|
|
Post by managermike99 on Jan 29, 2021 16:38:51 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #921
May 4, 2002
Rochester, Minnesota
Dark Matches Before RAGE
Joe Blum defeated Judas Young by disqualification for abuse of official
**premiere of Young who is a "punk rocker" and hails from Your Mamma's bedroom. He had no class, little skill, and too much attitude.
#1 Contender Match:
Young Guns: Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine defeated Great Canadians: Vincent Regliatti & Eric Scott by submission when Pawluk submitted Regliatti in the figure four
Dave Mysterio defeated Jesse Hennig by pinfall after a web spinner
**premiere of the high flying Mysterio, and although the masked man had no relation to Rey he had enough talent to come up with a surprise victory over Hennig.
RCW Television Title Match:
Steve Riley (C) (/w Madusa) defeated Marcus Schultz by pinfall after a brainbuster
**Madusa provided some well timed interference to make sure her man got the win. April Hunter than came out to confront Madusa but was nailed from behind by Riley. Schultz was able to grab a chair and chase Riley and Madusa off their prey.
RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode
Commissioner Bret Hart opens the show by bringing out the Hall of Fame committee.
Stan Mullen, The Destroyer, Chris Lyon, Mike Valiant, Jim Brunzell, and Tawney England are all on hand for the special announcement.
The Destroyer begins by telling everyone that things have been delayed because of the strife within the World Wrestling Alliance and what that did to River City Wrestling. However, the committee has unanimously agreed on a new inductee this year that we are very excited about.
Jim Brunzell then takes over and says at one time he was a despised enemy, but no one could ever deny his talents. Now he is a good friend. While he only had a handful of matches as a wrestler in RCW, he is the 5 time Manager of the Year, and Manager of the Decade for the 90's. In addition he has served as commissioner for 1999. His friend, one of the all-time greats, Nick Bockwinkel.
Tawney England thanks the fans and tells them that Nick Bockwinkel will be on hand in two weeks to be inducted as the 15th member of the RCW Hall of Fame.
Bret Hart lines up the show for tonight and says that Al Hardamann will get his automatic rematch for the title against Nick Mercury, and to make sure things are fair that he will have April Hunter in his corner; in case the witch Madusa tries anything.
Finally, Bret reminds the fans that next week's regular RAGE will not be broadcast as River City Wrestling is running a new PPV event, a super event, that is being called RingLords.
Opening Bout
Lash LeRoux defeated Menele by countout at 6:04
**highlights of their dark match from last week were shown, including the fact that LeRoux picked up the upset victory. Tonight Menele lost control as LeRoux out wrestled him, and out ran him when Menele lost his temper. In the end LeRoux nailed Menele with a head tope and then made it back inside the ring before the monster could follow. Again he fled immediately to the showers before the bald meanie could catch him.
Bout #2
Norman Smiley defeated "Venom" Paul Diamond by submission to the crossface chickenwing at 5:35
**the premiere of Smiley who fans knew from his WCW days. Unlike that run though in RCW Smiley was no joke, but rather a competent technician who didn't mind getting down and dirty if need be (but not doing the wiggle). He dispatched Diamond without too much of a sweat. After the bout he made the "belt" motion, an indication he is here for the Gold.
Main Event
RCW Heavyweight Title Match
Nick Mercury (/w Madusa) defeated Al Hardamann (/w April Hunter) by pinfall after a cradle piledriver at 9:19
[Nick Mercury retained the RCW Heavyweight Title]
**Despite Hunter's presence Madusa tripped up Hardamann early to give her man the advantage. Mercury controlled early and used a length of tape from his wrist wrappings to choke Hardamann whenever he got the chance. Hardamann made a spirited comeback, but when he came off the top rope Madusa reached in and pulled Mercury by the feet just enough to make Hardamann miss with the knee. While Hunter came over and fought with Madusa Mercury took full control of the bout. He was still unable to finish off the former champ, but then Hardamann got distracted by the girls fighting and Mercury bull rushed him into the corner buckle. He then nailed the finisher and picked up the win.
Post-Match: Mercury came to the aid of Madusa and held Hunter down while Madusa kicked away. Inside the ring Hardamann was despondent and did not seem to realize what was happening to Hunter, as we
FADE TO BLACK
|
|
|
|
Post by managermike99 on Jan 29, 2021 16:58:48 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #922
Ringlords I
On PPV, from Las Vegas, Nevada
May 11, 2002
7:00-10:00pm EST
Opening Interview:
Legendary wrestler Nick Bockwinkel is introduced as the Commissioner of Ringlords. Nick welcomes the live crowd and the crowd watching on PPV. He says he’s not here to talk about how Ringlords will be about wrestling and not about talk, but he has just a few points to go over. First, tonight’s main attraction will be an 8-man single elimination tournament. The winner will be awarded this ring as a prize (the JumboTron shows a close-up of a large gold ring with a black stone, and the letters LT engraved on the stone). This first ring is dedicated to the memory of Lou Thesz. Lou had been signed to be here tonight, but much to the world’s loss that was not meant to be. Bock also apologizes for the card changes that have occurred since this event was first announced about 8 weeks ago. Eddie Guerrero originally signed to appear has since signed with the WWF. And just yesterday a mutual decision was made for Jeff Jarrett to pull out of today’s event, as with his pending opportunities it was not in anyone’s best interests for Jarrett to compete here today. Now, Guerrero had been replaced several weeks ago with the signing of Jerry Lynn. However, tonight’s replacement for Jarrett will be a pleasant surprise for the fans. He claims to be a former World Champion. Lynn and the mystery wrestler will join a field that already includes Yuji Nagata, Vader, Mark Coleman, Rick Steiner, Brian Christopher, and Dan Severn!!!
But also tonight we will see 3 legends of mayhem compete in a Triangle Elimination match with a special stipulation. The 3 competitors are Abdullah the Butcher, Terry Funk, and Dusty Rhodes! The special stipulation will be that before a wrestler can be eliminated by pinfall or submission, he must have been busted open. This stipulation was added at the request of the wrestlers involved and not by Ringlords. One other attraction tonight will see the unlikely duo of Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Greg “the Hammer” Valentine taking on The Ballard Brothers.
Bock once again thanks the crowd, tells them to enjoy themselves, and then turns the mic over to head referee James Beard.
Beard enters the ring with a clipboard and a mic. He too welcomes and thanks the crowd for their support tonight. Then he quickly reads off the official in-ring rules of Ringlords Wrestling.
As sanctioned by Ringlords Wrestling Ltd.
1. No hair pulling, eye gouging, strangle holds, or biting.
2. No pulling trunks, masks, or any other equipment.
note: CONTESTANTS WHO REPEATEDLY VIOLATE ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES WILL BE DISQULAIFIED.
THE FOLLOWING VIOLATIONS ARE AUTOMATIC DISQULAIFICATIONS.
1. Failing to break an illegal hold before the referee's FIVE COUNT.
2. Any low blow i.e. the groin. 3. The use of any foreign object.
4. Any interference with the duties of the referee.
5. Continuing to abuse a defeated opponent.
6. Excessive fighting outside of ring, regardless of the 10 count.
7. Any interference by managers, seconds, or corner men.
Wrestlers are cautioned to protect themselves on the break, and at all times.
*Contestants will get 10 counts on the apron of the ring and on the floor of the arena or auditorium.
IN ANY SITUATION NOT COVERED BY THESE RULES, Ringlords WILL HONOR THE JUDGEMENT AND DISCRETION OF THE APPOINTED OFFICIAL.
With that out of the way ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta introduces our first match.
Quarterfinal Tournament Match
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 25 minutes
Dan “The Beast” Severn (U.S.A.)
V
“The Dog Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner (U.S.A.)
The two competitors come face to face in the middle of the ring for final instructions from James Beard. While Beard pats their boots and other equipment down Severn and Steiner never break eye contact. Beard says “Good luck gentlemen, shake hands”. Severn and Steiner just continue to stare at each other until Beard finally calls for the bell.
They lock up.
Steiner rocks Severn with a punch and goes for a clothesline, but Severn quickly counters it by putting Steiner in an armbar submission. Steiner easily reaches the ropes and gets a tentative clean break. Steiner looks pissed off as he shakes his arm out, and Severn grins at him. They go to lock-up again but Severn sneaks in a kick to the thigh and then goes to work with chops and punches.
The crowd is behind Rick Steiner.
Severn throws Steiner out of the ring and then waits patiently for a frustrated DFG to climb back inside. Steiner is back inside by a 3 count, and Severn goes right for him with another kick to the thigh. The Beast then hiptosses Steiner to the ground and decides to test him with an Indian deathlock. But Steiner has too much left in the tank and easily reaches the ropes after only a few seconds.
Severn picks up the DFG and gives him another hiptoss, but Steiner just bounces back to his feet shaking his head at Severn. The Beast backs Steiner into the corner with a series of punches, and then tries to whip Steiner across the ring to the far turnbuckle, but Steiner reverses it and sends Severn to the buckle.
Steiner follows in and grabs at the head of Severn but its blocked and Severn rocks the DFG with a forearm smash and follows up with a Cobra Clutch. Again the DFG reaches the ropes quickly, and again Severn breaks cleanly.
Severn continues to work over Steiner until the DFG blocks a Russian legsweep attempt and bulldogs Severn to the ground. Scooping his opponent up Steiner delivers a crunching backbreaker, and then proceeds to run around the ring barking like a dog.
We are 3 minutes into the match.
Steiner makes the mistake of giving Severn some room with a whip to the ropes, and after a few missed passes Severn nails Steiner with a takeover suplex. Severn goes for an STF, but Steiner reverses with a small package and gets a near fall. For the first time in the match it is Severn that loses his composure as he kicks the bottom rope in frustration.
Steiner tries to catch Severn napping from behind but Severn lashes out and takes the DFG down with a legsweep, and then throws him through the ropes to the floor below.
Severn takes the opportunity to regain his composure and again catches Steiner with a kick as he tries to re-enter the ring. Steiner though works through the kick and the two warriors trade vicious chops to the chest. After a couple of chops each the war escalates to punches and the two stand toe-to-toe and tee off on each other. DFG is winning the war so Severn grabs him by the wrist and again throws him out of the ring to buy time.
Steiner absorbs a shot to re-enter the ring but again the two begin to trade punches. This time Steiner wins clean and then delivers the exclamation point with a flying bulldog.
The crowd is on their feet as they smell weakness in Severn for the first time tonight and Steiner punishes him with a double underhook suplex. Instead of going for a pin DFG goes for another flying bulldog, but Severn pushes him off and he lands hard on the mat. Severn pulls him up and then takes him back down to the mat with a wicked German suplex. Severn goes for the pin but doesn’t hook the leg and gets only a one count.
We are 6 minutes into the match.
The two tough wrestlers now begin to trade the advantage, and match each other move for move. Both men get in running clotheslines as well as belly-to-back suplexes. Severn takes the advantage with a short clothesline and then locks a half-boston on Steiner. This time the submission hold is in the centre of the ring, and although Steiner gets to the ropes for a break it takes him a good half minute of punishment before he gets the break. Instead of breaking clean Severn pulls Steiner to his feet and goes for a cobra clutch, but Steiner blocks it and rocks Severn with a Steinerline. Rick Steiner goes for another Steinerline but Severn blocks it and then counters with a belly-to-belly suplex. Severn locks an abdominal stretch on Steiner and uses the ropes for extra leverage until James Beard sees and demands the hold be broken.
Severn goes again for a kick to the thigh, but this time the DFG anticipates it and counters with a dragon screw. Steiner is on top of Severn with a waistlock takedown into a bodyslam, but it’s countered by Severn with a thumb to the eye.
We are almost 9 minutes into the match.
The two men again trade punches, kicks, and chops before Steiner grabs the advantage and delivers a backbreaker. Steiner presses the advantage but makes a mistake by charging into the corner. Severn moves out of the way, and then rolls up Steiner after he collides with the turnbuckle. Severn puts his feet on the second rope for leverage as he goes for the pin, and he would have got the 3 count but James Beard noticed at the last possible second and called for the break. Beard proceeded to berate Severn for his tactics which bought Steiner a few seconds to recover. So, when Severn went for a vertical suplex Steiner blocked it and the two again fell to punches. The two traded advantages again, until Steiner managed to surprise Severn and nail him with a hotshot.
Steiner ran around the ring barking, and then when he went for the pin he only got a one count.
Steiner then goes for a back suplex but Severn turns in mid-air and lands on him, and gets a nearfall. Then when Severn goes for a vertical suplex Steiner counters with a small package and also gets a nearfall.
The two then go into a sequence where both men block and counter each other’s moves with nothing more damaging then an elbowsmash getting through on their opponent.
Severn falls into a defensive stance and gets two submission holds on Steiner, an abdominal stretch and an armbar but both times Steiner is too close to the ropes and gets a quick break.
We are 13 minutes into the match.
Steiner is looking very winded and may have punched himself out against the defensive wall put up by Severn who has regained that cocky smile. The fans are really behind Steiner but seem to hate Severn more than they like Steiner, and despise the style being put forward by Severn.
Severn goes for a cobra clutch but Steiner counters with an armdrag takedown. But Steiner doesn’t have much left and Severn works through a couple of punches and takes Steiner down with a Soviet suplex. Steiner continues to fight back, countering a fireman’s carry attempt with a knee, but Severn has too much left and easily blocks all but the most rudimentary offensive attacks of Steiner.
Severn punishes Steiner with a legsweep, clothesline, and inverted atomic drop, but only gets a 2 count.
The Beast makes the mistake of arguing with James Beard which allows Steiner to attack from behind and nail an inverted atomic drop of his own. Steiner goes to what has worked well for him with a punching attack but Severn can now match him blow for blow. The two then exchange kicks before Steiner tries to whip Severn into the ropes, but Severn reverses it and then takes a winded Steiner down with a backdrop. Severn then locks on the bodyscissors dragon sleeper on Steiner.
James Beard keeps an eye on Steiner as he tries to inch his way to the ropes. After almost a full minute Steiner finally makes it to the ropes. Severn drags Steiner to his feet, but is caught by surprise when the DFG lashes out with a flurry of punches to the lower mid-section. Steiner has a second wind and nails Severn with a hard looking fireman’s carry into a front faceslam. Steiner follows up with a flying bulldog, and a vertical suplex.
Steiner then takes Severn down with a backdrop, but Severn lands near the ropes, and much to the displeasure of the fans takes the opportunity to roll out of the ring and regain his breath. Steiner though rolls out of the ring and tosses Severn back inside.
Steiner goes to scoop up Severn but he counters with a palmblow to the nose. Severn attempts a belly-to-back suplex but Steiner counters with a well placed back elbow to the nose. Steiner again goes for the scoop but this time Severn blocks it with a facerake.
They continue to go through a series of blocked and countered moves until Severn takes Steiner down with a legsweep. But the refreshed DFG is on his feet before the Beast! Steiner goes to scoop Severn up, but Severn counters with an armbar submission in the middle of the ring. Severn then scissors the arms of Stenier and rolls towards the head of Steiner. This forces all the weight of Steiner onto his neck, while Severn continues to work the arm. This time Steiner can’t even inch towards the ropes and he soon gives his verbal submission.
[The winner is Dan Severn. Time of match: 0:18:31]
Post-Match:
Severn has a mic and is applauding for himself.
Severn] I’m going to make this really simple for all you Vegas ***** and whores. Listen up. My opponents have 3 choices, snap, nap, or tap. You can mix them up if you want. Stick them in a bag, whirl them up, and come up with nap, tap, or snap. Any way you cut it, those are the choices my friends. Snap, nap, or tap.
The fans boo Severn unmercifully, and a “booorrrrringgg” chant goes up. This seems to unnerve Severn.
Severn] Who the hell cares? I won the match, just like I will win the rest of the tournament if any of the others has the balls to step in the ring with me. I’m not here to entertain all you ******. I’m not going to put on a hockey uniform or a ballerina tu-tu and recite poetry. My moves *ARE* poetry in motion, and the only problem is that I was born 50 years too late. My only opponents are a bunch of unworthy entertainers instead of real athletes like Lou Thesz, Danny Hodge, and Jack Brisco. I would have loved the opportunity to have beaten all those men in their prime, but instead I get, Rick Steiner? Brian Christopher? What the hell is that? I’ll make it real simple for you morons in case you already forgot. Forget those rules read out by James Beard, it’s real simple, Snap, Tap, or Nap.
Quarterfinal Tournament Match
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 25 minutes
Jerry Lynn (U.S.A.)
V
Yuji Nagata (Japan)
Again James Beard pats down both men’s boots and equipment before the match. He wishes them good luck and asks them to shake hands. Lynn tentatively extends his hand and the crowd cheers as Nagata shakes his hand.
The bell sounds.
Nagata bows to Lynn who nods, and then begins to circle Nagata. Nagata bows again this time a little more insistent and Lynn this time returns with a deep bow of his own. It’s a ploy by Nagata though and he kicks Lynn in the shin and then again in the head as Lynn is doubled over in pain. The fans now boo Nagata who just nods appreciatively to them before bowing.
Nagata goes on the offensive with kicks and punches, striking out like a Cobra as he circles his prey. Nagata grabs a sleeperhold on Lynn who takes nearly a half minute to reach the ropes for the break. It is clear that Lynn is already in trouble in this match.
Nagata goes back to circling Lynn and attacking with kicks and punches.
Suddenly Nagata shifts gears into overdrive and attacks with an enzuigiri and a German suplex. He gets only a 2 count and then wastes time berating James Beard for a slow count. Nagata charges Lynn which is a mistake as Lynn backdrops him over the top rope to the floor below. Shaking off the cobwebs Lynn jumps onto Nagata with a running somersault plancha off the apron. After recovering from the impact Lynn re-enters the ring and is followed seconds later by Nagata.
Lynn presses the advantage with spinning headscissors and then places Nagata on the top turnbuckle. Nagata tries to punch his way out of it but is taken down with a top-rope DDT. Lynn gets only a two count.
Lynn seems a little unsure as to how to follow up, and when he goes for an armbar he is like putty in the hands of Nagata who blocks it and then takes Lynn down with a Russian legsweep. Nagata hits a Northern lights suplex for a 2 count.
The match then breaks down into a brawl with neither man being able to hit a big move.
We are 3 minutes into the match.
Nagata takes the advantage with a dropkick, and then presses it with a sleeperhold, followed by another sleeperhold where he kept letting his forearm slip down into a choke when James Beard wasn’t looking.
Nagata went to reapply the sleeper again but Lynn countered this time with a jawbreaker which really seemed to mess up Nagata. Lynn pressed his advantage with a Frankensteiner for a two count, and a shoulder block, snap suplex, and a superplex, but only got a one count!
Lynn again resorts to a weak submission attempt, this time with a standing wristlock, which Nagata manages to break by doing a somersault, reversing the hold and then raking the eyes of Lynn. Nagata then goes for a powerbomb but Lynn counters with another Frankensteiner and a nearfall.
We are about 6 minutes into the match.
Nagata seems to perk up after the nearfall and blocks a right hand by Lynn. Nagata goes on the offense and takes over the match. He nails 3 consecutive back elbows, a Northern lights suplex, and a pair of German suplexes but can’t get a 3 count. Lynn fights back but then makes a huge mistake going for another dive, this time a tope. Nagata moves out of the way this time and Lynn wrecks himself on the floor, and then lies there motionless.
It’s all Nagata now as he introduces Lynn’s head into the ringpost, and his face into the steel barrier. Nagata rolls Lynn back inside the ring and taunts the crowd before climbing back inside. Lynn has been busted open.
Nagata drags Lynn by the hair into the centre of the ring and executes the Nagata Lock. Somehow Lynn fights off the pain, despite not making any progress towards a break. But after nearly a minute in the hold he stops responding to James Beard, who calls for the bell.
[The winner is Yuji Nagata. Time of match: 0:08:45]
Pre-Match:
Ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta makes the big announcement as to the mystery wrestler who proclaims himself to be a former World Champion. Shane Douglas!!!
Douglas is accompanied to the ring by the Queen of Extreme, Francine. Francine is the first manager or valet that we have seen tonight. Douglas has a mic.
Douglas] Hey Capetta, get it right, I *AM* a former World Heavyweight Champion, the ECW World Heavyweight Champion!!! But I wouldn’t expect a WCW Southern hick like you to know shit all about champions.
Some “E-C-Dub” chants go through the crowd which makes Douglas stop and smile.
Douglas] See Capetta even all the way out here in Sin City they’ve heard of ECW. Now, as if me being a surprise wasn’t enough to make your ticket purchase worthwhile, and as if the element of surprise wasn’t enough to put me over the top as the favorite to win the tournament, I also brought along a little surprise of my own. Las Vegas please stop touching yourself long enough to put your hands together for the Queen of Extreme, Francine!!!
Francine] You bunch of perverts. I see you all fondling yourself looking at my ass. I know that tonight you’re going to close your eyes while you make love to your wife, or your pillow, or your blow-up doll, or your sheep, and you’re going to be picturing me instead. I am your fantasy, your hardcore fantasy girl. Just when you thought you had me out of your mind, I surprise you and come back, close-up and personal.
Francine’s rant is interrupted by the crowd who cheer as the behemoth Vader walks to the ring shaking his head. Vader enters the ring as Francine hides behind Douglas. Vader just pushes Douglas out of the way and snatches the mic out of the hands of an indignant looking Francine.
Vader] Shut the hell up scamp. Nobody came here to listen to a ten dollar crack whore like you, or your girlfriend Shannon toot your own horns. And the only thing sexual that these fans want to see out of you slut, is for me to put you over my knee and spank your bottom like your daddy should have done years ago. Tonight Francine I’m going to be your daddy.
Vader throws the mic to the ground and slowly walks back to the corner to prepare for the match. Douglas tries to calm an obviously shaken up Francine, and delays the start of the match so he can escort Francine out of the ring.
Quarterfinal Tournament Match
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 25 minutes
Shane Douglas (U.S.A.) (accompanied by Francine)
V
Vader (U.S.A.)
James Beard goes to each man’s corner to do the pat down and instructions. As soon as he turns away from Douglas, Francine runs up and passes Douglas a small length of chain which he stuffs under the edge of the ring apron.
The bell sounds.
They lock up.
Douglas goes low and tries to take Vader down with a legsweep but the big man doesn’t budge, and just stomps on Douglas’s ankle. Vader allows Douglas to whip him into the ropes, and Douglas gives him a big boot. Vader goes down, a little too quick and heavy and Douglas goes for the pin. The fans smelling a swerve begin to boo. James Beard counts, one, two, and Vader tosses Douglas up and off of him like a rag doll.
Unfortunately, Douglas collides with Beard knocking him temporarily out. Douglas kicks Vader right in the groin. The Franchise then attacks with elbowsmashes, followed by a blatant chokehold as Beard is still recovering. Vader reaches the ropes but Douglas continues the choke for a few seconds more until Beard has recovered and forces the break.
Douglas comes off the ropes and goes for a flying axhandle, but Vader lashes out and counters with a fist to the midsection. He lets out a big roar as he nails Douglas with a belly-to-belly suplex. Vader tries to follow up with a lariat, but Douglas deftly counters with a crucifix, and rolls up Vader for a 2 count.
The crowd boos Douglas as he berates Beard for a slow count.
Douglas makes the mistake of going to punches, and after Vader absorbs a couple he fires right back taking back the momentum from Douglas. Douglas tries to use his speed again but bounces off Vader when he tries for a flying shoulderblock. Then Vader rocks him with a clothesline.
Douglas rolls out of the ring and takes comfort in Francine’s arms. Back inside the ring Vader pushes the advantage until Douglas blocks a belly-to-belly suplex and then takes Vader down with a swinging neckbreaker. Douglas gets a nearfall.
We are about 3 minutes into the ring.
Douglas presses the advantage by wearing Vader down with forearms and elbowsmashes. Douglas goes back to the well with a swinging neckbreaker which hits the mark once again. The Franchise continues a vicious and rudimentary attack instead of going for a pin. Vader is winded.
Finally Vader comes back with some chops and punches and then a huge German suplex. By the time Vader can make the cover he only gets a one count. Vader then nails a belly-to-back-suplex. Douglas manages to survive thanks to an eye gouge, and then finds familiar territory with another swinging neckbreaker.
We are 6 minutes into the match.
Douglas presses his advantage until he misses a dropkick. Vader shows his quickness by pouncing on Douglas, tossing him into the corner, and unleashing a Vader attack. The big man then locks on a sleeper.
Vader and Douglas go through a series of quick momentum swings which culminate in Douglas applying a front facelock. Vader gets to the ropes but Douglas pulls him out and goes for the Pittsburgh Plunge, but he can’t do it because Vader is just too big.
We are 10 minutes into the match and although Francine has shouted encouragement from ringside she hasn’t tried to interfere yet and James Beard is keeping a short leash on her.
Vader roars back now with a German suplex but surprisingly only gets a one count. Vader attempts to send Douglas to the buckle but its reversed, but then its reversed again and Vader sends Douglas crashing chest first into the turnbuckle. Vader nails a series of swinging punches on a glassy eyed Franchise.
Douglas attempts to fire back but his attacks don’t have the power to match Vader. Vader presses the attack with an avalanche, and another Vader attack, before Douglas falls out of the ring, face first to the floor.
Douglas barely makes it back into the ring before the 10 count, but when Vader goes for another swinging punch Douglas tries to counter with an armbreaker, but Vader responds with a facerake instead. Vader then nails Douglas with a nodowa otoshi, and roars to the crowd. Vader tries to follow up with a dragon suplex but Douglas counters with a go-behind and then just hangs onto Vader for dear life trying to get a rest by riding the big man. Vader finally hiptosses Douglas off and then whips him into the ropes. Douglas grabs onto the ropes but his momentum is too much and he loses his grip falling right on his ass.
We are about 12 minutes into the match.
Vader is in control and whips Douglas into the corner where he punishes him again with a Vader attack. The crowd is really into the match now as they anticipate the finish.
Douglas though grabs a hold of Vader and pulls him forward and through the ropes to the floor below. Douglas goes to the floor and takes Vader down with a Russian legsweep. Douglas rolls Vader back into the ring, but when he goes for a flying dropkick, Vader hangs onto the ropes and Douglas lands hard on his back.
Vader scoops Douglas up and bodyslams him to the mat. He tries to finish him off with a falling splash but Douglas rolls out of the way.
Douglas measures the big man up and then takes him down with a drop-toe-hold into an anklelock submission. After about half a minute of trying to reach the ropes Vader finally turns it over and kicks Douglas off. While Vader clings to the bottom turnbuckle trying to regain his feet, and Beard checks to see if Vader wants to continue, Douglas retrieves the chain and wraps it around his fist.
With Francine distracting the ref from outside the ring, Douglas cold cocks Vader in the back of the head with the chain, which he then tosses out of the ring. Beard turns around as Douglas takes Vader down with a bulldog. Beard lays down the 1, 2, 3.
[The winner is Shane Douglas. Time of match: 0:13:48]
Quarterfinal Tournament Match
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 25 minutes
Mark Coleman (U.S.A.)
V
Brian Christopher (U.S.A.)
Head official James Beard gets a rest as Dave Clark takes the final quarterfinal match. The fans begin to chant “Gillberg” due to Clark’s resemblance to Duane Gill. The two wrestlers meet in the middle of the ring and Coleman dwarfs Christopher. Clark pats down both men, then they shake hands and head back to their respective corners.
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Brian Christopher whips Mark Coleman into the ropes and goes for a bodyslam but Coleman just blocks it. Coleman then scoops up Christopher and bodyslams him to the mat.
The fans boo Coleman and seem to be solidly behind Christopher.
Coleman immediately goes for a sleeperhold and Christopher struggles to get to the ropes for the break, having a hard time fighting the strength of Coleman.
Coleman then punishes Christopher with a Canadian backbreaker before releasing the hold. The former UFC champion goes for an octopus hold but Christopher manages to block it with an elbow, and again goes for a bodyslam only to have Coleman block that attempt as well.
Christopher is rattled and begins to backpeddle.
Coleman nails a forearm smash and then takes Christopher down with a side suplex. Coleman then picks the pace up a bit by going to the ropes and coming off with a flying lariat, and then again off the ropes with a flying headbutt. He hooks the leg but still only gets a 2 count.
Christopher is whipped to the ropes but manages to come off with a clothesline that hurts Coleman. But again Christopher goes for a bodyslam, but this time when its blocked he rakes the face of Coleman. Christopher follows up with a shoulderblock and then laughs hysterically to the crowd.
Some of the crowd begin to boo Christopher.
Christopher sends Coleman to the ropes but its Coleman that strikes first with a lariat. Coleman continues to dominate his smaller opponent who gets in only the occasional bit of offense.
Christopher’s best offensive flurry occurs when he blocks a powerbomb attempt and then takes Coleman down with a dropkick, a dropkick from the second rope, and then a missile dropkick. Christopher laughs out loud as he stomps on a fallen Coleman.
The fans are really starting to turn on Christopher now and he begins to mock them and shout back.
Christopher whips Coleman into the ropes but Coleman seizes the opportunity to get the momentum back with a kick. He follows up with a Northern lights suplex and gets a nearfall. Coleman whips him into the ropes but this time both men get nailed with a double clothesline. Both men are down but Coleman got the worst of it, and Christopher recovers and goes for a front facelock. Coleman though blocks it and nails Christopher with an inverted atomic drop. Coleman continues the punishment with a double underhook backbreaker.
We are about 5 minutes into the match.
Christopher frustrates Coleman by countering a few big move attempts, but then Coleman stuns Christopher and the crowd with a nasty enzuigiri. Coleman continues to wear down Christopher and gets a nearfall after nailing a Doctor bomb.
The crowd is now solidly behind Mark Coleman.
The two competitors trade the advantage back and forth, with Mark Coleman getting a nearfall after a pumphandle powerbomb. Christopher takes the advantage back but his offense doesn’t seem to do any lasting damage to Coleman so he resorts to blatant chokeholds and risks disqualification. Referee Dave Clark does not seem to exert his power in the ring as much as James Beard had earlier in the night.
We are about 8 minutes into the match now.
Christopher continues to press the advantage but when he goes for the Tennessee Jam Coleman manages to roll out of harm’s way. Coleman bounces to his feet and puts Christopher in a hangman submission. Christopher breaks it by reaching around and gouging the eyes of Coleman but the momentum has switched. Coleman exerts his control by out slugging Christopher.
Coleman is looking pretty fresh still, and Christopher is on his last legs. Coleman attacks with a Samoan drop and flying lariat.
Christopher battles back again and tosses Coleman out of the ring. He follows Coleman out and throws him into the guardrail, gouges his eyes, and then executes the Tennessee Jam on Coleman outside the ring. Coleman is out cold.
Christopher continues the punishment with another whip to the rail, and a double axhandle chop. Christopher goes back into the ring to get a new count, and then wastes more time taunting the crowd, so when he goes for another Tennessee Jam on the floor Coleman rolls away. Christopher gets back into the ring first, and when Coleman follows he eats an elbowsmash from Christopher. Christopher presses the advantage but when he locks on a front chancery Coleman shows his tremendous power by lifting Christopher up in the air and then bringing him back down to the mat with a version of the face first powerbomb. He then explodes with a Northern Lights suplex. This gets Coleman a 2 count. Coleman then delivers his finisher, a belly-to-belly suplex and gets the 3 count.
[The winner is Mark Coleman. Time of match: 0:14:32]
The next event is a special tag team attraction featuring a couple legends of the squared circle against a couple up and comers from the indy scene.
Special Tag Team Match
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 25 minutes
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan & Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (U.S.A.)
v
Shane & Shannon Ballard (Canada)(accompanied by Cheerleader Melissa)
Duggan and Valentine come out first, giving high-fives to the fans as they make their way to the ring. Duggan starts a U.S.A. chant.
The Ballards come out with their hockey sticks over their shoulder and snear at the fans. Cheerleader Melissa keeps her pom-pom’s as far away from the riff-raff as possible. Dave Clark has to convince the Ballards to give up their hockey sticks before Duggan will give up his 2x4. Then the Ballards quiz Clark on what the short rope is hanging from the top turnbuckle.
Shane Ballard, the smaller of the two brothers starts off against Valentine. He starts hot against Valentine, and it doesn’t take Valentine long before he resorts to chokeholds only breaking after being threatened by Clark with disqualification. Valentine roughs up Shane Ballard some more before tagging in Jim Duggan. Duggan is too busy posturing to the crowd to see Shannon come in and jump him from behind. Shannon gives Duggan a hotshot while Dave Clark is escorting an irate Valentine out of the ring.
Shane goes for a flying cross body press but Duggan is not that weak yet, and he catches Shane and powerslams him for a 2 count. Shane punches his way out of trouble enough to tag in Shannon for the first time in the match.
The Ballards double team Duggan, but then Duggan rolls up Shannon and almost gets the surprise 3 count. Duggan tags out to Valentine. As Valentine enters the ring he collides a bit with Duggan exiting the ring, its enough to allow Shannon to scoop up Duggan and give him a hotshot. Shannon is all over Valentine with a clothesline, and then 2 straight drop toe holds.
Valentine reverses a whip into the corner and takes back control. Soon he has Shannon in the middle of the ring, but when he goes for the figure-four Shannon counters with a small package for a 2 count. Shannon goes to brawling tactics to regain control of Valentine. He follows this up with a bow and arrow submission which he holds for nearly a half minute before releasing. Valentine is in rough shape and Duggan is stomping his foot encouraging him to get over and tag.
Valentine almost makes a comeback when he gets in a clothesline, but the Shannon side-steps a kneelift attempt and rabbit punches Valentine in the back of the head. Shannon tags out to Shane and then gives Valentine a Samoan drop as Shane climbs to the top turnbuckle. But Shane takes way too long and Valentine tosses him into the ring and slaps on the camel clutch. Shane gets to the ropes but Valentine tags in Duggan.
Shane soon tags out to Shannon, and Shannon and Duggan trade the advantage back and forth.
We are about 6 minutes into the match.
Duggan and Shannon are brawling, but Valentine is taking every opportunity to get a few shots in on Shannon from the apron whenever the opportunity presents itself. Duggan does not look extremely happy about what Valentine is doing.
Shannon Ballard misses with a baseball slide as Duggan moves out of the way, and he wrecks himself on the floor. Duggan introduces Shannon’s head into the ringsteps before tossing him back into the ring.
The two continue their long brawl and Duggan eventually takes Shannon Ballard down with a bodyslam and then executes “the Old Glory”. He doesn’t hook the leg, and only gets a 2 count when Melissa risks disqualification and comes over and drapes Shannon’s foot over the bottom rope.
Duggan signals for the old glory again, but when he goes for a bodyslam Ballard counters it with an elbow in the face.
We are almost 10 minutes into the match.
Duggan continues to press the advantage, and Valentine becomes so pissed off waiting for the tag that he enters the ring and helps Duggan double team Shannon. Duggan is yelling at Valentine to get out of the ring which allows Shannon to attack him and he nails him with a knee, two vertical facebusters for a 2 count, and then starts punching and kicking a downed Duggan.
Shannon tags out to a well rested Shane who immediately executes a piledriver on Duggan followed by a backspin DDT. But Duggan just bounces right up from the DDT, and begins to go to work on Shane with a plethora of punches and kicks.
Finally Duggan tags out to Valentine, but then gives Shane a clothesline for good measure before leaving the ring. Valentine executes a back suplex, but then falls victim to a clothesline. Shane sets up Valentine for a double underhook move only to have it blocked by Valentine. Valentine then outbrawls Shane to regain the advantage. Valentine presses the advantage with a sleeperhold. Shane Ballard uses a enzuigiri to start a comeback but Valentine snuffs it out by blocking a couple of follow up clothesline attempts. Valentine tags out to Duggan.
Shannon has had enough on the apron and he enters the ring catching Duggan by surprise and throws him out of the ring. He tries to piledrive Duggan on the floor but Duggan backdrops Shannon instead and re-enters the ring.
The match begins to degenerate into a series of partner interferences, and Shannon ends up in control of Valentine. Shannon almost chokes out Valentine before Valentine roars back and takes control once again after biting the nose of Shannon. Duggan comes into the ring and helps Valentine double team Shannon with a double elbowsmash.
Shane Ballard gets the tag from brother Shannon and they double team Valentine with a double elbowsmash while Dave Clark is trying to get Duggan to leave the ring. Shannon then takes Valentine down with a brainbuster while Shane climbs to the top rope and comes down with a top-rope splash. Dave Clark counts the 1, 2, 3.
[The winners are Shane Ballard and Shannon Ballard. Time of match: 0:19:08]
The announce team informs us that before we went live tonight a dark match was held. The winner of that match would be in place in case there were any first round injuries tonight. Since there were none that option would thankfully not be needed. If there is an injury in the second round this option would not be used, and the other semi-final winner will simply win a forfeit match. Normally highlights of the darkmatch would be shown but as of right now the show is running a little bit over so its unlikely that any footage will be worked in. But for the record the dark match featured Danny Doring (U.S.A.) v Super Crazy (Mexico). Doring was really outclassed in this match and Super Crazy finished him off after a springboard moonsault at 5:11.
Thanks to his win Super Crazy will be invited back to compete at Ringlords II.
Semifinal Tournament Match
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Dan “The Beast” Severn (U.S.A.)
V
Yuji Nagata (Japan)
Referee James Beard pats down both men in their respective corners before calling for the bell.
The bell rings.
They lock up. Nagata takes the offensive early so Severn takes a powder and slips under the ropes to the floor below. But Nagata follows him and tries for surprise, but the Beast catches him with a dragon screw. Severn is vicious as he attacks Nagata outside the ring working over his right leg.
Back inside the ring Severn changes to impact moves with a shoulderblock and a belly-to-belly suplex. He tests the waters but only gets a 2 count. Nagata uses an inside cradle to get the drop on Severn, gets to his feet and goes right at Severn. Nagata is now all over the Beast and really nails him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
Not sure if it’s a surprise but the fans have actually decided to side with Nagata in this match over Severn; the lesser of two evils.
Nagata nails a German suplex and there is a tense moment as both men barely get their shoulders up before the 3 count on a double pin situation.
The two men trade the advantage back and forth until Severn goes for a takeover suplex but Nagata counters it with a belly-to-belly suplex.
We are about 5 minutes into the match.
Nagata though can’t hold the advantage and falls victim to an armbar submission, the first big submission hold landed in the match. Nagata reaches the ropes after about 15 seconds. Instead of breaking clean Severn holds onto the arm, drags Nagata up and attempts a suplex that Nagata blocks with a back elbow. Nagata then floors Severn with an enzuigiri which brings the fans to their feet.
Again Nagata can’t hold onto control, and again Severn lands a submission hold, this time a cobra clutch. Nagata reaches the ropes.
The match goes into brawling mode, but Severn refuses to get too far away from the ropes. This proves wise for Severn when Nagata lands an armbar submission and then later a cross knee scissors.
Nagata starts working over the thigh of Severn trying to break down the muscle and take away his mobility. Severn is strictly in head hunting mode and is hitting the more damaging moves. However, his unwillingness to get too far from the ropes is limiting his offensive follow-ups.
We are about 9 minutes into the match.
Severn makes a mistake following Nagata out to the floor and Nagata catches him re-entering the ring. Nagata takes control and pulls Severn to the middle of the ring. Nagata attacks with kicks to the thigh, kneelifts, an enzuigiri, and a sleeperhold from a kneeling position. Severn manages to get to his feet and Nagata breaks the hold before Severn can go for a jawbreaker.
Nagata tries to finish off Severn with an Exploder but Severn counters with an elbow and then tosses Nagata out of the ring. Severn throws Nagata around ringside, and then back inside he puts on the STF. Nagata gets to the ropes and then slowly starts to fight back against Severn’s attacks.
Severn nails Nagata with a shoulderblock, but when he goes for it again Nagata moves out of the way. Nagata goes for the sleeper but Severn tries to counter with an armdrag takedown. Nagata has the move scouted out well and pulls Severn into a Northern Lights Suplex. James Beard counts the 1, 2, 3.
[The winner is Yuji Nagata. Time of match: 0:15:55]
Taped Interview shown on the JumboTron:
Mark Coleman says that only a few of the wrestling fans here in North America know him, and that’s generally as a reality combat fighter. He thinks that Ringlords is an excellent opportunity for him to show the North American fans just how good he is in the ring. His goal in the semi-final is to finish off his opponent as fast as he can, so that he can be the fresher man in the finals.
Semifinal Tournament Match
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Shane Douglas (U.S.A.) (with Francine)
V
Mark Coleman (U.S.A.)
Referee Dave Clark pats down both men in the middle of the ring as they go nose to nose. He then escorts Douglas back to his corner and stays right beside him, keeping an eye on him until he calls for the bell.
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Douglas uses his speed early on until Coleman powers out of a full nelson, and then takes the Franchise down with a backdrop driver for an early 2 count.
The fans are behind Mark Coleman but Douglas has his own faction of fans as well, who are chanting “E-C-Dub”.
Coleman surprisingly takes the match outside the ring but Douglas grabs the advantage and monkey flips Coleman right into the guardrail. Coleman though fights back and rams Douglas into the ringsteps. This match is turning nasty early on.
Back inside the ring and Coleman takes over control with a devastating powerbomb, and another backdrop driver. After a series of blocks and counters Coleman again throws Douglas out of the ring and follows right after him. Coleman tosses Douglas into the ringsteps, but the veteran wrestler answers with a rake of the eyes and then slams Coleman on the floor. Back inside the ring Douglas goes for the swinging neckbreaker, which helped him defeat Vader in the quarterfinal, but Coleman counters it with an armbar submission. Douglas quickly reaches the ropes.
We are about 3 minutes into the match.
Coleman takes control now and nails a backspin DDT.
***Vader comes down to ringside***
Coleman is in complete control with a gutwrench suplex, a lariat, and then a showstopping belly-to-back superplex.
Outside the ring Francine is getting into Vader’s face and some security and Ringlord officials have come out to try and get Vader to leave the ring area. This distracts Coleman so he doesn’t go for the pin.
Coleman seems really pissed off now and he takes it out on Douglas with a double underhook backbreaker, and then a flying headbutt. But he doesn’t hook the leg and only gets a 2 count.
Coleman continues to punish Douglas until he goes for a slam and Douglas turns in mid-air landing behind him, and deftly turns it into a swinging neckbreaker.
Douglas presses his advantage now but then Vader rushes the ring and distracts Douglas. The officials have to pull apart Vader and Douglas, and then escort Vader out of the ring area. Francine is up on the apron now and is arguing with the ref that he should disqualify Coleman for outside interference.
Douglas leaves the ring and grabs a length of chain from under the ring. But when he goes to punch Coleman its blocked and he drops Douglas with a double underhook backbreaker. Coleman follows up with a Doctor Bomb but has to get Clark away from Francine, and only gets a 2 count. Clark picks up the errant chain and puts it in his pocket.
We are about 7 minutes into the match.
Coleman continues to press the advantage and although Douglas makes some comebacks he just doesn’t do enough to turn the tide of the match. Much to his credit he takes a lot of punishment and yet still kicks out of pin attempts.
Coleman goes for another backspin DDT but Douglas blocks it and then buys himself some time with a faceslam and a hotshot. Douglas is in pure survival mode now.
Finally Douglas seems to want to air it all out, and he goes toe to toe with Coleman in the middle of the ring, and actually gets him reeling. But he goes for the Pittsburgh Plunge too early and Coleman counters it with a palm strike followed by a headbutt. With Douglas in the middle of the ring Coleman takes him over with the belly-to-belly suplex. He only gets a two count, so Coleman then nails a wheelbarrow powerbomb and takes the fall.
[The winner is Mark Coleman. Time of match: 0:10:01]
Special Attraction: “Legends” Triangle Elimination Match
With Special Stipulation
A Wrestler must be busted open before they can be eliminated
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Dusty Rhodes (U.S.A.)
V
Abdullah the Butcher (Sudan)
V
Terry Funk (U.S.A.)
Dusty Rhodes is introduced first and the fans pop big for the bull of the woods. He’s dressed in cowboy duds, and has a cowbell at the end of a short rope. Dave Clark tries to take the bell away from Dusty but Dust just pushes the ref away.
Terry Funk is brought out next and the crowd again pops, and Funk comes out in a “Funk-U” t-shirt and leather chaps, and brings his branding iron with him.
Funk tells Clark to stay out of his business tonight, and just to count the 1, 2, 3. While Funk and Dusty wait for their opponent they seem to reach some agreement to help each other out and they shake hands.
Abdullah the Butcher comes out bringing with him a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. He’s got grease running down his face as he enters the ring.
Funk attacks Abdullah before the bell.
The bell rings.
Funk bulldogs, chokes, facerakes, and clotheslines the Butcher before taking him down with a reverse neckbreaker.
The crowd is behind Funk but they seem to be cheering for all three men.
Funk nails Abdullah with an inverted atomic drop, but the Butcher’s weight is so much that Funk’s leg crumbles under the pressure. Funk crawls over and tags in Dusty.
Dusty winds up and delivers a trademark elbowsmash right to the scar tissue of the Butcher. Dusty gives Abby another couple of shots and tags back in Funk. Funk executes another inverted atomic drop, this time on the other leg and it holds firm. Funk tries for a DDT but Abby just holds his ground and Funk kind of just dangles in the air trying to pull him down. Funk gives up and instead goes for a rear chokehold on Abby who stumbles to the ropes for a break.
Funk goes for a bulldog but Abby scoops him up into a torture rack. After a few seconds Funk manages to work his way loose, and Abby poses and flexes for the crowd.
Funk goes back on the offensive and clotheslines Abby out of the ring. Incredibly the older than dirt Funk jumps onto Abby with a Moonsault Plancha, and follows up with another Lucha Libre move; road sign to the head.
Abdullah the Butcher is busted wide open, and therefore is now eligible to be eliminated. Funk takes Abby back in the ring and tags in Dusty.
Dusty sends Abby to the ropes but it’s the Butcher who gets off first with a lariat. The Butcher follows up with a piledriver and a side-suplex.
He goes for the pin but Dave Clark reminds him that Dusty is not busted open yet. So, Abby goes to the announce table where his bucket of chicken is and he witdraws a drumstick which he eats while fishing out, a fork. Dusty looks crazed as he sees Abdullah enter the ring with a fork, but Abby rakes the fork across his own already bloodied forehead and then licks the fork clean!
Abby takes Dusty out of the ring and powerslams him on the floor before throwing him around ringside.
We are about 5 minutes into the match.
Abby has now busted Dusty open outside the ring so Dusty is eligible to be eliminated as well. Still outside the ring Abby goes for a powerslam but Dusty counters it with a lariat. Now its Dusty’s turn to throw Abby around ringside before taking the action back inside.
Dusty nails Abby with a half-assed bodyslam, and then executes the Bionic elbowdrop on the Butcher, and Dave Clark administers the 1, 2, 3.
Abdullah the Butcher has been eliminated at 7:08.
The crowd is really behind Dusty Rhodes.
Terry Funk charges at Dusty Rhodes but Rhodes anticipates it well and catches Funk with a snap mare. Dusty runs into the ropes but its Funk on the offensive with a shoulderblock. The two begin to brawl. Funk holds his advantage and presses with a short clothesline and a vertical suplex. He can only get a 2 count so he follows up with a bulldog, but again Rhodes kicks out.
Rhodes battles back winning a slugfest against Funk, and then nails a hanging vertical suplex. Rhodes gets Funk on his knees and then begins to hammer him right over the eye until Funk is busted open. Funk is now eligible to be eliminated.
The two continue to brawl and exchange the advantage, but Dusty is now bleeding like hell, and is starting to look pretty damn wobbly. Funk takes the match outside again where he is handed a keyboard and starts to hit Rhodes with it so hard the keys start to pop off. Dusty climbs into the ring trying to get some space from Funk, but the Funkster is right after him. Funk nails Dusty with a big right hand, but Dusty just shakes it off, and fires right back with a fist of his own, and then an atomic drop. But Funk just shakes his head no and just about takes Dusty’s head off with a clothesline.
Funk locks on his spinning toe hold finisher but Dusty is able to eventually kick Funk off. Dusty regains the advantage and its his turn with a submission hold as he locks on the figure-four.
***Greg Valentine comes down to ringside***
Funk makes his way to the ropes for the break, and the match soon goes out of the ring again. They fight their way over to where Valentine is watching and he becomes involved in the slobberknocker as well. Security separates the men, but Valentine is still tangled up with Rhodes, so Funk climbs onto the apron and then launches himself onto the Dream and Valentine with a plancha. He locks on the spinning toe hold again, this time outside the ring, but Rhodes is eventually able to kick his way out once again. Then Terry Funk comes from behind Dusty and punishes him with the Texas Brainbuster submission (grinding the knuckle into the temple). Back inside the ring now Rhodes goes for a sleeper but Funk counters with a jawbreaker, and follows up with a bulldog.
Funk makes the mistake of charging into the corner and Dusty lifts his knees up and catches Funk. The two begin to brawl again in the middle of the ring.
Dusty knocks Funk down and goes for the bionic elbow but Funk rolls out of the way. Funk climbs the top rope and nails Rhodes with a big splash. Funk pulls up Dusty and goes for a back suplex but Dusty blocks it and takes Funk down with a snap mare. Funk gets up but eats a big roundhouse right from the Dream. Rhodes goes to scoop up Funk but is surprised when Funk counters with a small package, and Dave Clark counts the 1, 2, 3.
Dusty Rhodes has been eliminated.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Terry Funk.
[The winner is Terry Funk. Time of match: 0:15:39]
Post-Match:
Greg Valentine returns to the ring and attacks Funk from behind then goes toe to toe, and elbow to elbow with big Dusty. But then the Ballard Brothers enter the ring from behind with their hockey sticks and proceed to break them over the backs of Funk and Dusty in a most heinous action. Valentine and the Ballards continue to work over Funk and Rhodes until Hacksaw Jim Duggan rushes the ring with his 2x4 and clears the ring of the evil-doers.
Duggan grabs a mic and tells Valentine they are through as a tag team. He would never tag with someone who is not a real American, and calls Valentine nothing but a coward. Duggan, Funk, and Rhodes challenge Valentine and the Ballards to a match at the next Ringlords event.
THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING
For the Lou Thesz Memorial Ring
Final Tournament Match
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Yuji Nagata (Japan)
V
Mark Coleman (U.S.A.)
Referee Dave Clark pats down both men in their respective corners. He reminds them of the rules, and to protect themselves at all times. He wishes them luck.
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Collar elbow hookup to start, and Nagata twists and goes for a waistlock, but Coleman counters with an armdrag takedown. Coleman muscles Nagata to the turnbuckle, lays some knees into the gut, and then explodes out of the corner with a belly-to-back suplex.
The fans are behind Coleman in this match, and a small U.S.A. chant has started, but they really aren’t very vocal yet.
Coleman goes for a necksnap but Nagata blocks it and then goes on the offensive with a back elbow, clothesline, and an enzuigiri. He goes for the pin but Coleman kicks out decisively at one. Nagata puts on a sleeper and lets his forearm wander down into a choking position before Clark notices and calls for the break. Nagata goes back for another go at the sleeper but Coleman counters with an armdrag. The two trade the advantage again until Coleman nails a nasty looking double underhook suplex, and then follows up with a Samoan Drop.
Coleman gets a 2 count following a flying headbutt, and in desperation Nagata tosses him out of the ring. Nagata gains control of Coleman when he has to re-enter the ring, and gets a nearfall after a German overhead-release suplex. Nagata tries for a Boston Crab but Coleman is too strong and powers out, so Nagata goes airborne with a dropkick.
Nagata has the muscular Coleman reeling and bears down on a cross armbreaker which does more damage to Coleman. Nagata is in control and starts to pick apart Coleman with low impact moves like elbows and slaps.
Coleman ducks under a clothesline and fires back with an equalizing enzuigiri. Mark Coleman roars to the crowd and goes to work with a flying lariat, neck snap, and a DDT. But when he goes for his belly-to-belly finisher Nagata blocks it, but Coleman swiftly reverts it to a big powerbomb and gets the 2 count.
We are about 6 minutes into the match.
Both guys turn the intensity up a notch and each lands some high impact suplexes. Nagata takes over with some kicks, trying to take apart Coleman piece by piece, until Coleman catches him with a dragon screw. Coleman gets on top and proceeds to ground and pound on Nagata, using forearms and open hand strikes.
Coleman pulls Nagata to his feet and follows up with a faceslam but just can’t put the Japanese star away. Nagata fights back but Coleman out punches him to grab the advantage once again. Nagata finally turns things around by reversing a whip into the buckle, and follows him in with an elbow. He then nails a series of elbows to the head of Coleman, until the big man is down on his knees. Nagata then puts on a step-over face lock. Coleman manages to break the hold after about 15 seconds by pulling at Nagata’s leg and upsetting his balance. Nagata follows up with a sleeperhold attempt which Coleman blocks with a jawbreaker, and both men are down on the mat.
We are about 11 minutes into the match.
They trade the advantage again until Nagata catches Coleman coming off the ropes with an elbow, and then quickly locks on the Nagata lock in the middle of the ring. Coleman slowly works his way to the ring. He remains in the lock for an amazing full minute before finally making it to the ropes.
The crowd gives him a big hand for working through the hold, but he’s exhausted, draped over the bottom rope. Nagata gets to his feet and the fans jeer him.
Nagata arrogantly lifts Coleman to his feet and then goes for a kick to the midsection, but Coleman lashes out going for the dragon screw only to have Nagata counter with a vicious looking enzuigiri. Nagata quickly pulls Coleman to the middle of the ring and puts on the sleeperhold. Dave Clark lifts Coleman’s hand and it drops. He’s out cold and Clark calls for the bell.
[The winner is Yuji Nagata. Time of match: 0:14:03]
Post-Match:
Nick Bockwinkel comes out to present the Lou Thesz Memorial ring to Yuji Nagata. Nagata puts it on and poses for the crowd and ring side photographers. The fans mostly boo him but there is a smattering of cheers.
Suddenly a newcomer appears at the top of the ramp.
It’s KEN SHAMROCK!! The crowd goes nuts. Shamrock has a mic.
Shamrock] Nagata, it’s a disgrace that someone as vile and underhanded as you should be wearing a ring in honor of the late, great, Lou Thesz. I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you come to New Orleans for Ringlords II, and put that ring on the line against me.
Bockwinkel] Mr. Shamrock, hold on there. If you want to come to Ringlords II and compete with the finest wrestlers in the world today, then be my guest. But we have rules and procedures here at Ringlords. Victory rings can not be defended except against other ring holders. So, if you want to get to Mr. Nagata’s level then come out to Ringlords II. We will be holding a special gauntlet match with the winner getting the second ring. Will we see you there Mr. Shamrock?
Shamrock] I’ll tell you what champ. I’ll be there all right, but I still want a piece of Nagata whether it is for the ring or not. So what do you say Nagata?
Nagata just stares at Shamrock and nods his head.
Bockwinkel] Consider it done. And we’ll see all of you at Ringlords II, on May 25th in New Orleans.
FADE TO BLACK
|
|
|
|
Post by managermike99 on Jan 29, 2021 16:59:51 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #923
May 18, 2002
Fargo, North Dakota
Dark Matches Before RAGE
Opening Bout
Stan Baker defeated Blackhammer by pinfall after a heart punch
**premiere of Blackhammer. Blackhammer is 6'2 268lbs., hails from Sturgis, South Dakota, early 20's, and was trained by Al Snow. His skills are limited though and trying to out fight or out muscle Baker was not going to work.
Bout #2
"Venom" Paul Diamond defeated Joe Blum by pinfall after a superkick
Bout #3
Menele defeated Sugarcrisps Baker after a side suplex
**premiere of Baker, no relation to Stan Baker, and in fact is black. He is roly poly with a big afro, and more fun than skilled. Menele on the other hand would rather eat glass than have fun. He failed to nail an Exploder suplex because of his opponents size and had to settle for the side suplex.
Bout #4
Al Collins defeated Judas Young by pinfall after a running legdrop
**Collins controlled, Young though cheated his way to the advantage. However, he took too long coming off the top buckle, Collins rolled out of the way of the splash, nailed his finisher and got the win.
Post-Match: Young attacked Collins from behind while he was getting his arm raised. He continued the assault until Collins' ex-partner Joe Blum came out to make the save.
Bout #5
Jesse Hennig defeated Dave Mysterio by pinfall after a running necksnap
**Hennig gets his revenge and evens the score
RCW RAGE - One Hour Episode
Hall of Fame Induction
Former AWA World Champion, and in RCW 5 time manager of the year, Manager of the Decade for the 1990's, and former commissioner Nick Bockwinkel is enshrined as the 15th member of the River City Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Bret Hart and Jim Brunzell are on hand to present a plaque and congratulate one of the all-time greats on another career achievement.
Bout #6
Handi-Cap Match
Lash LeRoux & Norman Smiley defeated Steve Riley by pinfall when LeRoux pinned Riley after the whiplash at 9:03
**No Madusa in the corner of Riley as she had to prepare for her match next. Riley controlled early but the speed and team work of his opponents eventually overwhelmed the TV champion.
Televised Main Event
Mixed Tag Match
Nick Mercury & Madusa defeated Al Hardamann & April Hunter by pinfall when Madusa pinned Hunter after a German suplex at 7:39
**The rules were that it had to be man vs man, woman vs woman. Hardamann dominated Mercury, so the champion tagged in his manager Madusa. However, Hunter was on fire just like her red hair, and soon Madusa was tagging back in Mercury. The champ tried to lock up with Hunter but wanted nothing to do with Hardamann when the former champ entered the ring under the direction of ref Buddy Lane. Mercury though snuck in a punch over the ref to turn the tide. Mercury seemed to break the spirit of the former champ who at one point exited the ring for a breather, then reentered the ring and tagged in Hunter instead of trying Mercury again. Hunter fared well against Madusa but got too close to the corner and was punched in the back of the head by Mercury. Hunter turned around to confront Mercury, punched him, got punched back, and then Madusa nailed her with the German suplex and picked up the win. While that was going on Hardamann had his head down, either shaking off the effects from earlier or just down in the dumps. Either way the former champ did nothing to come over and help Hunter.
Post-Match:
Hunter was upset with Hardamann who just shrugged and apologized, and the two left the ring apart.
FADE TO BLACK
Untelevised Main Event
RCW Tag Team Title Match
Bryan Caruthers & Mike Enos defeated Young Guns: Greg Pawluk & Johnny Devine by pinfall when Caruthers pinned Devine after a spinebuster slam at 14:44
[Bryan Caruthers & Mike Enos retained the RCW Tag Team Titles]
**Young guns just seemed over matched. They also seem to still not be 100% on the same page after their previous problems. Devine will often cheat or take short cuts while Pawluk plays it straight but seems to no longer openly criticize his partner for his tactics. Caruthers and Enos on the other hand seem to be very compatible despite the fact they are better known as parts of other more famous and long lasting tag teams.
|
|
|
|
Post by managermike99 on Jan 29, 2021 17:00:12 GMT -5
River City Wrestling #924
RingLords II
On PPV, from New Orleans, LA
May 25th 2002, 7:00-10:00pm EST
Opening comments made by “the professor” Mike Tenay, standing at ringside.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second edition of RingLords. Tonight we address that age old question, “does size matter”? We have 5 special matches set up where the winners of those matches will go on to our main event. That culminating match will be a Gauntlet match, and the winner will be awarded the second ring, the Buddy Rogers Tribute ring. The catch will be that the order of entrance to the Gauntlet match will be from heaviest to lightest. The heaviest wrestlers will enter first. Not only does this make it easier for a lightweight to survive the Gauntlet, but it will test the stamina of the bigger heavyweights.
Now fans we need to update you on the changes to tonight’s highly anticipated match-up featuring “the world’s most dangerous man” Ken Shamrock. As announced at his own press conference, “Lou Thesz Memorial ringholder” Yuji Nagata had to pull out of his match against Ken Shamrock. However, Nagata has hired Scott Steiner as his replacement, a match that Ken Shamrock accepted. Now there has been a lot of speculation that Nagata has hired Steiner basically as a bounty hunter to take out Shamrock who he foresees as a legitimate threat to his leading position here in RingLords. For his part Nagata denies the allegation. Now RingLords officials have talked all this week on how to handle this situation. For their decision we go now to the JumboTron for this statement by commissioner Nick Bockwinkel.
Nick Bockwinkel on the JumboTron;
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. We here at RingLords take great exception to anyone who tries to mislead you, our great fans. That is why the board of governors here at RingLords were very upset at this move pulled by Nagata. To be perfectly frank, we never received any kind of medical documents from Nagata despite having asked for these documents every day since his announcement. As to the motives of Mr. Scott Steiner, well frankly, I could care less. Ken Shamrock is not called the “world’s most dangerous man” for nothing. If you go by that moniker you better be able to back it up. So, after a long deliberation the board has decided to sanction that match between Shamrock and Steiner, with the winner advancing to the Gauntlet match. However, Mr. Nagata needs to realize that some day soon he will be facing Shamrock one-on-one here at a RingLords event. Thank you for supporting RingLords, and enjoy your evening.
Back to Tenay in the ring;
As I was following this story during the week it occurred to me that there was one man here at RingLords who might have the inside scoop on what is going on with the hiring of Scott Steiner. So, earlier today I caught up with Scott’s brother Rick as he worked out at a local gym.
JumboTron; Tenay interviewing Rick Steiner as he sits on a weightbench.
Tenay] Rick, what can you tell us about Scott’s role in tonight’s contest? Why has he come to RingLords?
R. Steiner] Mike, we’ve known each other a long time. But no-one has known my little brother more than me. I’ve talked with him a couple times this week, and again today, face-to-face. And Mike, I have no bloody idea what his gig here tonight is about. To be honest he doesn’t even talk about beating Shamrock, just about beating “on” him. I know Shamrock is supposed to be the toughest guy around, but I’m kind of partial to my brother. I feel sorry for Shamrock tonight, I really do.
Tenay] Are you saying that your brother is going out there tonight to put Shamrock out of commission?
R. Steiner] My brother is a very angry man Mike. He is in constant pain, both physically and emotionally over his injured foot. He feels like all his dreams, all his sacrifices, are over. He feels short changed, and I think he wants others to pay for the way he feels. But let me say this Nagata. If you are using my brother, and if you get him hurt, I will be coming for you. And if you think I will be trying to pin you, submit you, or take your ring, you aren’t understanding the Steiners. If my brother gets hurt tonight Nagata I’m coming for your head.
Match #1:
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Triangle Match
Jerry Lynn (U.S.A.)
V
Super Crazy (Mexico)
V
Lash LeRoux (U.S.A.)
Referee James Beard reads out the rules of RingLords (the same as at RingLords I), then proceeds to pat down all 3 competitors. The three cruiserweights meet in the center of the ring and all shake hands.
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Jerry Lynn and Super Crazy start the match off. Lynn sends Crazy to the ropes, and then ducks away from a clothesline but is caught by a kick as Crazy makes a second pass. Crazy goes on the attack with a spin kick, and a forearm smash. The Mexican goes for a double chickenwing submission, but its too early and Lynn blocks it and grabs Crazy in a headlock. Lynn drags Super Crazy to the top turnbuckle and Crazy follows him willingly as the two trade punches at too close of range to do any real damage. Then Lynn strikes by taking Crazy down to the mat with a Frankensteiner from the top, and gets a surprise 3 count.
That was damn quick. Super Crazy is understandably distraught and upset at his early elimination, but he leaves the ring without incident.
[Super Crazy eliminated at 0:37]
Lynn and LeRoux lock up. Lynn strikes with a kick, and scoops up LeRoux for an atomic drop, but the Cajun flips over and drops behind Lynn. LeRoux is quick and takes Lynn over with a belly-to-back suplex. The fans are quite vocal now cheering for their homestate boy.
The two men trade the advantage back and forth, with LeRoux getting a pair of near pins after German suplexes. LeRoux is on fire with a snap suplex and spinning headscissors. But when he makes the mistake of going for a double underhook, Lynn backflips him over and takes control of the match. Lynn nails a top-rope Frankensteiner which brings the fans to their feet, and would have got a 3 count but somehow LeRoux managed to drape his foot over the bottom rope.
We are about 3 minutes into the match.
Lynn gets a couple more near 3 counts after suplexes, and then begins to berate the referee James Beard over slow counts. He is getting frustrated and the fans begin to get on him a little more.
Lynn takes too much time and when he goes for another suplex LeRoux is playing possum and punishes Lynn with a DDT. LeRoux then uses a belly-to-back brainbuster suplex to drop Lynn on his head, in a move that actually hushed the crowd. But they came alive again when Lynn kicked out before the 3 count. The two men trade advantages a few times before both going down on a double dropkick!
We are almost 6 minutes into the match.
Lynn is on his feet first but his back is to LeRoux who then strikes first with flying headscissors that take Lynn down to the mat hard. Now it’s LeRoux’s turn to impress the crowd with a top-rope Frankensteiner, but only gets a 2 count before Lynn kicks out.
The match degenerates to a brawl until LeRoux grabs Lynn by the hair and then launches himself over the top rope to hotshot Lynn’s neck off the top rope. LeRoux re-enters the ring and nails Lynn with a cradle suplex, and again gets a 2 count. LeRoux takes Lynn down with a clothesline, but when he goes for a second Lynn counters with a nice crucifix and gets a near fall.
LeRoux regains control and takes the action to outside of the ring by leveling Lynn with a flying cross body press, with the momentum causing both men to roll out of the ring. LeRoux punishes Lynn outside the ring but as he tries to re-enter the ring Lynn low-blows him from the floor. Lynn rolls LeRoux back inside and takes control of the match with a superplex.
We are almost 10 minutes into the match.
Lynn controls the match but can’t put LeRoux away so he throws him out of the ring and then nails him with a running somersault plancha.
Back inside Lynn takes LeRoux down with a spinning leg lariat, but when he goes for a back suplex it’s countered by LeRoux into a bulldog. LeRoux wears down Lynn with a Boston crab, and then again with a surfboard.
Lynn really lets his frustrations show now with an eye gouge to LeRoux. Lynn then goes for a Frankensteiner but LeRoux powerbombs him onto the mat. But instead of letting go LeRoux holds on after the powerbomb and scoops Lynn over his shoulder and then delivers the Death Valley Slam on Jerry Lynn for the pin.
[The winner is Lash LeRoux. Time of match: 0:11:28]
Pre-Match:
Dan Severn comes to the ring first. He has a small entourage of trainers and “suits” with him. He grabs a mic.
Severn] So the twits in the office decided they were going to fine me for making it known on-air last time out that I was wrestling in front of a bunch of ***** and whores. They think that they can shut me up. Well look at this NWA gold around my waist. See it?
The fans boo Severn and a “boring” chant begins.
Severn] Bunch of inbred hillbillies, I’ve got more gold around my waist then “yawl” gots in all your mouths combined. What has 40 legs, 74 teeth, and an IQ of 63? The front row right over here.
The fans boo and the “boring” chant fades and then begins again as a “****” chant.
Severn] Shut up ya bunch of hicks, just cause “yawl” thinks that Deliverance is a porno flick doesn’t mean you can make comments about my sexual preferences. I’d show you I ain’t no queer if there was a single woman here tonight, but all I see is ***** and pigs. Squealll like a pig.
The fans boo, but it turns to cheers as Rick Steiner makes his way down to the ring, slapping the side of his head as he walks. Steiner climbs inside the ring and is passed a mic from the outside of the ring.
Steiner] Look Andrew Dice Clay’s brother, the fans didn’t come here to listen to your crap. They came to watch the wrestling, and you are making me wait longer to watch my brother tangle with Shamrock. Now take that silly old belt off and get ready to wrestle before I shove it so far up your ass that for the first time in your life you really will have a golden tongue.
The fans cheer Steiner, and Severn just smiles back at him.
Severn] I have only 3 more words for you Steiner, “Nap, Snap, or Tap”. Mull those choices over while I plan your destruction.
Steiner] And I have only 2 more words for you Severn, “Bite Me”.
As Severn and Steiner finally go to their respective corners and get ready for the match, Bam Bam Bigelow and then Vampiro enter the ring.
Match #2:
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 40 minutes
Fatal Four Way Elimination Match
Rick Steiner (U.S.A.)
V
Bam Bam Bigelow (U.S.A.)
V
Dan Severn (U.S.A.)
V
Vampiro (Canada)
As referee James Beard gave instructions to Steiner and then Bigelow, and patted them down, Vampiro and Severn looked like they were planning and conspiring together. This did not go unnoticed by Steiner and Bigelow.
The bell rings.
They Lock up.
Steiner and Severn go right at each other trading punches, as do Bigelow and Vampiro. Yet somehow within seconds Bigelow and Steiner are going at each other despite having seen Vampiro and Severn make some sort of pre-match agreement.
Bigelow and Steiner attack each other with such intensity that they both fall out of the ring together. Severn comes over and actually helps Steiner double team Bigelow. Bigelow is in rough shape early having been smashed into the ringpost and the ringsteps and taking a double slingshot suplex off the outside of the ring ropes and onto the floor by Steiner and Severn.
Bigelow is in trouble until Vampiro comes over and helps Bigelow double team Steiner! In the meantime Severn just hangs back in a corner and watches it unfold. Steiner though is too tough even for both Vampiro and Bigelow. Soon Steiner has thrown Vampiro out of the ring and with Severn still hanging back Steiner is able to punish Bigelow with a belly-to-belly suplex. Steiner then points to Severn before taking Bigelow down with a drop toe hold smashing Bigelow’s head into the ring post!
Steiner tries to put away Bigelow but the big man kicks out. Vampiro comes into the ring and attacks Steiner from behind laying him out, but then turns his attention to Bigelow to try and put him away. Vampiro sends Bigelow to the ropes but the big man eats an elbow as out of desperation he just lowers his head and takes Vampiro down to the mat by hitting him right in the numbers. Both Bigelow and Vampiro are down on the ground hurting.
Severn sneaks over and is going to attack Steiner until the DFG stirs, and then Severn back off to his corner. Steiner sees Vampiro trying to regain his feet so he puts him on his back again with a Steinerline. Bigelow is on his feet and just when for the first time in the match it looks like Steiner and Bigelow are going to co-operate Steiner is taken down by a shot from behind by Severn. Vampiro takes Bigelow out of the ring and starts to ram his head into every steel piece of equipment he can find. All four men end up outside the ring brawling. Steiner tries to help out Bam Bam only to be attacked again from behind by Severn. Vampiro continues to work over Bigelow, and now Severn begins to take apart Steiner.
We are about 5 minutes into the match.
Steiner and Biglelow battle their way back and take control of the match for the first time, until Bigelow turns on Rick Steiner and powerslams him, and tries to pin him. Vampiro and Severn feign the exchange of punches while Bigelow delivers a spectacular moonsault on Steiner but only gets a 2 count.
Bigelow and Steiner continue to go at it while the other two continue to rest. Finally Severn comes over and helps Bigelow stave off a Steiner rally. Bigelow turns on Severn, which brings Vampiro back in the fray to try and keep Steiner down. Severn gets the better of Bigelow and almost gets a submission via a half boston.
Severn continues to control Bigelow with an armbar submission and then a cobra clutch. In the meantime Vampiro tosses Steiner out of the ring but when he goes for a tope Steiner moves out of the way.
Steiner and Bigelow seem to find common ground again and team up to keep Severn and Vampiro down.
Severn and Steiner take their fight outside the ring where Steiner continues to have control. Back inside the ring Bigelow nails Vampiro with a double powerbomb and makes the pinfall.
[Vampiro has been eliminated at 12:33]
Severn gets back inside the ring and takes a bit of a fit kicking the ropes and grabbing referee James Beard by the collar. Steiner tries to get to Severn but Bigelow uses the opportunity to Pearl Harbor Steiner from behind. Severn gets bumped and manages to “throw” himself out of the ring. Bigelow attacks Steiner with a back suplex, a clothesline, and a chokehold before Severn re-enters the ring and nails Bigelow with a kick to the ass. Severn throws Bigelow out of the ring and follows him to the floor. After introducing his head to the ringsteps and nailing him with a belly-to-belly on the floor he throws Bigelow back inside.
Steiner is still trying to recover on the inside.
Severn shows his strength delivering a nice gutbuster drop on Bigelow. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Steiner is getting up and tries to clothesline Severn, but the Beast ducks under and runs Steiner face first into the turnbuckle, and then takes him down with a German Suplex on the rebound. He goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. Bigelow is on his feet and charges Severn, but the Beast is too fresh again and he takes Bigelow down with a dangerous clip tackle to the knee. Severn grabs the leg of Bigelow who kicks away frantically to avoid a leg lock. He manages to kick Severn off but when he tries to get up Severn sees Bigelow vulnerable on his hands and knees and rolls him up with a side cradle for the 3 count.
[Bam Bam Bigelow has been eliminated at 14:29]
Severn goes for a belly-to-belly on Steiner, but the DFG is rested now and counters with a rake of the face. Severn though blindly kicks out at Steiner and catches him in the gut. Dan Severn is all over Steiner with a quick forearm smash before locking on a cobra clutch. The DFG makes his way to the ropes and then hiptosses Severn between the ropes and to the floor. The momentum of the move also takes Steiner down onto the floor, tumbling on top of Severn. Severn is on his feet first and throws Steiner into the guardrail. The two men go through a series of blocked suplex attempts before Steiner tosses Severn into the guardrail, and then devastates him with a powerslam. Steiner just barely makes it back inside the ring in time to break the 10-count before leaving the ring again and bodyslamming Severn on the floor.
Now Steiner is a house of fire smacking Severn’s head into anything metal he can find, and throwing in a pair of Steinerlines just to add to Severn’s pain.
Finally after some coaxing from James Beard and the threat of a double countout the two men manage to make it back inside the ring. Severn is looking awful. Steiner nails Severn with a kneelift, but when he tries to follow up with a double underhook suplex Severn blocks it and goes for an armbar submission. However, Steiner shakes his arm away from Severn and then rocks Severn with a Steinerline.
The fans are on their feet as they can smell blood. Steiner punishes Severn with a headbutt, a thumb to the eye, and a waistlock suplex. Severn manages to drape his foot over the bottom rope to avoid being pinned.
Steiner goes for a double underhook move again, this time Severn counters with a single leg hook take down. Severn then controls Steiner bringing him to a standing headscissors before turning it into a double leg hook piledriver. Steiner is in rough shape and the fans are going crazy jeering Severn. Severn locks on a leg hammerlock but Steiner refuses to submit so Severn breaks the hold and executes the bodyscisors dragon sleeper. This time Steiner passes out.
[Rick Steiner has been eliminated]
[The winner is Dan Severn. Time of match: 0:23:07]
Match #3:
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Cage Match
Vader (U.S.A.)
V
Shane Douglas (U.S.A.) (seconded by Francine)
They lock up.
Douglas starts the match with a forearm shot that Vader blocks and promptly nails Douglas with a short lariat. The fans are solidly behind Vader in this match.
Vader softens up Douglas some more before testing the waters with a pin attempt after a German suplex. With Douglas stunned Vader unleashes the swinging punches, but Douglas is quicker and after absorbing one he sneaks in a jab to the face of Vader. Douglas takes over control of the match and reminiscent of their first encounter he finds some success with two consecutive swinging neckbreakers.
It’s all Douglas now as he goes on a sustained attack with a legsweep, dropkick, flying axhandle, and a faceslam. Douglas makes the mistake of trying to whip Vader into the cage wall, and Vader uses his huge mass to put on the breaks and then whip Douglas head first into the cage. Vader takes back control of the match now with a series of punches. Douglas is reeling and tries to grab an arm of Vader’s for a desperation lock, but Vader goes to the face of Douglas with a facerake. Vader tosses Douglas off the ropes and then devastates him with a shoulderblock.
Vader then tries to put Douglas away by climbing to the top rope and coming off with a spectacular reverse splash. He may have got the pin but took too long to recover himself so Douglas was able to kick out at a 2 count. The two men get to their feet and exchange punches, an exchange won by the bigger Vader.
We are about 5 minutes into this match.
Vader holds the advantage for the next couple of minutes but his attempts to get a submission hold on Douglas are blocked.
Douglas takes control of the match and for the first time the cage becomes a real factor in the match. Douglas alternates elbows, kicks, and dropkicks with rakes across the cage and headsmashes into the cage wall.
Douglas locks on a front facelock but Vader manages to power out of it by pulling Douglas’ arms apart and delivering a series of powerful headbutts. Vader goes on the offense with a lariat and then back to the swinging punches. Douglas manages to reverse the momentum again by pulling Vader by the tights headfirst into the cage.
Douglas uses another swinging neckbreaker to set Vader up for a sleeperhold. While Dave Clark is busy checking on Vader, Francine seizes the opportunity to wrap Douglas’ chain around some links of the metal cage wall.
We are about 10 minutes into this match.
Now Francine begins to climb the outside of the cage, distracting referee Dave Clark (especially since she is wearing a skirt with a red thong panty underneath). Clark goes over and starts to tell Francine to climb down the cage, but doesn’t seem to be pressing the matter very much as he looks up at her. In the meantime Douglas takes Vader and rams him head first into the chain. Then he unties the chain from the cage wall and wraps it around his fist.
Douglas goes for a kick to the midsection of an advancing Vader, but the big man catches his foot, only to eat an enzuigiri from Douglas that deflects off the shoulder. Referee Dave Clark has recovered now so Shane Douglas tucks the chain into his trunks. Douglas goes for another swinging neckbreaker but Vader powers through the move, reversing it and giving Douglas a taste of his own move. Both men though are on the mat, exhausted.
Vader gets to his feet first and goes for a sleeperhold, but Douglas counters with a jawbreaker and then puts on a sleeperhold of his own.
Vader gets out of the move by crashing Douglas back first into the cage wall. The fans are on their feet now cheering for Vader who punishes Douglas with a high-angle powerbomb, and a Big Van Crush, but can only get a 2 count.
Vader goes for another reverse splash off the top but this time Douglas manages to roll out of the way. Douglas weakens Vader with a sleeperhold before trying for a Pittsburgh Plunge only to realize that Vader is too big. Not sure what to do Douglas resorts to punches and kicks, but this allows Vader to roar back and gain control of the match. Vader goes back to punches but Douglas blocks one and counters with a belly-to-belly double armbar. After only a few seconds Vader begins to headbutt his way out of the hold, and when Douglas releases it Vader just has to connect his hands and he puts on a bearhug. After about 30 seconds Douglas doesn’t submit so Vader turns it into a nasty
looking belly-to-belly suplex. He gets a 2 count.
Getting to his feet Douglas low-blows Vader and then rakes his face across the cage. The Franchise works over Vader with a flying axhandle, a kneelift, and then some kicks. But again Douglas makes the mistake of getting into a punching contest and soon they are standing toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring and Vader has regained control. Vader takes Douglas down with a swinging punch, but when Douglas regains his feet Vader goes back to the well once too often as Douglas counters another punch with an armdrag takedown. But with the weight of Vader, Douglas can’t flip him down, so he just twists the arm to bring Vader to his knees and then connects with a kick to the head.
Francine starts to climb the cage again and distracts ref Dave Clark. Douglas goes low with a groin shot and then reaches into his tights for the chain. But referee Dave Clark tells Francine to shove off, and when he turns around catches Douglas with his hand in his tights. Douglas looks embarrassed and just king of shrugs at Clark. Vader though has recovered and grabs a hold of the hand of Douglas that is down the tights and begins to squeeze it with one hand, while using his other arm to lock up Douglas’ other arm. The Franchise is screaming in pain and is lowered to his knees. Vader then kicks Franchise right in the hand (the one down his tights of course). Francine is screaming for a DQ but Dave Clark raises his hand in the air to indicate that Vader had kicked the hand not the groin.
Vader then attacks Douglas with an avalanche, some more swinging punches, a lariat, and then the Big Van Crush. By then it is elementary and Vader picks up the 3 count.
[The winner is Vader. Time of match: 0:15:40]
Match #4:
Referee inside the ring: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Referee outside the ring: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 40 minutes
“Penalty Box Match”
Greg Valentine (U.S.A.), Shane & Shannon Ballard (Canada) (/w Cheerleader Melissa)
V
Dusty Rhodes (U.S.A.), Jim Duggan (U.S.A.), Terry Funk (U.S.A.)
Ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta goes over the rules of the match.
It is a “texas-tornado” style match (i.e. all 6 men are eligible to be fighting all the time). It is an elimination style match, where wrestlers can be eliminated by pinfall, submission, or disqualification only. There are no countouts and falls count anywhere in the ring or at ringside. However, when a wrestler loses a fall he is not truly eliminated but instead goes to the penalty box. A pinfall or submission loss requires a 5 minute penalty, while a DQ loss requires a 2 minute penalty. The penalty boxes are side by side at the guardrail. At the end of the penalty the wrestler can join the action again. When one team has all 3 of their opponents eliminated at the same time then they are the winner, and those members of the winning team who are out of the penalty box at the time of victory go on to the gauntlet match.
The match starts and Funk, Duggan, Shane, and Valentine are battling inside the ring. In the meantime Rhodes has isolated the much younger and smaller Shannon Ballard outside the ring. However, its Shannon who goes on the offense with a facerake, ramming Dusty gut first into the announce table, and then hotshotting him onto the steel guard rail. He goes for a quick pin and gets one.
**Dusty Rhodes is pinned at 0:58 and will be in the penalty box until 5:58.**
Down 3 men to 2 Funk and Duggan fight with their backs to the wall, or the guardrail in this case. It works well until Shane Ballard gets smart and goes into the crowd. He launches himself out of the audience and splashes across the backs of Duggan and Funk. However, Shane bounces off the big men and lands hard chest first onto the guardrail. He looks to be really hurt and the other 4 continue to fight while Shane takes a breather and gets looked at by the trainer.
Duggan clotheslines Shannon over the guardrail and into the crowd. Everytime Shannon tries to make it back into the ringside area Duggan kicks the guardrail into him causing him to collide with it and fall back. This happens 3 times, but on the fourth one Shannon launches himself over the guardrail. But Duggan anticipated the move and just feigns kicking the guardrail this time and then catches Shannon mid-air, and powerslams him into the ground to get a 2 count! Amazing kick out by the youngster.
Terry Funk is also going to town on Valentine after an initial flurry by “the Hammer”. They too are battling outside the ring and Funk keeps losing time and risking DQ by trying to use foreign objects including a branding iron on Valentine that are taken away by referee Dave Clark.
Shane is back on his feet and slides into the ring only to leave it and take Duggan down from behind with a head tope. Then Shane re-enters the ring and takes Funk out with a flying axhandle from the top of the ringpost. The tide has turned but before any pinfalls can be scored the bull of the woods is released from the penalty box.
Dusty goes right for Shannon, and despite getting busted open by a Shannon slam into the ringsteps he manages to get control of the youngster. Duggan takes care of Shane temporarily by crotching him on the guardrail. So Rhodes and Duggan double team Shannon with a dangerous looking double football tackle (Rhodes high on top, Duggan low from behind). Shannon crumples to the ground and it’s a mere formality as Rhodes drops the bionic elbow and then picks up the pin.
**Shannon Ballard is pinned at 7:50, and won’t be available until 12:50**
Duggan and Valentine take their brawl into the crowd. There is no referee assigned to follow them so they are on their own. They can’t be counted out but they can’t win a fall either.
Back inside the ring Rhodes and Funk have Shane Ballard at their mercy, and are taking full opportunity. Shane manages to fight them off using an enziugiri, a superkick, and a hotshot, but he is on borrowed time. Inside the penalty box Shannon is going absolutely nuts and has to be restrained by officals from leaving the penalty box. He gets out of the box anyway but officials haul him back in. Outside official Dave Clark disqualifies Shannon Ballard for his actions, tacking on 2 more minutes to his time to serve.
**Shannon Ballard is disqualified and won’t be available until 14:50**
But then to throw another spin on the match referee James Beard calls for the medical doctor at ringside to examine Dusty Rhodes before he can continue. The doc helps stop the flow of blood from Rhodes’ head and forearm but in the meantime Shane has been able to fend off Funk’s attacks, and the older man is losing steam.
Shane throws Funk headfirst into the ringpost before throwing him outside the ring and then taking him down with a head tope. Valentine has managed to make it back to ringside about 15 seconds ahead of Duggan. Valentine helps Shane double team Funk with a double suplex onto the announce table.
Valentine then manages to catch Duggan with a forearm smash as he climbed over the guardrail. The Hammer then picked up the guardrail and then lowered it to choke Duggan.
We are about 11 minutes into this match.
Around ringside Duggan takes control of Valentine with a shoulderblock, a series of headsmashes into the ring apron, and then a sleeperhold.
Inside the ring Rhodes has returned to action and is battling Shane tooth and nail while Funk tries to recover from the announce table shot.
Duggan and Valentine re-enter the ring and we have a 4-man slug fest inside. Valentine goes on the offense against Duggan with an elbowsmash, a double underhook suplex, and a back suplex. But when he went for a simple bodyslam, Funk had returned to the ring and grabbed a hold of Duggan’s feet and pulled him back down to the mat. An exhausted Duggan just slumped to the ground, tripping up Funk who then received an ax-kick from Shane.
Valentine turned around and took Rhodes to the ground with a double-leg takedown. He then was trying to apply the figure-four but Rhodes was battling it. Duggan and Funk were both trying to get to their feet to stop Shane from climbing to the top rope. But they couldn’t make it quick enough and Shane flew down on the unsuspecting Rhodes with a frog splash and got the pin.
**Dusty Rhodes is pinned at 14:05 and won’t be available until 19:05**
It’s two on two for 45 seconds until Shannon is finally released from the penalty box. He is fresh, and Shane has regained his second wind. On the other hand Funk and Duggan are really beginning to get winded.
Valentine attacks Duggan and takes him down with a back suplex. He goes for an abdominal stretch but Duggan deftly counters with a hiptoss, and when Valentine gets to his feet Duggan rocks him with a clothesline. Duggan drops an elbow on Valentine and takes a surprising quick pin.
**Greg Valentine is pinned at 15:41 and won’t be available until 20:41**
So we’re back to 2 on 2 and the Ballard Brothers seem a little unnerved now that their experienced leader is in the penalty box. This also seems to give Duggan and Funk a second wind, and the fans also really come alive.
Shannon kicks Duggan and tries to take him to the turnbuckle but Duggan no-sells his moves before slamming Shannon into the turnbuckle and then rams his shoulder into the youngster’s gut repeatedly. Duggan goes for Old Glory but Shane pulls Shannon away. Shane had been having his difficulties with Funk but managed to gain a short reprieve to help his brother thanks to a well placed eye gouge.
The two teams then trade off on a series of two-on-ones.
Terry Funk takes his battle with Shannon outside the ring where he begins to risk DQ by using ringside objects to assault Shannon. Finally Dave Clark has seen enough when the Funkster gets a hold of a fire extinguisher. He tells Funk that if he uses it then he will be disqualified. So Funk hands the extinguisher to a front row fan and tells him to spray Shannon, which he does! Shannon is wandering around ringside in a daze until Funk catches up to him and gives him a drop toe hold into the guardrail. Funk then puts on the spinning toe hold.
Shannon tries to fight the pain but after about 30 seconds finally submits.
**Shannon Ballard is pinned at 19:25 and won’t be available until 24:25**
Dusty Rhodes had just been released from the box before that happened and he joined Duggan in the ring to double team Shane Ballard. With the elimination of Shannon that makes it 3 on 1 for just over one minute. This is a great chance for the fan favorites to finish this match off.
In an interesting move Shane Ballard drops to his knees and low-blows Duggan. Then he pulls Duggan on top of him. Funk and Rhodes are trying their best to get some kicks in but can’t without the risk of kicking Duggan. Shane just keeps lifting a shoulder to avoid the 3 count. Finally they pull Duggan off, only to have Shane then roll out of the ring and start running around ringside. Finally they catch up to him but by this time Valentine has been released from the box and catches Duggan from behind with a running clothesline.
Valentine and Shane then double team Funk and try and eliminate him.
Funk though stands back and matches them both punch for punch until Duggan can return to the ring. But Valentine grabs a hold of Duggan’s hair and throws him out of the ring. Again they try and double team Funk and again he stands with them toe to toe until Duggan can return to the ring. This time Duggan football tackles Valentine and they both spill out of the ring.
Valentine gives Duggan a kneebreaker but Duggan just stares at him. Valentine tries a shoulderblock and an atomic drop but he can’t hurt a psyched up Duggan. However, Shane manages to evade Funk long enough to dive through the ropes and nail Duggan with a plancha. Funk comes outside and drags Shane back into the ring.
Outside the ring Valentine throws Duggan head first into the ringsteps. He goes for a kneebreaker but Duggan counters it with an elbowsmash. Duggan goes for a kick to the midsection but Valentine grabs a hold of the leg, and then Duggan shocks the crowd with an enzuigiri to the head of Valentine. Duggan then executes the Old Glory on Valentine and pins him.
**Greg Valentine is pinned at 22:10 and won’t be available until 27:10**
It’s now 2 on 1 with Funk and Duggan facing off against Shane Ballard. They have just over 2 minutes to eliminate Shane before Shannon can return from the penalty box.
Shane tries to evade his opponents again which takes the action outside the ring and they end up near the penalty box. Shane is caught between the two veterans who hit him with a few punches as he bounces from one guy to the next. But Shane lashes out with a kick to the thigh of Funk which takes him off his feet. Shane ducks a Duggan clothesline and then whips Duggan along the penalty box where Shannon sticks out an arm and reverse clotheslines Duggan to the throat (ala Kyle McLaren). Duggan drops like a ton of bricks. Shane dropkicks Funk to the face, and then climbs on the edge of the penalty box and drops onto the Funkster with a senton. He gets the pin.
**Terry Funk is pinned at 23:45 and won’t be available until 28:45**
Well it looks like Shane may have fought off certain demise as he has only about 40 seconds left until his brother Shannon is available. But then Dave Clark assigns a disqualification to Shannon Ballard for his interference from the penalty box.
**Shannon Ballard is disqualified at 23:45 and won’t be available until 26:25**
Shane, Shannon, and Valentine begin to argue with Dave Clark, until Duggan catches the brothers napping and rams their heads together.
Duggan hits Shane Ballard with a clothesline, and then rams him back first into the penalty box boards. Shane though rakes the eyes of Duggan and then lunges out with a clothesline of his own. Shane gets Duggan from behind with a series of rabbit punches that drop Duggan to his knees. Ballard rolls up Duggan but only gets a 2 count. Ballard continues to attack Duggan with kicks and punches outside the ring.
Duggan fights his way back, and when Shane goes for an enzuigiri he ducks out of the way. Duggan takes Shane down with a hanging vertical suplex, and then an atomic drop. Duggan drags Shane to his feet again, but Shane goes back to the eyes of Duggan. A tired and beaten Shane Ballard grabs Duggan in a side headlock, and then attempts a backspin DDT. But Duggan exerts his power and holds onto Shane, and then traps him by applying a half-nelson while facing him. Duggan then takes Shane up and over with a belly-to-belly half-nelson overhead suplex. The 3 count is elementary.
**Shane Ballard is pinned at 26:03 ending the match**
[The winners are Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, and Terry Funk at 26:03]
[Jim Duggan is the sole survivor and advances to the Gauntlet match].
Match #5:
Referee: James Beard (U.S.A.)
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Ken Shamrock (U.S.A.)
V
Scott Steiner (U.S.A.) (/w Midajah)
Head referee James Beard pats both men down and issues final instructions in their respective corners. He warns Midajah to stay out of the action, which makes Steiner upset and he gets in the face of Beard.
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Shamrock goes for an armbar and Steiner immediately goes to a facerake. Steiner then nails Shamrock with a fireman’s carry and follows up with a back suplex meant to take the wind from Shamrock. Steiner goes for a quick pin, and comes within a heartbeat of ending this match in a hurry. Steiner goes for another back suplex but Shamrock manages to shift his weight, turning in mid-air and landing onto Steiner, for a 2 count.
Shamrock goes on the offensive with forearms and kicks, before locking on a half-boston for only a few seconds. Shamrock is getting a good reaction from the crowd as he falls into a rhythm with an armbar takedown, a grapevine, some elbows, and a vertical suplex. Then the biggest move of the match so far occurs when Shamrock puts a kneelock submission on Steiner, but he’s too close to the ropes and Steiner uses his undeniable power to reach the ropes for the break. Shamrock and Steiner then turn the match into a punch-up, and Shamrock manages to hold onto his advantage.
We are about 3 minutes into the match.
Steiner battles back and rubs Shamrock’s face along the top rope, and then nails him with punches from behind and the world’s most dangerous man stumbles around the ring in pain. But it seems like tonight Shamrock just won’t be denied as he lashes out and catches Scotty with a kick to the thigh, and then takes him down with a Yakuza kick. Shamrock screams out loud and slaps his head as the crowd cheers him on. They trade punches and Shamrock ducks away from a Steiner punch only to back right into Beard, and the two tumble to the mat. James Beard is dazed on the mat as Steiner picks Shamrock up, but Shamrock grabs Steiner and puts him in a chokehold. Beard is not around to stop Shamrock so Midajah jumps up onto the apron and starts to scream at Shamrock. After a few seconds Shamrock releases the choke and goes to have a conversation with Midajah. He doesn’t touch her though, even after she winds up and slaps him across the face.
Steiner kicks Shamrock in the back of the leg by surprise. He follows up with more kicks before posing for the crowd. Beard is back on his feet as Steiner throws Shamrock into the turnbuckles. But Shamrock manages to move out of the way of a charging Scotty. Steiner hits the buckle hard, but when Shamrock goes for a belly-to-back suplex Steiner fights back with a backelbow. Steiner then buys some time by nailing Shamrock with a hotshot. Both men are down on the mat, but it is Steiner that is on his feet first.
The advantage continues to change hands but Steiner is now beginning to control more of the match.
We are now over 6 minutes into the match.
Steiner uses a belly-to-back suplex on Shamrock, but makes another mistake charging into the turnbuckle. Shamrock battles back but when he goes for a Yakuza kick again Steiner counters with a legsweep. Steiner then executes a beautiful Russian Neckdrop and gets a near fall. Unable to put his opponent away Steiner reverts back to punches and kicks. Shamrock battles back with a roundhouse right, a Yakuza kick, and then two short-lived armbar submissions. Shamrock goes once again for a Yakuza kick but this time Steiner ducks out of the way and then dropkicks Shamrock! Steiner again goes to the power moves with a belly-to-belly and then a side suplex. He sends Shamrock to the ropes and misses with a clothesline, but when Shamrock comes off the ropes again Steiner goes for an ill-advised Frankensteiner. Scotty doesn’t have the mobility and Shamrock just swats him away.
Steiner rolls out of the ring taking the match to the outside for the first time. Steiner catches an advancing Shamrock with a kick and then throws him into the guardrail. Steiner goes back into the ring and catches Shamrock following him in with a series of kicks in the corner. Steiner then nails Shamrock with a sling-shot suplex for another 2 count. Steiner is getting very frustrated now and he menaces the referee allowing Shamrock time to recover.
Shamrock blocks a Steiner punch, counters with one of his own, and then bodyslams Steiner. Shamrock goes for a vertical suplex but Steiner hooks the leg to block and then tries to reverse it, but Shamrock goes over only to slide down the back of Steiner and then take him down with a side Russian legsweep. Shamrock then struggles to put on a figure-four headscissors but Steiner is able to fight the application long enough that he is at the ropes for the break within seconds of it being locked on.
Steiner goes for a fireman’s carry but Shamrock counters with a sleeperhold. Steiner backs Shamrock into the corner and then smashes his head backward into Shamrock’s face. Steiner then ducks down as Shamrock falls forward. He scoops him up and goes for a death valley driver but Shamrock manages to slide down his back. He whips Steiner into the ropes and then takes him down with a drop toe hold which allows him to float over into an ankle lock submission.
Rather than risk permanent injury to his already tender foot Steiner taps out after a few seconds.
[The winner is Ken Shamrock. Time of match: 0:10:21]
MAIN EVENT
Referee: Dave Clark (U.S.A.)
Gauntlet Match – 10 minute periods
Order of entry by weight starting with the heaviest
Winner to receive the Buddy Rogers Tribute Ring
Vader (U.S.A.)
V
Jim Duggan (U.S.A.)
V
Dan Severn (U.S.A.)
V
Ken Shamrock (U.S.A.)
V
Lash LeRoux (U.S.A.)
Vader and Jim Duggan are in the ring to start things off. They shake hands before the opening bell which elicits a round of applause from the New Orleans crowd.
Leg #1:
Vader
V
Jim Duggan
The bell rings.
They lock up.
Vader challenges Duggan to a test of strength and he gets the better of Duggan. Vader whips Duggan hard into the turnbuckle. He’s not wasting any time tonight as he goes right after Duggan with a high-angle powerbomb followed by the Big Van Crush. Somehow Duggan manages to kick out a fraction of a second before Dave Clark makes the third count.
Duggan roars back with an inverted atomic drop, but when he goes for another one Vader blocks it and then takes Duggan down with a nodowa otoshi for another 2 count. Both men are all offense so far, no defensive effort whatsoever.
Duggan takes control out of the ropes with a shoulderblock. He continues with elbows and a big clothesline which knocks Vader backwards over the top rope, to the floor below.
It looks like Vader may not be able to get back in time to beat the 10 count but he’s saved when Duggan decides to vacate the premises and come after him on the floor. The two exchange punches before Vader knocks Duggan into the ringsteps. The behemoth then executes a German suplex on Duggan on the floor, but when he goes for the Big Van Crush Duggan rolls out of the way. Duggan uses an elbowsmash and then whips Vader into the guardrail. Duggan rolls back into the ring to break the count, only to come back out and send Vader into the ringpost, then the guardrail yet again.
The two continue to brawl outside the ring until Dave Clark comes out and tells them to either get back inside the ring or it will be a double disqualification. So the two reluctantly re-enter the ring.
The two brawl inside the ring before Vader takes Duggan down with a German suplex. Vader goes to a series of punches and then a couple of swinging punches. Duggan falls out of the ring and Vader goes after him as the action spills outside the ring yet again. Vader tosses Duggan into the guardrail on all fours sides of the ring. The crowd definitely seems to favor Duggan in this match.
Back inside the ring the two are brawling, with Vader still having the advantage in the match when the 10:00 period is up and Dan Severn comes down the ramp and enters the ring.
Leg #2
Vader
V
Jim Duggan
V
Dan Severn
Dan Severn hits the ring and immediately attacks Jim Duggan from behind. He knocks him into the ringpost headfirst. Vader takes the opportunity to rest in the corner. Duggan is winded and Severn picks him off easily with a vertical suplex, and then a waistlock takedown into a Bodyscissors Dragon Sleeper. Duggan submits.
[** Jim Duggan has been eliminated at 11:04]
Vader confronts Severn, but it’s obvious that the big man is still winded from his 10 minutes in the ring with Duggan. Severn gets off first with an elbow, but when he tries to send Vader to the ropes its reversed and Vader scores with a huge shoulderblock. Vader follows up with an avalanche, but when he goes for a Vader attack Severn counters by launching himself out of the corner with a double kick to the gut of Vader.
Severn tries to outpunch Vader but can’t match the big man’s power so he takes him down with a legsweep instead. Vader battles to his feet and backs himself into a corner, and then slaps Severn across the face. Vader reverses things and tosses Severn into the corner and then attacks with a Vader attack. The crowd is really behind Vader as they have a tremendous amount of animosity towards Severn.
The two trade the advantage back and forth and then Vader goes for a nodowa otoshi but Severn counters it with an elbow smash. Severn pounces with a series of punches and then puts a grapevine on Vader. Vader struggles to the ropes for the break. The Beast tries for the Bodyscissors Dragon Sleeper but can’t get it locked on the humongous opponent. Severn though loses the advantage when he gets caught with a knee charging into the corner.
Vader takes the battle outside and both men take turns throwing each other into the rail. Severn rams Vader’s head into the top of the rail and Vader comes up busted wide open. Severn takes the match back inside and puts the STF on Vader, but he’s too close to the ropes. Severn takes Vader down with a belly-to-back suplex which lacks elevation, and then clotheslines Vader to the floor. Severn does some more damage to the busted open forehead of Vader before dragging him back into the ring.
Severn backs Vader into the corner and goes to work, but Vader fights back with a beserk look in his eyes. He goes to town on Severn with swinging punches until Severn strikes with a vicious headbutt to the blood drenched face of Vader. Severn whips Vader into the ropes but Vader reverses it and then both men go down after a big double clothesline. Severn crawls over to Vader and puts on a modified cobra clutch from his side. Vader works his way to his feet with Severn on his back. Vader tosses Severn over his shoulder but Severn holds on to Vader’s neck, so the big man has no choice but to roll with Severn to the mat. Severn takes advantage to float down and puts on a kneelock submission. Vader has no choice but to tap out or risk permanent damage.
[** Vader has been eliminated at 19:32]
Dan Severn has about a half minute to rest as he waits for his next opponent, Ken Shamrock!! The buzz in the arena builds as the fans wait for this classic confrontation to take place.
Leg #3:
Dan Severn
V
Ken Shamrock
Shamrock is a house of fire as he backs Severn into the corner with a flurry of punches. He goes for a Frankensteiner only to have Severn counter by turning it into a power bomb.
Severn looks down at Shamrock and shouts “tap, nap, or snap”. He pulls up his arch-rival and whips him to the far buckle. He then repeats this action with the other 3 buckles. As Shamrock bounces out of the last turnbuckle Severn takes him down with a German release suplex. He goes for a second German but Shamrock hooks a leg and holds on for dearlife. He tries to get an armbar on Severn but the Beast beats him down with a couple of forearm smashes.
Shamrock snaps and comes up with a double karate thrust to the throat of Severn and then wraps his hands around Severn’s neck in a blatant chokehold. Dave Clark admonishes Shamrock and threatens him with a disqualification. Shamrock then turns to a series of kicks to the thighs, calves, knees, and gut of Severn. He has the crowd worked to a frenzy. Severn though fights back and the two exchange punches around the ring.
Shamrock reasserts himself with a Yakuza kick, followed by a kneelift, and a vertical suplex. When he only gets a one count he tosses Severn to the floor and goes after him. Shamrock whips Severn into the guardrail and then the two exchange punches inside the ring area.
Severn rakes Shamrock’s head across the bottom rope before tossing him back inside the ring.
Severn goes on the attack with a Gory special, and then a figure-four chokehold, but Shamrock manages to get his feet to the ropes for a break. Severn tries to lock on the Bodyscissors Dragon sleeper but Shamrock blocks it and almost manages to counter with the ankle lock submission but Severn reaches the ropes. Shamrock advances on Severn only to eat a backick to the groin which referee Dave Clark was not in position to see. Severn goes for a punch but Shamrock counters with the infamous Japanese Dog Roll, and comes within an eyelash of getting the 3 count! Shamrock has the momentum now, and catches Severn trying to get out of the ring. Shamrock lifts the middle rope to crotch Severn and then drags him back inside using a clawhold. Severn fights the pain and manages to break the hold by slamming his shoulder into the gut of Shamrock three times. Severn takes Shamrock down with a legsweep, and when he gets back up takes him down with another legsweep. Severn goes for a Boston Crab but Shamrock blocks it, tries to roll Severn up, but Severn hangs on and then slingshots Shamrock head first into the buckle.
Severn catches Shamrock coming out of the corner and locks on an armbar submission. Shamrock reaches the ropes but then eats an extra forearm shot to the face on the break. Severn whips Shamrock to the ropes, but its reversed, but Severn holds on and then wraps himself around Shamrock and locks on an abdominal stretch. Shamrock manages to hiptoss Severn off of him, but when he tries for a kneedrop Severn rolls out of the way.
Back on their feet they exchange punches and then Shamrock hits a Yakuza kick. He pins Severn but only gets a 2 count. Severn goes to the eyes of Shamrock with a thumb, and then whips him into the ropes. Severn telegraphs a backdrop and Shamrock slides across his back, and then takes him down to the mat face first. Shamrock locks on the anklelock submission. He has the hold on for about 15 seconds as Severn crawls to the ropes, but then he drags Severn back to the middle of the ring and re-applies it. Severn makes his way towards the ropes again when the 30:00 minute mark of the match is reached and Lash LeRoux runs to the ring.
Leg #4:
Dan Severn
V
Ken Shamrock
V
Lash LeRoux
Shamrock tries to sit up and pull Severn back to the middle of the ring but Severn is still fighting towards the ropes. So LeRoux drops an elbow across the back of the neck of Severn,which allows Shamrock to pull him to the middle of the ring. Severn has no choice now but to tap out.
[** Dan Severn has been eliminated at 30:43]
Shamrock and LeRoux shake hands before locking up.
They exchange forearms and kicks before LeRoux takes Shamrock down with a headlock takedown. LeRoux tries to float over to an armbar but Shamrock is the master of submissions and blocks the attempt with ease. Back on their feet Shamrock takes LeRoux down with a takeover suplex. LeRoux is the hometown boy but the fans seem pretty well split over their allegiances.
Shamrock whips LeRoux to the ropes and nails him with a flying cross body block, but LeRoux rolls through the move and ends up on top for a 1 count. LeRoux takes control now with a bodyslam, spinning leg lariat, clothesline, and then a tiger driver for a 2 count. Shamrock battles back and takes LeRoux down with a vertical suplex, followed up with a spin kick, and then an armbar submission but LeRoux is too close to the ropes.
They trade the advantage back and forth a couple of times. LeRoux ducks under a Yakuza kick and then hits Shamrock with a Frankensteiner. Then LeRoux goes to the top rope and takes Shamrock down with another Frankensteiner. It takes LeRoux a couple seconds to get over to pin Shamrock so he only gets a 2 count. LeRoux goes for a back suplex but Shamrock counters by floating to the back of LeRoux and then putting him into an armlock hammerlock submission. While LeRoux is struggling to reach the ropes a mysterious looking figure dressed entirely in black ninja robes and mask and carrying a Singapore cane comes down to ringside. This “ninja” looks to be around 6’0” and of a bulky build. It could be Nagata but is probably a little bigger than Nagata, and not bulky enough to be Steiner. The mysterious figure distracts Shamrock enough that LeRoux is able to fight quickly to the ropes.
Referee Dave Clark is screaming to the back to bring down security to deal with the “ninja” who is slowly walking around the outside of the ring. Shamrock is keeping a close eye on the figure, and this allows LeRoux a chance to rest.
LeRoux nails Shamrock with a forearm, and then whips him into the ropes. But its Shamrock getting the shot in off the ropes with a Yakuza kick. Again though Shamrock doesn’t follow up. LeRoux goes for a back suplex but Shamrock floats around the back again and takes LeRoux down to the mat with a waistlock takedown. He floats up and puts a side headlock on, still keeping an eye on the ninja. LeRoux fights his way to his feet as security comes down to ringside. The ninja jumps onto the apron just as LeRoux in the headlock pushes Shamrock into the ropes. Since Shamrock had made sure that he was watching the ninja at all times, when LeRoux sends him to the ropes he goes right into the ninja who hotshots Shamrock’s throat across the top rope. The ninja hits the floor and starts to fight off the security with some vicious looking kicks.
LeRoux takes Shamrock down with a bodyslam, a flying dropkick, and a vertical suplex. He goes for the pin but only gets a one count. In the meantime the ninja has fought off all the security and has managed to escape through the crowd.
Shamrock lashes out with a kick, and then follows up with a clothesline. He sends LeRoux to the buckle, but its reversed and Shamrock collides heavily into the corner. LeRoux then takes Shamrock down with a snap suplex, and again gets only a 1 count. LeRoux keeps up the punishment with a clothesline, and a dropkick before taking Shamrock to the top rope and bringing him down with a superplex. This time although Shamrock gets a shoulder up, its only a fraction of a second away from a 3 count. LeRoux then school boy’s Shamrock for another 2 count. LeRoux tosses Shamrock out of the ring and then jumps onto him with a flying cross body press from the apron. He rolls Shamrock back inside the ring.
LeRoux takes Shamrock down with another Frankensteiner and gets a 2 count. He then goes for the Death Valley slam but Shamrock counters with a crucifix and gets a 2 count. LeRoux is on his feet first and goes to whip Shamrock into the buckle. But Shamrock reverses things sending LeRoux to the buckle instead. LeRoux times his run and lands on the second turnbuckle. He quickly scrambles to the top as a winded Shamrock is slow to follow. LeRoux then flies off the top turnbuckle twisting in the air and taking Shamrock down with a cross body block. He hooks the leg and gets the 3 count.
[The winner is Lash LeRoux. Time of match: 0:37:34]
Post-Match:
Lash LeRoux celebrates in the ring, and is congratulated by Ken Shamrock who shakes his hand and then remains in the ring. Nick Bockwinkel comes down to the ring accompanied by the very lovely April Hunter, Tylene Buck, and Erica Nemeth. They present the Buddy Rogers Tribute Ring to Lash LeRoux, and Bockwinkel speaks briefly about it being a big upset. Then suddenly the “ninja” is back and storms the ring. Shamrock goes right for him and the two start to trade punches. LeRoux has to wade his way through the ladies and before he can reach the fight he is attacked from behind by Scott Steiner who enters the ring from behind. Steiner lays the boots to LeRoux, and then helps the “ninja” beatdown Shamrock. Bockwinkel and the ladies have cleared the ring. Bockwinkel though has a mic outside the ring and demands the masked figure reveal himself. So, he does, pulling his mask off revealing Shinya Hashimoto!!!
Now Rick Steiner comes to the ring and pulls Lash Leroux to safety. He jaws with his brother from a safe distance, as Vader now also comes down and pulls Ken Shamrock out of the ring. Shamrock asks for a mic as he is being supported on his feet by Vader. He demands a match against Hashimoto next card, and the former NWA World Champion accepts the challenge. Vader and Rick Steiner help LeRoux and Shamrock back down the ramp as Hashimoto and Scott Steiner stand defiantly in the ring.
FADE TO BLACK
|
|
