ECW Hardcore TV
August 26th, 2000
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 26th, 2000
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Quite surprisingly for an episode of Hardcore TV or ECW television in general, the show opens up with a recap video, highlighting a certain even which took place last night at ECW on TNN. The video shows Joey Styles and Joel Gertner standing together, defiantly, linked by their bond to Extreme Championship Wrestling. Styles and Gertner speak about how negotiations with The Network aren’t going to great and the chances are that pretty shortly ECW will be going off the air. ‘The Voice Of ECW’ Styles then goes off on a rampage, not caring about TNN or Cyrus, and he says the semi finals and finals will NOT be aired on ECW on TNN, but they will be aired next week on ECW Hardcore TV.
After the recap video, we cut to the standard opening video and theme song as “This Is Extreme” by Harry Slash and The Slashstones causes the Philly fans to rock out. As per usual, ‘The Voice Of ECW’ Joey Styles welcomes us to the show, and he apologises for perhaps hijacking a little too much television time last night, but he doesn’t apologise for telling the truth. Before Styles can get much hype out for tonight’s show, “Deepest Bluest” by LL Cool J pumps through the pa system as an arrogant looking CW Anderson makes his way to the ring. Whilst the fans boo the hell out of the woman beater, CW lowly saunters down the ramp, clearly feeling great after his victory over Tommy Dreamer last week. Once Anderson is inside the ring, “Simon Says” by Drain STH brings out Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger, collectively known as Team Me. Much like their partner, the two have rather smug looks on their faces however they actually do mouth off to the audience, seemingly enjoying the extra heat they are receiving for associating with CW. Once in the ring, the three teammates slap hands, eagerly awaiting their opponents. “Super Bon Bon” by Soul Coughing changes the mood of the arena as the Philly fans pop loudly for Danny Doring and Roadkill. The two get half way down the ramp, annoying the invitation from their opponents to step inside the ring early. “Man In The Box” by Alice In Chains gains the largest response of the night, and quite a margin as well, as the ever popular Tommy Dreamer steps through the curtain. Dreamer punches his chest through his ECW t-shirt, pumping himself up, before he, Doring and Roadkill all exchange looks... AND SPRINT TO THE RING!
Match One
CW Anderson and Team Me vs. Danny Doring, Roadkill and Tommy Dreamer
How else do you expect an opening match to begin in this thread then with the norm? And by the norm, I mean utter chaos. The three faces slide into the ring and CW and Team Me immediately begin stomping all over their opponents and keeping them down. The fans immediately boo the hell out of what’s happening, but slowly the faces make their way to the feet, and the momentum of the brawl switches.
Doring, Roadkill and Dreamer now have the advantage as they hammer away on the opponents. It’s a wild brawl from all angles but the emotion coming out of Dreamer is at a crazy level as he swings wildly with rights and lefts. Tommy backs Anderson into the ropes... BEFORE CHARGING ACROSS THE RING AND DIVING AT ANDERSON WITH A CROSSBODY THAT SENDS BOTH MEN TUMBLING OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE FLOOR!
Doring and Roadkill continue to school Team Me inside the ring, but outside the ring is where the action is right now. The fans are marking out as Styles puts over how great it is to finally see Anderson get what he deserves. Dreamer scrambles to his feet, still full of anger as he drags Anderson up... and (thanks for the spot, Wolfy) SENDS CW ANDERSON CRASHING INTO THE CROWD BARRICADE WITH A HIP TOSS!
“ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants echo from the pro ECW Philly crowd as Dreamer gets to his feet and lets puts his arms out, posing to the fans. Tommy then punches his fists together, testing the tape on them, before he mounts the stunned, possibly hurt Anderson... AND BEGINS BEATING THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF HIM WITH RIGHT HANDS TO CW’S UNPROTECTED SKULL!
Meanwhile, inside the ring the ever impressive Doring and Roadkill have taken down Diamond and have focused their attention on the lonely Johnny Swinger. Swinger has no means of defending himself, as the big Amish Roadkill puts him in a BEAR HUG... AND DORING BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES... LOOKING FOR THE LANCASTER LARIAT OF LUST... BUT DIAMONG CHOP BLOCKS AMISH... WHICH CAUSES HIM TO CRUMBLE TO THE CANVAS... AND DORING FLIES THROUGH THE AIR BEFORE LANDING AWKWARDLY ON THE CANVAS HIMSELF!
Diamond looks towards Swinger and begins dragging him up, “HURRY UP AND GET UP”! Swinger looks a little frustrated for a moment but shakes it off and gets to his feet. The two have a brief conversation before Simon grabs hold of Doring... AND LANDS A SNAP SUPLEX... FOLLOWED BY A SECOND SNAP SUPLEX... BACKED UP BY A NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX, COMPLETING THE SIMON SERIES!
Realising Roadkill is starting to get up, Swinger charges at him and keeps him down with a Swinging Neckbreaker! From the outside of the ring, Tommy Dreamer has noticed that his teammates are struggling so he regrettably gets off of the beaten down Anderson. Dreamer GRABS A STEEL CHAIR... BEFORE GETTING ONTO THE RING APRON... ONLY FOR TEAM ME TO CHARGE AT HIM WITH REVERSE ELBOWS THAT SEND THE STEEL CHAIR BACK INTO HIS FACE... AND DREAMER CRASHES TO THE FLOOR!
There’s a buzz around the arena which quickly turns into a stunned silence as all that can be heard are screams of “AHHHHHHHH” from Dreamer. Tommy looks to have legitimately hurt himself as he clutches at his ankle seemingly having landed wrong. Team Me quickly step outside the ring and the merciless Swinger begins stomping all over Dreamer whilst Diamond helps the dazed Anderson to his feet.
Once Anderson is up and sees his rival in agony, a demented grin spreads across his face as he tells his partners, “LETS FINISH HIM”! Anderson directs traffic as Team Me place Dreamers sore ankle inside the steel chair... ANDERSON THEN STEPS UP ONTO THE RING APRON... AND JUMPS OFF... LANDING BOTH OF HIS FEET ON THE CHAIR, SNAPPING THE CHAIR INTO THE ANKLE OF TOMMY DREAMER!
Despite one of their most beloved being down and out, there are still the “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants. From here the match becomes pretty regular as the referee is finally able to gain some semblance of control. Anderson and Swinger get on the apron and Diamond slowly begins working over Doring. They keep the face down with generic tag team wrestling, scoring several near falls. The fans manage to stay pumped though with chants of “TOMMY”, “TOMMY”, “TOMMY” echoing throughout the arena when the gutsy ‘Innovator of Violence” somehow struggles his way back onto the apron.
Eventually it’s time to finish the match, so SWINGER LOOKS TO TAKE DOWN DORING WITH THE LONG ISLAND LEGSWEEP... BUT DORING IS ABLE TO GO BEHIND... AND LAND A FULL NELSON SLAM OUT OF NOWHERE!
AND HE THEN MAKES THE HOT TAG TO ROADKILL AS SWINGER TAGS IN DIAMOND!
Roadkill goes to town, mowing through Diamond with two Clothesline, followed by one to Swinger and one to Anderson. With all three heels in the ring, Amish realises he needs to land some big moves. After dropping Swinger with another Clothesline, HE DRILLS DIAMOND TO THE MAT WITH A DIRT ROAD SLAM!
The resilient Swinger is back up and he cops a Back Body Drop for his troubles. CW gets back up but steps away from Roadkill... AND CHARGES ACROSS THE RING, KNOCKING DREAMER OFF THE APRON WITH A CLOTHESLINE!
Dreamer lands in a similar position to where he did earlier in the night, right next to the steel chair. Roadkill yells at Anderson, “BRING IT” but Anderson shakes his head, and hops outside the ring, focusing again on Tommy Dreamer instead.
Inside the ring, Doring has recovered as Diamond tagged Swinger back in and together Doring and Roadkill beat down Team Me with a succession of double team moves.
On the outside Anderson laughs at Dreamer, who’s clutching onto the crowd barricade, trying his damndest to get to his feet. CW waits for Dreamer to stagger up before yelling “THIS IS IT, TOMMY” BUT OUT OF NOWHERE DREAMER KICKS HIM IN THE GUT... BEFORE DROPPING HIM WITH A DDT ON THE STEEL CHAIR!
The fans mark the fuck out as the “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA, “ECDUBBYA” chants ring out. Meanwhile inside the ring... Doring and Roadkill have thrown Diamond outside of the ring AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO LAND THE BUGGY BANG ON SWINGER! ROADKILL MAKES THE COVER...1...2...3!
Winners – Danny Doring, Roadkill and Tommy Dreamer @ 11:14
The fans pop as the bell rings with all three of the heels basically out of commission. The referee raises the hands of Doring and Roadkill and they celebrate, before drawing their attention to the outside of the ring where Tommy Dreamer is once again somehow standing.
Tommy has a severe limp as he applauds the effort of Roadkill and Doring, telling them “THIS IS YOUR MOMENT”!
Doring and Roadkill shake their heads and beg Tommy to get into the ring. As Dreamer struggles onto the apron and through the ropes...
“TOMMY”, “TOMMY”, “TOMMY” chants echo throughout from the fans...
And once Dreamer is in the ring, he gets in the middle of Roadkill and Doring and raises their hands into the air.
Philadelphia is happy, Tommy is happy, and Doring and Roadkill are happy as they signal that the ECW Tag Team Championships are coming to them... Which draws a rare smirk from Dreamer.
As the three continue to celebrate, we head to our first commercial break, the show well and truly starting on a high note.
-COMMERCIAL BREAK-
Upon returning to the program we head backstage to a locker room where the ECW Champion Justin Credible sits with his girlfriend Francine, both in casual clothing. Both look rather unhappy and seem to be arguing with somebody and this soon becomes clear as the ECW Television Champion Rhino has just been brought into shot by the camera panning. Rhino is dressed to compete despite not having a match tonight, and they seem to be in the middle of quite the heated debate until Credible notices the camera man and speaks up.
Justin Credible: AS I WAS SAYING... regardless of the slight slip up last night, I, the ECW Champion, am just incredible.
Credible puts on a smile for the camera as does Francine, however the intense Rhino shakes his head.
Rhino: BIG... FUCKING... DEAL!!!
Credible and his girlfriend look shocked at the response... WHILST RHINO PICKS UP A CHAIR AND TOSSES IT INTO A WALL, CAUSING A MASSIVE CRACK!
Rhino then storms off and the ECW Champion shakes his head in shock.
Justin Credible: This is fucking ridiculous, I shouldn’t have to take this...
Francine nods in agreement, looking slightly pissed off.
Francine: Maybe you don’t...
Francine looks over her shoulder to make sure Rhino is still down. She then gets right into the face of Credible...
Francine: Maybe you should think about that...
Justin remains looking down at his feet, thinking of what his next move will be. Francine shakes her head in frustration and walks away, leaving the champion with some serious thinking to do...
...
After that segment we head back to ringside as the restless ECW fans wait for somebody to appear. Within another moment or two, “Big Balls” by Boner brings out a pretty LOUD pop as long time ECW fan favourite Balls Mahoney walks down the ramp. The fans already begin the “BALLS”, “BALLS”, “BALLS” chants as he steps into the ring rubbing his hands together, ready to inflict pain on another unfortunate foe. “The Old School Style” by Boner is next to be heard and HEAT engulfs the entire arena, hell, the entire state of Philadelphia as ‘The King Of Old School’ Steve Corino steps through the curtain. Corino walks half way down the ramp before looking at Balls smirking, “YA’ DIDN’T THINK I’D COME ALONE DID YA’?” Corino then points back to the entrance way and his fellow Network members Jack Victory and Scotty Anton step out to even more heat from the fans. Once the trio make it to the ring, they discuss a little bit of strategy before Victory and Anton separate around the ring, and Corino steps inside the squared circle.
Match Two
Balls Mahoney vs. Steve Corino w/Jack Victory and Scotty Anton
The beginning of the match isn’t the standard ECW affair due to the fact that if your name isn’t Rhino and you’re a member of The Network, you tend to try and keep things as non Hardcore as possible. That’s exactly what happens here, as Corino tries to chain wrestle with Balls in the early going, until Balls drops him with a stinging right hand. Rather than get frustrated or get up and fight, Corino decides his best method of attack will be to frustrate, so he rolls to the outside.
Whilst Corino is having a meeting with Victory and Anton on the outside, Balls steps out and begins chasing them around the ring. Corino uses these tactics before he’s finally able to slide in the ring and then jump on the attack when Mahoney slides in after him. From here, Corino uses basic brawling tactics to keep Balls down, and every time Balls looks set to gain any kind of momentum, it’s taken away by Corino’s skill, or Victory and Anton’s interference.
The action isn’t exactly Hardcore for Corino but he is able to land quite a few near falls. Eventually Corino waits for Balls to get up, stalking his opponent as he looks to his flunkies on the outside and says “WATCH THIS”! Once Balls is to his feet... CORINO GOES FOR THE OLD SCHOOL KICK... BALLS DUCKS... AND DROPS CORINO WITH A CLOTHESLINE!
Steve bounces right back to his feet... AND CHARGES STRAIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK FROM BALLS! BALLS MAKES THE COVER...1...2...NO!
Anton and Victory almost have a fit on the outside as the fans realise just how close Balls was to picking up the victory. Considering the beating he’s taken throughout the contest, Balls doesn’t exactly get up a hell of a lot quicker than Corino and when they get up they trade right hands. Corino gets the advantage after a rake of the eyes... BUT BALLS STILL FIGHTS BACK... LANDING THE MAHONEY COMBO!
The audience mark out for their participating in the combo as Balls then whips Corino into the ropes... AND DRILLS HIM WITH A SPINEBUSTER WHEN HE COMES BACK!!!
Rather than going for a cover, Balls heads to the top rope... sets himself... AND MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF THE CROWD HE COMES OFF AND LANDS THE NEW JERSEY JAM!!! BALLS HOOKS THE LEG...1...2...3!NO!
Mahoney runs his hands through his hair, a little frustrated this time as Corino shows that deep down he does have some resilience. Mahoney rolls Corino onto his stomach... AND LOOKS SET TO LOCK IN THE CAMEL CLUTCH... WHEN BOTH JACK VICTORY AND SCOTTY ANTON JUMP ONTO THE RING APRON DISTRACTING MAHONEY!
Showing incredible quickness and agility for somebody his size, Balls quickly leaps over Corino... RUNS AS FAST AS HE CAN... AND BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES AND THE MOMENTUM CAUSES VICTORY AND ANTON TO BOTH GO CRASHING TO THE FLOOR!
The fans mark out for that one as Balls now heads outside the ring, rearranges some furniture... AND GRABS A STEEL CHAIR!!!
Ignoring the two Network members who are down on the outside, Balls slides back inside the ring... stalks his prey... and when Corino gets up... MAHONEY DAMN NEAR KNOCKS HIS HEAD OFF WITH A BRUTAL STEEL CHAIR! BALLS WITH THE LATERAL PRESS...1...2...3!!!
...
NO! CORINO JUST MANAGED TO GET A FOOT ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Balls and the fans can’t believe it as Joey Styles puts over the ring presence of ‘The King Of Old School’ to be able to do that after the chair shot he just received. The “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants begin as a close up of the downed Corino shows that he has been BUSTED OPEN! The blood is just leaking like a bad tap, soaking all throughout his peroxide blonde hair, as Balls yells out to the fans “I GUESS I’LL JUST HAVE TO HIT HIM AGAIN!”
The chants revert to “BALLS”, “BALLS”, “BALLS” as Mahoney stands with a spread legged stance, as if he was a baseball player stepping up to the plate. He waits for Corino to stagger up... AND HE SMASHES HIM WITH THE SAME STEEL CHAIR AGAIN!
Heat echoes throughout the arena this time as before Balls can capitalize, he’s ATTACKED FROM BEHIND BY VICTORY AND ANTON!
The dynamic duo begins hammering away with right hands, before Anton puts Balls in a Full Nelson and tells Victory to hit Balls harder. VICTORY STEPS BACK... CHARGES FOR MOMENTUM AND SWINGS A PUNCH... BUT BALLS BREAKS FREE AND DUCKS... AND VICTORY KNOCKS ANTON OFF OF HIS FEET!
Anton drops and a shocked Victory turns around, only to be Clotheslined by Balls. Balls then picks up his steel chair... AND SMASHES IT ACROSS THE FACE OF SCOTTY ANTON!!! BEFORE TURNING AROUND... AND LITERALLY BREAKING THE FUCKING CHAIR OVER THE HEAD OF JACK VICTORY!
“ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants ring out once again, as Balls drops the broken steel chair and looks down at Corino who still hasn’t received from the beating he’s received. Balls picks up a broken Corino off of the canvas... AND SENDS HIM BACK DOWN AFTER NAILING HIS FINISHER, THE NUTCRACKER SUITE!!!
But before he can make the cover...HE’S CLUBBED FROM BEHIND BY PIERRE CARL OULETTE!!!
Heat rings out as Styles brings up the brawl these two got into backstage on the August 4th edition of ECW On TNN. It seems as if PCO has waited until now to retaliate. And retaliate he does, as he lands some brutal kidney punches from behind which causes Balls to fall to the canvas. Pierre then picks up his own steel chair that he brought into the ring... AND HE GIVES BALLS A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE, LANDING A BRUTAL CHAIR SHOT TO THE SKULL!
Boos continue to echo throughout the arena but it doesn’t matter, as a fuming PCO now brings a nearly dead Mahoney back to his feet... JUST TO CHARGE BACK THROUGH HIM WITH A LARIAT!
With Balls now not moving, PCO heads to the top rope... AND CRUSHES HIS RIVAL WITH LE CANNONBALL!!!
The audience begin throwing all kinds of shit and abuse at PCO, as he steps outside of the ring and begins backing his way up the ramp...
Meanwhile, inside the ring, a still out of it Corino MANAGES TO PLACE AN ARM OVER THE CHEST OF MAHONEY...1...2...3!!!
Winner – Steve Corino @ 09:50
The referee calls for the bell as the fans boo the hell out of a result. The official isn’t even able to do the traditional hand raise for Corino, as ‘The King Of Old School’ still hasn’t moved a muscle since the three count.
Jack Victory and Scotty Anton, despite both being a little wobbly on their feet, have recovered and they drag Corino out of the ring and take him up the ramp.
Philadelphia is giving the trio an extremely hard time, but it soon turns to a pop as Balls Mahoney makes his way to his feet inside the ring.
Balls almost falls out of the ring but he somehow manages to maintain his footing, getting some respectful applause as he heads up the ramp...
...
Whilst all eyes were focused on Balls, Joey Styles has stepped into the ring and is waiting to make an announcement.
Joey Styles: Ladies and gentleman, I am proud to announce the date that everybody will get to see ECW Champion Justin Credible defend his ECW Championship against the number one contender Jerry Lynn and Network member Steve Corino. The date will be September 15th at ECW on TNN. In the meantime, ECW officials have put together this video to show just what events have lead up to this contest...
Styles points towards the big (small really) screen and a video package begins...
***
The video highlights how all three men have all had a little to do with each other in some way. The ECW Champion Justin Credible and Jerry Lynn have had their beef due to Lynn being the number one contender.
The video highlights how all three men have all had a little to do with each other in some way. The ECW Champion Justin Credible and Jerry Lynn have had their beef due to Lynn being the number one contender.
Jerry Lynn has issues with The Network as they didn’t want him to be the number one contender. When he rejected the idea of joining The Network, a ten thousand dollar bounty was placed on his head which still remains to this day. Steve Corino was the member of The Network who announced the bounty and he’s been quite vocal about his disdain for Jerry Lynn.
The ECW Champion Justin Credible also has an interesting relationship with The Network. The Network has given Credible time to work out whether he wants to be in The Network or not, and at this point Credible is yet to answer. There have been moments where he looks set to join, and moments where he and Network member Rhino have almost come to blows. Cyrus has admitted that he has pulled some strings to ensure Credible has snuck through some of his more difficult title defences. Cyrus has also said that if Credible doesn’t join The Network, Steve Corino is his chosen champion.
***
***
Styles still remains standing in the ring, as the fans pop eagerly anticipating the next scheduled ECW Championship match.
Joey Styles: Three weeks away, three men, three different stories, but there’s only one ECW Championship. There can be only one winner. Tune in to ECW On TNN on September 15th to see just who will be the ECW Champion. Will be right back, folks.
‘The Voice Of ECW’ is the ultimate professional regarding TNN tonight, possibly having been told off after last night’s escapades. Either way, the fans cheer quite loudly for Styles’ hype job as we head to a commercial break.
-COMMERCIAL BREAK-
Once we return from the commercial break, Joey Styles is back in the ring, this time a more defiant look on his face, which resembles his attitude last night.
Joey Styles: Sorry ladies and gentleman, I’ll try not to take up to much air time here, but there’s something I have to get off my chest. A few moments ago I was in this ring and I wasn’t Joey Styles, I wasn’t the voice of ECW, I was a corporate puppet. I was told to come out here and sell the ECW Championship match for in a couple of week’s time, and under no circumstances was I to go off on a “tirade” like I did last night. Well, SCREW THAT! I’m out here for two reasons, the first is to announce that on the September eight edition of ECW On TNN, Rhino will defend his ECW Television Championship against the man he’s now cost the ECW Championship twice, Kid Kash. Unfortunately we don’t have a choice, and that will be aired on TNN. But I stand by what I said last night when it comes to TNN. The Network has done absolutely nothing in terms of hype for this company and we will be better off without them. That’s why, just like I said last night, we’ll air the Quarter Finals of the ECW Tag Team Championship Tournament on TNN next week, but for the semi finals and finals, TUNE IN TO HARDCORE TV! Because we don’t want the GREATEST moment in tag team wrestling to air on TNN, they don’t deserve it!
“ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants are mixed in with chants of “FUCK THE NETWORK”, “FUCK THE NETWORK”, “FUCK THE NETWORK”
As the chants echo out, Styles raises his arms into the air in triumph and pride, before stepping outside the ring...
And one last time we are shown the tag team tournament brackets...
“Christian York and Joey Matthews vs. EZ Money and Julio Dinero
The FBI vs. The Unholy Alliance
Jerry Lynn and Tommy Dreamer vs. Kid Kash and Rob Van Dam
The FBI vs. The Unholy Alliance
Jerry Lynn and Tommy Dreamer vs. Kid Kash and Rob Van Dam
Chilly Willy and The Sandman vs. Justin Credible and Rhino
Chris Chetti and Nova vs. Team Me
Chris Chetti and Nova vs. Team Me
Da Baldies vs. Danny Doring and Roadkill
...
As things begin to settle back to normal, the audience begins to realise that it is main event time. “Battery” by Metallica riffs throughout the arena bringing out Psicosis to an okay ovation from the Philadelphia crowd. The Mexican Luchador tries to get the crowd ovation louder, jumping around as he makes his way to the ring. It’s probably worth noting that Psicosis hasn’t really done anything wrong, it’s just he’s up against an absolute crowd favourite tonight. Once Psicosis is in the ring and has finished playing to the fans, “T.I.W.” by Harry Slash and The Slashstones causes the fans to amp it up to another level, for what’s probably the second loudest ovation of the night behind Tommy Dreamer for Yoshihiro Tajiri. The fans continue to cheer as Tajiri looks all business whilst Styles puts over the fact that he felt he could do this alone, because Psicosis wouldn’t try anything underhanded.
Match Three
Psicosis vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri
Despite the miscommunication which took place a couple of weeks ago, these two have the upmost respect for each other, beginning the match with a sportsmanship filled handshake. This delights the ECW who applauds the effort, before both men begin circling the ring, looking quite cagey. For the opening few minutes of the match, we see the finest display of chain wrestling you will see. Both men have periods where they are holding their opponents down, clearly on top but neither can sustain a long term advantage.
The fans clap and cheer along every technically sound move ala the Malenko/Guerrero farewell match. The sportsmanship doesn’t last the entire contest in this one though, as about half way through the match, Psicosis gets frustrated with a hammer lock and elbows Tajiri in the face a couple of times. The Mexican then shakes out the tightness of his arm... BEFORE BEING DROPPED WITH A KICK TO THE HEAD BY THE NOW ANGRY TAJIRI... TAJIRI HOOKS THE LEG...1...2...NO!
‘The Japanese Buzzsaw’ gets back to his feet, knowing he’s still got plenty of work to do to put away his opponent. Tajiri slowly brings Psicosis to his feet, but Psicosis shrugs him off and rocks him with a few right hands. This is followed by a kick to the gut... AND PSICOSIS BRINGS TAJIRI UP FOR A POWERBOMB... BUT TAJIRI AMAZINGLY REVERSES INTO A FLIP OVER DDT!
Sensing this could be close to over, Tajiri crawls to make the cover but the weary Psicosis rolls himself out of the ring. The masked man was able to get out of dodge due to instinct, as it’s clear he’s not sure where he is as he lands straight onto the floor. Tajiri heads out after Psicosis and begins hammering him with some basic stomps and punches, ground and pound at its finest. Tajiri then finds a wooden table and sets it up on the outside of the ring.
He turns back to Psicosis who’s staggering around, but Tajiri plants him with a few more right hands before placing him onto the table... With his opponent placed exactly where he needs him to be, Tajiri jumps onto the ring apron... BEFORE COMING OFF WITH A SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT... LANDING ON PSICOSIS AND SENDING HIM CRASHING THROUGH THE TABLE!
Oh yes, you guessed it. “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants ring out after the awesome table spot. Both men remain down in the remains for awhile with the referee checking on them, until Tajiri begins showing some signs of life. Tajiri eventually battles to his feet, clutching his mid section feeling some pain, before he begins heaving the dead weight of Psicosis up. He rolls Psicosis into the ring, BEFORE FOLLOWING IN AND MAKING THE OVER...1...2...3! NO!
Psicosis shows a tremendous amount of resilience being able to get out of that one. Tajiri continues on his attack though, sending Psicosis into the corner and landing brutal kicks to the ribs. Tajiri then looks to Irish whip Psicosis into the ropes, but Psicosis reverses sending Tajiri into the ropes instead... HOWEVER TAJIRI COMES BACK WITH A HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW!
Rather than making the cover, Tajiri curiously heads to the outside of the ring. A fan offers him a toaster to use as a weapon but Tajiri ignores it, instead getting under the ring and pulling out a ladder! As with a lot of the smaller guys, Tajiri struggles to move the ladder around a little bit, but he eventually manages to get it inside the ring. Once back in the ring himself, the man from the land of the rising sun sets up the ladder, beginning to climb whilst Psicosis remains down.
The fans begin to buzz in anticipation, however as Tajiri is close to the top... Psicosis begins climbing up the other side of the ladder. To slow his opponent down, Psicosis lands a few cheeky punches to the stomach, and eventually he gets to Tajiri’s level. Tajiri will do anything to win now though, using his flexibility to kick Psicosis in the head.
The dazed Mexican just clings onto the ladder and in this moment of weakness, Tajiri pounces... LOCKING IN THE TARANTULA ON THE TOP OF THE LADDER!
Tajiri rips and tears at the hold for a sold ten seconds before he carefully lets go, not wanting to fall off the ladder. Tajiri manages to climb down the ladder... HOWEVER A COMPLETELY DRAINED PSICOSIS FALLS OFF THE LADDER AND TO THE CANVAS!
“ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants ring out as Tajiri waits for Psicosis to begin to get up... and when he does... TAJIRI GOES FOR TH BUZZSAW KICKS... BUT PSICOSIS DUCKS! Tajiri gets frustrated and drags Psicosis up by his hair, NOW GOING FOR A BRAINBUSTER... PSICOSIS LANDS BEHIND ON HIS FEET... AND LANDS A SPINNING HEEL KICK TO THE BACK OF TAJIRI’S HEAD!
The fans can’t help but applaud the guts of Psicosis to manage to stay in this match. With that being said, he doesn’t exactly bounce to his feet, instead slowly fighting to get back up taking quite a long time. Once he’s up though, he drags Tajiri to his feet and drops him with a DDT, before making a cover...1...2...NO!
Psicosis repeats this action, dropping Tajiri with another DDT before he sets his eyes on the still erect ladder. Psicosis climbs to the top of the ladder, the fans buzzing again... PSICOSIS CROSSES HIMSELF AT THE TOP OF THE LADDER... BEFORE COMING OFF THE LADDER WITH A HUGE SPLASH!!!
PSICOSIS STAYS ON TOP OF TAJIRI FOR THE COVER...1...2...3! NO!
Tajiri just manages to shoot a shoulder off of the canvas. The “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA”, “ECDUBBYA” chants ring out again as the sore Psicosis waits for Tajiri to get to his feet. Once Tajiri is up... PSICOSIS LEAPS UP FOR A HURRICANRANA... TAJIRI REVERSES INTO A SIT OUT POWERBOMB!
‘The Japanese Buzzsaw’ now has his second wind as he quickly gets up, dragging Psicosis by the hair to his feet as well. TAJIRI GETS PSICOSIS UP FOR THE BRAINBUSTER... BUT PSICOSIS STRUGGLES IN MID AIR... AND IS ABLE TO LAND SOLID WITH HIS TWO FEET ON THE RING APRON!!! PSICOSIS IS THEN ABLE TO LIFT TAJIRI UP AND SUPLEX HIM OUTSIDE THE RING AND TO THE FLOOR!
Surprisingly Tajiri is pretty quick to his feet... SO PSICOSIS LEAPS OFF OF THE APRON, CONNECTING WITH A DIVING HURRICANRANA!
Realising he can’t pin Tajiri on the outside of the ring, it’s now Psicosis’ turn to lift the dead weight of Tajiri and slowly rolls him back into the ring. With Tajiri down and out, Psicosis heads to the top rope... AND COMES OFF PERFECTLY LANDING HIS PSYCHO GUILLOTINE! PSICOSIS HOOKS THE LEG...1...2..3!
...
NO! TAJIRI JUST GETS A SHOULDER UP AGAIN!
Psicosis runs his hands through his hair, not believing that Tajiri just kicked out of one of his biggest moves. Psicosis stands still for a moment, probably thinking of what to do next, before he heads towards Tajiri, but Tajiri lands a quick desperation Arm Drag out of nowhere. Out of instinct, Psicosis rolls straight off of his back and onto his knees, AND THE LIGHTNING QUICK TAJIRI CATCHES HIM WITH A BUZZSAW KICK! TAJIRI HOOKS THE LEG...1...2...3!
...
NO! THIS TIME PSICOSIS SURVIVES TAJIRI’S FINISHER WITH A SHOULDER OFF OF THE CANVAS!
The fans are legitimately just cheering, enjoying what has been a monumental match to end the night. Tajiri shakes his head in shock, before setting himself and when Psicosis looks to get up... TAJIRI FLATTENS HIM WITH A SECOND BUZZSAW KICK!
Still not satisfied, Tajiri aggressively waits for Psicosis to begin to stir again... BEFORE TAKING HIM OUT WITH A RUNNING BASEMENT DROPKICK! TAJIRI NOW HOOKS THE LEG... TIGHTLY...1...2...3!
Winner – Yoshihiro Tajiri @ 15:29
There’s a big time pop for the ending of the match and Tajiri makes his way to his feet, a huge smile on his face despite the odd grimace here and there.
The referee raises his hand and the fans continue to cheer...
Even once Tajiri has stopped celebrating and begins helping Psicosis to his feet, the fans all give the two a STANDING OVATION!
Even Joey Styles is standing, knowing this truly was a match for the ages.
As the two friends then competitors now friends again stand arm in arm in the middle of the ring, the Philly faithful continue to stand and applaud as we fade to black...
-END OF SHOW-