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Post by managermike99 on Oct 21, 2016 13:46:27 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #972
August 2, 2003
Civic Center
Butte, Montana
Summer in the City PPV
Attendance; 3,655
Opening Match
"Beauty & The Beast" Lord Valmont & Menele (/w Sherry Valmont) v "Rainbow Express" Lenny Lane & Lodi
Before the match Lord Valmont gave strict instructions to his wife and valet Sherry to stand near their corner and to stay out of the match. He slapped Menele across the chest and told Sherry that the big guy would be watching his back in this match. The fans popped big for the "mystery opponents" appearance by Lenny & Lodi, who were as "flaming" as usual. As they strutted and pranced for the crowd they were attacked from behind by Menele.
With the initial advantage from the sneak attack Menele went to work on Lenny Lane with a series of dangerous looking suplexes, and then a full nelson slam that yielded a two count. He tagged out to Valmont who continued the pressure with a camel clutch and then a series of blatant chokeholds and a chop to the throat. With Lane trying to protect his throat he was open season for Valmont to sneak under with a devastating overhead suplex for another near fall. Finally Lane managed to use a dragon legwhip to gain a few seconds to make the tag out to his partner Lodi.
The fans got back into the match as Lodi went to work with punches and kicks, stunning Valmont. When Menele tried to intervene he was greeted with a back body drop and rolled out of the ring. Lodi began to work the shoulder of Valmont with a leg shoulder breaker and then locked in the crossface chickenwing. Menele though made the save.
As referee Buddy Lane led Menele out of the ring, Lenny Lane came off the top with a splash onto the still prone Valmont. He had no sooner rolled off then Lodi followed suit with a standing moonsault. This time Menele could not get back inside, and Lane counted the 1, 2, before Sherry Valmont reached in and pulled Lodi off of her husband. Lenny Lane went right after Sherry chasing her around the ring. Menele came into the ring and nailed Lodi with a spear as he rose to his feet. Lane tried to get Menele to leave the ring as Lodi lay knocked out in the ring. Instead of going for the pin though, Valmont staggered out of the ring to try and help his wife who was still being stalked by Lane. Valmont charged Lane from behind, who deftly moved out of the way, and once again caused the groom to kiss the bride, forehead to forehead.
Lane rolled Valmont back into the ring where Lodi was waiting. Menele left the ring and chased Lane away from Sherry Valmont, and then helped the lady to her feet. In the meantime, Lodi rolled up Lord Valmont and made the pin.
[Rainbow Express beat Beauty & the Beast by pinfall at 8:19 when Lodi pinned Lord Valmont with a victory roll]
Bout #2
No Disqualification
Norman Smiley v Jesse Hennig
Jesse came out dressed in cowboy gear including boots, spurs, a lasso, and a black stetson. He took the mic and promised the crowd that he would hurt Smiley tonight right here in the Heartland of America. He drew heated jeers from the crowd. However, the crowd erupted into cheers when Norman Smiley came out also all "duded" up including a white stetson.
Jesse left the ring when it was charged by Smiley, and forced the Brit to chase him out of the ring where he caught him with a clothesline. Immediately Hennig went to an attack of keeping Smiley on his back, laying in a series of stomps, boot chokes, and an absolutely brutal looking kick to the head that caused Smiley to turn right over, face down.
Hennig went and grabbed the ringbell, and while he was gone Smiley tried to crawl away, his head dripping blood as he crawled. When Hennig saw his condition he dropped the ringbell, walked over and began to kick at Smiley with light kicks to the ribs and head. He then got down on his knees and began to smash Smiley's head into the floor, time and again. When he got back to his feet Smiley was laying face down, unmoving.
Jesse then went and grabbed his lasso. He straddled Smiley from behind, mocked him with his version of the Big Wiggle, and then went to wrap the lasso around Smiley's neck. But he was caught off guard when the Brit raised his back up, and bucked Hennig forward off of him. Smiley rolled over, grabbed the ankle of Hennig and bought some recovery time by locking on the ankle lock submission.
Hennig finally managed to kick his way out of the hold, but the damage was done. Smiley was groggy and bleeding, but for the time being Hennig was having trouble standing. The two used the apron to pull themselves up and traded punches and kicks. The lethargic brawl then made its way around the ring, using the ringsteps and announce table as props of destruction.
The match went into the crowd where Smiley took control by running with Hennig in a headlock, leaping over the guardrail while Hennig continued on, head first into the rail. It was a devastating move that put Smiley into control of the match.
Inside the ring for the first time in the match Smiley punished Hennig further with an inverted facelock brainbuster. Referee Jimmy Appleseed wasn't happy when Smiley lifted Hennig up instead of taking the 3 count, but it is no disqualification. Smiley then locked on the Norman Conquest and got the win when Hennig could not respond.
[Norman Smiley defeated Jesse Hennig by submission at 7:48 with the Norman Conquest]
Bout #3
Falls Count Anywhere - Grudge Match
Dr. John Manfried v Asp Evergreen
Asp entered the ring first. He came down with Eddie Chavez and the duo were roundly jeered by the crowd. Referee Jimmy Appleseed though sent Chavez to the backstage area, drawing out a temper tantrum from Evergreen. Appleseed and Evergreen grew impatient waiting for Manfried, and the ref left the ring and went to the timekeeper's table to ask about Manfried's whereabouts. Then the cage, suspended from the rafters for tonight's championship match between Vendetta and Manny Silva began to lower.
As it lowered Evergreen became more and more agitated, and soon left the ring, making his way slowly up the rampway. He grabbed a metal chair and continued to walk, keeping an eye on the backstage area. Manfried though came in from behind Evergreen, from the crowd, and nailed Evergreen in the back with a flying forearm. The fight was on, both grapplers on the ground. Manfried grabbed the early advantage, and eventually managed to take the metal chair off the ground and ~waffle~ Evergreen across the cranium. The youngster's legs buckled and he crumpled to the ground. Manfried scooped him up in a fireman's carry and took him to the ring.
Manfried slid under the cage which had stopped, 3 feet above the ground, and dragged Evergreen under and into the ring. Appleseed signalled for the bell, and the match officially began, with Evergreen practically unconscious and wearing the proverbial crimson mask of blood.
The killer from Texas reached into one of the pockets of his cargo pants and produced a small garrot of metal twine. He wrapped it around Evergeen, both choking him and drawing a trickle of blood from his neck. Next he delivered a powerbomb, and a flying kneedrop. He went for the cover and got the 1, 2, ..but pulled him up before the 3 count. Manfried continued the inhumane punishment with a DDT, and then reached into his pockets and pulled out an electric razor. Eddie Chavez ran in from the backstage area, but Manfried saw him coming and took him out with a double thrust to the throat, followed by a single arm DDT. He then threw Chavez against the steel cage. The crowd cheered as Ron Simmons came out and scooped up Chavez, carrying him to the back and out of this match.
Manfried positioned Evergreen in a sit-up position, putting his knee into the youngster's back, and turned on the razor. Evergreen though was playing possum and struck upward with a fist that caught the Texan square in the chin. Evergreen began to stomp away at Manfried and then grabbed the electric razor. He tried to cut Manfried's hair but the Texan intercepted his arm, and then gave him a nasty headbutt. Manfried went on the attack once more with a flying clothesline, pumphandle slam, armbreaker, and then a key-lock armbar submission.
Unable to get Evergreen to submit, Manfried went to the top turnbuckle, and after a bit of hesitation climbed up the cage. He came off with an elbowdrop from half way up the cage, but Evergeen of course rolled out of the way. Both men were down but Asp was on his feet first at the count of 7. He went to work on Manfried with a standing moonsault, hurrincanrana, and a fisherman suplex but only got a 2 count. Next he resorted to smashing his opponent's head into the steel cage and rubbing his forehead across the links. Manfried was now busted open as well. Evergreen nailed a double underhook piledriver, and then climbed the cage.
The crowd was on their feet as Evergeen hung near the top of the cage, poised to drop an elbow, but then Manfried staggered to his feet. Evergreen began to climb down the cage, but Manfried began to climb up right under his opponent. Evergeen landed a nasty kick to the head of Manfried as he tried to get down the cage wall, but the Texan hung onto the cage. He managed to avoid further kicks, and then grabbed a hold of Evergeen by the waist so he was pulling him free from the cage. Holding the weight of both wrestlers was not an option for the much smaller Evergreen so he had to let go. Both men fell backward from the wall of the steel cage, with Evergreen's back landing first, and the back of Manfried's head smashing hard into the crotch of Evergreen. Both men were down, but one of Manfried's shoulders was resting on Evergreen's leg, so only the youngster was in a pinning predicament, and Appleseed laid down the 1, 2, 3.
[Dr. John Manfried defeated Asp Evergreen by pinfall at 10:30 after both men fell from the cage wall]
Bout #4
River City Wrestling Tag Team Championship Match
Union Jack & Gabriel Argos (champions) v The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti
Scott & Regliatti basically resorted to their typical game of old school cheating, with double teams, using the ring rope to choke, not breaking until the 5 count, and so on. Normally Jack & Argos would manage to combat these tactics with their superior ground game, but seemed to be missing a gear tonight.
The crowd grew pretty quiet, only coming around when Argos managed a spirited comeback as his partner Union Jack was knocked out from a cheapshot off the ring apron. Long time inept referee Jurgen Hermann took a bump out of the action and much to everyone's surprise the Spinebusters, Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth ran in from the backstage area. Orth nailed Argos in the face with a chair shot. The man from Cyprus had just recovered from his shattered and broken nose, but the chair shot seemed to damage it again as his face was a bloody mess. Holding his hands to his face he turned right into Caruthers who nailed him with a spinebuster slam. The Great Canadians, who were on their feet, just watched all this transpire with shock. Their eyes locked with the Spinebusters as Caruthers motioned to his waist as if they wanted the belts, and then drew his finger across his throat.
Scott left the ring and made sure that Union Jack couldn't recover, while his partner Regliatti laid into Argos with a piledriver as Hermann was recovering.
[The Great Canadians beat Union Jack & Gabriel Argos by pinfall at 6:19 when Regliatti pinned Argos following a piledriver, with help from outside interference]
[The Great Canadians win the River City Tag Team Titles]
Bout #5
3-way Six Man Tag Team Match
Al Hardamann, Sam Holiday, & Ron Simmons
v
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, & Adam Riggs (/w Tylene Buck & Kim Kanner)
v
Tiger Khan, Gregor Kitnitsov, & The Patriot (/w Sammy Yip)
The rules of the match were that one man from each team was legal at a time, so there were always supposed to be 3 men in the match. It soon became obvious to the fans, and to referee Buddy Lane that it was going to be impossible to control the match.
Either the Wolfpack or Global Warning always seemed to have a 2nd man in the match interfering, and if not then either Sammy Yip or one of the Wolfpack girls was getting involved.
The faces were in big trouble during the first few minutes of the match as they were simply outgunned. Buddy Lane made his first move when he sent Yip, Kanner, and Buck to the dressing room. Yip tried to leave with the girls to take them backstage, but they then flattened the weasel with a double kick to the groin.
Both Hardamann and Simmons took turns playing Ricky Morton, but the Wolfpack and Global Warning would not let each other pick up the pin that easy. A brawl ensued outside the ring between the two heel factions as the faces took the time to rest and regroup.
The Wolfpack decimated Global Warning, but when they returned to the apron they were in return attacked by the faces. Sam Holiday dragged Scott Hall into the ring and went to work on him with a series of forearms, a flying clothesline, backbreaker, and then went to the top rope for the Holiday legdrop. Nash & Riggs rushed the ring to try and take out Holiday before he could nail his finisher but they were met dead on by Simmons & Hardamann. Holiday nailed the legdrop and was going for the finish but the Patriot had recovered enough to reach into the ring and drag Holiday out to the floor.
Riggs and Nash outbrawled Simmons and Hardamann sending Simmons to the floor and dropping Hardamnn inside the ring with Big Sexy's jacknife powerbomb. Big Sexy stood in the ring keeping everyone else out as Adam Riggs climbed to the top rope. The crowd was on their feet to watch this almost 7 foot monster hit his moonsault. But at the last second Hardamann managed to get his knees up and Riggs took the damage square to the stomach. Nash turned to go after Hardamann but had his feet taken out from under him by Sam Holiday reaching into the ring.
Everyone else was outside the ring brawling, seemingly oblivious to what was happening inside the ring.
Hardamann turned Riggs over and pinned him with ease.
[Al Hardmann, Sam Holiday, & Ron Simmons defeated The Wolfpack and Global Warning by pinfall at 15:31 when Hardamann pinned Riggs after a failed moonsault]
Post-Match
As the victors celebrated they made a wise decision and vacated the ring to take their celebration to a safer spot backstage. The Woflpack in the meantime went nuts and started to destroy Global Warning. The fans actually cheered the Wolfpack as Nash powerbombed Khan, Riggs hit the top rope moonsault on the Patriot, and Hall nailed the Outsiders Edge on Kitntisov.
Then as the 3 headed to the back, Hall & Nash turned on Adam Riggs. They gave him a short, unspirited beatdown of kicks and punches before leaving him on the ground as the Outsiders went backstage together.
Bout #6
CAGE MATCH
Match can only end by pinfall or submission
River City Heavyweight Championship Match
"Vicious" Manny Silva (/w Kimberly Page) (champion) v Vendetta
The two men went right after each other before the bell had sounded. Silva got the better of Vendetta in a punch-out. He then went to work on the right arm of Vendetta with armbars, and wrapping it around the top rope. The champ would toss in the occasional kick or punch to the head to keep the challenger dazed while he worked the arm. Next he went after the hand of Vendetta, stomping it, biting it and smashing it across a turnbuckle which he exposed by ripping off the covering. Silva continued dissecting Vendetta by taking his finger and wrapping it through a link in the steel cage and then pulling on it. Vendetta's hand was a bloody mess.
Finally, the Haitian managed to fight back, with a hard headbutt, followed by a kick to the gut, and a one armed DDT, that didn't seem to pack too much punch coming from his off-side. Gingerly using his hand where he could he continued to punish the champ with a gourdbuster, and then a crowd popping somersault bodyblock from the top rope. He covered the champ but only got a 1 count.
Getting to their feet Silva took back control with a poke to the eye, and then lashed out with a kick right to the groin. Coates saw and admonished the champ, but could not disqualify him. She tried to get the champ to back off and give Vendetta time, but Silva refused, dragging him to his feet with a handful of dreadlocks. Bodyslam, kneedrop, slingshot into the corner, another kneedrop, and then a cover only brought the champ a 2 count.
The crowd was really into this one now, as Silva nailed two consecutive hanging vertical suplexes, but when he went for the pin the Haitian kicked out before Coates could even slap her hand down for the 1 count. Both men got to their feet and Vendetta rolled underneath a clothesline attempt by the champ, and then caught him turning around with a dropkick to the chin. He grabbed the leg and got a quick 2 count before Silva kicked out. Both men scrambled to their feet, and this time Silva ducked under a clothesline attempt, grabbed Vendetta and took him down with a waistlock suplex.
The match then degenerated to a punches and kick brawl with the occasional suplex thrown in for good measure. Silva slowly started to take more control of the match, and busted Vendetta open by smashing his head into the steel cage. The Haitian though returned the favor using the exposed turnbuckle from earlier on. Kimberly Page passed a roll of coins into the cage which Silva put in his fist and used to nail a resurgent Vendetta with square in the forehead. The coins exploded out of his hand and the ring was littered with them, but again Coates was powerless to do anything about it.
However, while Silva was going for the pin, instead of counting she chose to admonish Silva instead. By the time she began counting Vendetta was able to kick out at 2. Silva dragged Vendetta to his feet, but then suddenly dropped him, turning quickly and grabbing Coates, and then drove her into the mat with a DDT. He spat on her, gave her a stomp and then turned back to the challenger.
But he was too slow, and Vendetta took him down with a double-leg takedown. He straddled the champ and began to lay in the punches, each one splattering more of Silva's blood. The challenger dragged Silva to his feet and then dropped him with a full-nelson forward Russian legsweep. He then smashed Silva's head repeatedly into the mat. He went for a pin before realizing that Coates was knocked out. So the Haitian dragged Silva by his feet to the corner of the ring leaving a bloody skidmark along the path. He then climbed the cage to an elevation of around 10 feet and came straight down with a spectacular kneedrop to the head. Silva was completely knocked out but still no referee.
As Vendetta tried to awaken Coates, long time inept referee Jurgen Herman ran down to the ring, had the officials open the cage and stepped in as the official. Vendetta looked so horrified at Herman's appearance that he forgot about Silva laying prone. Finally he seemed to regain his composure and went for a pin but of course only managed to get a 2 count.
Silva tried his best to fight back, with any dirty placed kicks and pokes he could think of, but Vendetta was on a roll now. A powerbomb yielded a 2 count, followed by an inverted DDT which also only yielded a 2 count from a champion who could feel the belt slipping out of his grasp but was determined to try and hold on for as long as possible. Silva crawled to the cage and then facing the back waved his arms calling for reinforcements. Kimberly Page ran to the back.
Vendetta laid in a bodyslam, and then put on his finisher the Haitian deathlock (Indian deathlock). Silva tried to hang on as long as possible, and then from the back came The Outsiders with Kimberly Page. They got to the cage, shook it in their hands, looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, shook it again, threw up their hands in defeat, and then left, with Page in-tow. The fans were going absolutely nuts at this point finally sensing a change of ownership of the region's top title held since February by Silva, as well as the dissolving of the Wolfpack.
The champ's last desperation move was when Herman was checking on Silva the champ reached out, grabbed him by the collar and attempted to knock him out. Herman's self preservation instincts kicked in and he managed to move out of the way and out of the grasp of the champ. Within seconds the champ's shoulders were on the mat, still in the deathlock, and Herman laid down the 1..2..3 !!!
[Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall at 21:31 when he was counted out while in the Haitian Deathlock]
[Vendetta wins the River City Wrestling Heavyweight Championship]
Post-Match:
Sam Holiday, Al Hardamann, Ron Simmons, amongst others came to the ring to help Vendetta celebrate. Holiday wrapped the belt around the new champ's waist and he and Simmons hoisted the champ on their shoulders as the crowd cheered. Silva slunk away, walking down the ramp, but his head held high, his eyes looking very glazed, and his face covered in blood.
<<< cue "Sleep When I'm Dead" by Warren Zevon >>>
President Larkin comes to the ring to a mix of cheers and boos, and is accompanied by none other then Bob Backlund!
<<< cue "It's Tricky" by Run D.M.C. >>>
Jody Christmas comes to the ring to a tremendous ovation by the fans.
<<< cue "Princes of the Universe" by Queen >>>
Dan Severn comes down to the ring amidst a chorus of jeers from the fans.
Pre-Match
Former WWWF Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund was on-hand as a special guest of President Jack Larkin. Backlund and Larkin participated in a pre-match ceremony in which both wrestlers, Severn and Christmas were presented with special commemorative rings for the occasion.
Main Event
60 Minute Legends IronMan Match
Jody Christmas v "The Beast" Dan Severn
The match begins with Severn playing mind games and stalling for time. He accuses Christmas of grabbing trunks and of hitting him in the throat. Head referee Buddy Lane though doesn't buy it and urges the match to continue.
Severn grabs a headlock from a collar-elbow hookup, and shakes off several attempts of Christmas' to throw him off. Eventually he grounds Christmas, and the fans become impatient as he works the hold. With the fans cheering Christmas begins to tap his leg before getting to his feet. He tries to take Severn back with a backdrop but the Beast manages to push his weight forward and keep his footing. JC goes for it again, but this time brings him back down instead of trying to go all the way back, and lowers Severn across his knee for an atomic drop. This breaks the hold, and Christmas goes to work immediately with a clothesline.
It's all Christmas now as he presses the attack with kicks, punches, a European uppercut, flying cross body block for a 2 count, flying headscissors, and a standing dropkick. He tries to put on a figure-four but Severn rolls through it and reverses the pressure. Christmas is near the ropes and grabs them to break the hold.
We're about 7 minutes into this match now, and then it goes into a series of short, undeveloped advantages by both men, trading control back and forth.
Severn takes control with a pair of backbreakers and then a camel clutch on Christmas whose back is beginning to hurt still relatively early in this match.
Unable to get a submission, Severn makes the mistake of sending Christmas to the ropes for a clothesline, but JC counters with a crucifix, roll up, and gets a surprise 3 count.
**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn with a crucifix at 12:43**
**Christmas leads the match 1-0**
The pace in the match seems to pick-up after the lead forces Severn into action. However, the quicker pace seems to favour JC who presses his advantage in the match. Finally, following a hotshot off the ropes, Severn walks right into a superkick.
**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn after a superkick at 16:55**
**Christmas leads 2-0**
With the momentum on his side Christmas continues to attack, feeling like he can create an unbeatable 3-0 lead. However, he is too aggressive and Severn dives out of the way of a cross body block. He then works the legs of Christmas with stomps to the back of the thigh, and then leglocks. The Beast then turns his attention again to the back of JC, with punches, a series of headbutts to the lowerback, a bow and arrow submission, and finally a sharpshooter of all moves. Right in the middle of the ring JC can't risk further damage so he taps out.
**Dan Severn submits Jody Christmas with the sharpshooter at 22:02**
**Christmas leads 2-1**
Severn risks DQ by refusing to break the sharpshooter as JC continually slaps the mat, asking for the break. Finally, Severn realizes that Buddy Lane can be pushed no further and releases the hold. Lane sends both men to their corners but Christmas can barely crawl to his. He orders the match to start again, and it's all Severn. The beast seems to take his time, punishing Christmas, especially the back but not going for a pin. Christmas makes a dramatic comeback fuelled by a float-around into a waistlock suplex, and then a crossface chickenwing. But on the break Severn nails JC with a lowblow and takes the lead back as the fans boo him whole heartedly. Severn tries to get JC to submit again to even the match-up but this time JC takes the punishment instead of tapping out while in a minute long Boston crab. Unable to take any more damage Christmas tries to buy some time by leaving the ring. Severn though smells blood and goes right after Christmas. He bulldogs him to the ground and then follows up by ramming him repeatedly back first into the edge of the ring apron. The animal in Severn is really coming out now in this match, as he scoops up Christmas and bodyslams him across the steel ringsteps!
Referee Buddy Lane comes out, and steps between Severn and his prey, ordering him back into the ring. Lane then enters the ring and begins to apply the 10 count. It is a very slow 10-count and Christmas JUST manages to roll inside in time to break the count. He tries to roll out again but Severn grabs him by the hair and pulls him back inside.
We are just past the 30-minute mark in the match at this juncture.
It's all Severn now as he punishes Christmas with an Argentine back breaker rack, a face first powerbomb, and a belly to back hammerlock suplex. After a series of stomps to the back Severn lifts JC up and applies an inverted belly to back bearhug. Christmas screams in pain but won't submit so Severn turns it into a sitdown powerbomb, drapes his feet across Christmas' arms and goes for the pin. Lane counts 1, 2, KICKOUT by JC that brings the fans to their feet again. Severn goes right after Christmas, but JC ducks under and backdrops Severn. It hurts his back though more than it does Severn, who is on his feet first, gets Christmas from behind and tries for a cobra clutch. Christmas though counters with a jawbreaker. He then goes to work on Severn with several kicks to the stomach, a hanging vertical suplex, and a fisherman suplex for a 2 count.
The match goes back and forth now for a good 10 minute stretch, and action picks up once again. Severn is hurting, Christmas seems fresher but his back is obviously killing him. The match spills outside a couple more times where JC manages to hold his own. Severn catches Christmas re-entering the ring with a kick to the gut, pulls him into the ring and nails a swinging neckbreaker. Severn tries to pin JC with the Japanese Dog Roll but Christmas kicks through the move, bridging Severn and nearly getting the pinfall himself. Both men scramble to their feet, Christmas takes Severn down with a single leg takedown. He tries to twist the leg but Severn pulls Christmas down by the ankle, and then catches him by surprise with a well planned belly to back roll over cradle for the pin.
**Dan Severn pins Jody Christmas with a belly to back roll over cradle at 48:18**
**Christmas & Severn tied 2-2**
The fans are standing as the two great warriors do all they can to pick up the deciding fall. Christmas comes close with an apron dive sunset flip, and Severn nearly gets the fall after a full-nelson slam. The action goes outside again where Severn gains control and puts Christmas through the announce table with a piledriver!! Back inside the ring, the announcement is made for 5 minutes remaining, when Severn goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count.
Severn drags Christmas to the middle of the ring and goes for the sharpshooter again. He has it locked in and Christmas is screaming in pain. However, Severn rocks back too far on the hold, and allows Christmas to reach back, grab a hold of the Beast's ankle and tumble him to the ground. Both men get to their knees, and are back to back. Severn tries to pull Christmas over, but JC resists, and lashes out backward with a headbutt (back to back) that stuns Severn long enough for Christmas to roll hm forward. However, Severn manages to roll sideways out of the pin, breaks the hold, and goes for a victory roll but JC breaks that pin. Both men scramble to their feet and Christmas gets behind Severn and takes him to the ropes, coming off with a reverse roll up. He gets the 1 , 2, Severn is fighting it, and Christmas is wavering, and then he steadies himself with a handful of tights, as Lane finishes the count with 3.
**Jody Christmas pins Dan Severn with a reverse roll-up (and a handful of tights) at 56:13**
**Christmas leads 3-2**
Severn loses his composure, complaining to the ref about a trunk hold. Christmas vehemently denies pulling the trunks and is caught off guard when Severn quickly abandons the argument to sneak in a punch to the throat of the former RCW champion. Severn tries to get in as much punishment in the next 2 minutes as he can. He puts on a camel clutch but breaks it after only about 30 seconds when the announcement is made of 1 minute remaining. Severn attacks with an inverted face lock elbow drop but only gets a 1 count. Running powerslam brings a 2 count. 30 seconds remain in the match.
Severn climbs to the top rope, and using his knee drives the face of Christmas into the mat. The final move of the match is a reverse Russian legsweep into a cradle, but again Christmas kicks out at the count of 2, and time expires.
[Jody Christmas defeats Dan Severn 3-2 in a 60-minute IronMan Match]
Post-Match
Severn is furious with referee Buddy Lane and with Christmas. JC offers a handshake to Severn, who just shakes him off and leaves the ring giving Christmas the one-finger salute on the way out. Christmas is joined in the ring by new RCW Heavyweight Champion (and Heritage champion) Vendetta. The two embrace and raise each other's hands in victory as the fans cheer, and we
FADE TO BLACK
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Post by managermike99 on Apr 23, 2021 12:14:20 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #973
August 16, 2003
St. Paul, MN
Touchstone Energy Rivercenter
Attendance: 4,131
<<< cue "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who >>>
The fans come to their feet and the crowd is buzzing with surprise as former WWWF World Champion, Bob Backlund comes down to the ring, wearing a navy blue Hugo Boss suit, and a red bowtie.
Inside he grabs a mic and motions for the fans to quiet down and listen to what he has to say. Backlund informs the crowd that President Jack Larkin has been diverted by other business interests that will keep him away from day-to-day operations of RCW wrestling for the next month of two. Backlund goes on to say that Larkin was looking for someone to take over the Commissioner role that he was fulfilling, and that person had to be fair, have a desire to produce a quality wrestling program, and also have a desire to shake things up a little. Backlund says he guesses that when Larkin saw him ringside for the PPV Summer in the City, a lightbulb must have gone on. After an all night negotiation session following the PPV a deal was inked, and that is how he stands before you the new commish of River City Wrestling.
It's an exciting time to enter into RCW. He informs the crowd that today's show will only be one hour, as will next week's. Soon enough though RAGE will return to its two hour format.
Other than that Backlund says it is business as usual in the heartland, and tonight we will hear both from former RCW champion, Manny Silva, as well as new champion Vendetta!!! The tag team champions Great Canadians will be in action tonight, as will Al Hardamann and Bob Sapp!
Opening Bout
Non-Title Tag Team Match
The Great Canadians: Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti (c) v Greg Pawluk & Shane Madison
Scott and Regliatti are very cocky, and underestimate their opponents at the start of the match. Pawluk gets the better of first Scott and then Regs. He and Madison touble team the champions, and when it turns into a 4-man brawl they again come up with the advantage. Regliatti though manages to elbow his way out of a cobra clutch attempt by Madison, floats around and delivers a well executed Northern Lights Suplex for a 2 count. He turns up the pressure on Madison and then after a tag Scott goes to work with a series of clotheslines and a piledriver. Regs suckers Pawluk to enter the ring, and while long time inept referee Jurgen Hermann is putting him out of the ring, Regs sneaks to the top turnbuckle and comes off as Scott nails Madison with another piledriver. This time the stuffed piledriver does the trick.
[The Great Canadians defeated Greg Pawluk & Shane Madison by pinfall at 5:46 after a stuffed piledriver]
Post-Match:
The champions are celebrating their victory in the ring as Pawluk helps Madison to his feet. Suddenly, from the back comes the former RCW champions the Spinebusters (Bryan Caruthers & Jerry Orth). They enter the ring from behind the champions and lay them out with forearms to the back. Each man nails a champion with a spinebuster slam. They then pick up the title belts and when the champs stagger to their feet they are again brought down, this time with gold to the head. The 'busters carefully fold up the belts and place them on the chests of the fallen champions. The fans give the 'busters a mixture of cheers and boos, so they stop long enough to give a one finger salute to the good folks of the Twin Cities.
Backstage
We see Ron Simmons standing just outside a dressing room. He's trying hard to contain a laugh but finally he can't and bursts out laughing. He turns to the cameraman and asks "did you get it all"? The camera nods up and down.
Simmons replies "great" and laughs some more.
In Ring Promo
"Vicious" Manny Silva, former RCW Heavyweight Champion, comes down to the ring accompanied by Kimberly Page. He looks a little upset but is trying to control his anger.
First off, he tells the crowd, that as far as he is concerned the Wolfpack are dead. The crowd erupts and cheers the news, although a smattering of boos are also heard. Silva says that Riggs has jump shipped for Europe's IPW, and the Outsiders were last seen with April Hunter, Tylene Buck, and Kim Kanner heading down Mexico way to work with CMLL and Victor Quinnoes. It's funny he says, shaking his head, that he is the one the head office made post a performance bond, and he is the last man still in town! Even if the Outsiders were still here, the Wolfpack is dead. After watching Hall & Nash beat up Adam Riggs at Summer in the City, he realized that there is no Wolfpack, there is only the Outsiders. And the Outsiders are really the insiders, and everyone else is an outsider, living on borrowed time until they turn on you! Well, Manny Silva has been up and down these roads before, and has always been alone in the past and will always operate alone in the future.
With that, he turns to face Kimberly Page with a snarl on his face, and says, in case you didn't get the idea, scram. Silva proclaims that unlike the Outsiders he does not need a bunch of scrags at ringside to try and show that he is cool. He will get the job done on his own. Page looks a bit startled and a bit indignant, but decides she better leave as Silva looks to be losing his temper.
Now then, he continues, as for you now Vendetta, the new champion of River City. I told you that we get no respect, that we weren't even the headline at Summer in the City. It was a hard fought contest, and Silva admits that at the end of it he had a bit more respect for Vendetta than he did going in, and that he is sure the champ respects him a bit more as well. But make no mistake about it Vendetta, Silva says he is coming to get "his" title back.
Bout #2
Gabriel Argos v Bob Sapp
Bob Sapp is back in action this week, and he is wrestling against former tag team champion, Gabriel Argos. The match starts off on the mat, with both men having a sound technical background. He keeps Sapp on the mat, thus negating some of his power and size advantage. Sapp though brings the match back onto their feet, when, while being worn down with a side headlock, he scooped Argos up and powered to his feet. He then brought Argos backward with a suplex. The two men went through several series of whips and moves from the ropes, with Sapp finally taking control after a tilt-a-whirl sideslam. The big man continued to punish Argos with a double underhook suplex, a flying clothesline, and a fistdrop from the top rope right onto the nose of Argos. The man from Cyprus had just got over a broken nose and the fistdrop busted it wide open. Sapp though did not let up and he took Argos down with a forward Russian legsweep which drove Argos face first into the mat. Sapp turned him over and got a quick 3 count.
[Bob Sapp defeated Gabriel Argos by pinfall at 5:29 after a forward Russian legsweep]
Post-Match
The medics had to come out following this match to help out Gabriel Argos, as it looks like his nose has once again been broken. In the meantime, with this going on in the ring Sapp grabbed a mic. He said there was this fat, stupid looking Texan running around calling himself the Killer. He says the only way that John Manfried should be called a Killer, is that because like Jerry Lee Lewis he probably sleeps with his underage cousins.
This of course does not go unchallenged by Dr. John Manfried who comes to the top of the ramp with a mic. Security comes down and stands in front of him to keep him away from the ring. Manfried says that Sapp figures he is a big man, the Beast, because he goes around hurting people, injuring them. Manfried says that will be Sapp's downfall. You see if you're going to piss someone off, you shouldn't injure them, you should finish the job. Manfired says he would be quite willing to finish the job and put River City out of the pain of having to watch Sapp, next week on Rage. Sapp readily accepts the match.
From his office
Bob Backlund appears from his make shift office in the back. He makes an announcement on behalf of the Championship Committee (he smiles, and then says "which is ME") that next week on Rage we will have a match to decide a new #1 contender for the Heavyweight Championship. That match will pit former champion Manny Silva against Ron Simmons.
Backlund thanks the crowd and then rises to his feet but then we hear a door opening and he sits back down. The camera is still rolling on Backlund and we see his face light up in shock and awe, and hear the unmistakable clicking of high heels across the office floor. "Hello Bobby" we hear Debra McMichael say, and then we see her as she goes behind the Commish and begins to rub his shoulders. She is wearing a white leather bikini top and a sarong. "May I call you Bobby" she asks in a soft voice as her painted red fingernails play down the front of his shirt. "Oh, sure miss" is all he can stammer. "In case you don't know me, my name is Debra, and I was filling an important position on Mr. Larkin's staff as his executive assistant here at River City wrestling". Suddenly Debra has her sarong in her hands and she lays it across the lap of the Commissioner. She leans forward, allowing a nice cleavage shot, and whispers into the commissioner's ear something about hiding that from everyone's view. He just grins and nods, but then suddenly something clicks and he looks at the camera. "Turn that thing off" he yells, and a second later the feed goes to white noise.
<<< cue "Wild Thing" by The Troggs >>>
Al Hardamann comes running down to the ring wearing a white "Atari" t-shirt, red wrestling trunks, and his trademark white wrestling boots with trim and tassels. He grabs a mic and says that even before he came back to RCW he was following the happenings on TV and talking with his good friend Sam Holiday. Hardamann says the one thing that made him the most angry was this group of America haters, calling themselves Global Warning. And worst of all is that little twerp, Sammy Yip...
he is interrupted by the PA system
<<< cue "Gimn Sovetskogo soyuza" >>>
The fans boo as Korean manager Sammy Yip comes to the top of the ramp. He tells Hardamann to shut up and listen for a change, something we all know is difficult for American Imperials. He says that tonight Hardamann was to wrestle Gregor Kitnitsov. Well after several set-backs as of late, Kitntisov has been sent back to mother Russia. We have a new member of Global Warning to take care of business tonight.
From the back comes MMA & UFC star Oleg Taktarov !!
Main Event
"Wild Thing" Al Hardamann v "Russian Bear" Oleg Taktarov
Hardamann gets in an initial flurry of punches but Taktarov takes him down with an armbar. After working the armbar for a bit he punishes the American with several knees to the back, and then works him over to the apron which allows Yip to come across and slap Hardamann across the face. This draws a stern warning from head referee Buddy Lane. Taktarov nails a Soviet Suplex, and gets a 2 count. He tries to lift Hardmann up into a torture rack, but Hardamann manages to fight free causing both men to crash to the ground. The American takes over with a series of hip tosses, and then biels the Soviet half way across the ring, before following up with a flying dropkick to the back which sends the Soviet out of the ring.
Taktarov stalls for time, and then when he gets the chance he reaches under the bottom rope and yanks at the feet of Hardamann pulling him out of the ring. Taktarov rams Hardamann's head into the ringpost, and then bulldogs him to the ground. Taktarov scoops up Hardamann in a fireman's carry and then bodyslams him to the ground through his legs. He rolls the Wild Thing back inside the ring. Hardamann tries to make a comeback but he's been busted open by that shot to the ringpost and he looks very unsteady on his feet. After several punches and kicks, Hardamann tries a standing dropkick but Taktarov just brushes him to the side. The Soviet follows up with a pumphandle powerslam in the middle of the ring. Taktarov delivers two consecutive kneebreakers and then puts on a kneebar, getting Hardamann to tap out.
[Oleg Taktarov defeated Al Hardamann by submission at 7:02 with a kneebar]
Post-Match
Taktarov picked up Hardamann and threw him through the ropes to the floor below. Yip entered the ring and grabbed a mic. He said this should be a lesson to all Americans, especially Sam Holiday. Do not mess with Global Warning.
Television Feed
We see Ron Simmons sitting in a dressing room. Beside him is a rather buxom looking older redhead. They are looking straight at the camera. Simmons says "you got it?", and the camera nods. Simmons turns to the lady and says, "okay, now i'll be right outside. Remember, he has a bit of a short fuse, so whatever you do....and I can't emphasize this enough...don't call him poodle."
The camera flickers out, and when it flicks back on we see Manny Silva enter the room. Judging by the foliage partially blocking the camera view, he does not realize he is being taped. He has a piece of paper in his hand, and is looking pretty upset.
"What the hell is this all about", says a befuddled Silva. "An image consultant?"
The redhead speaks, "yes, Mr. Silva it is a gift from your associates, Mr. Hall and Mr. Nash. They thought you could use a bit of polish. My name is Paulette Young".
Silva just about implodes from keeping his rage inside. "Look lady, first off Hall and Nash are no longer my associates, they are just asses, no o-ciates in those swine. Secondly, image has nothing to do with my success in the ring. It's called guts and ~inner fury."
The consultant remains calm. "Well I can see you are going to be a very tough sell, Mr. Silva, so..."
"Oh please, just call me Manny..or Manuel if you prefer". Silva flashes an awkward smile that causes his jaw to squeak from lack of use.
The redhead smiles, seeing that her charms are starting to pay off.
"Okay, Manuel, I will cut straight to the point. Your nickname..."
"Vicious"
"Yes, that's the one"
"What's wrong with that?"
"Well, you see, it's just kind of, well underwhelming..."
"Underwhelming?"
"Yes, and frankly not very..vicious..at all"
"Really?"
"Hardly strikes fear in someone's heart. More something someone would call their dog than their Heavyweight Champion."
"Dog?"
"Is that what i said?"
"Yes it is."
"Oh, okay"
"What kind of dog, lady?" Silva is getting agitated again.
"That's not important, what I mean is that you need a new one. You see, often nicknames if not effective make people associate someone with exactly the opposite. Like deprecating humour."
"What?"
"Well, like calling someone who is really big, "Tiny", or someone who is bald, "poo....err...i mean Curly".
"What did you just say?"
"Curly. I said Curly. Look Mr., Manuel." she pauses. "When people hear you called Vicious, they think just the opposite, they think you are a pussy cat".
"No one thinks I'm a pussy cat lady. Hell I've been banned in more states then..well..more states then I can name. I had to post a performance bond for chrissakes. Everyone knows I'm vicious as Jack the Ripper himself".
The redhead shakes her head. "Doesn't work. You need a new one. Something opposite of what you want them to associate you with."
"Oh, I get it. So if I was really big and I wanted them to remember that, then I would call myself Tiny".
"Yes that's it" the redhead says with a lot of zeal.
"Okay. Well I hate when they call me." he stops and looks at her full of hesitation.
"Call you what?"
"Never mind"
"You sure? It would help me if I knew"
"Okay, they mock me, and call me Poodle"
The redhead has to turn her head to prevent laughing. Subconsciously Silva pats down his 'fro. She turns around, "sorry eyelash in my eye".
"So what kind of nickname can I get so they stop calling me Poodle?"
The redhead rises to her feet, and tells Silva, "I'll have to go back to the office and brainstorm that with my colleagues. Good day Manuel". She shakes his hand and leaves the office.
Alone in the office Silva mutters, "I hate when they call me Poodle".
In-Ring Promo
The red carpet has been rolled out in the ring. Mr. Bob Backlund and interviewer Pamela Paulshock are on hand to present the River City Heavyweight Championship belt to Vendetta, following his big victory at Summer in the City over Manny Silva.
Before they present the belt they give Vendetta a chance to speak. He gives a pretty much generic speech thanking the fans, and the promotion, including Mr. Larkin for giving him the chance when others wanted to hold him back. He's wrapping up his speech when the inevitable occurs. Manny Silva comes running down from the back. He doesn't ambush Vendetta instead going right after him with a frontal attack. The two exchange punches and then Vendetta drops like a stone. You can see that Silva is wearing brass knux! He straddles the champ, lifts his head with one hand and nails him again with the brass knux. Vendetta is busted wide open. The crowd cheers as Ron Simmons comes into the ring to try and make the save. Silva though is expecting him and catches him with a boot to the gut, and then hits him with the brass knux to the head. He throws Simmons out of the ring, and the drags Vendetta to the ropes.
With several RCW officials trying to wave him off Silva wraps the ring ropes around the neck of Vendetta. He then grabs his feet and starts to bounce him up and down, so the ropes are choking him even more. Vendetta is losing consciousness when the commissioner Bob Backlund has finally seen enough. He tries to talk Silva out of it, but just gets shoved away. When a couple of refs try and free Vendetta from the ropes Silva attacks them. Then finally Silva is dropped when Backlund ~waffles him across the back with a steel chair. Silva is on his knees, and tries to get back up, so Backlund gives him another chairshot. This time Silva is on his face and stays down, but Backlund has now lost it. He snaps. He nails Silva in the back of the head with two more chairshots before being restrained by referees Buddy Lane, Jimmy Appleseed, and Melissa Coates.
FADE TO BLACK
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