April 2000

[managermike99]

Roster - April 2000

Faces
Nick Mercury
Sam Holiday
Al Hardamann
Road Warrior Hawk
Road Warrior Animal
Greg Pawluk
Johnny Devine
Marcus Schultz
Red Thunder (NEW)
Wavell Starr (NEW)
Squeegee Kid (NEW)


Heels
Vampiro
Manny Silva (/w Lord Zoltan)
Kurrgan (/w Lord Zoltan)
Bryan Caruthers
Jerry Orth
Stan Baker
Eric Scott
Moses Luke
Lodi (NEW)
Vincent Regliatti (NEW)
Tony Twist 

Jobbers
Porno Tony Gold
El Sphincter Bungholio
Darren Dalton
Stan Saxon (NEW)

On Hiatus
Ben Bassarab
Vic Gate (injured)
Balls Mahoney (injured)

Women
TrummerFrauen
Becky Hennig
Sheona Stewart
Jessica Judd 
Stacey Lynn

Other
Jack Larkin - Owner
Greg Gagne - Commissioner/Head Booker
Buddy Lane - Head Referee/Booker
Jennifer Greaves - Referee/Road Agent
Kenny Jay - Referee/Road Agent
Joe Aiello - Play by Play/Interviews
Linley Tolbert - Color Commentary

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #826
April 1, 2000
Duluth, Minnesota

Opening Bout
RoboCop & Shockmaster defeated Poulty in Motion: Red Rooster & Gobblygooker by pinfall when the Gooker pinned Shockmaster after a stink face at 10:07
**okay so this match was an April Fool's Day special. RoboCop was played by Stan Saxon and Shockmaster was played by Darren Dalton. Rooster was played by Porno Tony Gold, and the Gooker was played by El Sphincter Bungholio. The fans actually enjoyed the bout, and saw it for what it was, a tribute to fromage, and not just a slap in the face parody. The four men even took off pieces of their costumes after the bout to reveal themselves, took a bow, and then even took an impromptu curtain call (ala the MSG Kliq) in all 4 corners.

Bout #2
Non-Title Match
Lodi defeated TrummerFrauen and Puppet by pinfall when Lodi pinned Puppet after a superplex at 7:31
**well another April Fool's day match, but this one didn't seem to resonate as much with the fans. Lodi wasn't overly happy having to face an Amazonian woman and a dwarf, but at least he picked up the win. TrummerFrauen actually watched the finishing move from the ring apron and did nothing to stop it or break it up; apparently not too happy with the match either.

Bout #3
Moses Luke defeated Squeegee Kid by pinfall after a powerslam (and with his feet on the ropes) at 6:37
**even though he lost, Squeegee (from Toronto) gave a real good showing. He used a stick and move and high flying attack to counter the power of Luke. In the end the bigger man had to cheat to pull off the win. Squeegee was probably seen at first as another joke by the fans, but not by the end of the bout.

Bout #4
Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by pinfall when Regliatti pinned Devine after a missile dropkick at 12:08
**as previously mentioned Regliatti and Scott had previously teamed in some Ontario indy feds. Regliatti is also a former RCW Heavyweight champion and this was his first match back from injury. Both teams looked good, but the difference was the heels cheated during a ref bump by using a steel chair to set up the win. This spells rematch.


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Commissioner Greg Gagne comes to the ring dressed as "Rambo" Greg Gagne, a self parody of his much maligned 80's gimmick during the dying days of the AWA. Gagne takes a curtsey to the fans cheers for his self deprecating humour. Greg fires up the crowd asking them how they liked the matches so far on this special April Fool's Day edition? While he sets up the rest of the night, in reality his main purpose seems to be to keep the gags rolling.

Bout #5
"Renaming Match" 
Stacey Lynn defeated Becky Hennig by pinfall after a sitout facebuster at 8:00
**Hennig fought on the defensive the entire bout as Lynn was just too fit and aggressive for her. By the stipulations of this bout Hennig will need to drop that fake moniker and assume her real name.

Post-Match: Jessica Judd slides into the ring with her guitar. It looks like she is looking for some revenge against Hennig who previously had hit her with the guitar, but instead Judd turns around and lays out Lynn by breaking the guitar over her head.

Post-Post Match: As Judd makes her way to the dressing room, she is confronted by champion TrummerFrauen, who kicks her in the gut and then delivers a chokeslam on the concrete floor.


Bout #6
#1 Heavyweight Contenders Match
Special Guest Referee: Lord Zoltan 
Kurrgan defeated Manny Silva by pinfall after a tombstone piledriver 2:11
**the April Fool's joke was supposed to be on Zoltan as Gagne arranged to have the manager's two men have to face each other, with his as the arbitrator. However, Zoltan tried to turn the joke around on Gagne, as after some basic sparring Silva delivered the "finger poke of doom" on Kurrgan who stumbled, went down to one knee, a second "finger poke of doom", Silva covered, 1, 2, KICKOUT!! Zoltan and Silva looked very confused as Kurrgan got to his feet. He clotheslined Silva, came off the ropes with a running clothesline, chokeslam, cover...Zoltan was going nuts trying to get Kurrgan to lie down. Kurrgan got up, delivered the tombstone piledriver, and then pulled Zoltan down to the mat, and forced him to make the count. 

Bout #7
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers (/w Tony Twist) and Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal battled to a no-contest at 0:00
[Spinebusters retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**a moral victory, or immoral victory if you will for the former champs. This match obviously never got started. The challengers were in the ring, when the champs music "Until it Sleeps" by Metallica and they came out guided by Tony Twist, the challengers abandoned the ring and went right after them. At no point in the over five minute brawl that ensued was there enough control to start the bout. The challengers really wanted a big piece of Tony Twist and although it was 3 on 2, the monsters from Chicago controlled the brawl. RCW officials tried to step in and the champs were happy to allow them but the Road Warriors would have none of it and tossed aside the refs and road agents like they were trash. Finally enough men came out of the dressing room to break it up, but by then the champions were both busted open. 

After a commercial break Greg Gagne came to the ring and announced that due to what just happened the Road Warriors would be suspended for at least 30 days. The fans jeered him. He said he understood their frustrations, but RCW officials could not be treated that way by anyone. However, in light of Tony Twist's actions, he would be making his solo premiere appearance next week against an opponent of the Road Warriors choice! Also because of the short nature of the last couple matches there is excess time, so the start of the Last Blood match will be shown, and an edited version will be shown next week of the rest.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Last Blood Match
Special Guest Referee: Dr. John Manfried
Nick Mercury (champion) vs Vampiro
**Match started with Mercury going right to work on Vampiro, smacking him around the ring, and then around the ringside area. The two then brawled into the crowd, and up a set of stairs, and then back down again. Nothing scientific in this bout. The announcers inform us that there is no referee for this bout as it can only be stopped by Doctor stoppage due to blood loss. Therefore the doctor in charge is Dr. John Manfried. The match spills back into the ring and Vampiro hits the nail in the coffin finisher...as we run out of time...

FADE TO BLACK

...the match continues live with Vampiro retrieving the ring bell hammer and trying to hit Mercury who blocks it. The match continues in and out of the ring, both men getting busted open by shots into the guardrail, announce table, ring steps, ringpost, and steel chairs. The Doctor has cause to halt the match momentarily once to check on the champion and once the challenger but both times calls for the match to continue. Of course the Doctor made the "mistake" of wearing white scrubs and is now also covered in blood splatter. The match is somewhat entertaining for the live crowd but a bit of a mess. Then we got a screw job finish to end the April Fool's Day card. Mercury tossed Vamp out of the ring and then tried to follow up with a baseball slide. But Vamp pulled Manried in the way and he took the blunt of the kick getting knocked out. Vamp then came off the ring apron with a somersault splash on Mercury. The challenger then crawled under the ring and emerged with a full big ice cream container of blood. He removed the lid, Mercury was stirring so he nailed him with a DDT, then poured the blood over his face and head. Vamp woke up the ref and put on a aura of concern to the groggy physician, who saw the champ face up, not moving, in a whole lot of blood and immediately called for the bell.
The fans were irate and began to pelt things at the new champion. However, we do have a new champion, Vampiro wins his first RCW Heavyweight title and starts the 55th reign in that belt's 20 year history; ending Nick Mercury's first reign.
Vampiro defeated Nick Mercury by doctor stoppage for blood loss in a Last Blood Match at 11:58
[Vampiro wins the RCW Heavyweight Title]  

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #827
April 8, 2000
Omaha, Nebraska

Dark Matches before RAGE

Opening Bout
Moses Luke defeated Squeegee Kid by pinfall after a running powerslam at 7:33
**rematch after Luke had to put his feet on the ropes to win last week. This time the Kid started strong but then Luke took over with his power. The finishing move was actually Luke scooping Kid up, running him back first into the top buckle, and then delivering a running powerslam.

Bout #2
Texas Tornado Match
Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine defeated Eric Scott & Vincent Regliatti by pinfall when Devine pinned Scott after a shooting star splash at 9:12
**Another rematch from last week's cheating, but this time the faces prevailed. They made this a Texas Tornado match meaning all four men were legal. It was back and forth, but in the end it seemed like the better team won.

Bout #3
Al Hardamann and Jerry Orth battled to a double countout at 7:04
**one half of the tag champs in single action.

Bout #4
Sam Holiday defeated Bryan Caruthers by pinfall after a top rope legdrop at 9:51
**very good match. Holiday seemed to have the upper hand through much of the match but Caruthers had about a 3 minute stretch in the middle where he punished Holiday with simple but strong knees, elbows, and suplexes but was unable to put him away. Holiday was wrapping the bout up when Orth came out to try and interfere, but Hardamann came out and tackled Orth to the ground so that his friend could finish the job.

Bout #5
North American Women's Title Match
TrummerFrauen and Stacey Lynn and Jessica Judd battled to a no-contest (outside interference by Becky) at 6:15
[TrummerFrauen retained the North American Women's Title]
**Lynn and Judd realized that they needed to team up on the more powerful champ but when Lynn started to order around Judd she turned on the fitness model. The champ pretended to to work with Judd against Lynn but then turned on her at the last minute. Judd was thrown out of the ring and went and retrieved her guitar. Before she could enter the ring though Becky appeared from the back, grabbed the guitar out of her hands from behind and levelled Judd. She then entered the ring with the broken guitar to attack the champ. It turned into a three way, and then Judd joined again and it was a fiasco that was thrown out.


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

The show opens of course with highlights from the dark matches earlier in the night.

Bout #6
Non-Title Match
Vampiro defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a nail in the coffin at 10:00
**very good match between the new champion and a young rising star. In the end Vamp's willingness to cheat and his experience to get him there were the difference.

Interview: Joe Aiello is in the ring to interview Vampiro who brags about beating Nick Mercury for the Heavyweight title last week. Aiello says he cheated, and says they will be showing highlights of that bout next. Vampiro says there was nothing in the rules against using a bucket of blood and it's not his fault he is the smartest guy in the room. Speak of the devil, Nick Mercury comes to the ring and he's carrying a big steel bucket. Vamp holds his arms up and keeps his distance. He tells Mercury he is unpriginal and always one step behind him, and that's why he lost. The usual chatty Mercury for his part has not said a single word and it is unnerving to the champ. As Mercury closes in with the bucket Vamp tries to exit the ring. He's too slow though and as he's between the ropes Mercury unloads the bucket on Vamp...it's confetti, and he's covered but unharmed. Aiello says it looks like the Harlem Globetrotters are in town. As Vamp climbs back into the ring, looking pissed off, Mercury nails him in the head with the steel bucket. He hits him again and again and again...and the bucket is a twisted, dented mess, and so is the champ's head, as he's busted wide open. Finally Mercury speaks, and he tells Vamp, he's not done yet, next week will be their final chapter. Whatever match Greg Gagne wants, he'll sign.

Highlights of last week's "Last Blood" match where Vampiro won the title in controversial fashion, using a bucket of blood to fool Dr. John Manfried.

Bout #7
Handi-Cap Match
Kurrgan defeated Manny Silva & Lord Zoltan by disqualification for use of a foreign object (cane) at 6:13
**former stable mates Kurrgan and Silva and their former/current manager Zoltan are pitted against each other after their violent break-up after the "finger poke of doom" last week. All 3 men started to brawl in the middle of the ring right from the start. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to whether it was supposed to be a tag style or all men legal as referee Kenny Jay really didn't seem to care to try and keep order. Zoltan was an annoyance and a couple times attacked the knees of the giant Acadian, but for the most part Kurrgan was able to fend both of them off. No one really seemed to care about trying to win the bout, in fact there were no submissions or pinfall attempts. Finally Zoltan couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed his walking cane and used the large claw knob of the top to nail Kurrgan in the head. It didn't drop him but a second shot staggered him, and then Silva kicked him in the groin, high knee lift, and then a spear to tackle him to the mat. The ref called for the bell. A two on one beatdown was on until RCW officials could break it up.

Joe Aiello is in the ring and is joined by the Commissioner Greg Gagne. He is asked about Mercury's challenge to Vampiro earlier in the night and what RCW is going to do about it. First off Gagne has a really good chuckle. Then he says he commends Mercury not only on his mind games with the little Thunder Bay skit a few weeks back, and tonight's mind games, but also how he has stuck with it and fought any style that was required. However Gagne says, this is River City Wrestling...where Wrestling appears on the marquee, it is not Barb Wire City. This feud is great but has to come to a completion now so that the champs can move on to other challengers. So next week there will be a final blow off match, but that will be it. If Mercury wins the title then there will be no immediate rematch for Vampiro, he will have to earn it against all the other hungry competitors. On the other hand if Vampiro wins then this will be it for Mercury for a while. However, the caveat on that is that it has to be a clean, decisive win. If either man cheats his way to victory than Gagne says he will think about suspensions and stripping the title. And just to make sure it's not a fluke, the bout will be 3 falls, and if it comes down to a 3rd fall that fall will have to be won by submission only. The commissioner says we want a definite answer on who the better man is. Turning to tonight's main event, Tony Twist makes his first singles appearance, and after turning on the Road Warriors, they were allowed to name Twist's opponent for tonight. Well the Roadies went on the phone and brought in someone the fans will be familiar with for his first appearance in RCW.


Main Event
Road Warriors Chose Twist's Opponent
Paul Ellering defeated Tony Twist by submission to the full nelson at 4:29
**That's right the Roadies former manager, the leader of the Legion of Doom, and former AWA star Paul Ellering is the chosen man. Ellering of course has been pretty much retired, injuries forced him to the manager role, but he was able to have a limited wrestling match, and that's about all he needed against the inexperienced Twist. In fact Ellering's major move was some powerful open hand slaps to the face that left Twist red faced. Aiello told us that Ellering had to come all the way from the wilds of Alaska where he currently lives and competes in the Iditarod. Twist had his moments but seemed unnerved throughout. Ellering nailed a powerbomb, and then put on his finisher. Twist had no sooner submitted though when the Spinebusters hit the ring to attack Ellering.

Post-Match:
Bryan Caruthers and Jerry Orth went right after Ellering. However, Sam Holiday and Al Hardamann hit the ring in street clothes to come to the rescue of the 47 year old legend. They cleaned house and sent the Busters and Twist heading fast to the dressing rooms. The duo then raised Ellering's arms in victory to an appreciative crowd.

FADE TO BLACK

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #828
April 15, 2000
Fargo, North Dakota

Dark Matches Before Rage

Opening Bout
Non-Title Match
Stan Baker defeated Squeegee Kid by pinfall after a heart punch at 5:59
**glorified squash match for the TV champion.

Bout #2
Native Sons: Red Thunder & Wavell Starr defeated Darren Dalton & Stan Saxon by pinfall when Starr pinned Saxon after a Samoan back drop at 11:09  
**the Native Sons are a new tag team to RCW, featuring two Native Canadians. Starr is a very athletic 6'0 235 lbs, pretty chiseled, while Thunder is about 6'0 as well but 255 lbs with a touch extra padding. They wrestled as baby faces and tagged well in and out, showing a surprising amount of power. Both are Stampede trained Western Canadians. 

Bout #3
Vincent Regliatti defeated Greg Pawluk by submission to the figure-four at 9:01
**excellent match between two very good ground and technical wrestlers. Pawluk a product of Alberta's Stu Hart and Regs a product of Ontario's Ron Hutchinson. This and the next match continue the feud between these two teams where the tag matches have been split, one win each. 

Bout #4
Johnny Devine defeated Eric Scott by pinfall after a missile dropkick at 7:12
**another good match between two guys trained at the same schools as their tag partners in the previous match. Devine prefers a bit more of a high flying style than pure wrestling, while Scott prefers a bit more of a power and grind down style. With the two teams splitting the singles matches, in addition to splitting their previous tag matches, it would seem to set the table for a blow off match.

Bout #5
#1 Triangle Top Contender Match for the TV Title
Lodi defeated Moses Luke and Marcus Schultz by countout at 11:15
**although triangle matches can sometimes be awkward, this one had its very good moments. All three men actually looked strong and it was impossible to pick a clear cut winner. A brawl erupted with all 3 men outside the ring. Lodi charged at Luke who back flipped Lodi up and between the ropes sending him crashing to the mat. Realizing what was happening Schultz tried to run into the ring too but Luke, unaware, clotheslined him to the ground. Lodi was the only one to beat the 10 count.

Bout #6
#1 Heavyweight Contender Match
Kurrgan defeated Manny Silva (/w Lord Zoltan) by pinfall after a chokeslam at 9:20
**honestly the fans have really got their money's worth tonight with some very entertaining matches. As Greg Gagne mentioned last week, the blow off tonight between Mercury and Vampiro will be their last, so a new #1 contender is required. This match between former partners and stablemates will decide that honour. Silva is one tough, mad, Hawaiian and he controlled early. However, Kurrgan used his power to take over the match. When Zoltan tried to interfere Kurrgan grabbed him by the throat and threw him off the apron to the ground below. He followed him out and gave his former manager a tombstone piledriver. When he reentered the ring of course Silva caught him with a running knee and took the bout over, temporarily. He went for the wheelbarrow suplex, but Kurrgan is so big and tall he just shifted his weight and slid off, and then took Silva down to the mat with a side Russian legsweep. Back on his feet Kurrgan nailed a hanging vertical suplex that he held onto for a good 10 seconds, and then nailed the chokeslam and picked up the win while Zoltan was still trying to get to his feet. Big win for the Big man.

Bout #7
TrummerFrauen & Jessica Judd defeated Stacey Lynn & Becky by pinfall when TrummerFrauen pinned Becky after a full nelson slam at 8:46
**this match was a train wreck, or rather a train crashing into a train wreck. Neither girl had any love for their partner, and the fans knew they hated the champion TrummerFrauen but all three other girls are what you would classify as tweeners. There was some fighting both verbally and physically between partners....


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

The show opens with the finale of the dark match

....and in the end TF just seemed to say screw this, and exerted her power. She chokeslammed Becky to the mat, then when Lynn did a run in she gave her a big boot and tossed her over the top rope. TF then nailed her finisher and picked up the win. When Judd entered the ring to get her arm raised too, TF nailed her with a chokeslam, took her belt from the announce table and left the ring area.

Post-Match: Lynn berates the other two girls saying they need to work with each other to defeat TF because she is a freak, maybe even a man-freak. Lynn even asks the other two if they have seen the champ in the shower to confirm she is a female? Judd just looks disgusted, leaves the ring, grabs her guitar and exits. Becky is about to leave the ring when Lynn grabs her. She says they had a deal, and when Becky lost her match to Lynn, not only was she supposed to drop the fake Hennig name but was supposed to user her own real name; not just wrestle as Becky. Lynn says she will talk to Gagne and get her suspended if she doesn't comply.

We see a highlight package of all the dark matches from earlier tonight.

Bout #8
Six-Man Tag Match
Sam Holiday, Al Hardamann, and Paul Ellering defeated Bryan Caruthers, Jerry Orth, and Tony Twist by pinfall when Holiday pinned Orth after a top rope legdrop at 10:52
**basically a vehicle to set up Holiday and Hardamann as the #1 contenders for the tag belts held by Caruthers & Orth (the Spinebusters). Ellering and Twist saw limited action, especially Ellering. It was significant that Holiday pinned one of the tag champs and not just Twist to get the duke.

Interview with Sam Holiday and Al Hardamann, just to confirm they are the #1 contenders and will be seeking tag team gold next week.

Promo recap of the Vampiro - Nick Mercury feud including Mercury's classic vignette from Thunder Bay, the first blood match, the last blood match, the controversial title change, and Greg Gagne's edict that tonight's match be conclusive with 2 out of 3 falls, the 3rd in required being submission only, and if there is a shady ending he may hold up the title.


Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Best 2 out of 3 Falls - 3rd fall would be submission only
Vampiro (champion)  vs. Nick Mercury
**early in the first fall Mercury makes a mistake of coming off the top rope with an elbow, way too early. He lands hard and seems to injure his arm and shoulder. Vampiro quickly nails a German suplex and then his nail in the coffin, cover, 1, 2, 3.
[Vampiro pins Nick Mercury after the nail in the coffin at 2:07; Vampiro leads 1-0]
**the champion goes for a quick second fall victory as we get a series of frenetic chain wrestling but Vamp can't put him away. The champ then slows things down with a series of wear down holds including a front chancery, bodyscissors, abdominal stretch, and an STF. Frustrated Vamp tosses Mercury outside the ring and take the brawl out there. Referee Buddy Lane probably could have counted to 10, making this fall a draw, and that would have muddled things, and can't see Mercury having a path to victory if that happened. Instead Lane left the ring and eventually got the two men back inside. They had a criss cross segment, Vamp nailed a clotheslines, went for a piledriver but Mercury countered with head scissors, roll up, 1, 2, kickout. A series of go-behind switches, Mercury nails a Northern lights suplex, 2 count. Mercury kicked the champ in the gut and then nailed his version of a Thunder Death Driver, covered for the 3 count.
[Nick Mercury pins Vampiro after a Thunder Death Driver at 8:13; tied 1-1 falls]
**announcers Joe Aiello and Linley Tolbert reminded us that the decisive third fall could only happen by submission. Commissioner Greg Gagne came down to ringside as well to keep an eye on things, wanting this to be a clean win. Mercury controlled early but it didn't last and Vampiro soon went through a series of submission holds to no avail. Mercury made a comeback and nailed a missile dropkick, cover, and we had the obligatory reminder that this could not end with a pinfall. Mercury went for a Boston crab but Vampiro countered with an ankle lock, but Mercury got to the ropes. Mercury got back the advantage but made a mistake charging into the corner, Vamp moved out of the way, Mercury hit the ring post with his shoulder. Vampiro locked on the STF but Mercury reached the ropes, and after some kicks put on the Gorilla clutch. Vamp walked his way to the ropes for a break, and left the ring. He then reentered being chased by Mercury and caught him with a running knee, followed by a fist drop, and then he went back to the shoulder with two shoulderbreakers. Vamp then put on a twisting shoulder lock and Mercury cried uncle within seconds.
[Vampiro defeated Nick Mercury by submission to the twisting shoulder lock at 19:08; Vampiro wins 2-1]
[Vampiro retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]

Post-Match: Vampiro retrieves his belt and mocks Gagne that he beat him clean and no one will stop him. Gagne reminds Vampiro that next week he will face the new #1 contender. With that Kurrgan comes to the ring, challenges Vampiro who decides he wants nothing to do with the giant, as we

FADE TO BLACK

[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #829
April 22, 2000
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Dark Matches before Rage

Opening Bout
Manny Silva (/w Lord Zoltan) defeated Tony Gold by pinfall after a wheelbarrow suplex at 5:03
**squash match

Bout #2
Tony Twist defeated Squeegee Kid by pinfall after a sucker punch (with his feet on the ropes) at 4:44
**Twist is not looking very polished yet and needs more training and seasoning. Kid managed to carry much of the short bout. In the end the ref got between the two men for a clean break after Kid had backed him into the corner, and Twist struck out with a sucker punch to the chin. Just to make sure he got the pin Twist put his feet up on the second buckle for leverage. It was however, a very powerful looking punch to the jaw.

Bout #3
Moses Luke defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a running powerslam at 8:57
**the two losers from the 3-way last week which was won by Lodi to give him a title shot at Stan Baker's TV belt this week. Schultz controlled much of the bout but Luke turned the tide with his power. He nailed his finisher again when he scoops up his opponent runs him back first into the top buckle, pivots, and then hits a running powerslam.

Bout #4
#1 Contenders - Triangle Tag Team Match
Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine defeated Red Thunder & Wavell Starr and Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott by pinfall when Devine pinned Scott after a top rope missile dropkick at 11:49
**best match of the night so far, but that's not saying a lot. After splitting their previous tag meetings, and their singles meetings it was expected that Pawluk/Devine and Regs/Scott would tangle one more time. However, throwing the Native Sons into the mix was a bit of a surprise. In the end Starr actually ran into the ring, and instead of breaking up the pin, took out Regliatti who was attempting to break it up. The Ontario pair of heels were really mad at the Native Sons, but when they tried to do something about it the new top contenders stood by their side making it 4 on 2, and ending any further discussion.

Bout #5
Fatal Four Way Match 
North American Women's Title Match
TrummerFrauen defeated Stacey Lynn, Becky Swallows, and Jessica Judd by countout at 10:20
[TrummerFrauen retained the North American Women's Title]
**not a bad match at all, had its moments for sure. The mystery of Becky's reluctance to use her own name has been solved, and it will be the butt of snide and innuendo jokes for the rest of her life (as it probably was in her real life). The story of this bout was that the 3 challengers would need to team together to overcome the powerhouse champion, but there was so much animosity after the naming angle and the guitar shots that it was next to impossible. The champ fought a fairly conservative bout, trying to stay close to a buckle, and trying to clear the ring so she could take out one of her challengers one on one. The 3 challengers indeed fought inside and outside the ring, while the champ never set foot outside the ring. In the end the 3 battled around the announce table, Judd nailed Lynn over the head with her guitar, and Becky then nailed Judd with the women's belt. All 3 women were counted out. Not only did the champ retain but there was no clear #1 contender after the mess either.
 

RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

Opens with highlights of the dark matches from earlier in the night.

Bout #6
RCW Television Title Match
Lodi defeated Stan Baker by disqualification for abuse of official at 7:31
[Stan Baker retained the RCW Television Title]
**first of three straight televised title matches tonight. The fans were solidly behind Lodi in this one, who started in the territory as a heel but has really been more of a tweener with many fans enjoying his work. Baker though controlled most of the first 6 minutes of this match and the challenger really took a beating. However, right at the end Lodi made a solid comeback. He nailed a solid German suplex, followed up with an Arial brainbuster for a 2 count. The challenger came off the ropes with a big knee drop..2 count, set up Baker for the DDT..only to have Baker reach out, grab the ref by the shirt and pull him directly into the challenger, spilling all three to the mat. They got up, Lodi hit the DDT, but the ref had already called for the bell and ruled this one a DQ. As Lodi complained to the ref after the bell Baker attacked him from behind and laid in a bit of a beating.

Bout #7
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers defeated Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Hardamann after a spinebuster slam (and outside interference) at 8:22
[Spinebusters retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**given the outcome, not much point detailing what occurred during the bout. The challengers are a bona fide threat to the titles, and so Tony Twist ended up coming down to ringside and tripping up Hardamann just at the right time to turn the bout to the champions favour.

Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Kurrgan defeated Vampiro by disqualification for outside interference (Manny Silva) at 10:41
[Vampiro retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**so cool that we had 3 title defences tonight on RAGE but not cool that they were all tainted finishes. Vampiro kept the big man off balance for much of the match but then Kurrgan did have a streak when he punished Vamp. Outside the ring Vamp used the guardrail and the ringsteps to his advantage to take back control of the bout. Inside the ring the champ nails a spinning roundhouse kick, but when he picked him up for the nail in the coffin the big man shifted his weight (just like he did last week when Silva tried for the wheelbarrow suplex), and powered out of it. Kurrgan nailed a side Russian legsweep, followed by the hanging vertical suplex, got him ready for the chokeslam...but Manny Silva appeared from the back, grabbed the heavyweight title and smacked Kurrgan over the back of the head.

Post-Match: It was a two on one beatdown once Vampiro recovered, and Lord Zoltan joined his charge Silva to make it 3 on 1. Until Balls Mahoney appeared out of nowhere with a steel chair, slid in the ring and started to lay out each of the three with chair shots. He nailed Silva, then Zoltan, but before he could nail Vampiro the champ slid out of the ring to safety.
This is the first we have seen of Balls Mahoney in just over a month as he has been out injured.  

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[managermike99]

River City Wrestling #830
April 29, 2000
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Dark Matches before RAGE

Opening Bout
Tony Twist defeated Eddie Mustang by pinfall after a sucker punch (and a handful of tights) at 8:11
**unsuccessful premiere for the 6'3 245 lb Native American from Wyoming, but the young newcomer looked very good indeed. He controlled most of the match with a basic wrestling repertoire, athleticism, and some high flying moves.  However, he got overly aggressive, and when he tried to pull Twist back into the ring when the former NHL tough guy was half in and half out of the ropes, Twist nailed him with a sucker punch to the jaw. Twist then rolled him up, got a handful of tights to make sure and got the win. Two straight weeks Twist has cheated his way to victory despite being outclassed.

Post-Match: Mustang is joined by Red Thunder and Wavell Starr in the ring. The 3 Natives seem to have struck an alliance and Mustang has joined the Native Sons.

Bout #2
Moses Luke & Darren Dalton defeated Marcus Schultz & Stan Saxon by pinfall when Luke pinned Saxon after a moonsault at 9:26
**pretty much just a throw together tag match, but the winners exhibited some nice teamwork that saw Dalton tag out to Luke but nail a sidewalk slam on Saxon while Luke got into position to nail the finisher.

Bout #3
Jessica Judd defeated Becky Swallows by disqualification for use of a foreign object at 6:21
**Becky still goes nuts when they announce her name, so when Judd giggled Becky attacked her before the opening bell. Things got even more vicious when it spilled to the outside. Jessica got the advantage, tossed Becky out of the ring, and wouldn't let her back in. Becky grabbed Judd's guitar and swung it at her legs which made Judd back off. Becky slid the guitar into the ring and entered the ring. Judd was all over her, but Becky reversed a whip to the ropes sending Judd instead but following her and nailing her with a running knee to the gut. She then nailed a legdrop to the abdomen, kipped up, and then delivered a dropkick to Judd who was sitting on her butt. Becky then wrestled the guitar out of referee Jennifer Greaves' hands and tried to hit Jessica. Judd moved and the guitar bounced off the top rope and fell. Judd went for a DDT but Becky was able to grab onto the top rope. She then lifted Judd up and brought her down on top of the guitar with a front layout suplex. This was enough and Greaves called for the bell.

Post-Match: Stacey Lynn entered the ring and tried to play peace maker. She apologized to Becky for the whole name thing and said the three of them need to work together if we are going to beat TrummerFrauen. As if on cue the big champion came up the ramp. But as they were distracted Jessica Judd grabbed her guitar and smashed Becky over the head. TF retreated, laughing as Lynn scrambled away as Judd threatened her with the broken guitar.

Bout #4
Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott and Red Thunder & Wavell Starr battled to a no-contest at 7:30
**the two losing teams from the #1 contenders tag match faced each other, with Regs/Scott still upset over Starr breaking "the social contract" and allowing Pawluk & Devine to pick up the pinfall. This one got heated fast and spilled outside the ring. When control couldn't be established the match was thrown out.

Post-Match: Regs and Scott got ahold of a chair and started to abuse their opponents. Eddie Mustang came to their rescue though grabbing a chair of his own. However, Moses Luke appeared on scene and laid out Mustang from behind. 

Bout #5
North American Women's Title Match
TrummerFrauen defeated Stacey Lynn by pinfall after a chokeslam (and outside interference) at 6:48
[TrummerFrauen retained the North American Women's Title]
**Lynn actually had her moments against the champ, the first kinks in the armour that we have seen. But that all fell apart when Becky Swallows came down to ringside and started to complain about everything to the announce team. TF threw Lynn to the floor outside, Lynn had words with Becky, Becky tried to Pearl Harbour Lynn from behind, but Lynn moved out of the way and Becky wrecked herself on the ringsteps. But TF grabbed Lynn by the blonde ponytail and hauled her up the steps, up the ropes, and nailed a superplex. Instead of going for the pin she scooped up Lynn and nailed the chokeslam.


RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode

We begin with highlights from our dark matches earlier tonight.

Commissioner Greg Gagne comes to the ring and says that after three screw job endings last week he has had enough. If the champions decide they want to cheat, or other wrestlers want to do run ins, then he is going to suspend people and strip titles. The heavyweight title is not on the line tonight but he says he still has his eye on Heavyweight champion Vampiro.

Bout #6
RCW Television Title Match
Stan Baker defeated Lodi by pinfall after a heart punch at 7:07
[Stan Baker retained the RCW Television Title]
**rematch from last week where Baker got himself intentionally DQ'd to keep the title. He had his hands full again this week with the solid attack of Lodi. However, the challenger made one mistake, flying at Baker for a crossbody. Baker anticipated it and struck out with a heart punch. Lodi's momentum still took the two down but Baker was able to roll through and make the cover.

Promo: For a new trio of young, athletic, buff looking guys all oiled up Will Damon, Donny DiCaprio and Shane Madison. They call themselves The Players Club. They aren't coming for the money, or the fame, or the titles, they are coming to have fun at other people's expense...and to pick up chicks.

Bout #7
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Triangle Match
Spinebusters: Jerry Orth & Bryan Caruthers defeated Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine and Sam Holiday & Al Hardamann by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Devine after a spinebuster slam at 10:58
[Spinebusters retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**Holiday and Hardamann did not get a clean shot at the title last week. But Pawluk/Devine won a #1 contenders tag match; so they gave them both a title shot at the same time. Solid three way match. End came when 4 men were brawling outside the ring. Devine was fighting Caruthers in the ring when Orth was able to reach in and trip up Devine. Caruthers dropped a knee across the back of the neck of Devine, then nailed his finisher for the win.

Post-Match: Busters brag. Holiday/Hardamann say they never got beat, taunt the champs who finally agree to a one on one next week. Commissioner Greg Gagne comes out and says that match will have to wait until May 13th. Next week will be a special Six Man Tag Tournament. It seems that there are a lot of allegiances being formed again in RCW, and a lot of tag teams seem to be hooking up with a 3rd. It would be perfect way to settle things in the ring; and everyone loves a tournament!

While still in the ring Commissioner Greg Gagne informs everyone that due to some health and family problems, the Hall of Fame committee had suspended their work last month and everything was behind. Things are back on track, everyone is safe and healthy. Next week will be the delayed induction ceremony for new hall of famers Steve Disalvo and Paul Orndorff, and then the Decade awards will begin again the week following with the Tag Team of the 80's.

Main Event
Kurrgan & Balls Mahoney defeated Vampiro & Manny Silva (/w Lord Zoltan) by pinfall when Kurrgan pinned Vampiro by pinfall after a chokeslam at 9:23
**no gold on the line in the main event but lots of set up for the future. There is no love lost between Balls and his two opponents, and for the most part Balls dealt with Silva while Kurrgan and the champ continued their feud. In the end Kurrgan was able to get a clean pinfall over the champ to set him up as still clearly the #1 contender.

Post-Match: Lord Zoltan who had been quiet in the corner for the bout due to the threats of suspensions and title strips made by Gagne, decided to enter the ring after the bout and attack Mahoney from behind with his cane. He then tried to do the same to the Acadian giant, but the big man was not surprised and laid him out with a solid punch to the head. Vampiro though had recovered and attacked Kurrgan from behind...as we


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