ECW Originals, Sheamus Not Set For the Royal Rumble?

According to PWInsider (via WZ), it is unlikely that Sheamus or the ECW Originals will be in the Royal Rumble match. Sheamus is not scheduled to be in Philadelphia and Rob Van Dam is believed to be the only ECW name bring brought in.

The reason for the ECW move is that WWE officials don’t want some of the ECW guys receiving bigger reactions due to the Philly crowd than their regular Superstars. WWE executive Kevin Dunn is also not an ECW fan and doesn’t think it is important enough to pay tribute to in the Rumble.

Opinionated View- Disappointed we won't see Sheamus but thrilled we wont' see ECW guys. WWE has over used nostalgia pops way to much. And its long over due to let ECW just stay dead.

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Flashback Reviews ECW One Night Stand 2006

In 2005 the WWE pulled ECW of of the shelf with the reunion show One Night Stand for various reasons several names were absent but a key one was Rob Van Dam. RVD who had been one of the men pitching the show to Vince McMahon was injured and unable to wrestle. The show as a hit with critics, fans and reports were the butyrate was good. But nothing happened in terms of ECW relaunch until 2006. A second One Night Stand was announced and the mani event was Rob Van Damn challenging John Cena for the WWE Championship. And was ECW coming back as a third full time brand for the WWE. The new ECW quickly became just a B-show for the WWE it never really recaptured the magic of the old one. So I'm going to take a look at the first event. Did the new ECW get off to a good start or did it fall out of the blocks?

A few things of note unlike the first ONS that was ECW alum vs ECW alum matches outside of a brawl with WWE "invaders." This card was WWE vs ECW for the most part. I also recommend reading Mick Foley's Hardcore Diary as it documents Foley's time leading up to this match. While I don't agree with everything Foley says in the book about his original ideas and how things played out it is interesting kind of like getting directors commentary on a movie.  Also WWE had learned from Hardcore Homecoming the year before and made anyone that going to appear on this show sign a contract that limited the type of outside bookings they could take. Plus with ECW retiring a number of ECW guys were signed anyway. Also a few days before the ECW PPV they did a ECW v WWE special on USA that I felt hurt the show because well we have PPV just days away. Also since ECW was coming back as a weekly show guys like Big Show and Kurt Angle were sent over to it. I get the though process for it being they wanted to have WWE fans that had never seen ECW to tune it but Kurt and Show were just not the right fit for ECW and I would have held off on roster changes until the weekly show. Maybe have Heyman tease he had "convinced" a few Raw and Smackdown guys to come over because they were so impressed with ECW.

Our announce team is Joey Styles and Taz and I like the picks Joey was the voice of ECW and well Taz was a good announcer and a former ECW champion. We open on the Hammerstine Ballroom with the fans chanting ECW. Paul Heyman makes his entrance. Heyman thanks the fans on behalf of those that wanted to be hardcore more than a superstar and declares the "Tribe of Extreme has Risen Again." Heyman says they will pour the koolaid down the throats of Global Audience and it all starts tonight. Heyman also takes a shot at TNN/Spike as he plugs the new ECW show on Sci-Fi. He says this didn't happen because of Paul Heyman or Vince McMahon it was because of the fans that ECW could return and he thanks the fans. He closes its better than Raw or Smackdown it's the Rebirth of ECW! It was a very good moment but it also show why the new ECW failed. See Heyman had zero power he was a writer for the show he was just on air talent. And pretty much all the writing was done by the same people doing Raw and Smackdown so we got just another WWE show. Now I'm not saying "Give Heyman control and let him down what ever he wants." But I do think he should have some power and let different people who aren't the usual WWE people write. Plus Heyman was quickly turned into just another heel GM type turning on the ECW originals. 

We get the old ECW intro like they used for the previous One Night Stand. Again I give they credit for not at the time trying to make it seem like an ECW show and not a WWE produced show. Joey Styles welcomes us to the show.

Tazz vs Jerry "The King" Lalwer- When ECW and WWF did there cross over stuff in the 97 King had been anti ECW so that was revived for this show. Tazz had left his job on Smackdown to "return home." Tazz was in a baseball jersey and basketball warmup pants instead of trademark singlet. King comes out and heads right over to Joey Styles and slaps him.This came from a time where Joey briefly replaced JR on Raw. Finally Joey snapped and and quit. Taz just stands in the ring and does't make an effort to go save his buddy. Just as the bell rings Joey jumps on King's back and is thrown off. King goes for the pile driver allowing Tazz to lock in the Tazz Mission for the choke out win. You can tell Joey is about to doing something since you can see his hands at ringside even as they try to hide him with a camera angle. The reason this was so short was the fact Tazz won't take a bump his neck is so bad he won't risk it. So why book a "match" if you wanted Tazz choking out the King there were other easy to do it hell send Jerry out to interrupt Heyman at the start and than have Tazz attack. Did anyone really want to see Joey get revenge for all the stuff King had done to him? 

We go back to Joey who is checking his jaw. We than get clips of the WWE vs ECW head to head special. We see Big Show turning on the WWE to join ECW in a battle royal. As I said a guy like Big Show going to ECW didn't fit. We also get clips of Sabu vs John Cena and a massive brawl at the end. Tazz joins Joey at commentary.

Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle-Kurt WWE career was drawing to an end and had pretty much had zero direction since WrestleMania. Kurt had been sent to Smackdown and turned face when Batista went down due to injures but after losing the WHC at Mania he was had nothing. So he was sent to ECW and really again it didn't fit. Kurt had been one of the anti ECW guys a year before now he super excited to be in ECW plus he was WWE guy through and through to this point his whole career he was about as anti ECW as you could get. Orton had been suspended for well being an huge jackass and pissing everyone off. In storyline Orton had been injured by Angle and than had jumped in his return. They remixed Kurt's theme so fans wouldn't do the "You Suck" chant. Joey brings up Kurt's one appearance in ECW in 96. Orton bias to the outside and the fans chant Pussy at him. Kurt goes for the Ankle Lock early on but Orton twists free. Kurt works a head lock early on. Orton keeps bailing out stalling. They were really trying to have Kurt rework his amateur  style moves having he keep lower and even using a body scissors. Kurt gives Orton the chance to head lock and shoves him right off. Randy tries again another shove a third try and Kurt hits the belly to back. Kurt charges into the corner and Orton moves making Kurt hit the post. Orton starts working the slow style he does using whip and dropping knees. Randy goes for a head lock but Kurt reveres into some pins. Orton locks in the sleeper and the fans start chanting boring. I really wish WWE would have had it end right there just to shock everyone. Orton misses a forearm smash and Angle gives him a release German Suplex. Orton counters the Angle Slam into an awful looking arm drag. Angle drops the straps and than hits the Angle Slam for two. Ankle lock but Orton rolls out sending Kurt into the turn buckle. Orton with a cross body off the top and Kurt rolls through for two as I have said in the bast I don't get that spot because to me it makes no sense it's not like Kurt caught him. Single leg and than Kurt locks in the Ankle lock for the win. The problem is this was your basic Kurt Angle and Randy Orton match. Neither guy went to the higher gear. And it was a match we could see on Raw or Smackdown almost any week. Orton did his slow and boring work while it was clear Kurt was already thinking about leaving. 

Two refs come down to help Orton to the back. He wasn't hurt I think they were trying to put over how dangerous Kurt was but it just kind was a dead spot on the show. 

The FBI Tony Mamaluke and Little Guido with Big Guido vs Tajiri and Super Crazy- Taijiri had left the WWE to return to Japan. Crazy and Mamaluke start us off moving around exchanging positions. Taijri just comes in and stomps at Mamaluke. Mamaluke gets a short arm scissors but Crazy picks him up and Slams him down. LIttle Guido and Taijri tag in. Big kicks by Taijri  Guido works over the arm. The FBI each get put the tree and woe and take some drop kicks by the international team. OSI moonsault by Crazy whips out the FBI. Big Guido gets involved and whips out Crazy. Octopus stretch by Taijri on Mamaluke. Than the hand spring elbow. Double Trantnatuls by Crazy and Taijri. But Guido comes in by a double team is to much or him. The FBI hit a Double Fishmen's Buster on Taijri for the win. Decent tag team match 

Big Show comes out and takes out everyone. Yeah it was time for Big Show's latest heel turn/unstoppable monster push. And it failed like all the other times they did this with Big Show. I think it might have worked some what better if they idea was Big Show was forced to go to ECW but no they played like he was happy at first. Also I hate the BS of just burying guys after a big win. Joey and Taz start to hype the two world title matches when they are interrupted by JBL. JBL is up in the stands. JBL cuts basically anti ECW promo he did in 05. And puts over him beating up the Blue Meanie witch the guy did for real. No it wasn't a work JBL legit went after Meanie and attacked him. JBL claims RVD is a star because of Smackdown and Vince McMahon and everyone else that "left" the WWE. He than plugs that he will be taking over for Tazz on Smackdown. Decent promo by JBL and it got good heat but man it went on to long. Hell you were waiting for someone from ECW to come out and shut him up and no one ever did. 

Extreme Rules Match for the World Heavyweight Championship Rey Mysterio © vs Sabu- Unlike the old ECW where all the matches were Extreme Rules only a few in the new ECW were This was pretty much the single to fans the new ECW was not going to be like the old one. I also never got why this match. I get it was kind of a dream match at one point but they already had the big title match with Cena and Orton why add this one? Rey had won the WHC at Mania 22 but he never really caught on as champ I think due to WWE's habit having him get beat up every week and than retaining at the PPV by a fluke. Rey had learned form the year before and game out in gear more like the kind he wore in ECW and had ECW on his mask. Joey mentions that Rey had turned down a chance to jump to ECW with the title. Both men had chairs at the start. Smackdown referee forces them to drop at the start. Witch I wonder why given the rules.  Finally the pick them up and start whacking them together and toss them at each other. Air Sabu than a botch spot where its clear Rey is going to drop toe hold Sabu into a chair but Sabu is out of position. 619 misses and than Sabu tosses the chair into Rey's face. Sabu sets up a table on the guard rail and apron. Rey Moves at the last second and we another moment with Sabu slipping. Moonsault press by Rey. Leg drop gets two for Sabu. West coast pop by Rey buts Sabu through a table. Triple jump moonsault by Sabu gets two. Rey goes for the west coast pop on Sabu but he moves and Rey crotches himself on a chair. Sabu has Rey set up on that first table and comes off with a springboard DDT. Both men are down giving us the first "OH MY GOD!" Some guy in a suit who the never explain who he is comes out and calls off the match. This was like a briscoe brother match where they ran through 100 high spots but at least those matches have finishes. Again why have this match when you already had the WWE championship match. 

We get a video recapping Edge and Mick Foley's WrestleMania 22 match and Foley turning heel on Tommy Dreamer and than beating up Terry Funk. We also get footage of Foley, Dreamer, and Funk in there heydays. (well Funk in ECW heyday) Its a pretty good video. Foley comes out with a nasty black from an attempted hard way by Funk. Again I recommend reading Foley's Hardcore Diary. Foley apologies for the comments he made about ECW and talks about when he loved and respected ECW… When it was owned by Stephanie McMahon it was attempt to get heat but the fans just sat on there hands since I think they knew where Foley was going. Edge had the old WWE Hardcore title witch he and Foley were the "Co-Holders" of. Edge mocks Heyman and the fans. Lita than ran down Dreamer and Funk. Now Edge and Lita lines did get heat.

Mick Foley, Edge and Lita vs Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer and Beulah- This had been set up and marketed as tag match so had Lita insult Beulah before the match and Beulah challenge her. It was done so Beulah could be the one to get pinned and have Edge get heat again. Beulah came out in heels and spent most of the match on the apron. Honestly I don't get why Tommy or Terry couldn't take the fall. Lita's a great wrestler and Beulah could do a little but if they don't do anything other than the finish why add them.Tommy and Edge start us off. Edge is not in his usual ring gear given the rules I like that since he was dressed for a fight. Tommy and Edge actually do some wrestling to start. Quick tag to Foley when Dreamer gets the advantage. Tag to Funk. Foley suddenly declares its a bad idea and tries to leave. It breaks down Foley vs Funk on one side and Dreamer vs Edge on the side. Funk and Dreamer take control with weapon. Baseball slide  into a trashcan into Foley's face by Dreamer. Edge gets a ladder and rams it into Dreamers face. Edge sets up the ladder and goes for the spear but Dreamer hip tosses Edge into the ladder. Whirley bird time by Funk takes out Edge and Foley. Funk climbs the ladder but Edge trips it sending Funk crazing F-Trop style. Dreamer sets for the DVD but Lita low blows him. Meanwhile Beulah just stands in her corner. Again why add the girls outside of the pin? If you wanted Beulah how about she comes towards the end gets in a cat fight Edge goes to spears her Tommy or Funk saves her and eats the spear for the win. Foley and Edge get a massive board covered with barbwire and drop it onto Dreamer. They go to do it again but this time Funk trips Foley causing the board to land on Foley and Edge. Foley sent crashing into the barb wire board. Foley throws the board into Funk's face. Lita hands Foley a spool of Barb wire. Foley wraps it around his arm.  Foley starts dropping formats in Funks face and than grind the wire into his face. Funk screams "My Eye!" The trainers take Funk to the back. Fans start chaining for Sandman. Lita joins in triple teaming on Dreamer and Beulah still watches as her real life husband gets beat up. I hate to keep harping on this but they add her to the match she just stand there doing nothing . Yes you could argue she's not a wrestler but she's asked to be added to it in story. Foley locks in the claw on Beulah but Tommy saves her. Claw on Tommy and than the spear. Edge start to head over to Beulah and forces her into a pump handle slam position. Funk comes back out his eye wrapped with a 2x4 wrapped in barb wire. Problem is Terry is so slow there is no reason Edge couldn't hit the move on Beulah. Instead Edge lets her go and watches Funk. come in. Shots by Funk on both Edge and Foley. Funk lights the 2x4 on fire but it takes forever. Flaming shot on Foley sends him crashing into the massive barbwire board on the outside Than Edge send Funk crashing into Foley.  DDT by Dreamer on Edge and than he uses barbwire to choke Edge. FInally wet the cat fight with Beulah and Lita. Tommy hits the Death Vally Driver on Lita. Edge takes out Dreamer and than spear Beulah and rolls her up looking like he's humping her for the pin.

Flawed match with some cool spots. Again I hate to harp all over Beulah because I actually like her and enjoyed her work. But she in the story she asked to make the match include her and Lita but she does nothing most of it . I again think the best think would have been to have her run into take out Lita at some point and have Edge try to take her out and allow Tommy take the shot getting him pinned. Hell I actually though they were setting up to keep the Dreamer and Edge feuding going. Also I know Terry is a legend but that doesn't ' change the fact he can barley move and the thus guys have to make wait around for him to catch up. I think the best would have been to have it be Edge vs Dreamer with Funk and Foley in the corners. We get post match Footage of everyone limping to the back. 

We see John Cena holding the WWE title backstage we than cut to RVD warming up backstage. Tazz says Cena has no idea what to expect.I actually like this as the main event was the big selling point for the main event. The ultimate ECW guy vs the Ultimate WWE guy.

Balls Mahoney vs Masato Tanaka- Joey reminds us these guys used to be ECW tag team champions. Tanaka had his shoulder tapped up. Tanaka has control early on until Balls hits a sloppy power slam.  Balls over over the top rope and yells oh shit when he lands wrong. Tanaka with a piscado that looks like it hits but than Balls on top pouring on Tanaka. Plastic cup shots by Balls and Tanaka that they each sell give me a break it's plastic that my actually be worse than the plastic bottle shots WWE was doing  few years ago. Both duliering chars that make it clear they are swing at the chair. Balls hits a big chair shot that dents the chair for a win. One of those matches you kind of forget about as your watching it. 

Joey tells us we are moments away from the main event. We get a video package detailing RVD's Money in the Bank win. And him telling Cena he was cashing the MITB at One Night STand. This got a massive pop that night and from a story stand point it made sense. RVD played up he never got a fair break in the WWE. And they idea was if he won the WWE title he could rename it the ECW title. We also get footage of RVD in ECW.  Just as the entrances were about to made out came Eugene. I hated the Eugene gimmick than and I hate even more now. The gimmick was insulting and it was done for bad comedy and they kept it going for ever. Of course the fans hated every second of this as Eugene read his pome about ECW. Sandman made his entrance. Man  the WWE theme Sandman had really killed the magic of entrance they couldn't get something closer to Enter Sandman. Sandman slipped at one point as he was making his way to the ring than again it being Sandman he might have been a case in a this point. Sandman cracked Eugene with the cane a few times and than he got a second Cane and double caned Eugene all the way to the back. I guess this segment worked because it's goal was to piss off the fans and than have Sandman run off something stupid (and that was gimmick for a while in the new ECW) but we already had that chance with JBL. 

ECW Rules WWE Championship John Cena © vs Rob Van Damn- RVD makes his entrance and place goes wild just to note All night Joey and Taz have mocked the "sports entertainers" for having pyro and than RVD comes out with pyro. Joey asks if RVD wins do they have to keep the spinner on the belt good line Joey. Problem is Joey and Taz now have to go into Cena hype mode even though back in the day Cena would be the guy Joey would take pots shots on every chance he could get. Cena comes out and the fans boo him than again that happens to Cena all the time any ways. Cena tosses his shirt into the crowd and the fans throw it back and to Cena credit in a nice move he keeps tossing the shirt out to keep bating the fans. The problem is WWE as they remain today refused to let Cena be a heel for even one night. He's got to be White Meat as White Meat can be. On the old site my buddy Patrick Kelly pointed it out "I love ECW! I like what you like!" That's pretty much what Cena said in a promo leading up to this event. What he should have said is  something like "Your right RVD! I'm not an ECW guy. I'm the proudest damn WWE Superstar you will find!" Hell if there was one night Cena should have heeled up a little this was it but WWE wasn't willing. So we had a problem of it being clear Cena wanted to since sometimes he he was hinting at but never could pull the trigger. Its like of like an actor when go really over the top at times but never full blown so instead of it being the gimmick its just these random moments. Real awkward spot early on where it looks like Cena just stopped running on a criss cross. We get that dumb Cheer/boo/cheer/boo punch exchange. All Cena early fans chant same old shit. Cena jumps off the top rope tagging RVD in the back with a single fist. They try to sell it like some amazing spot. Finally RVD hits a move with a moonsault press off the ring steps. Cena gets right up and punches RVD. Way to much Cena early on it's not even even it's all Cena outside of a few moves. Brawl into the crowd and Vince tell Joey and Taz to keep putting over Cena. Corkscrew leg drop by RVD. Baseball slide followed by a  leg drop by RVD I'm stunned he's gotten to hit three moves in a row. Skateboarding the chair into Cena's face gets two. Cena goes for a the split legged moonsault but Cena gets the leg up. Awful looking DDT on the chair. That awful looking belly to back power bomb by Cena.Five knuckle shuffle by Cena and it does seem like he played into it a little more. RVD counters out of the FU and hits a spinning drop kick. Still though right back to Cena in control. RVD tries to set Cena up on the ropes and I'm not sure what happened if RVD screwed up or if Cena mistimed it but Cena drops right to the ground.  RVD set a table up in the corner Cena locks him in the STFU. This is one of those moves Cena uses a lot and for a while he was using it as a finisher but the problem is it's never looks like Cena has it locked in where it's doing damage Watch guys that know how to do the hold you will see what I mean. RVD reaches the ropes and Cena won't break the ref pulls him off and Cena nails him but he still isn't acting like a full heel and Taz defends his actions. And Joey says the ref shouldn't put his hands on Cena. Cena levels RVD with the ring steps out comes WWE referee Nick Patrick but RVD kicks at two. And the stupid finish Cena FU's RVD to floor Edge in a motorcycle helmet (that he takes off right away) comes out and Spears Cena through a table and levels Patrick. RVD gets up and hits the five star. Paul Heyman runs and counts the fall and calls for the bell. Heyman presents RVD the WWE championship. 

Bad main event. As I said there were times Cena wanted to go heel but never could do it. I think he had turned full it would have helped also way to many times with Cena in control and not selling RVD's big moves so the usual Super Cena stuff. As always a lot of Cena moves looked bad I have seen worse wrestlers than Cena usually it's young guys that are learning not a guy that's on top and never gets better and the finish is stupid. RVD doesn't win because on this night in his company pulled it out he won because Edge gave it to him. So yeah RVD's big moment was more about restarting the Cena and Edge feud. Plus it was clear Vince was in Joey and Taz's ear screaming at them to put over Cena. I could undersea little bit but at times it was like King and JR were calling it and not ECW guys. What I think this match should have been was even at the start but RVD takes control as it gets extreme selling the point of this being out of Cena's element. But than RVD misses a big move. Cena gets control and hits a few moves. But than it starts to get extreme again and RVD is in control if you want Edge out there I'd have it be he hits Cena but we aren't sure he was after him and have RVD take out Edge. RVD hits the Van Damantor than the five star for two knowing he needs something special he does the Van Terminator for the win. 

Post match we see RVD go into the crowd and head up to his wife Sonya and to celebrate. the ECW locker room empties to celebrate hell we even see Bill Alphonso RVD's long time manager. RVD returns to the ring as the ECW locker room picks him up. We than get a replay of Edge's attack and the five start instead of anything else you know that might make RVD look good.  But it is a nice getting to see RVD finally win a major world title. 

One Night Stand 06 was supposed to be the kick off of the new ECW sou ideally you wanted a great show to get people watching on Tuesdays. But we never get going into a great show instead we get a pretty boring one only the main event and the six person had any real energy to it. Also we have two segment that just stop the show dead. The opener could have been removed to give time to anything else. Even the best match on the card the six person tag has major problems with it. Much like Barley Legal it didn't' age well. 

Flashback Reviews ECW Barley Legal 1997

In 1997 wrestling was the hottest thing going. WCW's Nitro was building for the eventual Sting vs Hulk Hogan match. In the WWF Steve Austin was becoming the biggest star wrestling had seen in years. But that summer a new company was about to reach a higher level ECW the top independent company in the US was getting a PPV. Now there have been books and documentaries and interviews galore talking about the history of ECW and the struggle to get on PPV. Of course there is also the story of Mass Transit and how that nearly killed the thing. But it finally happened ECW got clearance on PPV. For the die hard fan base they got to see there company on a huge stage and for new fans it was a chance to see what all the hype was about. Barely Legal is one of those events almost everyone in ECW and the fans romanticize but should it be? Just a quick note I'm watching a disc that was included in the 2006 One Night Stand PPV case so there is a chance things are edited out. I'll try to address anything that is but I might miss some stuff. 

We open with Joey Styles in the ring welcoming us to show. The fans are chanting ECW. Joey looks like a kid wearing his dad's suit since it's way to big. Joey hypes the card but is interrupted by the Dudley Boyz. Joey leaves. The fans let Devon have it but he tells them to shut up and we get massive feedback from the microphone. Devon insults the fans. Decent promo weird to think that Bubba who did no talking while Devon did all of it. In the years ahead that was the other way around. The ECW opening airs and it's a decent open showing the kind of action we can expect and yeah this was really different from what we got with WWF and WCW. Back to the ring we get Gernter doing his thing. Really hard to understand what he is saying. Man lots of talking for PPV open. 

ECW Tag Team Championship The Dudleys Boyz Bubba Ray and Devon © with Sign Guy Dudley and Joel Gertner vs The Eliminators Perry Saturn and John Kronus- Sign Guy hits the Eliminators with his sign and get taken out with Total Elimination with is still an awesome move. The Dudleys hit an early Bubba bomb and head but for two. Saturn hits a nice backflip. The Dudleys go for 3D but Saturn breaks it up. Various kick combos by The Eliminators. Stereo twisting splashes by the challenger really impressive you have to remember Saturn and Kronus weren't small guys like say AJ Styles and Daniels. Outside of the Dudleys early control it seemed like the Eliminators had control a good chuck of the match. Saturn with another big moonsault and Kronus with a 450 again Kronus with a big guy and he did about as well as anyone one I have seen do it. Total Elimination on Bubba Ray for the win. To be honest this match was strange the Eliminators had control the entire time so there was no drama. The Eliminators did hit some great moves but that's doesn't make it great drama. Post match Gertner declare on the Stud Muffin scoring System the Dudleys are still champions. Of course he does this right in front of Saturn and Kronus who hit Total Elimination on Gertner.

Joey declares we are off to an extreme start. He than hypes the 3 way for the title shot at Raven. We get a Sandman highlight video. Of course this being Sandman it's mostly cane and beer shots. Joey Styles explains that Chris Candido can't wrestle due to an injury. We than got to Candido in the ring for a promo. Candido says one year ago he was on WrestleMania  and he came back to ECW because he thought it was where he wanted to be. He rents about not begin on shirt or even advertised and says he will be out there again at some point tonight. Lance Storm makes his entrance. 

Lance Storm vs Rob Van Dam- Storm is in black and blue gear and and has a pony tail. Joey puts over both guys skills. Criss cross with Storm hitting a clothesline after a leap fro by RVD. Springboard cross body by RVD but he lands dow. Air Van Dam by RVD again it looks like Storm is not in position. Whip by RVD but Storm leaps to the top rope and comes back with an back elbow. Piscado by Storm misses. Joey takes a shot at WCW for having mats because last ting we need to to try and protect the talent. Sloppy looking moonsault by RVD off the guard rail. Back in the ring RVD tosses the chair at Storm who doesn't make an effort to block it. Frog splash by RVD but must have only been worth four stars since it got two. For once it actually looked like RVD didn't hurt himself worse on the move. RVD goes for a summersault splash it was clear Storm was going to move since RVD was so slow with it. Storm goes for a drop down into a crap but again it's down really sloppy like RVD was a step to close so Storm had to fall different than he wanted. Van Damanator misses Storm lightly rubs RVD with the chair. Enziguri by the Storm misses. RVD with a flying back elbow but he slips on the ropes so it looks sloppy. Storm with a couple of awful looking chair shots. Van Damnatior and standing moonsault get the win for RVD. Bad match. Several misses and sloppy spots normally these two were on not tonight it was awful.

Post match Lance offers his hand to RVD. The Fans chant you sold at RVD RVD  cuts a promo ranting about not originally begin booked on the card. RVD runs down the fans the boys and Paul E. RVD declares he sold out by wrestling tonight to fill in for an injured wrestler says the only reason he did wrestle was he was now worth more money here (ECW) and elsewhere. (WCW and WWF) A pretty good heel promo man RVD needs to go heel again. Joey hypes he six man tag from Michinoku Pro.

Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, Masato Yakushiji vs Terry Boy, Dick Togo, and Taka Michinoku- Funny story this was when WWF was looking to do its light weight division. And Sasuke thought he we was going to be featured and through not wearing his make, having a bad night on the WWF show, and pissing off the WWF he wasn't never picked up. Terry, Togo and Taka and BWO Japan a parody of nWo Japan. Yakushiji was replacing another wrestler that got hurt. Taka and Hamda start us off. Hamada hold Taka for a double stomp by Yakushiji, Sasuke come in a series of kicks. BWO Japan triple teams Sasuke now they do this while the referee has his back turned the problem was he had no reason to keep his back turned. I think this was under Lucha rules where you you don't have to make you can just leave the ring but Joey never explained that. Amazing exhaling and flips into a splash by Sasuke on Terry Boy. Hamada who was 45 at the time actually kept up very well with the young talent. In strange spot Sasuke and his team had Taka in there corner and appeared to rub him to the ground I assume it was meant to be a beat down with fists but they were some awful looking punches. The BWO locks Sasuke in a hold and use it as a chance to pose. Spike pile driver by the top by Taka and Togo. Botched attempt by the triple team pile driver not once by twice by the BWO. Sasuke with an Osi Moonsault on Togo.  Take with a plancha takes out Hamada. Late in the match we miss some big dive by Hamada because the camera wasn't in position. Finish came with Sasuke hitting a tiger suplex on Taka for the win. Better than the first two matches but it didn't blow away any of the similar stuff you could see on WCW. Post match Hamada and Togo exchange chops and than just stop out of no where. 

We get to Stevie Richards promo. Stevie says that for two and half years he could look himself in the mirror. He talks about his time as Raven's lackey and how he wasn't a man. Says tonight is his chance to come out of the shell he's been in his whole life. By far the best Stevie promo I have ever seen. I really wish the poor guy had gotten to chance to run with this gimmick some where any where. 

ECW World Television Championship Shane Douglas © with Francine vs Pitbull 2- These two had a long history. Pitbull had beat Douglas for the TV title as part of on going story where the title changed hands several times. In a four way where Shane won the belt again Francine turned on the Pitbulls and Pitbull Two suffered a legit broken neck during a spot with Douglas. We also had an infamous moment where Douglas grabbed Pitbull 1 by the huge steel hallow he had on. So Pitbull 2 is fighting for revenge. Douglas cuts a promo saying he led ECW to PPV. Shane talks about how great he is as they play clips from the feud. We Pitbull 1 Gary Wolfe sitting in the front row. There was also a side story with Douglas and Rick Rude at the time one of the stops to the match was that if Pitbull 2 couldn't win "The Masked Man" who was clearly Rude had to unmask it was a long story that Joey made zero effort to explain. There were also Riot cops at ring side and one you could clearly tell was in a motorcycle helmet to hide his face so anyone the saw him knew something was up since everyone else had a clear screen while one had a black one. Pitbull works a front face lock wrenching at the neck early on. Douglas went for a front face lock but Pitbull powered out and crotched Douglas on the ropes. Botch attempt at a atomic drop when Douglas jumps to soon. Sloppy Hunncanrana by Douglas. Pitbull goes for power bomb and again Douglas Rana's him this one looks better. Series of pile drivers by Douglas as part of the story of the match that Doulas wanted to break Pitbull 2's neck. But I hate when guys do the same move and over and over again with out going for a pin all that does is make a move that should be a finish look weak. In a nice heat getting moment Douglas locked a camel clutch in and taunted Pitbull 1 as he did it. Douglas goes through the ringside table. Pitbull 1 jumps the rail the when Douglas comes close. The rest of the riot squad except the one with a black shield take him out. Pitbull 2 bring a guard rail into the ring. Douglas goes to drop Pitbull 2 on it but it got knocked over. Joey talks about Douglas Franchise nickname and takes a shot at Sting. Hey Joey if you want to have a debate about witch Franchise meant more to wrestling I think it's the guy with "Face painted like a cartoon." That's going to win. Douglas goes for ax handle off the top but Pitbull catches him. Normally I hate when companies cut to people on the outside but ECW actually did it really well as cut to Francine who unlike idiots like Vickie who just stand there acted invested the whole time. Also ECW picked its spots to cut away when both men were down so we didn't miss the match. Francine slipped something to Douglas  who put it on his fist. Joey claims they were brass knuckles they looked more like black tape. Either way Pitbull no sold the punches. Douglas hit Pitbull with Various weapon getting two count after two count. Finish came when Douglas hit the Belly to Belly for the win. Poor match with a number of sloppy spots. Also for a match built on two men hating each on on the idea a guy was fighting to avenge his best friend it got that intense it seem very slow paced and not in taking time to maximum damage way more of a we have to hold back because Sabu and Taz are next way. 

Now as I mentioned there was a on going story with Rick Rude where Douglas has "disfigured" him and Rude returned in a mask. Now it was clear it was Rude since well only Rick Rude sounds like Rick Rude. Rude's voice rang out over the PA saying he would take off the mask but warned Douglas to give up Francine or he would give him an ass kicking. A masked man came out wearing one of Rude's robes. Of course this masked man was taller and heavier than Rude was so right away we know there's a double cross coming. The masked man laid a kiss on Francine allowing Douglas to nail him with the belt. Douglas pulled off the mask as the riot cop got in ring show he was Rick Rude and the masked man was Brian Lee. Lee had been a member of the triple threat up until this point. Lee hit a choke slam on Douglas. Confused angel I'm sure new viewers wanted to know what was up with Rude and Douglas. It was Rude was one of the riot cops and as I said when Lee came it again it was clear it wasn't Rude under the mask. Also it never went anywhere since Rude and Lee both were heading back to the WWF.

Raven promo time. Raven says everyone wants to see Funk face him tonight. Raven mocks the fans that are cheering for Funk. Raven talks about the small percentage of and that came to see him. Now the promo was good but it also gave away that Funk was going to win. Raven should have addressed both Sandman and Stevie as well. I don't care if the argument is "The fans were smart enough to know Funk was going to win." It's like a play you have seen before you may know that the maid killed the husband but you want the actors to go through the motions.

Taz with Bill Alfonso and Team Taz vs Sabu- This was billed as grudge match of the century. This match had a long history the two were tag partners until Sabu no showed an event and got fired. Taz was injured and while he out Sabu returned. When returned with his new gimmick he began calling out Sabu who refused to fight him due to promise he made to Paul Heyman. Also the two legit did not like each other. Finally these two were set to meet. Sabu hits the with no music or the lights going out. Joey sold as he couldn't wait even though Sabu got in the ring and waited. Big stare down start than an exchange of slaps. Taz quickly goes for the Taz Mission but Sabu blocks it Joey claims thats the first time anyone has ever done that. Taz works a number of holds and breaks Sabu noise with a cross face. Sabu goes for the double drop springboard that clearly messes. The fans break out the ECW chat shouldn't that be a you fucked up chant since he missed by a mile. Brawl into the crowd and we see Alphonso in ring because the camera can't follow them we one back to both men being down. Back in the ring Taz again works some holds along with ground and pound. Sabu score his first real offense with a summersault leg drop.Taz mainly keep control. Sabu misses a splash but this time he was supposed to as Taz moved and than suplexed him into the crowd. Sabu goes for a DDT through a table but Taz shoves him off and Sabu crashes through the table. Sabu hits a hunncanrana from the top for two and than follows with a leg drop from the top. Taz starts hitting the various Taz Plexs that always bothered me since at the end of they day Taz didn't come up with or popularize any of them end of the day they were suplexs. Sabu hits a t-bone suplex and mocks Taz's posse. Taz misses the clothesline and Sabu locks in the Taz MIssion. Taz counters with a suplex and than a T-bone of his own and than Taz lock in the Taz Mission. Taz chokes out Sabu for the win. Decent match but again for a "grudge match of the contrary" no fire. Plus the brawling in the crowd was stupid since we couldn't' see it. 

EMT's come out to check on Sabu but he suddenly springs back to life only to collapse. Taz get a microphone and demands the music shut up. Taz makes it clear he choked Sabu out but says he gave him the fight of his life. Taz says offers to give Sabu a rematch when he ever he wants it and extends his hand. Joey says "Taz is a bigger man than we though he was." Sabu than raises the hand of Taz. Joey puts over the great sportsmanship. RVD runs out and jumps Taz. Sabu than joins in as they maul Taz. Sabu goes to splash on Taz on a table but he slips on the rope and than when he tries again he gets caught on the ropes.Finally Bill Alfonso pulled off his Taz Shirts to show he was wearing a Sabu shirt. Alfonso than claims he had bet on Sabu to win. RVD say Sabu and Alfonso are his family and he loves to work mondays. Oh boy where to start with the stupid…Ok so if Alfonso was gong to turn on Taz why not during the match? Why let his new client Sabu lose? There is zero logic for this. Even from the idea that he wanted to manage RVD. Also normally I wouldn't talk about what came next after this event but I feel it plays into the stupid. See at the next TV taping Sabu beat Taz in the rematch. That same show Taz gets in a confrontation with Douglas and challenges him to match for the ECW TV title where if he loses he leaves the company. Taz wins. Why not have Sabu win afar help by RVD and Alfonso tonight. Have Taz win the rematch and than win TV title? 

Joey Styles introduces Tommy Dreamer with Beulah. Tommy was going to do color for the main event. The story was Tommy had given up his spot in the 3 way to his mentor Terry Funk because Terry wanted one more chance to win the world's heavyweight championship. Both Sandman and Stevie had real issues with Raven Tommy being in the 3 way made sense given his long feud with Raven. They give Beulah a headset even though she doesn't talk once. Tommy giving up his spot made sense and it didn't Tommy was ECW's good guy and he had the relationship with Terry that it made sense but on the hand his hatred of Raven was such a key part of his story and his "Dream" was to beat Rave so why give up a chance. 

3 Way Dance Winner Gets a Shot at Raven

Stevie Richards with the BWO vs Terry Funk vs Sandman- 7-11 of the BWO was future RF video boss Rob Fienstein. Joey talks about Sandman's recent appearance on Raw as part of ECW hyping there PPV. Sandman being Sandman busted himself open with a beer can. Also Sandman being Sandman the intro took long enough I finished my taxes did the dishes and changed my oil. Sandman sucks down a beer and than spits in the face of Stevie. Funk and Sandman double team Stevie but Sandman soon chops Funk. Funk goes for the spinning toe hold but Stevie breaks it up on with a forearm. Tommy explains he promised Terry he would not interfere in this or the Raven match. Terry hits a series of hangman neck breakers on Stevie to stall as Sandman goes to get a ladder. Sandman throws the ladder into the ring and nails Terry in the head. Terry and Sandman fight on top of the ladder. Terry Funk goes for the moonsault on Stevie that misses by a mile. Stevie kick on Sandman as he holds the ladder. Joey says it was a drop kick. Terry gets a hold of the ladder and does the whirley bird.  Richards tries to seesaw the ladder into Sandman and Funk but the ladder was to far on one side so it didn't move but Funk and Sandman sold it anyway. Stevie kick on Sandman for two fans chat bullshit. Stevie kick on Funk gets two. Sandman seesaws the ladder into Stevie. Sandman leaves again and comes back with a trashcan. Sandman suplexs Stevie onto it. Stevie takes a beating as Funk and Sandman hit a number of moves on him but he keeps kicking out. Another seesaw on the hits Stevie. Joey and Tommy both put over how tough Stevie really is and how he has the right to be here. Tommy also talks about how unfair it these guys are in a war while Raven rests. A double team power bomb eliminates Stevie. Terry and Sandman shake hands and than start to attack each other. Terry back body drops Sandman outside of the ring and he lands on Stevie who had just gotten back up. Sandman goes and gets a length of bar wire. One problem is during the Six Man Tag the fans had tossed streamers into the ring witch is often down in Japan. These streamers when they were cleaned up got put under the ring and wrapped up with the barbwire so it looks like Terry and Sandman are attacking each other with tissue paper. Sandman wraps himself in the barbwire and charges at Terry. Of course if you know anything about barbwire you would know that would actually hurt Sandman more. Stevie gets back up on the apron and Sandman goes after him. Stevie responds with the Stevie kick on Sandman. Funk with the moonsault gets the win at which point we jump right into the main event. Three way was pretty good but it lacked logic at times. You wonder why so many weapons are under the ring it's so wrestlers don't have to keep running to the back. And guys selling spots that missed like the first seesaw

ECW World Championship Raven © vs Terry Funk- The bell rings before Terry can even stand. Drop toe hold by Raven send Funk into a chair. Funk is busted open. The referee calls for the doctor? Ok what yes I know in boxing and MMA it happens but in wrestling it's one of those things where we see guys bleed buckets and they don't' do that. The fans start chanting for Tommy. Tommy says the fans want him to save Terry I think it was the fans wanted Tommy to take the match over. The Doctor doesn't stop the match of course. Raven again beats on Terry and the Doctor checks which again how many wrestlers have bleed huge amounts in ECW by this point? Raven splashes on Terry putting him through the table and again that stupid Doctor checks and acts like he was going to call it off. Raven than nails the Doctor? Why if he was going to call it of wouldn't Raven want that? A whole bunch of people come out including Reggie Bennett a female wrestler she hits a slopping sit out power bomb on Terry. That added nothing. Raven says he going to drive Terry through three tables off the stage where the commentary table is. This was a call back to similar spot they had done with Tommy. Dreamer got up and dared Raven to try it. Raven's next had stacked the tables. Bic Dick Dudley came and nailed Tommy with a trash can. Big Dick was about to choke slam Tommy threw the tables but Tommy blocked it and sent big Dick through the tables. While all this was going on Raven laid out the Ref even though Terry was down and Rave could have pinned him. Tommy made it to the ring and attacked Raven and hit the DDT. Funk covered count of one two bell rings. Finally Terry hits a small package for the win. The early bell ring was on Tod Gordon the PPV was getting really short on time he wanted the match to go home. You can even see him running towards the time keeper. Joey uses the "Do you believe in miracles." line. Tommy and Terry celebrate with the fans. Joey "cries" over the epic moment as we close. Main Event SUCKED! First zero logic the stupid stuff with the Doctor. Also the entire match was Raven just beating on Terry given how beat up he was. We have Tommy talking about how he can't do anything due to giving his word to Terry but he comes down and DDT's Raven. And I now why they put the belt on Funk, I know Raven was already on his way out, I know Heyman wanted a feel good moment, I know Terry built ECW. But he should not have won. 

I think Stevie could have made a good champion the guy is very skilled in the ring and his story of going from clueless puts to world champion could have been a good one. I thin Tommy would have been the best option his feud with Raven was ending any way with Raven being WCW bound. Also I know Tommy said "I never wanted to be champion…" But I think he could been a very good champion. Plus wouldn't it have been great revenge after all those years of Raven finding a way to beat Tommy time and again that Tommy beats him on the night with the deck stacked and the biggest night in the history of ECW to finally take away the world title from his rival.

Barley Legal is a bad show no way around it. I get why people that worked for and ECW fans was to remember this night as a big deal because it was after all you had a small indy company getting on national PPV live for three hours on a sunday night. Hell its amazing they did it. But the show itself is not a classic a lot of normally great wrestlers had an off night. I can't say any of the matches were truly great. There are lot of over booked segments here. We had two grudge matches that never felt like were between guys that hated each other. The main event is just a beat down. ECW did have great shows but it's first PPV is not one of them. 

Flashback Reviews: ECW One Night Stand 2005

Last time I reviewed Hardcore Homecoming the 2005 Independent Wrestling ECW reunion. But that wasn't the only ECW reunion showed that sumer. The WWE witch held all the trademarks and video footage put one on as well. From what I understand Rob Van Dam had been pitching this idea for a wile and after the success of the Rise and Fall of ECW DVD Vince McMahon saw there was value in the ECW name. Now Hardcore Homecoming was all promoted online. ONS stand had the value of WWE TV. A big angel of Heels wanting to invade the show was set up. And as I said since WWE owned the rights and video the could use the name ECW and play videos as part of the show. One Night Stand took place at the Hammerstein Ballroom a venue ECW ran many times and even held there final PPV in. It also featured talent that couldn't work Hardcore Homecoming due to WWE contracts talents such as the Dudley Boys, Tommy Dreamer, and Paul Heyman. But it would also like talents such as Raven who was under a TNA contract and Terry Funk.  When this event first happened it was praised as amazing. Seen as one of the best events of the year.And a year later a second One Night Stand was held that was the kickoff to the new ECW a third WWE brand that ran for several years. But now all these later how does it hold up? Was this an event so great could it only made sense to bring ECW or did IWC just give a pass because it was branded with those letters?

We open with a shot of the Hammerstein and the Fans chanting ECW ECW ECW. The old ECW intro music plays as Joey Styles walks to the ring. And boy can I tell the difference between HH and ONS since I can make out everything Joey says. Mick Foley who will be the color commentator comes out in his old Cactus Jack t-shirt. The opening video is a nice touch. It was the classic ECW theme and intro with Heyman going "EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING." As various clips from ECW played. To be honest we really didn't need Joey and Mick in the ring but I think that was a message to the fans. WWE's way of saying we are doing this right here is the guy that called all those old shows and a guy that was a part of them. We aren't sending JR and King out to do this.

Lance Storm with Dawn Marie vs Chris Jericho- Dawn Marie was pregnant at this time and you can tell but is wearing a outfit similar to what she wore in ECW. I believe WWE had actually released or were about to. This was also Lance Storm's "retirement" match as he was going to become a trainer full time. (Of course Lance wrestled on Indy for years after this) Joey puts over Lance's time in Impact Players. Jericho came out to his WWE music but was in gear like he wore in ECW. Also as noted by Joey and Mick these two had a long history with each other even wrestling each other in the first match. The two had no history in ECW I think Jericho had already left when Lance arrived but it's nice of the WWE to book this match. Starting out with an early chain wrestling exchange the fans popped but to be honest it seemed a tad off a bit slow. I think part of that had to do with the face Storm hadn't been wrestling regularly at this point. This was not a hardcore match it was kind of match you would see Jericho or Storm have in ECW lots of fast technical wrestling with counters and reversals and hard strikes. Funny note the fans started to boos when Jericho used the Walls of Jericho instead of the lion hammer. Finish came when Jason Night and Justin Credible ran in and Credible cracked Jericho with the cane. It was a a good opener and I see what they were going for the old blow the roof off the top at the start but it seemed like the match kind of got stuck in mid gear. It could have been great but it just never got back there.

In another nice touch we see Joey and Mick at a table like the ones ECW used on there PPV's again its a sign to the fans. We also see the empty balcony reserved for the Invader. Gary Wolfe in Pitbull gear introduces a video of former ECW talent that passed away. This really did come off del since they could video of the guys and there was no one showing up to go heel on Gary like that  other show did.

Taijri with Sinister Minister (James Mitchell) and Mikey Whipwreck vs Little Guido with The FBI (Big Guido, Tony Mamaluke, JT Smith, and Tracy Smothers) vs Super Crazy- This match was done a lot in ECW. Joey points out this isn't like a WWE 3 way since there have to be two falls. We get some of the same exchanges Storm and Jericho used  only a lot faster. Super Crazy lives up to his name hitting a moonsault off the balcony taking out the entire FBI. Eventually the match broke down with the FBI just coming into inter fear and than Minster and Mikey coming in as well. Mikey hit the whipper snapper on Guido allowing Taijri to pin him to eliminate him. Super Crazy picked up the win after hitting a moonsault on Taijri. This match was really short I am going to assume this was the one the got time cut from it for things latter on in the show and it suffered. Everything was super rushed and nothing had any real impact. Witch is to bad these guys had talent it would have been nice to see him really show off since in WWE there often just jobbers.

We get a video looking the early days of the ECW including Douglas promo from when he tossed down the NWA title. Sabu's early days, The Sandman and the Public Enemy and the canning of Tommy Dreamer by the Sandman. and the later fake out blinding ANd of course the craziness that was Terry Funk. It was well done video and fitting for a reunion show like this also the means we don't have to have everyone cut a promo about how great it is to be back.

Psichosis vs Rey Mysterio- These two had a long feud in Mexico at the start of there career. One of those funny things I have to point out Psichosis came out wearing his old mask like he wore in ECW and later WCW but took it off before the match started. Now Psichosis had actually lost his mask in a gimmick match before WCW closed and I think partially do to legal issues about the gimmick and also out of respect to the lucha tradition he doesn't wear it no matter what the appearance. Of course Rey also lost his mask in WCW but put it back on for the WWE. And the so called "Educated" ECW fans chant but the mask on.Mick botches a fact saying Rey and Psichosis were both trained by Rey's father when it's actually his Uncle. Joey corrects him on this.  This was billed as Extreme Lucha  but they didn't really work a lucha mask and the fans booed this. Finally Psichiosis had to hit a leg drop onto Rey who was wrapped on the guardrail to get the to cheer again. Rey got the win after the 619 and hunncanrana not the west coast pop like Joey said. This match never really got going it started off kind of plodding and with the fans crapping on it the guys started to just hit big spots. I sense both guys really tried but this point there was no way to recapture the magic they had early on in there career. 

Kurt Angle and JBL led in the Smackdown invaders. Now I have heard some people say they hated the invasion stuff and just wanted it to be ECW but this angle was actually a good idea as far as I'm concerned. First it could be used to get fans that didn't see ECW to buy the show. Quick note if you want a laugh and have this DVD I recommend listening to it with JBL's special commentary. This is not JBL doing actual commentary its just him shitting on everything all night and it cracks me up. He and Orlando Jordan have some funny lines helped by the fact I think JBL was actually drinking during the show. Another highlight video airs this time documenting the middle years of ECW stuff like Raven, The rise of Taz, Shane Douglas' feud with the Pitbulls. And Jerry Lawler showing up. Joel Gernter shows with a microphone and than gets shoved around by JBL and Angle witch was a nice heat getting moment. Angle cuts a promo on the ECW fans. JBL cuts a fierce I almost want to say Cornett like promo on ECW. By this point this segment was starting to drag we really didn't need these promos since anyone that was buying the PPV had already bought it and well as I said once match got really cut down to make way for it. Also it wasn't like these promos were anything new it was the same stuff these guys had been saying for weeks. 

JBL's promo get interrupted when the Injured Rob Van Dam Make his way to the ring with Bill Alfonso. RVD couldn't wrestle on this show due to his injury but he had been one of the guys pushing for the show so it was nice to see him get to appear. RVD cuts a great promo really playing to the ECW fan base. We even hear him rip WWE for limiting his vocabulary to What Ever and Cool and even saying they don't need a storyline as he looked at the invaders. Now I get RVD loved ECW and the promo was really good the problem is this promo came after two pretty short not so great matches and a long talking segment already. It would have been better to have the invaders there at the start let JBL interrupt and led that to RVD coming out. Rhino ran out and gored RVD and than the lights went out and Sabu arrived leading to the next match.

Sabu vs Rhino- Rhino had been off WWE TV for months due to a issue during that year's WrestleMania that was later led to his release. Sabu was making a return after a long layoff due to various serious medical issue that landed him in the hospital for over ninety days. Sabu was also wearing the scares from Hardcore Homecoming. This was a pure ECW style brawl and it was defiantly a much needed shot of action. Both guys got a chance to show off. Sabu hit many of his trademark spots and Rhino used his great power moves. RVD eventually got involved and even managed to pull off skateboarding a chair into Rhino's face. Sabu got the win with a leg drop through a table and a chair. So far the best match on the card. Rhino looked great her he was clearly motivated and it's no wonder why TNA picked him up after this where he would go onto have some great matches and revive his career. Sabu had to be sore as hell after Hardcore Homecoming  but he still managed to do a lot.

Backstage Al Snow blames head for inviting the "Smackdown Assholes" and that leads us into some more ECW moments. Stuff like the BWO, Bam Bam and Taz, Sandman and Raven. The Brian Lee and Tommy Dreamer feud. And the moment where Taz and Sabu were finally face to face again before the first ECW PPV. When we get back we see Eric Bischoff leading in the Raw crew. Joey Styles takes a shot at Edge saying "I'm glade I didn't bring my wife." Joey and Mick claim Bischoff went of his way to kill ECW. I have feeling that is what most ECW fans believe is the truth. Again this kills the momentum as we have to watch as the Raw guys enter and climbs the stairs all the way up top Balcony where they will sit.

Chris Benoit vs Eddie Guerrero-  All I have to say about this match is RIP Eddie, Nancy, and Daniel.

Joe Gernter comes out to beg Eric Bischoff for a job and it's just not that funny of a moment. Bischoff cuts a promo on ECW now its a good promo but again why are we doing this now? The show has been sold I don't anyone is going to say I gotta be the replay because Bischoff talked. 

Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka- These two had a long feud in Japan and brought it to ECW and even traded the ECW world title. Joey of course rips Awesome for walking out with the ECW title. Of course there is no mention of Heyman's dumb fucking booking of having Taz win the title from Awesome and job to Triple H on Smackdown. Awesome hits an amazing Suicide Dive over the top rope to the floor. Joey says "Its a shame he didn't succeed in taking his own life." And I know Joey had no way of knowing Mike would commit Suicide years later but man that creppy to hear now. Man Joey got really annoying in this match ranting about Awesome and TNN and what ever else he didn't like. I don't' know if WWE had any control over what he was saying but it sounds like this was purely Joey. Awesome and Tanaka pulled out many of there old spots including an awesome bomb through a table off the apron and the awesome splash. Tanka no sold several chair shots and hit a Tornado DDT onto a stack of chairs. One problem I notice with how this was shot was time and again the cut away from the ring to get JBL's reaction. I hate when this do this with a guy manager it's even worse for a guy that is just watching the match in the stands. Tanaka gave Awesome a DDT from the top rope through a table only to get two only to have Awesome to top rope Awesome Bomb him through the remains of the table. The finish was freaking insane after Awesome bombing Tanaka over the top robe onto a table Awesome than dives over the top rope for a splash to get the pin. If you like death matches you might enjoy this but honestly it got real relative with Awesome hitting the bomb over and over and over again. But let me say again RIP Mike Awesome.

Paul Heyman makes his first appearance of the night coming out to ringside. And this was a good time promo since you had three very intense matches back to back to back it was a good time to let the fans recover a little bit. And again like RVD you had to have Heyman on the show at some point. Say what you want about the guy there would have been an ECW the way people remember it without him. The fans chant Thank You Paul and the guy looked legit choked. Heyman actually thanks Tod Gordon, along with Ron Baffone. Baffone was the TV producer that was key in making ECW so cutting edge and thanks the fans. After than Paul starts "Shooting" on the Invaders. Sadly though why the fans were going nuts none of Paul lines were all the great for example went to JBL "You were only champion because Triple H didn't want to work Tuesdays." It was clear it was what had been approved by WWE. 

The Dudley Boyz vs Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman- For the Event Sandman entered to Enter Sandman and in a very cool moment all the fans sang the song as Sandman made his entrance but since WWE didn't want to the rights outside of the one time they edit that al out leading to along awkward entrance with just muted crowd noise and an Enter Sandman knockoff as Sandman enters and the fans are clearly going nuts. This was last WWE appearance for the Dudley's since they were fired for making valid points about head writer Stephanie McMahon. And in another nice touch the Dudley's were back in there old Tie-Dye gear although they didn't wear the overalls. This was also a very fitting match to end the show on since Tommy and Sandman were among the top faces in ECW for many years and The Dudley's were the most hated team the company had. How ever before the match could get started the BWO made its way out and we got Joey doing a stupid forced laugh at how many it was. Don't get me wrong I liked Stevie and Nova and the BWO belonged on a show like this but there entrance wasn't funny at all they just walked to the ring.  Stevie super kicked Sandman witch kicked off a series of run ins by Kid Kash, Axel Rotten and Balls Mahoney. The brawl ended with Kash hitting a big move to take out the BWO along with Balls and Axel.This was clearly the lets get as many guy in the show as we can and why again all these guys had a place it just killed the momentum as we had the two teams ready to go. It would have been better to do the run ins during the match.

Finally the actual match go started with Bubba and Tommy on the inside while Sandman and Devon brawled on the outside. Tommy Was the first guy to truly bleed after a street sign shot and than the getting sliced by a cheese grater. Its pretty much what you would expect from these guys at an ECW show. Tons of weapons light on logic at times. Joey Styles commentary got annoying her as he kept insisting all these guys loved each other like brothers even though its clear the Dudley were trying to play there old hated ECW persona. As Dreamer and Sandman took control Credible and Storm ran in. This allowed Francine to come in and low blow Tommy witch led to Tommy's real life wife Beulah McGillicutty to run out and get in a cat fight with Francine and for god measure Beulah also low blowed Lance. the Dreamers even hit a double DDT on the Dudleys. In one final run in Spike came down to give his big brothers some lighter fluid and a lighter so they could drive Tommy Dreamer through a flaming table which was the finish. This match was pretty good again you can't expect a Sandman or even a Tommy Dreamer match to be a mat classic. And this was the kind of match that needed to main event. It was a typical ECW main event brawling weapons, run ins not expecting that it like going to a reunion tour of an old rock band and not liking when they play there biggest hit. 

Post match as Sandman called for a Beer Stone Cold Steve Austin music played and Austin made his way out and than called out the ECW locker room for a beer bash. This was meant to set up the big brawl between ECW and the WWE Invaders but it is kind of strange to see the guys that had not only wrestled but destroyed each other earlier show up side by side. Honestly I think it would been better to have The four guys in the main event get up to hug and than send out the invaders to jump them leading to the brawl. But ti felt like WWE went "If Austin is there he has to be a face and he has to talk." And again the momentum of the show ends as we have to wait for the ECW guys to come out and than wait for WWE guys to make there way down. And yes Austin worked for ECW but for a brief time and it would have been more fitting to have Paul E or Tommy call out the invaders to start the brawl. Before the brawl got started one final entrance took place as Taz came out again Taz would have been a more fitting leader of the ECW crew. Taz had also been jumped by Kurt Angle leading up to the event.  Eventually Taz choked Angle out with the Taz Mission. Commentary got really annoying here as Bischoff had gotten on there and just argued with Foley and Styles and it turned into dump on Bischoff and WCW again. Eventually the ECW crew drove off the WWE guys and stood tall. Foley forced Bischoff into the ring with allowed the ECW guys to beat up on Bischoff. The Dudleys carried the broken Bischoff out of the arena and dumped him on a truck.  The show closed with the ECW guys celebrating as Joey Styles yelled "ECW LIVES!" 

Final Thoughts- Again why I would love to piss off the ECW fanboys and say it sucked I can't say that. The event if good for the most part and does have some rewatchabilty to it. And it is a very fun show to watch especially if you were an ECW fan or enjoy Hardcore Wrestling. But it's not the greatest show ever it wasn't even the best of 05.  Several spots drag sevelry and a number of things are misbooked. The invasion angle had some promise but it didn't have to dominate as much as it did and several times it felt like we just waited as they walked and other stuff like having Austin as the leader of the ECW group at the end when people who really know ECW know Austin was there for a short period of time and left. And yeah it was a mistake to do a second One Night Stand a year later and re-start ECW. It would have been best to just leave this as the final image of ECW and let it stay in the past. 

Flashback Reviews: Hardcore Homecoming

Used to do this for the old site and I thought I should start doing it for this one. 

In 2001 Extreme Championship Wrestling closed. The shows underground fan base remanded loyal though and in 2004 the very successful Rise of Fall of ECW DVD sparked interest among fans that hadn't seen ECW the first time. Paul Heyman and Rob Van Dam began working the WWE to do a reunion show and in the summer of 2005 we got ECW One Night Stand. How ever one of ECW's most well know stars Shane Douglas who has long hated the WWE put on his own show two days before. That show Hardcore Homecoming was a success and even briefly launched a series of shows. Hardcore Homecoming was more in the spirt of the real ECW as it was a true Indy Show and even ran out of the Old ECW Arena. It featured reveal ECW mainstays like Shane Douglas, Raven, and Terry Funk that didn't appear on One Night Stand. But now over eight years later does it hold up well. Or was it just extreme nostalgia blindness?

We open with clips of fans talking about being the event. Joey Styles hypes the three main events of the show, Sabu vs Terry Funk vs Shane Douglas, Raven vs Sandman and Jerry Lynn vs Justin Credible. And and Joey sounds like he could care less about the big matches. I don't need him to be in full on "OH MY GOD!" mode right of the start but you could at least be excited for the main matchers. Next Terry Funk on why he picked to work this show over the WWE show. Terry admits at his age there is no way he could work two shows this close together. WWE offered him much more money than Hardcore Homecoming. Terry's message was clear this is real ECW this is real passion for this concept. This isn't just a just man looking for another quick buck. Funk does a great job here and his passion is so real. Hell just the Terry stuff should have been the open.

For our first in ring segment of the night  Bob Ortiz introducing ECW founder Tod Gordon. Tod talks and I have no idea what he is saying the audio is very unclear for the microphone he used. And this bothered me when I first bought this DVD. I get Hardcore Homecoming didn't have big money but you know plenty of Indy Shows have clear audio for in ring promos. It's pretty clear what Tod is saying its the old "Thank You. Your the reason we are back." And I get why they did it that night but edit it off the DVD. Now one smart move the people behind the DVD did was include pre tapped interviews from various people as they made there entrance.

Joey Styles and Cyrus make there entrance and we get a huge "Joey Joey Joey" chant from the ECW fans. Joey does a little speech and than get interrupted by Joel Gertner. Gertner cuts his typical promo you know the act if you ever saw him in ECW and the good news is the audio was good so you could hear the jokes. Finally Cyrus is handed the microphone and starts talking about how great it is to back and than goes heel on Gertner.This leads to a brawl between the two guys. And really that's a segment. Yeah I get the feud in at the end of ECW but its not like it was the greatest feud ever. Just have Joey and Joel start the show and have Cyrus manage someone.  Yeah the fans were hot but this was the kind of crowd that had extra strong Kool Aid.

CW Anderson and Simon Diamond vs Mikey Whipwreck and Chris Chetti- Styles reminds us all the Mikey has beat Steve Austin. Whipwreck and Diamond start us off. We actually some stuff people that haven't seen the real ECW might now expect. Like a "dazed" Anderson getting hit by Chetti stumbling over to Mikey to get punched and than stumble back over to Chetti. Styles points out that Anderson and Diamond had been a semi regular tag team over the years and why that was advantage. Whipwreck throws some of the worst worked punches I have ever seen it was that bad I had to point it out because it looks like he didn't even try to hide them. Whipwreck gets the win after hitting The Whipper Snapper on Diamond. Decent match but it really wasn't that super hot open you would hope on a show. Chetti hadn't wrestled in years and it showed. Whipwreck looked ok but not perfect but Styles said he looked as good as he did when he was world champion. Diamond and Anderson really carried the match and it's a shame TNA or WWE never gave CW a real serious look. 

The Blue Meanie vs Tracy Smothers with JT Smith - Smothers and Smith were doing there Full Blooded Italians gimmick. While in WWE FBI was just a gimmick they put on so they could have Italian Accents the joke in ECW was people like Smith (who is black) and Smothers (Who is from Nashville) along with Tommy Rich would fake being from Italy. JT talks to the fans but the audi again is tough to understand. Meanie had really slimmed down from his ECW and WWF days. Joey uses Meanie's weight loss as a chance to mock Jasmine St. Clair (Meanie's Ex Girlfriend). This was full on comedy yes ECW had comedy matches. Eventually we get a dance off between Meanie of Smother. Witch was actually a callback to something these guys had done back in ECW. Smothers being the spoil sport jumps Meanie while he is dancing. Smother wins after JT nails Meanie with a chain. As I said it was comedy and it was pretty funny at times. Both guys looked ok but you could tell both Smothers and Meanies best days were behind them

We next get a montage of the various ECW stars that have passed away. Johnny Grugne and Gary "Pitbull" Wolfe come out. Tammy Sytch comes out alone. This segment was confused. First you have Tammy coming out dancing around. After Grunge gave a speech where he was getting choked up we got jokes about Tammy breasts. Gary Wolfe didn't' even get a chance to talk. Finally Danny Doring and Roadkill came out to interrupt and of course they go full on heel and the fans were chanting for New Jack to interrupt this segment. And because the audio sucked at time Joey had to keep talking over to explain what was going on. Eventually Doring and Roadkill jump Wolfe and Grunge. Tammy ran to back and brought back 911 who made the save. I get this was a show where you wanted to get everyone you could on the show but Doring and Roadkill would been better in a real match. And to end the segment 911 tried to pick Tammy up and fell over causing Joey to do that fake laugh you hear WWE announcers do to try and convince you it was really funny. ANd than it ends with 911, Tammy, Gary, and Johnny praying  what a confused mess of a segment. 

Kid Kash vs 2 Cold Scorpio - These two had zero history with each other in ECW hell I don't think Kash was even a regular when Scorpio departed. It was clear promoter Shane Douglas just saw two high flyers and figured they could have a good match. And I say that's a good move you already had plenty of "reborn" feuds and not everyone could live up to what they were back in the day these two could still and and steal the show. This match was defiantly a step above the first two. We saw that nice mix of athletic technical wrestling. Exchanging arm locks as the flipped about. Two the men were also very starting out slow doing actual wrestling before any big flying spot or big haymaker brawling. This also became our first match to head to outside. Kash hit the first big spot of the night as he flipped off the entrance stage into the crowd onto Scorpio. Scorpio still looked great and broke many of his trademark spots. And how else could this match end 2 Cold wins after the 450. Very good match. Often ECW would claim they were just hardcore but also featured the best technical and highflying wrestling and this match was in that vain. Kash had just left TNA at this time and had been putting on good matches and it was a great effort by Scorpio who was a regular in NOAH at this time.

 As I  said they had pre tapped segment with a wrestler talking about ECW and being back and the fans etc. So we have Axel Rotten talking before the segment starts so anyone that maybe didn't know the results of the show knew Axl was next. Except Joey Styles on commentary acted like it was a shock when he came out in the next segment.

Kronus made his way out solo. The plan had been to been to reunited Kronus with Perry Saturn and reform the Eliminators but an injury to Saturn canceled those plans instead Joey said Krounus would fight a handicapped match with "What ever team shows up." ANd of court out comes Axl Rotten and Ian Rotten came and Joey acts shocked. Apparently this wasn't a match just the Rottens trying to beat up Kronus until New Jack ran out to make this save. You know how a lot of people just viewed Hardcore wrestling as a bunch of guys that couldn't work or get over so they broke stuff over each other. Yeah this segment lived up to that in every way. It was nothing but guys breaking stuff over each other heads. Not helping the fact each guys looked like they had put on 50 pounds each. Don't get me wrong I get this was a draw for ECW you had to have a match like this or the fans would be pissed off. But that doesn't mean I have to find it good. I like a good hardcore match but I l want that is well worked where the spots make sense. If you don enjoy matches like this to bad you will miss a because it seemed like the editor always managed to cut back just after something had taken place. If New Jack and Ian did a spot the camera was on Kronus and Axl or vice versa. I get that happens on live broadcasts but this was a tapped event and they had two cameras your telling me the guy couldn't' have done a better job the this. Eventually security pushed a giant scaffold out allowing New Jack to splash onto Ian who and on a table. To cap off the shit fest they let New Jack talk and well if you have heard New Jack talk you know why that sucks. If you hardcore wresting like Mad Man Pondo or Necro Butcher you will enjoy this but as I have made clear I hate this kind of stuff.

Jerry Lynn vs Justin Credible with Jason Knight- These two did have a long history and besides RVD Justing was Lynn's biggest ECW feud as the two had a 21 match series when the debuted and Lynn beat Credible for the ECW world title. This was also Lynn's first match in a year since he injured his shoulder in a match for TNA. If Jerry was rusty he didn't show it. It always amazed me how this could keep working as well as he did as he reached him mid forties. I always felt bad for Credible who was a very good worker that never got his due in the bigger leagues. WWE always used his as a jobber he never really caught on in TNA and WCW never hired him. I know the guy had some issues at time but it just feels like a lot of wasted talent. There referee in this match was really bad for example he asked Credible if he wanted to quit even though Credible was in control of the match his voice was always kind grating. At another point he got i the way as Credible was going for a spot. Jason became my hero when he finally took the bad referee out. This led to a run in by Jazz to take out Jason. Lynn picked up the win after a cradle tombstone pile driver. To end the best match of the night. It what you would expect a great ECW Jerry Lynn match to be. Lots of flying and awesome hardcore spots and just great wrestling.

Raven With The Musketeer and Blue Meanie vs Sandman- I find it strange that earlier in the night they had Meanie as the underdog face and now was a lackey heel. This was before Raven's health went down hill and he was having some great matches in TNA and I believe he was the NWA champion at this point. Well Sandman was Sandman and well Lou Thez he was not. The company had an issue as they wanted to show the best part of Sandman's gimmick his entrance but couldn't use the song Enter Sandman son instead they edited over generic music as Sandman's interview played. I get why wanted to do it but it kind of killed the effect of the entrance. Raven heeled up the fans and again the audio made it tough to understand. Raven had the Musketeer start the match for him witch resulted in the first ever sword fight in wrestling history.Eventually the actual match go started. This was a brawl with lots of weapon spots and it being Raven plenty of run ins. The finish came when Don E Allen attacked the Sandman only for Mikey Whipwreck to run out and save Sandman and than five seconds later betray him. Where is the logic in that finish? I mean Styles tried to sell it as Raven had done it again but Sandman was already in trouble when Mikey showed up. Match was decent but only if you know what you are getting I don't go into Sandman matches expecting classics.

Terry Funk came out for a promo to get the fact the main event would be a barbwire rope match. For once the audio was decent. I get why the did it during live show but it really wasn't needed since the DVD box set up it was a barbwire match. We also get video of several people (not just Funk, Sabu, and Douglas) talking about the Night The Line Was Crossed. The 3 way match that was seen as the first true classic in ECW history. Funk talked about how it was one of the most memorable matches in his forty year career. And it was another nice touch having people like Gabe Sabolsky and Kid Kash put the match over just made it seem bigger. They also have Sabu and Funk talk about there barbwire match and the damage it did to both men.

Shane Douglas with Francine vs Terry Funk with Tammy Sytch vs Sabu will Bill Alphonso Barbwire  Rope match- I been hard on Shane Douglas a lot over the years and I stand by what I have said but I will give the guy credit he's a very talented in ring wrestler and promo man. At this point Shane's in ring career was pretty much over he was working as an interviewer/agent for TNA and while has wrestled since he's a shell of his former self. Sabu was still active as a wrestler for TNA at this point I even think just retiring some serious health issues. Well Terry Funk was Terry Funk he was 61 but than again he was Terry Funk I'm convinced the guy won't' stop until he drop dead in the ring and even than he will want to have one more match. Obviously you would be an idiot to expect a repeat of that match from 93 hell it wasn't possible for them to match the PPV match they had in 97 that most people forget about. But this match just didn't work. Funk and Douglas were shot and seemed like they were in slow motion. Its clear they added the barbwire to try and make up for what the guys had lost as they got older but at one point it just turned the match into throw guy into wire grind guy into wire match at time. I'll compare it to a cage match yes you have spots where guys are tossed into the cage there head is rammed into the cage or the cheese grater on the cage but if they over do that is starts to get boring. There was also some dumb booking to cover some issues. Micke Foley was supposed to be the referee but was late so to explain why Foley could show up and be the referee Doulas had to KO the two other referees. Now the fans did pop when the unadvertised Foley showed up. The fans also booed Foley for using Mr. Socko and chanted fuck the sock but popped when Foley but barbwire on the sock showing WWE isn't the only ones with sheep. Douglas the first one eliminated. The finish also had to be done on the fly as Funk went for a moonsault off a ladder it broke and appeared to injure him. Sabu won with the arabian face buster. The match had it moments but I can't say it ever got going. 

After this event attempts were made to turn Hardcore Homecoming into a regular company they ran one more show but ticket sales were poor and the company shut down. Of course by now you know WWE brought ECW back as a third brand that was replaced by NXT after a few years. TNA also did a ECW themed shows and EV2 stable that well just didn't work. Douglas returned to promoting ECW styles shows in 2012 with Extreme Reunion/Rising witch has put some truly awful shows as by this point the ECW name needs to just say dead. But what about Hardcore Homecoming does it stand up years later?

When it first happened this event was heavily parsed but now years the show is far from great. The audio problems for anything int he ring really hurt it and at times the audio just drops out entirely. None of the matches are truly awful even the hardcore "Fight" I understand why it's on there but none of the matches are great at best the top out at good and a number of them go a little to long. They did try to have a nice variety though so I credit them on that. Joey Styles commentary is hit and miss. At times Joey makes some good points but well this is Joey Styles so your going to get "OH MY GOD!" and other habits he has. It doesn't help he went out of his way to over hype how everyone was still in great shape. So yeah it's a decent event but nothing you need to out of your way to go see. 

Match Listing For WWE’s ECW: Unreleased Volume 2 DVD & Blu-ray

Here is the match listing for the WWE's ECW: Unreleased Volume 2 DVD & Blu-ray…
We Are Back!

Tommy Dreamer vs. Tazmaniac
Hardcore TV • October 19, 1993

Terry Funk & Arn Anderson vs. Sabu & Bobby Eaton
When Worlds Collide • May 14, 1994

Hardcore Legends

ECW Unreleased Vol. 2 DVD Match Listing

Cactus Jack vs. Terry Funk
Hardcore Heaven • August 13, 1994

"I Quit" Match
Tommy Dreamer vs. The Sandman
Hardcore TV • October 4, 1994

Wrestling Machines

Eddie Guerrero & The Steiner Brothers vs. 2 Cold Scorpio, Dean Malenko & Cactus Jack
Wrestlepalooza • August 5, 1995

Raven vs. Tommy Dreamer
Holiday Hell • December 29, 1995

The Public Enemy vs. The Gangstas
House Party • January 5, 1996
DISC 2

A Good Idea At The Time

Extreme Hardcore Shoot Fight
Chris Jericho vs. Taz
Lost Battalion Hall • April 13, 1996

ECW World Television Championship Match
2 Cold Scropio vs. Shane Douglas
A Matter of Respect • May 11, 1996

The Flagstaff

Sabu vs. Chris Jericho
Plymouth Meeting, PA • August 29, 1996

Dick Togo, Terry Boy & Taka Michinoku vs. Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa & Great Sasuke
Hardcore TV • March 27, 1997

Tag Team Wrestling Done Right

Three Way Dance for ECW World Tag Team Championship Match
The Eliminators vs. The Gangstas vs. The Dudleys
The Buffalo Invasion • May 17, 1997
DISC 3

Real Heat

The Sandman, Taz, Tommy Dreamer & Al Snow vs. Sabu, Rob Van Dam, Doug Furnas & Philip LaFon
Hardcore TV • January 5, 1998

ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match
Shane Douglas vs. Al Snow
Wrestlepalooza • May 3, 1998

ECW World Tag Team Championship Match
Chris Candido & Lance Storm vs. Sabu & Rob Van Dam
Hardcore TV • June 29, 1998

A Real Clash of Styles

Three Way Dance for the FTW World Heavyweight Championship Match
Sabu vs. Taz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
ECW Arena • August 8, 1998

ECW World Tag Team Championship Match
The Dudleys vs. Spike Dudley & Balls Mahoney
Hardcore TV • August 23, 1999

Stepping Up

ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match
Mike Awesome vs. Rhino
ECW on TNN • October 1, 1999

Extreme Three Way Dance
Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Super Crazy
November to Remember • November 7, 1999

The Ultimate Underdog

ECW World Television Championship Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Mikey Whipwreck
ECW on TNN • January 28, 2000

Three Way Dance for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match
Justin Credible vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Steve Corino
ECW on TNN • September 29, 2000

End of an Era

BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES
911 vs. Doink the Clown
Hardcore TV • August 27, 1994

Steel Cage Match
The Sandman, 2 Cold Scorpio & New Jack vs. The Public Enemy & Mikey Whipwreck
Gangsta's Paradise • September 16, 1995

Four Way Dance for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship
Terry Funk vs. Raven vs. Stevie Richards vs. The Sandman
The Buffalo Invasion • May 17, 1997

The Dudleys vs. The Public Enemy
Detroit, Michigan • January 23, 1999

Tommy Dreamer vs. Lance Storm
Hardcore Heaven • May 16, 1999

Japanese Death Match
Super Crazy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri
Hardcore TV • February 11, 2000