ECW 9/4/96 - Dream & Rhodes get Nasty! Steamboat vs. Benoit!
Sept 4, 2013 15:27:53 GMT
Post by jackknight on Sept 4, 2013 15:27:53 GMT
9/4/96 - Roberts Municipal Stadium Evansville, IN
"Mean" Gene Okerlund and "The Genius" Lanny Poffo welcome us to th Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Indiana for another exciting edition of Eastern Championship Wrestling! They thank us for joining them here just four days before the huge joint ECW/WCW Pay Per-View Showdown in Charlotte on Sunday, September 9th! They say that the show which only costs $24.95 will be stocked full of dream matches! Eastern States Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage will get his rematch against WCW United States Champion Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat! Tully Blanchard will face current WCW TV Champion Diamond Dallas Page! And William Regal will face WCW's "Long Island Loud-Mouth" Chris Jericho in a first time ever Loser Trades Promotions Match! Add to this some amazing Tag-Team action when ECW Tag-Team Champions Dustin Rhodes and Tommy Dreamer face off against Colonel Parker's team of Southern Justice and ECW and WCW unite as Rick Rude, Rob Van Dam; and Ron Simmons team with WCW Champion Curt Hennig, Scott Norton; and Marcus "Buff" Bagwell against the sinster combined cabals of the Dark Circle and Dungeon of Doom in an over the top rope Tag-Team Battle Royal! And of course the feud man who started it all "Nature Boy" Ric Flair will defend the Eastern Heavyweight Championship against his longtime ally "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson! Call your local cable provider!
After hyping the PPV, they briefly recap last week's show, focusing heavily on the PPV announcements. They then rundown tonight's huge show where WCW talent will be in the house for two very special ECW/WCW preview matches! ECW Tag-Team Champions Tommy Dreamer and Dustin Rhodes will face off against the Nasty Boys, continuing their feud with the Nastys earlier this year and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat will appear in an ECW ring for the first time ever in the Main Event as he takes on ECW's own madman "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit! Lanny isn't sure there'll be enough of Steamboat left to face Savage at the PPV after that one. They then tell us that the Eastern States Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage and the ECW Light Heavyweight Champion
"Lone Wolf" Dean Malenko will also be in action tonight!
But first Joe Gertner makes the intros for the first match of the evening! Which will be an Inter-Promotional Title Match as ECW Tag-Team Champs Dustin Rhodes and Tommy Dreamer are about to get Nasty!
ECW/WCW Preview Match: Tommy Dreamer & Dustin Rhodes vs. The Nasty Boys
Referee: Danny Davis
The Nasty Boys come out wearing ECW shirts?! Apparently they're looking to be booed out of the arena as they tear the shirts off revealing WCW shirts! They yell back at the fans and make some rather obscene gestures until the Tag-Team Champions arrive on the scene! And they immediately attacks Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags! The two teams brawl about the ring and out on the floor! It doesn't look like Davis will even be able to get this match started when things finally calm down and Sags starts things off with "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer!
The two men brawl about the ring with neither getting the advantage until Jerry traps Dreamer in the corner and it becomes a Clubberin' time! He then tags in Brian Knobbs who hammers Tommy into the corner a bit before tagging Sags back in and he invites "The Innovator" to a stay in the Pit Stop before hitting him with a bulldog and climbing up top! He leaps off looking to hit a diving elbow; but Dreamer gets his knees up! And Jerry is in a world of pain as he writhes about on the floor until Dreamer pulls him up to his knees, pounds his head in; and nails him with a DDT! He makes the cover! 1! 2!
At this point a split screen comes up where Tommy Dreamer & Dustin Rhodes with Beulah deliver a promo on not sweating the Ubermensch getting another Title shot. They have enoughon their plate with a big Tag match against the Studd Stable at the PPV and tonight when they take on WCW's Nasty Boys!
Brian Knobs breaks the cover with a double axe handle to Dreamer's back! The Nasties are quick to get back up and stomp the hell out of Tommy while Beulah McGillicutty looks on helpless from ringside. "The American Nightmare" however comes in swinging! But he's soon overpowered and being hammered on both Nasties who whip him into the ropes and...
Get taken down by a double clothesline from Dustin Rhodes! Dustin then stomps Brian out until he rolls from the ring! But Jerry Sags grabs Rhodes from behind, spins him about and clotheslines him out over the top rope! But when he turns back to Dreamer, Tommy is already up; and kicks Jerry in the gut! He then with some effort hoists him up onto his shoulder and nails him with the fireman's carry slam! He makes the cover!
But Jerry kicks out at two! Dreamer has had enough and tags in Dustin who immediately begins working Sags over with a rear headlock! He keeps Jerry down with some clubbing elbows; but after a while Sags manages to get back up to his feet. Dustin however hammers him back into the corner where he seats him on the second rope! Why is Beulah distracting Davis with her... assets? Dustin Rhodes runs in a kicks Jerry in the crotch while the refs back is turned! He then hooks the leg! 1! 2!
Jerry powers out! Rhodes looks to keep on his opponent, but this time Sags battles out with several punches and has Dustin seeing stars as he cracks his skull with a massive headbutt that drops him to one knee! And he makes the tag to Brian Knobbs! And together the Nasties drill Rhodes' head into the matt with a vicious double DDT! 1!... 2!...
"The Nightmare" kicks out! But he's in trouble as Brian beats the hell out of him! And hoisting him up onto his shoulders he hits Dustin with a running
powerslam! Dustin is down as Knobs hooks the leg! 1!... 2!...
Rhodes kicks out! The Nasty Boys make with some quick tags as they work Dustin over together, but Jerry Sags is in the ring when he whips Rhodes into the ropes! But on the rebound Dustin stops, drops to the mat; and connects with an uppecut on Jerry who was looking for a Samoan Drop! Dustin makes the tag to Tommy Dreamer!
And Dreamer explodes into the ring! He takes Jerry down with several clotheslines before pounding him into the mat and puts him in a sleeper! When...
The Stud Stable appears outside on the ramp?! Tommy Dreamer drops Sags to see what is going on as Colonel Parker leads his men down to the ring! Meanwhile Jerry Sags grabs a surprised Tommy Dreamer and hits him with a sidewalk slam! And he gets the pin! The Nasty Boys have beat the ECW Champions on their home turf!
And if that wasn't bad enough the Stud Stable attacks them! Big Bubba Rogers, Dirty White Boy; and Bobby Eaton are beating the hell out of the Champs while Parker barks orders! He even gets a few licks in when suddenly from the back explodes...
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes! He interjects himself with a steel chair! And swinging it about he chases Eaton, White Boy; and Rogers from the ring! The fans are cheering as Dusty backs keeps the trio from re-entering, but that cheering escalates when "The Dream" realizes he's still got Colonel Parker in the ring! Dustin and Tommy are back up now and Parker is pleading for Dusty to stop; but Rhodes lets him have it with the steel chair! And Parker is lying motionless in the ring when Dustin Rhodes takes out his flask and begins a little celebration as he shares a drink with his father and Dreamer in the ring.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Back from the break ECW Correspondent Terri Runnels is in front of the banner talking with the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase about the big reveal of his first client here last week. He seems rather pleased with himself as he tells us that if we think him signing the Warrior is big, then we have low expectations of him. Because he has another huge signing that he's going to cement at the PPV! He then tells us to look to the rafters!
Match: Alex Porteau vs. Mike Quackenbush
Referee: S.D. Jones
Young Alex Porteau looks impressive once again in this match-up where he counters much of Mike Quackenbush's innovative offense including the Chikara Special. Porteau has alot of fight in him and ends up scoring the win with a victory roll pin.
After the match we're taken to a promo by "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit who tells us that back in September of '95 Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat made the biggest mistake of his sad, pathetic life when he took something that belonged to Chris, in the WCW Television Championship. He says that he's often dreamt, often fantasized about tearing the "Dragon" limb from limb since that day. And tonight he gets his wish. And this Sunday? There won't be a match at the Pay Per-View. Because all Randy Savage will be busy doing this Sunday is picking up the pieces of Steamboat that Benoit leaves littered across the ring.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Back from the break we're apparently brought to the boiler room of Roberts Municipal Stadium where "The Soul Stealer" Papa Shango is with "The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan?! They have the entirety of the Dark Circle and Dungeon of Doom with them where they talk about their match this Sunday where we'll see evil, we'll see destruction; we'll witness the darkest hour in the careers of Rick Rude, Curt Hennig, Rob Van Dam, Buff Bagwell, Scott Norton; and that fool Ron Simmons if he chooses to be their sixth victim! Because we've never seen such terror as will be wrought by the combined forces of the Dungeon of Doom and the Dark Circle. Because make no mistake; on September 9th at Showdown in Charlotte; Darkness Will Fall!
Match: Pogo the Clown w/ Matt Borne vs. Prince Nana
Referee: Danny Davis
It certainly fell hard on poor Prince Nana Osei Bandoh in this one where the Dark Circle and Dungeon of Doom came out to ringside in force. Trapped between the cabal and a three ton clown; Prince Nana put up a fight as best he could against Pogo the Clown who mostly dominated him before clotheslining him over the top to the floor below!
The DoD and Dark Cicle apparently thought this was a lumberjack match as they handed Nana one vicious beating out on the floor while Danny Davis called for the bell and awarded the win to Bandoh by Disqualification.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Prince Nana didn't look like a winner as Mean Gene and Lanny roled the tape after the break of medics showing up to take Prince Nana's bloodied body from the ringside area. Okerlund is thoroughly digusted by what he just witnessed and thinks that suspensions would be a light punishment for the carnage we just witnessed. They then remind us that next week's show will be coming to us live from the E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky! And while tickets for the show are sold out, those folks stuck at home or not in the area should tune in right here on Eastern Championship's home station of TNN The Nashville Network to catch all the action live! They also remind us once again not to forget to order the huge Pay Per-View Event this Sunday Night as ECW and WCW have a Showdown in Charlotte! The event is only $24.95, so be sure to call in to your local provider. There will be a pre-show as well free on the PPV channel leading up to the event, so be sure to catch that as well. They then rundown the card for the PPV.
Just changed to a Six-Man Tag-Team Match! ECW Champs Dustin Rhodes and Tommy Dreamer will team with Dusty Rhodes vs. the Stud Stable!
Elimination Tag-Team Match: Destruction Inc. & The Hughes Brothers vs. The Steiners and Dem Aloha Boys!
Match: Legendary TV Champ Tully Blanchard will face current WCW TV Champ Diamond Dallas Page!
Champion vs. Champion Match: "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat!
Loser Traders Promotions Match: William Regal vs. "The Long Island Loud-Mouth" Chris Jericho!
Tag-Team Rumble Match: Team Rude & Hennig vs. Dark Circle & the Dungeon of Doom!
Eastern Heavyweight Title Match: ECW Champ "Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson!
Lanny and Gene then tell us that another preview match has been signed this Saturday night on Weekend Warriors! To determine which side will enter the
ring first at the Pay Per-View; it'll be WCW announcing team Dusty Rhodes, Terry Taylor; and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff against the team of "Rock 'N Roll" Buck Zumhoff, The Honky Tonk Man; and Gene's own broadcast partner "The Genius" Lanny Poffo! Lanny says that with his involvement, their victory is assured. Gene rolls his eyes.
Match: Randy Savage vs. Steve Blackman w/ Captain Lou Albano
Referee: S.D. Jones
Coming down to the ring with "Hot Stuff" Debbie Combs; "Macho Man" Randy Savage isn't fooling around with this one as he warns Captain Lou Albano to stay out of it several times throughout. Though Steve Blackman does get some offense in, it is obvious from the bell that this match belongs to the "Macho Man" who is a man possessed as he beats the hell out of "The Silent Assassin" before heading up top and signalling for the Savage Elbow Drop! At the last minute however he seems to change his mind and waiting for Steve Blackman to stumble up to his feet takes him down with a diving crossbody for a pin; obviously sending a message to his opponent this Sunday; Ricky Steamboat.
We're then brought backstage where Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is watching Savage's match on television when he's approaced by "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit! He doesn't say anything however and the two men just stare at one another until the...
COMMERCIAL BREAK
"Ravishing" Rick Rude and WCW Champion Curt Hennig are standing by with their "perfect partners" Rob Van Dam, Scott Norton; and Buff Bagwell while they talk to ECW Correspondent Terri Runnels in front of the ECW Banner about those jokers playing Halloween in the Dungeon of Doom and Dark Circle. They tell Terri that their little "message" earlier fell on deaf ears. See, guys the caliber of "The Ravishing One" and "Mr. Perfect" aren't even in the same league as Prince Banana whatever his name is. That the five men standing before her are five of the finest physical specimens in this sport today and all former Champions. And none of them are afraid of some guys running around in their Trick or Treating pajamas.
Match: Brian Christopher w/ Jacqueline vs. Steve Corino w/ Jason Venom
Referee: Danny Davis
These two men are pretty evenly matched as they battle back and forth, making several pin attempts on both sides. "Miss Texas" Jacqueline Moore does her best to distract "Mr. Wrestling" Steve Corino, but big Jason Venom is right on it chasing her off. This leads to a miscue when "Too Cool" Brian Christopher is paying too much attention to what is going on with Jackie late in the match and he gets nailes with an Old School Kick from Steve Corino that puts him away for the three count.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Match: Dean Malenko w/ David Prazak vs. Buck Zumhoff
Referee: S.D. Jones
"Rock 'N Roll" Buck Zumhoff does his best here; he's just simply out-classed by the ECW Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko and "The Lone Wolf" forces him to tap out after locking in the Texas Cloverleaf.
After the match "White Train" by Tito & Tarantula hits and out from the back come ECW President Eric Bischoff! He swaggers down to the ramp and reminds
us that whenever we see "All-Class" Eric Bischoff out here it can only mean one thing; Business is at Hand! And what could today's business be? This close to the big Pay Per-View what else is it gonna be?! To tell everyone to be sure to tune in this Sunday night for what's sure to be the biggest event in this sport his year; ECW/WCW Showdown in Charlotte! Live on Pay Per-View! So go start pestering your kids for $24.95 to order it! But that's not the only reason he's out here tonight. As we all know at the Showdown, there's a very special match in the Main Event for the Eastern Heavyweight Championship! The top prize in this promotion, which is without a doubt one of the top prizes in this sport! And because this is a very special match with alot on the line; it needs a very special contract. And iron-clad contract. He then heads down to the ring where there's a table and two chairs set up. There's a very officious looking lawyer in the ring as well. He then calls out the ECW Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair!
Flair appears on the ramp in his white suit with the ECW Title draped over his shoulder and lets out a Woooo! He heads down to the ramp, keeping his distance from Bischoff who then calls down Flair's challenger this Sunday night "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson!
Arn comes down to the ring and keeps his distance from Ric. They eyeball one another until Bischoff gets back on the microphone and tells Flair that as we all know his conduct of late has...
Flair stomps across the ring and snatches the mic from Eric's hand! He tells Bischoff that he don't care what Bischoff thinks! He's a nobody! Just like the plebians here in Evansville, Indiana! And this iron-clad contract doesn't matter one bit either! Because all the terms and conditions and blah, blah, blah only mean something if! And that's a big if! That "Nature Boy" Ric Flair loses the Title on Sunday night! And he hates to break it to Arn' daddy. And Mama Anderson. And even his good friend Double A; but on Sunday night hearts will be broken. There ain't gonna be no heartwarming story. On September 9th Arn is going to climb Olympus when he steps into the ring with a verifiable wrestling God! And when "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson climbs Olympus he's going to do just what Perseus and every other schlub that tried did before him; and that's fall! And this Sunday at Showdown in Charlotte "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is going to walk out of the Independence Arena the same way he walks in; the Eastern Heavyweight Champion! Woooo!
He then hands Eric the microphone back and asks Arn if he has anything to say. Anderson takes the mic and says that he's already said everything he had to say. Let's just get the contract signed. Bischoff takes it back and says fair enough before showing Flair the contract. He then informs "Nature Boy" of some clauses contained within. He tells him that the match at Showdown in Charlotte for the ECW Championship will have a winner. That there'll be no Count Outs, no Disqualifications; and no other shenanigans. If Ric Flair no-shows the event, he forfeits the Title! If he leaves during the match, he forfeits the Title! And if for some reason Arn Anderson is suddenly unable to compete between now and Sunday... Ric Flair forfeits the Title! And here's the part Eric really loves. Should "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair lose the Title... he's fired!
Ric looks pissed as he watches Eric sign the paper. He then hands Flair the pen. "Naitch" seems hesitant, but he takes it and signs it! But just then he moves forward and attempts to stab Eric in the hand with the pen! Arn Anderson however quickly pushes Bischoff out of the way and he gets stabbed with it instead!
Blood is everywhere and Ric Flair is berating Arn, calling him an idiot! AA is nursing his hand which is bleeding pretty bad and he looks ready to attack Flair! He reaches out with his left hand and... he's asking for the pen?! Flair hesitantly hands it to him and Arn signs the papers. He then points to Ric and seems to be threatening him as ECW goes to...
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Okerlund and Poffo welcome us back from the last commercial break of the evening before discussing the contract signing just before the break where ECW Champ Ric Flair attempted to attack ECW President Eric Bischoff! Arn Anderson, his challenger at this Sunday's PPV Showdown intervened and was in turn stabbed by a pen by "The Nature Boy!" "Mean" Gene has received word that EMTs have looked at Arn's hand and while the wound is said to be deep; he is still cleared to compete this Sunday. Ric Flair has been escorted from the building. They then begin to hype tonight's huge Main Event; the second of two
ECW/WCW Preview matches to take place here tonight!
First blood tonight went to WCW when the Nasty Boys defeated the ECW Champs Tommy Dreamer and Dustin Rhodes with some help from the Stud Stable who they're set to face this Sunday. Our next match sees two men who had quite the rivalry in WCW meet once more as "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit faces off against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat! Benoit is looking for revenge tonight against Steamboat for defeating him for the WCW Television Title back during those days. Steamboat of course is set to face "Macho Man" Randy Savage this Sunday at Showdown in a rematch from their classic bout at Wrestlemania III. One thing is for sure tonight however; nobody would want to be in the shoes of "The Dragon!"
Gertner: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada weighing 234 lbs.; he is "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit!
Benoit comes down in his sunglasses and trenchoat which he removes before Ricky Steamboat's music plays.
Gertner: And introducing his challenger this evening from Honolulu, Hawaii weighing 235 lbs.; he is the WCW United States Champion Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat!
ECW/WCW Promo Match: Chris Benoit vs. Ricky Steamboat
Referee: Danny Davis
Chris Benoit stalks about the ring eyeing Ricky Steamboat with his cold stare. Davis starts the match and the two men lock up with "The Dragon" driving "The Canadian Crippler" into the corner where they brawl for a bit before Davis breaks it up. Returning to the center of the ring they lock it up again, this time Chris grabs a quick front headlock. Steamboat forces him back into the ropes and whips Chris across the ring; but Benoit slides under his legs on the rebound! Popping back up Chris goes for a kick which Ricky catches and Benoit pops up for a step-up enziguiri! But Ricky ducks it and Chris hits the mat! Ricky runs the ropes, Chris gets up attempts to block; and Steamboat lets him have it with a dropkick!
Benoit goes down hard and rolls out of the ring while the fans cheer Steamboat who waits for Chris to get back into the ring. Once back inside the two men circle about and Ricky goes to lock up, but Benoit catches him with a cheap kick to the gut! He then hammers away on "The Dragon" a bit before whipping him into the ropes! He goes for a clothesline, but Steamboat ducks it! On the rebound Ricky ducks a second clothesline and counters with an armdrag tossing Chris across the ring! Benoit then pops back up only to have Steamer throw him down with another! Chris can't seem to believe it and keeps his distance for a bit before running in and faking a lock up goes for a quick go behind!
He attempts a suplex, but Steamboat reverses it! But then Benoit reverses Ricky's attempt! But then Steamboat reverses again! And finally Chris Benoit catches him and hits "The Dragon" with a suplex! Both men are right back up however and Steamboat catches him with a standing dropkick! Ricky keeps on top of his opponent with several chops and kicks until Chris drops him with a toe hold. And when Steamboat gets back up to his feet Benoit lets him have it with a dropkick to the shins! Chris goes right after Steamboat's legs with several kicks and stomps, even throwing one leg over the bottom rope and jumping on it! Davis stops him from doing it again, but Benoit pushes him away and dragging Steamboat into the middle of the ring ties him up applying the Indian deathlock while holding him in a bridging headlock at the same time! Steamboat is in trouble, but he's fighting it! He inches to the ropes!
But Chris gives up and grabbing Ricky by the throw pulls him off the mat and slams his knee into the canvas! He then pulls Ricky up to his feet and hammers him to the floor! Steamboat crawls into the corner where Chris stomps him out, before picking him up and hanging him in the Tree of Woe! Chris then walks across the ring while the crowd is mixed booing and cheering him and charging back across he connects with a baseball slide to Steamboat's face! Chis Benoit then heads back to the opposing corner and does it again; but he's gone to the well once to often and Steamboat gets out of the way! "The Canadian Crippler" meanwhile will be singing Falcetto as he slides crotch first into the steel post! Ricky Steamboat catches his breath, but as Chris crawls out of the corner he
goes up top. And as Benoit stumbles to his feet the flying crossbody connects! 1!... 2!...
Benoit gets his shoulder up! Steamboat helps Chris up to his feet and connects with a vertical suplex; floating over with another cover and another two. Chris gets back up, but this time Ricky kicks his leg out from under him! Chris goes down to one knee as Steamboat begins chopping him down! He then kicks Chris' other leg out from under him dropping him to the floor. Then dragging him into the middle of the ring he stomps Benoit before backing into the ropes and connects with an elbow drop. He makes the cover, but Chris kicks right out. He then sets Chris up for an Electric Chair drop!
But Chris counters with a headscissors takedown that sends "The Dragon" face first into the turnbuckle! "The Canadian Crippler" is right back up and seizing
the dazed Steamboat from behind pops the hips and connects with a German Suplex! He rolls back to his feet and hasn't let Ricky go as he hits him with another! And another! But this time he bridges it! 1!... 2!...
Steamboat kicks out! Ricky is still down, but Benoit is nice enough to help him to his feet and runs him head first into the top turnbuckle! He then hits Ricky with an inverted atomic drop! But out of desperation Steamboat comes right back at him with a clothesline! Chris is back up first however and that means bad news for Steamboat! Benoit stomps his legs a good bit, punishing "The Dragon" before grabs his legs and turning him over into the Sharpshooter! Steamer is looking for the ropes! He's gritting his teeth and he's fighting it! He inching closer and closer!
But Chris Benoit pulls him back into the middle of the ring and puts on the pressure! Steamboat taps! Benoit has won it! But he isn't letting go! Davis is trying to pull him off! Chris has had enough of him however and letting Ricky go he pushes the ref across the ring into the ropes! He then turns of "The Dragon" and begins stomping his legs again! He's going for another Sharpshooter! But....
"Macho Man" Randy Savage is in the ring?! And he's attacking Chris Benoit! The two men are battling it out, brawling about the ring! Ricky Steamboat meanwhile has hobbled back up and he helps Savage! Together the duo whip Benoit into the ropes and charging across they clothesline him out of the ring! The fans are cheering. But now Steamboat seems hesitant to approach Savage. Randy gets the microphone from Joel Gertner.
He tells Ricky that while he was to beat Steamboat this coming Sunday at Showdown in Charlotte, he wants to do it on his own. He then extends his hand. Ricky Steamboat seems unsure, but takes it. And the fans cheer again as the...
Lights Fade.
Working on it now.