FORUM HOME > TNM Circuits > TNM Circuits
DWF 04/02/08

91Posted on 01/29/06 at 14:47:07

Christian vs Owen Hart

The opening match of the show pitted Owen Hart against Christian in a little
preview to the upcoming tag title match at Badd Blood where Edge and Christian
defend against Pretty Perfect. On this night, we got ourselves a nice little
encounter with both men maintaining a fast pace and keeping things clean - hopes
were high that this sort of demeanour would carry over to Badd Blood. Of
course, we are talking about Pretty Perfect so inevitably it didn't stay clean
for long. Curt Hennig made his entrance and immediately set about tripping
Christian. Edge quickly followed and the chase was on.

In the ring, Christian ducked an enzuigiri and regained control, with Edge
continuing to go after Curt Hennig. The two of them ended up in the ring and
then spilling to the apron. The referee quickly came over and admonished them,
at which point Curt Hennig slipped away with the ref still blasting Edge for
his actions. Christian had Owen down meanwhile after the Unprettier and was
furious that nothing was being counted and saw Curt Hennig on the outside.
Christian walked over to him and grabbed him by the hair, at which Hennig swung
round and clocked him with Christians own tag title belt that he'd snuck into
his grasp while the cameras were off him. Hennig then pulled Edge away while
a groggy Owen slapped on the Sharpshooter and claimed a cheap win.

Owen Hart made Christian submit to the Sharpshooter in 0:08:09.
Rating: *** 3/4

Pitbull #2 vs Pete Gas

La Resistance figured tonight was the night they got their rematch at the
Intercontinental tag team titles and showed Pitbull #2 rule 47, paragraph 6,
section 4 that said that at any time, an ex champion of champions may exercise
their right to demand a tag title rematch within 30 days of losing the titles
on ANY date of their choice and they wanted tonight. With all this going on
under the watchful eye of Matt Hardy in his office, the commissioner agreed
that the rules clearly stated this with the newly amended rulebook that was
printed a few days ago. Pitbull #2 however countered with rule 47, paragraph 6,
section 5, sub-section B that stated a reigning champion may turn down ANY
challengers request for a title shot if he already has a match scheduled for
that day, apparently having signed a match earlier in the day with Pete Gas.
Matt Hardy shrugged his shoulders, and said this was also true.

La Resistance were furious and couldn't understand how their beloved America
could let them down with this beaurocracy, until they saw on the back that
the rulebooks had been printed in Canada. Out in the ring, Pitbull #2 made
short work of Gas, finishing him with a powerbomb after a minute or so, leaving
officials to scrape poor Gas off the mat. Still, Pitbull #2 is going to have to
defend those titles on his own at some point in the next few weeks.

Pitbull #2 pinned Pete Gas after a powerbomb in 0:01:10.
Rating: * 3/4

Alex Wright (c) vs Masato Tanaka (Intercontinental title)

Alex Wright had a big title defense today against Masato Tanaka, which made a
welcome change as he hasn't been too quick in putting up his Intercontinental
Title to date but Masato Tanaka is as tough as they come, and quickly made an
impact by dominating the first few minutes, sending Wright scampering outside
to regroup and discuss strategy with the massive Ulf Herman on the outside,
but the early signs were good for a possible title switch.

When Wright came back in, he turned it more into his sort of pace, slowing
Tanaka down, but that didn't put the challenger off as he easily held his own
and looked more than capable of taking Wright out. Wright, during a brief
moment of control, had him set for the Schadenfreude, but Tanaka slipped out of
the way and began to take Wright down with a series of stiff moves, finally
levelling him with a big clothesline that seemed to have hurt Wright. The crowd
were sensing that the champion might be going down, but Wright really did
seemed hurt as he clutched at his knee. Whilst the referee checked, Ulf Herman
jumped onto the apron and grabbed Tanaka by the head, jerking him up and
dropping him throat first over the top rope. Meanwhile Wright was miraculously
healed, and this time hit the Schadenfreude for the victory. I guess that
would be Plan B.

Alex Wright pinned Masato Tanaka with the Schadenfreude in 0:09:00.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Alex Wright retained the Intercontinental Title.)

Low Ki vs Rodney

Low Ki was in action today against Rodney, with Rodney hoping to fare better
than Pete Gas had earlier. And he did just that, stretching his match out a
couple of minutes longer. Don't let that fool you, Low Ki was in no mood to be
messed around today and also made short work of the Mean Street Posse member,
finishing him with a Ki Krusher pretty quickly. With that kind of approach, it
may not be long until Low Ki has the cruiserweight title around his waist
again, or maybe more...

After commercials, we returned to see Rodney still in the ring, looking sore,
along with a thoroughly beaten Pete Gas and a furious Paul Roma. Roma was sick
of the lack of respect and opportunities they were getting and despised the
fact that the three of them were seen as a joke when they were as EVIL AND
DEMONIC as they are, all the while conveniently skirting around the fact that
they haven't won a match in several years.

It was only a matter of time before someone came out to shut them up and it was
none other than the Dynamite Kid who was still fuming over the travesty of
Revenge is Sweet. Dynamite ran down and cleared the ring of Roma and co. with
very little difficulty and then challenged Matt Hardy to a match there and
then. Matt Hardy came out with Snitsky and Heidenreich watching his back all
the while. Hardy stated that he was tempted to set his boys on Dynamite right
now, but wouldn't if Dynamite gave him a good reason. Dynamite had his reason,
and The Syndicate then entered the fray, two more men for whom Matt Hardys
power abuse has been detrimental to them lately.

Dynamite challenged Matt to a six man tag at Badd Blood so they could settle
this one once and for all. Matt said that with the DWF being the Cult of
Personality that it was, as dictator he didn't see why he should be put into
the firing line like this. But with Dynamite edging closer from one side and
The Syndicate closing in on the other side, Matt was trapped and agreed to the
match, but confidently stated that it would be the end for Dynamite Kid, Lance
Storm and Ken Shamrock. If things don't go well for Matt though, the banners
bearing his likeness that hang from every arena could be looking a lot sadder
afterwards.

Low Ki pinned Rodney with the Ki Krusher '99 in 0:04:11.
Rating: ** 1/2

#1 Contenders match for the Intercontinental Championship

Rob Van Dam vs John Cena vs Bobby Eaton vs Billy Kidman vs Larry Zbyszko vs Eddie Guerrero

We had earlier seen Alex Wright victorious against Masato Tanaka, but as he
promised at Revenge is Sweet, he will have his first Pay-Per-View title defense
at Badd Blood, and that would be against the winner of the upcoming six man
battle royal, in which wrestlers could only be eliminated by pinfall. One of
the participants was former world champion Billy Kidman - I wouldn't go as far
as to say he's fallen on hard times but he's found it difficult lately to
replicate the same level of success he was enjoying throughout last year,
whereas his tag team partner Steve Corino has been television champion for
well over eight months now.

Before the six-way, Kidman seemed to recognise this in a little backstage
discussion, bringing up how last year at Wrestlefest he beat Raven for the
title and now he lost to Raven and Rhyno last week whereas there was Corino
pinning Raven a few weeks back to win himself a title shot. Corino reassured
him, first of all saying HIS television title was the far more prestigious
anyway (which didn't sit well with Kidman who doesn't have the TV title on his
resume) and saying if he wanted to prove himself that badly, he should just
face Raven again and prove that he's still the best. Kidman seemed geared up
by all this; "Fine, I WILL face Raven, I'll show everyone." and the like.

Alex Wright took his place at the announce table for the battle royal, to lend
his "expertise" - he didn't say anything out of the ordinary but made it clear
he didn't care who won, he'd destroy the winner at Badd Blood all the same.
Ulf also put on a headset and didn't utter a word - he's no mute, but there was
something strangely intimidating about the whole set up.

Meanwhile, the list of participants was an impressive one to say the least with
two former world champion (Billy Kidman and Rob Van Dam), two former Intercontinental
champions looking to regain the gold (John Cena and Eddie Guerrero), a two
time TV champion in Bobby Eaton who has looked increasingly impressive in
recent weeks including pushing Steve Corino to the limit, and Larry Zbyszko
for whom title gold may just be a matter of time if his humility doesn't take
a plunge at Badd Blood against Bruno Sammartino (and of course if he won here,
he'd have to pull double duty at the PPV).

Speaking of Bruno Sammartino, there was an early surprise when he took his
place in a ringside seat to a warm and respectful reception. Larry wasn't so
respectful, indeed he seemed angered to see him there. None the less the match
got underway and right from the get go, Cena and Zbyszko went right at it in
a slugfest in the middle of the ring, won by Cena, that gathered most of the
early attention. The others meanwhile paired off and, by and large, stuck to
it, with a little switching and exchanging of partners here and there.

Finally Bruno was confronted by an angry Coach at ringside who badmouthed his
mere presence. Bruno responded by nailing Coach, and thus distracting Larry in
the process. Zbyszko was so concerned with shouting at Bruno, he didn't see
Cena sneaking up behind, and he got hammered with the Eighth Deadly Sin. Cena
then signalled for Bobby Eaton to head up and hit the Alabama Jam, and Eaton got
the first elimination of the match.

If that wasn't considered outside interference, what happened soon after was,
as the lunatic Brian Pillman ran out and continued his bizzare vendeta with
Rob Van Dam, having attacked him at Clash of the Champions after the tag title
match and again during another tag title match at Revenge is Sweet. Whatever
his reasonings (like he has one), he zoned into RVD and jumped him. Cena and
Eaton quickly paired up and backed him away but the damage was done, and Eddie
Guerrero connected with the Frog Splash for the pin.

Eddie Guerrero didn't even get the chance to rest on his laurels as he was the
next to go. Having put Bobby Eaton on the mat, he headed up for the Frog Splash
but this time failed to hit it with Eaton pulling himself aside, and then
rolling the winded Eddie up for a three count. With Cena, Eaton and Kidman left,
Kidman found himself victim of a double team as memories of the days when John
Cena and Bobby Eaton were briefly tag team champions filtered back. Kidman is
still as wily as they come and somehow sustained the pressure long enough to
avoid both men charging in on him. Cena and Eaton ran headlong into each other
and Kidman snatched the chance to roll Eaton up for the pin.

Kidman really revelled in the fall, and celebrated having got a big win, but
perhaps had been a little hasty as Cena recovered quickly and snatched him up
from behind, before dropping him with the Eighth Deadly Sin for the pin, and
John Cena had won himself a shot at Alex Wright at Badd Blood. Kidman meanwhile
could not believe he'd let this one slip. As for Alex Wright, he just cackled
melodramatically when reminded that he'd now have to defend the title against
Cena at Badd Blood.

Elimination Match:
John Cena, Bobby Eaton and Rob Van Dam beat
Billy Kidman, Eddie Guerrero and Larry Zbyszko 3 falls to 2:
        x Eaton beat Larry Z via the Alabama Jam in 0:03:00
        x E. Guerrero beat RVD via the Frog Splash in 0:05:25
        x Eaton beat E. Guerrero via a roll up in 0:07:31
        x Kidman beat Eaton via a roll up in 0:10:11
        x J. Cena beat Kidman via the Eighth Deadly Sin in 0:10:59
Survivors: John Cena
Rating: *** 1/4

Scott Putski vs Rockabilly

Rockabilly had his first singles match on free television as he took on Scott
Putski today. Rockabilly has enjoyed the victory over Brad Armstrong more than
most people would enjoy a victory but he hasn't enjoyed the aftermath, with
Armstrong hunting him down constantly. Today was no different as after a few
minutes, Brad shot down to the ring and attacked Rockabilly for a blatant
disqualification and nailed him with the Rock Bottom. Grabbing a mic, Brad
challenged Rockabilly to a rematch at Badd Blood and then said he was going to
show Rockabilly what he could expect at Badd Blood.

Armstrong then began his run up for the Peoples Elbow but stopped when Hunter
Hearst-Helmsleys voice boomed out. Helmsley was at the curtain and said that
Armstrong had beef with him as well, and Helmsley certainly wanted revenge for
the beating he took last week, and that if Armstrong, "The Rock", wanted a
match that badly, he would have to face him instead. Armstrong didn't care, he
certainly wants either of them badly enough and accepted, noting that once he
had "laid the smacketh down on Helmsleys roody poo candy ass, The Rock will
shine Helmsley up real nice, turn that sonbitch sideways and stick him straight
up Rockabillys ass, and they'll probably like it". Armstrong then hit the
Peoples Elbow on Rockabilly anyway. Right now, I wouldn't want to be Hunter
Hearst-Helmsley.

Rockabilly defeated Scott Putski by disqualification in 0:04:10.
Rating: 1/2*

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs Chavo Classic

In a little rematch from Last Man Standing last year we saw the father/son
clash of Chavo Guerrero vs Chavo Classic. On that night, the younger Guerrero
only won by disqualification. This time the two of them really stretched
things out with Chavo Snr. using all his knowledge of the sport to grapple his
son to the mat while Chavo Jr. had to use his speed and stamina advantage to
hold on when things looked bad, as he refused to submit or be beaten. Eventually
time wore on and that stamina advantage paid off with Chavo Snr. tiring to
the extent where Chavo Jr., having got the momentum on his side, had more than
enough time to go up top and hit a flying bodypress for the victory.

Chavo Guerrero Jr. pinned Chavo Classic with the Flying Bodypress in 0:10:54.
Rating: **** 1/4

Joey Matthews vs Curt Hennig

Following Owen Harts earlier excursions, Curt Hennig was in action against
Joey Matthews. It was originally scheduled to be Kid Kash, but his injury at
Badd Blood will not be fully healed for about a week yet and wisely with a
cruiserweight title shot coming up in a few weeks, he decided to pull out.
"Inspector" Joey was the replacement and as expected he gave it a good go but
Hennig was clearly the better wrestler. Matthews did get a few moments in
command but Hennig never looked in too much danger. That is until Edge and
Christian walked out with their tag belts in tow.

Hennig saw the danger right away and verbally told them what they could expect
at Badd Blood, and signalled he would have the gold around his waist pretty
soon. That's all well and good but taking your eyes off someone like Joey
Matthews isn't smart and Matthews came off the top rope with a flying dropkick
to the back of the head that knocked Hennig down. Matthews made a quick cover
and scored the upset win. Edge and Christian meanwhile took great delight in
the result. And we understand whilst all this was going on, officials were
seperating Owen Hart and Christian York in the back, York having given Owen
his own diversion to worry about so he didn't come out to the ring.

Joey Matthews pinned Curt Hennig after a flying dropkick in 0:05:36.
Rating: ***

Don Muraco (c) vs Hayabusa (world heavyweight title)

Don Muraco, as promised, lived up to his side of the agreement and willingly
put up the world heavyweight title against Hayabusa for the opportunity to get
him in the ring one on one, in a little grudge match back from when Hayabusa
black misted Don Muraco at Revenge is Sweet. Despite that weapon on his side,
it still looked like a probable mismatch and by and large, that's how it was
with Muraco using his size and power advantage to flatten Busa, but clearly he
wanted to punish as much as possible, so repeatedly we had Muraco electing not
to make the cover when the chance was there.

Finally Muraco looked set to finish Hayabusa off and lifted him in a chokeslam
position but for the second time in as many weeks, Muraco found himself misted
by Hayabusa who had taken the one chance he had at being face to face with the
champion whilst his eye was off the ball. This time the mist was green, but it
was enough to blind Muraco, who staggered around and fell in the middle of the
ring. Hayabusa went up and hit the Stardust Press and got a very close two
count - make no mistake, this was about as close as Muraco has come to dropping
his title.

Hayabusa kept the pressure on and threw himself at Muraco as the champ
staggered up, only for Muraco to show great awareness and catch him in position
for the Tombstone Piledriver and ploughing him into the canvas. It took Muraco
a few seconds just to locate Hayabusa but when he did, there was still no
kicking out and Muraco had himself another successful title defense.

Muracos eyesight however was still a problem, as it is for anyone who suffers
the ill effects of the mist, and whilst he staggered half blindly from the ring,
Jeff Hardy (still in the ring) didn't see Rhyno sneaking in. Inevitably, Hardy
turned around and got Gored into next week. Muraco was aware enough of what
happened and looked on furiously, as best he could, whilst Rhyno signalled his
intent of taking the world title at Badd Blood as the show came to a close.

Don Muraco pinned Hayabusa with the Tombstone in 0:08:38.
Rating: ****
(Don Muraco retained the Heavyweight Title.)

On a final note, we have learned that next week, Kurt Angle will take on Rey
Mysterio whilst Edge and Christian have one more tag title defense before Badd
Blood as they take on the Rock'n'Roll Express.
Snabbit888Posted on 01/30/06 at 04:31:12

Good match to open the show.  I hope Pretty Perfect take the titles soon.  They're the bee's knees.

Yay a rule battle!  The fact that La Resistance used the rulebook so specifically doesn't surprise me, but Pitbull #2 quoting from it to buy himself some time is humorous.

Still not happy with Alex Wright being the IC champ.  Still a good defense against Tanaka though (wasn't he beating Benoit clean on PPV not that long ago?), but he still need Ulf's help.

Low-Ki wins.  Yippee.  A surplus of squash matches to throw out tonight, eh?

Paul Roma should never be allowed mic time.  I'mn glad Dynamite gave him the business as the kids say.  The six man tag at Badd Blood will be interesting.  I hope Dynamite doesn't get set on fire again. :(

The six man battle royal was fun, although I wish it could have went on a little longer.  I've got no problems with Cena winning, although Eaton would have been fun too.

Rockabilly vs. Scott Putski is a disgusting match.  Thank God the Rock made it short.  Brad Armstrong vs. HHH at Badd Blood!  Huzzah!

Father vs. son match?  Intriguing.  Match went about how I expected it would.

The Young Lions working themselves into the tag title picture?  I'd have no problems with that either.

Main event was fun.  No chance in hell that Hayabusa was going to win the title, but you did a good job of making 'Busa look strong in defeat.  He lasted longer than Jerry Lynn did when Muraco took the gold.

Not your strongest show.  I know a lot of it was setting up angles for Badd Blood, but it could have used one more strong match.  Not a bad outing by any means though.