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DWF 03/12/07

91Posted on 07/23/05 at 14:22:13

With Don Muraco having demanded tougher opponents, tougher title defenses
and tougher scenarios, perhaps now he'll be wishing he kept his mouth shut as
Matt Hardy kicked off the show to announce that there would be not one, not two
but three challengers to Muracos heavyweight title at Canadian Stampede in two
weeks time. To determine who would be facing Muraco, he was taking the top
twelve contenders and drawing them out in three random fourway matches with the
winners advancing to the big fourway dance against Muraco for the title.

Rock'n'Roll Express vs The Miracle Violence Connection

Both members of Psychoanalysis would be included in the twelve man draw that
was aforementioned, thus the odds one would get through was high, but we soon
learnt that if they both failed to qualify and thus neither man had a match
signed for Canadian Stampede, then they would defend their tag team titles
against the team that beat them by DQ a few weeks ago, the Rock'n'Roll Express.
Joy for Morton and Gibson who will be hoping there isn't a repeat of the
blatant DQ perpetrated by Brian Pillman in their last encounter.

Tonight for the Express, they had the Miracle Violence Connection, two big men
with a point to prove. Quickly they overpowered Ricky Morton and ground him
down for several minutes until the inevitable hot tag to Robert Gibson. He
fought back and soon the MVC were reeling. Back came Morton and now the Express
could show their stuff. The former champions got rid of Williams with a double
thrust kick that sent Dr. Death from the ring, then Gibson hit a big dropkick
to Gordy that allowed Morton the time to hit the Rock'n'Roll Buster for the
win. Former champions they are, they may well be the next champions come
Canadian Stampede. ****

NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS MATCH: Chris Jericho vs Rob Van Dam vs Kurt Angle vs "The Rock" Brad Armstrong

Our opening world title qualifier pitted four former title holders against one
another as former world champions Chris Jericho and Rob Van Dam would tangle
with former Intercontinental champion Kurt Angle and reigining Intercontinental
champion "The Rock" Brad Armstrong. Despite Brads recent run-ins with several
of the more nefarious stars of the DWF, he and Angle were definitely the less
popular of the four here and paired off against the two former world champs.
Angle was making short work of bitter rival Chris Jericho whereas Armstrong
had his hands full with Van Dam.

Before the match, Kurt Angle had taken a mic and proceeded to run down the
DWF for choosing to hold an annual event in the "cesspool" known as Canada, or
as he likes to call it, America-lite. No question that he's not going to be
very popular when he gets up north, and as he ran down every Canadian he could
think of in wrestling, it was clear he wasn't popular here either. No wonder
he was going after Jericho so vehemontly during the match.

Finally the inevitable breakdown occured when Angle had Jericho beat following
the Olympic Slam, forcing Brad to break things up. Their arguement quickly got
heated and Brad wasn't about to back down. In fact he got so into Angles face
that even Kurt didn't know quite how to react, but eventually the pair came
to blows. Finally Angle sent Brad packing with a clothesline to the outside,
to join RVD who had taken a big Rock Bottom on the outside. Angle cockily
turned round, right into Jerichos forward Russian legsweep, followed by an
Asai Moonsault, and after months of Angle getting one over Jericho whenever
they clashed, this time it was Jericho who scored the decisive pin.

So Chris Jericho is the first man to advance. Backstage, Don Muraco was watching
on intently. His reaction? No reaction really. All four men in this one are
probably on an equal level, so it's doubtful Muraco had any preferences, but
he nodded along anyway, doubtless figuring he can take Jericho no problem. **** 1/4

Essa Rios vs Rene Dupree

La Resistance can remain upbeat following their retaining the Intercontinental
tag team titles at Fall Brawl. Less so though in the way they did it, with a
blatant DQ. Still, Rene Dupree was in singles action today and they wanted to
clean the slate with the American fans. Dupree said how proud he was to be a
part of such a diverse country, signalling to his opponent for the evening,
Essa Rios, as an example of this. He then went on to say how great it was that
America allowed these people in to take all the available jobs, and how other
Americans floundering in the indies are happy to see "burrito munching wetbacks"
like Essa having big jobs, and how this showed how great Americans are.

Naturally the fans weren't going to give Dupree the time of day after that
little speech, nor were they when he and Grenier gave us the French Tickler.
Still, Dupree looked good during his match and took Essa Rios to work with an
impressive array of offence. Rios did mount a little fightback near the end,
prompting Grenier to trip him with his American flag, and Dupree quickly
regained control and the victory soon followed with the French Riviera. They've
also said that they'll be at Canadian Stampede have La Resistance. Oh joy. ** 3/4

Jody Fleisch & The Young Lions vs "Commissioner" Matt Hardy, Gene Snitsky & Heidenreich

Matt Hardy has other problems in his life, most of all Jody Fleisch' constant
barrage of insults and criticisms, a lot of which are justified these days.
Still, with his slightly insane and moronic bodyguards Gene Snitsky and
Heidenreich, he has the beef to back him up. So it became the natural step to
pair off the three of them against Matts biggest enemies, Jody Fleisch and
former running buddies the Young Lions. With Joey Matthews fresh off an upset
win last week over Larry Zbyszko, this was another tough one to call.

Matt chose a fairly mundane approach for himself - stay on the apron and not
get involved and thus despite his best efforts, Jody never got his hands on
him. Now Snitsky and Heidenreich might be monsters, but they have one big
weakness - they're dumb. So when they had Christian York done and dusted after
a spell of violent dominance, they held him up and tried to use their "special
powers" on him, with Snitsky using his fire breath and Heidenreich his laser
bolts, and the exhausted York simply fell back, right into his corner where
Fleisch got the tag.

As far as the bodyguards were concerned, they'd fried York. Hardy simply held
his head in his hands and shook it sadly. Matthews came in as well and their
double team moves proved effective. Heidenreich was staggered into one corner,
and Fleisch hit a high cross body on Snitsky, coupled with a schoolboy by
Matthews to put him down. Fleisch' 2-8-4-7-4 move followed and the victory was
secured. Wisely they didn't hang around and made their leave, to the relief of
Hardy who could have been in trouble if they'd decided to gang up on him.

But as they left celebrating, an angry Hardy grabbed a mic and made a match
there and then - him and Jody Fleisch at Canadian Stampede with EVERYONE barred
from ringside, except of course his bodyguards Snitsky and Heidenreich. Fleisch
didn't look happy at that, and with good reason - he's effectively three on
one down right away. Still, it's seven months of bickering and hatred since
their last meeting at Wrestlefest, where Fleisch was victorious, so this should
be one of the biggest grudge matches of the night. *** 1/4

NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS MATCH: Dynamite Kid vs Sean O'Haire vs Billy Kidman vs Alex Wright

Title qualifier number two - former champions and once arch enemies, Billy
Kidman and the Dynamite Kid. Joining them the despicable Alex Wright, along
with Ulf Herman as always to cause trouble, and the ever popular co-holder of
the tag team titles Sean O'Haire. O'Haire was very much a difference maker in
this one. If he could take four men at once at the Royal Rumble, taking on
three might sound easier, until you consider the calibre of these three. Still,
he showed a very dominant streak in this one until Wright, Kidman and even
Dynamite were forced to gang up and bundle him out of the ring. And while
Kidman and Wright invariably turned their attentions to Dynamite, Ulf Herman
grabbed Sean O'Haire behind the refs back and delivered a crushing powerbomb
on the floor.

So O'Haire was effectively out of it, and Dynamite looked in worse shape as
he was being taken two against one. When our treacherous duo felt that they'd
dealt with him, they turned their attentions to each other. Slugging it out,
Kidman began winning it - he IS the former champion of the two of course. And
he was winning to the point where he'd put Wright down after a big DDT off the
ropes and could smell victory. Up top he went for the Shooting Star Press when
up sprang Dynamite Kid again, joining him on the top rope where both men
struggled to keep their balance. But Dynamite didn't intend to stay there for
long, as he hit a huge superplex off the top that was enough for victory.

Backstage, Muraco was MUCH unhappier than he was before, as he threw around
whatever he could get his hands on, including the monitor he had been watching.
Vainly Jeff Hardy tried to calm things down, but the fact is that Dynamite Kid
will be getting another crack at Don Muraco in two weeks. After the spectacular
efforts of Fall Brawl where Dynamite Kid pushed Muraco to the limits, could
this be his time to take a second heavyweight title? **** 1/4

Edge vs Curt Hennig

Pretty Perfect may be regretting their little tag team boycott after tonight.
Things may have started well last week when Owen Hart defeated Masato Tanaka
but it didn't go to plan when Curt Hennig took on Edge. Hennig has of course
that non-victory over Jerry Lynn a couple of months ago, so confidence was
high, moreso when Owen hung around and made sure to blatantly cheat at all
turns. With Hennig on a roll as a result, out headed Christian to even things
up. The first sign that Owen was going to interject himself left Christian
with no choice but to take him out, and the two punched it out. Hennig, who
had been in control and signalling for the Perfect Plex, was distracted,
allowing Edge to nail a spear. With the tide turned, Edge finished things with
the Downward Spiral to secure a big win. **** 1/4

Kid Kash & La Parka vs Juventud Guerrera & Super Calo

Canadian Stampede will see a cruiserweight battle royal to determine the next
challenger to Hector Guerreros cruiserweight title. Already in are the likes
of Chavo Guerrero Jr., Jeff Hardy, the Young Lions, Masato Tanaka, Mando
Guerrero and former champion Low Ki. Also in were the four men in this match,
paired off as a little prelude to the match. Kid Kash is a former champion,
so set the early pace with perennial competitor Super Calo. In came La Parka
and veteran Juventud Guerrera who has never been cruiserweight champion
despite his many years in the DWF. Either way, that could yet change following
the end of this where he pushed both Kash and Calo from the ring when they
tangled in the ropes, then flattened La Parka with a sitout powerbomb,
followed by the 450 splash for the win. On the back of this, as fast paced as
it's going to be, just about anyone could come through with the win, and just
about anything can change in a moments notice. *** 1/4

NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS MATCH: Raven vs Brian Pillman vs Ken Shamrock vs Steve Corino

The final world title qualifier would be our main event, by virtue of the men
involved being the last four drawn out of the hat. Still, what we had was a
main event in any arena in the world. Co-holder of the tag titles Brian Pillman
and Ken Shamrock would have another chance to go at it as they did at Fall
brawl despite both men suposedly being the good guys. Along with them, the
current television champion Steve Corino and former worlds heavyweight
champion Raven.

Muraco backstage made no secret he did NOT want to have to face Raven for the
title, and watched even more intently on a different monitor. If the knowledge
of having to face Dynamite Kid and Chris Jericho wasn't bad enough when you
consider they're bound to team up on him, what happened at the start before
Raven had even entered made matters worse, as Pillman and Shamrock went right
for each other and engaged in quite the intense brawl, that spilled from the
ring, through the crowd and right out of the arena, never to return. This of
course means at Canadian Stampede, it will be Psychoanalysis and the Rock'n'Roll
Express for the tag team titles.

Meanwhile Corino like an idiot was celebrating victory already in the ring,
completely forgetting the man who was once his biggest nemesis, Raven, was yet
to arrive. Once he did, these two tore into each other like they've always done
and Raven was ahead on points for some time. Corino fought back with every
underhanded tactic he could, as Billy Kidman joined us for commentary. Now
Corino might have won last years King of the Ring by beating Raven in the final
but this match was turning into quite a different kettle of fish when Raven
mounted his big comeback. Kidman was practically crying on commentary, vowing
to slap every lawsuit for gross GBH, ABH and GTA.

It was at this stage, Don Muraco sauntered out with Jeff Hardy, providing an
immediate distraction, allowing Corino to take control again, and line up his
feared Old School Expulsion. No dice, Raven dodged that one and worked him
over, with every big move he had in his arsenal. Muraco was practically
seeting and by the time Raven locked in the headlock that would become the
Evenflow, he was positively indignant. Raven gave one final point with one
arm out to Muraco before REVERSAL! OLD SCHOOL EXPULSION! In one swift flowing
move, Corino had slipped out of the headlock and hit his finisher which nobody
to date has kicked out of. Raven wasn't about to be the first and Corino scored
a shocking upset.

In the aisle, Muraco looked downright stunned, as did manager Jeff Hardy.
Kidman meanwhile had ran from the commentary position and was hugging and
dancing with Corino. Raven meanwhilst was already sitting up, albeit holding
his neck, but now he was the one looking indignant, cursing his hesitancy.
And with that, the show came to a close, with the conformation that at the
Canadian Stampede, Don Muraco will defend his title against former champions
Dynamite Kid and Chris Jericho along with the surprise fourth man, reigning
television champion Steve Corino. Tough one to call, and on the back of tonight
who would bet against anyone in this? The near unbeatable Don Muraco, two
former champions in Dynamite and Jericho, and Steve Corino having just scored a
mammoth and CLEAN victory over Raven. ****

Other notes/angles

It was supposed to be Larry Zbyszko and John Cena going at it at Canadian
Stampede, as the match was signed last Tuesday by officials. On Friday however,
it turned out the beating Cena took last Monday was bad enough so that he'll
miss the PPV, at least in a wrestling capacity. Zbyszko has been told he'll
have an opponent of some description, but he's more worried with his car right
now, as Cena drove it into the arena playing loud gangster rap and showing off
the new spray job he's given it. Zbyszko was so taken aback to how his vehicle
has been abused, he was literally pounding his fists on the floor. With a
rental car so bad that it's slowed down by the rust dragging along the ground,
Zbyszko has every reason to be upset, and perhaps we should be sympathetic. On
the other hand, that's not going to happen.
AzraelPosted on 07/25/05 at 03:32:29

Wow, not only are you still using the Rock'n'Roll Express, they went over Gordy and Williams. I'm shocked, but then as you say, they used to be champs.

I figured Van Dam would win, but Jericho's the guy who has the biggest gain out of the win. Your Kurt Angle's pretty well written too.

Snitsky and Heidenreich are quality. Just sheer genius. I'm looking forward to the Hardy/Fleisch match.

Dynamite Kid winning is no real surprise. But still a solid match.

Wow, Corino beat Raven relatively clean. I would have thought that Raven would have been in the four way match the way you've been building it up, but I guess Raven/Muraco at a later date will work too. And for some reason, I mark out like a little girl for Corino, so this works.

Fun show. A little Cena or Zbyszko could have helped it out, but it still worked out.
Snabbit888Posted on 07/26/05 at 07:35:37

Big night with the setting up of a fourway for Stampede.  And here we go!

Yeah... no way Ricky Mullet and Lazy-eye Gibson weren't winning that match.

That first fourway was hard to call.  My instinct was Angle, but upon closer inspection, Jericho was the logical choice.  And he got the decisive win over Angle he's needed for awhile.

La Resistance rule so hard in DWF.  So so hard...

But not as hard as Snitsky and Heidenreich.  They totally fried Christian York!  How cool is that!?  I'm glad Hardy and Fleisch are going to go one-on-one again... well, in theory anyway.  It's about fuck time.

I predicted a win for Dynamite Kid, but the way he did it was very impressive.  And I can't imagine O'Haire being too happy that Herman tried to kill him.

Wow... Edge and Christian seem very midcard in DWF, so 'm surprised Edge beat Hennig.  No matter... good little match.

Holy shit... Corino with a relatively clean victory over Raven.  No chance in hell Corino wins at the PPV, but a good showing could really push him high up the card.