December 2001

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #905
December 1, 2001
Fridley, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Today's show opens with a special promo for Dec 22nd's 22nd Anniversary Spectacular "Revelations/End of Days". See it live in St.Paul, or watch RCW RAGE in the weeks following to see most of the action.
Just announced;
WWA World Heavyweight Champion Rob van Dam will defend his title against an opponent to be determined on TV on Dec 8th. Stan Baker and Sam Holiday will meet to determine who will get that shot at RVD.
WWA World Tag Team Champions The Blood Brothers will defend their titles against opponents to be determined on TV today. The Spinebusters will meet the Malenkos for that title shot.
Also already signed;
A six-man tag match with The Freebirds facing the Extremists and Don Spartan.
And;
Lord Zoltan takes on Lash LeRoux in a Bourbon Street Brawl.
Many more matches will be signed for this 4-hour wrestling spectacular.

<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd >>>
The fans boo as Buddy McElroy makes his way down to the ring in his Southern rebel insignia tights and boots. He is accompanied by Terry Hendrix and Van Hammer.

<<< cue "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth >>>
The fans cheer the loveable brawler Dirty Don Spartan as he makes his way to the ring backed up by the Extremists Ace Darling and Devon Storm.

[commercial break]


When we return from commercial referee Buddy Lane has kicked all the onlookers back to the dressing room, as McElroy and Spartan lock up in a test of strength. McElroy wins the first one sending Spartan back a few feet to the turnbuckle. The second lock up though results in Spartan gaining the advantage in the test of strength and then stomping on McElroy's hands. Spartan takes it to McElroy as the brawl spills outside. McElroy grabs a fans coke and throws it in the eyes of Spartan to turn the momentum. He then sets up a table outside the ring but has to go back inside the ring to break the count before he could use it. When he goes back outside the ring Spartan is rested and catches McElroy with a forearm uppercut. Having stunned his opponent Spartan takes McElroy up with a release German suplex and sends him crashing through the table. Buddy Lane calls for the bell as both men have been counted out.
[Double Countout 3:48]

Spartan continues to punish McElroy after the match until the Freebirds arrive and double team Spartan. The Extremists arrive but now its 3 healthy 'birds against the 2 smaller men, and the 'birds knock them both out. McElroy sets up Spartan on another table and sends him crashing through with a piledriver.
Spartan is not moving.

[commercial break]


Spartan is still not moving as we come back from break and the paramedics are immobilizing his neck, getting ready to transfer him to a stretcher.

In the meantime we cut to a studio interview;
The Patriot is seething. He says that Kamala is not as stupid as he looks, that he allows people to think he's stupid so he can get away with that crap. Well, its time for this feud to end one way or another. The Patriot challenges Kamala to a last man standing match at "Revelations/End of Days". He says that if he can't beat Kamala that he will give up his mask, because he won't deserve to wear the stars and stripes.

[cut to commercial]


Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring from parts unknown, weighing in at 235 lbs. The Black Demon!!!
Some fans boo but the crowd is pretty silent.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Denial" by Sevendust >>>
The fans cheer for the hottest young prospect in Mid-America.
Hailing from Tampa Florida, coming in at 6'2" and 235 pounds, Raymond Bingham !!!

Collar elbow hook-up to start and the Demon surprises Bingham with a knee to the gut. He grabs an armbar before smashing his knee into the gut of Bingham again. Demon follows up with a big knee-lift, which sends Bingham off his feet, and onto his ass. Bingham is dazed as Demon unleashes a flurry of mounted punches on Bingham. Referee Jurgen Hermann counts to 5, but instead of calling for the dq, he just re-starts the count. Demon lifts up Bingham, delivers a bodyslam and then an elbowdrop. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Demon lifts Bingham to his feet but hesitates, unsure how to press the advantage. He goes to whip Bingham into the ropes, but its reversed, and Bingham catches him coming off the ropes with a flying drop kick right to the chin! It's all Bingham now with a series of savate kicks followed by a spinning leg lariat.
Suddenly, Derek St. Holmes appears at ringside, and it distracts Bingham. But the PWI Rookie of the Year candidate surprises St.Holmes by throwing himself between the ropes and taking St.Holmes down with a head tope. Bingham tries to re-enter the ring but the Demon is there to meet him. Bingham blocks a punch and then leaps into the ring beside St. Holmes. Again Bingham blocks a punch ,and delivers a few punches of his own. Bingham suddenly nails Demon with his "No Way Out" finisher, a Northern Lights Suplex into a pin, and gets the 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall Raymond Bingham after a Northern Lights Suplex at 5:03]

Studio Interview:
Al Collins and "Gung-Ho" Joe Blum say that they have managed to get Greg Pawluk and Johnny Devine to turn on each other as all cowards eventually do. However, they want a chance to finish off the young punks, so they challenge them to a tag match at "Revelations/End of Days".

[Commercial Break]


Backstage:
The cameras caught a confrontation between Marcus Schultz and the Black Demon. The two were passing each other in the hallway and started to jaw at each other. The Demon threw a punch that Schultz blocked and then he threw one of his own knocking the Demon out. Schultz then proceeded to rip the mask off of the Black Demon again. As he left, Schultz told the Demon that maybe without a mask he could actually concentrate on wrestling and make a name for himself.

<<< cue "Ice #9" by Joe Satriani >>>
The fans cheer as Joe and Stan Malenko make their way calmly to the ring.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 30 minutes. It is NOT for the RCW Tag Team Titles. However, the winner of this match will get to meet the WWA World Tag Team Champions at "Revelations/End of Days".
Introducing first, in the ring, weighing in at a combined weight of 445 pounds, Joe and Stan, the Amazing Malenkos !!!

<<< cue "Till it Sleeps" by Metallica >>>
The fans boo unmercifully as the Spinebusters are accompanied to the ring by Derek St. Holmes, their sports entertainment agent.
And their opponents, the current RCW tag team champions, at a combined weight of 480 pounds, accompanied by their sports entertainment agent Derek St. Holmes, they are Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth, the Spinebusters!!!
Your referee for this match-up is the head of officials Wayne Hart.

Hart pats down both teams before the bell sounds.
This match starts off much different then their normal conservative, tag strategy orientated matches of late. In this match both teams start at a tremendous pace with the first 5 minutes a high paced chain-wrestling match. Plenty of armdrags, dropkicks, and spinebusters to go around. Finally the match settles down after Caruthers grabs the advantage delivering a hotshot to Joe Malenko.

[commercial break]


The match resumes after the commercial break with Jerry Orth having been tagged in and pressing the advantage against Joe Malenko. Orth really punishes him with a series of 3 short arm clotheslines, a DDT, and then a piledriver. However, Joe kicks out after a two count. Caruthers is tagged in and immediately hits Joe with another piledriver but surprisingly Stan Malenko comes into the ring to break up the pin. As Hart leads Stan out of the ring the Spinebusters double team Joe with a double-team DDT. Hart takes a few seconds to get back into the action, and as a result Joe kicks out at 2.
Caruthers puts Joe in a hammerlock submission, which Joe manages to survive by getting to the ropes after about 30 seconds of pain. Caruthers punishes Joe in the corner before setting him up for a hanging vertical suplex. However, Caruthers waits too long in the suplex and Joe uses his fist like a hammer to punch Caruthers right in the crotch. Caruthers lets go and Joe drops like a rock landing on a winded Caruthers. This time its Orth who has to enter the ring to break the pinfall. After Hart has escorted Orth out of the ring both men inside are trying to crawl to their respective corners.
Joe is going to make his tag first so Caruthers reverses field and tries to stop him. But Joe tags in Stan and Caruthers walks right into an armdrag takedown by Stan Malenko who then follows up with a release German Suplex. Orth has re-entered the ring but Stan takes him down with a kick to the gut and a spinning DDT. However, Caruthers has recovered now and rocks Stan with a clothesline. Joe tries to enter the ring but Wayne Hart escorts him out which allows Caruthers to strike with a lowblow and then a chop to the throat.
Caruthers now punishes Stan with a belly-to-belly suplex, a piledriver, and then his finisher the Spinebuster. Derek St. Holmes reaches into the ring and holds down the feet of Stan Malenko, and Wayne Hart does not see it counting 1, 2, 3 !!!
[Winners by pinfall the Spinebusters: Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth at 14:23 when Caruthers pinned Stan Malenko after a spinebuster with help from some outside interference]

Post-Match:
The Spinebusters and Derek St. Holmes celebrate their victory. Suddenly from the crowd emerges Raymond Bingham who slides under the ropes and into the ring. He goes right to work on St.Holmes, while the Malenkos square off with the Spinebusters. The heels are being soundly thrashed when suddenly the Graduates; Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms run into the ring and go after the Malenkos too.
The heels are routing the faces when the IBZ appear and enter the ring with chairs. They start to whack people left and right, being indiscriminate about who they are hitting. They clear the ring, and the fans give them a mixture of cheers and boos as they unfold their chairs and have a seat. The rest of the wrestlers have regrouped into two separate factions outside the ring.

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
Freebirds: Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Hendrix pinned Darling after a spiked piledriver
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a German suplex
Marcus Schultz defeated Derek St. Holmes by pinfall after a brainbuster
Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb (and outside interference from Madusa)
Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Johnny Devine by countout
The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy defeated Alex Rider & J.J. Extreme by pinfall when Klown pinned Rider after a double team clothesline/electric chair drop



River City Wrestling #906
December 3, 2001
Madison, Wisconsin

House Show

Main Event - RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Sam Holiday (C) defeated Kamala the Ugandan Giant by pinfall after the top rope legdrop

RCW Tag Team Title Match
The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (C) defeated The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Darling after a spinebuster slam

Freebirds: Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when Henrix pinned Blum after a diving fistdrop

Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when Joe submitted Klown in the Texas cloverleaf

Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superplex

Buddy McElroy and Balls Mahoney battled to a double countout

Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb (and outside interference from Madusa)

Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Johnny Devine by pinfall after a vertebreaker

J.J. Extreme defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a missile dropkick

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #907
December 8, 2001
Duluth, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Today's show opens with our first match. The competitors are already in the ring and locking up.

Steve Corino v Shane Helms (/w Madusa)
This is 2 matches in one. The first half has Helms control the action with some high-flying moves. But Corino manages to avoid the Vertebreaker long enough to mount a comeback after he ducked away from a superkick. The second half of the match saw Corino take over mostly with brawling tactics. Corino used a swinging neckbreaker and then a top turnbuckle flying elbowdrop (ala Randy Savage) to finish off his opponent. Jesse Hennig and Sean O'Haire had come down to ringside to try and interfere but they were attacked by the Malenkos (looking for a little payback after last week).
[Winner by pinfall Steve Corino at 6:52 after a flying elbowdrop]

Post-Match:
While the Malenkos really took it to the Graduates, Jesse Hennig took advantage of a weakened Corino to bust him open with a cowbell. The Malenkos had to save Corino from further damage, which allowed the Graduates to make their escape.

[commercial break]


Backstage tape;
Greg Pawluk and Johnny Devine are having an argument in the hallway. Devine keeps telling the cameraman to go away but Pawluk is more interested in settling things with his "estranged" tag team partner. Pawluk wants to know if Devine can put their recent problems behind them for one more match to take on Collins and Blum. Devine says no problem, he'll hold up his end of the bargain. Then Devine starts into a tangent on Collins and Blum's tactics, but he's cut off by Pawluk who tells Devine to look in the mirror for the real problem. Devine responds "whatever", and says that after that match they are going their separate ways; no more "Young Guns".

<<< cue "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit >>>
The fans boo unmercifully as Derek St. Holmes, ESQ makes his way down to the ring.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this next match is scheduled for one fall with a time limit of 20 minutes.
At this point Derek St. Holmes grabs the mic away from the ring announcer. He says that last week Raymond Bingham won his match over the Black Demon in 5 minutes and 3 seconds. So he instructs the timekeeper to make this a 5-minute match. The Black Demon, who is already in the ring but not wearing a mask, tries to protest but St. Holmes tells him he's not important and then punches him in the head with the microphone. The ref calls for the bell and the match starts.

It's all St. Holmes to start as he tries to take the wind from the Black Demon with some shots to the gut and ribs. He then delivers two consecutive rib-breakers, and goes for the pin, but only gets a 1 count. St. Holmes then attacks with his usual combo of moves, a snap-mare take down, knee to the back, and then a baseball slide kick to the ribs. He goes for the pin again, but only gets a 1 count. St. Holmes switches gears and puts on a Canadian backbreaker. But after a few seconds of not getting the submission he seems to get frustrated and drops the Black Demon.
Raymond Bingham comes out now to watch the action, which distracts St. Holmes. He takes too much time, and when he goes for a flying cross body block 'demon ducks out of the way and St. Holmes bounces out of the ring. Bingham picks him up and tosses him back into the ring.
The Black Demon goes to work with a pair of hiptosses, and then goes for a hotshot which misses the mark and St. Holmes bounces his chest off the top rope and collides heavily with the Black Demon on the way back. The two tumble to the mat and St.Holmes almost gets the 3 count. Now St. Holmes pulls up the stunned 'demon and gives him an inverted DDT drop, and then pins him cleanly.
[Winner by pinfall Derek St. Holmes ESQ at 4:10]

Post-Match:
St.Holmes celebrates in the ring like he just won the World Title or something.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Wild Thing" by The Troggs >>>
The fans cheer like crazy when former TV champion Al Hardamann makes his way to the ring. He is wearing a Creed t-shirt and jeans, clearly not in his wrestling attire.
Hardamann starts to rant about DDP and the way that he and his no good wife Kimberly conspired to cheat him out of his title. He says the fans already know the truth, and have turned on DDP, and its about time the locker room started to scorn this guy too.

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans meet Diamond Dallas Page with a mixture of cheers and boos. DDP is alone and in a hurry to get to the ring, wearing the TV title. He slides in under the ropes and then goes nose to nose with Hardamann. DDP refuses to say anything, he just glares at Al. Al has to ask DDP several times to justify the actions of him and his wife before DDP finally grabs the mic from Hardamann.
DDP says that he doesn't need to justify his actions or those of his wife. He says its dog eat dog, and if Al can't take it anymore he should hang them up. The two start shoving each other.

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet cheering and clapping for the River City Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Sam Holiday who runs to the ring.
Holiday gets between the two wrestlers keeping them at arm's length from each other. Holiday grabs a mic and tells both of them to chill out. He says that he doesn't want to take sides, and RCW needs the both of them to be fighting the likes of Steve Riley, Jesse Hennig, and Stan Baker, and not each other. But this won't be taken care of until it is settled once and for all. So, he asks DDP if he will put up his TV title one more time against Al Hardamann at "Revelations/End of Days". DDP agrees and both men grudgingly leave the ring going their separate ways.

The announcers inform us that in addition to that DDP-Hardamann encounter, three more matches have been signed for "Revelations/End of Days" out of the turmoil earlier in the show.
Jesse Hennig will meet Steve Corino in a Hardcore Match.
The Malenkos will tangle with The Graduates.
Raymond Bingham will take on Derek St. Holmes.

Special Promo/Announcement;
In an interview taped earlier Commissioner Jim Brunzell announces that WWA River City Wrestling has been able to reach an agreement which will see two of the finest shootfighters in the world today compete in a Shootfight Spectacular at "Revelations/End of Days". The two combatants in the first ever RCW competition will be Mark "the Hammer" Coleman and "The Predator" Don Frye. Both men have been training part-time for this match for the past month as negotiations had been conducted. The two men compete together in WWA New Japan as part of the K1-Club. But for one night only they put their friendships aside to do battle one more time.

[commercial break]


Backstage footage:
When we come back there is footage of a commotion in the backstage area. DDP is standing over his wife Kimberly. He's shouting at the camera that Madusa and the Graduates attacked his wife again, while he was in the ring, and spanked her. He says he's going to mow down Al Hardamann to get him the hell out of the way, and then he's coming for Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms.

<<< cue "Rest in Peace" by Extreme >>>
The fans boo and chant "yeast, yeast, yeast" as Sinister Stan Baker makes his way to the ring with a smug look on his face.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall, and has NO time limit. It is NOT for the RCW Heavyweight Championship, but the winner will receive the right to face Rob Van Dam for the WWA WORLD Heavyweight championship on December 22nd at "Revelations/End of Days".
Introducing first, hailing from Kansas City, Kansas, coming in at 6'2" and 300 pounds, he is the Sinister one, Stan Baker !!!

<<< cue "Ain't Going Down 'till the Sun Comes Up" by Garth Brooks >>>
The fans are on their feet applauding as the current Mid-American champion Sam Holiday charges to the ring. He steps between the ropes and then salutes the fans by raising his arms over his head.
And his opponent, hailing from Odessa, Texas, coming in at 6'9 and 302 pounds, he is YOUR RCW Heavyweight champion, Sam Holiday !!!

The bell has barely sounded and Baker uses referee Wayne Hart as a shield to come around and sucker punch Sam Holiday. Holiday drops to one knee and Baker takes advantage with a knee to the back. Holiday cringes in pain, and Baker follows up with a big kick to the face of Holiday. The Sinister one picks Holiday to his feet and bounces him off the ring ropes, catching him with a punch to the kidney area on the rebound. Turning him around he goes for the suplex, but Holiday manages to get a foot around to block it. Baker tosses Holiday into the corner and charges in with an elbow, which Holiday ducks away from and then comes right back with a flurry of punches. Holiday biels Baker out of the corner to the center of the ring. Holiday is on fire and follows up with a rare dropkick catching Baker in the sternum and driving him out of the ring.

[commercial break]

When we return from commercial we are told that the match had spilled to the outside where Holiday had pressed his advantage. However, when Holiday re-entered the ring he was surprised by a recovered Stan Baker who delivers a big kick to the gut, and follows up with a vertical suplex. Baker tries for a quick pin but only gets a 1 count. Baker continues to press his advantage and gets a nearfall after a sidewalk slam. Then he nails his finisher the Heart Punch, and looks to have won, but somehow Holiday manages to drape a foot over the bottom rope. Baker argues with Wayne Hart which allows Holiday to recover enough to trade some punches and kicks with Baker. The brawl ends quickly when Holiday rocks Baker out of his boots with his quick lariat. The champ follows up with a hanging vertical suplex, no easy feat with someone as big as Baker. Holiday covers but only gets a 1 count.
Holiday works over the back before locking on a standing surfboard submission. Baker manages to rock his way out of it to the ropes. Holiday is in control though and after another quick lariat he pulls out a new move, a sharpshooter! The fans are going nuts as Wayne Hart checks to see if Baker will submit.
Jesse Hennig runs down to ringside but is caught from behind by Al Hardamann and Steve Corino. When the Graduates try to interfere they are taken down by a charging DDP who emerges from the crowd.
Back inside Baker amazingly reaches the ropes and gets the break. Wayne Hart is distracted trying to get security to ringside to take care of the brawling wrestlers. He misses a backward kick to the groin by Baker which leaves Holiday doubled-up. Baker leaves the ring and returns with brass knuckles. He waffles Holiday with the knux and goes for the pin. Wayne Hart though is still distracted and by the time he gets over to count Holiday manages to kick out at the count of 2.
Baker can't believe it so he goes for the heart punch, but its blocked by Holiday. The champ turns it into a hammerlock takedown and applies the pressure. In the meanwhile outside the ring security has cleared all the wrestlers away from ringside and now surround the ring. Baker manages to get to the ropes and break the hold. He tries to leave the ring but security gets in the way and Holiday catches him outside the ring.
Holiday pounds his head into the guardrail before tossing him back into the ring.
Back inside the ring Holiday nails a cradle piledriver which is the set-up for the big Holiday leg drop finisher. Holiday covers and gets the 3 count.
[Winner by pinfall Sam Holiday at 14:22 (with 11:52 televised) after the Holiday leg drop]
[Sam Holiday gets the title shot at WWA World Champion Rob van Dam]

Promo for the 22nd Anniversary Spectacular: "Revelations/End of Days"
4-hour spectacular
11 matches already signed
Rob van Dam (ch) v Sam Holiday (WWA World Title Match)
Diamond Dallas Page (ch) v Al Hardamann (RCW TV Title)
Blood Brothers (ch) v Caruthers/Orth (WWA World Tag Titles)
Freebirds v Extremists/Spartan - Six Man Tag Match
Patriot v Kamala (Last Man Standing)
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (Hardcore)
Al Collins & "Gung Ho" Joe Blum v Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight)
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Amazing Malenkos v The Graduates
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)

FADE TO BLACK


Dark Matches Before RAGE
RCW TV Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter
Sean O'Haire (/w Madusa) defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after the Seanton bomb
Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by pinfall when Stan pinned Shaggy after a superplex
April Hunter defeated Luna Vachon by pinfall after a moonsault press
Al Hardamann defeated Johnny Devine by pinfall after a diving elbowdrop
Raymond Bingham defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a Northern lights suplex



River City Wrestling #908
December 9, 2001
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

House Show

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

RCW Television Title Match
Diamond Dallas Page (C) (/w Kimberly) defeated Al Hardamann by countout

The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Steve Corino & Balls Mahoney by disqualification for use of a foreign object

Joe & Stan Malenko defeated The IBZ: Wiked Klown & Shaggy by submission when Joe submitted Klown in the Texas cloverleaf

April Hunter defeated Luna Vachon by pinfall after a moonsault press

Raymond Bingham & Marcus Schultz defeated Derek St. Holmes & Black Demon by pinfall when Bingham pinned Demon after a Northern lights suplex

Jesse Hennig defeated Greg Pawluk by pinfall after a running necksnap

Johnny Devine defeated J.J. Extreme by pinfall after a hotshot

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #909
December 15, 2001
Rochester, Minnesota

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

<<< cue "We Will Rock You" by Queen >>>
The fans boo as "Total Destruction" Steve Riley makes his way to the ring. He is accompanied by his entourage, a couple of trainers, his agent, his brother-in-law, a lawyer, and a couple of groupies in tight leather pants. Riley has a mic.
Riley says that the biggest RCW show is just around the corner, next week, and he doesn't have a date for the prom. Both DDP and Hardamann were too scared of him so they decided to dance with each other instead. And Holiday has ducked him from day one. Well, he says it doesn't matter. He'll take the night off and come January he'll be the #1 contender for all the belts.
Suddenly Sinister Stan Baker slides into the ring from behind Riley. He waffles a couple members of the entourage in the head to clear a path, and then he nails a surprised Riley in the head just as he turned around. Baker is all over Riley with a series of mounted punches. A few members of the entourage try and pull Baker off but they are too puny to have any effect. Baker picks up Riley and bodyslams him to the mat.
Security is flooding the ring now so Baker just turns and leaves, but not before giving a sidewalk slam to the brother-in-law.
The fans give Baker a mixture of cheers and boos, probably the first time he has ever heard cheers in River City.
Baker is outside the ring now and has a mic.
Baker tells Riley that he is a big talker, but he's never beat anyone with any jam here in the heartland. He wants to be the #1 contender then he'll have to go through Stan Baker first. So, Baker tells Riley to show up at "Revelations/End of Days" and we'll dance.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "Turn the Page" by Metallica >>>
Ladies and gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall and has a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first already in the ring, weighing in at 188 pounds, hailing from Gary, Indiana, J.W. Ousley!!!
The fans don't really care.
And his opponent, making his way to the ring, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coming in at 5'11 and 231 pounds, he is Marcus Schultz !!!

This is a basic squash match with Schultz practicing his repertoire of moves including a running bulldog, tombstone piledriver, fallaway slam, and a cobra clutch.
[Winner by submission Marcus Schultz at 3:26 when Ousley submitted to the cobra clutch]

Post-Match
As Schultz is leaving the Black Demon (without a mask) attacks him. The 'demon sends Schultz head first into the ringsteps, and then into the guardrail. He uses the guardrail to choke Schultz. Finally, Black Demon whacks Schultz in the head with the ringbell before leaving. Schultz is busted wide open.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John >>>
The Graduates Sean O'Haire and Shane Helms come to the ring led by their manager Madusa. Both of the graduates have chairs and are ready to protect Madusa. She has a mic and starts right in on DDP and Kimberly. She calls their "relationship" an American nightmare. They pretend to be this loving couple when in reality they both sleep around, with the boys in the back; yes, both of them. Madusa says its about time someone exposes Kimberly for the [bleep] that she is and gives her [bleep] a good spanking. So, come "Revelations/End of Days" if Kimberly is anywhere near the arena Madusa vows to find her, and spank her bare [bleep].

<<< cue "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana >>>
The fans pop, but are a bit surprised when they see Kimberly come out alone with a mic. She stops a good distance from the ring. The Graduates are keeping a wary eye all around them looking out for DDP.
Kimberly says that not only will she be at her man's side in his match at "Revelations/End of Days" but she will do so knowing that earlier in the show she whipped the [bleep] of the queen [bleep] old scag who likes to [bleep] men half her age, and half her breast size.
Madusa tries to leave the ring but she is held back by the Graduates.
That's all the opening that DDP needs as he emerges from the crowd and slides into the ring. He spins Helms around and gives him a DIAMOND CUTTER. Then he tries the same thing with O'Haire, but O'Haire is too quick and catches DDP with a jab to the knees using the chair. Madusa then nails DDP with a lowblow, and O'Haire fells him with a chairshot to the head.
Kimberly has entered the ring now, and takes Madusa down from behind with a handful of hair. She mounts Madusa and repeatedly pounds her head into the mat. O'Haire is about to clock Kimberly from behind when AL Hardamann suddenly shows up. O'Haire looks a bit confused, which allows Hardamann to dropkick his feet out from under him. Hardamann grabs the chair and tries to nail O'Haire but he rolls out of the ring first. All the Graduates are vacating the premises. Hardamann then dumps the chair and also leaves the ring while Kimberly tries to revive DDP.

[commercial break]


<<< cue "The Kids Ain't Allright" by the Offspring >>>
Ladies and gentlemen this next match is scheduled for one fall with a 15-minute time limit. Introducing first, making his way to the ring, hailing from Pacific Palisades, California, coming in at 6'2 and 213 pounds, one half of the Extremists, Devon Storm!!!
The crowd gives Storm a mild amount of applause.

And his opponent,
<<< cue "Freebird" by Lynard Skynard>>>
Hailing from Badstreet Atlanta G-A, and coming in at 6'7 and 324 pounds, a member of the Freebirds, Van Hammer !!!
The fans boo Van Hammer with unrepentant zeal.

Storm keeps Van Hammer off balance with a variety of speedy attacks. He uses the ringropes to his advantage with a handspring elbow, and a ropeflip moonsault. He also ducks in and out of the ring to confuse and irritate Van Hammer. However, after Van Hammer reversed a suplex attempt he took over. Taking the match to outside the ring Van Hammer outbrawled Storm and set him up on a table. Van Hammer attempted to put Storm through the table with an elbowdrop off the ring apron, but Storm moved out of the way and Van Hammer went crashing through the table. Storm managed to limp back into the ring.
[Winner by countout Devon Storm at 6:55]

Post-Match:
You just knew that the other Freebirds would show up in a hurry and they did. Terry Hendrix and Buddy McElroy got to the ring only seconds ahead of Ace Darling and Don Spartan (wearing a neckbrace from a previous Freebird attack). Out muscled with Spartan's injury, it didn't take the 'birds too long to take control of the situation. They set up another table and McElroy put Storm through the table with a piledriver, with a little help from Hendrix jumping off the apron to make it a stuffed piledriver. Storm wasn't moving as security cleared the area.

[commercial break]


Backstage interviews;
Madusa: Says she is so happy that Kimberly has accepted her challenge for "Revelations/End of Days", and says the two will get it on in a strap match. The winner will have to strap the "bottom" of the loser in all 4 corners of the ring (instead of touching the turnbuckles).
Marcus Schultz: His head is wrapped in a blood soaked dressing. He says that if the Black Demon wants to make a name for himself by attacking him, fine. But now it's going to be payback time at "Revelations/End of Days".
Jim Brunzell: Announces that the championship committee has decided that the winner of the Stan Baker v Steve Riley match at "Revelations/End of Days" will indeed be the #1 contender for the TV title.

<<< cue "Pain" by Nashville Pussy >>>
The fans boo Max Pain as he walks to the ring with a baseball bat. He grabs a mic and he tells Jim Brunzell that he can [bleep] off. Hardcore ain't going to stop, not here in middle America, not in Canada, and not in the Antarctica. It's a man's world he says, no longer a pair of skinny high flyers in matching tights. He dares anyone from the back to,

<<< cue "Big Balls" by AC/DC >>>
Max doesn't even get a chance to finish his dare when the music of Balls Mahoney hits. Balls is cheered by the wild crowd as he makes his way around the ringside area with a chair before entering the ring. He takes the mic away from Pain as the two have a glare-down.
Balls says that Pain don't know Hardcore except in his family movies, which is enough to get Pain to swing his baseball bat at Balls, which is partially blocked by the chair.
Suddenly Menele appears ringside and slides into the ring. It generates to a 3-man all out brawl, which Menele seems to be getting the best of when security floods the ring. It takes a few minutes for security to get the wrestlers apart and several security guards are tossed out of the ring or attacked first.

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>
Commissioner Jim Brunzell and his assistant Jack Lanza make their way to the ring. Brunzell says he is so sick of the tactics of all 3 men. He asks them if they want to tear each other limb from limb? They all say they do. Brunzell compliments Balls on his fine amateur wrestling background, and tells Menele that no one in wrestling today does a better suplex then him. Finally he tells Pain that Brad Rheinghans and Buddy Lane always rave about his skill in training matches. So, Brunzell says that the 3 of them will meet in a triangle match at "Revelations/End of Days" but it will be under "Gentleman rules". He tells them no pushing the envelope, no hardcore. If they are disqualified then they will be fired from RCW. There is no room for talent that can't actually wrestle a good match. The 3 men are very upset with the match that was made.

[commercial break]

Video Package:
Rob van Dam and the Blood Brothers highlight package to promote their title WWA World Title defences at "Revelations/End of Days".

Complete rundown for next week's big card in St.Paul, MN "Revelations/End of Days"
4-hour spectacular
Rob van Dam v Sam Holiday (WWA World Title)
DDP v Al Hardamann (RCW TV Title)
Blood Brothers v Caruthers/Orth (WWA World Tag Titles)
Steve Riley v Stan Baker (#1 contender match for TV title)
Six-Man Tag: Freebirds v Extremists/Spartan
Patriot v Kamala (Last Man Standing)
Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig (Hardcore)
Collins/Blum v Pawluk/Devine
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight Spectacular)
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Kimberly v Madusa (Strap Match)
Marcus Schultz v Black Demon
Menele v Balls Mahoney v Max Pain (Gentlemen rules)
Malenkos v Graduates
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)

FADE TO BLACK

Dark Matches Before RAGE
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy & Terry Hendrix defeated Ace Darling & J.J. Extreme by submission when McElroy submitted Extreme in a figure-four
RCW Television Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (/w Kimbelry) defeated Stan Baker by pinfall after a Diamond Cutter
The Graduates: Sean O'Haire & Shane Helms (/w Madusa) defeated Al Collins & Joe Blum by pinfall when O'Haire pinned Collins after the Seanton bomb
"Total Destruction" Steve Riley and Al Hardamann battled to a no-contest
Madusa defeated April Hunter by pinfall after a superplex
Menele defeated Sammy Jo Simon by pinfall after a T-bone suplex
Kevin Matthews defeated Black Demon by pinfall after a to the knees powerbomb

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #910
22nd Anniversary Show
Revelations/End of Days
December 22, 2001
St. Paul, Minnesota

The card was advertised as a 4-hour wrestling spectacular. Although I feel that the card lived up to being "spectacular", it ran overtime, going 5 hours including one 25 minute intermission.

Here are the match results and brief commentary starting with the opening match.

Opening Bout
Lord Zoltan v Lash LeRoux (Bourbon Street Brawl)
This match was not done live, but rather was actually held on Bourbon Street the night before. It was shown on the JumboTrons. The fight went through a voodoo shop where Lord Zoltan poked a pin into the ribs of LeRoux. When LeRoux yelped in pain Zoltan said "I'll be damned if this shit doesn't actually work!"
The fight also saw LeRoux throw Zoltan over the counter of a take-out Hurricane bar smashing into a frozen cocktail machine. Finally LeRoux launched himself off a railing with a type of springboard guillotine legdrop and pinned Zoltan on Bourbon street.
[Lash LeRoux wins via pinfall after a springboard guilltine legdrop at 8:09]


Bout #2
Amazing Malenkos (Joe and Stan) v Graduates (Shane Helms & Sean O'Haire) with Madusa
A very fast paced match. The Graduates surprised their opponents when Helms held off Joe long enough for O'Haire to nail the Seanton bomb on Stan and pick up the win.
[The Graduates win via pinfall when O'Haire pinned Stan after a Seanton bomb at 7:41]

Post-Match
The first big shock of the night when after the match Sean O'Haire turned on his partner Shane Helms even though they had won the match. O'Haire pulverized Helms with a neckbreaker followed by stomping him senseless in the corner of the ring. Madusa looked as shocked as anyone else. O'Haire grabbed a mic and said that the Graduates were over. He said that in January a true hero will be coming to RCW to lead the promised few out of the darkness and into the bright light.


Bout #3
Menele v Balls Mahoney v Max Pain (Gentlemen rules)
This match was a festival of powermoves, with Wayne Hart getting right in the way of any attempt to throw a closed fist, use a choke, etc. Sure, some stuff went on when Hart was distracted (most notably Balls Mahoney using the edge of a chair to lowblow Max Pain from underneath his legs). There was also the part where Mahoney was digging under the ring for a foreign object and Menele came from behind and smashed him across the ass with that same steel chair. But for the most part these 3 men showed why they are underrated as grapplers. The end came when Menele climbed to the top turnbuckle. Balls whipped Pain into the ropes, causing the ropes to shake and Menele to crotch himself. Then Balls caught Pain coming off the ropes with a powerslam and got the 3 count.
[Balls Mahoney wins via pinfall when he pinned Pain after a powerslam at 12:35]

Post-Match:
Max Pain and Menele double teamed together and laid a severe beating on Balls Mahoney. Security couldn't get them off of Balls, it took a clearing of the "faces" dressing room to finally end the beating.


Bout #4
Marcus Schultz v Marcus Schultz(?)
A very bizarre moment when the expected match between Schultz and the Black Demon began with the theme music "Turn the Page". However, instead of it being the Metallica version it was the more subdued original by Bob Segar. And instead of getting Marcus Schultz the fans got the man who had been unmasked as the Black Demon. The ring announcer reluctantly introduced him as "Marcus Schultz". When the original Marcus Schultz came out to his music he was irate. Schultz went right after the former Black Demon and soon enough was suplexing him all over the ring. Schultz slapped on the cobra clutch and suplexed his opponent. However, referee Marty Stevens called for the bell signaling that his opponent had submitted while in the cobra clutch.
[Marcus Schultz (the original) wins via submission with the cobra clutch at 5:28]


Pre-Match:
Kimberly comes out and tells DDP in the back that he is not to interfere. This is something she must do on her own. If she loses, so be it, at least she made a stand. She repeated that under no circumstances is DDP to come help her in the match.

Bout #5
Kimberly v Madusa (Strap Match - Winner must spank opponent in each of the 4 corners of the ring)
Madusa is just too much of a warrior for Kimberly to even have a decent shot in this match. But Madusa takes it too far brutalizing and humiliating Kimberly instead of going for the win. Kimberly is half-naked, with welts beginning to form from being strapped on the back, on the legs, and on the arms. DDP comes down to ringside and is yelling at Madusa to stop, but he does not interfere. Finally, Al Hardamann appears from the back sliding into the ring. He throws Madusa out of the ring and the referee Buddy Lane calls for the bell.
[Madusa wins via disqualification after Al Hardamann interfered on behalf of Kimberly at 6:42]

Post-Match:
Hardamann rolls out of the ring as DDP enters the ring to see to his wife. Hardamann and DDP just kind of stare at each other from a distance.


Bout #6
Raymond Bingham v Derek St. Holmes
Bingham simply outclassed St.Holmes. The only offence St.Holmes got in was from blatant cheating that quickly wore on the nerves of referee Shiela Bloom. Bingham though prevailed locking on a figure-four.
The Spinebusters came out but much to the shock of the crowd they stayed out of the action, just watching.
St.Holmes looked at them, but they never budged. Finally St. Holmes tapped out.
[Raymond Bingham wins via submission with the figure-four at 7:26]

Post-Match
After Bingham left the Spinebusters entered the ring and beat down their sports agent St. Holmes until security came in and made them stop.


Bout #7
Mark Coleman v Don Frye (Shootfight Spectacular)
Wrestling ring - ropes provide a break.
No time limit - no rounds
No kicking a downed opponent, no eyegouges or bites.
Frye did his best to stay on his feet in this match. Coleman lost his first couple of advantages when Frye managed to get to the ropes for a break. Frye was growing tired and tried for an untimely escape which allowed Coleman to turn Frye and put on a rear naked choke. Frye tapped out.
[Mark Coleman won via tap-out with a rear naked choke at 10:32]

Post-Match
Bret Hart came out to present Mark Coleman with a trophy as the 1st annual RCW Shootfight Spectacular winner. Coleman and Frye shook hands and embraced following the match.


Bout #8
Al Collins & "Gung Ho" Joe Blum v "Young Guns" Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine
Pawluk & Devine are excellent wrestlers but their lack of size hurt them as they were unable to put away their bigger and much more experienced opponents. For the most part the Young Guns put their animosity behind them and worked as a fluid tag team. However, at a crucial moment after Devine had finally turned the tables after a few minutes of punishment by Blum, Devine elected to stay in the ring instead of making a tag out to Pawluk. Blum took back the advantage with a double leg takedown and Devine never got in another rally. Collins finished off Devine with his Air-Al airplane spin into a slam. Pawluk made no attempt to make the save.
[Collins & Blum win via pinfall when Collins pinned Devine after the Air-Al at 11:27]

Post-Match:
Collins and Blum celebrated while Devine was knocked out. Pawluk left the ring alone. However, he never made it to the back, electing instead to grab a chair and return to the ring. Pawluk proceeded to smash the chair over Collins' head, and then did the same to Blum. He helped a very surprised looking Devine to his feet and helped him to the back amidst the fans boos.


Bout #9
Hardcore Rules: Steve Corino v Jesse Hennig 
Corino of course wore his crimson mask proudly in this match. He also showed that he was much more hardcore than Hennig and controlled most of the match. The fans though went ballistic when Curt Hennig made his debut in RCW, suddenly showing up unannounced to ringside, helping his brother win the match by attacking Corino from behind. Jesse ended the match with a Northern lights suplex.
[Jesse Hennig wins via pinfall after a Northern lights suplex and outside interference by Curt Hennig at 9:21]


Bout #10
Last Man Standing: Patriot v Kamala 
A bloodfest that ended when the Patriot jumped off the top ringpost to the floor, putting Kamala through a table with a splash. During the match the Patriot got busted open causing him to remove his mask so he could see. He had to wrestle the remainder of the match without his mask.
[The Patriot wins Last Man Standing when Kamala could not answer the 10-count at 18:03]


Bout #11
Six-Man Tag Match
Freebirds: Buddy McElroy, Terry Hendrix & Van Hammer v Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm & "Dirty" Don Spartan
The Extremists and Don Spartan are no match for the terror machine known as the Freebirds. Spartan and Storm came into the match sporting injured necks of which the 'birds took full advantage. Whenever the 'birds would get into trouble they would just tag in Buddy McElroy and the dominating big man would take over the match. The finish came when McElroy and Hendrix delivered a stuff piledriver on Spartan.
[Freebirds win via pinfall when Hendrix pinned Spartan after a stuffed piledriver at 8:58]

Post-Match:
Don Spartan was removed from the ring in a stretcher. His neck appears to be injured again.


Bout #12
#1 Contender Match for the TV Title
Steve Riley v Stan Baker 
There was a bit of the handing of the torch in this match tonight between two "mega-heels" in RCW. Baker started strong, but his raw strength was no match for Riley's conditioning and power. Riley got stronger as the match wore on and Baker became more desperate. Finally, seeing a loss as inevitable Baker left the ring and returned to the ring with the ringbell. Referee Marty Stevens was ready to DQ Baker, but Riley struck out with a dragon screw to take Baker down to the mat. Riley mounted Baker and unleashed a flurry of punches to Baker's head. Baker's fingers reached out desperately for the ringbell but to no avail. Riley seized the extended arm and put Baker into an armbreaker submission. Baker tapped out after only a few seconds.
[Steve Riley wins via submission to an armbreaker at 11:54]
[Steve Riley is the new #1 contender to the TV title]


Bout #13
WWA World Tag Team Title Match
Blood Brothers: Scarlett Birmingham and Julian LeMonie (champions) v Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers
Scarlett Birmingham and Julian LeMonie came out at the start of the match and ran their mouths off about the lack of talent in RCW wrestling, calling it PWA's bitch. This firmly set up the hated Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth) as the fan favorites for the match. This match went back and forth with both teams showing excellent tag team tactics. The end came rather unceremoniously when Caruthers was holding Birmingham and Orth decided to go for a spear. Caruthers didn't move out of the way, but Birmingham did and Orth collided right into the mid-section of Caruthers. LeMonie came into the ring and threw Caruthers out, allowing them to double team Orth. They delivered a double-team brainbuster and got the pin.
[Blood Brothers win via pinfall when Birmingham pinned Orth after a double team brainbuster at 13:18]
[Blood Brothers retain the WWA World Tag Team Titles]

Post-Match:
The Blood Brothers overstayed their welcome with a celebration. The Spinebusters regrouped and entered the ring taking it right to the World Champs. They cleared the champs out of the ring. The tag titles had been left behind. Caruthers and Orth imitated wiping their asses with the belts before throwing them over the top rope at the champs.


Semi-Main Event
For the River City Wrestling TV Title 
Diamond Dallas Page (champion) v Al Hardamann
These two men eyed each other carefully as the match began, but as soon as they laid hands on each other they went into full brawl mode. After a few intense minutes of brawling Hardamann took over and began to work on the shoulder and ribs of DDP. After about 10 minutes of constant punishment everyone in the arena seemed ready for Al to regain his title. But Al made the mistake of going to the top rope for his moonsault, and DDP rolled out of the way. Now it was DDP's turn to punish Hardamann. After about 5 minutes working over the back DDP slapped on a Boston crab. As Hardamann worked his way slowly to the ropes Kimberly came down to ringside looking very bruised from her earlier strap match with Madusa. Al got to the ropes and made the break and the two tussled. An errant soda pop container hit the ring distracting referee Buddy Lane. Lane turned his back to kick the cup and ice out of the ring. While his back was turned Kimberly jumped up on the apron and swung the chair. DDP pulled Hardamann in the way and Kimberly blasted Al in the head. There were looks of uncertainty on the faces of DDP and Kimberly as to what just happened. DDP covered Hardamann and got the pin as the fans heckled and booed.
[Diamond Dallas Page wins by pinfall after outside interference at 20:40]
[Diamond Dallas Page retains the RCW TV Title]

Post-Match
DDP and Kimberly just kind of eyed each other after the match. They left up the ramp together, but a few feet apart, not looking at each other.


In-ring segment:
President Larkin, Bret Hart, Bruce Hart, April Hunter, Jim Brunzell, and Jack Lanza enter the ring.
Larkin re-caps the expansion of RCW into Canada for the 2002 campaign. Larkin announces that the TV title will be re-named the RCW American Heavyweight Championship, and a new belt would be created to parallel the American belt to be called the RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship. Interestingly enough, with the exception of renaming the TV belt, most of this segment was booed by the crowd.


MAIN EVENT
FOR THE WWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Rob van Dam (champion) v Sam Holiday
While RVD controlled much of this match Sam Holiday definitely had his share of chances. With the fans solidly behind local champion Holiday, and with the stiff challenge that he presented RVD, it seemed to spur on the "rulebreaking" side of RVD a little bit. The World Champion seemed to want to take this match outside the ring and hardcore an awful lot. The end came when RVD was on the apron, tossed a chair to Sam Holiday who was on the floor, and then delivered a Van Daminator off the ring apron. Both men were shaken up, but it was the ankle of Holiday not his head that was the deciding factor. Holiday twisted his ankle, an old injury from October 1st that he suffered against Jesse Hennig. A groggy RVD managed to make it back into the ring before the 10 count. Holiday managed to get to the ring apron but when he tried to climb back in the ring his ankle betrayed him and he tumbled to the ground.
[Rob van Dam wins by countout at 22:24]
[Rob van Dam retains the WWA World Heavyweight Championship]


Houselights On


Breaking Kayfabe:
That's it for another year of River City Wrestling. In some ways it marked a return of top quality production and a bigger, more interesting roster. On the other hand the best laid plans of mice and men...usually these big expansion plans fall apart. See ya next year!!

[managermike99]

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