In 2004 FIP crowned its first heavyweight champion. In 2005 the first tag team champions were crowned. It wouldn't be until 2007 that another title would be added. Since FIP was supped to be old school they paid tribute calling the championship The Florida Heritage Title. Now I'm not a fan of the name I get wanting to honor Florida's past but this wasn't a company that only see in that state. Yes all the events where there but the DVD were sold every where why not call it just the Heritage Title and still Honor Graham. Plus if the champion was on a ROH or other high profiled indy show not in Florida he could defend it there. I guess being from Nebraska and never having been in Florida I really don't care if a heel hates Florida.
Now FIP is really different from the company I reviewed in my other FIP reviews. By 2007 they had really found a grove with old school styles shows using modern talent. There were still a number of ROH stars being used but they also built there own hot acts. So no more can I give them the benefit of the doubt about being young. Also going into this show Roderick Strong had won the FIP title and the Briscoe Brothers were the FIP tag champion. (Why did I pick a show with guys I hate as champions? Oh right on sale for five bucks) also guys like Homicide and CM Punk were long gone. Lenny Leonard and Dave Prazak (Outside of matches he is a manager for) are the announcers.
Jonathan Gold welcomes us to the show. He than introduces Florida Legend Mike Graham. Mike comes out wearing the belt the guys are fighting for. Mike tells us how proud he is to be here and talks about the legacy of his father Eddie Graham. He than starts to name some of the great wrestlers to appear in Florida. Dave Prazak leads out his DP Associates of Shingo, Jimmy Rave, and Delirious to interrupt. Prazak tries to take over the show refuses to do a tournament and wants to do a battle royal where he his 3 guys would have an advantage. Mike responds but I have no idea what he was saying. Mike also feels the need to take the belt off and drop it on the ground. Rave, Shingo and Delirious start to advance on Graham but Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens run out. Strong challenges Rave to star there match right now. Rave accepts. Not a big fan of this open. FIP did the whole "Anything goes" stuff and from a logic standpoint I never really got it. In Prazak had changed a planned tournament into a 4 way match so why couldn't he do it this time? Plus everything was so hard to hear and this really ticks me off Strong where DP was standing when Strong and Graham turned to face them they had there back to the hard camera side.
Round One
Roderick Strong with Erick Stevens Jimmy Rave with DP Associates- Strong was the FIP champion and I don't get why he is on the tournament. Lets say TNA brought back the TV title and had a tournament why would Magnus be in it he had has the top prize. Now from what I have seen over the years Gabe Sapolsky hates mid card belts he like to think a mid card belt means the guys wrestling for it are mid card and in ROH or FIP anyone can main event. But you know you need a mid card to make that world title mean something also some guys need to be a the mid card to get ready to main event. Strong with a big shoulder tackle. Rave bad out and even jumps over the guard rail. Paul Turner ejects Shingo and Delirious from ringside. Rave back arm drag by Strong than a crucifix by Strong for a pin. Strong crotches Rave on the guard rail. Rave get his boot up as Strong charges. Milo Beasley (a lackey of DP) chokes Strong on the rope after Rave does it. Besleys gimmick is he's in a wheel chair but pop up to cheat when ever he gets a chance to. Strong rolls up Rave for two. Leonard with a front chancery into a pin but Leonard calls it a small package. DP distracts Strong allowing Jimmy to attack him on the outside. Strong into the guard rail. Chin breaker by Strong than clothesline and a leg lariat for two. Superplex by Strong. Stronghold attempt but DP distracts the referee and Beashley jumps up. Strong drops the hold as Rave goes for the FIP belt. Strong ducks but belt shot. Gut Buster and Sick Kick by Strong for the win. Decent opening match. My only real issue is why is the FIP champion in this tournament. Post match an annoyed Prazak declares "this never would have happened in a battle royal."
Larry Sweeney vs Jay Briscoe- Sweeney was undefeated in FIP at this point and Briscoe was one half of the FIP tag champions. I get putting the tag champions in a singles tournament some what but why not put someone else without a belt in this tournament. Sweeney was most known for his work in CHIKARA and was in ORH as a manager. Sweeney cuts a promo about how good he is looking and how he is undefeated. Sweeney has more charisma in little finger than most guys had in there whole body. We get that heel tries to prove how popular he is by standing on the corner only for the face to get a bigger reaction spot at the start. Jay drives Sweeney into the corner. Sweeney slaps Jay on a break and runs away. Jay gets a chance to respond with one on a break. Sweeney calls for a test of strength and uses it to kick Jay in the gut. Sweeney caught in the ropes Jay punches Larry pouches right back up for a few seconds in a comedy spot. Snap suplex by Briscoe gets two. Briscoe goes for a shoulder tackle in the corner but Sweeney moves. Sweeney works a chin lock. Knee by Sweeney to the gut than one to head. Flipping neck breaker by Briscoe. Awful looking big boot by Briscoe. Death Valley Driver but Sweeney blocks the Jay Driller into a goardbuster. Briscoe cuts Sweeney off at the rope but Sweeney fight off the superplex. Sweeney argues with the ref and than walks right into the Jay Driller. Ok match but you have Sweeney who was undefeated lose her to a guy that already had a belt and a guy that had maybe six moves none of witch he did well. Funny moment Prazak insist Larry can't be out since he wasn't tossed over the top rope still selling his battle royal idea.
Shingo with Dave Prazak & Mr. Milo Beasley vs Erick Stevens- Shingo is a start out of Dragon Gate in Champion and was one half of the ROH tag team champions at this time and come out with the belt. Stevens had risen up the ranks of FIP starting as jobber, than enforcer heel with Steve Madison than turning face and and feuding with Madison and now he was set to break out and rise to the top. Again we get the heel thinks he popular stand on corner spot but this time the heel (Shingo) jumps Stevens when his back is turned and than uses his Japanese flag to choke him. Exchange of shoulder tackles and finally Stevens takes Shingo down. Stevens shows of this power with a belly to back and a one handed scoop and slam. Spinning kick by Shingo takes control. Stevens powers out of head locks so Shingo hits a chin breaker. Beasley interfere first gripping the leg and than putting the boots to Stevens when he is on the floor and a flipping senton off the apron. Shingo with a half crab switched into the cross face. Chop exchange until Shingo pokes the eyes. Forearms and big back body drop puts Stevens in control. Avalanche splash and TKO gets two. Shingo blocks the Doctor Bomb big DDT. Crucifix by Stevens for the win. Good match but it felt like guys no sold to much and tired cram a 15 min match into 10 mins of ring time.
The rest of DP runs out to put the boots to Stevens. and Choke him. Roderick Strong and Mark Briscoe run out of the save.
Delirious vs Mark Briscoe- Of course Mark was partners with brother holding the FIP tag belts. Mark Shows he an idiot right away going for a slingshot press but holding to the ropes so he falls awkwardly to the floor. Spring board super kick by Briscoe with his dumb scream added. Shadows over Hell attempt by Delirious but Mark flips over and gets the knees up. Delirious takes overs with a modified invited DDT. Briscoe enzirgurie that misses by a mile and another one.He's not even coming close to landing. Prazak trips Briscoe off the top. Cobra Stretch by Delirious for the win. Mark really sucks he is so sloppy so the less I see of him in the ring the better. Very rushed match.
The YRR or Kenny King, Sal Rinauro, and Chasyn Rance come out with a couple of girls. Rance spoke but I have no idea what they said. Kenny said they were going to hold a party in the ring and interrupt the tournament. Jerrelle Clark, Seth Delay, and Kory Chavis ran out and jumped the YRR. The YRR ran to the back. Clark challenged them to a match later in the night. We get a video hyping the DVD for the 2006 Florida Rumble which was one FIP's yearly events.
Semi-Finals
Roderick Strong vs Jay Briscoe- Thank god I am spared promos by either guy before this match. Strong controls the head and arm early on Briscoe back heel trip into a leg lock. Strong forces Briscoe back in a knuckle lock and than stomps him in the stomach. Deep arm drag by the FIP World Champion Strong. Headlock by Briscoe and than a bad looking rana. Strong executes a drop toe hold into a hammer lock than a vertical suplex. First backbreaker by Strong and nice looking sling shot suplex. Briscoe with some shots and Strong bails to the outside. Briscoe with a snap suplex once Strong is back inside. Ok a spot where it just looks like they missed and went down either way. Briscoe with a seated dropkick and that straight jacket submission. Strong with the snake eyes and Briscoe doesn't get his arms up to block the move. Again why to people think Briscoe is talented? Death Valley Driver by Jay gets two. Good looking enziqurie by Strong. Belly to back suplex landing on the apron by Strong. Briscoe goes for the Jay Driller but blocks it. Gibson Driver by Strong for the win. Ok match but nothing to special.
Mark comes out with his brother and hold up the one FIP tag belt. Jay gets on the microphone and challenges Mad Man Pondo and Necro Butcher to match at the next FIP show. The Battle of Four Guys that are an insult to the term wrestler.
Erick Stevens vs Delirious with Dave Prazak and Mr. Milo Beasley - Prazak had spent the previous match running Stevens down on commentary and making it clear his man Delirious would win the belt and toss it in the swamp. Delirious during his freakout and tosses a chair in the ring and than runs Beasley in his wheel chair into the guard rail. Ok was that a face turn or was he ribbing Beasley? Lots of stalling by Delirious to start. Headlock by Delirious but Stevens powers free. More stalling by Delirious. Stevens again frees himself from a head lock and more stalling by Delirious. Headlock by Stevens than into a dragon twist armlock. . Delirious frees himself. More stalling by Delirious as he bails out to get a chair. Delirious shoves Beasley into the ring for more delaying. I get the whole gimmick is Delirious is unpredictable but this is just getting annoying. Stevens no sells a chop and another bail out this time Stevens follows but Delirious had hidden under the ring. Stevens pulls him out and best him up on the outside. Prazak rakes the back of Stevens and than allows Delirious to whip him into the ring post. Stevens' face gets run across the top rope. Stevens sent to the floor. Beasley with an elbow drop off the apron. Back to back senton by Delirious. The masked man goes for a slam but Stevens turns it into a press cover for two. Belly to back suplex by Delirious. Delirious misses an elbow off the top. Stevens blocks the right hand and hits a few of his own three times and than a slam. Stevens with the military press into the power slam. Avalanche Splash misses. Running dropkick to the back and than panic attack by Delirious. Shadows over hell gets two. Cobra Stretch by Delirious. Stevens powers back up to his feet and rams him into the corner to free himself. Big lariat and a Doctor Bomb picks up the win for Stevens. The stalling got old really fast. I get doing it for heat but this went on to long to point of just being annoying.
Prazak gave Delirious a microphone and the masked cut a promo in his own language. Prazak translated to say DP was coming for the title and someone was going to pay for this. Some kid took once the tassels from the Delirious mask and tied him to the guard rail. Prazak attacked like he was having a panic attack over it (no not the running move the actual event known as a panic attack.)
The YRR of Kenny King, Sal Rinauro, and Chasyn Rance with two girls vs Kory Chavis, Jerrelle Clark, and Seth Delay- The YRR gimmick was they were cocky young heels with money. King would go onto work for ROH and TNA. I think Rance's career ended after some legal trouble I have no idea about Sal but I was never a fan of his. Chavis was the former Rainman under a new name. King and Chavis start us off. Each guy show off there power. Was it lock takedown by Chavis into a front chancery. Escape by King into a headlock. Tag to Clark and tag to Rance. Arm drag by Clark. Rinaruo tags in double teams arm wringers but Clark flips free using the ropes. Clark with a moonsault to the floor takes out YRR but it's appears to me he missed and just landed on his feet but maybe that's how they agreed to the spot in the back. Delay tags in. Delay goes for a drop down but Sal sees it and just stands on his head. Back body drop by Delay. Tag to Chavis and tag to King. Leaping for arm and a twisting dropkick by Chavis. Tag to Delay hits a few moves tag to Clark. Flying headscciores by Clark than a tag to Delay who hits the same move. Gut buster on the shoulder by King tag to Rance. Sal in with a punch off the top rope. Delayed Vertical Suplex by Sal on Delay. Tag back to King who puts the boots to the down Delay. Series of various kicks on Delay when the referee has his back turned b the YRR. Rance in tight a front face lock. Delay with the tag but the referee doesn't see it. Good looking drop kick by Sal and than tag back to Rance. Rance and Rinauro go for a double team suplex but Delay lands on his feet and makes the tag to Clark. Clarks sends Rance into Sal and than a hand spring moonsault. King back in but a DDT by Clark. Tag to Chavis. Sit out power slam by Chavis. Swinging DDT on Sal gets two. Match breaks down as all six men fight. Rance nails Delay with something allowing Sal to roll him up for the win. Decent match but just a time killer during the tournament.
Mike Graham returned and brought out the title belt again. Graham spoke and just repeated a lot of the stuff he said at the start. I get the feeling Graham could have cared less and was just doing hit for a payday.
Florida Heritage Title Tournament Finals Roderick Strong vs Erick Stevens- Both men were out of Florida and were baby faces. Strong with a single leg and than a front face lock but Sevens powers free into the arm wringer. Strong with a drop into a head lock and than a front face lock. Stevens gets to the ropes. Strong in control early on gets two off a slam and an elbow drop. Strong appears to be working as a heel in the match. I find it strange it would have made sense for him to start as a face and than maybe being hellish after things go intense. Match spills to the floor after a basement dropkick by Strong. String with a twisting dive over the top rope. Strong picks Stevens up and rams his back into the post. Stevens responds by driving Strong back first into the ring frame a few times. Suplex by Strong on the floor. Strong goes for a rana on the floor but Stevens catches him and power bombs him into the ring frame. Leonard and Prazak point out Stevens taking a page out of Strong book working over the back. Belly to back suplex by Strong. Strong ties Stevens in the ropes and than kicks Stevens in the head. The announcers talk about how Strong got Stevens into wrestling. Military press into the power slam hi by Stevens both men are down. Chop exchange with Stevens getting the advantage than a flap jack. Power slam and back senton by Stevens. Stevens with the avalanche splash and a than a TKO. Strong blocks a gut wretch and hits the sick kick for two. Chops by Strong and he sits Stevens on the top rope for the superplex. Strong to the top and hits a big elbow but only gets two. Strong sets up for another move off the top rope but Stevens wakes up and they fight on the ropes. Strong with a back breaker driving Stevens onto the turnbuckle. Stevens out at two. Gut buster and Gibson driver but agin Stevens kicks out. So now this is when Strong really should have more like a heel to imply he was getting desperate after his big finishing combo failed. Strong sets up for the super Gibson drivers but Stevens blocks it. Power slam off the ropes by Stevens gets two. Release German and lariat by Stevens than the Doctor bomb for the win. Very good match as the two guys gelled very well in the ring. This was the kick off more or less to a feud with Stevens and Strong that would see them trade the FIP title. Sadly Gabe also had them feuding in ROH at the same time. So they two wrestled each other so often the feud got stale fast. Not helping Strong was a heel in ROH and turned heel in FIP and won so many matches by cheating it really damaged the momentum Stevens had going before the feud.
Post match Mike Graham returns and hands the new belt to Stevens. DP Associates hit the ring and attack Strong and Stevens. Prazak yells at Graham who gives chase. Strong and Stevens fight back and send Shingo, Rave, and Delirious running. Prazak gets in the ring and gets nailed by Graham because in 2007 we really needed Graham to get over. Stevens picks up his belt and than embraces Strong. Strong raises the new champions hand before leaving the ring. (his FIP heel turn was months off) Stevens gets a microphone and insults some jackass fan that had been insulting every wrestler all night long. Stevens than thanks the actual fans and talks about how long and hard he has worked to get to a moment like this. Stevens puts over Strong as he best friend, trainer, and mentor. Strong gets the microphone and puts over over Stevens as being the fucking man. Stevens takes the microphone and tells DP Associates he give them the first shot since they tried to ruin this moment. We close new champion continues to celebrate his wi as he walks out.
Why is this called battle of the belts? You would think with that kind of name it would feature a Battle of Champions. I know Strong and Jay Briscoe wrestled but that wasn't a featured match. I think the smarter move would have been to keep the already crowned champions out of the tournament and give those spots to guys in the YRR or something. Stevens was a great pick to the tournament as he was super over with the fans. Was having great matches and looked to be the breakout start of FIP. Some pretty good matches and a nice format of old school style wrestling do make this show worth checking out.
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