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DWF 24/12/07 - voting still open

91Posted on 11/04/05 at 20:19:40

Rob Van Dam vs Bobby Eaton vs Alex Wright vs Hunter Hearst-Helmsley

Four men hoping to be picked to face the Intercontinental Champion at Clash of
the Champions (or fail that, the Television title) all squared off in the ring
together today as a little sneak preview of what we might expect at Clash
should any of them be voted in. Hunter Hearst-Helmsley started off proceedings
by announcing that he would be at Clash of the Champions - Forbidden Friday,
irregardless of whether or not the fans picked him, as he had a very special
guest to unveil. He said he had himself a surprise, brand new tag team partner
who he would introduce to the world. Big deal, everyone knows it's going to be
Rockabilly.

After Helmsley got done with promises of his new partner (Rockabilly), the
others made their entrance. Alex Wright notably came prepared with the mammoth
near seven footer Ulf Hermann by his side. With the match underway, they
quickly paired off, with Wright mixing it up with Bobby Eaton with whom he
traded the TV title a couple of times earlier in the year, while the two
former world champs back in the day, Helmsley and RVD tangled on the other side
of the ring. Helmsley (whose tag partner will be Rockabilly) and Wright gained
an early advantage over their counterparts but Eaton and RVD soon fought back,
gaining the momentum and crowd approval. Being sent from the ring, Alex Wright
went to Ulf Hermann for a regrouping session. Helmsley, sadly for him, has
nobody for the moment.

Things settled down, with Alex Wright looking particularly dangerous as he
began pounding away on a hapless Rob Van Dam in the corner. Van Dam did spring
back to life, only for Ulf to climb onto the apron and punch him in the side
of the head while the ref was pulling Bobby Eaton off of Helmsley on the other
side of the ring. It was this sort of tactic that was giving Wright an unhealthy
boost. He didn't factor for the tenacity of Bobby Eaton who was soon hitting
him with a series of lariats right to the jaw and indeed the Alabama Jam soon
followed, only for Helmsley to break that up. And while Helmsley battled Eaton
away in the corner, RVD came off the other side with the Five Star Frog Splash
and this time BOTH Helmsley and Eaton came scampering over to break it up.

Helmsley and Eaton were soon at it again, with Eaton looking far more
agressive - perhaps Helmsleys mind is on when he introduces Rockabilly as his
big surprise. Eaton wasn't letting up and again when they were tangled in the
ropes, Eaton wouldn't let up, and everyone began eating it up as Helmsley was
getting his head kicked in. RVD meanwhile had the advantage on Wright but with
the ref once again over with Eaton, Ulf climbed onto the apron, grabbed RVD
by the head and dropped him throat first across the top rope. Wright hit his
finisher - the Schadenfreude, and was able to score a dubious victory. RVD
was robbed here, no question. Bobby Eaton meanwhile showed a terrific amount
of enthusiasm. And Helmsley can go back to sort of other matters now. It's
Rockabilly. *** 1/4

During the match we were also treated to seeing Larry Zbyszko make his way down
to ringside to observe the action, as he also looks to get himself a shot at
the IC title. He was barely down there for two minutes before John Cena made
his way down as well and chased him out. Apparently Zbyszko was more concerned
in checking out the competition that duking it out with his nemesis. Whether he
ever got a look at the match we don't know.

The Young Lions vs Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon

In a first, four men who were in the DWF when it started were in tag team
action. Yet as long as they've been around, Furnas & LaFon and The Young Lions
have surprisingly NEVER faced one another. So a first of sorts today went
ahead, and it was Furnas and LaFon who came out on top, outmatching their
younger, faster opponents and indeed outsmarting them, as York and Matthews
both held Furnas up. LaFon ran round the ring to get close to them and tripped
York, causing Furnas to fall on top of him. Quickly LaFon also pulled Matthews
out of the ring, whilst Furnas got the pin with a possible hand full of tights.
No matter, it's another big win for the former champs who must be eyeing the
gold for a possible three-peat. *** 3/4

Test vs Curt Hennig

Pretty Perfect are really pushing hard for a tag title shot now - they're not
even on the ballot for Clash of the Champions, such is how much the DWF is
insisting on not allowing them a crack at Psychoanalysis as per contractual
agreements, and once again they're not gracing us with their tag team abilities
which are undeniably outstanding. Instead Curt Hennig went solo against Test.

Most people figured on Hennig getting the win and actually he didn't, and in
the most unusual fashion. Test is tough and held his own, but the script was
holding true as Hennig took control. Owen Hart then made his way down, making
things worse for Test, but instead of being his usual sneaky self, he hung
around, waiting. Hennig soon hit the Perfect Plex, then release the pin, while
Owen threw him a chair. Hennig cracked it over the knee of Test, bringing
about a blatant and utterly pointless DQ. From there, Hennig continued ramming
the chair into Tests knee, while Owen kicked at him cheaply. Finally the
refs spilled down and broke things up, but the damage was done. Why Pretty
Perfect did THAT, is not yet known, but perhaps we'll have answers soon. ** 1/4

Brad Armstrong (c) vs Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero (intercontinental title)

Brad Armstrongs big Intercontinental title defense saw him face the top two
contenders right now, Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero who have both been
chasing a shot for some time. Perhaps the fact they were both in there proved
a plus early on as Rey and Eddie reignited their rivalry and concentrated on
one another. As for Armstrong, he lapped up the reception he was getting. It's
bizarre how he seems to have caught on so well in recent weeks, but the proof
was definitely there in the response he was getting - now, if only he'll
embrace it with the same dignity as the real Rock, rather than still throwing
around his 'trailer park trash' remarks at the fans.

So Brad was happy to let Rey and Eddie do most of the business, but was never
afraid to come in and take shots at the two. Finally they cottoned on and began
double teaming the champion, if only so they could settle their differences
without him. Hurling him from the ring, they seemed set to do just that, and
as we saw at Canadian Stampede, Rey began winning it.

Eddie was left to do what he does best - cheat. Pulling something out of his
tights, he clocked Rey with it and quickly hid the evidence again. Perhaps the
longest two count of Eddies career followed as Rey was somehow able to kick
out. Eddie had him staggered thought and began peppering him with some stiff
jabs. A short arm clothesline was countered by Rey with a drop toe hold that
sent Eddie into the ropes, in position for the 619. Rey charged in but Eddie
was able to roll out of the way and Rey swung right round, cracking his leg on
the ring post and falling from the ring.

Eddie was left standing, but shaken up a bit, and Brad Armstrong, now back in
the ring, was able to capitalise, grabbing hold of Eddie as he stumbled into
his arms and drilling him with the Rock Bottom. The Peoples Elbow followed and
Brad had somehow pulled off a victory to retain the Intercontinental title.
Posing at the end of the match, title still in tow, and the people taking it
in, you have to wonder how long it's going to be before somebody can dethrone
him. *** 3/4

The Rock'n'Roll Express vs Billy Kidman & Steve Corino

Billy Kidman hasn't been in the best of moods since losing the world title in
the Elimination Chamber to Jerry Lynn back in September (by the way, still no
word of the whereabouts of Lynn) but he had a chance today to make some amends
with partner Steve Corino against the Rock'n'Roll Express, one of the most
highly respected teams in the business. Perhaps Kidman and Corino
underestimated them as Morton and Gibson set about with a flurry of crisply
executed double team moves that left the former champ and reigning TV champ
reeling.

After regrouping, Kidman and Corino put in a far better performance as they
worked over Robert Gibson in their corner, showing why they are former
Intercontinental tag team champions with some well oiled tag work, functioning
as a unit. Of course, these things don't last forever and when Gibson blocked
the Old School Expulsion by hitting a low blow with his leg, he was able to
make the tag to Ricky Morton. Morton was fresh and began working over Corino,
and Kidman whenever he came in, and was looking good. Corino though can finish
these things in a flash, and when Morton dropped his head, Corino had his
opening and Morton must have realised it was over before Corino even made
contact. Corino quickly grabbed him in a front face lock and turned him around
into the Old School Expulsion.

Things weren't over though as Corino wanted to really put the icing on the cake
and tagged Kidman who went right to the top rope and hit a picture perfect
Shooting Star Press. Gibson was still down in the corner, leaving Kidman to
pick up an easy fall. Impressive stuff, now what's next for Kidman? **** 1/4

Kid Kash vs Juventud Guerrera

Kid Kash might be the number one contender for the cruiserweight title, but one
man who isn't impressed is Juventud Guerrera. His pre-match rant on how Kid
Kash stole HIS cruiserweight title shot said it all. Perhaps Juvi should have
mentioned how insanely jealous he is too, as he stomped and shouted, finally
dubbing his opponent 'Flid Trash'.

Whatever he could have said didn't prepare him for Kash looking well on form
here, putting together several strings of moves that had Juventud well beaten.
However, as can always be the case in professional wrestling, one incident can
change everything. With Kash on a roll, he positioned Juvi nicely for a
moonsault. A groggy Juventud was awake enough to push the referee right into
the ropes, causing Kash to trip and crotch himself. Juventud was back up and
he powerbombed Kash right off the top rope to score a surprise win. Should
Kid Kash win the cruiserweight title, it'll be interesting to see if he grants
Juventud a shot at the gold. **** 1/4

The Syndicate vs Gene Snitsky & Heidenreich

The Syndicate have been on fire for some time now. A date with either
Psychoanalysis or La Resistance or whomever may hold tag team gold in the near
future surely awaits and after tonight, who can argue that statement? Facing
the undefeated team of Gene Snitsky and Heidenreich, with commissioner Matt
Hardy joining them at ringside (too afraid to be left unguarded these days),
they had a huge task facing them.

Indeed, the size differential told early on as the powerful Snitsky wore down
Lance Storm. Storm is still on a rush from his success at Canadian Stampede
and that week-long burst of adrenaline may be leaving him jaded right now, but
Storm still held on well. Once Heidenreich came in, things continued to go in
the favour of Matt Hardys boys. Ken Shamrock wasn't having any more luck early
on either, but as the inevitable turn of favours arose, Matt Hardy quickly
assured the ref wouldn't make a count after Shamrock belly-to-bellied Snitsky
out of his boots, on the threat of being fired.

The Syndicate was up against it with Matt Hardy wielding his political powers
once more, but when everyone began spilling in, Hardy began getting frustrated
and got onto the apron to shout his protests. Shamrock saw his opening and
whipped Snitsky right into Hardy. Matt was sent into the guardrail, while
Snitsky staggered into an armbar takedown, followed by the ankle lock from
Shamrock. Lance held off Heidenreich, and with no Matt Hardy to make any orders,
the ref was able to call the submission and The Syndicate got themselves a
tremendous victory. Now let's hope Matt doesn't think of extracting any
revenge following this. *** 1/4

Psychoanalysis had words meanwhile for the tag ranks today in an interview
which didn't go as Sean O'Haire had expected. As irritating as Sean Mooneys
questions were, O'Haire did get the chance to state he didn't care who he
faced, be it The Syndicate, The Pitbulls, Furnas & LaFon, Snitsky & Heidenreich
and so on, they were going to defeat them like they'd defeated everyone else
and prove why they are the most dominant tag team champions of all time. Brian
Pillman on the other hand had ideas that stretched further than that as he
then made a public plee to Matt Hardy to make the title match at Clash of the
Champions no holds barred, so he could REALLY hurt someone. This seemed like
news to O'Haire, evidently they hadn't discussed THAT option, but Pillman was
adament. Will Matt Hardy agree and make the match a no DQ affair? One hopes
for the sakes of whomever gets in there with Brian Pillman that he won't.

Raven vs Jeff Hardy

With Clash of the Champions IX fast approaching, Don Muraco is looking at all
the options he faces, with perhaps Raven being the most disconcerting of them
all. So perhaps it shouldn't have been a big shock to see that tonights main
event would pit Raven against Muracos manager Jeff Hardy in a rare match for
Jeff in what was an obvious attempt to soften him up.

Straight away we saw the tactic of Muraco as he joined Jeff at ringside and
blindsided Raven before he could even make it to the ring and then spent
several minutes beating Raven around ringside. Raven was obviously taking a
pounding, as Muraco used chairs and all manner of weapons around ringside,
going as far as to drop him onto the announce table, which didn't break.

Finally Raven fought back and fought back good, sending Muraco reeling into
the guard rail, but the moment he entered the ring, Jeff Hardy was there to
greet him with some hard stomps and much against his usual approach, proceeded
to stick on restholds while Muraco recovered to pace around the ring, waiting
for Raven to make his comeback. When he did, Muraco was usually there to slow
things down somehow, be it a trip from the outside or a distraction. Raven
though didn't become world champion earlier this year by laying down and
dying. A stroke of luck saw an errant Raven dropkick missing Hardy but catch
Muraco outside the ring in the head.

Jeff quickly took back over with some hard forearm shots, but Raven ducked
under a clothesline attempt and caught Hardy with the Evenflow for the victory.
Muraco was quickly in the ring after the count but Raven wasn't hanging around
this time and slid out. Muraco didn't look happy that Raven was perfectly able
to walk out of here, seemingly without injury, but perhaps the damage was done.
Problem for Muraco, he has several other contenders to worry about before Clash
of the Champions... *** 1/4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voting for DWF Clash of the Champions IX - Forbidden Friday

Challenger for Don Muracos (H) world heavyweight title

Billy Kidman (H)
Chris Jericho (F)
Dynamite Kid (F)
Kurt Angle (H)
Raven (F)

Challenger for Brad Armstrongs (FNH - I'll let you draw your own conclusions based on recent and upcoming shows) Intercontinental title

Alex Wright (H)
Bobby Eaton (F)
Chris Jericho (F)
Curt Hennig (H)
Eddie Guerrero (H)
Hunter Hearst-Helmsley (H)
John Cena (F)
Kurt Angle (H)
Lance Storm (F)
Larry Zbyszko (H)
Owen Hart (H)
Rey Mysterio (F)
Rob Van Dam (F)
Ulf Hermann (H)

Challengers for Psychoanalysis (F) tag team titles and La Resistances (H) Intercontinental tag team titles

All tag teams listed valid to challenge for either belt

Alex Wright & Ulf Hermann (H)
Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon (H)
Edge & Christian (F)
Gene Snitsky & Heidenreich (H)
Hayabusa & Tajiri (F)
Rock'n'Roll Express (F)
Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (H)
The Pitbulls (F)
The Syndicate (Lance Storm & Ken Shamrock) (F)
The Young Lions (Christian York & Joey Matthews) (F)

Challenger for Hector Guerreros (H) Cruiserweight title

Chavo Guerrero Jr. (F)
Christian (F)
Christian York (F)
Essa Rios (F)
Hayabusa (F)
Jeff Hardy (H)
Joey Matthews (F)
Jonathan Coachman (H)
Juventud Guerrera (H)
La Parka (F)
Low Ki (F)
Masato Tanaka (F)
Rey Mysterio (F)
Tajiri (F)

Challenger for Steve Corinos (H) television title

ANYONE listed above eligible, as well as the following.

Dean Malenko (N)
Devon Storm (F)
Kid Kash (F)
King Kanyon (H)
Mando Guerrero (H)

*Note that Test has been removed due to injury. Nobody had voted for him anyway.*

Triple Threat match - winner meets DWF champion the following Monday

And once again, list any three challengers of your choice from the above.

PM any votes to me, because PM'ing is hardcore extreme to the max, or something.
Snabbit888Posted on 11/06/05 at 06:45:47

Good opening match, and Wright gets himself a good victory.  Will it be enough to get him the votes?  I doubt it, but stranger things have happened.  And with as much as you're pushing the partner as being Rockabilly, I don't think it's Rockabilly.  My guess is Hall or Nash... maybe HBK return.

Furnas and LaFon look primed and ready to get those titles back.  If they get the shot, I wouldn't put it past them.

Boy, Pretty Perfect sure are frustrated about not being able to wrestle for the tag titles.  Refresh my memory... when did this contract stip preventing the title shot come into play?  And poor Test dies, and no one cares.

Great IC Title match.  Liked the finish, and can't argue with Armstrong retaining.  He rules so fucking hard, he does.

Corino and Kidman weren't fucking around tonight, beating a solid Robert Lazyeye and Ricky Mullet.  These two going for O'Haire and Pillman soon?  I'd like to see it.

Wow... with Kid Kash just winning the battle royal, didn't expect Juventud to beat him, and cleanly no less.  Triple threat on the horizon?  Whatever gets the bel;t off Hector.

Good win for Shamrock and Storm.  I really like this team a lot.  Wouldn't mind seeing them be the team to beat Psychoanalysis either.

And speaking of the champs, yay no-holds-barred!  Pillman rules, and rules a lot.  This has been such a well written angle.  Kudos.  This is the type of thing I strive for, and you do so well.

Interesting main event, though I would have preferred someone else to Jeff Hardy.  Raven is the only man to have pinned Muraco, correct?

Good show, mate.
91Posted on 11/06/05 at 13:34:04

Correct, Raven is the only man to pin Muraco or score any sort of clean win over him (a couple more have DQ wins).

The Pretty Perfect stip came in around the middle of the year after PP had had 284728401 title shots at Psychoanalysis. The plan was for someone else to hold the belts for a while, and I needed an excuse as to why Pretty Perfect wouldn't be in the mix for a while.