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Post by managermike99 on Feb 19, 2019 15:21:47 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #708
December 13, 1997
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba
18th Anniversary Spectacular!!
Opening Bout
Tito Santana (6'2" 234 lbs., Tocula, Mexico) vs Nikolai Kishka (6'0" 250 lbs., Kazan, Russia)
time limit 15:00
This rematch started with Santana going right after the young Kishka, banging his head off the turnbuckles, some bodyslams, more turnbuckle shots, chops, a biel and then a rear chinlock to slow things down. Santana worked him on the mat with the chinlock, then a side headlock. Kishka tried to gain the advantage by tossing him off but got on the wrong side of a shoulderblock. Santana picked up the pace again with a pair of kneelifts, a dropkick, and then an armdrag takedown into a an armbar. Kishka finally got the advantage by executing a Roman-Grecco rake of the eyes. A couple punches, then knees to the gut. Kishka took it a bit more technical with a legsweep, then a diving elbow drop, and a slingshot legdrop. It looked like he was going for a cover but instead the Russian went straight into a choke, risking DQ a couple times. Kishka nailed a head and arm suplex, then a powerbomb, for a 2 count. Kishka set up Santana for a superplex but the veteran Mexican fighting for his life (perhaps literally) punched him off, then nailed a clothesline from the top rope for a 2 count. It was Santana's turn again with a pair of monkeyflips, a running clothesline, a reverse Russian legsweep for a 2 count. Santana sent Kishka to the ropes, maybe setting up for his finisher, but the Russian grabbed the top rope and pulled himself out of the ring. Santana went after Kishka, the two fought outside, then back inside, then outside again. The second time they rolled back inside Kishka caught Santana with a knee to the head, then a Death Valley Driver, for a 2 count. It looked like Santana may rally, but Kishka then hit his jumping spinning leg lariat, and got the win.
[Nikolai Kishka defeated Tito Santana by pinfall after a jumping spinning leg lariat at 11:53]
Bout #2
Fatal Five Way - All Women Are Legal - First Fall Wins
#1 Contenders Bout
Deep Blue (5'4" 126 lbs., parts unknown) vs Alexandra Beres (5'8", 136 lbs. Budapest, Hungary) vs Becky Hennig (5'5" 125 lbs., Robbinsdale, Minnesota) vs Nikki Kixxx (5'6" 120 lbs.) vs Mercedes (5'7" 121 lbs., Carolina, Puerto Rico)
time limit: 20:00
Five women, all legal, but with the caveat that the match would end with the first pinfall or submission inside the ring. However, a wrestler could be counted out or disqualified by a second referee outside the ring, thus eliminating them.
Mercedes was the weakest link of the five making her fresh meat. But there was not enough room in the ring to get a clear pin as there were too many competitors to break it up. The first elimination came around the 4 minute mark when Mercedes decided she had enough and walked out, taking a countout. Down to four women all of them looked good, including Hennig who really came alive in this bout playing spoiler on several occasions. The end came when Beres had Deep Blue set up for a superplex. Kixxx ran over, kneeling Beres in the back, then tossed Deep Blue off the top buckle to the floor. Kixxx then took Beres over with a Northern lights suplex. But Hennig had anticipated it, climbed to the top buckle and came off with a splash onto Kixxx. She pulled Kixxx a foot over, Deep Blue tried to make the save but was just not quite on time.
[Becky Hennig won the Fatal Five Way by pinfall over Nikki Kixxx after a top rope splash at 7:05]
Bout #3 Non-Title Match
Sexton Hardcastle & Christian Cage (combined wt. 441 lbs.) vs Hank & Bryce Armstrong (combined wt. 534 lbs.)
time limit: 20:00 The last time we saw "Hard Impact" they were part of Thug Life, and they worked hard tonight to wipe those bad memories from the fans. The Armstrong brothers have a bit of a "Godwinns" farmer vibe to them, but from South Africa where they are the current Tag Team champions. The match started with the good guys pressing their advantage with speed and quick tags. But after about 3 minutes Hank changed things with a spinning spinebuster slam on Cage. For the next 7 minutes, which felt like forever, Cage played the role of Ricky Morton. Somehow though Cage managed to avoid pinfalls and submissions, despite having his head busted open. Finally though Bryce made a mistake charging into the corner, and Christian moved out of the way and then pulled Bryce down with a falling inverted DDT. As Cage went to make the tag Hank tried to interfere but Hardcastle threw him over the top rope, then went back out to get the tag. Hardcastle was a house on fire, but when he tried to pin Bryce it was broken up by Hank. The tag was made out to Hank, and Hardcastle got the advantage on him too, but was then taken out from behind by Bryce. A short double team put the advantage right back with the South Africans. In the meantime Cage was slumped, sitting on the ring apron, back against the post, unable to compete. Twice Hardcastle went over to tag but didn't because Cage wasn't ready, and so the Armstrongs took back their advantage. Then Hank put Hardcastle in a full nelson and Bryce came off the ropes for a double team...but Cage managed to lower the top rope and Bryce tumbled to the floor. Hardcastle flipped over backward on the stunned Hank, landing behind him and then nailing a German suplex. He then followed up with a half-nelson bulldog, and rolled up Hank. Bryce tried to get in to break it up but Cage just sort of threw himself at Bryce, delaying him long enough to allow Hardcastle to make the pin. [Sexton Hardcastle & Christian Cage defeated Hank & Bryce Armstrong by pinfall when Hardcastle pinned Hank after a half-nelson bulldog at 15:44]
Bout #4
Gary Goodridge (6'3" 245 lbs., Barrie, Ontario) vs Oleg Taktarov (6'0" 216 lbs., Gorky Oblast, Russia)
time limit: 20:00
Goodridge was the fan favorite obviously, a Canadian boy against an arrogant Russian. Goodridge used his height, reach, and weight advantage early, and then turned it into keeping the Russian at a distance with some kickboxing moves. The ref seemed a bit hesitant to enforce rules since this unorthodox combination of wrestling and mixed martial arts was new to RCW. The fans were fairly quiet but showed bursts of appreciation for the skill shown. The Russian though got in close and showed off his Judo/Sambo background with throws and short kicks, keeping the champ on one knee and struggling for air. Taktarov managed to lock on a rear choke and was surprised when the ref called for the break. This allowed Goodridge to attack from behind with a series of three rolling German suplexes, and then a powerbomb, covered and got the 3 count. [Gary Goodridge defeated Oleg Taktarov by pinfall after a powerbomb at 6:10]
Bout #5
Stan Lane & Telia Tuli (combined wt. 645 lbs.) vs Greg Valentine & Masa Chono (combined wt. 465 lbs.)
time limit: 25:00
Lane wanted his arch nemesis Valentine to start but the Hammer demurred and Chono started instead. After some tentative lockups Chono backed Lane into the corner and then distracted the ref as Valentine choked Lane. The Japanese star then went on the offensive, staying behind Lane and attacking with strikes, kicks and a suplex, before locking on an armbar. Chono tagged out to Valentine while still holding the armbar which allowed the Hammer to deliver an elbow between the eyes. Valentine made the mistake of trying to send Lane to the buckle and "the man" reversed it sending Valentine hard into the corner where he hit it and flipped over top. The bad guys had a meeting of the minds outside the ring until big Tuli walked over and smacked their heads together and then rolled Valentine back inside the ring. Lane worked over Valentine then tagged out to Tuli for the first time. The big Samoan went to work on Valentine in the corner, and then hit him with a splash in the middle of the ring. He covered and got 1, 2, Chono in and broke it up. Chono attacked the back of Tuli but was then thrown out of the ring. Tuli tagged in Lane who went back to work on Valentine. The good guys took turns working over Valentine but he managed to kick out 3 times barely beating pin attempts. Finally Valentine managed to back Lane into the ropes where Chono nailed him with a kick to the back of the head, and was then tagged in by Valentine. The bad guys now took advantage of Tuli's inexperience as they would taunt or aggravate Tuli, who would then tie up the ref who was trying to put him out of the ring, which allowed more double teams and chokes. This went on for about five minutes and Tuli finally got with the program and waited for his tag partner. Chono made the mistake of going to the top rope and Tuli went over and bumped into the ring post adjacent to the one Chono was on, but he is so heavy it bumped Chono to the mat. This gave Lane the seconds he needed to stumble over and tag in the big Samoan. Tuli went to work first on Chono, chopping him to the mat, then on a charging Valentine by hitting him with a shoulderblock. Tuli proceeded to beat up each of them, but made the mistake of throwing Chono out of the ring, and putting a bearhug on Valentine. The ref was counting out Tuli who didn't realize that Valentine was not the legal man, and the distraction allowed Chono to take him down by clipping his knee from behind. Chono attacked Tuli keeping him on the ground. The big man though managed to stand with Chono on his back and walk over and tag in Lane. It was Lane's turn to work over Chono now, but that only lasted a minute before he made a quick tag to Valentine who caught Lane with a chop to the throat. Valentine nailed a back bodydrop, a pair of spinning elbowdrops, and a vertical suplex for a 2 count. Valentine tagged in Chono who worked over Lane with a series of kicks, and a diving shoulder block. Chono tagged out to Valentine, but instead of leaving the ring he caught Tuli by surprise by drop kicking his legs as he stood on the apron. Tuli tumbled to the ground, and back inside Valentine came off the top rope and nailed Lane with an elbow smash. He covered, and Tuli did not have the agility to get back into the ring in time to break up the pin. Very good match. [Greg Valentine & Masa Chono defeated Stan Lane & Telia Tuli by pinfall when Valentine pinned Lane after a top rope elbowsmash at 21:51]
Bout #6
Mark Coleman (6'1" 225 lbs., Columbus, Ohio) vs Dan Severn (6'2" 249 lbs., Coldwater, Michigan)
time limit: 20:00
The match started with both men trying to get low on their hookups. They exchanged moves on the floor, but when Coleman got the advantage Severn got to the ropes for a break. He then took a powder outside the ring. The same thing happened a second time. Then the third time instead of locking up Severn ducked between the ropes. Frustrated Coleman went after him but Severn threw a forearm shot at him. Severn then took it up a notch with stomps and punches, and then a belly to belly suplex. Severn worked over Coleman for a bit, but then Coleman fought right back fighting fire with fire. The two stood toe to toe with punches and kicks, took it outside and brawled, and then back inside. Severn tried to whip Coleman to the ropes, Coleman tried to reverse it, but Severn reversed it again, held on, and with the ref all twisted around Severn drove a knee into the groin of Coleman, unseen by the ref. The Beast then drove Coleman to the mat, and put on his Beast choker (dragon sleeper with body scissors) and got Coleman to tap out. Interestingly enough this was the first time someone tapped out in RCW, as before it had always been the old style of crying uncle to submit.
[Dan Severn defeated Mark Coleman by submission to the Beast Choker at 7:19]
Bout #7
Streetfight
Kevin Northcutt (6'6" 275 lbs., Chalmette, Louisiana) vs Bobby Duncum Jr (6'6" 290 lbs., Austin, Texas)
no time limit
Well streetfights are just that, brawling fisticuffs. In the ring, out of the ring, on the apron, around the announce table, into the crowd. Northcutt lifted Duncum up as if for a suplex but instead slammed him backward into the concrete wall of the convention centre. The action then went through the beer line with Duncum taking off a man's scarf and first choking Northcutt with it and then ramming it down his throat. Northcutt though took control of the fight and 3 times Duncum had to struggle to his feet to beat the 10 count. Inside the ring 3 out of the 4 top turnbuckles were uncovered, and as as they fought Duncum nailed an atomic drop, clothesline, running clothesline, second buckle kneedrop. He went for a piledriver but Northcutt reversed it with a back body drop. One more time brawling back outside the ring. Then they fought as Northcutt was on the apron and Duncum inside the ring. Duncum dragged his opponent back inside the ring over the top rope, lifted him up and dropped him head first on an exposed buckle, lifted him and did it again. Northcutt was busted wide open. Duncum put him in a side headlock and signalled for his running bulldog finisher. He took a couple seconds though, enough to build the suspense on whether Northcutt would be able to push him off into an exposed buckle. But no, Duncum executed the move perfectly, and then let the ref count the 10 count.
[Bobby Duncum Jr. defeated Kevin Northcutt by 10 count in a streetfight at 12:04]
Post-Match:
Duncum was making his way to the back, when he changed his mind and walked back to the ring. Northcutt was slowly getting to his feet with some aid from the ref, his face a mask of blood. Duncum took him away from the ref, and lifted him to his feet. The big Texan then raised the arm of his opponent in the air as a sign of respect, and helped Northcutt as the two sometimes partners, sometimes enemies, walked to the back together.
Bout #8
North American Women's Title Match
Barbie Wired (champion) (5'6 125 lbs., New York City, New York) vs Madusa Micelli (5'10" 150 lbs., Milan, Italy)
time limit: 30:00
Our first title match of the night. Madusa is a legend in women's wrestling and the odds on favorite to win the belt back again tonight. It was Madusa who Wired defeated for the title back on June 14th of this year. Maybe that's why Wired went really aggressive to start, working over Madusa with kicks, punches, and using her hair a couple times to pull and control her. Madusa fought right back though with punches of her own, then a series of martial arts kicks that left Wired face down. Madusa locked on a camel clutch gut Wired was able to make her way to the ropes for a break. Wired grabbed the advantage back with a surprising headbutt, then a hotshot. The champ quickly scaled to the top and came off with a flying elbowsmash, but not fast enough, as Madusa was able to get out of the way. The challenger then nailed two German suplexes, and a sidekick, driving the champ out of the ring. Madusa quickly followed up with a baseball slide hitting the champ squarely in the shoulder. She rolled Wired back inside the ring, but the champ caught her with a double axhandle as she came through the ropes after. The champ then laid in a series of double axhandles, driving her repeatedly from her hands and kness to face down. The champ then locked on her own camel clutch, which Madusa managed to get out with her power advantage, bridging her back. The champ then used Madusa's hair again twice during hip tosses. She sent the challenger to the corner and charged right after her with a back elbow, hair tossed her to the middle of the ring again, nailed a running legdrop, and covered for a 2 count. Dragging Madusa back to her feet she set her up for the Ape Hanger in the standing headscissors position, but the challenger popped out, twisted around, put a back slide on the champ, and got a 2 count. Back to their feet Wired backed into a corner, and then double kicked out to the gut of Madusa, then hit her with a back elbow. The champ then used the top buckle for leverage and put Madusa in headscissors as she climbed along the top rope. She tried to release the headscissors into flying headscissors but Madusa stood firm and pulled the champ off the ropes face down. Still holding her legs Madusa spun the champ in an inverted swing, finally releasing her, sending her skidding face first across the mat. Both women struggled to their feet, dizzy, and Wired was covering her rug burnt face with her hands, as Madusa nailed her with a superkick, for 1, 2, 3!!
New Champion! Madusa win's the women's title for the 4th time, tying Tawney England, and only Cynthia Rothrock with 6 title wins has more. Thus begins the 61st women's title reign. The fans cheer Madusa out of respect for the match she just fought.
[Madusa Micelli defeated Barbie Wired by pinfall after a superkick at 9:06]
[Madusa Micelli Wins the North American Women's Title]
Bout #9
South African Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title Match
Cobra (champion) (6'0 265 lbs., parts unknown) vs Linley Tolbert (6'0 239 lbs., Cape Town, South Africa)
time limit: 60:00
These two have been feuding lately in South Africa so there was no love lost to start. Tolbert has wrestled a couple of times in RCW so the fans naturally gravitated toward cheering for Cobra since Tolbert has been an arrogant competitor in the past. Cobra started strong with a series of open hand strikes to the side of the head of Tolbert, and then an earringer which left him staggering around the ring. Cobra then lived up to his name, attacking the challenger from behind, taking his legs out from under him, sending him crashing face first into the mat. He immediately locked on a cloverleaf, but Tolbert got to the ropes for a break. Cobra dragged Tolbert into the middle of the ring and punished him with a series of kicks to the inner thighs, and then dropping a knee. He then put him in a legspreader. But when the champ went for a figure-four Tolbert managed to reach his head and pull him by the mask to break the hold. Tolbert scrambled to try and get between the ropes but Cobra caught him, only to have Tolbert feed him a back elbow. Instead of pressing the advantage though Tolbert did his best Larry Zbyszko impression for the next two minutes, avoiding entering the ring, stalling for time, and threatening to quit. He finally grabbed a chair and in his protest had a seat just outside the ring. Finally the champ had enough and shook off the ref and left the ring. Tolbert of course caught him with a chop to the throat, but when he tried to whip the champ into the announce table the champ slammed on the brakes, and scooped and then gorilla press slammed Tolbert back inside. However the challenger caught him coming back inside with a series of boots. Tolbert went to work with an abdominal stretch (using the ropes of course), and then a front facelock (slipping it into a choke of course). Tolbert then nailed a piledriver for a 2 count. He went for a second piledriver but Cobra countered with a backflip, sending Tolbert over the ropes, and as luck would have it, crashing down on that steel chair he had left set up. Cobra left the ring and brought the challenger back inside. A couple of back breakers, a diving lariat, a Samoan drop got a 2 count. The champ then nailed a cobra clutch slam and this time got the 3 count.
[Cobra defeated Linley Tolbert by pinfall after a cobra clutch slam at 10:37]
[Cobra retained the South African Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title]
Bout #10
RCW Tag Team Title Match
African Bulldogs: Pariah & Temple (champions) (combined wt. 495 lbs.) vs The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm (combined wt. 470 lbs.)
time limit: 60:00
The Bulldogs are like a black version of the ECW's Pitbulls. Pariah is 5'9 235 lbs, built like a fire hydrant, while Pariah is 6'2 260 lbs, so taller and leaner but still very strong. This was a match between two well oiled machines, champions versus former champions. Storm and Darling started strong working Pariah with a series of side headlocks, hip tosses, knee drops, and rear chinlocks, with frequent tags. Temple got tagged in, and Pariah tied up Darling which allowed Temple to cheap shot him. Temple then worked Darling with a full nelson, working him to the ground, then rag dolling him. Tag in to Pariah who went quicker with several bounces off the ropes into kneesmashes, elbowsmashes, and a leg drop across the back of the neck. Temple then took over, bodyslam, sidekick, running clothesline, release overhead suplex. Pariah then set up Darling for a superplex but Ace was able to shove him off. Tag out to Storm after a somersault. It was Pariah isolated for a few minutes by the Extremists. Then there was a four man brawl, and it sorted out to Temple with the upperhand on Storm. Temple then managed to complete the superplex on Storm and got a 2 count. Pariah joined Temple and they nailed a double spear. This brought Darling in but Temple nailed him with a running clothesline, then tossed him over the top rope. Pariah then bolstered Storm up to Temple on the top buckle, who brought Storm down with a powerbomb, cover 1, 2, Darling came in to break it up. Temple took Storm up for a gorilla press slam, but Storm dropped behind him, drove him to the ropes and right into the elbow of Darling, roll up 1, 2 kickout. Both men tagged out, and Pariah caught Darling with a kick, then went high speed with kicks, punches, stomps, and chokes. The bulldog then went after the back, stomps, back breaker, then a Boston crab. Darling got out but Temple was tagged in and he went right after the back with shoulderblocks, headbutts, and then a standing surfboard. Unable to get a submission they went for a double team but this brought Storm in. Extremists grabbed back the advantage, Storm nailed a legdrop from the second rope on Pariah and got a 2 count. Darling came in belly to belly suplex, roundhouse kick, 2 count. Pariah punched Darling in the head and tagged in Temple. Shoulderblocks in the corner, kick to the head, double axhandle, series of boots to the head. Pariah came back in which brought in Storm, we had a short four man brawl, and Pariah tossed Storm over the top rope. Temple took Darling to the top rope, took him down with a superplex. Pariah then came off another top turnbuckle with a somersault splash. Temple made the pin.
[African Bulldogs defeated The Extremists by pinfall when Temple pinned Ace Darling after Pariah hit a top rope somersault splash at 15:19]
[African Bulldogs retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
Bout #11
RCW Television Title Match
Bermuda Triangle Match
Joe E. Legend (/w Oshean) (champion) (6'4" 250 lbs., Toronto, Ontario) vs Ben Bassarab (5'11" 220 lbs., Calgary, Alberta) vs Hysteria (5'9" 205 lbs., Tulancingo, Mexico)
time limit: 60:00
The match started off with the two challengers going right after the champ, taking turns chopping him, and running elbows off the ropes. Legend decided to leave the ring to regroup and complain to the ref about the double teaming. Bassarab made the mistake of turning his back on Hysteria who rolled him up from behind, and got a 2 count. But that near fall brought Legend into the ring who really doesn't want to lose his belt while hiding on the floor. Legend kicked Hysteria in the head after Bassarab had rolled out. The champ tried for a DDT but Hysteria pushed him off, colliding with Bassarab, who was hunched over so Legend flipped over his back. Hysteria then nailed a dropkick to Bassarab, then Legend, then another on Bassarab. Hysteria nailed the champ with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then nailed Bassarab with a spinning wheel kick, covered, but Legend broke it up. Legend threw Hysteria out of the ring, then grabbed Bassarab but Hysteria hit the floor, and immediately springboarded back onto the apron. Legend worked a front facelock before slamming Bassarab to the mat, but then Hysteria came off the top rope, but Legend moved out of the way. Legend went to work on both men with elbows and suplexes, tried twice to pin each man, but all 4 pin attempts failed. Legend called for his belt, and Oshean retrieved it, but the ref began to wrestle it away. In the meantime Bassarab recovered and nailed Hysteria with a German suplex, then walked over and took out Legend. Bassarab scooped up the champ and nailed a running powerslam, covered for a 2 count before Hysteria broke it up. The luchadore threw Bassarab out of the ring, then nailed him with a head tope. He then rolled back inside and threw Legend out of the ring, and nailed him with a plancha. Hysteria rolled Bassarab back inside the ring, came off with a five star splash, 1, 2, Oshean reached in and pulled the leg of Hysteria. The Mexican then nailed Oshean in the back with a baseball slide as she was helping Legend to his feet. Bassarab caught Hysteria with a running clothesline from behind, then nailed a springboard back elbow, a DDT and got a 2 count before Hysteria kicked out. We were about 7 minutes into the match.
Legend was back inside the ring now, and we had all four men punching, and kicking, then all three men exchanged suplexes. Hysteria got Legend hung up on the tree of whoa, but after a couple kicks Bassarab came over and tossed the lucha away, then Bassarab started to lay in kicks on the champ. Then Hysteria came in and tossed Bassarab out of the ring, and he continued the kicks to the champ. Bassarab came back into the ring, but this time instead of going after Hysteria both challengers began to lay in kicks on the champ much to the appreciation of the fans. Finally Legend fell out of the tree, and Oshean pulled him out of the ring. It took Legend a couple minutes to recover and in the meantime the challengers went through a series of chain wrestling, including roll ups, cradles, suplexes, and rolling armbars. Hysteria took back control and nailed a standing moonsault, covered, got a 2 count before Legend came in to break it up. We were 11 minutes into the match.
Legend worked over Hysteria, nailed a piledriver, got a 2 count. He nailed the Mexican with the Legend cutter right in the middle of the ring, but Bassarab speared him before he could make the pin. Legend and Bassrab went after each other tooth and nail while Hysteria was laid out, face down in the middle of the ring. At one point Bassarab reversed a whip, and sent Legend across the ring, but the champ tripped over the downed luchadore. Bassarab nailed a double stomp to Hysteria, then the same to Legend. The Stampede product went to the top, came off with a flying crossbody block, but Legend moved out of the way and Bassarab landed right on Hysteria, who was still showing no signs of moving. Legend nailed Bassarab with a one handed bulldog, then a roaring elbow, covered for a 2 count. Legend had Bassarab set up for a cutter, when Hysteria suddenly kipped up to his feet. Legend charged at the luchadore, who did a back arch, but Legend launched himself over Hysteeria and nailed Bassaab with a flying shoulderblock. Legend then ducked away from a Hysteria spinning heel kick and took him down with a clothesline, then nailed a sitout powerbomb for a 2 count. We were 15 minutes into the match.
Bassarab then took Legend down with a running clothesline, and a pair of drokicks. Bassarab then threw Hysteria over the top rope. Bassarab turned his back to the luchadore to get to Legend, but Hysteria had held on and boosted himself back into the ring, over the top rope. Bassarab nailed Legend with a Northern Lights suplex for 1, 2..Hysteria came off the top rope with a splash right on Bassarab to break it up. Hysteria then nailed a standing moonsault on Legend, covered, 1, 2, 3!!
New Champion!! Hysteria not only beat the current champ Legend but also the six time and true legend of RCW Ben Bassarab. This will be Hysteria's first title reign, and the 40th reign of the TV/Heritage title.
[Hysteria defeated Joe E. Legend and Ben Bassarab by pinfall when Hysteria pinned Legend after a standing moonsault at 16:28]
[Hysteria Wins the RCW Television Title]
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Manny Silva (5'11" 245 lbs., Hawaii) (/w Nick Bockwinkel) (champion) vs Vendetta (6'4" 261 lbs, Port-au-Prince, Haiti) (/w Baron von Raschke)
time limit: 60:00; referee Buddy Lane
This is a rematch from the 1992 Anniversary show, 5 years ago, where Silva won thanks to grabbing a handful of tights. This could very well be the most hated against the most beloved wrestlers in RCW, at least since Destroyer and Chris Lyon faced off in the inaugural years. Despite that history it was Bockwinkel and Raschke who looked like they would fight before the opening bell and had to be persuaded to take up their corners. The referee for this one of course was the head of officials, Buddy Lane.
The match started off tentatively with a series of collar elbows where Vendetta showed off his height and leverage advantage, but Silva is a bull as well. Vendetta frustrated the champ with a series of armbars, both standing and on the mat that kept Silva at bay. Two time former RCW Heavyweight champion Vendetta picked up the pace against his fellow two time champion Silva, with a Russian legsweep, then a spinning wheel kick. He worked a front facelock, then nailed a neckbreaker, for a 1 count. Silva slipped out of the ring to bide his time and get some advice from Bockwinkel. Raschke ended up coming around the ring to go after Bock, but took a clothesline from Silva. This brought Vendetta out of the ring, but the champ rolled back inside and then caught Vendetta with a knee as he was reentering the ring.
Silva went to work with clubbing forearms, then straddling the challenger driving him down by jumping on him. Holding onto the ropes Silva began to stomp away at Vendetta. The ref backed the champ off, and Raschke pulled Vendetta out of the ring for a pow-wow and a reprieve. We were about 6 minutes into the bout.
Vendetta got back into the ring and Silva was all over him. But the Haitian fired right back and we had a brawl in the middle of the ring. Vendetta out punched him, and then took him down with a double legtakedown, and tried to turn him into a cloverleaf but the champ grabbed onto the ropes. Silva caught Vendetta with a kick to the gut, and followed up with forearms backing him into the buckle. The champ tried to toss him out of the corner, but Vendetta hung on, and ended up elbowing Silva between the eyes. He did this four times, basically walking Silva across the ring, until he spun on his heels and fell face first into the top buckle. Vendetta nailed a pair of dropkicks, and then slapped on a sleeperhold. This brought Nick Bockwinkel onto the ring apron, complaining to the ref about a choke hold; Bockwinkel was the master of slipping a sleeperhold into a choke. The Baron came over and pulled Bock off the apron, and the two argued but did not get physical. Back inside the ring wth the ref distracted with the action outside the ring Silva raked Vendetta's eyes to break the hold. He then kicked away at the back of his legs, and locked on a standing surfboard with Vendetta on his knees. We were about 10 minutes into the bout.
Unable to get the submission that method, Silva rocked onto his back still holding the surfboard. Finally Vendetta was able to roll out of it, and frustrated Silva locked on a chokehold, broke it at four, and then repeated two more times. This time it was Raschke's turn to complain and Bock's turn to come over and pull him off the apron. But Raschke turned and locked on the clawhold on Bockwinkel, sending the fans into a frenzy. Silva didn't like that and left the ring, clotheslining Raschke to break the hold. Vendetta came out and we had him and Silva brawling around the ringside. Back inside the champ had the advantage and nailed an atomic drop, a vertical suplex, and a running legdrop for a 2 count. He set up the Haitian for a piledriver but Vendetta back bodydropped him. We were about 15 minutes into the bout.
Vendetta whipped the champ to the ropes, hoisted him up, and nailed a delayed spinebuster slam that shook the ring. Vendetta whipped Silva into the corner and followed right in with a running clothesline, and then came out of the corner with a one-handed jumping bulldog. He covered for a 2 count. A belly to belly suplex set up the front facelock for the jumping DDT, but Silva countered by getting under Vendetta, then taking him down with a Samoan drop. The action spilled outside again, and this time the managers got involved and we had a four man brawl until the ref left the ring to restore order. Silva nailed two bodyslams, and a flying forearm smash for a 2 count. He then went for his running kneesmash, but Vendetta managed to move out of the way. The challenger attack with a series of jabs and crosses, picking the champ apart, then took him to the top. The two fought before Vendetta was able to bring Silva down with a superplex. Both men were stunned, and by the time Vendetta was able to try pinning the champ he was able to kick out at 2. Vendetta continued the pressure with a front layout suplex, a springboard splash, then smashed his head off of each turnbuckle. Vendetta sent Silva to the ropes, but the champ tumbled out of the ring, between the ropes. The two fought right around the announce table while the managers kept each other busy. Vendetta set up Silva for a DDT on the table, but Silva threw him off, and then jumped off, nailing the challenger with a knee to the head. Silva rolled Vendetta back into the ring and used the bottom rope to choke him, repeatedly, risking disqualification. We were about 20 minutes into the bout.
Silva nailed a series of clubbing forearms, then a piledriver, for a 2 count. More forearms, another piledriver, for a 2 count. An elbow drop from the second buckle, a kneedrop from the second buckle, for a 2 count. The champ put on a figure-four but Vendetta managed to get to the ropes. He applied it a second time, but again Vendetta got to the ropes. Silva then nailed his finisher the running kneesmash, nailing Vendetta. He covered, 1, put his feet on the ropes, 2...Bockwinkel pushed Silva's feet off the ropes! Vendetta kicked out just before the 3 count. Silva was stunned and began to argue with Bockwinkel who told him to win the match fair and square. Silva then left the ring to go after Bockwinkel, but Raschke came around the ring and stood beside Bockwinkel. Together they convinced Silva to go back into the ring. He picked up Vendetta by the hair, went for a choke, and Vendetta kicked him in the gut, and then nailed a scoop slam. Vendetta reeled back into the corner, and waited for Silva to come after him. The champ obliged and we had more fisticuffs, and then Vendetta launched himself out of the corner with a clothesline. The challenger then sling shot Silva head first off the corner buckle, rolled him up, for 1, 2 Kickout! Vendetta then nailed his jumping DDT, and we had 1, 2, 3...
New Champion!!
Vendetta has won his 3rd RCW Heavyweight Title, and begins the 43rd RCW Heavyweight title reign. Only Jim Brunzell has had more (4), and Vendetta joins The Destroyer, Chris Lyon, and Stan Lane (3). Silva was mad at Bockwinkel, but the native of Beverly Hills had already left ringside. Jim Brunzell joined Baron von Raschke in the ring to congratulate the Haitian and award him the title.
[Vendetta defeated Manny Silva by pinfall after a jumping DDT at 24:20]
[Vendetta Wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]
That's it for another fantastic year of River City Wrestling. See ya next year!!
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