluk down. Blum applies a couple of submission holds including a sequence in an abdominal stretch. Pawluk escapes only to have Blum take him down with a big bodyslam and then a rake of the boot across the forehead. Blum whips a stunned Pawluk into the corner and proceeds to set him up in the tree of whoa. Blum gets down on his stomach and talks trash to Pawluk until referee Marty Stevens can help Pawluk down. Blum then applies the maggot killer on Pawluk (a lying down full-nelson and then scrapes the face of Pawluk across the mat). This is too much for Devine to take who tries to intercede but is cut off by Collins. Devine leaves the ring so the ref then escorts Collins out. Devine though quickly returns to the ring with a steel chair and smashes Blum across the back. Stevens though sees it in time and calls for the bell.
After the match Collins attacks Devine, wrestling the chair from him and then gives him two solid chair shots. Collins then picks up Pawluk and fires him out of the ring.
[Winners by disqualification Al Collins and Joe Blum when Devine was disqualified for using a chair on Blum at 6:26]

[commercial break]

<<< cue "People Are Strange" by the Doors >>>
In ring interview with Lord Zoltan; Zoltan rips into Lash LeRoux calling him the disgrace of New Orleans. He claims that not all Cajuns and N'orleans are a bunch of inbred, backward hicks like Lash LeRoux. Furthermore he calls him a Johnny come lately who has no business in RCW where Zoltan has ruled the roost for so many years. He tells Lash he wants to settle it once and for all in a New Orleans street fight.


<<< cue "Slide It In" by Whitesnake >>>
This next contest is scheduled for one fall, it has a 20-minute time limit. Introducing first coming in at 5'10 and 234 pounds, from Thunder Bay Ontario, "Venom" Paul Diamond
The fans boo Diamond.

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
And his opponent coming in at 6'2 361 pounds, hailing from Nutley, New Jersey, the man with the biggest balls of them all Balls Mahoney !!!
The fans cheer loudly for Balls.

Balls quickly degenerates this match into a brawl, which spills to the outside of the ring. Diamond gets a hold of a chair and hammers Balls 3 times over the head. Balls is down on the ground and the ref calls for the bell, disqualifying Diamond. While Diamond argues with the ref Jurgen Hermann, Balls recovers and takes the chair and nails Diamond over the back. Hermann tries to get in the way but is shoved aside by Balls, who then starts to hit Diamond with the chair repeatedly. Hermann calls for the bell again and reverses his decision declaring this match a no-contest. Hermann throws up his hands in disgust and just walks away while Balls and Diamond continue to brawl. Suddenly MENELE joins the fray with a chair of his own and nails Balls. He then delivers a release German Suplex on Balls right onto the open steel chair!
Menele leaves the scene as RCW officials arrive to break it up.
[Declared a no-contest after 2:18]

Studio Interview:
A close up of the face of "Total Destruction" Steve Riley can be seen as he stands only inches from the camera. He declares himself the hottest commodity in pro wrestling. He says the promoters were looking for the next Goldberg instead they found the next Goldberg, Flair, Thesz, and The Sheik all rolled into one extremely marketable package. He says the havoc that he reeked with Kurt Barnes in September was just the beginning. Barnes, Schultz, Page, Hardamann, Holiday; it doesn't matter he says, he'll knock them all out one at a time. He tells Brandon to get ready for the 8th as he plans to give Barnes a little tour of Canada's universal health care system.

[commercial break]

The Black Demon is already in the ring and awaits his opponent.

<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
This next match is scheduled for one fall, already in the ring from parts unknown, at 5'11 235 pounds the Black Demon. And his opponent, making his way to the ring, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, Marcus Schultz !!!
The fans cheer Schultz who looks and acts all business in his dark blue singlet.

This is an obvious mismatch as Schultz puts on a mat wrestling clinic showing off his trademark moves like the T-bone suplex, cobra clutch suplex, tombstone piledriver, and uses the leg lock submission to get the quick win.
[Winner by submission at 3:34 Marcus Schultz with the leg lock submission]

<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
The fans mostly boo Raymond Bingham as he comes to the ring, although a good percentage of them still cheer him. He doesn't even look at them as he slowly walks to the ring with purpose.
Bingham calls out Derek St. Holmes.

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans absolutely jeer and boo as the arrogant Derek St. Holmes, ESQ comes to the ring.

Bingham reminds Holmes that since he beat his ass last week that he gets to name the first client that St.Holmes will have to offer to take on as a client.
He says that he thought of sticking St.Holmes with a real raw prospect like the Black Demon or perhaps Jake Milliman. Then he thought of having him represent a psycho like Menele or Kamala to see what might happen. Then he thought,

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza make their way to the ring.
Brunzell asks Bingham to explain his actions last week interfering in the main event after all the talent had been told to stay the hell away. Bingham tells Brunzell that if he bothered to take his head out of his ass and watch the tape; at that Jack Lanza steps forward and gets in the face of Bingham, but Brunzell peels him off. Bingham says that everyone knows that Wiked Klown threw a fireball into the face of Jerry Orth. He was just doing what the inept officials of the promotion failed to due, and make it an even playing field.
Brunzell responds by asking him to deny that it had anything to do with the Spinebusters helping him win earlier in the night. Bingham just smiles. He says that he was watching the match closely from the ramp because he wanted to know what the Spinebusters were up to. When he saw what happened he just acted out of impulse. He says that the Spinebusters may be the devil but at least they are the devil that he knows, coming from RCW not the freak'n circus. The fans begin to cheer Bingham a little more.

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" Metallica >>>
The crowd jeers as the RCW Tag Team Champions, the Spinebusters: Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers stroll to the ring. Orth stops to grab a sign from a fan that says "'Busters fear Fredrickson" and tear it in half.
Inside the now crowded ring Orth and Caruthers take the mic from Bingham. Orth says he is sick of being in the back hearing other people talk about the Spinebusters when they could hear it from the legends themselves. Orth thanks Bingham for his help last week and extends his hand. But Bingham just shakes his head and says "consider us even, now leave me the hell alone from here on in." Orth says, that he and Caruthers have been doing a lot of thinking and they realize that while they are the best tag team EVER in pro wrestling, that they simply don't have the time and desire to step up and take the singles belts too. So, they decided that they needed a promising young superstar to train, teach, and mold into the next great, correction, the first great RCW champion. Orth says he has seen the future and the future is named Raymond Bingham. He tells Bingham to step forward and embrace his dark side. Bingham nods his head, and asks Orth if he really wants a protege. Orth confirms what he said earlier. Bingham thinks about it a second and then says, sure no problem, meet your third wheel, your agent, Derek St. Holmes. Holmes is having a conniption in the far corner of the ring. Orth looks at Bingham like he could kill him, and Caruthers corners St. Holmes. Orth joins his partner and asks him what he thinks of this worm. Caruthers steps forward and smells St. Holmes before saying "you're scared boy, very scared, but at least you're not stupid". Caruthers tells Bingham that he just made a bad mistake. He says you can continue to play the fairy for the head office, as they hold you down so that you don't get well known and jump ship before they get their pound of flesh. Now you can watch your mistake as you continue to get held down while we take this worm, St.Holmes, who isn't half the wrestler you are, to the top. He offers his hand to St. Holmes who takes it to shake, but Caruthers slams a foot into his gut instead, and then DDT's him into the mat. He towers over St.Holmes and declares that "lesson learned".
The Spinebusters leave the ring.

Jim Brunzell grabs the mic and tells Bingham to hold on a minute before he leaves. He says that he hasn't been punished yet for his interference last week. He tells Bingham that he is fined $1,000 and will have to face the Spinebusters in a handicap match next week. Bingham tries to get in the face of Brunzell but Lanza separates the two.

[commercial break]


<<<cue "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n the Tears>>>
This next match is our MAIN EVENT of the evening and is for the RCW Television Championship.
Introducing first, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, coming in at 6'1 and 245 pounds, Jesse Hennig!!!
The fans boo the brash Hennig.

<<< cue "Wild Thing" by the Troggs >>>
And his opponent the current RCW Television champion, from Tampa Florida, coming in at 5'11 and 235 pounds ,"Wild Thing" Al Hardamann!!!
The fans cheer their long time hero.

Hardamann goes right for Hennig before the bell even rings but Hennig grabs the upper hand with an eye gouge. Hardamann was still wearing his belt and Hennig undid it, dropping it to the mat and then delivering a brainbuster. He was attempting to do the move on the belt but referee Wayne Hart managed to kick the belt out of the way before Hardamann landed. The first few minutes were all Hennig with a pair of Northern lights suplexes each held for a two count. Hennig also tried to wear down Hardamann with a reverse chinlock as well as a bow and arrow submission. Hardamann made a comeback that started when Hennig tried to out brawl Wild Thing. Hardamann poured on the offense with more then just brawls though, nailing a reverse Russian legsweep followed by a camel clutch. The champ then used three consecutive drop toe hold takedowns into a half Boston, but each time Hennig managed to get to the ropes for the break. Hardamann nailed Hennig with a DVD but only got a two count. He then climbed to the top rope signaling for an an elbowdrop, but Hennig rolled out of the way. Hennig immediately tried to go for a sharpshooter but Hardamann managed to kick Hennig off, and right through the ropes. Hardamann went to go through the ropes to follow but Wayne Hart grabbed a hold of him and tried to keep him in the ring. This allowed Hennig to cold-cock Hardamann right to the head, before grabbing him and pulling him out of the ring. However, when the champ spilled out the ref Wayne Hart fell to the floor as well, knocking himself out.
Hennig signaled to the back and out came Madusa, Shane Helms and Sean O'Haire. They tripled teamed Hardamann for a few seconds before Helms nailed him with a vertebreaker on the floor.
<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The crowd erupted as Diamond Dallas Page ran to the action followed closely behind by his wife Kimberly. DDP delivered a quick diamond cutter to Helms. O'Haire grabbed DDP and tried to throw him into the ring post. But DDP blocked it and then threw O'Haire into the ringsteps. DDP then climbed onto the apron and jumped behind a stunned O'Haire and delivered another diamond cutter. But when he turned around he was waffled in the head by Hennig using the TV belt. However, in turn he was clotheslined from behind by Al Hardamann. Hardamann crawled back into the ring after rolling Hennig in. Hardamann went for the pin but there was no ref to count. Hart was slowly recovering and slid back into the ring. Hardamann grabbed Hennig and delivered a vertebreaker and got the 1-2-3.
[Winner by pinfall and still the RCW TV Champion, Al Hardamann after a Vertebreaker at 10:05]

Post-Match:
Helms and O'Haire recovered and joined Hennig in a triple team first of Hardamann and then of DDP. In each case they used the TV title to open up the foreheads of their victims. Then Madusa surprised Kimberly from behind slamming her head into the ring apron and then dropkicking her. She rolled her into the ring and grabbed a chair. She reared back to hit Kimberly as she begged for mercy and held her hands in front of her face. Madusa seemed to reconsider and opened up the chair and sat down. Helms and O'Haire then grabbed Kimberly by the hair and pulled her on top of Madusa's knees. Madusa then began to deliver a spanking to Kimberly. Security hit the ring, the announcers rail against what they are seeing and scream where the hell is Sam Holiday when you need him, as we,

FADE TO BLACK



River City Wrestling #890
October 8, 2001
Brandon, Manitoba

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Jesse Hennig defeated Sam Holiday (C) by disqualification for outside interference (Al Hardamann) 
**Hennig used brass knux and would probably have won the bout if not for Hardamann interfering.

Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Hardamann & Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Hardamann after a Seanton bomb
**Madusa created a distraction attacking Kimberly and when DDP left the ring it created a 2 on 1.

Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex

Balls Mahoney and Menele battled to a no-contest

Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by submission when Blum submitted Devine to the cobra clutch

Marcus Schultz defeated "Venom" Paul Diamond by submission to the leglock 

Kevin Matthews defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb 

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #891
October 13, 2001
Lansing, Michigan

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

This week's show opens with our first match.

<<< cue "Rocket Queen" by Guns 'n Roses >>>
This match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 15 minutes. Introducing first, coming in at 6'5 and 281 pounds, hailing from Staten Island, New York, Kevin Matthews !!!
The fans give Matthews some mild cheers.

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
And his opponent led to the ring by his entourage, hailing from Denver, Colorado, coming in at 6'5" and 270 pounds, the instrument of total destruction, Steve Riley!!!
The fans great Steve with an outpouring of negative sentiment.
Riley strides confidently to the ring, wearing a white robe overtop his hunter green trunks, his hands on the shoulders of his trainers.

This is a mismatch as it only takes Riley about a minute before he uses his awesome power to ground Matthews with a running powerslam. He has Matthews on the verge of submission with an armbreaker but breaks the hold so he can dish out some more punishment. Riley demonstrates his agility with a Frankensteiner executed out of the corner and gets the 3 count, or would have but he lifts his opponent after the 2 count. Referee Buddy Lane admonishes Riley, who then follows up with a Gorilla Press slam, and then a release German Suplex. However, Riley re-applies the armbreaker to make Matthews tap out in a matter of seconds.
[Winner by submission Steve Riley with an armbreaker at 4:53]


[commercial break]


<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
This next match is a handi-cap match. Introducing first coming in at 6'2" 235 lbs. From Tampa, Florida, Raymond Bingham !!!
The fans give Raymond Bingham a mixed reaction. He doesn't even look at them as he slowly walks to the ring with purpose.

And his opponents
<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica >>>
At a combined weight of 480 pounds, led to the ring by their new Sports Entertainment Agent, Derek St. Holmes, the current RCW Tag Team Champions, The Spinebusters, Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers!!!
The fans boo the trio unmercifully as a cup full of coke and ice smacks across the back of St.Holmes.

Bingham does remarkably well in the early stages of the match out wrestling Orth, and forcing him to tag in the better grappler Caruthers. Bingham is fortunate to have a fair and competent referee in Buddy Lane calling the match. Caruthers however gets Bingham in the wrong corner and it allows Orth to hold onto his feet and yank the youngster to the ground. Caruthers is all over him with stomps to the back and the neck.
Orth is tagged in and punishes Bingham with a running clothesline, a DDT, and a piledriver, getting a two count. Caruthers comes back in and goes to work with short-arm scissors which Bingham manages to break by getting to the ropes. Buddy Lane doesn't see it though when Derek St. Holmes waffles Bingham in the head with a tag title belt. Caruthers rolls up Bingham, uses the ropes for leverage and gets the 3 count.
[Winners by pinfall the Spinebusters when Caruthers pinned Bingham after some outside interference at 6:11]

Post-Match
The IBZ, Wiked Klown and Shaggy appear, jumping the railing. They attack Derek St. Holmes, double teaming him. The Spinebusters see their agent getting attacked, but just grab their belts and head to the back.
After they are done leaving St.Holmes wrecked outside the ring the IBZ enter the ring and attempt to attack a recovering Raymond Bingham, who is bleeding from the forehead shot with the title belt. Bingham though takes it right to the two "clowns" and drives them both from the ring.


[commercial break]

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell comes to the ring. He says the next match will be the 3-way hardcore match between Balls Mahoney, Menele, and the promised surprise opponent. Brunzell informs the crowd that the surprise was supposed to be former IPW star "Streetfighter" Terry Sugury. However, Sugury has not been in contact with the RCW office since he signed his contract over a month ago. He did not arrive here tonight either. So, Sugury has been suspended indefinitely, and if he tries to wrestle anywhere else he will be sued by President Larkin and RCW wrestling. In the mean time he has been replaced on the 3-way Hardcore match tonight.

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
Our first fighter comes in at 6'2 361 pounds, hailing from Nutley, New Jersey, the man with the biggest balls of them all, Balls Mahoney !!!
The fans cheer loudly for Balls.

<<< cue "Flee" by Kindred >>>
His opponent comes in at 6'0 and 255 pounds, hailing from parts unknown, Menele !!!
The fans really give it to the most insane man in middle America.

Balls and Menele don't wait for their third dance partner, or the bell, or the ref. They start their fight on the ring apron, before tumbling to the floor. Balls uses the metal guardrail as a weapon slamming and choking Menele with it. Menele is wearing the proverbial crimson mask, and his arm is also ripped open. However, the former disciple of Brujah roars back with a takeover suplex which smashes Balls into a wall. Both stumble gamely to their feet and begin to exchange punches.

I AM IRONMAN!
<<< cue "Ironman" by Black Sabbath >>>
The fans are on their feet as the third member of this match is Road Warrior Animal who runs to the ring.
Animal poses in the ring to the cheers of the crowd. Menele and Balls continue to brawl outside the ring.
Animal finally leaves the ring and grabs a hubcap which he uses to brain both his opponents.
Animal drags Menele to the ring where he is suddenly joined by tag team partner Hawk. They execute the doomsday device on Menele as Balls just watches from outside the ring.
Referee Marty Stevens throws the match out.
[Match is declared a no-contest after about 5 minutes of action]

The announce team of Joe Aiello, Cyrus, and Jason Sensation inform us that the Road Warriors have not been seen in a few months after losing a long and bloody feud to the Spinebusters. As the Road Warriors pose in the ring for the fans, Cyrus informs us that this is probably just the Roadies way of saying goodbye to their faithful fans, and does not mark their return to an RCW ring.

[commercial break]


Re-cap of the "spanking incident" from last week.

MAIN EVENT
Six-Man Texas Tornado Match - Anything Goes
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann & Steve Corino
V
Jesse Hennig & Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms
This match is joined in progress and Madusa and Kimberly have both been forced to stay in their respective corners with an assigned security guard to maintain that stipulation.
Shane Helms does not do well in this type of brawl. In fact at one point he crawled over to where Madusa stood and held onto her leg, before being pulled off by Hardamann. Later Helms basically tried to escape through the crowd and Hardamann gave chase. DDP and Hennig fought mostly on the outside of the ring, near the entrance with an assortment of weapons. But given all the action happening, referee Wayne Hart mostly stayed inside the ring with Steve Corino (who got busted open - surprise, surprise) and Sean O'Haire. O'Haire looked like he was about to finish off Corino with the Seanton bomb but DDP had recovered enough to chairshot him from behind to give Corino the advantage. Before Corino could do much damage however Shane Helms re-appeared alone, with no sigh of Hardamann anywhere. With the sides tipped 3 against 2, it was only a matter of minutes before Helms nailed Corino with the Vertebreaker, followed by the Superkick for good measure. Then O'Haire finished him off with the Seanton bomb.
[Winners by pinfall Hennig/O'Haire/Helms when O'Haire pinned Corino after the Seanton bomb in 14:40 with 5:24 televised]

Post-Match the heels celebrated inside the ring taunting their victims and Kimberly who was being protected by the security guard. Then from behind Stan Baker appeared knocking the security guard out with a shot to the back of the head. Baker grabbed Kimberly and brought her into the ring. Kimberly was on her knees begging for mercy and being menaced as the show went off the air, with the announcers wondering what they would do to her, where the heck Al Hardamann went to, and when Sam Holiday would finally come back to TV.

FADE TO BLACK


Official RCW Ratings - as of October 13, 2001

1) Sam Holiday (RCW Heavyweight Champion)
2) "Wild Thing "Al Hardamann (RCW Television Champion)
3) "Sinister" Stan Baker
4) Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly)
5) Jesse Hennig
6) "Total Destruction" Steve Riley
7) Bryan Caruthers (RCW Tag Team Champion) (/w Derek St. Holmes)
8) Steve Corino
9) Raymond Bingham
10) Marcus Schultz
11) Jerry Orth (RCW Tag Team Champion) (/w Derek St. Holmes)
12) Menele
13) Shane Helms (/w Madusa)
14) Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa)
15) Kamala the Ugandan Giant
16) Joe Malenko
17) Balls Mahoney
18) The Patriot
19) Stan Malenko
20) Al Collins

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #892
October 14, 2001
Grand Rapids, Michigan

House Show

Main Event
RCW Television Title Match
Al Hardamann and Stan Baker battled to a 20-minute time limit draw
[Al Hardamann retained the RCW Television Title]
**Sam Holiday no-showed Heavyweight title defence against Baker

Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated Joe & Stan Malenko by countout 

RCW Television Title Match
Al Hardamann (C) defeated Max Pain by pinfall after a flying elbowdrop

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Helms pinned Blum after a vertebreaker

Menele defeated Balls Mahoney by pinfall after a T-bone suplex

Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by submission to an armbreaker

Raymond Bingham defeated Black Demon by pinfall after a Northern Lights suplex



River City Wrestling #893
October 15, 2001
Flint, Michigan

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a top rope legdrop 

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) battled Joe & Stan Malenko to a 30-minute time limit draw

Triangle Match
Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimberly) defeated Max Pain and Jesse Hennig by pinfall when Page pinned Hennig after a Diamond Cutter

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Blum after a Seanton bomb

Menele and Balls Mahoney battled to a double countout

Steve Riley defeated Marcus Schultz by submission to an armbreaker

Raymond Bingham defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex




River City Wrestling #894
October 20, 2001
Saginaw, Michigan

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

The show begins from the end of last week's show, with the tape machines running.
Inside the ring Stan Baker has Kimberly in a full nelson and Madusa is taunting her with a strap, and giving her a few slaps across the face. Diamond Dallas Page has recovered and is fighting like crazy to get into the ring but is being fended off by Hennig and Helms. Steve Corino has also recovered now but is clocked with a chair shot from Sean O'Haire as he tries to enter the ring. From the crowd emerges a bloodied Al Hardamann, who manages to slip into the ring before the pack is onto him. However, this allows DDP to also enter the ring and now the heels flee the ring and head through the crowd. DDP tends to a distraught Kimberly while Steve Corino and Al Hardamann stand guard, both wearing crimson masks.

[commercial break]


The announce team of Joe Aiello, Cyrus, and Jason Sensation remind us of the epic feud occurring between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos in arenas all across the territory. They tell us of 30-minute draws, and double countouts. Neither team seeming to get the upper hand. Cyrus reminds us that the Spinebusters just managed to get through a mega feud with the legendary Road Warriors. It was the victory in that feud that really has catapulted the Spinebusters into stardom. Jason then informs us that the Road Warriors' appearance last week was in fact just a way to say goodbye. They are moving on. Getting back to the Spinebusters and Malenkos feud, Joe says that it can't be ignored any longer. So, in recognition of the feud RCW has put together a hi-light package including some of the "hand-held" video footage taken at this past house shows.

<<< cue "Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)" by Metallica >>>
A solid 10 minutes of hi-lights of the Spinebusters against the Malenkos.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Psychotron" by Megadeth>>>
Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is one fall scheduled for 15 minutes. Coming to the ring hailing from the darkness of Uganda, coming in at 6'7 360 pounds, the Ugandan headhunter, Kamala !!!
The fans boo this long time fiend.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Outlaw" by the Cult >>>
Coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, hailing from Beaumont Texas, the Outlaw, Sammy Jo Simon !!!
Simon gets a polite cheer from the crowd.

Simon is all over Kamala at the beginning of the match, his hand speed and jabs catching the monster by surprise. He backs Kamala to the ropes, but then the big man lashes out and grabs Simon with both hands to the throat. Simon though stomps twice on Kamals's bare feet to get the break and then whips him across the ring. Simon delivers a flying dropkick, but he is the only one who falls down. When he stands up Kamala is waiting for him with a scoop slam. Kamala beats his chest and then whips Simon into the corner and follows in with an avalanche. Kamala climbs to the second turnbuckle and comes off with a splash onto a prone Simon, and then pins him.
[Winner by pinfall Kamala after a splash from the second turnbuckle at 2:47]

Post-Match; Kamala climbs to the top turnbuckle and appears as if he is going to splash down on Simon. However, The Patriot appears, sliding into the ring and punches Kamala in the gut a few times and then tosses him into the ring. The Patriot and Simon then vacate the premises.

[commercial break]


When we return a match is already in progress. The announce team informs us that this is a tag team triple threat match. One member of each of the 3 teams can be in the ring at once, and you can only tag out to your own partner. First fall wins.
The three teams are;
Young Guns (Greg Pawluk/Johnny Devine) v the IBZ (Shaggy/Wiked Klown) v Al Collins/Joe Blum
The main story here is the devious tactics of IBZ, including the use of a fire extinguisher into Devine's face, and Collins and Blum's ability to brawl. On the other hand Pawluk seems to have no desire or ability to brawl or cheat and often goes for submission holds and is then creamed by the 3rd participant. The end of the match comes when Collins nails Devine (still recovering from the fire extinguisher in the eyes) with an inverted atomic drop, and then takes him down with a big clothesline. However, before the clothesline could hit Devine had swung out blindly and nailed ref Jurgen Hermann. Collins nailed Devine with the clothesline, and then as he got to his feet Shaggy nailed Collins with a sitdown faceslam. A groggy Hermann counted the pin despite the fact that Wiked Klown was helping his partner by lying across the legs of Collins. Blum could not make the save in time, and Pawluk just looked on from the apron in frustration.
[Winners of the match by pinfall the IBZ when Shaggy (and Wiked Klown) pinned Collins after a sitdown faceslam at 13:41 with 5:05 televised]

Post-Match: Devine argues with his partner Pawluk. Then when they are done arguing they walk right into a brawl with Collins and Blum who route the younger and smaller tag team out of the ring.

[commercial break]


Studio Interview:
Joe Aiello is interviewing Commissioner Jim Brunzell regarding the status of Sam Holiday. Brunzell says that on October 14th in Grand Rapids, Sam Holiday no-showed his scheduled title defense against Stan Baker. This is the first time that Brunzell knows of that Holiday has no-showed a title defense. That night Al Hardamann had already beat a very game Max Pain to defend his TV title. When Holiday no-showed the fans were very upset, so Hardamann offered to wrestle Baker. Baker accepted but made Hardamann put the TV title on the line. Hardamann barely escaped with the title when the match ended a 20-minute draw.
Brunzell called Holiday the next day to make sure he was in Flint for that night's card, or he would be stripped of his title. Holiday explained that he had been taking extra pain medicine and had fallen asleep. He promised it wouldn't happen again. That next night in Flint, Holiday put on a good show pinning Stan Baker after about 13 minutes. 
Sam Holiday still refuses to speak in public about his health.

[commercial break]

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
Diamond Dallas Page comes out accompanied by Al Hardamann. He calls Baker a jerk for what he did to Kimberly, and a "tough guy" for picking on a woman. He challenges him to try a real man, like DDP. If he likes straps so much, let's tie ourselves together with a strap and have a good old fashioned strap match. Hardamann then suggests that he be handcuffed to Jesse Hennig to make sure he doesn't interfere in the match. The Graduates will be banned from ringside.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
Sinister Stan Baker and Jesse Hennig come out to the walkway. They seem to be enjoying a good laugh. Baker says its nice that DDP can make up this fantasy world he's living in, and suggests that he go back to never, never land where he originated from.

DDP just points behind Baker. When Baker and Hennig turn around they see Commissioner Jim Brunzell, Jack Lanza, Wayne Hart, Steve Corino, Marcus Schultz, and Dirty Don Spartan standing behind them. Brunzell says the match is "stipulated by the office" and instructs Wayne Hart to "get it on".

The group prod Baker to the ring, and get Hennig handcuffed to Hardamann near the announce table. The strap is attached to Baker but he doesn't wait for it to be attached to DDP as he attacks right away. With the use of the strap he takes the early advantage, whipping DDP down to his knees. DDP makes a comeback with a lowblow and then shows his strength with a fireman's carry into a slam. He gets a 2 count. He tries to untie the strap from Baker, but it takes too long and Baker thumbs DDP to the throat. Baker now uses the strap to try and choke out DDP. DDP though manages to toss Baker outside the ring. The two brawl outside the ring, with DDP picking up a wrench to even the odds against the strap. Baker flees back inside the ring and catches DDP coming in with a kick, and then a sidewalk slam. Baker forgets the strap and goes to work on DDP with his power, including a Canadian backbreaker, and a hangman to wear DDP down. Baker goes for the heartpunch but DDP blocks it, twists the arm of Baker into a hammerlock. From there DDP turns it into an inverted DDT. DDP stands up and gives the "BANG" sign to the crowd.
Suddenly Madusa appears at ringside, and taunts DDP who falls for the distraction. Outside the ring Hennig tried to attack Hardamann, but the "Wild Thing" was not surprised and took control of Hennig. Hardamann took Hennig and gave him a piledriver through the announce table.
Inside Baker tried to pearl harbor DDP from behind but the veteran moved out of the way and Baker collided with Madusa. DDP then gave Baker the Diamond cutter. Instead of going for the pin DDP left the ring and dragged Madusa into the ring. He tossed Madusa into the corner, and when she came out he gave her a diamond cutter too. DDP then went for the pin on Baker, but he had recovered too much and kicked out at two. We have to go to a commercial break due to the length of this match.

[commercial break]

DDP v Stan Baker continues.
Baker is in control and pummeling DDP. He has the strap off his wrist and uses it to hang DDP over the top rope. Wayne Hart threatens Baker with a DQ, and actually goes outside the ring to the apron and holds up DDP's feet to take the pressure off his hanging neck. Baker makes the mistake of going for a gorilla press slam, and taking too long posing with DDP above his shoulders, as DDP rolls off Baker and takes him down with a diamond cutter and gets a pretty quick 3 count from Wayne Hart.
[Winner by pinfall Diamond Dallas Page after a Diamond Cutter at 12:23 with 9:30 televised]

DDP and Al Hardamann stand tall as we,

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
RCW Television Title Match: Al Hardamann (C) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a vertebreaker
The Patriot defeated Kevin Matthews by pinfall after a diving shoulderblock
Steve Riley and Steve Corino battled to a double countout
J.J. Extreme defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a missile dropkick

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #895
October 27, 2001
St. Paul, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Opening Segment
We get a clip from backstage 2 weeks ago. Following the big 6-man tag match.
DDP confronts a still bloody Al Hardamann. He demands to know where the hell he went to, and why Shane Helms returned so much sooner than Al. Hardamann tells DDP to back off. He says he's sorry about what happened to Kimberly but that he had been jumped backstage by Stan Baker who threw him into a wall, busting his head open and knocking him out. DDP still seems skeptical which pisses off Hardamann. Al goes into the "I've been through the RCW trenches for years" routine, and "that around here we don't stab each other in the back". He tells DDP that if he has any doubts about it then they can get it on for the television title. DDP says that might be a good idea, just name the time and place and I'll be there. DDP storms off leaving Hardamann shaking his head.

[commercial break]

On tonight's show we have only one match, another instalment of the epic feud between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos. A new wrinkle in this feud is the champions have a new manager, Derek St. Holmes, ESQ their new sports entertainment agent who they agreed to hire after he lost a bet with Raymond Bingham and Bingham had turned down a partnership offer from the Busters. 

River City Wrestling Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters; (Jerry Orth and Bryan Caruthers) w/ Derek St. Holmes (champions)
V
The Amazing Malenkos (Joe and Stan Malenko)

The Malenkos dominate the early going by isolating Caruthers and work over his legs. They keep him down on the mat and on their half of the ring. Caruthers is never in any big trouble because they refuse to take him to the middle of the ring, so he usually manages to get to the ropes for a break. Finally he uses a few well-timed and placed kicks to get out of the corner and tag in Orth. However, Joe takes Orth down with a nice Mexican hiptoss and goes right to work on Orth's arm and shoulder. They maintain the same strategy they did with Caruthers on Orth, just a different body area. Orth however does not have the poise of Caruthers and looks a lot more desperate to get a break. Finally he grabs the ref, Wayne Hart, by the waistband and pulls him into Joe Malenko. All 3 men are down in the ring as we go to commercial.

[commercial break]

Spinebusters v Malenkos (continued)
All four men are brawling in the ring, with Wayne Hart still down. A couple of times Hart is on the verge of recovery when he gets knocked down again by one of the four men. Finally fellow ref Buddy Lane comes down to the ring and drags Wayne Hart to the floor so he can recover. Inside the ring the Spinebusters are out brawling the Malenkos. Caruthers hoists Joe up in the air and Orth practically decapitates him with a clothesline off the top turnbuckle. They then follow up with a double hotshot on Stan Malenko. By now Wayne Hart is recovered and clears Caruthers from the ring. It's the legal men Orth and Joe back in the ring. Orth pours on the offense in an attempt to get the pin. A spinebuster almost does the job but Joe drapes his foot over the bottom rope. A frustrated Orth tags in Caruthers.
The IBZ come down to ringside as we go to commercial.

[commercial break]

Studio segment.
Sam Holiday's taped statement that he promised last week.
"Hello RCW fans. I am sure that you are all sick of this soap opera regarding my status, as I'm sure as hell sick of it. Way back on October 1st in Gary, I lost by countout to Jesse Hennig. While Jesse is a competent wrestler it's a match I never dreamed that I would lose. Since that time I feel that I have redeemed myself by winning some big matches. However, questions still surround my health status. Many have speculated everything from a change in my temperament to terminal disease. Well the truth is nothing like that at all. I've been champion so long now, for so long I've been saying that to be the man, you have to be a man, and stand on your own two feet. I have yet to meet the man who can take this title from me. And frankly I have become a bit bored and frustrated with RCW. It kind of feels like I'm just waiting for someone to beat me, so I can move on. Unfortunately what I have done is try and make up for a lack of quality opponents by taking on a large quantity of challengers. This has tired my body out and will one day allow some unworthy opponent to get lucky and beat me for the title. I have talked it over with Mr. Larkin and he has agreed to lessen my workload somewhat. He has also promised me that he is working hard to increase the profile of RCW wrestling and to bring in some stiff competition. To all my loyal fans that have come out in the last month and been disappointed with the effort I have put forth I can only apologize. But to all those guys in the locker room, guys like Al Hardamann, Diamond Dallas Page, and Steve Corino, you just can't expect me to step up and come charging to the rescue anymore. I just can't do it anymore like I used to. One day someone will finally beat me for this title. My job is to make sure that whoever that man is, that he is worthy of the gold. Thank-you"

[commercial break]

Spinebusters v Malenkos (conclusion)
The IBZ attack Derek St. Holmes outside the ring. This provides enough of a distraction to Caruthers that it allows Joe Malenko to fight back and get the tag in to cousin Stan. Stan is a house of fire taking down both Caruthers and Orth. He puts Caruthers into a Texas Cloverleaf but is hammered by Jerry Orth using the tag team belt; a move not seen by Wayne Hart whose attention was distracted by what was occurring outside the ring. Raymond Bingham showed up and unexpectedly went to work on the IBZ knocking them off of St. Holmes. He fought both clowns back to the dressing room. Inside the ring, Caruthers recovered and went for the pin but Stan Malenko managed to kick out at 2, despite being busted wide open with the title belt.
Caruthers pours on the punishment as we hear the house speakers announce 2 minutes remaining in the match. Stan ducks away from a spear attempt by Caruthers, who them carries forward and spears Wayne Hart, who is down for the second time in the match. Again, all four men brawl inside the ring. Derek St. Holmes has recovered enough and gets into the ring with the title belt. He attempts to hammer Stan with the belt, but he ducks and it hits Orth instead. Joe Malenko dropkicks Caruthers out of the ring and then throws St.Holmes over the top rope. He revives Wayne Hart, who in a daze lays down a very slow 1, 2, 3 count as Stan Malenko pins Orth.

Post-Match
We have new tag team champions. The Malenkos are celebrating inside the ring while Caruthers and Orth are going ballistic arguing with Hart. Suddenly Wayne Hart leaves the ring, goes to the announce table and has a short conversation with the timekeeper. The public address announcer then announces that Jerry Orth was not the legal man in the ring, and therefore could not be pinned. The referee of record Wayne Hart is reversing his decision and asking that the match continue with 1:28 on the clock.

The match continues between the Spinebusters and the Malenkos, with the legal men Bryan Caruthers and Stan Malenko. Stan goes right to work on Caruthers with a couple of kicks, a clothesline, and a German suplex. Caruthers tries to escape the ring, but Malenko pulls him back in with a belly to back suplex, getting a 2 count. Stan then puts on the Texas Cloverleaf, but Joe yells at him about the time. So Stan, lets go of the move and then rolls up Caruthers into a pin, and Wayne Hart puts down the 1, 2, 3, and this time we indeed have new Tag Team Champions of Middle America, the Amazing Malenkos.
[The Amazing Malenkos beat the Spinebusters by pinfall at 24:52 (with 8 seconds remaining) when Stan Malenko pinned Bryan Caruthers with a roll-up]
[The Amazing Malenkos win the RCW Tag Team titles]

Post-Match
Derek St Holmes is in the ring having a conniption arguing with Wayne Hart.
The Malenkos celebrate as we prepare to end the show when suddenly we hear,

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>

The announce team wonders out loud what the hell that could mean, are the Freebirds here in RCW?

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches before RAGE
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann (/w Kimberly) defeated The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) by pinfall when Page pinned Helms after the Diamond Cutter
Al Collins & Joe Blum defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by disqualification when Devine was DQ'd for using a steel chair
Steve Corino defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after an inside cradle
The Patriot defeated Kamala the Ugandan Headhunter by countout
"Venom" Paul Diamond defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a superkick
Steve Riley defeated Menele and Balls Mahoney in a triangle match when he pinned Mahoney after a spear 
The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Klown pinned Darling after a stuffed piledriver
Raymond Bingham defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex



River City Wrestling #896
October 29, 2001
Duluth, Minnesota

House Show

Main Event
Diamond Dallas Page & Al Hardamann (/w Kimberly) defeated The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) by pinfall when Page pinned Helms after the Diamond Cutter

Six-Man Tag Match
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer defeated Al Collins, Joe Blum, and Dirty Don Spartan when Van Hammer pinned Collins after a cobra clutch slam 

Balls Mahoney defeated Menele by pinfall after a Michinoku Driver II

Raymond Bingham defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex

Steve Corino defeated Ed "the Hammer" Harris by pinfall after a piledriver

Handi-Cap Match
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley defeated BattleKat Kurt Barnes & Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall when he pinned Simon after a diving clothesline

"Venom" Paul Diamond defeated Devon Storm by pinfall after a superkick

Ace Darling defeated Alex Rider by pinfall after a missile dropkick


Breaking kayfabe: 
I was part of the WWA at the time, a unifying body that used a unique blend of real and created wrestlers with their own long history. So the Freebirds were their own version. The other Freebirds, the originals, the history remained, this was just a newer version with none of the members being the originals of Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy.

[managermike99]

move to end