Post by managermike99 on Oct 1, 2020 14:45:29 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #816
20th Anniversary Show - PPV
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
December 4, 1999
We have an opening in-ring segment with Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, Nick Bockwinkel, and Vic Gate who come out to a huge pop. They say that tonight they will unveil the traitor to River City Wrestling, the one working with and for the Indy Armoury crew, and they will eject him from RCW the hard way. Derek Graves comes out with his valet Sharon Montgomery and tells the world that Jack Larkin had no choice but to reinstate him or he would have been facing a sexual harassment case from Montgomery. He is then joined in the ring by Donovan Morgan who drops the bogus Lightweight title at Brunzell's feet, and then by Reckless Youth who goes to do the same with the real TV title, only to have Graves reach out and grab it. Graves and Youth begin to play tug of war with the belt. Now Manny Silva and Kurrgan come out to the ring and begin to menace Brunzell's crew...until Gary Goodridge and Bas Rutten hit the ring and all the baddies take off. Rutten though grabs the abandoned TV title and tells Goodridge that this is what he came for tonight.
Opening Bout
Stan Baker vs Al Hardamann
Referee: Kenny Jay - 20 Minute Time Limit
**Hardamann is new to RCW fans. He has been a mainstay the past couple years in Central States Wrestling. Physically and style wise he would have elements of Tommy Dreamer/Robert Gibson/DDP. This is a match between two no nonsense grapplers. Baker offered a handshake to begin with but when Hardamann accepted Baker slapped him across the face. This resulted in an exchange of slaps, punches, kicks, and then Hardamann backed the bigger man into the corner. He ascended the second buckle and laid in punches despite the ref's count, until Baker bear hugged him out of the corner, walked him half way across the ring and then ran him back into the buckle. Baker held on and repeated this exercise on all the other 3 buckles before delivering a spinebuster in the middle of the ring, 1, 2, kickout. Baker went to work on the lower back of his opponent with forearms, knees, and a surfboard. Unable to gain a submission or 3 count he tossed Hardamann outside the ring and then blocked his re-entry twice. On the third time Hardamann nailed him with a forearm to the jaw, ran across the apron, came off the top with a flying clothesline. Inside now Hardamann nailed 3 more flying clotheslines, each from a different ring direction. He climbed to the top and came off with an elbow ala Randy Savage but only got a 2 count. Hardamann then weakened Baker with a sleeperhold, before nailing a Kudo Driver (Vertebreaker) which brought the fans to their feet. Cover, 1,2, kickout!! Hardamann tried to then follow up with a figure-four but Baker lashed out and kicked him right in the crotch. This was not seen by referee Kenny Jay as he was moving position at the time around Hardamann. Baker pulled Hardamann down, rolled him up, 1, 2, kickout. Back on their feet Baker whipped Hardamann to the corner, tried to follow in but Hardamann used the top strand to jump out of the way and Baker crashed into the corner. Hardamann whipped Baker into the ropes but telegraphed a back body drop and Baker drove a knee into the face of his opponent. Hardamann came up with both hands covering his nose, a fatal mistake, as Baker lashed out with the heart punch and dropped Hardamann like a bad habit. 1, 2, 3!! Excellent match to start the show, with two real good characters that got the fans into the action early.
[Stan Baker defeated Al Hardamann after a heart punch at 9:44]
Bout #2
The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm vs Impact Players: Lance Storm & Justin Credible (/w Dawn Marie)
Referee: Buddy Lane - 25 Minute Time Limit
**Despite being 4 time RCW Tag champions and baby faces the Extremists were overshadowed by the Impact Players who received a tremendous ovation when coming to the ring. There were a couple initial feeling out pairings, and then Darling and Credible picked up the pace with some chain counters/reversals and a series of criss crosses. This ended when Credible used a screen of referee Buddy Lane to knee Darling in the crotch and then take him down with a Tornado DDT. Tag out to Lance Storm who went to work on the legs of Darling. The Players kept their opponent on his back and tagged in and out and went after the hamstrings, quads, and abs of Darling. They would use the 5 count to their advantage with double teams and finally Devon couldn't take it anymore and entered the ring. However, Buddy Lane worked to put Devon out of the ring and this allowed Credible to hold apart Darling's legs while Storm dropped a knee to the groin. Lance went to work then with a series of stomps and kicks circling the downed Darling, and then even got on all fours and nailed a crawling headbutt. Storm allowed Darling back on his feet only to nail a beautiful flying dropkick. Darling managed to get to his knees only to have Storm nail a snap kick to the back of the head. He dragged Darling to the corner and while he distracted Buddy Lane, Dawn Marie reached in and used the kendo stick to choke Darling. More double teams followed, until they made a mistake. They went for a double flying elbowsmash but Devon Storm managed to knock Lance off one buckle, and Darling managed to move out of the way from Credible's elbowdrop. Darling slowly made his way over to tag in Devon, but Dawn Marie came over and pulled Devon off the ring apron. Devon grabbed her by the hair, and this brought Lance over who tried to hit him in the back of the head with the kendo stick, but Devon moved out of the way and Lance nailed Dawn Marie instead. Devon then gave Lance a superkick, only to be taken out by Credible with a baseball slide, only to have him taken out by Darling with a head tope. All four men brawled outside the ring, and then back inside. We were about 7 minutes into the bout.
It shook out to be Credible and Devon and Devon was lighting him up. Backed into a corner though as Devon tried to pull Credible out Dawn Marie had a cinch around his legs to stop it. Devon kept laying in chops to Credible's chest, then climbed the second rope only to have Credible explode out with an inverted atomic drop. Credible then nailed a dropkick and Devon walked right into a superkick from Lance who had entered the ring. Credible covered, 1, 2, Darling came in to break it up. All four men brawled again, and this time when it shook out to be Darling and Lance the Extremists took over the bout. Darling sent Lance to the ropes, kick in the gut, rocker dropper, front layout suplex, 2 count. Devon came in, standing moonsault 2 count. They then took turns working over Lance Storm but couldn't put him away. Credible entered the ring but he was intercepted by Buddy Lane. Dawn Marie tried to pass Credible the kendo stick but Darling reached down and the two grappled for it. Dawn Marie entered the ring and delivered a low blow to Darling. Devon entered the ring and grabbed Dawn Marie by the hair but Buddy Lane delivered a count so Devon let go and Dawn scrambled from the ring. However, this allowed Lance to climb to the top rope and come off for a bulldog on Darling who had suffered the nut shot. But Darling was able to catch him with a fist to the gut, and then deliver a DDT...the pin was broken up by Credible (who was the legal man anyway). Now we had another four man brawl. We were about 12 minutes into the bout.
Credible slowed the bout down for a minute and worked a rear chinlock on Darling who eventually tried to elbow his way out of it, but was given a knee to the gut to end that. Credible then telegraphed a back bodydrop and Darling rolled him up with a sunset flip, 2 count, and then Credible nailed him with a clothesline. Lance tagged in and after a double team he nailed a series of measured kicks to his opponent Darling. Lance nailed a slingshot into the corner, followed by hotshot, 2 count, then went for a German suplex, but Darling put a bit extra into the flip, landed on his feet and then took Lance down with a clothesline. Darling tagged in and the two Storm fronts met in the middle of the ring exchanging punches, kicks, and then a criss cross series. Lance went to whip Devon into Credible but it was reversed and Lance knocked his own tag partner off the apron. Devon nailed Lance with a spinebuster and then Darling came off the top rope with a splash, cover 1, 2, kickout. Darling whipped Lance into the corner, but the Canadian used the chance to ascend to the top. However, Darling followed him in, pushing him so he crotched himself. Darling then took Lance off the top with a belly to back suplex, covered, 1, 2, Credible came in to break it up. We had another 4 man brawl. Buddy Lane tried to get control but unfortunately he ended up putting the Extremists at a disadvantage and Credible laid Darling across the second strand, and Lance ran along the apron and delivered a legdrop.
Credible and Lance Storm took turns punishing Darling but couldn't put him away. Credible tried to whip Darling across the ring to receive a superkick from a waiting Lance, but Darling reversed it and sent Credible into the Extremists corner where he ate an elbow from Devon. They made the tag but Darling stayed around long enough to nail Credible with a jawbreaker, and hold his legs down as Devon nailed him with a five star splash. Lance broke up the pin attempt. Another four man brawl, and Dawn Marie managed to reach in and pull the feet out from under Darling, and pull him out of the ring. Devon was distracted, and Credible nailed him with a running clothesline from behind, then a facebuster. The Impact Players then nailed a spiked piledriver and Credible made the pin. Excellent match! Two great matches in a row, but two in a row where the bad guys won (although in this case the fans were pretty split 50/50, and a huge ECDub chant went up at the end).
[Impact Players defeated The Extremists by pinfall when Credible pinned D. Storm after a spiked piledriver at 20:02]
Bout #3
Central States Heavyweight Title Match
Derrick Darkstorm (C) vs Sam Holiday
Referee: Kenny Jay - 30 Minute Time Limit
**First match for both these competitors in RCW, and the Winnipeg fans were not as familiar with them as they were with the ECW competitors. The best way to describe this bout is to describe the style of the two competitors. Darkstorm is a bit of a unique cat. He is tall and lanky, around 6'5 260 (think Kendall Windham), looks a bit "goth" with long flowing dark straight hair, and he moves very methodically and conservatively, perhaps a bit like early Undertaker. But the strangest thing about the CSW champ is his style of keeping his opponent close throughout the bout. Once he closes he prefers to keep his opponent within arm's length, either standing or if on the mat on top. He attacks with his long, lanky limbs as if he is all elbows and knees, but also headbutts, armlocks, full nelson, etc. When he does eventually go for a higher impact move like a suplex, its always one where he holds on like a rolling German, or a Northern lights. He uses his height for leverage and tries to overwhelm and wear down his opponents who tend to just cover their head and hold on. It isn't the most exciting style for fans but it has its moments and the fans give him lots of heat as they share the opponent's frustrations.
On the other hand Sam Holiday is a true Cowboy, his job before he became a wrestler, and he himself would be described as tall and lanky but is exceeded in both those aspects by the champ. Holiday has a traditional offence where he likes to whip his opponents off the ropes, hit suplexes, clotheslines, and coming off the second buckle.
So Darkstorm controlled the first five minutes of this bout with his smothering attack while Holiday took over for about the next 3 minutes. The fans went from quiet to start, to irate and restless, to hostile towards the champ, and when the Cowboy turned things around they were eating out of the palm of his hand. Holiday nailed a piledriver to get a 2 count, and then clotheslined the champ over the top rope. The action then went outside where the two brawled and Darkstorm looked for space for the first time. Holiday went for a piledriver on the announce table but Darkstorm back flipped him all the way to the ground. Holiday though would return the favour by delivering a spinebuster slam on the champ right on the steel steps.
Back inside it looked like Holiday was ready to end things, when we had a ref bump. Darkstorm managed to rake the eyes of the challenger and then took out a pair of brass knuckles. He swung at Holiday but the challenger ducked and took the champ up for a belly to back suplex. But on the way down Darkstorm nailed Holiday in the head with the knux. He covered, but no ref.
Darkstorm tossed Holiday into the corner of the ring. Holiday was busted wide open. Darkstorm hit him two more times with the knux before Al Hardamann, his Central States pal, came to the ring with a chair and ~waffled~ Darkstorm in the back. He then nailed him across the head laying him out. Hardamann then checked on Holiday and then the ref. But as Holiday was recovering Stan Baker slid under the ropes and attacked Hardamann with a clotheslines from behind, before nailing Holiday with the heart punch. The ref woke up, saw the carnage and called for the bell.
[Derrick Darkstorm and Sam Holiday battled to a no-contest at 11:07]
[Derrick Darkstorm retained the CSW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match the four men continued to battle but Darkstorm's heart wasn't in it and he bailed, grabbed his title, and fled. Seeing that Baker also decided to flee.
Bout #4
North American Women's Title Match
Strawberry Fields (C) vs Nikki Kixxx
Referee: Jennifer Greaves - 30 Minute Time Limit
**a bit of mixed messaging in this one with the champ. When we last saw her with the belt at the end of 1998 she was a babyface. When she returned it was with the indy fed so presumably as a heel. However, she returned to defend her title against the stuck-up, arrogant, heel Kixxx. So just to make sure the fans knew where it all stood Kixxx attacked the champ before the opening bell and choked her with her warm up jacket. Referee Jennifer Greaves called for the bell and tried to help Fields get out of her half-on warm-up jacket which was constricting her movements and making her easy prey for the challenger's onslaught of kicks, punches, hip toss, drop kick. Fields rolled out of the ring and took off her jacket. Kixxx was right on her but Fields fired back now, and threw the challenger into the guardrail. Back inside Fields attacked with a 70's style offence of hip tosses, dropkicks, back bodydrop, and elbowdrops, before putting on a camel clutch. The match slowed down for a minute with the clutch, and then a front chancery. When business picked up again it was Kixxx taking back control with a kick to the gut and a DDT. Kixxx sent the champ to the ropes and went for a superkick but Fields blocked the leg, ducked under and then delivered an electric chair drop. The champ went to work with some spinning toe holds, then into an Indian death lock, then into a bridge for more leverage. The challenger managed to kick and roll her way out of it, and tried to take a powder. Fields though caught Kixxx halfway out of the ring, but the challenger fed her a back elbow. Kixxx then impressed with the octopus hold until Greaves 5 count caused her to have to relinquish. Kixxx though pulled Fields out of the ring and began to batter her around ringside. Back inside Kixxx came off the top buckle with a missile dropkick for 1, 2, kickout. A criss cross segment followed with Kixxx ending up going for a crossbody block only to have Fields roll through it and get an inside cradle for the victory!
[Strawberry Fields defeated Nikki Kixxx by pinfall after an inside cradle at 8:48]
[Strawberry Fields retained the North American Women's Title]
Bout #5
South African Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title Match
Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere (C) vs The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers
Referee: Buddy Lane - 30 Minute Time Limit
**The fans don't know much about the champs, for example that they have held the belts uninterrupted for nearly 2 years, but they seemed congenial enough as they made their way to the ring taking time out to high-five the fans. Opposed to them were two well known salt-of-the-earth cheats who had once held the RCW tag belts, albeit it briefly. Both teams worked old school tag team spots, and the psychology of this bout would be akin to watching The Midnight Express take on Arn & Tully. There was a long feeling out process which also helped cement the roles of baby face and heel for the fans. Then KVB played Ricky Morton for a while as Orth and Caruthers split the ring in half, worked the legs, and used the 5 count to their advantage. However, they went for a doomsday device too soon, and KVD managed to counter it with flying headscisoors and make the hot tag. Now it was Bryan Caruthers turn to play Ricky Morton, which is a change for the 'busters as typically it is the smaller Orth who gets the short end of the stick. Orth saved his partner's bacon a couple times before getting a legit tag but the point of interest here is that the champs had really done a number on the right arm of Caruthers.
We were about 7 minutes into this bout and the Boomers in the audience sat back and enjoyed while opening their wallets so their offspring could go grab a Coke and popcorn. Cale was the biggest of the four men and used that size advantage to ground Orth. Orth fought back with a Roman Greco thumb to the eye that didn't really care how big you were, then a nut shot where being big was definitely a disadvantage. Orth then grounded Cale and worked over a leg, but when he eventually went for a figure-four Cale was able to kick out. Orth though was able to stop Cale from making a tag with a running boot to the skull, and then roughly dragged him over to the corner to tag in Cauthers. As Orth held Cale down Caruthers came off the second buckle with a knee to the inside of the champ's quad. Caruthers worked a series of spinning leg holds, stomps to the leg, smashing the knee off the mat, and then a leg spreader. But when Caruthers let Cale to his feet and the two exchanged float arounds on waist cinches, it became obvious that Caruther's arm was limiting him. Cale took him over with a belly to back, and made the tag out to KVB. Beselaere went to work on Caruthers' arm but he got out with a rake to the eyes and tagged in Orth. KVB though was fresh and out battled Orth. The champ though made the mistake of coming off the ropes too close to Caruthers who held the top rope down for him so the champ could take an unplanned break on the hard concrete floor. For the first time in the bout things broke down and we had a four man brawl outside the ring.
When it shook back into the ring we got the legal men KVB and Orth as Buddy Lane did an admirable job of regaining law and order. We were now about 13 minutes into the bout.
KVB out battled Orth again and made the tag in to Cale who wore the smaller man down with a standing bearhug, followed by a belly to belly suplex, and then into another bearhug, and then again a belly to belly. Cale tagged out to KVB who continued to work over the back of Orth with forearm shots, then a standing surfboard, and then a torture rack. This was too much for Caruthers who came in and kicked Cale in the gut. This brought in KVB, but Caruthers feigned leaving the ring so Buddy Lane tried to corral KVB. With that distraction Caruthers came back and nailed Cale from behind with a low blow, and then Orth nailed a running clothesline. Lane was back into it now but the challengers paid him no heed. They scooped up Cale and brought him down with a double team brainbuster that sickened the weak of heart. Cover, 1, 2, broken up by KVB. This time the baby faces played the same trick with KVB feigning leaving the ring and when Buddy Lane had to restrain Caruthers, the champs nailed Orth with a double back drop. Orth though managed to roll over and tag in Caruthers.
We were now about 19 minutes into the match as Cale and Caruthers met in the middle of the ring and exchanged punches. It was obvious though that Caruthers was still at a disadvantage, mainly fighting with his off hand only because of the weakened right arm. Caruthers went for a kick but Cale caught his leg, spun him around, and then clotheslined him out of his boots (figuratively). Cale nailed a side slam, tagged out to KVB who leapt into the ring, over the top rope, with his landing being a legdrop on the downed Caruthers. Cover, 1, 2, foot over the ropes. Another four man brawl broke out, and this time it worked against the challengers when Lane was tied up putting Cale out of the ring, Caruthers made a tag in to Orth but it was not seen by Lane. Caruthers was forced back into the ring and KVB went right after the arm. Armbreaker, then a take over suplex landing right on the arm, followed by a cross armbreaker. Within seconds Caruthers tapped out, too quickly for Orth to make the save.
[Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere defeated The Spinebusters by pinfall when Beselaere submitted Caruthers to a cross armbreaker at 22:11]
[Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere retained the South African Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles]
Jim Brunzell is in the ring, being interviewed by Joe Aiello. Joe congratulates Brunzell on bringing back "real" wrestling to the fans, that tonight's matches have managed to be extraordinarily entertaining while keeping everyone's pants on, and no circus clowns in site. Brunzell of course doesn't want to take the credit but does say that he, Raschke, and Bockwinkel have always shared a common vision for what River City Wrestling is about; and that vision comes from the work of people like Marty Goldstein and The Destroyer. Brunzell though does have something to actually tell the people, and that is they are very close to signing a new TV deal. In fact he can say they will be back on air for a one hour program in many markets next month, including Winnipeg where it will be carried on CKY-TV. The fans cheer the news.
They are interrupted though when Kurrgan and Manny Silva come down towards the ring with the mysterious cloaked figure behind them. The cloaked figure speaks but its kind of garbled, he must be using some sort of voice box. He tells Brunzell that their vision is old and tired, and that if River City Wrestling is to survive they need to think independent and just let things flow. Chaos will reign, and the ratings will soar. People love a good car crash. Kurrgan and Silva get up on the apron and it looks like Brunzell may be in some trouble.
<<<cue "IronMan" by Black Sabbath>>>
The crowd goes absolutely nuts! The biggest ovation in an RCW venue in years as the Road Warriors Hawk & Animal come from a back entrance, through the crowd and into the ring.
Hawk grabs the mic..."Oh, what a Rushhhhh". Animal then chimes in and tells Kurrgan and Silva that unless they want their cloaked Daddy to have to fight one on three tonight they better back the hell off. Hawk says this is exactly why the Warriors are here tonight. To win the tag titles from a bunch of beer hall rejects, and to watch Brunzell's back.
It appears as if this has done the trick and the bad guys are backing off, until Tatanka and Vic Grimes (the tag champs) slide into the ring with steel chairs and start whacking the crap out of the Warriors. Kurrgan and Silva join them and even with Brunzell it's a four on three beatdown as the cloaked figure directs traffic. Baron von Raschke, Vic Gate, and Nick Bockwinkel hit the ring to send everyone scattering but by now the Road Warriors are down on their knees, and both of them are bleeding from head wounds. This does not look good as their title match was up next!!
Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Tatanka & Vic Grimes (C) vs Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal
Referee: Kenny Jay - 60 Minute Time Limit
**The Warriors were able to towel off but they couldn't stop the bleeding. So when the bell sounded they went right after the champs, both of them. They took the action outside, and for a couple minutes they risked disqualification as they fought inside and outside of the ring. For the most part the Warriors owned the champs, and a DQ was unlikely considering the Indy crew had few friends in RCW. Finally it sorted out to Hawk against Grimes, and Grimes was also now wearing colour. Hawk just kept pounding on Grimes with double axhandles, refusing to let him up. Tag out to Animal who did the same with kicks before putting on a camel clutch. Tatanka though was able to enter the ring and clothesline Animal off, only to run into a clothesline from Hawk. Hawk then tossed Tatanka out of the ring, only to have Grimes do the same to him. Animal was back up but Grimes raked his eyes, kick to the gut, bodyslam, and then came off the ropes with a big splash. He covered but only got a 2 count as Hawk and Tatanka battled outside the ring. Animal went to make a tag but Hawk wasn't there and Grimes crunched him in the corner. But when Grimes went for a boot to the chest Animal grabbed his leg, and then walked his way to his feet, still holding onto the leg. Animal spun Grimes around, but instead of attacking him he just stared him down. Grimes was taken aback and backed up a couple steps to the ropes where Hawk was now waiting for him after having powerslammed Tatanka. Hawk punched Grimes in his bleeding head, and then Animal delivered a powerslam, covered for 1, 2, foot on the ropes. Hawk got tagged in and came off the top with a clothesline, trying to decapitate Grimes. But his follow through took him too close to the ropes and Tatanka gave him a tomahawk chop to the head. Hawk then tossed Grimes into the corner telling him to tag out to Tatanka. At first Tatanka refused the tag but when Grimes begged him, he finally relented. Tatanka actually got off first with a kick to the gut and came off the ropes with a tomahawk chop. But when he came off the ropes again for a flying faceslam, Hawk just pushed him off and then delivered a big boot to the face. Tag out to Animal who worked over Tatanka, before both men tagged out and we had Grimes against Hawk again. They exchanged punches in the middle of the ring, not a battle Grimes was going to win. Grimes though got in a shot to the throat and then draped Hawk over the middle strand, and choked him until the ref backed him off. This allowed Tatanka though to run along the apron and leap to the ground, hot shotting Hawk's throat off the ropes as he went. What he didn't know though was that Animal had come around and he knocked Tatanka over with a big running clothesline. Inside the ring Grimes set up Hawk and came off the second buckle with a splash, cover, 1, 2, kickout! Outside the ring Tatanka grabbed a chair, tossed it to Animal who caught it. Tatanka went for a dropkick to the chair, but Animal just side stepped him, and Tatanka hit nothing but air. When the Native American star got to his feet Animal ran into him nailing him with the chair. Inside, Grimes went to the top rope this time for the splash, but Hawk met him there, keeping him there with a few punches before taking him down to the mat with a superplex. Animal now rolled back into the ring and hoisted the big man onto his shoulders (quite a feat). Hawk came flying off the top rope with the clothesline to finish off the doomsday device. Tatanka was still laid out. Hawk covered, 1, 2, 3!! New Champions!! This is the Road Warriors fist time winning the RCW Tag Titles. The fans are excited not only about these legends winning the belts but also about the possibility that it might mean an extended stay in the territory!
[Road Warriors defeated Tatanka & Vic Grimes by pinfall when Hawk pinned Grimes after the doomsday device at 10:06]
[Road Warriors win the RCW Tag Team Titles]
Bout #7
Fatal Five Way Elimination Match
No Countout - No Disqualification
RCW Television Title Match
Gary Goodridge (C) vs Bas Rutten vs Derek Graves (/w Sharon Montgomery) vs Donovan Morgan vs Reckless Youth
Referee: Jennifer Greaves - No Time Limit
**While it was no countout and no DQ, falls could only be scored in the ring, which allowed for having only one referee who stayed in the ring the entire time to count falls and ask about submissions. The brawl started before the opening bell and Goodridge and Rutten found themselves back to back fighting off the wolves. It then shook down to Rutten battling Morgan and Youth inside the ring while Goodridge and Graves tried to tear each other apart outside the ring. Outside Goodridge was getting the better but Montgomery jumped on his back. Ever the gentleman the champ seperated himself from her but somewhat gingerly which left him open to Graves locking on a full nelson from behind. Inside the two smaller men used a series of fast moves, including feints and slides to keep Rutten off balance until they could pick him apart like a pack of wild dogs. They finally made a mistake though as Morgan had Rutten in a full nelson for Youth to attack but Bas kicked his legs up, walking them up the body of Youth until he rested his feet on his shoulders, then deftly lifted one leg up and conked Youth on the top of the head. He then slid out of the full nelson, went around and took Morgan down with a series of three rolling German suplexes. Meanwhile outside the ring Graves had been taking it to the champ and even tried to get a pin, but with no ref only Montgomery was around to count. Rutten left the ring to go after Graves, only to have Morgan nail him with a head tope...but Rutten caught him mid air..only to have Youth sail over the top rope and landing on Morgan knocked them both down to the ground. Coincidently enough Graves and Goodridge now found themselves battling inside the ring, while the other three battled outside.
Graves went to send Goodridge to the buckle but the champ reversed it, sending Graves chest first in, and then took him over with a belly to back, bridge, for 1, 2, Kickout. Back on their feet Goodridge went for a clothesline but Graves countered with a crucifix 1, 2 kickout. Outside Rutten was tossing both Morgan and Youth around pretty good. He crotched each of them onto the guardrail, then as they perched on it in pain he smacked their heads together. We were 5 minutes into the bout with no eliminations yet.
Inside the ring Goodridge took Graves down with a single leg, and then put on his leglock finisher. Donovan Morgan though entered the ring and put a sleeper on Goods, while Rutten and Youth continued to brawl outside. The champ refused to break his hold and fought off the drowsiness until he let go, spun around and dropped backward driving Morgan onto Graves. Rutten was now in the ring, but when Youth tried to join him Rutten knocked him off the apron. Goodridge wrapped an arm around the head of each of Morgan and Graves and attempted a double DDT, but they held on, and hoisted the champ up. They tried to take him over but Rutten was there to stop the momentum, and hold him down. Goodridge was then able to deliver the double DDT. Goods covered Morgan while Bas covered Graves, 1, 2, double kickout. Youth was now climbing to the top buckle but before he could come off Rutten sent Graves into the buckle, resulting on Youth crotching himself on top. Rutten and Goodridge began to double team Morgan now, as Youth recovered and got on the shoulders of Graves. But Graves was having nothing to do with that and he backed into the ropes and dumped Youth over the top, with the momentum sending him over as well with a sickening thud.
Goodridge and Rutten then worked over Morgan with a double team front layout suplex, then Rutten hit a backbreaker as Goodridge came off the second buckle with a knee to the head. Rutten nailed a tombstone piledriver and the champ looked on as the pin was made 1, 2, 3
[Donovan Morgan was eliminated by Bas Rutten after a tombstone piledriver at 7:16]
And then there were four. Graves and Youth were still trying to get up, as Montgomery helped Graves to his feet. Inside Goods and Rutten looked like they were contemplating leaving the ring to go after them but then they just sort of looked at each other, smiled, and started to circle. Collar elbow hook-up, Rutten dropped and monkey flipped Goods, and then got a rear mount, and the two twisted around the mat. Graves entered the ring and when the separated he nailed Goodridge with a running boot. Rutten went for a spear but before he could do that Youth was on his feet and dove in front of Rutten knocking him down. Graves then delivered a crushing knee to the back of the skull. Youth took Goodridge back down with spinning headscissors, then dropkicked him out of the ring, before following with a plancha. Inside the ring Graves pulled Rutten up with a full nelson, then slammed him to the mat, covered, 1, 2, grabbed a handful of tights 3!!
[Bas Rutten was eliminated by Derek Graves after a full nelson slam (and a handful of tights) at 8:42]
Then there were three. Graves decided to wait patiently inside the ring, conserving his energy as Youth and Goodridge battle outside. Goodridge was the much better brawler and the bigger man but Youth had the advantage and pressed it. He chocked the champ, threw him into the guardrail, choked him on the top of the guardrail, and then fish hooked his mouth, all the while both Graves and the ref waited inside. Montgomery fetched a water bottle and brought it to Graves to enjoy some refreshment. Youth beat down Goodridge with a TV monitor, choked him with the cable, and stomped away. He then went for a move where he ran beside the champ toward the guardrail. He was going to jump over the guardrail while forcing Goods full speed into the rail; except the champ was able to push him off last second sending Youth into a pile of chairs. Goodridge soon followed after him and the two began to swing chairs at each other. Finally Goodridge was able to jab a chair into the gut of Youth, and when he grabbed onto it, the champ took him down with a facebuster onto the chair. Now Graves took action leaving the ring. He ran by Goodridge but not before delivering a running knee to the head, and then grabbed Youth. He bought Youth back into the ring and delivered a sit out powerbomb, 1, 2, Youth smashed his heels into Graves to get the break. Scrambling back on their feet Graves went for a kick but Youth countered with a dragon screw. He then nailed Graves with a standing dropkick as the bigger man sat on his haunches. Youth then followed this up with the running neck snap (ala Curt Hennig) covered, 1, 2, Sharon Montgomery came in and pulled Youth off. It was no DQ but Montgomery was trapped. Youth grabbed her by the hair and was about to do something dastardly when Goodridge appeared behind him, and took him down with an inverted DDT. Goodridge covered and got the 1, 2, 3!!
[Reckless Youth was eliminated by Gary Goodridge after an inverted DDT at 13:35]
And then there were two. Goodridge got to his feet and saw Graves preparing himself across the ring. But he had forgotten Sharon Montgomery behind him and the valet dropped to her knees and delivered a low blow. Graves pounced with a running kneestrike, covered, 1, 2, foot on the ropes. He covered again, 1, foot on the ropes, but Montgomery pushed it off unseen by the ref, 2, kickout! Graves slowed things down and worked a rear chinlock. He then drove a series of knees into the back of the champ before putting on a Boston crab. As the champ inched his way and reached out for the bottom rope, Montgomery was able to pull it away a couple inches. Seconds later and he was able to reach the ropes only to have Montgomery hit him in the head with her high heel. Graves pulled the champ back into the middle of the ring and applied the crab again. This time after an excruciating 30 seconds Goodridge was able to bridge out of it, and then come up with the ankle lock!! Graves was in big trouble. Normally Montgomery is not this active in the corner but tonight she seemed hell bent on her man winning back the TV title he felt was rightly his, that was stripped from him due to injury. She entered the ring and again nailed the champ in the head with her high heel. It was no DQ, but referee Jennifer Greaves had seen enough. She kicked the leg out from under Montgomery, the one with the heel, sending her tumbling to the ground. She then yanked her to her feet and tossed her out of the ring. In the meantime Goodridge had applied the ankle lock again and looked like this could be it. However, Graves was able to find the abandoned high heel and stamped a size 6 into the thigh of the champ to get a break. Greaves quickly retrieved the shoe and the ref tossed it from the ring. Both men were up now and ready to finish this. They ran at each other meeting half way, colliding in cross bodies. They tumbled to the ground and had a male version of a rolling catfight (tomcat fight?). Goodridge got the better of it but when he tried to drop an elbow the challenger rolled out of the way. Graves went to work on the champ with some kicks, then a bodyslam in the corner. He went to the top rope and came off with a fist drop...but Goodridge lifted his leg and caught Graves right in the chin. Goods tried to send Graves into the ropes but it was reversed, but Goods ducked under a clothesline, came off the far ropes but Graves was already closing the distance and the two men collided, and both went down. Greaves applied no count, but it felt like an eternity as the crowd implored for fellow Canadian Goodridge to get to his feet first. They were both up, Graves went for a punch, blocked and Goods delivered a stinging hook. Graves punched again, another block, and another hook. Then Goodridge nailed the challenger with a great looking standing dropkick. Goodridge sent Graves to the ropes and took his momentum over with a powerslam, cover, 1, 2, kickout. Goodridge tossed Graves into the corner and then started in with a series of knees. When he went to whip Graves out of the corner though Graves detoured slightly from his path, just enough to nail referee Jennifer Greaves with a shoulderblock, knocking her down and out. Goodridge nailed a Hurrancanrana, went for the pin..but there was nobody there to count. Montgomery entered the ring again, this time with a steel chair. She nailed Goodridge over the back. It wasn't enough though to do too much damage, so after a second of stretching the champ turned around to face her. She tossed the chair right at the champ, but he just caught it as she bailed out of the ring. He turned around, and tossed the chair at Graves who caught it. Goodridge then nailed him with a superkick, driving the chair into his face. Referee Greaves was now up but it was no DQ, so when Goodridge covered Graves right on top of the steel chair, she counted, 1, 2, 3!!
[Derek Graves was eliminated by Gary Goodridge after a superkick (aided by a steel chair) at 21:00]
[Gary Goodridge retained the RCW Television Title]
After the bout Joe Aiello entered the ring the ring to present the title belt to Gary Goodridge. He said that he knows Goodridge is a warrior at heart, and it ate at him to have won the title the way he did by default at Nothing Else Matters. But maybe it was a good thing that the belt had been stolen and he never got to hold it - until now. Now that he felt like he could take the title feeling like he fully deserved it. With that Aiello presents the champ with his TV title that he holds up high to a nice ovation from the crowd.
Bout #8
Six-Man Tag Match
Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, & Vic Gate (/w Nick Bockwinkel) vs Kurrgan, Manny Silva, & Mystery Partner
Referee: Kenny Jay - 30 Minute Time Limit
**The familiar strums of "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, the favourite of Brunzell, brings out the legends. When the baddies come out there are only two of them. They say their leader will be out when he is ready and to start the match. It soon becomes apparent that while Vic Gate is still a spry mid-30's overall their team lacks the power and youth to compete against their opponents, even short handed. Brunzell plays Ricky Morton for a stretch, as does Vic Gate. Then the good guys make a comeback that culminates in the Baron getting his clawhold on Kurrgan. But the big Aacadian is such a monster he just scoops up Raschke and slams him to the mat to get the break. Raschke is able to tag out to Gate but he fairs no better than he did the first time. Kurrgan absorbs some punches and a dropkick, and unceremoniously chokeslams Gate. He follows up with a tombstone, 1, 2, he picks him up. Tag out to Silva. The mad Hawaiian nails his finisher the wheelbarrow suplex, cover 1, 2, he picks him up. This angers Raschke and Brunzell who enter the ring, and we have a donnybrook. At first the legends do well, but when they try to whip their opponents into each other its reversed. Still Raschke and Brunzell manage to slam on the breaks, but when they turn around Kurrgan nails Brunzell with a chokeslam while Silva nails Raschke with the wheelbarrow suplex. They toss both men out of the ring. Bockwinkel tries to grab Kurrgan from the apron, but Kurrgan pushes him off to the floor below. Vic Gate is still not moving.
The mysterious cloaked figure now comes to the ring. He enters the ring while still wearing his cloak. He grabs Gate by the hair, slaps him across the face...Gate rolls him up, inside cradle, 1, 2, 3...quick count by Kenny Jay but its a victory!!
[Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, & Vic Gate defeated Kurrgan, Manny Silva, and Mystery partner by pinfall when Vic Gate pinned the mystery partner after an inside cradle at 10:24]
Kurrgan and Silva enter the ring with disbelief at what just happened. But the good guys enter the ring too. Bockwinkel delivers a low blow to Kurrgan from behind, then Jim Brunzell nails the monster with his flying dropkick, while Bock had kneeled behind the monster. The Acadian stumbles over Bockwinkel and lands awkwardly against the ropes and Bockwinkel finishes it by pushing him out of the ring. In the meantime Raschke had put the clawhold on Silva, and unlike the monster Kurrgan, the Hawaiian is unable to fight his way out of it. Eventually he makes his way to the ropes and also exits to get out of the move.
Vic Gate grabs the mystery man by the ankles and holds him long enough until Bockwinkel comes over and drops a knee across his back, and then puts on a full nelson. Jim Brunzell then comes over and removes the cloak and mask he had on underneath...to reveal..Lord Zoltan! Zoltan aka Ken Jugen is the leader. It's honestly a bit of a disappointment for the crowd but at least the mystery has come to completion (other than an explanation). Brunzell throws Zoltan into the waiting arms of his two monsters while the legends celebrate their victory with referee Kenny Jay.
After a few minute break, Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, Vic Gate, and Nick Bockwinkel return to the ring as representatives of River City Wrestling. They start by thanking the fans for sticking with them for an incredible 20 years. Brunzell says there is some uncertainty as to RCW's exact future but rest assured we will return to a ring near you in 2000!! Think about that, a new millenium, 2000, who would have thought. Bockwinkel thanks their two partners here tonight, South African Wrestling Federation and Central States Wrestling. Bock calls to the ring two representatives from SAWF, Vice-President Selita Segal and Road Agent Dale Kuentz. Segal is an absolute blonde bombshell and gets a nice ovation from the men in the crowd. And then he brings out two reps from Central States; President Frank Dusek, and then Head booker Terry Taylor. With those 8 people in the ring they also introduce some others at ringside. RCW Hall of fame committee member Stan Mullen (the long time President of the RCW fan club), along with RCW hall of famers Marty Goldstein, Chris Lyon, Mike Valiant, Tawney England and Corrie England.
Main Event
Title vs Title - There Must Be A Winner - No Countout, NO DQ
RCW Heavyweight Title vs SAWF Heavyweight Title
Bobby Duncum Jr (RCW Champion) vs Linley Tolbert (SAWF Champion)
Referee: Buddy Lane - No Time Limit
**Prior to the match The Destroyer and Chris Lyon entered the ring to shake Duncum's hand and wish him luck. Selita Segal and Dale Kuentz did the same for Linley Tolbert. Announcer Joe Aiello told the crowd there would be no cop out tonight. No double DQ, no countouts, no DQ, there must be a winner, and one of these two men will leave with both belts! That got the fans attentions.
The match actually began with Lane prompting the two to shake hands, which they did. The match began very quick, no feeling out process, each man trying to end it quickly. Tolbert tried for a sleeperhold but Duncum smashed him back into the corner. He also went for a figure-four but was kicked off. For his own part Duncum laid in some nasty knee lifts but when he went for his flying bulldog Tolbert pushed him off. That was a furious first 3 minutes, and now each man took opposite corners for a breather and to rethink their strategy.
Duncum decided the best thing to do was to turn it into a slug fest. Once Tolbert realized he wasn't going to win that kind of exchange he did a single leg takedown and took the match to the mat. Duncum was still flaying arms and legs as Tolbert kept applying an armbar. Duncum got out 3 times with Tolbert continually applying, until Duncum got to the ropes. At this point Tolbert kicked Duncum out of the ring. The big Texan though grabbed Tolbert's legs and pulled him out of the ring; at least on the second attempt. The first attempt to pull him out caused him to catch his throat across the bottom strand. Duncum threw Tolbert at the ringsteps, that Tolbert tried to clear but caught his knee on. Duncum went right to work on the knee with stomps, twists, and then delivering a kneebreaker right on the ring steps. There was no hurry to get back into the ring because it was no countout. Buddy Lane left the ring though to try and persuade both men to get back into the ring. Duncum tried to pin Tolbert outside the ring but Lane wouldn't count so Duncum took it back inside. That delay cost him though as Tolbert was able to fight back inside with a chop to the throat, then taking the bout to the ground again where he wouldn't have to stand on his knee. He worked a rear chinlock, then into an STF. Duncum got to the ropes, and Tolbert broke and then stood and walked to test his leg.
The two squared off again, and this time Duncum grabbed Tolbert by the hair, punched him twice in the gut, then drove him face first into the mat. He then rubbed his face across the mat, picked him up and chucked him over the top rope. The battle then went to around the announce table and the VIP area. Tolbert took Duncum down with a drop toe hold, smashing him head first into the guardrail. After smashing Duncum around a bit more the action spilled beside the guardrail again. This time Tolbert tried to retrieve a steel chair, that was currently being sat on by Terry Taylor. When Taylor wouldn't budge he pushed both Taylor and Dusek over and grabbed a chair. When he went to hit Duncum though Taylor grabbed ahold of the chair and wrestled with Tolbert. Dusek then punched Tolbert to get him to release the chair. He and Taylor then set up the chairs and sat back down to a huge ovation. Duncum then nailed Tolbert with a running clothesline before taking the bout back inside. We were about 9 minutes into the match.
The next few minutes were not the most exciting but had a certain level of brutality. Duncum attacked with kicks, punches, knees, back breakers, and elbows. Tolbert took a beating. Each time Duncum would cover he wouldn't hook a leg, as if he was just testing Tolbert's level of resistance. Finally he went for the flying bulldog finisher but Tolbert quickly countered with an atomic drop. Tolbert then clipped Duncum's leg from behind. He then went to work on the leg with stomps, smashes off the mat. He then smashed it off the ring post before trying for a figure four around the ringpost, but Duncum kicked him off. We are about 14 minutes into this match.
Tolbert went back to work and put on a bow and arrow submission to no avail. They went through some dosey dose ending with Tolbert nailing a clothesline, followed up with a running legdrop. He then locked on a sleeper on the mat. Duncum worked his way to his feet slowly before running Tolbert backward into the corner to force a break. Duncum went to work with forearms, kicks, a short lariat, and an armbar. Duncum set him up for a piledriver but Tolbert countered with a back body drop. Tolbert closed on Duncum but the RCW champ nailed him with a powerslam. He then nailed his running bulldog finisher, 1, 2, Tolbert managed to get his foot in the ropes for the break.
Tolbert began to leave the ring but Duncum grabbed him. The SAWF champ though nailed Duncum with an illegal mule kick. Tolbert then jumped off the apron and hot shot Duncum's throat off the top rope. Back inside Duncum went for a clothesline that Tolbert ducked, scooped the bigger man up and nailed a death valley driver, cover 1, 2, kickout!Tolbert then followed up with a piledriver, count 1, 2, kickout! Swinging neckbreaker, German suplex, count 1, 2 kickout! Another death valley driver, cover 1, 2, kickout. Another piledriver, cover, and finally 1, 2, 3!!
[Linley Tolbert defeated Bobby Duncum Jr. by pinfall after a piledriver at 19:27]
[Linley Tolbert wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match: Both men were exhausted, and it took Duncum a couple minutes to get to his feet. Tolbert was presented with both belts and he held them high. Duncum was not happy about the low blow mule kick but didn't put up too much of a fuss. The crowd gave both men a nice ovation.
That's it for another year of River City Wrestling. In fact it's been an incredible 20 year run and still going strong.
See ya next week!!
FADE TO BLACK
20th Anniversary Show - PPV
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
December 4, 1999
We have an opening in-ring segment with Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, Nick Bockwinkel, and Vic Gate who come out to a huge pop. They say that tonight they will unveil the traitor to River City Wrestling, the one working with and for the Indy Armoury crew, and they will eject him from RCW the hard way. Derek Graves comes out with his valet Sharon Montgomery and tells the world that Jack Larkin had no choice but to reinstate him or he would have been facing a sexual harassment case from Montgomery. He is then joined in the ring by Donovan Morgan who drops the bogus Lightweight title at Brunzell's feet, and then by Reckless Youth who goes to do the same with the real TV title, only to have Graves reach out and grab it. Graves and Youth begin to play tug of war with the belt. Now Manny Silva and Kurrgan come out to the ring and begin to menace Brunzell's crew...until Gary Goodridge and Bas Rutten hit the ring and all the baddies take off. Rutten though grabs the abandoned TV title and tells Goodridge that this is what he came for tonight.
Opening Bout
Stan Baker vs Al Hardamann
Referee: Kenny Jay - 20 Minute Time Limit
**Hardamann is new to RCW fans. He has been a mainstay the past couple years in Central States Wrestling. Physically and style wise he would have elements of Tommy Dreamer/Robert Gibson/DDP. This is a match between two no nonsense grapplers. Baker offered a handshake to begin with but when Hardamann accepted Baker slapped him across the face. This resulted in an exchange of slaps, punches, kicks, and then Hardamann backed the bigger man into the corner. He ascended the second buckle and laid in punches despite the ref's count, until Baker bear hugged him out of the corner, walked him half way across the ring and then ran him back into the buckle. Baker held on and repeated this exercise on all the other 3 buckles before delivering a spinebuster in the middle of the ring, 1, 2, kickout. Baker went to work on the lower back of his opponent with forearms, knees, and a surfboard. Unable to gain a submission or 3 count he tossed Hardamann outside the ring and then blocked his re-entry twice. On the third time Hardamann nailed him with a forearm to the jaw, ran across the apron, came off the top with a flying clothesline. Inside now Hardamann nailed 3 more flying clotheslines, each from a different ring direction. He climbed to the top and came off with an elbow ala Randy Savage but only got a 2 count. Hardamann then weakened Baker with a sleeperhold, before nailing a Kudo Driver (Vertebreaker) which brought the fans to their feet. Cover, 1,2, kickout!! Hardamann tried to then follow up with a figure-four but Baker lashed out and kicked him right in the crotch. This was not seen by referee Kenny Jay as he was moving position at the time around Hardamann. Baker pulled Hardamann down, rolled him up, 1, 2, kickout. Back on their feet Baker whipped Hardamann to the corner, tried to follow in but Hardamann used the top strand to jump out of the way and Baker crashed into the corner. Hardamann whipped Baker into the ropes but telegraphed a back body drop and Baker drove a knee into the face of his opponent. Hardamann came up with both hands covering his nose, a fatal mistake, as Baker lashed out with the heart punch and dropped Hardamann like a bad habit. 1, 2, 3!! Excellent match to start the show, with two real good characters that got the fans into the action early.
[Stan Baker defeated Al Hardamann after a heart punch at 9:44]
Bout #2
The Extremists: Ace Darling & Devon Storm vs Impact Players: Lance Storm & Justin Credible (/w Dawn Marie)
Referee: Buddy Lane - 25 Minute Time Limit
**Despite being 4 time RCW Tag champions and baby faces the Extremists were overshadowed by the Impact Players who received a tremendous ovation when coming to the ring. There were a couple initial feeling out pairings, and then Darling and Credible picked up the pace with some chain counters/reversals and a series of criss crosses. This ended when Credible used a screen of referee Buddy Lane to knee Darling in the crotch and then take him down with a Tornado DDT. Tag out to Lance Storm who went to work on the legs of Darling. The Players kept their opponent on his back and tagged in and out and went after the hamstrings, quads, and abs of Darling. They would use the 5 count to their advantage with double teams and finally Devon couldn't take it anymore and entered the ring. However, Buddy Lane worked to put Devon out of the ring and this allowed Credible to hold apart Darling's legs while Storm dropped a knee to the groin. Lance went to work then with a series of stomps and kicks circling the downed Darling, and then even got on all fours and nailed a crawling headbutt. Storm allowed Darling back on his feet only to nail a beautiful flying dropkick. Darling managed to get to his knees only to have Storm nail a snap kick to the back of the head. He dragged Darling to the corner and while he distracted Buddy Lane, Dawn Marie reached in and used the kendo stick to choke Darling. More double teams followed, until they made a mistake. They went for a double flying elbowsmash but Devon Storm managed to knock Lance off one buckle, and Darling managed to move out of the way from Credible's elbowdrop. Darling slowly made his way over to tag in Devon, but Dawn Marie came over and pulled Devon off the ring apron. Devon grabbed her by the hair, and this brought Lance over who tried to hit him in the back of the head with the kendo stick, but Devon moved out of the way and Lance nailed Dawn Marie instead. Devon then gave Lance a superkick, only to be taken out by Credible with a baseball slide, only to have him taken out by Darling with a head tope. All four men brawled outside the ring, and then back inside. We were about 7 minutes into the bout.
It shook out to be Credible and Devon and Devon was lighting him up. Backed into a corner though as Devon tried to pull Credible out Dawn Marie had a cinch around his legs to stop it. Devon kept laying in chops to Credible's chest, then climbed the second rope only to have Credible explode out with an inverted atomic drop. Credible then nailed a dropkick and Devon walked right into a superkick from Lance who had entered the ring. Credible covered, 1, 2, Darling came in to break it up. All four men brawled again, and this time when it shook out to be Darling and Lance the Extremists took over the bout. Darling sent Lance to the ropes, kick in the gut, rocker dropper, front layout suplex, 2 count. Devon came in, standing moonsault 2 count. They then took turns working over Lance Storm but couldn't put him away. Credible entered the ring but he was intercepted by Buddy Lane. Dawn Marie tried to pass Credible the kendo stick but Darling reached down and the two grappled for it. Dawn Marie entered the ring and delivered a low blow to Darling. Devon entered the ring and grabbed Dawn Marie by the hair but Buddy Lane delivered a count so Devon let go and Dawn scrambled from the ring. However, this allowed Lance to climb to the top rope and come off for a bulldog on Darling who had suffered the nut shot. But Darling was able to catch him with a fist to the gut, and then deliver a DDT...the pin was broken up by Credible (who was the legal man anyway). Now we had another four man brawl. We were about 12 minutes into the bout.
Credible slowed the bout down for a minute and worked a rear chinlock on Darling who eventually tried to elbow his way out of it, but was given a knee to the gut to end that. Credible then telegraphed a back bodydrop and Darling rolled him up with a sunset flip, 2 count, and then Credible nailed him with a clothesline. Lance tagged in and after a double team he nailed a series of measured kicks to his opponent Darling. Lance nailed a slingshot into the corner, followed by hotshot, 2 count, then went for a German suplex, but Darling put a bit extra into the flip, landed on his feet and then took Lance down with a clothesline. Darling tagged in and the two Storm fronts met in the middle of the ring exchanging punches, kicks, and then a criss cross series. Lance went to whip Devon into Credible but it was reversed and Lance knocked his own tag partner off the apron. Devon nailed Lance with a spinebuster and then Darling came off the top rope with a splash, cover 1, 2, kickout. Darling whipped Lance into the corner, but the Canadian used the chance to ascend to the top. However, Darling followed him in, pushing him so he crotched himself. Darling then took Lance off the top with a belly to back suplex, covered, 1, 2, Credible came in to break it up. We had another 4 man brawl. Buddy Lane tried to get control but unfortunately he ended up putting the Extremists at a disadvantage and Credible laid Darling across the second strand, and Lance ran along the apron and delivered a legdrop.
Credible and Lance Storm took turns punishing Darling but couldn't put him away. Credible tried to whip Darling across the ring to receive a superkick from a waiting Lance, but Darling reversed it and sent Credible into the Extremists corner where he ate an elbow from Devon. They made the tag but Darling stayed around long enough to nail Credible with a jawbreaker, and hold his legs down as Devon nailed him with a five star splash. Lance broke up the pin attempt. Another four man brawl, and Dawn Marie managed to reach in and pull the feet out from under Darling, and pull him out of the ring. Devon was distracted, and Credible nailed him with a running clothesline from behind, then a facebuster. The Impact Players then nailed a spiked piledriver and Credible made the pin. Excellent match! Two great matches in a row, but two in a row where the bad guys won (although in this case the fans were pretty split 50/50, and a huge ECDub chant went up at the end).
[Impact Players defeated The Extremists by pinfall when Credible pinned D. Storm after a spiked piledriver at 20:02]
Bout #3
Central States Heavyweight Title Match
Derrick Darkstorm (C) vs Sam Holiday
Referee: Kenny Jay - 30 Minute Time Limit
**First match for both these competitors in RCW, and the Winnipeg fans were not as familiar with them as they were with the ECW competitors. The best way to describe this bout is to describe the style of the two competitors. Darkstorm is a bit of a unique cat. He is tall and lanky, around 6'5 260 (think Kendall Windham), looks a bit "goth" with long flowing dark straight hair, and he moves very methodically and conservatively, perhaps a bit like early Undertaker. But the strangest thing about the CSW champ is his style of keeping his opponent close throughout the bout. Once he closes he prefers to keep his opponent within arm's length, either standing or if on the mat on top. He attacks with his long, lanky limbs as if he is all elbows and knees, but also headbutts, armlocks, full nelson, etc. When he does eventually go for a higher impact move like a suplex, its always one where he holds on like a rolling German, or a Northern lights. He uses his height for leverage and tries to overwhelm and wear down his opponents who tend to just cover their head and hold on. It isn't the most exciting style for fans but it has its moments and the fans give him lots of heat as they share the opponent's frustrations.
On the other hand Sam Holiday is a true Cowboy, his job before he became a wrestler, and he himself would be described as tall and lanky but is exceeded in both those aspects by the champ. Holiday has a traditional offence where he likes to whip his opponents off the ropes, hit suplexes, clotheslines, and coming off the second buckle.
So Darkstorm controlled the first five minutes of this bout with his smothering attack while Holiday took over for about the next 3 minutes. The fans went from quiet to start, to irate and restless, to hostile towards the champ, and when the Cowboy turned things around they were eating out of the palm of his hand. Holiday nailed a piledriver to get a 2 count, and then clotheslined the champ over the top rope. The action then went outside where the two brawled and Darkstorm looked for space for the first time. Holiday went for a piledriver on the announce table but Darkstorm back flipped him all the way to the ground. Holiday though would return the favour by delivering a spinebuster slam on the champ right on the steel steps.
Back inside it looked like Holiday was ready to end things, when we had a ref bump. Darkstorm managed to rake the eyes of the challenger and then took out a pair of brass knuckles. He swung at Holiday but the challenger ducked and took the champ up for a belly to back suplex. But on the way down Darkstorm nailed Holiday in the head with the knux. He covered, but no ref.
Darkstorm tossed Holiday into the corner of the ring. Holiday was busted wide open. Darkstorm hit him two more times with the knux before Al Hardamann, his Central States pal, came to the ring with a chair and ~waffled~ Darkstorm in the back. He then nailed him across the head laying him out. Hardamann then checked on Holiday and then the ref. But as Holiday was recovering Stan Baker slid under the ropes and attacked Hardamann with a clotheslines from behind, before nailing Holiday with the heart punch. The ref woke up, saw the carnage and called for the bell.
[Derrick Darkstorm and Sam Holiday battled to a no-contest at 11:07]
[Derrick Darkstorm retained the CSW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match the four men continued to battle but Darkstorm's heart wasn't in it and he bailed, grabbed his title, and fled. Seeing that Baker also decided to flee.
Bout #4
North American Women's Title Match
Strawberry Fields (C) vs Nikki Kixxx
Referee: Jennifer Greaves - 30 Minute Time Limit
**a bit of mixed messaging in this one with the champ. When we last saw her with the belt at the end of 1998 she was a babyface. When she returned it was with the indy fed so presumably as a heel. However, she returned to defend her title against the stuck-up, arrogant, heel Kixxx. So just to make sure the fans knew where it all stood Kixxx attacked the champ before the opening bell and choked her with her warm up jacket. Referee Jennifer Greaves called for the bell and tried to help Fields get out of her half-on warm-up jacket which was constricting her movements and making her easy prey for the challenger's onslaught of kicks, punches, hip toss, drop kick. Fields rolled out of the ring and took off her jacket. Kixxx was right on her but Fields fired back now, and threw the challenger into the guardrail. Back inside Fields attacked with a 70's style offence of hip tosses, dropkicks, back bodydrop, and elbowdrops, before putting on a camel clutch. The match slowed down for a minute with the clutch, and then a front chancery. When business picked up again it was Kixxx taking back control with a kick to the gut and a DDT. Kixxx sent the champ to the ropes and went for a superkick but Fields blocked the leg, ducked under and then delivered an electric chair drop. The champ went to work with some spinning toe holds, then into an Indian death lock, then into a bridge for more leverage. The challenger managed to kick and roll her way out of it, and tried to take a powder. Fields though caught Kixxx halfway out of the ring, but the challenger fed her a back elbow. Kixxx then impressed with the octopus hold until Greaves 5 count caused her to have to relinquish. Kixxx though pulled Fields out of the ring and began to batter her around ringside. Back inside Kixxx came off the top buckle with a missile dropkick for 1, 2, kickout. A criss cross segment followed with Kixxx ending up going for a crossbody block only to have Fields roll through it and get an inside cradle for the victory!
[Strawberry Fields defeated Nikki Kixxx by pinfall after an inside cradle at 8:48]
[Strawberry Fields retained the North American Women's Title]
Bout #5
South African Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title Match
Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere (C) vs The Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers
Referee: Buddy Lane - 30 Minute Time Limit
**The fans don't know much about the champs, for example that they have held the belts uninterrupted for nearly 2 years, but they seemed congenial enough as they made their way to the ring taking time out to high-five the fans. Opposed to them were two well known salt-of-the-earth cheats who had once held the RCW tag belts, albeit it briefly. Both teams worked old school tag team spots, and the psychology of this bout would be akin to watching The Midnight Express take on Arn & Tully. There was a long feeling out process which also helped cement the roles of baby face and heel for the fans. Then KVB played Ricky Morton for a while as Orth and Caruthers split the ring in half, worked the legs, and used the 5 count to their advantage. However, they went for a doomsday device too soon, and KVD managed to counter it with flying headscisoors and make the hot tag. Now it was Bryan Caruthers turn to play Ricky Morton, which is a change for the 'busters as typically it is the smaller Orth who gets the short end of the stick. Orth saved his partner's bacon a couple times before getting a legit tag but the point of interest here is that the champs had really done a number on the right arm of Caruthers.
We were about 7 minutes into this bout and the Boomers in the audience sat back and enjoyed while opening their wallets so their offspring could go grab a Coke and popcorn. Cale was the biggest of the four men and used that size advantage to ground Orth. Orth fought back with a Roman Greco thumb to the eye that didn't really care how big you were, then a nut shot where being big was definitely a disadvantage. Orth then grounded Cale and worked over a leg, but when he eventually went for a figure-four Cale was able to kick out. Orth though was able to stop Cale from making a tag with a running boot to the skull, and then roughly dragged him over to the corner to tag in Cauthers. As Orth held Cale down Caruthers came off the second buckle with a knee to the inside of the champ's quad. Caruthers worked a series of spinning leg holds, stomps to the leg, smashing the knee off the mat, and then a leg spreader. But when Caruthers let Cale to his feet and the two exchanged float arounds on waist cinches, it became obvious that Caruther's arm was limiting him. Cale took him over with a belly to back, and made the tag out to KVB. Beselaere went to work on Caruthers' arm but he got out with a rake to the eyes and tagged in Orth. KVB though was fresh and out battled Orth. The champ though made the mistake of coming off the ropes too close to Caruthers who held the top rope down for him so the champ could take an unplanned break on the hard concrete floor. For the first time in the bout things broke down and we had a four man brawl outside the ring.
When it shook back into the ring we got the legal men KVB and Orth as Buddy Lane did an admirable job of regaining law and order. We were now about 13 minutes into the bout.
KVB out battled Orth again and made the tag in to Cale who wore the smaller man down with a standing bearhug, followed by a belly to belly suplex, and then into another bearhug, and then again a belly to belly. Cale tagged out to KVB who continued to work over the back of Orth with forearm shots, then a standing surfboard, and then a torture rack. This was too much for Caruthers who came in and kicked Cale in the gut. This brought in KVB, but Caruthers feigned leaving the ring so Buddy Lane tried to corral KVB. With that distraction Caruthers came back and nailed Cale from behind with a low blow, and then Orth nailed a running clothesline. Lane was back into it now but the challengers paid him no heed. They scooped up Cale and brought him down with a double team brainbuster that sickened the weak of heart. Cover, 1, 2, broken up by KVB. This time the baby faces played the same trick with KVB feigning leaving the ring and when Buddy Lane had to restrain Caruthers, the champs nailed Orth with a double back drop. Orth though managed to roll over and tag in Caruthers.
We were now about 19 minutes into the match as Cale and Caruthers met in the middle of the ring and exchanged punches. It was obvious though that Caruthers was still at a disadvantage, mainly fighting with his off hand only because of the weakened right arm. Caruthers went for a kick but Cale caught his leg, spun him around, and then clotheslined him out of his boots (figuratively). Cale nailed a side slam, tagged out to KVB who leapt into the ring, over the top rope, with his landing being a legdrop on the downed Caruthers. Cover, 1, 2, foot over the ropes. Another four man brawl broke out, and this time it worked against the challengers when Lane was tied up putting Cale out of the ring, Caruthers made a tag in to Orth but it was not seen by Lane. Caruthers was forced back into the ring and KVB went right after the arm. Armbreaker, then a take over suplex landing right on the arm, followed by a cross armbreaker. Within seconds Caruthers tapped out, too quickly for Orth to make the save.
[Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere defeated The Spinebusters by pinfall when Beselaere submitted Caruthers to a cross armbreaker at 22:11]
[Dennis Cale & Ken Van Beselaere retained the South African Wrestling Federation Tag Team Titles]
Jim Brunzell is in the ring, being interviewed by Joe Aiello. Joe congratulates Brunzell on bringing back "real" wrestling to the fans, that tonight's matches have managed to be extraordinarily entertaining while keeping everyone's pants on, and no circus clowns in site. Brunzell of course doesn't want to take the credit but does say that he, Raschke, and Bockwinkel have always shared a common vision for what River City Wrestling is about; and that vision comes from the work of people like Marty Goldstein and The Destroyer. Brunzell though does have something to actually tell the people, and that is they are very close to signing a new TV deal. In fact he can say they will be back on air for a one hour program in many markets next month, including Winnipeg where it will be carried on CKY-TV. The fans cheer the news.
They are interrupted though when Kurrgan and Manny Silva come down towards the ring with the mysterious cloaked figure behind them. The cloaked figure speaks but its kind of garbled, he must be using some sort of voice box. He tells Brunzell that their vision is old and tired, and that if River City Wrestling is to survive they need to think independent and just let things flow. Chaos will reign, and the ratings will soar. People love a good car crash. Kurrgan and Silva get up on the apron and it looks like Brunzell may be in some trouble.
<<<cue "IronMan" by Black Sabbath>>>
The crowd goes absolutely nuts! The biggest ovation in an RCW venue in years as the Road Warriors Hawk & Animal come from a back entrance, through the crowd and into the ring.
Hawk grabs the mic..."Oh, what a Rushhhhh". Animal then chimes in and tells Kurrgan and Silva that unless they want their cloaked Daddy to have to fight one on three tonight they better back the hell off. Hawk says this is exactly why the Warriors are here tonight. To win the tag titles from a bunch of beer hall rejects, and to watch Brunzell's back.
It appears as if this has done the trick and the bad guys are backing off, until Tatanka and Vic Grimes (the tag champs) slide into the ring with steel chairs and start whacking the crap out of the Warriors. Kurrgan and Silva join them and even with Brunzell it's a four on three beatdown as the cloaked figure directs traffic. Baron von Raschke, Vic Gate, and Nick Bockwinkel hit the ring to send everyone scattering but by now the Road Warriors are down on their knees, and both of them are bleeding from head wounds. This does not look good as their title match was up next!!
Bout #6
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Tatanka & Vic Grimes (C) vs Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal
Referee: Kenny Jay - 60 Minute Time Limit
**The Warriors were able to towel off but they couldn't stop the bleeding. So when the bell sounded they went right after the champs, both of them. They took the action outside, and for a couple minutes they risked disqualification as they fought inside and outside of the ring. For the most part the Warriors owned the champs, and a DQ was unlikely considering the Indy crew had few friends in RCW. Finally it sorted out to Hawk against Grimes, and Grimes was also now wearing colour. Hawk just kept pounding on Grimes with double axhandles, refusing to let him up. Tag out to Animal who did the same with kicks before putting on a camel clutch. Tatanka though was able to enter the ring and clothesline Animal off, only to run into a clothesline from Hawk. Hawk then tossed Tatanka out of the ring, only to have Grimes do the same to him. Animal was back up but Grimes raked his eyes, kick to the gut, bodyslam, and then came off the ropes with a big splash. He covered but only got a 2 count as Hawk and Tatanka battled outside the ring. Animal went to make a tag but Hawk wasn't there and Grimes crunched him in the corner. But when Grimes went for a boot to the chest Animal grabbed his leg, and then walked his way to his feet, still holding onto the leg. Animal spun Grimes around, but instead of attacking him he just stared him down. Grimes was taken aback and backed up a couple steps to the ropes where Hawk was now waiting for him after having powerslammed Tatanka. Hawk punched Grimes in his bleeding head, and then Animal delivered a powerslam, covered for 1, 2, foot on the ropes. Hawk got tagged in and came off the top with a clothesline, trying to decapitate Grimes. But his follow through took him too close to the ropes and Tatanka gave him a tomahawk chop to the head. Hawk then tossed Grimes into the corner telling him to tag out to Tatanka. At first Tatanka refused the tag but when Grimes begged him, he finally relented. Tatanka actually got off first with a kick to the gut and came off the ropes with a tomahawk chop. But when he came off the ropes again for a flying faceslam, Hawk just pushed him off and then delivered a big boot to the face. Tag out to Animal who worked over Tatanka, before both men tagged out and we had Grimes against Hawk again. They exchanged punches in the middle of the ring, not a battle Grimes was going to win. Grimes though got in a shot to the throat and then draped Hawk over the middle strand, and choked him until the ref backed him off. This allowed Tatanka though to run along the apron and leap to the ground, hot shotting Hawk's throat off the ropes as he went. What he didn't know though was that Animal had come around and he knocked Tatanka over with a big running clothesline. Inside the ring Grimes set up Hawk and came off the second buckle with a splash, cover, 1, 2, kickout! Outside the ring Tatanka grabbed a chair, tossed it to Animal who caught it. Tatanka went for a dropkick to the chair, but Animal just side stepped him, and Tatanka hit nothing but air. When the Native American star got to his feet Animal ran into him nailing him with the chair. Inside, Grimes went to the top rope this time for the splash, but Hawk met him there, keeping him there with a few punches before taking him down to the mat with a superplex. Animal now rolled back into the ring and hoisted the big man onto his shoulders (quite a feat). Hawk came flying off the top rope with the clothesline to finish off the doomsday device. Tatanka was still laid out. Hawk covered, 1, 2, 3!! New Champions!! This is the Road Warriors fist time winning the RCW Tag Titles. The fans are excited not only about these legends winning the belts but also about the possibility that it might mean an extended stay in the territory!
[Road Warriors defeated Tatanka & Vic Grimes by pinfall when Hawk pinned Grimes after the doomsday device at 10:06]
[Road Warriors win the RCW Tag Team Titles]
Bout #7
Fatal Five Way Elimination Match
No Countout - No Disqualification
RCW Television Title Match
Gary Goodridge (C) vs Bas Rutten vs Derek Graves (/w Sharon Montgomery) vs Donovan Morgan vs Reckless Youth
Referee: Jennifer Greaves - No Time Limit
**While it was no countout and no DQ, falls could only be scored in the ring, which allowed for having only one referee who stayed in the ring the entire time to count falls and ask about submissions. The brawl started before the opening bell and Goodridge and Rutten found themselves back to back fighting off the wolves. It then shook down to Rutten battling Morgan and Youth inside the ring while Goodridge and Graves tried to tear each other apart outside the ring. Outside Goodridge was getting the better but Montgomery jumped on his back. Ever the gentleman the champ seperated himself from her but somewhat gingerly which left him open to Graves locking on a full nelson from behind. Inside the two smaller men used a series of fast moves, including feints and slides to keep Rutten off balance until they could pick him apart like a pack of wild dogs. They finally made a mistake though as Morgan had Rutten in a full nelson for Youth to attack but Bas kicked his legs up, walking them up the body of Youth until he rested his feet on his shoulders, then deftly lifted one leg up and conked Youth on the top of the head. He then slid out of the full nelson, went around and took Morgan down with a series of three rolling German suplexes. Meanwhile outside the ring Graves had been taking it to the champ and even tried to get a pin, but with no ref only Montgomery was around to count. Rutten left the ring to go after Graves, only to have Morgan nail him with a head tope...but Rutten caught him mid air..only to have Youth sail over the top rope and landing on Morgan knocked them both down to the ground. Coincidently enough Graves and Goodridge now found themselves battling inside the ring, while the other three battled outside.
Graves went to send Goodridge to the buckle but the champ reversed it, sending Graves chest first in, and then took him over with a belly to back, bridge, for 1, 2, Kickout. Back on their feet Goodridge went for a clothesline but Graves countered with a crucifix 1, 2 kickout. Outside Rutten was tossing both Morgan and Youth around pretty good. He crotched each of them onto the guardrail, then as they perched on it in pain he smacked their heads together. We were 5 minutes into the bout with no eliminations yet.
Inside the ring Goodridge took Graves down with a single leg, and then put on his leglock finisher. Donovan Morgan though entered the ring and put a sleeper on Goods, while Rutten and Youth continued to brawl outside. The champ refused to break his hold and fought off the drowsiness until he let go, spun around and dropped backward driving Morgan onto Graves. Rutten was now in the ring, but when Youth tried to join him Rutten knocked him off the apron. Goodridge wrapped an arm around the head of each of Morgan and Graves and attempted a double DDT, but they held on, and hoisted the champ up. They tried to take him over but Rutten was there to stop the momentum, and hold him down. Goodridge was then able to deliver the double DDT. Goods covered Morgan while Bas covered Graves, 1, 2, double kickout. Youth was now climbing to the top buckle but before he could come off Rutten sent Graves into the buckle, resulting on Youth crotching himself on top. Rutten and Goodridge began to double team Morgan now, as Youth recovered and got on the shoulders of Graves. But Graves was having nothing to do with that and he backed into the ropes and dumped Youth over the top, with the momentum sending him over as well with a sickening thud.
Goodridge and Rutten then worked over Morgan with a double team front layout suplex, then Rutten hit a backbreaker as Goodridge came off the second buckle with a knee to the head. Rutten nailed a tombstone piledriver and the champ looked on as the pin was made 1, 2, 3
[Donovan Morgan was eliminated by Bas Rutten after a tombstone piledriver at 7:16]
And then there were four. Graves and Youth were still trying to get up, as Montgomery helped Graves to his feet. Inside Goods and Rutten looked like they were contemplating leaving the ring to go after them but then they just sort of looked at each other, smiled, and started to circle. Collar elbow hook-up, Rutten dropped and monkey flipped Goods, and then got a rear mount, and the two twisted around the mat. Graves entered the ring and when the separated he nailed Goodridge with a running boot. Rutten went for a spear but before he could do that Youth was on his feet and dove in front of Rutten knocking him down. Graves then delivered a crushing knee to the back of the skull. Youth took Goodridge back down with spinning headscissors, then dropkicked him out of the ring, before following with a plancha. Inside the ring Graves pulled Rutten up with a full nelson, then slammed him to the mat, covered, 1, 2, grabbed a handful of tights 3!!
[Bas Rutten was eliminated by Derek Graves after a full nelson slam (and a handful of tights) at 8:42]
Then there were three. Graves decided to wait patiently inside the ring, conserving his energy as Youth and Goodridge battle outside. Goodridge was the much better brawler and the bigger man but Youth had the advantage and pressed it. He chocked the champ, threw him into the guardrail, choked him on the top of the guardrail, and then fish hooked his mouth, all the while both Graves and the ref waited inside. Montgomery fetched a water bottle and brought it to Graves to enjoy some refreshment. Youth beat down Goodridge with a TV monitor, choked him with the cable, and stomped away. He then went for a move where he ran beside the champ toward the guardrail. He was going to jump over the guardrail while forcing Goods full speed into the rail; except the champ was able to push him off last second sending Youth into a pile of chairs. Goodridge soon followed after him and the two began to swing chairs at each other. Finally Goodridge was able to jab a chair into the gut of Youth, and when he grabbed onto it, the champ took him down with a facebuster onto the chair. Now Graves took action leaving the ring. He ran by Goodridge but not before delivering a running knee to the head, and then grabbed Youth. He bought Youth back into the ring and delivered a sit out powerbomb, 1, 2, Youth smashed his heels into Graves to get the break. Scrambling back on their feet Graves went for a kick but Youth countered with a dragon screw. He then nailed Graves with a standing dropkick as the bigger man sat on his haunches. Youth then followed this up with the running neck snap (ala Curt Hennig) covered, 1, 2, Sharon Montgomery came in and pulled Youth off. It was no DQ but Montgomery was trapped. Youth grabbed her by the hair and was about to do something dastardly when Goodridge appeared behind him, and took him down with an inverted DDT. Goodridge covered and got the 1, 2, 3!!
[Reckless Youth was eliminated by Gary Goodridge after an inverted DDT at 13:35]
And then there were two. Goodridge got to his feet and saw Graves preparing himself across the ring. But he had forgotten Sharon Montgomery behind him and the valet dropped to her knees and delivered a low blow. Graves pounced with a running kneestrike, covered, 1, 2, foot on the ropes. He covered again, 1, foot on the ropes, but Montgomery pushed it off unseen by the ref, 2, kickout! Graves slowed things down and worked a rear chinlock. He then drove a series of knees into the back of the champ before putting on a Boston crab. As the champ inched his way and reached out for the bottom rope, Montgomery was able to pull it away a couple inches. Seconds later and he was able to reach the ropes only to have Montgomery hit him in the head with her high heel. Graves pulled the champ back into the middle of the ring and applied the crab again. This time after an excruciating 30 seconds Goodridge was able to bridge out of it, and then come up with the ankle lock!! Graves was in big trouble. Normally Montgomery is not this active in the corner but tonight she seemed hell bent on her man winning back the TV title he felt was rightly his, that was stripped from him due to injury. She entered the ring and again nailed the champ in the head with her high heel. It was no DQ, but referee Jennifer Greaves had seen enough. She kicked the leg out from under Montgomery, the one with the heel, sending her tumbling to the ground. She then yanked her to her feet and tossed her out of the ring. In the meantime Goodridge had applied the ankle lock again and looked like this could be it. However, Graves was able to find the abandoned high heel and stamped a size 6 into the thigh of the champ to get a break. Greaves quickly retrieved the shoe and the ref tossed it from the ring. Both men were up now and ready to finish this. They ran at each other meeting half way, colliding in cross bodies. They tumbled to the ground and had a male version of a rolling catfight (tomcat fight?). Goodridge got the better of it but when he tried to drop an elbow the challenger rolled out of the way. Graves went to work on the champ with some kicks, then a bodyslam in the corner. He went to the top rope and came off with a fist drop...but Goodridge lifted his leg and caught Graves right in the chin. Goods tried to send Graves into the ropes but it was reversed, but Goods ducked under a clothesline, came off the far ropes but Graves was already closing the distance and the two men collided, and both went down. Greaves applied no count, but it felt like an eternity as the crowd implored for fellow Canadian Goodridge to get to his feet first. They were both up, Graves went for a punch, blocked and Goods delivered a stinging hook. Graves punched again, another block, and another hook. Then Goodridge nailed the challenger with a great looking standing dropkick. Goodridge sent Graves to the ropes and took his momentum over with a powerslam, cover, 1, 2, kickout. Goodridge tossed Graves into the corner and then started in with a series of knees. When he went to whip Graves out of the corner though Graves detoured slightly from his path, just enough to nail referee Jennifer Greaves with a shoulderblock, knocking her down and out. Goodridge nailed a Hurrancanrana, went for the pin..but there was nobody there to count. Montgomery entered the ring again, this time with a steel chair. She nailed Goodridge over the back. It wasn't enough though to do too much damage, so after a second of stretching the champ turned around to face her. She tossed the chair right at the champ, but he just caught it as she bailed out of the ring. He turned around, and tossed the chair at Graves who caught it. Goodridge then nailed him with a superkick, driving the chair into his face. Referee Greaves was now up but it was no DQ, so when Goodridge covered Graves right on top of the steel chair, she counted, 1, 2, 3!!
[Derek Graves was eliminated by Gary Goodridge after a superkick (aided by a steel chair) at 21:00]
[Gary Goodridge retained the RCW Television Title]
After the bout Joe Aiello entered the ring the ring to present the title belt to Gary Goodridge. He said that he knows Goodridge is a warrior at heart, and it ate at him to have won the title the way he did by default at Nothing Else Matters. But maybe it was a good thing that the belt had been stolen and he never got to hold it - until now. Now that he felt like he could take the title feeling like he fully deserved it. With that Aiello presents the champ with his TV title that he holds up high to a nice ovation from the crowd.
Bout #8
Six-Man Tag Match
Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, & Vic Gate (/w Nick Bockwinkel) vs Kurrgan, Manny Silva, & Mystery Partner
Referee: Kenny Jay - 30 Minute Time Limit
**The familiar strums of "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, the favourite of Brunzell, brings out the legends. When the baddies come out there are only two of them. They say their leader will be out when he is ready and to start the match. It soon becomes apparent that while Vic Gate is still a spry mid-30's overall their team lacks the power and youth to compete against their opponents, even short handed. Brunzell plays Ricky Morton for a stretch, as does Vic Gate. Then the good guys make a comeback that culminates in the Baron getting his clawhold on Kurrgan. But the big Aacadian is such a monster he just scoops up Raschke and slams him to the mat to get the break. Raschke is able to tag out to Gate but he fairs no better than he did the first time. Kurrgan absorbs some punches and a dropkick, and unceremoniously chokeslams Gate. He follows up with a tombstone, 1, 2, he picks him up. Tag out to Silva. The mad Hawaiian nails his finisher the wheelbarrow suplex, cover 1, 2, he picks him up. This angers Raschke and Brunzell who enter the ring, and we have a donnybrook. At first the legends do well, but when they try to whip their opponents into each other its reversed. Still Raschke and Brunzell manage to slam on the breaks, but when they turn around Kurrgan nails Brunzell with a chokeslam while Silva nails Raschke with the wheelbarrow suplex. They toss both men out of the ring. Bockwinkel tries to grab Kurrgan from the apron, but Kurrgan pushes him off to the floor below. Vic Gate is still not moving.
The mysterious cloaked figure now comes to the ring. He enters the ring while still wearing his cloak. He grabs Gate by the hair, slaps him across the face...Gate rolls him up, inside cradle, 1, 2, 3...quick count by Kenny Jay but its a victory!!
[Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, & Vic Gate defeated Kurrgan, Manny Silva, and Mystery partner by pinfall when Vic Gate pinned the mystery partner after an inside cradle at 10:24]
Kurrgan and Silva enter the ring with disbelief at what just happened. But the good guys enter the ring too. Bockwinkel delivers a low blow to Kurrgan from behind, then Jim Brunzell nails the monster with his flying dropkick, while Bock had kneeled behind the monster. The Acadian stumbles over Bockwinkel and lands awkwardly against the ropes and Bockwinkel finishes it by pushing him out of the ring. In the meantime Raschke had put the clawhold on Silva, and unlike the monster Kurrgan, the Hawaiian is unable to fight his way out of it. Eventually he makes his way to the ropes and also exits to get out of the move.
Vic Gate grabs the mystery man by the ankles and holds him long enough until Bockwinkel comes over and drops a knee across his back, and then puts on a full nelson. Jim Brunzell then comes over and removes the cloak and mask he had on underneath...to reveal..Lord Zoltan! Zoltan aka Ken Jugen is the leader. It's honestly a bit of a disappointment for the crowd but at least the mystery has come to completion (other than an explanation). Brunzell throws Zoltan into the waiting arms of his two monsters while the legends celebrate their victory with referee Kenny Jay.
After a few minute break, Jim Brunzell, Baron von Raschke, Vic Gate, and Nick Bockwinkel return to the ring as representatives of River City Wrestling. They start by thanking the fans for sticking with them for an incredible 20 years. Brunzell says there is some uncertainty as to RCW's exact future but rest assured we will return to a ring near you in 2000!! Think about that, a new millenium, 2000, who would have thought. Bockwinkel thanks their two partners here tonight, South African Wrestling Federation and Central States Wrestling. Bock calls to the ring two representatives from SAWF, Vice-President Selita Segal and Road Agent Dale Kuentz. Segal is an absolute blonde bombshell and gets a nice ovation from the men in the crowd. And then he brings out two reps from Central States; President Frank Dusek, and then Head booker Terry Taylor. With those 8 people in the ring they also introduce some others at ringside. RCW Hall of fame committee member Stan Mullen (the long time President of the RCW fan club), along with RCW hall of famers Marty Goldstein, Chris Lyon, Mike Valiant, Tawney England and Corrie England.
Main Event
Title vs Title - There Must Be A Winner - No Countout, NO DQ
RCW Heavyweight Title vs SAWF Heavyweight Title
Bobby Duncum Jr (RCW Champion) vs Linley Tolbert (SAWF Champion)
Referee: Buddy Lane - No Time Limit
**Prior to the match The Destroyer and Chris Lyon entered the ring to shake Duncum's hand and wish him luck. Selita Segal and Dale Kuentz did the same for Linley Tolbert. Announcer Joe Aiello told the crowd there would be no cop out tonight. No double DQ, no countouts, no DQ, there must be a winner, and one of these two men will leave with both belts! That got the fans attentions.
The match actually began with Lane prompting the two to shake hands, which they did. The match began very quick, no feeling out process, each man trying to end it quickly. Tolbert tried for a sleeperhold but Duncum smashed him back into the corner. He also went for a figure-four but was kicked off. For his own part Duncum laid in some nasty knee lifts but when he went for his flying bulldog Tolbert pushed him off. That was a furious first 3 minutes, and now each man took opposite corners for a breather and to rethink their strategy.
Duncum decided the best thing to do was to turn it into a slug fest. Once Tolbert realized he wasn't going to win that kind of exchange he did a single leg takedown and took the match to the mat. Duncum was still flaying arms and legs as Tolbert kept applying an armbar. Duncum got out 3 times with Tolbert continually applying, until Duncum got to the ropes. At this point Tolbert kicked Duncum out of the ring. The big Texan though grabbed Tolbert's legs and pulled him out of the ring; at least on the second attempt. The first attempt to pull him out caused him to catch his throat across the bottom strand. Duncum threw Tolbert at the ringsteps, that Tolbert tried to clear but caught his knee on. Duncum went right to work on the knee with stomps, twists, and then delivering a kneebreaker right on the ring steps. There was no hurry to get back into the ring because it was no countout. Buddy Lane left the ring though to try and persuade both men to get back into the ring. Duncum tried to pin Tolbert outside the ring but Lane wouldn't count so Duncum took it back inside. That delay cost him though as Tolbert was able to fight back inside with a chop to the throat, then taking the bout to the ground again where he wouldn't have to stand on his knee. He worked a rear chinlock, then into an STF. Duncum got to the ropes, and Tolbert broke and then stood and walked to test his leg.
The two squared off again, and this time Duncum grabbed Tolbert by the hair, punched him twice in the gut, then drove him face first into the mat. He then rubbed his face across the mat, picked him up and chucked him over the top rope. The battle then went to around the announce table and the VIP area. Tolbert took Duncum down with a drop toe hold, smashing him head first into the guardrail. After smashing Duncum around a bit more the action spilled beside the guardrail again. This time Tolbert tried to retrieve a steel chair, that was currently being sat on by Terry Taylor. When Taylor wouldn't budge he pushed both Taylor and Dusek over and grabbed a chair. When he went to hit Duncum though Taylor grabbed ahold of the chair and wrestled with Tolbert. Dusek then punched Tolbert to get him to release the chair. He and Taylor then set up the chairs and sat back down to a huge ovation. Duncum then nailed Tolbert with a running clothesline before taking the bout back inside. We were about 9 minutes into the match.
The next few minutes were not the most exciting but had a certain level of brutality. Duncum attacked with kicks, punches, knees, back breakers, and elbows. Tolbert took a beating. Each time Duncum would cover he wouldn't hook a leg, as if he was just testing Tolbert's level of resistance. Finally he went for the flying bulldog finisher but Tolbert quickly countered with an atomic drop. Tolbert then clipped Duncum's leg from behind. He then went to work on the leg with stomps, smashes off the mat. He then smashed it off the ring post before trying for a figure four around the ringpost, but Duncum kicked him off. We are about 14 minutes into this match.
Tolbert went back to work and put on a bow and arrow submission to no avail. They went through some dosey dose ending with Tolbert nailing a clothesline, followed up with a running legdrop. He then locked on a sleeper on the mat. Duncum worked his way to his feet slowly before running Tolbert backward into the corner to force a break. Duncum went to work with forearms, kicks, a short lariat, and an armbar. Duncum set him up for a piledriver but Tolbert countered with a back body drop. Tolbert closed on Duncum but the RCW champ nailed him with a powerslam. He then nailed his running bulldog finisher, 1, 2, Tolbert managed to get his foot in the ropes for the break.
Tolbert began to leave the ring but Duncum grabbed him. The SAWF champ though nailed Duncum with an illegal mule kick. Tolbert then jumped off the apron and hot shot Duncum's throat off the top rope. Back inside Duncum went for a clothesline that Tolbert ducked, scooped the bigger man up and nailed a death valley driver, cover 1, 2, kickout!Tolbert then followed up with a piledriver, count 1, 2, kickout! Swinging neckbreaker, German suplex, count 1, 2 kickout! Another death valley driver, cover 1, 2, kickout. Another piledriver, cover, and finally 1, 2, 3!!
[Linley Tolbert defeated Bobby Duncum Jr. by pinfall after a piledriver at 19:27]
[Linley Tolbert wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]
Post-Match: Both men were exhausted, and it took Duncum a couple minutes to get to his feet. Tolbert was presented with both belts and he held them high. Duncum was not happy about the low blow mule kick but didn't put up too much of a fuss. The crowd gave both men a nice ovation.
That's it for another year of River City Wrestling. In fact it's been an incredible 20 year run and still going strong.
See ya next week!!
FADE TO BLACK