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GWA Ground Zero - 07/16/05

AzraelPosted on 07/26/05 at 06:12:37

[Dark Match]:
Tony Mamaluke pinned Tajiri after a vertical facebuster in 0:04:06.
Rating: ** 1/2

(A package is shown of Kurt Angle's confrontation with the Rock last week.)

KA: You know what Rock, if you want a shot, I'll give it to you. But you'll have to earn it. I don't care if you're the #1 contender just because you made the final, you haven't proven anything to me. But just because I'm a fighting champion, I'm going to defend my belt in two weeks. But I'm not going to defend it against just anyone. No, there's going to be a battle royal next week. If you have credentials in the GWA, you can enter. And I'll defend my title against the winner in two weeks.

(Thus, the main event for tonight's show was set up. AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, Christian, Christopher Daniels, Edge, Taz and the Rock have already been entered. How many more will?)

(Next, we go to the ring for the first match of the night. "Blue Flowers" by Dr. Octagon plays as Quiet Storm walks to the ring flanked by Trinity. Trinity slides under the ropes and Storm steps through the ropes. He stretches his neck and looks to the back. "Alkaholik" by Xzibit plays as Spanky walks to the entryway. Spanky is making his GWA debut and dances down the aisle. He hops over the top rope and dances a little more before the ref calls for the bell.)

[Quiet Storm vs. Spanky]

They lock up and Storm gets the upperhand, putting Spanky into a headlock. He brings Spanky down to the mat, but Spanky grabs him with headscissors to break the hold. Storm squirms free and both men get up. Storm armdrags Spanky to the ground, but Spanky gets up quickly. Storm hits a hiptoss and then another when Spanky pops up. Spanky rolls out of the ring and Storm measures him. He runs into the ropes and dives onto Spanky with a somersault plancha through the middle rope. However, Spanky moves out of the way and Storm crashes into the guardrail. Spanky rolls Storm back into the ring and covers him, but Storm manages to barely get his shoulder up. Spanky gets up and repeatedly stomps Storm before climbing to the top rope. He jumps off with a flying bodypress, but Storm gets his knees up. Spanky rolls around in pain as Storm gets to his feet. Spanky staggers forward and Storm picks him up and slams him, then runs into the ropes, quickly jumping on him with an elbowdrop. He brings Spanky up again and whips him into the ropes, then throws him into the air with a flapjack. Spanky bounces up, but Storm hits him with the Roaring Elbow. Spanky bounces away and lays motionless on the mat. Storm calls for the Storm Cradle Driver, but CIMA walks down the aisle and gets on the apron. Storm quickly runs over and knocks CIMA off the apron and into the guardrail with a forearm, then brings Spanky up. He puts Spanky in a half nelson to start the Storm Cradle Driver, but Spanky stomps on his foot to break the hold and grabs Storm's neck. He runs into the corner and then hits Storm with the Sliced Bread #2! He hooks the leg for the win.

Spanky pinned Quiet Storm with the Sliced Bread #2 in 0:06:57.
Rating: ** 3/4
[CIMA interfered against Quiet Storm.]

(Spanky celebrates his first win but quickly leaves when CIMA enters the ring. CIMA grabs Storm by the hair and pulls his head up, then slaps him in the face. Trinity climbs to the top rope and jumps onto CIMA in a Frankensteiner attempt, but CIMA catches her and brings her down with a power bomb. He then climbs to the top rope and hits Quiet Storm with the Mad Splash. Satisfied, CIMA steps through the ropes and gets a mic.)

CIMA: Tonight...CIMA...is in battle royal.

(He tosses the mic and heads to the back. That makes eight men in the battle royal tonight. We then cut to the back with Christopher Daniels.)

CD: As you can see, I am alone right now. Elix Skipper has chosen to focus on getting back on the winning track in the GWA. He is in the next match. Low Ki is preparing for his match with Rey Misterio Jr. tonight. So that leaves me, "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. And what is there to do but prepare? What is there to do but get ready? The time has almost come for me to step into the ring with however many people and, with my angelic hand, toss them over the top rope. The time has almost come to get a shot at the North American Title that the Rock cheated me out of at Bloody Summer. It is almost time for the Truth to spread...for the Light to be shown...for the Way to be followed. I know everyone wants to win that belt...but none of you need to. That title is the fulfillment of my goals. My holy goal...my noble goal. And I will not let anyone stop me from achieving it.

(The camera cuts to Chris Jericho's locker room. He's talking to AJ Styles and Christian.)

CJ: You know, if we work together, we can better our chances.

AS: Definitely. I wouldn't have a problem with any of us facing Angle.

C: We can't let any of these asshats get that shot. We may have been robbed of the Tag Titles...

AS: ...but the North American Title is coming home to one of us.

CJ: No doubt. I just want to make sure that no-good, loudmouth Rock doesn't mess everything up.

C: Don't worry. He'll get his...again.

CJ: I have a feeling that this is going to be a great night for us.

(The camera then cuts to the ring. "Simple Man" by the Grouch plays as Elix Skipper walks down the aisle. He's been on a losing streak as of late and hopes to fix that against another man who's had some bad luck so far in the GWA. He steps through the ropes and stretches as "Knife Prty" by Deftones plays. Matt Hardy walks out and raises his arm in the air. He runs down the aisle, eager to get the match started. He slides under the ropes and confronts Skipper.)

[Elix Skipper vs. Matt Hardy]

They lock up, but Skipper immediately applies an armwringer and hits Hardy's arm with a couple elbows. Hardy tries to roll out of it, but Skipper stomps him a couple times. Hardy gets to his feet and Skipper moves him into the ropes. He hits a couple forearms and then whips him into the ropes. Hardy ducks under a spin kick and hits Skipper with a jumping elbow thrust on the way back. He stomps away at Skipper as Edge comes to the entryway to watch. Hardy whips Skipper into the corner and follows in with an avalanche, which connects. He brings Skipper out and goes for the Side Effect, but Skipper fights his way out of it and smashes Hardy's head into the turnbuckle. He does it a couple more times and whips Hardy into the ropes. He lifts Hardy in the air for a flapjack, but Hardy ends up landing neck-first on the top rope. He falls to the mat and Skipper covers for a near fall. Edge walks down the aisle as Skipper climbs to the top rope. Skipper sees him and hesitates, allowing Hardy to get to his feet and dive into the ropes, crotching Skipper. Hardy climbs to the top and grabs Skipper, but Skipper hits a few punches to the stomach and pushes Hardy back to the mat. The ref checks on Hardy as Skipper regains his footing on the top. Edge pushes Skipper off the top rope and to the mat, then drops back down. Hardy brings Skipper up and kicks him in the midsection. He goes for the Twist of Fate, but Skipper pushes him into the corner. Hardy staggers back and Skipper spins him around and doubles him over with a kick. He then hits the Play of the Day and covers for three.

Elix Skipper pinned Matt Hardy with the Play of the Day in 0:08:24.
Rating: ** 3/4
[Edge interfered against Elix Skipper.]

(Skipper gets his hand raised, but Edge immediately comes in and dropkicks him in the back of the head. Skipper falls backward, holding his head, but Edge immediately brings him up and whips him into the ropes. He then nails him with a spear as Skipper comes back. Skipper rolls around in agony as Edge stands over him with the title belt raised.)

(The camera cuts to the back with the Amazing Red. Ultimo Dragon walks in.)

Red: Something I can do for you?

(Dragon points at the Cruiserweight Title.)

Red: Want a shot, huh?

(Dragon nods.)

Red: In two weeks, you'll get it. As for tonight, I'll be in the battle royal. And next week, I'm sure I'll be wrestling Kurt Angle for the North American belt.

(Dragon pats Red on the back and leaves. The camera then cuts to the Rock.)

RM: Finally, the Rock has come back to Albany. Now the Rock hears this guy say he's going to enter the battle royal. The Rock hears that guy say he's going to win it. But the fact of the matter is that the Rock is going to march into that ring, beat the hell out of five...ten...fifteen...however many jackasses it takes, the Rock's going to whip all their candy asses. And then the Rock is going to toss them over the top rope. After that, Kurt Angle's going to have go one-on-one with the Great One. And when that happens, the Rock's natural instinct kicks in. The Rock will whip that ass and the Rock will become the new GWA North American champion. If you can smelllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll what the Rock is cookin.

(The camera cuts to Lance Storm.)

LS: I know what you're thinking. Why did Lance Storm ask for promo time? Because this opportunity tonight is too good to pass up. I can't just let the chance to get a title shot for the North American belt slip by. And I won't. So I will be in the battle royal and I will win it. And then I can wrestle Kurt Angle, another man who truly appreciates this great sport of ours, and I compete for the top title in the GWA.

(Rhyno walks in.)

Rhyno: And what makes you think you're gonna win? Battle royals aren't sissy little grapple fests. They're brawls. And who's the toughest man here? Me. Rhyno. That's why I am going to win. And that's why I'm going to beat Kurt Angle for the second time.

LS: Think what you want. But brains ALWAYS beat brawn.

(The camera cuts to the ring. "Los Tres Delinquentes" by Delinquent Habits plays as Chavo Guerrero Jr. completely serious. He ignores the fans and steps through the ropes. The song keeps playing as Eddie Guerrero walks to the entryway. He beats his chest and walks down the aisle. Los Guerreros have had a lot of losses in the GWA, and Eddie eventually snapped, blaming Chavo for all the losing. So after being attacked a couple times, Chavo decided he's had enough and challenged Eddie to this loser leaves town match. One of these men will not be in the GWA after tonight. Eddie steps through the ropes and taunts the crowd.)

[Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero]

Chavo attacks Eddie from the beginning and hits a series of kicks. Eddie regains the advantage with a facerake and then rams Chavo's head into the corner. He works over him with some forearms and then whips him hard into the other corner. Chavo falls on his face and Eddie comes over and stomps away at him. He kicks Chavo out of the ring and follows him out. He then brings Chavo up and rubs his head repeatedly along the guardrail. Chavo staggers away and Eddie rams into him from behind with a forearm. He taunts a fan, then runs at Chavo, but Chavo backdrops him onto the floor. Eddie rolls around holding his back and Chavo brings him up and rams his head into the apron. Eddie rolls back in and Chavo climbs to the top rope. He jumps off with a frog splash and connects. He hooks the leg, but Eddie kicks out at two. Chavo brings Eddie to his feet and tries to lift him for a suplex, but Eddie blocks it and clubs him in the back. He whips him into the ropes and hits him with a back elbow. Chavo staggers to his feet and Eddie kicks him in the midsection before grabbing and driving him down with a brain buster. He climbs to the top rope and beats his chest. He then jumps off with the Frog Splash, but Chavo rolls out of the way. Eddie bounces up quickly, but he has the wind knocked out of him. Chavo gets to his feet and runs at him, but Eddie drives him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover, but Chavo gets his shoulder up in time. Eddie brings Chavo up for a power bomb, but Chavo hits him with a couple punches to the head on the way up and then drops down, landing on his feet. He whips Eddie into the ropes and then brings him down with a huge backdrop. Eddie gets to his feet and Chavo hits him with a dropkick. He covers him quickly, but Eddie kicks out. Chavo starts to bring Eddie up, but Eddie slingshots him into the turnbuckle. He rolls Chavo up in an inside cradle and puts his feet on the ropes, but the ref catches it before he makes the three count. Eddie argues with the ref, but Chavo rolls up Eddie and holds the tights. Eddie manages to kick out just before three and both men get to their feet. Eddie smashes Chavo with a forearm and then slams him to the mat. He starts choking away at Chavo, but the ref makes him break it. He argues with the ref again, then stomps away at Chavo. He chokes him again, and the ref pulls him away and yells at him. Chavo struggles to his feet and slumps in the corner. Eddie pushes past the ref and runs at Chavo, but runs into a boot to the face. Chavo then grabs Eddie and sits on the turnbuckle. He goes for a tornado DDT, but Eddie blocks it and Chavo lands on his feet. Eddie goes for a Northern Lights suplex, but Chavo blocks it and rolls through with a DDT. Eddie gets up slowly holding his head and Chavo grabs him and puts him down with a brain buster. He makes the cover, but Eddie gets his foot on the ropes. Chavo then brings Eddie up and lifts him into the Gory Special. Eddie screams and tries to get loose, but Chavo holds on tight. Chavo moves to the center of the ring and starts spinning. After about 15 revolutions, Eddie gives up.

Loser Leaves Town:
Chavo Guerrero Jr. made Eddie Guerrero submit to a Gory Special in 0:11:40.
Rating: ****

(Eddie Guerrero is gone from the GWA! Chavo lets go of the hold and collapses to his knees. Eddie gets up slowly holding his back while Chavo pulls himself up in the corner. They stare at each other and Chavo finally extends his hand. Eddie slaps it aside...but hugs him instead. Eddie raises Chavo's arm as the camera cuts to Kurt Angle in the back.)

KA: It's amazing how thing's go, isn't it? I'm the best in the world...I've got the gold to prove it. And when I make a magnanimous gesture, when I say I'll give a title shot to anyone who can win the battle royal tonight, well, everyone scurries around to get in it. And from what I've heard, most of them just assume they'll beat me next week. But they're wrong. They're dead wrong. I already showed what I can do against the rest of the competition here. I just went through the North American Title tournament where I beat everyone I faced...decisively. I went through the Olympics, where I won the gold medal, again decisively, with a broken freakin' neck. The Rock wants to say he's a winner? Well, he's not. I am a winner. If the Rock was such a winner, he wouldn't have had to play in the CFL. If the Rock was such a winner, he wouldn't have been pinned 1-2-3 in the middle of the cage by your Olympic Hero. And the same thing goes for the rest of you. Every time I have tried something, I have succeeded. I have followed my three I's: intensity...integrity...and intelligence, and they have carried me to a place that all of you can only dream of reaching. Oh it's true...it's true.

But I don't want to go two weeks without wrestling. So tonight, I'll pick one lucky guy in the locker room, and I'll have a match with him. It'll be non-title of course, but who knows? Maybe the kid will get lucky? If he impresses me enough, he might just get a title shot. But I doubt he will.

(The camera cuts to the ring, where "Chinga Tu Madre" by Brujeria plays as Jake Roberts leads out his two protegés, Halloween and Damien 666, Mexico's Most Wanted. They walk down the aisle and step through the ropes. Damien gets on the turnbuckle and makes faces while Halloween and Roberts look to the entryway. "Lounge Act" by Nirvana plays and the Young Lions run down the aisle. They slide under the ropes and climb the turnbuckles to play to the crowd. They had a bad week last week as Christian York lost his rematch for the Cruiserweight Title against the Amazing Red and Joey Matthews lost his match against Chris Jericho. They're looking to turn that around against Mexico's Most Wanted, who have certainly been impressive so far. Also, Mexico's Most Wanted are fighting to get into the contender list, while the Young Lions are #3 right now and don't want to lose their spot.)

[Mexico's Most Wanted vs. The Young Lions]

Halloween and York start out. Halloween immediately goes after York with a series of roundhouse rights and forces him into the corner. He hits a couple knees to the stomach and backs up. He runs at York, but York gets his foot up. Halloween staggers back and York takes him down with a lariat. He whips Halloween into the ropes and pops him with a dropkick. York tags in Matthews, who climbs to the top rope as York holds Halloween. Matthews comes crashing down with a flying axhandle and makes the cover for two. Matthews fires away at Halloween with punches, then whips him into the ropes. He lowers his head, but Halloween kicks him in the face and then brings him down with a quick powerslam. He tags in Damien and both men start stomping away at Matthews. The ref forces Halloween to get out of the ring, but Damien takes the opportunity to choke Matthews. He brings Matthews to his feet and whips him into the ropes. He brings him down with a Frankensteiner, but Matthews gets his shoulder up at two. Both men get to their feet and Damien hits a series of kicks followed by a forearm to knock Matthews into the ropes. He runs at him, but Matthews backdrops him over the top rope. Damien crashes to the floor as Matthews tags in York. He then runs into the ropes and dives onto Damien with a tope suicida! York stays in the ring and waits for Damien to roll back in, then stomps on him. He brings Damien up and hits a German suplex for a near fall. He whips Damien into the ropes and brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl slam. He calls for the Moonsault, but Halloween clobbers him from behind. He pulls Damien over to his corner and tags himself in. He hits a series of stomps and then slams York to the mat. He bounces off the ropes and lands with a kneedrop. He makes the cover, but Matthews makes the save. The ref makes Matthews leave and Halloween throws York to the outside where Roberts is waiting. Roberts gets in a few kicks and rolls York back in. Halloween climbs to the top rope and jumps off with a flying bodypress that connects. The ref counts, but York kicks out. Halloween brings him back up and whips him into the ropes, but York hits a spinning leg lariat. Halloween gets up groggily and York takes him down with a big lariat. He crawls over to his corner to tag in Matthews, but Damien enters the ring and stomps York in the head to stop him. Roberts then pulls Matthews off the apron and throws him into the guardrail. Damien drops York with a DDT as Halloween starts to stir. Halloween then brings York up with a pendulum as Damien climbs to the top rope. Damien then flies off to hit the Armed Robbery. Halloween then drops York and Damien pins him.

Mexico's Most Wanted defeated The Young Lions when Damien 666 pinned York after the Armed Robbery in 0:08:27.
Rating: ***
[Jake Roberts interfered against Christian York.]
[Jake Roberts interfered against Joey Matthews.]

(Roberts takes a mic and enters the ring as Halloween kicks York to the outside.)

JR: I've said all along that we were going to make an impact. And as you can see, we have done just that. The Tag Team champions? Decimated. Shamrock went and got himself a replacement partner, but it didn't matter. Mexico's Most Wanted handled them easily. And just now, they beat the #3 contenders for those tag titles in the middle of the ring. We're on our way up...and all of you have something to fear. Trust me...

(Roberts tosses the mic and the three men head to the back. The camera cuts to Tully Blanchard's office, where Quiet Storm and Trinity bust in.)

TB: Nobody knocks anymore.

T: Quiet Storm wants a match with CIMA. This has gone too far.

TB: I know you're upset...

T: Upset!? He just power bombed me in the ring. He just cost Quiet Storm his match and hit him with the Mad Splash after.

TB: Fine. Fine. I'll schedule a match between you two at the second GWA pay-per-view, WrestleRave, on August 7th. Feel free to work out your differences there.

T: But that's three weeks from now.

TB: Feel free to work out your differences there.

T: *sigh* Let's go.

(Trinity and Quiet Storm leave as Blanchard goes back to his paperwork. The camera then cuts to Taz.)

Taz: All my life, I've been a fighter. All my life, I've heard people say I was too small, that I wouldn't amount to anything in wrestling. I'd like to think that I proved them all wrong. No matter how many people were put in front of me, no matter how big they were...I choked them out and sent them packing. So when I see this battle royal tonight, I'm not worried about all the guys there. I see an opportunity. I see at least 10 guys that are gonna get their asses kicked. I see at least 10 guys who are going to be destroyed by the Human Suplex Machine...by the One Man Crime Spree. So to all of you boys, good luck...you'll need it.

(The camera cuts to the ring, where "Burning Angel" by Arch Enemy plays as Low Ki walks to the entryway. He surveys the crowd before walking down the aisle. He steps through the ropes and stands in the corner. "Symphony of the Dead" by Therion plays as Rey Misterio Jr. walks out. He walks down the aisle, slapping the hands of the fans on the way. He hops over the top rope and raises his arms in the air. Ki slaps the mat and walks up to Rey. These two are in a best-of-five series to see who will face the Amazing Red for the GWA Cruiserweight Title. Low Ki won the first match last week when he pinned Misterio after the Ki Krusher. Tonight is match two.)

[Low Ki vs. Rey Misterio Jr.]

They lock up. Misterio quickly gets behind Ki and takes him down to the mat. He floats over for a headlock, then brings Low Ki up. Ki tries to pick him up for a back suplex, but Rey flips over. Ki swings his arm to try to hit Rey, but Rey ducks under it and runs into the ropes. Rey brings Ki down with spinning headscissors and Ki slides out of the ring. Rey follows him out and hits him with a couple forearms to the back. Ki staggers away and Rey jumps on the apron before jumping back down and hitting Ki with a bulldog on the floor. He rolls Ki back in and then comes in with a springboard legdrop. He hooks the leg, but Ki barely gets his shoulder up. Rey brings Ki up and whips him into the ropes, but Ki holds on, avoiding a dropkick from Rey. Rey lands hard and sits up, but Ki runs at him and pops him with a dropkick. Both men are down and Ki gets an arm over Rey. Rey kicks out at two and slowly gets to his feet. Ki follows and Rey hits him with a forearm. Ki responds and they trade forearms, which Ki gets the best of. He forces Rey into the corner and peppers him with chops, then kicks him until he slumps in the corner. Ki takes his boot and drags it along Rey's face a few times until the ref makes him back up. Ki brings Rey up and whips him into the ropes, but lowers his head too quickly and Rey rolls him up with a sunset flip. Ki gets out at two and gets to his feet. He tries to punch Rey, but Rey grabs his arm and brings him down in a crucifix for another two count. Both men get up and Rey rolls under a kick from Ki and dropkicks him in the knee. Ki goes down hard and Rey stomps away at him. Rey brings Ki to his feet and slams him. He climbs to the top rope and hits Ki with a flying legdrop. He covers, but Ki kicks out. Rey stomps at Ki a few times and whips him into the ropes, but Ki jumps onto the middle rope and comes back with a springboard thrust kick. Ki gets up slowly and slumps into the ropes while Rey gets to his feet. Ki then runs at Rey and pops him with a Yakuza kick. He makes the cover, but Rey gets his shoulder up just in time. Ki brings Rey up and whips him into the corner. He goes for the Tidal Crush, but Rey moves out of the way and Ki tangles himself on the top rope. He finally frees himself but walks right into a huracanrana from Rey. Rey holds his legs down, but Ki manages to get his shoulders up. Rey gets to his feet and waits for Ki to get up, then runs at him and brings him down with a swinging DDT. He then stands next to Ki and jumps on him with a standing moonsault. The ref makes the count, but Ki kicks out again. Rey brings Ki up and whips him into the ropes, but Ki reverses it and then pulls Rey back, hitting him with a koppo kick! Both men are down as the ref starts to count them out. Eventually, Ki gets to his feet and brings Rey up. He hits him with some clubbing forearms as Rey punches him in the midsection. Ki then hits Rey with a knee to the head and kicks him in the midsection. He grabs him and tries to lift him up for the Ki Krusher, but Rey is uncooperative. He tries it again, but Rey counters it with a small package. Ki barely kicks out and he pops back up, but Rey meets him with a spinning leg lariat. Ki gets up holding his jaw and Rey whips him into the ropes and then brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover, but Ki kicks out yet again. Rey sits on his knees for a second, then moves to the apron. Ki gets up and Rey jumps on the top rope, but Ki kicks the ropes, making Rey fall face first to the mat. Rey gets to his knees and Ki hits him twice in the chest with thrust kicks, slaps the mat, and then kicks him in the head. Ki covers him, but Rey gets his foot on the ropes. Ki brings Rey to his feet and whips him into the ropes. He throws a thrust kick, but Rey ducks under it and scores with a flying forearm on the way back. Ki gets up slowly and Rey dropkicks him in the back, sending him onto the middle rope. Rey pumps up the crowd and runs at Ki, going for the 619, but Ki moves backward. Rey turns around, but Ki pops him with an enzuigiri. Rey crumples to the mat and Ki immediately locks in the Dragon Clutch. Rey struggles for a few seconds, then decides to fight another day and taps out.

Low Ki made Rey Misterio Jr. submit to a Dragon Clutch in 0:14:37.
Rating: *** 1/2

(Ki lets go and stands on the turnbuckle with his arms raised. Rey rolls out of the ring, favoring his back. Ki is now up 2-0 and if he wins one more time, he'll face Red for the Cruiserweight Title. The camera cuts to the back where Adam Bramledge is standing by with Ken Shamrock.)

AB: Ken, I understand you wanted to say something.

KS: That's right. There are two things. One being the battle royal tonight. Of course I'm entering my name into the pot. I beat Angle before...I made him tap in the middle of the ring as I nearly broke his ankle. I just have to do it one more time and I'll win the North American Title.

AB: And second?

KS: Next week, I want one of Mexico's Most Wanted. I don't care which one. It really don't matter to me. These punks think they can just come in here and beat me and my partner up and get away with it. But they're wrong. Because what you'll find out is that I'm like a loaded gun. Once I go off, very bad things will happen to the people I'm pointed at.

AB: Have you heard anything about Chris Benoit's well-being?

KS: He's not 100%, but he'll be ready to go next week. But I'll let him talk for himself when the time comes.

(The camera then cuts to Edge.)

Edge: How does it feel Elix? You know, all that time when you were stalking me, trying to get this belt, you were just an annoyance. Now I've turned the tables. How does it feel to get laid out after every match? How does it feel just knowing at some point I'm going to do something to you. Congratulations on winning tonight, but it won't matter in the long run. You're still not anywhere close to me. And to prove it, I'll face you in a non-title match any time. Just name the place. And maybe, just maybe if you get lucky and beat me, you'll get a title shot. But we both know the chance of that happening.

And as for the battle royal, no matter how many people enter, no matter how many people want that shot, I will be the last man in the ring. I've shown that I'll do anything to keep this belt...but I never even got a chance to win the North American Title. That was stolen from me just because I had early success. But now...but now, I'm going to get my rightful title shot. I've beaten everyone I faced, and Angle, don't even think that you'll be any different.

(The camera cuts to find the SAT talking with Red. Their discussion isn't audible, but they laugh and Red walks away. The SAT turn around to find Kurt Angle.)

KA: Guess what. It's your lucky day.

(Angle punches Jose in the face and then rams Joel's head into the wall. He pulls Jose's ponytail to bring him up and drags him to the entryway. Angle brings Jose down the aisle and slams his face into the guardrail. He grabs Jose by the hair and hits him with a couple punches. He then rolls Jose in the ring and follows to start the match.)

[Kurt Angle vs. Jose Maximo]

Angle brings Jose up to his feet and pushes him in the corner before assaulting him with a series of kicks. He whips him out and then runs after him, crushing him in the corner with a lariat. He brings Jose out and grabs him, then throws him down with a waistlock suplex. Jose gets up slowly, but Angle jumps on him and hits a few stiff stomps to his head. He brings Jose up, but Jose hits a few punches to stagger Angle and tackles him, firing off more punches while Angle's on the mat. Angle manages to squirm free and Jose hits him with some forearms, then whips him into the ropes. He knocks him down with a running elbowsmash. He brings Angle up again and whips him into the ropes and goes for a lariat, but Angle ducks under it. He grabs Jose from behind and throws him backward with a release German suplex, making Jose land on his head. He then brings Jose back up and lifts him up to nail him with the Angle Slam. Jose lands hard and Angle covers for three.

Kurt Angle pinned Jose Maximo with the Angle Slam in 0:04:07.
Rating: ***

(Angle brings Jose up and throws him over the top rope. He takes a mic.)

KA: And now that that's over with, lets start the battle royal.

(He leaves the ring and sits with the announcers while "This Means War!!" by Busta Rhymes plays as the Rock walks down to the ring. He steps through the ropes and climbs the turnbuckle before raising his arm in the air. He drops down and stares at Angle. "Head Like a Hole" by Nine Inch Nails then plays as Chris Daniels walks to the ring. He steps through the ropes and takes off his robe, chucking it over the top rope. We then go to a commercial break.

When we come back, AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, Christian, CIMA, Ken Shamrock, Lance Storm, Rhyno and Taz have entered the ring as well. The winner of this battle royal will face Kurt Angle for the North American Title next week on Ground Zero.

"Edge of the Earth" by 30 Seconds to Mars plays as the Amazing Red runs down the aisle. He takes off the belt and hands it to the ring attendant, then jumps on the apron and hops over the top rope. "Ticks & Leeches" by Tool plays next as Edge steps out to the entryway. He holds his belt in the air and runs down the aisle. He slides under the rope and climbs to the turnbuckle. Everyone waits for the bell, but there's a delay. "Whatever" by Our Lady Peace then plays as Chris Benoit makes his return after the concussion he suffered at Bloody Summer and was worsened a week later. He charges the ring and slides under. The bell then rings.)

[13-Man Battle Royal]

Benoit enters the ring and makes a beeline for Jericho. He tackles him and they trade punches. The Rock and Daniels start to brawl with each other. Styles and Christian work over Shamrock. CIMA trades chops with Red. Storm takes Edge down and tries to lock on a submission, but Edge is fighting it. Taz pushes Rhyno into the corner and hammers with forearms. Rhyno responds by headbutting Taz and shoving him to the mat.  He walks over to Edge and stomps on him. He stomps on Storm too and brings him up. He whips him into the ropes and takes him down with a lariat. Styles brings Shamrock to his feet and kicks him in the stomach. Christian kicks him in the head to pop him back up and Styles takes him down with a discus clothesline. They give each other a high-five, but Taz comes from behind and throws Christian backward with a release German suplex. Styles stomps on Taz as he gets up. Daniels pokes the Rock in the eye and takes him down with a STO. He starts to follow up, but Rhyno hits him from behind with a forearm. He puts Daniels in position and lifts him up, dropping him to the mat with a power bomb. Benoit brings Jericho to his feet and chops him repeatedly. Jericho slumps to the mat and calls for a timeout, but Benoit starts stomping him. The Rock gets to his feet, but Storm runs over and pops him in the face with a forearm. He whips him into the ropes, but the Rock reverses it and throws him down with a waistlock suplex. CIMA comes over and kicks the Rock in the stomach then pops with a palm blow. He goes for a second palm blow, but Red grabs his arm and kicks him in the stomach. He then jumps on CIMA's back and takes him down with the Code Red. CIMA rolls over, holding his head, as Taz catches a kick from Styles. He lifts him up and brings him down with a leg capture suplex. Shamrock gets up and hits Taz with a couple forearms, but Taz ducks under one and takes him down with a T-Bone suplex. He moves behind Red and throws him onto his face with a release German suplex. Edge walks over, but Taz punches him in the face and hits him with a T-Bone suplex. Daniels takes Taz down with a chopblock and starts stomping at Taz. Rhyno, Storm and CIMA join him. Storm then brings Taz up and Rhyno holds him as Storm pops him with a superkick. Rhyno brings Taz up and Daniels holds him upright as Rhyno plasters him with the Gore. Daniels brings Taz up and puts him in position before hitting the Angel's Wings. CIMA then picks Taz up and hits him with a fisherman suplex. He then brings Taz up one more time and pushes him over the top rope to eliminate him. Meanwhile, Styles brings Edge up and hits a perfect dropkick to the face. He brings him up again and kicks him in the midsection. He calls for the Styles Clash, but Edge takes him down. He then leans back and catapults Styles over the top rope and to the floor.

Shamrock slowly gets up and Rhyno clubs him from behind. Storm goes after Edge and hits him with a couple of stomps as he rises. Daniels pulls Benoit away from Jericho and hits him with a couple forearms. He brings him out and hits a legsweep faceslam, then applies a Koji Clutch! Benoit screams, but Shamrock makes the save. Rhyno pounds away at Shamrock, who is in a compromising situation, but Christian comes over and hits Rhyno with a low blow. Rhyno keels over and Christian starts choking him. Edge gets the best of Storm with a spinning leg lariat and then tackles the Rock. He punches away at him as Shamrock gets to his feet. CIMA walks toward him and hits him with a couple chops, but Shamrock screams and hits him with some forearms and takes him down with a belly-to-belly suplex. Jericho walks over, but Red cuts him off and kicks him repeatedly. Jericho pokes Red in the eye and smacks him to the mat with a huge right hand. Shamrock tries to kick Storm, but Storm catches it and rolls into the Straight Shooter. He holds onto it for a few seconds, then brings Shamrock up and tries to throw him over the top. Jericho comes over and helps Storm send Shamrock to the floor. The Rock gets to his feet and kicks Edge in the midsection before bringing him down hard with a DDT. He hammers Christian from behind and throws him in the corner. He hits a series of punches followed by the spit punch to almost knock him over the top rope. Rhyno gets up slowly and hits Daniels from behind with a forearm. He whips him into the ropes and pops him with a clothesline. Edge gets up slowly and Red sweeps him before hitting the Red Star Press. He hits him with a flurry of punches, but CIMA kicks him in the face. He then hits Edge with a double foot stomp. Rhyno runs into the ropes and charges at Daniels. Daniels ducks underneath him and Rhyno runs at Benoit, but Benoit backdrops him over the top rope and to the floor.

Benoit slumps on the ropes, but Storm tries to throw him over the top. Benoit blocks it as Christian and Jericho go to work on the Rock. They force him in the corner and pelt him with a flurry of kicks. Christian hits a couple more forearms. Daniels punches away at Red, but Red blocks a few of them and responds with a spinning enzuigiri. Daniels collapses to the mat, but CIMA crashes into Red from behind. He brings Red up for a power bomb, but Red counters into a Frankensteiner. He tries to follow up, but Storm takes him down from behind. He tries to lock in the Straight Shooter, but Red fights him off. Meanwhile, Benoit tears Jericho away from the Rock and hits him with a couple chops. Christian tries to help Jericho, but the Rock hits him with a hard right hand. He staggers into Benoit, who headbutts him and then throws him over. Benoit then turns into a spear from Edge. He goes down hard, but he wraps himself around the bottom rope. Edge stomps away at him as Storm picks Red up and tries to toss him over. Red holds onto the rope, but Jericho crashes into Storm from behind and Red falls over the top. He tries to skin the cat, but Storm knees him in the back and eliminates him. Jericho and Storm nod at each other as the Rock takes them both down with a double clothesline. He stomps away at Storm as Jericho slowly gets to his feet. Benoit slowly rises too and Jericho moves over to meet him. However, Edge runs in and clotheslines Jericho over the top and to the floor.

Daniels and Storm work on the Rock. Daniels stomps away at the Rock while Edge chokes him with his boot. CIMA comes over and hits Storm from behind with a double-axhandle and brings him away. Edge punches away at Benoit trying to take him down, but Benoit slumps in the corner. The Rock manages to get to his feet and Daniels tries to hit him with a double-axhandle, but the Rock hits him with a fist to the stomach first. He hits some more punches, but Daniels blocks one and tries to hit the Rock with a lariat. He ducks it and then hits Daniels with a dropkick as he turns around. The impact knocks Daniels partially over the top and the Rock quickly nudges him over. Benoit suddenly grabs Edge and puts him in the corner and works him over with chops. Edge staggers out and Benoit tries to throw him over the top, but Edge holds onto the top rope. CIMA and Storm trade punches, but CIMA stuns him with a palm blow. He whips Storm into the ropes and goes for another palm blow, but Storm ducks under it. Storm keeps running, but the Rock grabs him by the back of the head and tosses him over the top!

It's down to four men: Chris Benoit, CIMA, Edge, and the Rock. They each stand in one of the corners and then Chris Benoit takes Edge down and starts pounding away at him, while the Rock starts trading punches with CIMA. Edge manages to roll Benoit over and punch away, but the Rock hits CIMA with a series of punches, followed by the spit punch to knock CIMA over the top rope. However, CIMA lands on the apron and rolls back in. The Rock keeps stomping away at him as Benoit gets to his feet and lays the chops into Edge. He whips Edge into the ropes, but Edge comes back with a flying clothesline to knock him down. The Rock brings CIMA up and tries to throw him over the top, but Edge runs in from behind and tosses the Rock over the top. Benoit comes over and hammers Edge from behind, making him stagger into the corner. Both Benoit and CIMA work over Edge in the corner with kicks. Edge tries to get out, but CIMA grabs him by the hair and throws him over the top. CIMA then turns to face Benoit and punches him in the face. Benoit staggers back and CIMA goes for a palm blow, but Benoit side steps it and grabs CIMA from behind, bringing him down with a German suplex. He holds on and hits a second German to stun CIMA. He then makes a cutthroat signal and climbs to the top rope. He falls off and connects with a flying headbutt. Benoit gets up holding his head but brings CIMA up and throws him over the top rope and to the floor!

13-Man Battle Royal:
Chris Benoit won a 13-man Battle Royal:
        x CIMA threw out Taz after a fisherman suplex in 0:11:07
        x Edge threw out Styles in 0:11:58
        x L. Storm threw out Shamrock after the Straight Shooter in 0:13:32
        x Benoit threw out Rhyno in 0:15:07
        x Benoit threw out Christian after a headbutt in 0:16:34
        x L. Storm threw out Red in 0:17:44
        x Edge threw out Chris Jericho in 0:18:17
        x Maivia threw out C. Daniels after a dropkick in 0:20:02
        x Maivia threw out L. Storm in 0:21:03
        x Edge threw out Maivia in 0:24:45
        x CIMA threw out Edge after a series of kicks to the midsection in 0:25:03
        x Benoit threw out CIMA after a flying headbutt in 0:25:44
Rating: *** 1/2

(And after being sidelined with a concussion, Chris Benoit has won the battle royal and will face Kurt Angle next week for the GWA North American Title. Benoit raises his arms in the air, but stumbles and has to hold onto the ropes. Angle leaves the broadcast booth and enters the ring. He puts his belt in Benoit's face and taunts him. He then takes a step back and enters a staredown with Benoit to end the show.)
91Posted on 07/26/05 at 19:39:04

Well no doubt what the highlight was here with the excellent battle royal. To be honest, though I'd picked Benoit at the start due to the obvious angle with his injury, by the time the final four came around, I had NO idea who'd be winning. After all, Benoit and Rock were both obvious winners, you've been pushing Edge and as per my asking about CIMA last time, I can see you've got plans for him. But yeah, can't argue with the choice of winner. Mind you, I couldn't have argued with ANY of the 13 guys at this point.

I don't see Angle losing the title right now, due to his awesomeness, mind you.

Eddie's gone? The way it ended makes me wonder if there's any way he'll be back and teaming with Chavo, but that'll help put Chavo over huge. Perhaps you have ideas for him too...